Page 24 of Secretly Married To My Monster Alien Boss
He wanted her first day in his home to be as comfortable as possible.
Because it was time for thebig move, as Alissia called it.
But it wasn’t big at all; Rynar was perplexed at how little she’d brought over. They were supposed to share the house for a little over one month, blissfully wed. And he’d seen the way Alissia dressed. He doubted even her shoes for the week would fit into that small bag she’d brought.
“Yes, that’s right,” she said. “I like big books.”
“I understand humans have devices that can store more books than we can fit inside this house,” he said.
“Yeah, but it’s the feel of an old book in your hands. The smell. The worn pages.” Her smile widened. “I have trouble sleeping in new places and books help me with that. So I couldn’t leave them behind, could I? They’d miss me too much.”
Rynar laughed, some of the tense anticipation leaving his body. Who could argue with that? “And the clothes’ bag?”
It was barely bigger than her purse.
“Oh, that just has one outfit, my PJs, and socks, I’ll bring more tomorrow. And Damian’s going to be hauling the bulk of my stuff after the wedding.”
Ah. So Rynar wasn’t totally clueless when it came to her. Humans were far superior to Deruzians when it came to intuition, but, perhaps, some of their Earthen skills were rubbing off on him.
As Alissia shut the door, Zinny sauntered toward them, tail flicking; Rynar had learned that was his feline equivalent of a welcoming wave. Zinny had been a bit caught off guard lastnight, but he’d come around to the idea of another being inhisterritory, it seemed. He headed straight for Alissia’s legs, rubbing up against her jeans.
“He likes me,” Alissia said with a surprised laugh.
The tension dissipated even more. How could it not, with a crystalline sound like that? Rynar relaxed a bit more. Alissia’s smile turned wider.
“He does,” Rynar said.
“I’m glad.”
“I hope you’ll be equally as glad when he jumps on top of you at six AM.”
A weird silence fell over them. Nines-damn it, they were doing so well.
Perhaps they should discuss what had happened the day before. Alissia had answered her brother’s call and had bolted out the door. As for Rynar, well…he didn’t want to think about what he’d done. What his veins pulsing could mean. And the glow…Zaryn and Nayn had confirmed what Rynar had suspected. After all, he’d seen his parents glow the same when they’d embrace.
Right now, he wanted to focus on being a good host. It was the proper thing to do.
When the silence turned stifling, Alissia leaned down and picked up Zinny, burying her chin in his luxurious fur. Her eyes finally found Rynar’s. It sent a jolt of delight through him.
Curious.
Zinny not only let Alissia hold him, but started to purr. Traitor.
“Oh, he wouldn’t do that,” she said in a great imitation of her own purr. “Jealous he’ll like me more than you before the month is up?”
“No.” Rynarwasconcerned abouthimliking Alissia even more by the time they had to end their marriage. He didn’t knowhow that would be possible, because she was already one of his favorite beings in this world. Perhaps even his own. “That means you can wake up and feed him at said six AM.”
If they were back to their jokes, it meant the situation was okay. For now.
Rynar allowed himself to relax.
“Oh, no,” she said, sounding more at ease as well. Rynar needed to remember to give Zinny some of that marinated chicken he liked as a thank you. “I couldn’t possibly intrude on your quality time with Zinny.”
“Believe me, it would be my pleasure. Even if I risk him liking you more than me, it’s a sacrifice I am willing to make.”
Alissia’s laugh echoed through the halls and rooms once more. Suddenly, his home didn’t seem so empty anymore.
“You’re even funnier than at the office.”
