Page 19 of Secretly Mated To My Monster Alien Boss
“Yes?”
“About that kiss…” He took another long step, now standing right next to her, breathing the air she exhaled. “I want to do it again.”
Her smile turned luminous. “I want it, too.”
Few moments had made Deryg this happy in his existence, but he already knew he would cherish this one above all the others. Because those had been about accomplishing something–getting his Academy medal, being named Alien Inc’s head of security. This was about his future and his happiness. It didn’t signify a successful achievement, but a glorious opportunity for more.
So he had to make sure he did it right. There were too many unknowns. And from the way the chatter outside his office grew, he would be called to duty soon.
“That makes me, as you say,insanely happy.” He took her palms into his own, cradling them to his chest. “I know you’re busy with the party–”
“So are you.”
If he could damn the party and stay here with her, he would. “But after it’s done, may I have the pleasure of your company for an evening?”
Or morning. Or midday. Or midnight. Or the entire day, whatever she wanted. Humans had too many names for the way time passed. It was confusing, but Deryg wanted all of them with her. To gaze at her and know her deepest thoughts.
And he had to share his own. There was a secret only him, Rexan, and another Deruzian knew–and he had to tell Kiara about it if they stood any chance in the future.
8
KIARA
The atrium looked even better than Kiara could have imagined. The central pillar, carved out of marble and reinforced with Deruzian steel that wrapped around it like tinsel on a Christmas tree, had always been massive. But decorated with Darcy and Nazyn’s moving creations, like the robot arms continually pouring glasses of champagne and the light-up spheres swirling around it, it took up maybe a quarter of the space.
Kiara could already picture the Nedulons flocking around it. Deryg said they had translucent skin, golden hair long enough to sweep the floor, and a penchant for tall things. Didn’t get much taller than the pillar, that was certain.
She stood at the top of the stairs, taking in the servers running around to add the last touches. The wide, hefty glasses the Zamorians had requested, so their large fangs wouldn’t chip them. The steak and shrimp appetizers that would satisfy even the Deruzians’ unquenchable appetites, and the metal art piecesand ice sculptures the humans could admire as everyone talked about trade contracts and shipping requirements.
As her phone buzzed for the hundredth time that day, Kiara allowed herself one small smile.
She’d done it.
This was the biggest event in Alien Inc.’s–albeit short–history on Earth and everything looked perfect, from the chandeliers hanging from the glass ceiling, to the linen flecked with Deruzian symbols draped over the cocktail tables.
Only half an hour to go before the first guests arrived. The humans and Deruzians would be first, since they didn’t have to travel very far. The Xirian envoy was also stationed close to the building. Then the rest of the ships would pass through the Deruzian portal and everyone would be in by midnight.
A few years ago, before Deruzia had opened the portal to Earth, Kiara hadn’t seen a single alien–now she was organizing a party where she’d meet species from billions of miles away. It was insane.
And everything had to go according to plan.
“Kiara here,” she answered her phone. Her left ear was red and stinging from all the calls she’d taken today. “Yes, Deryg’s stationed six of his best Deruzians at the entrance to check guests as they're coming in. Yes, we have enough wine for the Xirians.”
And plenty of other alcoholic drinks; water wasn’t a thing on Xiria, apparently.
She descended the grand stairs, already questioning her choice of shoes for the evening–the red pumps were cute and comfortable, with a heel small enough that she could navigate the crowd quickly if she needed to, but Kiara wondered if she’d still feel the same in about eight hours, when the cleaning crew came in. The cleaning team’s bosses, a hulking dude and a spunky old lady, had already visited the atrium last weekand had gone over all the steps needed to vacate the space as efficiently as possible, down to the last dirty glass and dessert spoon.
As Kiara’s steps echoed from the marble steps through the entire atrium, people rushed to her with more questions.
“The serving tray garnishes are looking a bit drab, what should we do?”
“The napkins are more blood red than burgundy red, should we just use white ones instead?”
“The lights at the back of the pillar aren’t bright enough, how can we fix it?”
“Put the garnishes halfway underneath the appetizer plates, with the good side showing,” Kiara said without breaking her stride, a horde of people around her. “Blood red works fine, it will match the Xirians’ hair. And send someone to check out those lights, pronto. Anything else?”
“What about this special delivery?” a gruff voice said from behind, sending shivers down her spine.
