Page 30 of Matched to the Alien King
It was addicting.Hewas addicting.
“Now, let’s see who here is a Michelangelo wannabe,” Pete announced and began showing the contestants’ artwork on the viewscreen.
Yep, this was boring. Even the crewmembers were falling asleep.
“…and last but certainly not least on the female side,” Pete was saying, “is Captain Nera. Let’s see who she drew as her favorite person here.”
My drawing appeared on the holographic viewscreen above his head. Snickers erupted.
“It appears to be a red caterpillar…” Pete announced, faking confusion with his wrinkled forehead. “Your favorite person here is a caterpillar?”
“Well, yes. That’s one of the only things I know how to draw…somewhat…other than stick figures.” Although from here, my caterpillar sort of looked like a smiling red horse. Hey, it was a rush job. “But look to the right of the caterpillar.”
“At the huge purple X?” Pete asked.
I smiled over at Maxx who was already, or still, watching me with a damn sexy grin twitching his lips. That kind of grin was just unfair. Nothing should be that devious and sweet at the same time.
“I take it that’s supposed to be Maxx. Now let’s see if he chose you.” Pete pointed at the viewscreen where another picture appeared next to mine.
Only this one was a hundred times better. It was a painting of my face, the likeness startlingly real but also better, if that made sense. My crooked smile, my cartoon-big eyes, my pointy nose which I’d been self-conscious about since I was ten, but all of it looked flattering. Sunlight marbled my skin and the jungle around me, and there on one giant leaf, spotlighted in its own sunbeam, was the little furry caterpillar we’d rescued.
The way I smiled down at the caterpillar in reality was likely the same as I did in this…this masterpiece. With surprise and wonder.
I turned to Maxx again, my heart swelling to near bursting. This was quite possibly the sweetest, most meaningful thing anyone had ever done for me.
Because I couldn’t help myself, I launched out of my hoverchair and across the stage toward him. He met me halfway and pulled me into the most breathtaking, searing kiss we’d shared yet. Our tongues tasted. Our breaths twined into one.
My body responded instantly, forgetting all about the innocent bystanders and the millions of viewers with virgin eyes, as I manic-sploded all over him in an attempt to get even closer.
He must’ve forgotten too when he groaned low in his throat, likely summoning puddles of liquid heat from women, men, and everything in between throughout the four corners of the universe.
His hand skimmed over my ass and rocked me into his hard cock. He found out just how ridiculously short my sparkly dress was when he traced his long fingers over the backs of my thighs and then flirted them between where he surely felt my own liquid heat and my lack of underwear.
This time, his groan turned into a predatory growl that nearly vibrated an orgasm right out of me.
But then Pete tapped us both on the shoulders.
Reluctantly, we pulled apart, our chests heaving, my mind swirling.
“Hate to interrupt the near conquering of the pink fortress, but would youlookatthis?” He pointed up to the viewscreen.
Above our two pictures we’d created of each other was a percentage—99.99.
“Those who voted for you two to stay were also asked who your best match on the show was. That percentage is the number who voted for your better half. They also sent in comments about you two like ‘Their chemistry is off the charts!’ and ‘My screen steams up whenever they look at each other!’” Pete slowly ticked his gaze between us. “Now, I know whatIthink about you two crazy kids, but what are your thoughts about being matched together by our audience?”
Maxx, his eyes never leaving me, trailed his fingers down my arm to my wrist, dazzling every nerve with his touch. “Whether she trusts me or not, I tend to agree with the audience.”
“Ohhhh,spicy.” Pete turned to me. “And you, Captain Nera? What do you think about the match?”
I took Maxx’s hand to try to contain the power he had over me. It didn’t help.
“I think that my trust issues stem from being tricked into thinking that raisin cookies are chocolate chip cookies from a very early age.” Shrugging, I grinned up at Maxx. “But since I’ve already taken a bite out of this one, I might as well see if I trust him enough to like his flavor anyway.”
Pete whistled low. “She’s taken abite, ladies and gentlemen. We’ve got a praying mantis on the show.”
Maxx looked at me quizzically. “Am I the raisin cookie or the chocolate chip cookie in this scenario?”
“Well...” I shot him a mischievous grin. “I’ll probably have to taste a little more to find out.”
