Page 23 of Wrong Bed Right Alien

Pel said his guests had meditated. He was feeding them mind-boosting foods and the flesh of a hallucinogenic fish.

“You don’t seriously think you can contact aliens with your minds, do you?”

The words burst out of her mouth, her anger rising after she said them. He’d tricked her out here so she could report on his ability to contact extraterrestrials with his fucking mind.

Pel grinned proudly. “You finally caught on. Kim, you’re the perfect person to help me. Watch what we can do tonight. Film, take notes, record everything. And then we’re going to write magnificent press releases and pitch our wonderful abilities as the next big reality show.”

She was so mad; she was shaking. Ethan’s big hand slid over her thigh comfortingly.

“Who do you think brought the Dingle lights here, Kimber? It’s me. It’sus.”

Turning to his other guests, he picked up his small plate of Sarpa Salpa. “It’s time. Eat and follow me to the plaza.”

His guests ate the fish. Every single one of them. And then they scooted out of their chairs and rushed after Pel, who exited with a flourish and swish of his robe.

Kimber sat there for a moment, stunned. “What the hell just happened?”

Ethan squeezed her thigh.

What did she have to lose at this point? “You know what, let’s go see this fucker summon some aliens.”

Ethan stood up quickly. “Kimber, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Why not?”

The seriousness of his expression concerned her. “Wait, do you really think they can contact aliens with their minds?”

His lips parted, then closed. Something flickered on his face that suggested he believed it. “Let’s say they can summon aliens with telepathy. Doesn’t it make sense that your own people are the reason the grays come here? Humans are calling them to this planet, essentially encouraging them to take what they want.”

“That’s a pretty big hypothesis.”

“I only mean that there are many things at work here that humans don’t understand.”

Getting up, she pushed her chair into place loudly and slipped the strap of her portfolio over her shoulder. “Well, let’s go start trying to understand.”

Chapter Ten

Kimber

Everyonewasvomiting.

All of them were curled up on the grass in the pouring rain, puking their guts out.

Kimber crossed her arms and stood inside the open doorway, safe from the rain and vomit. “This looks like it’s working out great for them.”

Lightening bisected the dark sky with rapid fire silver spears. Behind her, Ethan moved away from the door and deeper into the recess.

She was getting the impression that he didn’t like storms. Her neck prickled in awareness of his proximity. Warmth ran through her, along with the longing to have him wrap his arms around her from behind and pull her against his body. It seemed like ages since they’d kissed and though she shouldn’t; she wanted his comfort.

This assignment was crumbling around her, taking her dreams of a better writing career with it. Pel and his friends were throwing up all over it.

“I’m sorry this isn’t turning out the way you’d hoped.”

The pleasant rumble of Ethan’s voice did something to her insides.

“My boss is going to kill me.”

“None of this is your fault.”

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