Page 37 of Wrong Bed Right Alien

“I always want to know your opinion.”

She turned to sit facing him. Copying her, he sat so their knees bumped together.

“I don’t know the answer. Some men are great and make wonderful husbands. Sadly, most women I know haven’t found that. The people I’ve dated in the past haven’t always treated me right. It could be culture or upbringing. I don’t really know.”

Considering this, he moved her hair behind her shoulders. “There are men who would fight to the death for the chance at a woman to cherish. Not all men are who you think they are.”

No kidding. Because Ethan had been tripping her up since they met.

“Who areyou?” Glancing at the strange bracelet on his wrist, she trailed a finger over the top of it. The band was snug against his wrist and didn’t move as she toyed with it. It looked like some kind of super high-tech smart watch. “Who are you, really?”

He swallowed and took her hand. She sensed he was holding something back. Maybe a truth bomb that she didn’t want to hear. He was married. He was a criminal. Something.

“Remember the castle I told you about?”

“Yeah. I had a dream about it.”

“What if I said I could take you there when I get back?”

“I… didn’t know you were leaving.”

That wasn’t quite the truth bomb she’d been expecting, but it was something. She didn’t want him to leave. Not yet.

“I didn’t either until last night. There are a few things I have to take care of for my father, but I’ll be back in a few days. Wait for me.”

It wasn’t a question, but more of an agonized command.

“I’m leaving in less than a week.”

“I’ll be back before then.”

Something about this made her uneasy. They were having fun and things between them were so easy, and now it was ending. A temporary end, but there was still a finality to it that bothered her.

What could she say? She didn’t want him to go.

“Okay.”

“Turn back around.” Gripping her by the shoulders, Ethan helped her face away from him again. His weight left the bed for a momentarily and then he returned to kneel behind her. Smoothing her hair down her back, he kissed the top of her head.

“What are you going to do about Pel?”

He started brushing her hair. Shocked, Kimber went completely still as he set the bristles at the crown of her head and dragged them down. Pel. Right.

“He’s a lost cause and I’m going to pitch my boss a different story idea. Originally, I was here for four days to meet with Pel, and another week for a personal vacation. I can’t justify the vacation if I haven’t done the work, you know? I have to give my boss something.”

Halting the brush, he leaned close to her ear. “I don’t want you being around him alone.”

The possessiveness in his voice caused a hard shiver to jolt down her spine. “I don’t plan on it.”

“What’s your new story idea?”

She told him about the outline she’d created. Moaning softly, she gave herself over to the tingly sensations coursing through her scalp with every stroke. Taking his time, he slowly worked around her head as if he had all the time in the world.

“Do you think it’s strange that humans fear alien invasion, yet they’ve created profitable new commerce around the possibility? Dingle’s tourism revenue has exploded since the grays began using the underwater portals.” Ethan abruptly stopped brushing. “Or so the theories go.”

He traded the brush for his fingers. Oh, God, it felt so good.

“Humans will exploit anything for money, Ethan. You know that.”

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