The alert on Solan’s door buzzed. He had only been in his quarters for five minutes since Vegas had deposited him there before giving him a stern glare as she’d left with Boros.

He’d wanted to protest and remain by her side the whole time Boros was anywhere near her. But he’d seen for himself, Vegas could hold her own. If she was to be his mate, she would have to stand up for herself in difficult situations.

Solan strode to the door and opened it. His second-in-command, Commander Padam stood outside, two bottles of blue liquid in his hands and a twinkle in his dark eyes.

Padam handed him one of the bottles. “I discovered they serve Galaxar beer on the space station. I thought you might appreciate one.”

“Thank you, Commander. Come in.” Only when the doors slid shut did they drop the pretense of being formal. They’d known each other since they were squibs playing battle games together. Despite Solan outranking Padam, their friendship was as solid as ever, and he valued him by his side in battle, and when they were at the bar.

“Have you met your mate yet?” Padam grinned at Solan.

“Not yet. I was having my induction when we were interrupted.”

Padam was an unusually chatty Galaxar. Some people thought he was too feminine and asked too many questions, but there were times when Solan appreciated having someone to talk to. Now was one of them.

Padam regarded him silently as he took a sip of his drink. “Is there a problem?”

“Not with the arrangements.” Solan slumped onto the sturdy gray couch sitting against one wall. “Brigadier Boros is also on board.”

Padam joined him on the couch. “What’s that treacherous sand worm doing here?”

“The same as us. He wants a mate.”

“I pity any woman who is forced to lay with him. I bet he didn’t declare his interest in restraints when he signed up at the agency.”

“If he did, he wouldn’t be here,” Solan said. “I tried to alert Vegas that this was a problem—”

“Vegas?” Padam’s brow furrowed. “You’re on first name terms with Miss Munro?”

Solan stiffened. “What if I am?”

Padam grinned. “She’s a cute human. Is she your match?”

“Apparently not.”

“But you’re interested?”

“It is not my choice to make, apparently. I have a chosen mate waiting for me.”

“You asked Vegas if she would mate with you?”

Solan glared at Padam out of the corner of his eye. “I made my intentions clear. And she is fertile. The opportunity seemed foolish to miss.”

“What did she do?”

“She is not certain.” Solan was not ready to admit Vegas had outright rebuffed him. She was considering her options. It was sensible of any female to determine her most advantageous match before making a commitment.

“She turned you down.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“You didn’t need to.” Padam gestured at the large screen that sat on the wall opposite them. “They have guides for us to watch. I’ve been viewing them in my own room.”

“What kind of guides?” Solan was grateful for the change of topic. He had yet to determine a way to convince Vegas to mate with him.

“Information pods, if you like,” Padam said. “Perhaps we should watch one or two. It might give you some pointers as to what to do with Miss Munro.”

Solan frowned. They were still on that topic. “I don’t need pointers. I’ve never had problems with females before.”

“These are human females,” Padam said, giving Solan’s knee a friendly pat. “They are very different to what we’re used to.”

“Frustratingly so.” Solan took a long swig of his drink. It helped take the edge off the frustration he felt. “Put one on.”

Padam grabbed the remote and scrolled through the options. “Let’s start with dates. Human females are supposed to enjoy dating.” He hit the play button, and they settled back on the couch.

“This dating is a type of bonding ritual,” Solan said. “The pair goes to places together and is seen in public?”

“It’s like a declaration,” Padam said, his gaze intent on the screen. “It shows others they are together.”

“That makes sense,” Solan said. “It must mean less fighting between the males when it’s clear a couple are joined.” He tapped his fingers on the bottle as he studied the visual display. “They do a lot of feeding of animals on these dates. The feathered variety is popular.”

“Perhaps it has some symbolic meaning,” Padam said. “As must scattering those crumbs into the water for the feathered animals.”

“It might be appealing to females.” Solan would see if they had any of these creatures on board the space station and take Vegas to feed them. Or perhaps he could catch one and offer it to her.

“They spend a lot of their dating time eating,” Padam said. “That makes no sense to me. After a big meal, the last thing I want is to pound into a woman. I need to sleep and digest my meal.”

“It would make me nauseous to bed a woman right after a feast. It must be an adaptation the humans have evolved,” Solan said. “They might need to eat a huge meal to give them enough strength to reproduce. They are small, so get weak quickly.”

“That must be it.” Padam leaned forward as the image on the screen changed. “They do kiss. I was glad to learn that. It’s something I enjoy with our females. I don’t think they bite though. Can’t say I’ll miss that.”

Solan finished his drink and regarded the empty bottle. “Is there any more of this?”

“There should be a supply in your food resource. That’s where I got these. Avoid the food replicator. I used it and got inedible gunge.”

Solan hunted through several cupboards before pulling out more blue beer. He opened both bottles and returned to the couch.

“I do not understand the gift giving,” Padam said. “I knew about the tradition of flowers, but that male just gave the female something square wrapped in pink paper.”

“That must be candy,” Solan said. “Human females like sweet things.”

“Does it make them taste more appealing?” Padam asked.

Solan’s cock twitched as he recalled the mint taste in Vegas’s mouth. “They taste fine as they are.”

Padam’s head shot around. “I didn’t know you had experience with a human female. When did that occur?”

“Thirty minutes after being on the space station.” He gave his friend a rueful smile.

“With whom?”

“With Miss Munro.”

“Hah! I knew you liked her. How did you convince her to mate with you?”

“It wasn’t a mating,” Solan said. “I insisted on a practical demonstration. She obliged.”

“So, she does want you as a mate?”

Solan’s humor faded. “She said it was to assist me with my induction.”

“I must ask for that when I have my induction,” Padam said. “It’ll be handy to get in practise before the real thing.”

“I’d advise against it,” Solan said. “Vegas has been cool toward me since then.”

“You did something wrong?”

Solan smirked. “Not possible.”

“You don’t think she likes you?”

“Her signals confuse me. Her physical form showed she was interested, yet she said otherwise.”

“One of the information pods I watched showed human females play hard to get. It attracts their mates to them.”

“Do you think that’s what Vegas is doing with me?” The irrationality of the behavior bemused Solan. Galaxar women did not hide their interest when they wanted to mate. They picked a male, took him to their quarters, and mated. There was never a question he’d turn them down, or the female would be coy and indecisive.

“My experience with human women is even more limited than yours. I am not certain what Miss Munro’s actions indicate. Let me find the information pod about attracting a mate.”

“By resisting me, she is wasting a valuable mating opportunity. Vegas must know this behavior is not sensible.”

“But you forget, human females are fertile every month, unlike our own women. Maybe they don’t see it as such a waste.” Padam changed the information pod. “This is not the one I wanted. This one is about the act of kissing.”

They sat in silence as they watched a couple making out on the screen.

Solan wanted to feel Vegas’s lips against his again. He didn’t care about the match she’d made for him. He wanted her. She must have made a mistake. They were meant to breed together. He would convince her that was the correct choice.

“I enjoy these information pods.” Padam downed his drink and stood. “But actions are more important. I shall try kissing with humans. There must be a willing recipient on the space station who will be happy to sample me.”

“You should try the bar,” Solan said. “I believe human females are more interested in kissing when they have had several drinks.”

Padam slapped him on the shoulder. “Excellent idea. I’ll report back with my findings.”

Solan shook his head. “Keep your private life to yourself.”

Padam paused by the door. “You don’t want to know all about it?”

Solan did, but he would undertake his own investigations. “Maybe later.”

Padam grinned as the door slid open. “You’re going on your own hunt.”

Solan shrugged. “Perhaps.”

“I want all the details,” Padam said.

“You’ll be lucky.”

Padam laughed as he left the room.

Solan finished his drink and left his quarters. He had to locate Vegas and tell her she was the one for him. He would show her he was the right Galaxar to be in her life.

Returning to the space station’s store he’d seen when he first arrived, he strode along the aisles. There was fresh produce, chilled goods, and then just what he was looking for, boxes of candy.

Galaxars didn’t have a sweet tooth. They ate to live. Food was fuel, a way to ensure their muscles stayed strong for battle. Having seen a number of humans in the flesh, he knew that wasn’t the case with them.

“May I help you, sir?”

Solan turned to see a black-eyed, pale gray Koob standing next to him, dressed in a clean, green tabard.

“I am Aho. Welcome to my store.”

“I am looking for a gift for a mate. What do you recommend?”

“What particular race is your mate?” Aho asked. “You are not thinking of buying candy for a Galaxar female?”

“She’s a human,” Solan said. “I have been paired with someone from My Single Alien.”

“That is excellent news,” Aho said. “Candy is the perfect choice for a human female. They get so excited every time I have a new range in.”

“This candy will make me more appealing?” Solan lifted a pink box from the shelf and studied the pictures.

“I have yet to hear of a case when candy did not work with a human female. It affects their brain chemistry and gives them a high.”

“It drugs them?”

Aho chuckled. “Nothing so serious. It gives them a little energy rush and makes them smile.”

“It puts them in a good mood?”

“Your mate will be in an excellent mood when you present her with a box of candy.”

“What about flowers?”

Aho dropped his head and sighed. “Sadly, fresh flowers are prohibited on the space station. They are a popularly requested item. Everyone who comes to the space station sees the information pod about appropriate gifts during mating, but the filters will not withstand all the debris the flowers create. I have some excellent silk artificial flowers if you would like to purchase those.”

“The information pod specifically showed fresh flowers,” Solan said. “Perhaps some alcohol?”

“Humans do enjoy a drink.” Aho led him to another aisle. “Sparkling wine is often a popular choice for a lady.”

Solan selected a bottle of pink wine. “I’ll take this and some candy.” With these gifts, Vegas would have to accept him.

“An excellent choice, sir.” Aho moved to the payment point and processed his order. “Do come back again and enjoy your evening.”

Solan nodded, took the gifts, and headed out of the store. He slowed. He had no clue where to find Vegas. It was late; she was most likely in her quarters.

He spotted a small blonde female up ahead. That was Vegas’s companion, the woman who had been with her in the docking bay when he arrived. He hurried after her. She would know where Vegas was.

“Wait! Stop walking. Miss...” Solan had forgotten her name. He caught hold of her upper arm and spun her around.

The woman’s eyes widened as their gazes locked. “My! You have a strong grip.”

“You did not respond to my voice command. I need to speak with you. Miss...”

“Heather Roberts, at your service.” She gently plucked his fingers from her arm. “How might I help you, Colonel Solan?”

“I’m looking for Vegas.”

Heather’s eyes went to the candy and wine, and she smiled. “She is off duty.”

“Where are her quarters?”

“Are those gifts for her?” A twinkle of delight shone in Heather’s wide eyes.

“They are.”

“Then let me show you the way.” Heather tapped Solan’s arm. “Vegas does enjoy candy. We often share.”

“Perhaps she will allow you one of these.”

“I’m sure she will.” Heather peered at the box. “You’ve made a good choice. They are her favorite.”

“She will be pleased?”

Heather chewed on her bottom lip. “She might be. But don’t take it personally if she’s a little stand-offish. Vegas is under a lot of stress because of work. Sometimes, it doesn’t make her think all that clearly.”

Solan nodded. “I have noticed her behavior is odd.”

A startled laugh came out of Heather as she led them along a corridor. “Odd how?”

“She has rejected me.”

Heather laughed again. “That is odd.”

“It is. Does Vegas have particular standards I do not meet?”

“Oh! No, I think you fit her standards just fine.” Heather glanced at Solan’s muscles, and then looked away, a grin on her face.

“Then there is another problem? She does not like Galaxars?”

“She likes Galaxars well enough,” Heather said. “At My Single Alien, we welcome all aliens.”

“Then I do not understand,” Solan said. “I will attempt to make her see logic.”

Heather stopped by a door. “Good luck with that. This is Vegas’s quarters. Do you want me to stay?”

“Your presence is not needed.”

“Enjoy yourself.” Heather pressed the buzzer on the door before hurrying away. Solan saw her stop at the end of the corridor and give him a wave and a thumbs-up.

He found himself repeating the odd gestures back at her. These humans were most peculiar.

The door in front of him opened. Vegas wore a pair of soft gray pants and a white T-shirt. Her hair was tied off her face, short tendrils framing her features. He liked the look more than her formal work jumpsuit.

“Colonel Solan!” Vegas pulled at the edge of her T-shirt. “I was not expecting you. We don’t have a meeting scheduled.”

“These are for you.” He thrust the candy and wine at Vegas.

She stared at them as if she’d never seen anything like them before. “Gifts for me?”

“I thought you would like them.”

“That’s... nice of you.” Vegas took the candy and wine and continued to stare at them. “Why are you giving me these?”

“To ensure you develop an interest in me.”

“An interest?” Vegas sighed. “Solan, we’ve gone over this. I am sorry if there was any misunderstanding during your induction. I will make amends tomorrow. We will complete your induction, and you can meet your mate earlier than planned. Just to be clear, I am not your mate. I am not a suitable candidate for you.”

“I disagree. You are fertile. If we mated now, you would become pregnant. You are not displeasing to the eye, although your stubbornness needs work. And you can clearly take care of yourself.” His gaze moved past her to the tidy living room. “I believe you would be a competent mother.”

“I’m not displeasing to the eye! I’m stubborn! My mothering skills would be competent!” Color rose on Vegas’s cheeks. “Is this how you woo your females? You insult them and tell them they’re just about average?”

“Those were compliments.” Solan shook his head. Vegas was being ridiculous. “Let’s go on a date. It is something humans do. You can make your mind up then.”

“A date!” Vegas step toward him and jabbed Solan in the chest. “Let me make this clear. I would not go on a date with you if you were the last fertile Galaxar in this solar system. You could buy me a million bottles of wine and a billion boxes of candy and I would still not go on a date with you.”

“I would not buy you so much wine or candy. It would make you fat and drunk. That would not be good for you or our offspring.”

She jabbed him with a finger again. “I’m not asking you to. I meant you’re too sure of yourself.”

“Is that a maybe to a date?”

Vegas’s eyes narrowed as she stepped back inside her quarters. “That is a one hundred percent, cast iron guarantee that I will not go on a date with you.”

“But I got you the wine and candy,” Solan said. “That is supposed to make you happy.”

“The only thing that will make me happy is if you leave right now.” She leaned over, pressed a button by the door, and it slid shut in his face.