Although Kendra appeared busy as she sat at the desk with her port screen in front of her, her thoughts were on Faron and their dinner last night.

She’d seen a different side of him. When he’d challenged Ivy, she’d felt a pang of something she hadn’t experienced for a long time. Faron had looked out for her. It had been ages since anyone had done that.

Kendra shook her head and puffed out a breath. What was she doing? They were so wrong for each other. These dates with Faron were about making My Single Alien more successful, nothing more. She was doing this to keep Ivy and Diadora off her back. Kendra had no interest in experiencing more dates with a hot, nearly naked Tolong or feeling his protective arm around her shoulders when he sensed she was uncomfortable.

“It’s about to go live.” Sinead hurried into the room with Nell and Avril.

Kendra glanced up. “What’s that?”

“You know what it is.” Sinead grinned at her. “Your date is about to be broadcast.”

Kendra grimaced. “So soon?” She hadn’t had time to prepare for seeing herself on camera. It was not an idea she relished.

Everyone gathered around the large screen in the office.

The footage started with a view of the restaurant and cut to a nervous looking Kendra sitting in the booth waiting for Faron.

“I can’t watch.” Kendra covered her eyes, but Sinead pulled her hand away.

“Don’t be daft. You look amazing.”

“I look ridiculous.”

Everyone gasped at the first glimpse of Faron wearing very little clothing as he strolled into the restaurant.

“Wow! How did you keep your hands off him?” Avril asked.

“I was too shocked to do anything other than stare,” Kendra admitted. “I hadn’t expected him to dress like that.”

“You mean forget to dress,” Sinead said. “You’ve got one super-hot alien on your hands.”

Kendra forced a smile. “I did feel overdressed when he appeared.”

“You look good together,” Avril said.

Kendra watched as the artfully edited footage revealed the date in all its romantic glory. It showed them laughing and talking then cut to Faron on his knee, holding her hand.

A shiver of pleasure ran through Kendra. It really did look like a marriage proposal.

Sinead’s head shot around, and she stared at her. “Oh my stars, is he doing what I think he’s doing?”

“Absolutely not. But for a second, I wondered what he was up to. Faron was apologizing. He thought he’d offended me and wanted to make amends.”

Sinead arched an eyebrow. “By getting down on one knee?”

“I don’t think he realized what it signifies to us,” Kendra said. “It scared the hell out of me.”

“He looks cute, so vulnerable holding your hand,” Avril said. “I’ve never seen a Tolong behave like that. It’s sort of sweet.”

“He’s anything but sweet, but that’s because of the way he was raised. I saw lots of scars on his body. His family was brutal when he was young.”

“Tolongs are never gentle with their children. They want them to be free of the weaknesses of emotion,” Avril said. “They are very much ones for logic and sensibility. They consider humans to be too emotional. That’s why we have so few Tolongs on our books. They struggle to overcome the differences between us.”

“We are definitely different,” Kendra said.

“I bet he still kisses amazingly.” Sinead nudged her and grinned.

“He’s not bad.” Kendra shrugged and looked away. Every time she thought about those kisses, she felt a warm glow inside her. She’d never been kissed like that before. Despite what was said about Tolongs being all about calmness and logic, when Faron had kissed her, there was nothing calm behind it. All she’d felt was raw energy and passion. There was a hidden fire inside that alien. It was a fire she was afraid to touch in case she got burned.

“So, what next?” Sinead asked as the footage faded.

“Nothing,” Kendra said. “I did as I was ordered. Diadora insisted we go on another date and it be filmed, so that’s what happened.”

“And you’re happy with that?”

“I’m not unhappy.”

“You don’t want to see Faron again?”

“He’s only after one thing. Just like any other guy, he’s not interested in a relationship.”

“Would you be interested if he was?”

“I’m not looking for anyone.”

Sinead grinned. “That’s not an answer.”

Kendra glared at her, not appreciating this cross-examination. “Haven’t you got work to do?”

“We all have plenty of work to do.” Sinead’s grin only widened. “You don’t even like him a little?”

Kendra sighed. It was too complicated with Faron. She knew what guys were like, and he was no different. When she was younger, she’d met so many guys who always tried to bargain with her. If only she’d open her legs and let them have what they wanted or get down on her knees and give them pleasure, she’d get something in return. She’d always refused, but she’d known plenty of other kids in the foster system who’d gotten caught in that cycle and considered it normal. There was always a trade-off in relationships.

“You should give it a go,” Sinead said. “Faron needs a good woman to soften those rough edges.”

Anger surged through Kendra. It irritated her the way Sinead was always so bubbly and optimistic. “What do you know about it?”

Sinead’s eyes widened. “I do work for a dating agency. I know a little about what makes a happy couple tick.”

“Yes, but you’re single. You’re giving out how-to advice when you don’t know how to do it yourself. You’ve never bagged yourself a guy.”

Sinead’s smile faded, and she stood from her seat. “I guess you’re right. Excuse me. I have to go check on a client.”

Kendra resisted the urge to call Sinead back and apologize. She felt like a bitch. But Kendra knew she was right about this. Getting involved with Faron was too risky. She needed to shut this down before it went too far. She’d done what she’d been told to do, and that had to be an end to this. Ivy had her publicity material. She could promote the hell out of the date for all Kendra cared.

Diadora walked into the room. She nodded at the group, and her gaze settled on Kendra. “Let’s talk in my office.”

Kendra’s gut churned as she followed Diadora, feeling like she was going on her last walk of freedom. The last time she’d been here, she’d gotten herself deeper into this mess with Faron.

Diadora settled in her seat. “I’m sure you’ll agree the promotional materials look effective.”

Kendra bit the inside of her cheek. “I do.”

“It’s important to remain professional. Think of what you’re doing as a publicity stunt.”

“I have no problem with that.”

“You must keep focused and clear headed.”

Kendra swallowed her anxiety. “Of course.”

“And keep your legs closed.”

“My legs definitely didn’t open on that date. You’d have filmed it if they had.”

Diadora’s eyes narrowed. “Unlike everybody else at My Single Alien. This is nothing more than a business deal.”

Kendra nodded. “Does Faron know that?”

“Technically, he’s not a client, so I don’t need to inform him of anything we’re doing.”

That didn’t seem fair. Although she was certain all Faron wanted was to get into her pants, she didn’t want to lead him on. “It might be wise to let him know what your plans are.”

“If you feel that’s appropriate, you can do that. Head focused and legs closed, that’s all you need to concern yourself with.”

Kendra pinched her lips together. Diadora was right. This was business, and she could handle it. She’d been in much tougher situations than this and survived. One hot, gruff alien wouldn’t derail her.

“Before you go,” Diadora said, “since you’ve been so popular with the audience, we’re running a series with you and Faron.”

Kendra took a step back. “A series? What do you mean?”

“The public wants more of you and Faron. Ivy ran the latest promotion last night to several audiences to get their opinion. Across the board, there was consensus that they want regular updates on your relationship.”

Kendra’s palms became clammy, and the air felt too thin to breathe. “Hang on. You said this relationship wasn’t even a relationship. It’s business. You said not to get involved.”

“And don’t. Consider this an additional work duty. You can show the viewing public how effective My Single Alien is.”

“How do you propose I do that?” Kendra knew she would hate the answer.

“Simple. You are to spend a whole day with Faron.”

Kendra swallowed as her stomach clenched. Oh, crap. How could she spend a day with Faron and keep her heart intact?