Kendra touched her lips as she wandered to her room. Faron wanted her. Never had she imagined their lunch date would go like that. She’d meant it to be strictly business but had wound up wrapped in his arms being fed curry and having him promise to make her his. How had her plans deviated so much? Or rather, sped off in a totally different direction along a stretch of road she didn’t know existed.

They had an hour apart before they were due to spend the rest of the afternoon together and then have dinner.

She smiled to herself. Holy stars, Faron was something else. Kendra’s stomach churned with a mixture of nerves and excitement. Faron had said he wanted to dance for her as part of his courtship rituals. Was that the right thing to do? For one thing, she’d never seen a guy who could actually dance. What if he put on his best effort and it was terrible? She could ruin everything if she laughed at Faron. He wasn’t a guy who should be mocked.

A worrying thought hit her. What if his dance was the hottest thing she’d ever seen, and she let her guard down and let him into her life?

Faron had made his interest clear, even though he’d done it in a screwed-up way by telling her she wasn’t right for him. Kendra had initially been pissed that he’d been so honest about how tricky a relationship would be, but she also understood his hesitation.

Kendra didn’t consider him right for her either but kept getting drawn back. Every time she decided she would cool things off and make sure Faron knew this was nothing serious, just a bit of business, her head was turned, and he surprised her. There was something about Faron that made her pause and wonder if she could truly find love.

She shook her head as she wandered past the general store. Faron couldn’t desire anything more than sex. His physical reaction to her was always obvious. It was kind of a compliment, the fact he found her so attractive. And until today, she’d always assumed it was nothing more than that. He desired something new and thought he could get some easy pleasure with Kendra.

The trust exercise had changed her thinking. Faron was more than a horny alien who wanted a good time. He had his own issues and difficult past. Kendra could see them beneath the surface whenever he let his guard down. If they spent more time together, Faron might open up even more. Did she want that?

“Where have you been hiding?”

Kendra turned to see Ivy and Sinead walking toward her.

Kendra smoothed a hand down her hair. “Nowhere.”

“How did it go?” Ivy asked.

“I imagine you filmed the whole thing in the holo booth, so you should know the answer to that.”

Sinead smiled at her. “It looked intense.”

A blush crossed Kendra’s cheeks. “It had its moments.”

“It had some genius moments,” Ivy said. “The move where you sat on his lap will have our audience baying for more.”

Kendra scowled at her. “I wasn’t thinking about that when I did it. It seemed like the right thing to do.”

Ivy smirked. “Sure, it did. I sit on a guy’s lap every time I go on dates.”

“You most likely do,” Kendra said. Ivy and her partner Karn were known for getting physical in public. Ivy might mock public displays of affection, but she didn’t have a leg to stand on if she was teasing Kendra.

Ivy shrugged. “I knew the trust exercise would either bring you closer or blow you two apart.”

“It did help us get to know each other.” Kendra felt reluctant to share with Ivy. If she told Ivy the details, she would put the information on some info pod and send it across the star system.

“You like each other,” Sinead said.

Kendra looked along the corridor. “There’s a lot to like, but Faron comes with a few sharp edges. And Diadora has warned me repeatedly that this is business.”

“Agreed, but you’re into this guy. And it’s not early enough to test this blossoming relationship,” Ivy said.

Kendra did not like the sly look in Ivy’s eyes. “We don’t have a relationship to test.”

“You have something, and it’s something our audience is interested in seeing more of. They’ll be intrigued to see how you two handle pressure.”

Kendra pressed her lips together. “Why spoil things? If your audience is enjoying seeing us going on dates, why not keep doing that?” She wasn’t even sure why she’d suggested that. She was still undecided about her next step with Faron.

“That’s one option. Even Diadora is happy about what’s happening between you two, and that never happens.”

Sinead and Kendra exchanged a surprised glance. Diadora wore a permanent scowl. If she was making the big boss happy, then Kendra needed to pay attention.

“But we can’t keep sending you on dates,” Ivy said. “Viewers will grow bored with seeing that, and inquiries into our services will slump. We need to spice things up.”

“Spice them up how?”

Ivy tilted her head from side to side. “Throw a little complication into the works and see how you handle it as a couple.”

Kendra shook her head. Whatever relationship she had with Faron, it felt too fragile to mess with. “We’ve known each other for a week. This will end before it’s begun if you mess with things.”

“The fact you’ve only known each other for such a short length of time is a bonus. You’re not exclusive, which means you can date other people.”

Kendra’s eyebrows shot up. “You want me to date other single aliens, as well as Faron?” This felt wrong. She’d never been a fan of dating lots of people at once until someone thought you were good enough to be exclusive with. If you find someone you like, focus on them. Otherwise, things get messy.

“We’ve got plenty of willing individuals on the My Single Alien books who will be happy to date you,” Ivy said. “And it might stir some action out of Faron.”

“You don’t need to stir anything out of him,” Sinead said. “We all saw what went on when you did the trust exercise. That guy has some serious equipment in his pants.”

Kendra huffed out a laugh, but she didn’t feel comfortable messing Faron around. He would hate another guy in her life, and she didn’t want that either. She didn’t want to hurt Faron. It had taken him a lot to open up to her, and there was more to come.

“You’re worrying about nothing,” Ivy said. “I’ve got someone lined up. I’ll make the arrangements. Just make sure you’re available tomorrow night.” She nodded at Kendra before walking off, leaving her with Sinead.

Kendra ran a hand through her hair. She did not like this plan one bit.

Sinead touched her arm. “Don’t worry about it. It’s one date. It won’t mean anything. Things did look intense between you and Faron. Maybe it’s good if things don’t move so fast. It could burn out before it’s even gotten going. My mom always said you’re here for a good time, not a long time. Think about this date in that context.”

Kendra shrugged. She didn’t think what she had with Faron would burn out. There were hidden depths to her alien, and she wanted more. Dating somebody else could ruin that.

“Ivy’s only interested in sales and sign-ups for My Single Alien. She doesn’t care peoples’ feelings are involved.”

“You’re falling for this guy?” Sinead asked.

Kendra ducked her head. “No! I don’t know. It’s too soon to say. Our date today was different. He wasn’t all about my genetic fitness and making sure I was suitable to breed. As we’ve gotten to know each other, things have changed. Faron is funny, often unintentionally because of his literal take on a lot of what I say, and he’s so protective of me. I can rely on him. I haven’t had that in my life for a long time.”

“You can still date Faron. Maybe Ivy’s right. Him seeing you with somebody else might stir him into action. He could declare how he really feels.”

Kendra sighed. He’d done that by his proclamation to dance for her. This was a big deal to him and led him along the path of formal courtship to make Kendra his mate.

She shivered at the thought of seeing him almost naked. She wanted that, but the thought also terrified her. What if she opened up to him and he broke her heart? It had taken such a battering over the years. She wasn’t sure it could take another one.

“I’ll see if I can vet who Ivy sends you on a date with,” Sinead said. “I’ll make sure she doesn’t pick anyone too gorgeous, so you don’t have your head turned.”

“I’m not worried about having my head turned. I just don’t want Faron to think I’m messing him around.”

“Because you love him?” Sinead smiled at her.

“Of course not. I don’t believe in instant love. But I do believe in not screwing people about and avoiding hurting someone’s feelings.”

“Then tell Faron what’s going on. Make it clear you’re not happy about it. Be honest with each other. I imagine Faron has gotten the measure of Ivy, so he’ll know she’s manipulating things to suit My Single Alien.”

“I guess so. One date, but that’s it. I am not getting involved in a fake love triangle to thrill Ivy’s drooling audience.”

“Have the dates, get the footage Ivy needs, and then you can move on and focus on Faron and getting to know him.” Sinead smiled as she turned and gestured along the corridor. “And just a heads up, the rest of your day with Faron is about to change. Ivy is already testing you by keeping you apart.”

Disappointment slammed into Kendra. “I thought we were spending the afternoon together?”

“Not anymore. Ivy’s changed things.”

Kendra scowled. “She doesn’t waste any time. She already had this new guy planned out before I agreed to it.”

“You know Ivy.”

“So long as it’s not another huge dinner. I’ve eaten enough for a week.”

“Mainly off your hot guy’s fingers.” Sinead grinned at her. “That was sexy.”

“You’ve seen it?”

“Ivy screened live footage into the office,” Sinead said. “Everyone’s seen it.”

Kendra groaned. That was the last thing she needed, everybody scrutinizing her new relationship. Her wrist comm pinged, announcing a message. She opened it and smiled when she saw it was from Faron.

“Is that the details of your change of plans?” Sinead asked.

“In a way.” Kendra smiled as a shiver of anticipation ran through her. The message was short and to the point.

Meet me in one hour in my quarters. I will dance for you.

Ivy might have decided she wanted to keep them apart, but Faron had other ideas.

“What’s going on?” Sinead asked. “Why are you smiling like that?”

Kendra sucked in a breath. She wouldn’t share this with anyone. This was about her and Faron, not playing up to an audience or pleasing her boss. “Can you cover for me? I’ve got to be somewhere.”

“I can cover for a while,” Sinead said. “Ivy is going to want you clued in on your new date soon.”

“Stall her if you can.”

Sinead raised her eyebrows. “Is this about Faron?”

“It might be.” She squeezed Sinead’s elbow. “I’ve been meaning to say sorry for snapping at you the other day. You caught me in a bad mood. I didn’t mean to take it out on you.”

Sinead shrugged. “It’s forgotten. I never hold a grudge. Life is too short. You can’t have fun if you’re grumpy about something that’s already happened.”

Kendra nodded. Typical Sinead, always smiling and making light of things. “If it all goes well, I’ll explain everything.” Kendra hurried away, leaving Sinead staring at her.

She didn’t have long, and she wanted to be ready for what Faron had to show her.

Kendra had a feeling this dance would blow her mind, and she wanted it to.