Faron dropped into his seat as he stared at the dark-haired human looking up at him.

He wasn’t here for love. He was here because his irritating buddy, Sala, would not take no for an answer. He’d chivvied and cajoled him for three days straight to come to this speed dating evening.

It was only after he’d promised him plenty of cheap alcohol and an easy ride at the end of it with a willing female that Faron had agreed to come to this nonsense. He wanted nothing more than that from any female he encountered. They always turned him down for anything other than a one-night stand, so he offered them nothing in return.

He looked at the port screen in his hand. “You are number thirteen?”

The woman’s full lips parted. “That’s right. I’m Kendra.”

Faron nodded as his gaze skimmed over her features. For a human, she was attractive enough. Her features were even and her hair glossy, suggesting she had a good level of nutrients and cared for herself appropriately. She wore a small amount of make-up, which hid no serious imperfections. He couldn’t smell disease on her, and she had a clean, floral scent on her skin. It was not unpleasant. He would not recoil when she was naked if she smelt like that.

She cleared her throat. “Do you like what you see?”

His lips tightened. “You are acceptable.”

“Wow! That’s quite a compliment. What’s your name?”

“Faron.”

“Are you here to find love, Faron?”

His broad shoulders moved up an inch. “Do you have your genetic information on hand?”

Her forehead furrowed. “My genetic information?”

“To show you are healthy.”

“Oh! No, although I am healthy.”

“Your outward appearance suggests so. It is important to learn about genetic failings. Tell me about your family history.”

She jerked back in her seat. “Why do you need to know about my family?”

“To see what illnesses they succumbed to. To learn of any defects or deformities. What did your parents die from?”

She blinked at him rapidly, the corners of her eyes tightening. “You’re assuming they’re dead.”

“You’re from Earth. No one survives there long unless they leave that diseased planet.”

Her large, dark eyes narrowed. “It’s none of your business how they died.”

“It is. If we’re not genetically compatible, I want nothing to do with you.”

“The feeling is mutual. I’m not providing you with my genetic profile.” Her gaze went to his right arm, and he forced himself not to flinch or conceal his own failing.

“You can ask me about mine. I have the information memorized. You’d be an idiot if you didn’t ask about my lineage. I might have numerous diseases that affect my family. Don’t you consider it selfish if you pass those to your children?”

“Children! You insult me and then start talking about our children?” She folded her arms over her chest.

Faron had heard humans were emotional creatures. This one certainly proved that to be the case. “You must be practical. What’s the point in forming a bond only to find you’d give me inferior children?”

Her mouth opened and closed several times, but no words came out. The more Faron studied that mouth, the more he liked it. The lips were full but not overly plump. They looked natural and soft. He could have a lot of fun with that mouth.

His gaze snapped to her eyes. “If you don’t tell me your genetic lineage, then tell me your sexual history.”

She spluttered a few times. “You want to know about who I’ve slept with?”

“How many, if you used protection, if you have any sexually transmitted infections. If you sought treatment for them. If you are clean. How many check-ups do you get each year to ensure no disease has affected your fertility?”

Kendra clutched a port screen to her chest. Her gaze shifted around the room, and it froze behind Faron’s shoulder. “Let’s talk about something else, something appropriate for a first date.”

He glanced around. A small camera bot hovered behind them. “Is that annoying you?”

She leaned across the table. “Don’t be a jerk.”

“A jerk? I’m not being anything of the sort.”

Her gaze went back to the camera, and she winced.

Faron grunted. That bot was really bothering her. He was also not a fan of intrusive technology.

“This has to go well tonight,” she whispered.

Faron looked at the other tables where couples sat. Everybody seemed to be having a good time. There were lots of smiles and laughter. “I don’t see a problem.”

“There will be a problem if you ask every woman you meet tonight about her sexual history and genetics. Some consider that rude.”

“I do not. It’s the responsible thing to do.”

“I find it rude. You should ask me about my interests or my work. Ask me about my friends and if I have any pets. Normal, first date stuff.”

Faron scratched the end of his broad nose. She was a strange one, but he had nothing better to do at that moment, so he would ask her banal questions. “What are your interests?”

Kendra sucked in a breath. “I like reading and long walks. I love food, especially anything Italian.”

Faron nodded. “Walking is good for the health. Eating too much is bad. It will make you obese.”

“Obese! You’re suggesting I’m fat?”

His gaze skimmed her curves. “You are not too skinny. You have enough weight on you to ensure any children get the nutrients they need.”

“No! We’re not going back to that topic. Ask me the right kind of questions. Don’t be weird.”

Faron scratched his nose again. What had she said they should talk about? “Your work. What is that?”

Kendra sighed and shook her head. “My work is boring. What do you do?”

“Maintenance.”

“Like Oha? He works in maintenance, too.” She gestured to the table next to them.

Faron glanced over and snorted in derision. “I don’t work on that crew. I do the work that requires power. His crew takes the easy jobs. They call us in when things get difficult.”

This time, Faron did flinch when Kendra looked at his right arm. “I see. That makes sense. You are... adapted to that kind of work.”

As much as Faron tried to fight it, he always felt a shiver of shame when anyone brought attention to his cybernetic arm. Tolongs were known for their strength and power. On his home planet, the focus was on natural strength, genetic fitness, and how many healthy children you produced. Since he’d lost his arm in that accident, everything had changed. The only thing his people saw was his artificial arm. They saw his weakness.

“I hope I haven’t offended you,” Kendra said quietly. “Cybernetics are cool. They’ve changed so many lives for the better.”

“My arm is usually warm to the touch not cool.”

She smiled. It seemed like the first genuine smile she’d given him. It lit up her face and made her beautiful. “I don’t mean the literal temperature. It looks good on you. It matches the rest of your... impressive physique.”

Faron puffed out his chest, pleased she’d noticed the rest of him was in perfect working order. “My arm does not hinder me if that is a concern.”

“I’m sure it doesn’t. It must be great for the work you do.”

He nodded. “It has its uses.”

Kendra’s gaze shifted to the camera bot that now hovered by her right shoulder. She closed her eyes for a second and blew out a breath.

“You don’t appear to be enjoying yourself,” Faron said. “Have you been forced to come here too?”

Her eyes shot open. “No! Have you?”

Faron nodded to a tall Lillip three tables along. “Sala insisted we come.”

“Oh, so you don’t want to find love?”

He shrugged. “It’s not relevant. Love is not an option.”

“Love is not an option?”

Faron looked at her ears. Had she misheard him, or was she hard of hearing? “That is correct.”

Kendra glanced at the camera bot one more time. She cupped her hands around her mouth, so the bot couldn’t see her talk. “I’m the same. Please, this really has to go well for me tonight. Can’t you play along and ask the right questions? If my boss realizes this is going wrong, she will string me up.”

“Your boss will hang you because there aren’t couples joining at the end of this evening?” That punishment sounded harsh even by his standards.

A laugh burst out of Kendra. “Not literally. Although, she might be tempted to.” She leaned closer and lowered her voice. “Since you’re not here for love, I’ll share a secret with you. I work for My Single Alien. This event was my idea. I got let down at the last-minute by some women who were supposed to meet the single aliens. I got strong-armed into doing this to make up the numbers.”

“You don’t seek a partner?”

She looked around and nodded. “That’s right, but I need to make sure other people get what they want from tonight. Can you help me?”

He raised his chin. “What’s in it for me?”

Kendra’s eyes widened. “I could say a sincere thank you, and you could have an enjoyable evening chatting to people and making new friends.”

“I find small talk tedious. That would not be enjoyable. I do not consider that appropriate payment.”

“You want money?”

Faron snorted. “Absolutely not. I make my own money.”

“Okay, how about a free drink?”

“A drink will be a good start,” he said.

“A good start? All I’m asking you to do is be polite and not put too many noses out of joint this evening. What else do you want?”

Sala had assured Faron there would be available females this evening. It had been a long time since he’d experienced release. “I want sex.”

Spluttering noises came from Kendra’s mouth. “You want me to have sex with you, so you don’t ruin my evening?”

“It’s a good deal. I’m an excellent lover.”

Kendra coughed into her hand. “Is that what you tell yourself?”

He glanced at his cybernetic arm and grimaced before looking away. Of course, she would not find him desirable. “It’s not important. Forget I said anything.” When Kendra didn’t speak, he looked back at her.

She shifted in her seat. “I can’t offer you sex, but I can arrange for you to have a few dates. We have thousands of women on the database at My Single Alien. I’m sure they’d love to go out with someone as striking as you.”

He looked at his arm again. “By striking, you mean deficient?”

“No! Absolutely not. You’re very... handsome. Any woman would be thrilled to be on your arm.”

“My cybernetic arm?” Faron’s top lip curled. This was a burden he carried with him. After his accident, he’d fallen to the lowest rank on his planet. No one would employ him. No woman would look twice at him. If she did, there was derision in her eyes. He’d hated that. It was why he’d left home and moved to Prodigy. He’d needed a new start, to be surrounded by others who would not judge him on the way he looked. And now he was here, this human was doing just that.

“No, that’s not a problem.”

“This is a mistake.” Faron pushed back his chair to stand.

Kendra grabbed his arm, and her hot fingers curled around his wrist. “Wait! You can’t leave. If you walk out, it will look suspicious. My boss will want to know what I did wrong.”

Faron stared at her small fingers circling his wrist. He could break her hand. She had no power over him. Still, he didn’t move. He liked the feel of her skin against his. Whereas his skin was rough and scarred, there wasn’t a blemish on Kendra. He reached over to touch her hand but pulled back at the last-minute before his artificial fingers touched her living flesh. She would find his touch abhorrent. She would not want him anywhere near her. And she was right to think that. He was an abomination. It was appropriate that others saw him as such and acted accordingly.

“I’m sure I can find you somebody lovely if that’s what you want,” Kendra said softly. “You might be blunt, but at least you speak your mind. Some women will enjoy that.”

He frowned at her. “There is no point in being otherwise.”

“Some consider social niceties important.” Kendra raised a hand. “But I know Tolongs are different. I’ve worked with single Tolongs and understand it is not your way. You said you’re not here for love, but maybe you can find some special friends to hang out with. You should give it a chance. Stay here and finish your dates. I can definitely fix you up with somebody. Wouldn’t you like that? Isn’t there a female in here who catches your attention?”

“Human females are not repellent. I may stay.” Faron stared hard into Kendra’s eyes. He didn’t know why he’d said that. Why was he considering staying when his logic told him otherwise? He always followed a logical path. He hadn’t come here looking for anybody, so he should leave.

Yet he found himself wanting to help this pretty human. He didn’t want her in trouble because of his actions. He also didn’t dislike the fact she’d told him to watch his manners. It had been awhile since any female had spoken to him so plainly. In fact, it had been awhile since any female had spoken to him at all.

“I’m glad you don’t find me repellent.” Kendra blinked up at him. “What do you say? Shall we help each other?”

Before Faron let his logical side dominate, he nodded. “I agree to your terms. You want your boss to see us as a successful couple?”

Kendra tilted her head. “It doesn’t have to be us.”

“You’re as good a match as any. I can get you what you need.” He stood, pulling Kendra up using the hand she’d attached to his wrist. He wrapped an arm around her waist and bent her backwards as he crushed his lips against hers.