Holy stars! This was not what Kendra had expected when Faron agreed not to abandon her in the middle of their speed date. His arm yanked her toward his broad chest. Her lips fizzled, and their kiss deepened as his mouth opened.

Kendra tried to speak, but there was no hope of saying anything as she was squashed against a wall of solid muscle. Not that she wanted to speak that badly. This was the most amazing kiss she’d ever had.

She gasped as they pulled apart and stared in shock at Faron. “What was that for?”

“You said you wanted tonight to be a success,” he said. “Dates of this nature usually end in mating.”

Kendra’s attention shifted, and she groaned as she saw a camera bot hovering above them. It had captured everything.

Seconds later, Ivy appeared beside them, a smug smile on her face. “What a wonderful surprise. We have our first successful couple of the evening.” She arched an eyebrow as she looked at Kendra.

“It’s not what you think.” Kendra stepped away from Faron.

“It’s exactly what I think.” Ivy’s eyes narrowed. “Tell everybody what you saw in this strapping candidate.”

Kendra glanced at Faron, painfully aware the camera bot was watching. “He’s straight talking.”

“What else?”

Kendra swallowed. “Faron knows what he wants.”

“And it appears he’s not afraid to get it.” Ivy smirked. “Is there anything else that drew you to this gorgeous, muscly Tolong?”

Kendra licked her lips. She wasn’t sure what Ivy was playing at, but she wished she’d get the hell out of her face. “He’s interesting. We have different backgrounds.”

Ivy spun toward the camera bot. “And that is why My Single Alien is such a great success. We welcome everyone here and guarantee you a match with an amazing partner. You’ll get the chance to learn about a new culture and even visit your loved one’s home planet. What an adventure that will be!” She gestured the camera bot away.

Kendra let out a shaky sigh. She might just have gotten away with this.

Ivy turned back to Kendra. “We have a speed dating event to finish. You might not have noticed because you were otherwise occupied, but the chime rang to change partners.”

“I’m not moving on.” Faron put a protective arm around Kendra’s waist and pulled her close. “I have found what I want.”

Kendra’s eyes bugged as she stared up at him. He had to be kidding.

Ivy shook her head and waggled a finger in the air. “It doesn’t work like that, hot stuff. For all you know, there could be somebody even more suitable.”

“It doesn’t matter. I know what I want.”

Despite herself, Kendra felt a swirl of pleasure at those words. Faron wanted her. Okay, he might only want her for one thing, or he might be saying these things because she’d begged him to put on a good performance, but she appreciated it. It had been a long time since she’d felt wanted. In fact, she couldn’t remember the last time she had.

“Your mind’s made up?” Ivy asked Faron. “You won’t be swayed by any of the other beauties in the room?”

“Kendra stays with me.”

“In that case, I have an announcement to make.” Ivy turned and faced the rest of the daters. “Everybody, our first successful match will be rewarded with dinner for two.”

Kendra grabbed hold of the table. “Hold on. That can’t be right. I didn’t arrange that.”

Ivy grinned. “I did. I wanted it to be a surprise. Everyone loves to follow a happy coupling.”

“It’s not a good idea.” Kendra caught hold of Ivy’s arm before she walked off.

Ivy yanked her away from Faron. “Just do it. This speed dating event was your idea. It has to go well, or you’ll find yourself in front of Diadora explaining yourself. Put on a good performance with that Tolong, and it will be amazing publicity. You might even get Diadora to crack a smile.”

Kendra glanced back at Faron, who stood by the table watching them. She didn’t want to lead him on, but a single date meant nothing.

“I take your silence as an agreement,” Ivy said.

“So long as it’s just one date,” Kendra said. “Faron is very... full on.”

“You can say that again. That kiss even had my toes curling.”

Kendra flushed scarlet. “I didn’t ask him to do that.”

“He’s into you. Faron hasn’t taken his eyes off you since I dragged you away. You’d better get back to him before he explodes with lust.”

Kendra shook her head. “That’s not what this is about. We’ll have our date, but that’s it.”

“And be filmed doing it.”

Kendra blinked in surprise. “What?”

“That’s the deal,” Ivy said. “Get me great publicity for My Single Alien. You go on a date, and I have a camera bot follow you. I edit the footage for the next promotional campaign.”

“So long as Faron agrees,” Kendra said.

“He’ll agree to anything so long as he gets to spend alone time with you.” Ivy batted her lashes. “Now hurry up. The dinner is all arranged.”

“We’re going on the date now!”

“That’s right. No rest for the horny. Grab your man, and I’ll take you for your prize.”

Kendra swallowed her nerves. She could handle one dinner with Faron. She sucked in a deep breath and walked back to the table.

“Is that female bothering you?” he asked.

Kendra was tempted to say yes. It would be amusing to see Ivy stand up to Faron, but she had a feeling Faron didn’t do anything gently. And although Ivy could be a pain, she didn’t want her to come to any harm.

“She’s fine. I was getting information about our dinner. Do you want to go?”

“Yes. I’m always hungry.”

“Great!” Her stomach churned. She wasn’t sure she could eat. “Ivy wants our date to be filmed. Is that okay?”

“If you don’t have a problem with it.”

“No, it’s fine.” Kendra walked away from the table with Faron and waited by the entrance of the Enchanted Captain until Ivy came over.

She led them to a private room in the bar. The table had been set with fine linen and silver cutlery. A warm amber light filled the room, and music played quietly in the background. The romantic vibe only made Kendra’s nerves increase.

“Your server will be here in a moment.” Ivy winked discreetly at Kendra. “Enjoy yourselves.” She retreated from the room.

Kendra twisted her hands as she looked at anything other than Faron. This was so awkward. She’d wanted the speed dating to go well but never expected to end up on a date herself. And that kiss with Faron. She forced it out of her mind. He’d misunderstood her. She hadn’t expected him to grab her and make out. All she’d wanted was for him to go along with their date before moving on.

The sound of a seat scraping back had her looking at the table. Faron sat in his seat, making the table look too small.

“Do you eat standing up?” he asked.

“Only if I’m in a hurry.”

He pointed to the opposite side of the table. “There’s an empty seat. Use it.”

Kendra suppressed a scowl as she joined him at the table. It would take a while to get used to his bluntness.

A female server arrived. She had a bottle of sparkling wine in her hand. “Would you like to taste the wine, sir?”

“It will be fine.” Faron gestured at the glasses. “We’ll have another bottle.”

The server blinked and nodded. “Very good, sir.”

“I’m not a big drinker,” Kendra said. “I only want half a glass.”

“This barely affects me. It’s weak compared to the alcohol we have back home,” Faron said. “I’ll drink what you leave.”

She eyed him with suspicion. Had she landed herself with a drunken lush? Kendra would have to keep an eye on Faron’s drinking. She’d seen what alcohol could do to a person, changing them from sweet and loving to a terrifying monster, who lashed out with their fists before thinking.

The same server arrived with their first course. “Here are your asparagus pancetta stuffed pastry bundles.” She set down two small plates and placed another bottle of sparkling wine on the table before leaving.

Faron stared at the plate and snorted. “This is food? It’s barely a mouthful.”

“It’s a starter,” Kendra said. “It’s common on Earth for people to have three courses. A starter, a main, and dessert. What do you do on Tenkcet?”

“Typically, when we’re working in the mines, we have a simple, nutritious meal before starting and work until the evening when we feast. We roast meats and vegetables and gorge until we can barely move.”

“By eating this way, we get to try lots of different things,” Kendra said. “You might like it.”

“I’d like it if it was twenty times the size.” Faron stuffed the puff pastry into his mouth, chewed once and swallowed. “Where’s the next course?”

Kendra hid a smile as she nibbled on the puff pastry. Here was a guy who loved his food.

He pointed at her plate. “Don’t you want that?”

She prodded the food with a fork. “I guess not.”

Faron grabbed it without saying a word and stuffed it into his mouth.

Kendra frowned at him. “It’s polite to ask before taking.”

“It’s rude to waste food.”

“I wasn’t wasting it. I just didn’t want to eat it.”

“I did, so problem solved.”

“Is that what it’s like on Tenkcet? Everyone fends for themselves?”

“No, we have a social order. Depending on your weakness, others look out for you.”

Her gaze shifted to Faron’s cybernetic arm. He was the first Tolong she’d seen with such an appendage. From her work at My Single Alien, Kendra knew about Tolongs’ pursuit of physical perfection and strong genes. It was the only reason she hadn’t punched him square in the face after he’d asked about her health and genetics. Having lost an arm must have cost him his reputation in the Tolong community.

“You’re staring,” Faron said.

“I’m not staring. I’m looking. I’d like to know more about you.”

“Then ask me questions.”

Kendra bit her bottom lip. “How long have you worked on Prodigy?”

“Six months.”

“And before that?”

His gaze narrowed. “In the mines on Tenkcet.”

“You wanted a change of occupation?”

“No, it was decided for me.” The muscles clenched in his jaw, and he looked away.

Kendra nodded slowly. “Because of your arm? Did you lose it in an accident?”

Faron grabbed a bottle of wine and drank for several long seconds. “I did.”

She shifted in her seat. “It’s fine if you don’t want to talk about it.”

“It happened. There’s no point in hiding it. I can hardly conceal this.” Faron glared at his arm. “We’d uncovered a seam of precious metals. I led a work crew, and we decided to push on for a few hours until the seam had been uncovered. There was a core quake while we were underground. Several of my crew died. My arm was crushed as I tried to get out.”

“That’s terrible,” Kendra said. “You must have been in agony.”

“I was more concerned about the loss of my crew. We lived alongside each other like brothers. They relied on me as much as I relied upon them. Three males were taken in their prime.” Hurt flashed in his eyes before it vanished.

“How did you get out?”

“I had two options: I could remain underground and die from thirst and starvation, or I could remove the damaged limb and make my way to the surface.”

Kendra’s hand covered her mouth. “You cut off your own arm?”

“It was that or die.” His shoulder twitched, and his fingers flexed. “Sometimes, I believe I made the incorrect decision. My life has been different since losing an arm.”

“Unless you look carefully, you don’t notice the difference. And you have your life and your health. You can still work.”

“For that, I remain grateful. But I do not appreciate the judgment by other Tolongs.”

“I admire you for what you did. You must be brave to go through that.”

Faron looked away, his jaw tight. “My father calls me a coward. I should have remained underground and died as a sacrifice. He says it’s not right that I prolonged my life.”

Kendra’s teeth clenched at the cruelty Faron had experienced. “Your father wishes you dead because you lost an arm?”

Faron shrugged. “Physical perfection is highly prized on my planet. I am a long way from that.”

“You should not be judged based on your appearance.”

Faron tutted. “Of course I should. It is our way. You can tell a lot about an individual by their physical attributes or lack of them. I see, for example, that you have an attractive face, but it’s not symmetrical. You have one eyebrow slightly higher than the other, and although your lips are full, they aren’t even.”

Kendra stroked a finger across her lips. “You didn’t seem to object when you kissed me.”

“I did not say your asymmetry is repellent. What it shows is that you have genetic flaws. The more symmetrical the face, the more genetically perfect an individual is. Have you seen the prime females on Tenkcet?”

“Some. They all look healthy.” Kendra had seen pictures of successful Tenkcet females, those who were suitable for breeding. They were strong, sturdy, with wide hips, large breasts, and tiny waists. They all looked similar with large, straight noses and strong jaws. Those must be the features Tolongs found appealing.

“The ones who are the most successful breeders have the highest quality of genes. You will not find a physical flaw in the top females.”

“Doesn’t it get boring if an individual looks the same as the next?”

“Genetic weakness is not boring. Weakness should not be tolerated.”

“You’re treading a fine line,” Kendra said. “You might be discarding individuals who could provide much to your society, but because they don’t look a particular way, you get rid of them. What about someone who has a crooked nose but is a musical genius? Or someone with a high IQ who has a weak chin? They are not considered important?”

“Not for mating with,” Faron said. “They have their place in our society, but you can never expect them to be coupled with another Tolong. They dedicate their lives to what they are skilled in. Not everyone is meant to be in a mated pair and have a family.”

Kendra shook her head. “Then you condemn them to loneliness. Surely a life isn’t worth living if you don’t have intimacy and love.” She bit the inside of her cheek. She could be describing her own life. She’d closed the door on love a long time ago. When she dwelled on it, Kendra felt a tiny, cold space in her heart that should be full of joy.

The server arrived and removed their empty plates. She replaced them with two platefuls of braised chicken and roasted vegetables.

Faron grabbed a handful of vegetables and stuffed them into his mouth.

Kendra lifted her fork and began to eat.

“Why bother with that?” Faron pointed at the fork. “It will take too long to eat. The food will be cold.”

“I like to sample my food and enjoy it. I want to taste what I’m eating. You might like to try it.” She placed a piece of red pepper in her mouth and chewed.

He twisted his mouth to the side before grabbing the lump of chicken and tearing off a chunk. “This way is more practical.”

“You look like a caveman.”

“I don’t know what that is.”

“A Neanderthal.”

“Do they eat with their hands?”

“Most likely.”

“They sound like remarkable individuals if they do that.” A smile graced his face for a second before he continued to eat.

Kendra sighed. Faron had no place in his life for niceties. She kept her head down and continued to eat. At least the food was great.

Faron smacked his lips together and sucked each finger clean. “That was delicious but too small.”

Her head shot up. She hadn’t even started on her chicken. “You must get terrible indigestion from eating so fast.”

He shook his head and patted his flat stomach. “I’m used to it. Food is fuel, nothing more. I eat to sustain my energy.” His hand reached across the table to grab her chicken, but she jabbed it with a fork.

“Keep your giant paws off my meal. I’m going to eat this.”

“Then you’d better hurry up.” His fingers crept across the table again.

Was he playing with her, or did Faron really want her food?

Kendra dropped her fork and grabbed her chicken. “Fine, I’ll eat your way but keep your hands off.”

His smile returned. “That’s it. You’ll enjoy your food much more that way.”

“I thought you said food was fuel.”

“It is, but it can still be enjoyable fuel.”

“If I’m eating this way, you have to try eating with a fork.”

Faron looked at the cutlery and frowned. “I’ll break it.”

“Not if you’re careful. Try it. Use the fork and pick up some of these carrots.”

He snorted, but after a second of hesitation, he grabbed the fork and balanced it between his fingers. He reached across the table and stabbed at several carrots. They skidded off Kendra’s plate into her lap.

He threw the fork down. “You see! Pointless invention. Why use a fork when you have your fingers?”

“Because it’s polite.” Kendra scooped the carrots back on her plate.

“It’s impractical. Like many human behaviors, you decorate things to make them more appealing.”

“Whereas you are clinical and unromantic. Everything must have a purpose, or you discard it.”

Faron shrugged again. “That is the practical solution. When we mate, for example, we take an appropriate genetic match to ensure healthy offspring. That’s the most important thing.”

Kendra placed her chicken down and wiped her fingers clean on a napkin. She felt a little gutted about that. Their kiss had sparked an attraction, but Faron made it clear he was not here for romance. Her asymmetrical face meant nothing could happen between them. All he wanted was a genetically fit partner.

She stared at the ground, knowing she wasn’t good enough for him. Her long years of rejection in the foster care system meant she knew that bitter, cold feeling well. Every time someone came to the home to meet her, she’d acted like the perfect child. It had never worked. They always saw through her.

As Kendra had gotten older, it was made clear how difficult it would be to find a home for a teenager. When she’d turned fourteen, she knew she’d only have to endure a few more years in the system before she could escape. No one had seen her as good enough. Everyone who’d looked at her had seen there was something lacking.

It was the same with Faron. He looked at her and didn’t see a life partner or the potential love of his life. He saw someone genetically inferior.

“Are you all finished here?” The server returned and smiled at Kendra.

“We’re done,” Kendra said.

“I’ll bring dessert.” The server cleared the plates and hurried away.

“What now?” Faron asked.

“Just dessert then you’ll never have to see me again.”

“I don’t?”

“Of course not. We don’t match.”

He was silent for a moment. “I don’t dislike you.”

Kendra shook her head. “You say the sweetest things. You must get a proposal of marriage at least once a week from some love-struck female, who gets wooed by your charm.”

Faron’s smile faded. “Females do not see me in that way. They do not desire me.”

Kendra’s mouth dropped open. “Are you kidding me? Do you not check yourself out in the mirror?” He had muscles upon muscles. This guy had nothing to worry about when he was naked in a communal shower.

Faron’s gaze went to his arm. “As little as possible. I understand why I am not considered appropriate.”

“A lack of female interest has nothing to do with your arm. It’s more to do with the way you talk to people,” Kendra said. “If you weren’t so rude, you’d stand more chance of getting a date.”

His steady gaze met hers. “I would like a second date with you.”

Her laugh was startled. “All you’ve done is insult me and suggest I’m inferior. Why do you want to have anything to do with me?”

Faron scrubbed a hand over the top of his head. “I am not certain.”

“Well, I am. A second date is a bad idea.” Kendra couldn’t deny there was a flare of attraction for Faron. How could anyone not be attracted to those solid muscles and square jaw? But it was lust, nothing more. They were wrong for each other.

“We should see each other again,” Faron said, “to be sure we are not correct for each other.”

The server arrived with their dessert and removed the empty wine bottle Faron had drunk by himself.

“Why prolong the agony? You’ll find someone,” Kendra said. “It’s not me.”

“I need to be sure.”

No, she was not going there. Kendra knew what she wanted didn’t exist. Love in the real world was bitter and unkind and came with conditions.

Faron slapped a hand on the table and made the cutlery shake. “I insist.”

“We’d be wasting our time.” Her breath quickened at the intensity in his eyes. “We’re not a genetic match for each other.”

“We should attempt to mate.”

Kendra choked out a laugh. This guy was something else. No wonder he was single. “We are not attempting to mate.”

Faron scowled at her. He scooped up his plate and emptied the dessert into his mouth. He chewed several times and swallowed.

Kendra shook her head as she delicately picked up her spoon.

Faron pushed his chair back and stood. “You are a frustrating individual.”

“Right back at you.”

He glowered at her before stomping out of the room.

She cut a piece of her meringue and ate it without noticing the sweetness. This had been a disaster she never wanted to repeat.