Page 93 of I Fell for an Alien Popstar

“Our species loves engaging in sexual encounters, you know this. We’re always horny. It’s such a tough life.” She laughed and started sucking my earlobe. “But really,” she whispered, “I could go again.”

I laughed some more and rested my head on hers. “Yeah, I’m spent. Totally and utterly spent. But there’s always tomorrow. And the next day and the next day.”

She sighed and nuzzled into my neck, her hands sprawled out on my stomach. “Then let’s go get cleaned up, a nice warm—”

“Shower, because it helps with everything,” I cut in, laughing.

“Yes, it does!” she laughed.

“Give me a few more minutes,” I whispered, resting my chin on her head. “I just want to stay right here, holding my mate.”

She sighed, a tiny, thrilled sound escaping her lips. “Oh. Say that again. I don't think I'll ever get tired of hearing that word.”

Galaxy Cab 900 settled at the curb outside the Jelly Lounge Cafe. The door slid open, and I jumped out, grabbing my bag. I slung it over my shoulder and had barely made it three steps when the driver called after me.

“Hey, miss! You forgot your sketchbook!”

I spun around. The driver was leaning across the passenger seat, holding my glitter sketchbook out through the open door.

“Oh my stars.” I jogged back and took it from him, hugging it against my chest. “Thank you. Seriously.”

“Happens all the time.”

“I believe it!”

“Catch you in orbit!” he called as the window slid shut. The cab lifted off the pavement and slipped back into the transit lane above the shops.

I stood there for a second, clutching my sketchbook against my ribs. Then I turned and walked into the Jelly Lounge.

The door chimed open, and the floor beneath my boots turned clear.

“Oh, how I’ve missed this place,” I whispered.

“Hi, welcome to the Jelly Lounge. Table for one?” the hostess greeted me with a bright smile.

“Oh, actually, I’m here meeting—”

“Vada!” Zhari shouted from across the cafe. “Hi, my little noodle!”

I smiled and waved before turning back to the hostess.

“I’m meeting my girlfriend. Thank you, though!”

“Of course! Enjoy your meal.” She smiled and moved on to greet the people behind me.

I still wasn't used to it. The glass floor. The enormous tank stretching beneath us, glowing with blue-green light. There were even new fish swimming through it, including bright pink ones with tiny blue speckles scattered across their backs.

I suppose when your tank was connected directly to the ocean, you were always bound to see something new.

“How phenomenal,” I breathed, watching one disappear into the glowing water.

Every step I took sent little pulses of light scattering beneath my feet.

I walked down the aisle between the tables, where Zhari was waiting at a back table against the wall of the tank. She wore a gray sweater with the hood pushed off her shoulders, her hair twisted into a messy bun and a huge smile spread across her face.

She lifted a hand and waved me over.

Then she jumped out of her seat and grabbed me, squeezing me so tightly I laughed.