Page 55

Solan snorted. “That’s nonsense. I barely know Vegas. We have corresponded remotely, and I have seen her image on info pods on numerous occasions. This is the first time we have met. Love would be impossible. It is not the Galaxar way.”

“I know that,” Padam said. “But this is the first time you have mated with a human. Remember, it’s going to be different. We are going to be different. Once we mate with a female human, things will change.”

“They shouldn’t have to,” Solan snarled. “We are Galaxars first and foremost. Any squibs we have, we raise to be warriors. They will not be as physically strong as us, but they will be smart and fast. They will be more Galaxar than human.”

Concern crossed Padam’s face. “If you don’t want Vegas or your chosen match, what do you want?”

“To find another female. Let’s return to the station bar. There were many females there. I will find a fertile one and make use of her.”

Padam shook his head. “What about your match? You should give her a chance. You’ve not even met. Maybe she’s only learning to fly to kill time and give her something to do until she becomes the mother of your squibs.”

“I am not ready for that step,” Solan said. “I need to remove these annoying thoughts of Vegas. She needs to be out of my head before I commit myself to my mate.”

“You think finding another fertile female is going to do that?”

“It is something I am willing to try.” Solan strode to the door. “Do you wish to accompany me? Or do you have more info pods to watch?”

Padam shrugged and followed him. “I’m not going to miss this. But I think you’re making a mistake.”

“Don’t forget I’m your superior,” Solan said. “I never make mistakes.”

“Yes, Colonel,” Padam muttered. “But, off the record, you’re being an idiot.”

Solan ignored the comment as they walked through the corridors and back to the station bar. This had to be the right move. Vegas was ignoring him, and he needed a distraction, a way to forget about her. This would be it. He’d find some company for the evening, enjoy himself, maybe drink a few too many of those strange tasting meads. In the morning, he would be ready to move on. Vegas would be out of his head forever.

The bar was busier than the last time they’d been in. Loud music pumped through the speakers surrounding the bar. The scent of so many females was overwhelming as Solan made his way toward the bar with Padam. He was hit with the smell of artificial flowers and the sweet scent of vanilla. There was a lot of human flesh on display. He didn’t find the sight displeasing.

“Two meads,” Solan ordered from the barman.

“Coming right up.”

Padam leaned against the bar and looked around. “You’ve got plenty of ladies to choose from. Is any female taking your eye?”

“They smell so intense.” Solan didn’t bother to look around the bar. Now he was here, he doubted himself. He shook his head. This was the distraction he needed. This was the right thing to do.

The drinks arrived, and he took a large sip before forcing himself to turn and survey the females.

The crowd in the bar was a mixture of alien and human. Several human females were already being extra-friendly to some aliens. That was a good sign he would find what he needed.

Padam nudged him. “She’s attractive. I like the red curls. It’s exotic.”

Solan nodded as he admired the figure of a curvaceous human female with a cloud of red hair. Her face was brightly painted and her breasts pushed up, the nipples almost exposed. He focused on her scent and then shook his head. “She is not fertile.”

“It has to be a fertile female?”

“That is the only reason I’m attracted to Vegas. Her fertility is at its peak. We need to find a fertile human.”

“I might be what you’re looking for.”

Solan turned his head in the direction of the female voice. A tall, slender brunette with brilliant blue eyes smiled at him.

“Why don’t you take a sniff of me, sweetheart?”

Solan lowered his glass. His gaze ran over the human’s body. He preferred his women softer looking, but this one was not without her appeal. Her legs were long and toned and her small breasts were attractively framed in a tight black dress.

“Do you like what you see?” She stepped closer and ran a finger down his arm.

Solan cupped a hand around the back of her neck and leaned closer, inhaling her scent. He smelled a mixture of fruity shampoo mingled with her pheromones. She did have a whiff of fertility about her, but there was something else, a smell he didn’t recognize. She wasn’t in her prime and wouldn’t be fully fertile for several days. Perhaps this was what he needed though. He could spend a few days with this female and enjoy himself. Her fertility would peak, along with his own desire, blotting out all memories of Vegas.