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“Put her hand inside my thong and feel around. She might stimulate me to see how quickly I gain an erection and assess it to see how long I maintain hardness. You may do so if you desire it.”

Kendra fanned her face with her hands. “No, that’s not happening. I will not be stuffing my hand into your thong and checking out your package at any time during this date. I can see you have an impressive device tucked in there. But you might think about going up a size the next time you buy one of those fancy thongs. You’re hiding nothing.”

“Every part of my body functions perfectly.” Faron glanced at his cybernetic arm. “I am a capable male.”

Kendra blew out a long, slow breath. “Do you have a timetable of when you display for me? I need to make sure I’m free.”

“If we take things further, it occurs over seven nights. That is standard practice. I have flexibility and am willing to adapt to your frailties as a human. I see from the flush on your skin and the way your pupils dilate that you are overwhelmed by my closeness. We may extend the process if you are not capable of undertaking it in such a short space of time. But I will not wait long. I prefer to complete everything inside of seven nights.”

“You’re right. My frail human body won’t withstand this,” Kendra said. “You are too much for me.”

Faron smiled. Humans were such weak, emotionally driven creatures. He’d never seen the appeal before, but sitting opposite Kendra and seeing the desire in her eyes and the way her attention drifted to the leather trapping his semi-hard cock in place, he could believe there was a place for her in his bed. He would be intrigued to see how she behaved when they were naked together.

There was even a chance she could learn to become more logical. At this moment, her emotions were ruling her thoughts, but humans did have the ability to be logical when they tried.

A flicker of warmth ran through Faron’s chest. This was a chance for him, a chance to be intimate with someone after such a long time of being alone. He had never considered any women other than Tolong females. But Kendra was here and obviously desiring his naked form. He would pursue the opportunity and see where it took him.

Kendra leaned across the table and beckoned him closer with a finger.

He arched an eyebrow and leaned toward her. “What is it you need my little human?”

“You need to rethink your courtship schedule. I don’t think we’ll be mating in seven days.”

“You wish to do it sooner?”

A laugh shot out, and her warm breath tickled across his cheek. “No! I don’t want to do this at all.”

He frowned. “What do you mean?”

Kendra glanced at the camera bot. “I need to be honest before this goes too far. My boss ordered me to come here tonight. After our first dinner date, the public warmed to us as a couple. Diadora is always on the lookout for great publicity for My Single Alien. She thought it would be good if we met again and played nice with each other.”

“Played nice. So, you do not desire me?” The heat in Faron’s chest faded. He’d made an error. Kendra did not want him.

Kendra shrugged. “I’m sure some woman will find you amazing. Somewhere out there is your perfect mate. She will be genetically magnificent, bear you dozens of offspring, and you’ll be fabulously content together. But it’s not me. I can’t do any of those things. I’m in this mess because I want to keep my job and make sure my mean boss doesn’t shout at me.”

Faron leaned back in his seat and scowled at her. Was she being truthful or was his artificial limb disgusting her? He’d heard humans were flexible with whom they mated with and weren’t so disenchanted by difference in their mates. Perhaps she saw his lack because of his cybernetic arm and considered him not good enough for her.

“I am sorry,” Kendra said. “I meant no offense. Someone will find you lovely. They will worship your every step.”

He sighed. Kendra was a mass of contradictions. One second, she was drooling over his muscles; the next, she said she didn’t want to be here. What should he believe? Could he have done something to repel her? Something he’d said or done that made her say these things?

Faron wasn’t prepared to give up. He desired her, and she wanted him. He slid from his seat and dropped to one knee, grabbing Kendra’s hand as he did so.

Kendra gave a startled yelp as he pulled her to the edge of her seat. He bowed his head and pressed his lips to the back of her knuckles. “I pledge to rectify my error.”

She gasped and tugged against his tight grip. “What are you doing? Get up.”

He glanced up into her wide eyes. “I am rectifying the failing on my part. It is the only reason for your babbling.”

“Babbling! I’m not babbling. I’m trying to get you to understand this situation.”

Faron bowed his head and pressed his lips to her skin again. “Forgive me.”

Chapter 9

“Get off your knees!” Kendra tugged on Faron’s hand, all too aware that the camera bot was filming this embarrassing situation. What the hell was he doing? It looked like he was making a proposal of marriage.

“You must accept my apology.” His grip tightened on her hand.