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“I have to ask, how do you even walk in those things? I mean, they’re stunning, but damn, they look dangerous.”
Chrissy straightened a leg and turned her foot from side to side. “They’re not too bad once you get used to them. This is more Zharor’s taste than mine. But he gets all excited when I put them on, so...” She shrugged. “Don’t get me wrong, I love them, and they’re gorgeous. I’m happy to wear them.”
“Zharor likes to dress her and Zara up,” Sarah said. “It’s a Tallean thing.”
Zara was Zharor and Chrissy’s small daughter. Delaney had met the cute little tyke earlier, as well as Kanon, Sarah and Kean’s son. Zara had been wearing a pouffy dress fit for a princess and loving every minute of it. An older Tallean woman had picked up the kids so the women could have a girl’s day.
“I thought the fancy outfits were only something merchants did.” Delaney thought of Jillian, who sometimes dressed similarly.
“It depends on personal taste,” Sarah said. “I like things more understated, and so does Kean. But if Chrissy and I sit in on meetings, we have to dress to impress. It’s like an advertisement of wealth and power.”
“And you’re okay just being arm candy at the meeting?” She thought back to the females from the Euphora deal back on Reka 5. They’d been dressed to the nines too.
“Oh no, we listen in and keep an eye on the transaction,” Chrissy explained. “We take note of anything our mates might miss. It’s also on us to get as much information out of the companions as possible.”
“Some females really are just arm candy,” Sarah admitted, “and know jack shit about what’s happening. But sometimes, it’s the opposite. The woman busting out of a corset is the one making the deal, and the guy’s just there to show off his big muscles.”
“I see.” Tallean business really was as opulent and showy as she’d thought.
“But most of the time, they’re more than just a pretty face. And some act dumb to try to get information out of you, so be careful,” Chrissy said. “ You’ll have to be vigilant if you are accompanying Ulrek or Uzzar.”
“Honestly,” Sarah said, “I’m surprised that as Ulrek’s mate, you are dressed so casually. I’d have pegged him as one who liked to go all out. But I guess you do spend a lot of time on a ship.”
Oops. Delaney hadn’t even thought to clarify it when she first met the other two.
“Oh no, I’m not his mate.”We’re just having the most mind-blowing sex ever.“I’m his ship’s greenroom technician. Nothing more.”Liar! You’re such a lying liar.
Sarah wrinkled her nose. “Really? I’m pretty sure Ulrek told Kean you were his mate.”
“And Zharor said, and I quote, ‘Let’s go meet the poor female who’s Ulrek’s mate’,” Chrissy added. “Andhe calls you his Star. That’s usually reserved for mates.”
Delaney had known that but had ignored it, hoping it was just a term of endearment Ulrek tossed around with all the females he fucked.
“It’s okay, Delaney.” Sarah slid over and put a hand on her shoulder. “No judgement here. You’re among friends. Trust me, I never thought I’d end up married to the biggest drug dealer in the galaxy. It was a shock, too.”
“I mean, Ulrek is kind of a tough sell.” Chrissy leaned over to place her drink on the low table, her breasts threatening to spill out of her dress when she did so. “But he’s got some redeeming qualities, too. He is extremely loyal to his friends. Zharor used to hate him, but he saw how Ulrek would literally jump in front of blaster fire for Kean, and it changed his mind. He’s probably the type who’d level a planet for his mate.”
“No, I mean it. I’m not his mate. He hired me to…” But as the words left her lips, she got a sinking feeling in her belly. She covered her mouth with a palm as the realization fully set in. Hadn’t he mentioned Kean’s tailor? “Oh god. He really does think I’m his mate.”
“Uh oh.” Sarah exchanged a look with Chrissy. “Okay, so when Chrissy and Zharor first got together, he didn’t tell her she was his mate until he found out she was pregnant with his kid.”
Whoa. How hadthathappened? It took a lot of effort for cross-species pregnancies. She made a mental note to ask about that when she wasn’t freaking out about her own surprise change in marital status.
“It wasn’t as bad as that makes it sound.” Chrissy put a palm out. “I didn’t exactly give him the opportunity to tell me.”
Delaney thought back to her last meeting with Ulrek. She’d snuck out of his room and done the short walk of shame back to her own. She’d stayed hidden there or in the greenroom ever since, though she did go back to drop off the plant.
A tiny part of her had hoped he’d catch her while she was there, but he hadn’t. And then, when he’d contacted her through the ship’s system after, she’d secretly imagined him charging in to carry her back to his room. She’d felt guilty for even thinking it because of course she did.
“I’m so dense.” She scrubbed her hand down her face. “Ugh, the last time we were alone, I told him I hated his guts. I snuck out of his room.”
The two other women exchanged a look.
“But you’re okay staying at his place tonight?” Sarah asked.
Delaney paled. Staying at Ulrek’s place? She hadn’t even thought about that. There’d be nowhere to hide from the cuddling. And the nuzzling. And the waking up in his arms. And he’d probably insist she ate straight from his fingers.
Gah! Her heart wouldn’t be able to take it. She’d fall so fast she’d shatter into a million pieces when she hit the bottom.
