Alien Sex 102 by Allie Ritch Read Free Book Online

you divorced her soon after that?”
    He knew his grin had a mean edge to it, but he deserved to gloat. “I did. I filed for proceedings that very day, right after I used my handheld PA to take a vid of the two of them in my bedroom. Nothing like proof of infidelity to nip those alimony payments in the bud.”
    “Ruthlessness becomes you,” Katra said.
    Krux stilled. What did she mean by that? Had the tragedy that was his first marriage turned her off to him, or was that approval he heard in her tone? He wasn’t sure, although he knew she could be just as aggressive as he was.
    Before either of them could say more, their first course arrived. He watched in fascination as she got her first whiff of the cheese-stuffed vegetables. Her eyes darkened and partially closed, her cheeks glowed, and the corners of her mouth turned softly upward with a look of incredible bliss. It was a pleasure response of the most primitive sort—one he hoped to inspire in a different context in a few hours.
    She savored the first bite. “Interesting.”
    “Oh?” He certainly thought so, but he was regarding the woman not the food.
    “I was expecting something along the lines of rosemary or garlic,” she explained. “Instead, they used chives and something more unusual in the cheese. Sharp onion or Flexian golden celery, maybe.”
    “You’re a foodie.” Why hadn’t he recognized that fact sooner?
    He supposed he shouldn’t be surprised. She came from money, and the rich liked to eat well.
    “I enjoy food,” she agreed. “Eating is one of those few activities that engages all the senses. First you see the dish as it’s presented in front of you: the colors and textures and arrangement on the plate. Then the smell hits you and gives your tongue a preview of what’s coming. Next, you take that first bite and the flavor spreads over your tongue, plunging you into a world of taste. You feel whether it’s hot or cold, rough or smooth, crunchy or soft, and you can also hear those textures as you roll that morsel around in your mouth.”
    Hearing this description, watching her face, Krux felt a strange mixture of awe and lust. She really was something special.
    “You’re a passionate woman, Katra.” He just hoped she’d savor him even half as much.
    *
    Katra was surprised by how much she relaxed with Krux throughout the rest of the evening. The meal was delicious, the drinks kept flowing, and they had a comfortable conversation. In fact, they had an astonishing amount in common. They’d both studied business in college, enjoyed working out regularly to stay fit, and preferred a house with a yard to a posh apartment. She envied him his connection with his family and so many family friends, but she happily shared the good times she’d had with her parents when her mother had been alive. Her father was still with her, although he no longer lived on Trilanta. She was very close with him and visited as often as she could.
    By the time they’d finished the dessert course, she felt like they’d covered almost every topic under the stars. He helped her out of her chair and led her to his car, charging the atmosphere between them with a new level of intimacy: one of expectation. When he started driving, he reached over to clasp her hand in one of his.
    “I picked up some Duosien jengal tea,” he said quietly. “We can go back to my place and enjoy it.”
    Naughty man. His high-handedness should have nettled her, but instead she felt a smile blooming. “Jengal tea is an aphrodisiac.”
    “Is it?” The gleam in his eye belied his innocence.
    Too used to taunting him, she couldn’t resist. “Decided you’d need a little boost, did you? I understand. A man’s stamina decreases once he reaches a certain age.”
    His eyebrows shot up, but he grinned wickedly when he caught her fighting laughter. “Don’t you worry about my stamina. We Brachoi are known for our long, meticulous, tireless lovemaking. I just wanted to help you survive