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stare … but your skin. It’s just so beautiful. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
    Kal didn’t say anything for a moment. Then finally, he just turned her around and pulled her close as he wrapped his arms around her.
    “I’m glad you like it, Ali,” he answered softly. “On Dolak, where we come from, the sun moves farther away from our planet every year. Every species on our surface has evolved over time to retain and collect heat as effectively as possible. Our people have varied skin tones, but the darker pigments are viewed as most genetically desirable. My particular metallic hue is considered a birth defect by my people, so thank you for saying that.”
    Alison couldn’t believe it. Her heart broke for Kal thinking that others would judge him by his skin color. With the technology his race clearly had, it’s not like they were walking around the planet naked, relying on their skin tone to survive, but clearly there were ignorant bigots all across the universe.
    “I think you’re one of the most attractive men I’ve ever seen, Kal. I can’t imagine anyone thinking otherwise,” she said, pulling his arms tighter around her, glad that she wasn’t facing him because she didn’t think she could’ve said something so direct if she had to watch his reaction.
    “Oh, there’s plenty of males and females alike that enjoy a taste of the forbidden for a night or two. Especially when I come with males like Conn and Tannen, but when it comes to a permanent mating contract to complete our bond group, their bias becomes clear,” he continued, sounding rather jaded and maybe a little bit sad. “Before we bonded, I warned them that it would be difficult finding a permanent female to contract with us if my genetics were in the mix, but they’ve always been stubborn, those two.”
    She was almost asleep when that information was finally absorbed by her sluggish brain. Had he just said they were looking for a woman to complete their bond group? Holy crap, so they were bisexual? And just like that, her inappropriate thoughts were running rampant once again, and Alison had to silently chastise herself for thinking like a horny teenager when Kal obviously needed a friend and some emotional support.
    “They clearly love you a great deal,” she answered as she slowly turned around in his arms so she was facing him. “I’m certain that the right woman would love you for who you are, and not what you have in your genetic makeup, Kal.”
    He smiled sweetly at her, moving his hand up to cup her cheek.
    “You’re a very wise female, Alison. I hope that you are correct,” he said before another frown crossed his features. “Conn’s mother has been in negotiations with a female on Dolak for several years to contract with us, but I don’t believe that Shara is the correct female for us. Perhaps you can help me talk some reason into Conn and Tannen about her.”
    Alison didn’t know why she suddenly felt sick when Kal mentioned that they were practically engaged to be married to another woman. She’d just met them after all, but it bothered her all the same, and she quickly looked away from his eyes before he saw it there.
    “Sure, I’ll do what I can,” she answered, before she turned back around in his arms, away from him. “Good night, Kal.”
    “Sleep well, Ali.”
     

Chapter Eight
     
    Kal had just managed to pull himself from the warm bed with the tempting little female in it when Tannen quietly walked into the bedroom.
    “Is she still sleeping?” Tannen whispered when he saw Kal getting dressed. “Her vitals were steady all night. The contact seems to be working.”
    “Well, her vitals may have been steady, but mine were all over the place. It’s been some time since we’ve had the softness of a female in our bed,” Kal answered, looking back at Ali, “and she is quite tempting.”
    “I agree with you on that, Kal. There is something so sweet and delicate about her,” Tannen said, looking to