Qylar pressed a gentle kiss onto Kenji’s forehead, wondering if next time would be as intense.
If so, one night wasn’t going to be enough. Whatever the reason behind their striking reactions to one another, he wasn’t letting go anytime soon. He’d simply have to convince Kenji they belonged together.
For however long the feeling lasted.
He’d never gotten too close to humans for a reason. He feared their reaction to learning what he truly was. If he shared it with the wrong person, it could endanger them all.
If he couldn’t have a Nefyrian mate, that left him with few options. Maybe he could forge a different kind of forever with the right human. One who had the power to bring him to his knees. They might never have sons and daughters, but it would beat spending the rest of his life alone.
He pressed another kiss to Kenji’s forehead, ready to give tomorrow a chance for once.
Kenji slowly awoke, the sky outside gray. He stretched, the soreness in his body so satisfying. A smile came to his lips. He’d never known a lover like Qylar. One who’d checked all his boxes and then some. He still wasn’t sure what he’d felt earlier that night. It had almost seemed like Qylar had more than one cock inside him, which was impossible, butfuckhad it felt good.
Maybe there had been a dildo he’d not seen?
Something tickled his upper thigh. Kenji froze and glanced down. A tentacle curled up his leg. Eyes widening, he covered his mouth and stifled a scream. Panic gripped him for a second, and he was unable to move. As soon as he could, he quickly and quietly pulled out from Qylar’s embrace. He slid to the floor, horror filling him at the sight.
What the fuck?
He crawled into the bathroom on his hands and knees. After snagging his pants, he realized there was no way he was getting those fuckers on without help. He spied a t-shirt hanging out of the laundry basket in the corner and hoped it would more than cover him, considering Qylar’s size. He dragged on his briefs, pulled on the t-shirt, and whipped the leather pants over one shoulder—after snagging his cell phone from the pocket.
As soon as he’d crept down the stairs and managed to get outside without being caught, he ran down the block. At the corner, he ordered an Uber and waited impatiently for his ride. He kept looking over his shoulder, praying Qylar still slept.
The Uber driver gave him an odd look when he pulled up but didn’t say a word about him wearing a t-shirt for a dress. The guy had probably seen all kinds of walks of shame in the early hours. His might not even be the weirdest one on the list.
When they were finally miles away from Qylar, he could breathe a little easier. He wrapped his arms around himself and laid his head back on the seat.
He was a monster. A motherfucking monster.
CHAPTER 4
It was way too fucking early to be awake. Not that Qylar had much choice in the matter given the almost four-year-old lying on top of him. Before he even opened a single eye, he knew she was on her belly, her elbows resting on his chest, her pretty little face nestled on two chubby fists. If he didn’t hurry up and open his eyes, she would do it for him to ensure he knew she was there waiting.
She’d stare for a while, as if her gaze upon him was magic and would induce him into consciousness. If that didn’t work, tiny fingers would pry his eyelids up and the sun would burn his retinas.
When he finally lifted one lid, her hand was traveling closer, ready to force him to wake up.
“Morning,Zaadi,” Qylar murmured.
He wanted to be cross with her, but how could he when she was the most adorable child on the planet? Either planet—EarthorNefyria.
“Mornin’,” Zaadi said. She screwed up her little nose. “Why’s it smell funny in here?”
Qylar’s eyes widened. As his exhausted mind fully awakened in that second, his head whipped to the side in terror that Zaadi would meet his bedmate—but Kenji wasn’t there. Qylar wasn’t sure if he felt relieved by that or not. He scanned the bedroom and past the bathroom door sitting ajar. There were no signs of the man.
“I don’t know, honey.” He turned back to Zaadi. “Is there anyone upstairs?”
Zaadi frowned. “No.”
Qylar shrugged. “Who let you in? Papa?”
Zaadi grinned. “I found the key.” She slipped it out of her pocket and showed him.
“Zaadi… does Papa know you took the key and came over?”
Her smile faded. “I missed you, Uncle Q.”
Right in the gut.He sighed, knowing he should be firm with her for leaving without telling anyone, even if it was just next door. It was impossible to be mad with that little pout, though, especially when he’d been avoiding them. “Papa might be worried sick looking for you right now.”
