Linn’ar bounded in front of me. “Sorry to interrupt your conversation, but the food is ready. Come, my filum.”
He slid his tentacles beneath my armpits and lifted me into his arms like a baby, carrying me to the table bridal-style. I stopped caring about my pride ages ago. If my lover wanted to dote on me and tend to my every whim, who was I to refuse? Besides, it felt damn good, and I was tired of pretending like it didn’t.
The table was set. Smooth wooden plates were filled with neat pyramids ofgaraetteok.The scent made my mouth water.
Everybody sat at the table except me. I was still cradled in Linn’ar’s arms. For some reason, he didn’t place me in a chair. Instead, he took a seat and put me in his lap.
I blushed. “What are you doing?”
“If you get dizzy again, you could fall. I will not let that happen,” he explained, wrapping his tentacles around my waist for good measure.
Paz grinned. “Aw, Linn’ar is like your living seatbelt.”
“Or a high chair,” Levi added.
I rolled my eyes at their childish imagery. I was going to eat a dignified dinner while sitting in my sexy alien mate’s lap, and I didn’t care who saw it.
“Please eat!” Linn’ar announced.
“Don’t have to tell me twice,” Paz said before shovelling rice cakes into his mouth. He moaned in pleasure. “Oh, fuck, these are good.”
“Mm, they really are,” Levi agreed.
Roused by the noise, Dai’zee yawned and licked her lips. She eyed the plate before her.
Levi held one towards his daughter. “Here, sweetie. Want to try?”
The little Maeleon sniffed it, then chomped it down. She trilled with joy before diving into the pyramid. Every once in a while, Zat’tor snuck a piece into his mouth from her plate.
“Delightful,” Zat’tor said. “Excellent work, everyone.”
Linn’ar purred, rubbing his face against my head. “It’s thanks to Jaeyoung. He taught me the recipe. Here, let me feed you.”
“Ah, that’s okay, I can eat on my—”
I should’ve known better than to bother. Before I could finish my sentence, Linn’ar fed me. He pushed a hot, mouth-watering piece ofgaraetteokpast my lips. Any complaints died when the delicious sesame flavor touched my tongue. I closed my eyes, savoring the chewy texture.
The rest of the world melted away as I sat in Linn’ar’s lap and let him feed me. I felt satisfied, reduced to a base state of being. I didn’t have to do anything. I just had to accept whatever fond doting Linn’ar placed upon me. It was weirdly enlightening.
The rest of dinner went by in a pleasant blur. My friends chatted and ate, enjoying their meal. I felt like a kid again, dozing off in my bed while a house party happened in the other room. For the first time in decades, there wasn’t a single thought of work or research. No stress or anxiety or need to be productive.
I finally let go of it all.
The next thing I experienced was a soft, silky warmth. I blinked blearily. I stared up at Linn’ar’s sweet face with the ceiling behind him. I must’ve been lying down.
“What happened?” I mumbled.
“You fell asleep in my lap at dinner,” he said, pulling the kofotta blanket over my chest.
“Oh.” I could only muster a tiny scrap of embarrassment. I still felt too relaxed to care.
“You were so adorable,” Linn’ar cooed. “Everyone went home, so I am putting you to bed.”
I lazily reached up to stroke his face. He paused as I caressed the smooth, cool scales of his cheek.
“Don’t want to sleep yet,” I complained. “Touch me.”
The sweet look in his gaze flickered with intense heat. “Do you want that?”
