He narrows his eyes, and I hasten to add, “Except for your tentacle massages, of course.”
Phew, that was a close one.
We are led to a sauna for our final treatment of the day. We hang our robes on hooks outside and Kai opens the door, letting out a huge waft of steam that envelops us as we head inside with just our towels wrapped around our waists.
Once again, Kai appears to have arranged a private one for just the two of us. It’s not dissimilar to ones I’ve tried out on Earth, and I settle in, leaning my back against the warm stone wall as I let the heat wash over me.
“This is the life,” I say.
Eyes closed, Kai murmurs his agreement.
I’m more mellow than I’ve been in weeks, and although he doesn’t show it quite as much as I do, I can tell Kai has also loosened up a lot. Once more, I’m truly touched and grateful for the work he put into planning all of this. Even I didn’t realize just how much I needed this getaway, and I make a mental note to myself to find a spa back in Vegas where Kai and I can go at least once a month to get some pampering and much-needed stress relief.
Granted, I’m also hoping that work at the Alliance will be a little less intense and nowhere near as stressful as it has been over the last few months. By its very nature as a covert organization operating incognito on Earth, the Alliance can never fully predict what new crisis we might have to deal with, but a boy can dream.
Once both Kai and I are panting from the heat, we decide we’ve had enough of the sauna and head back to our lockers to get changed.
“Do we need to tip the staff who worked on us today?” I ask. “How does that work here?”
Kai smiles, pulling on his shirt. “That’s more of an Earth custom, and one a lot more specific to North America. Here, staff have a livable base salary, but they also earn an automaticpercentage from each service they provide. Unlike tipping, it’s guaranteed and factored into the price beforehand.”
“Look at aliens being so much more intelligent and equitable about these things.”
He smiles. “It is standard at all space stations that are part of the Intergalactic Alliance, but there are other places in the universe that are not so enlightened.”
“Duly noted.”
I’ll have to factor this into our future space travel plans.
We say our goodbyes, with many gracious thanks included, to the staff who worked with us during our visit. I hope we can find time to go back at least once before this trip is over.
For the next few hours, Kai and I wander around the expansive resort grounds, basking in the peace and tranquility. I’m sure our stay here is going to heal what ails us, as they say. We’re going to be bright-eyed and glowing when we get back home.
I’ll make damned sure of it.
As the artificial afternoon sun begins to set, we mosey back to our suite and take some time to finally unpack our bags. I excitedly rehash the coolest details of the day while Kai nods and smiles, indulging me and my tendencies. Just when we finish putting away our things, there’s a knock, and I shoot Kai a questioning look. He blushes and scurries to answer the door, and I’m left gaping after him.
What exactly is that all about?
I skip after him, eager to find out what new surprise he has in store for me because it’s making him be so stinking adorable.
A resort employee in the equivalent of a catering uniform steers in a hover cart full of covered dishes that smell positively divine. My stomach makes an embarrassingly loud growling noise, totally on board with whatever meal Kai had prepared for us. Our server sets the table in our suite, lights some candles,and removes the dish covers with a flourish before bowing and leaving on quiet feet, the door softly clicking closed behind them.
Kai opens a bottle of what I’m guessing is the extraterrestrial equivalent of champagne and pours us each a glass. The color is a vivid purple that makes me blink.
My hubby-boo raises his glass for a toast, and I hurry to join him.
“To a lifetime of wedded bliss. You and me always and forever together,” he declares softly, his expression sweetly serious.
We clink glasses and sip the bright, bubbly spirit, which is less dry than champagne and a whole lot sweeter, just the way I like.
I arch an eyebrow at him. “Did you pick out this specific wine for me?”
He blushes temptingly again and clears his throat. “Ahem. I knew it would be one you’d enjoy.”
I raise my glass to him in salute. “You were right on the money, honey.”
We tuck into our food, and I savor the different dishes with pleasure. I’ve had some extraterrestrial cuisine on Earth, courtesy of Kai’s family, but this is a whole new experience. However, once again, everything Kai’s chosen suits my palate perfectly. My heart swells in my chest at the fact that my husband knows me so much better than anyone else and, like always, has taken my preferences into account in planning our honeymoon.
