But Polly wasn’t done. She growled at him. Yes, actually growled—like a pint-sized, very annoyed fire beast.
Erzo mentally counted to ten. It was a galactic task not to burst out laughing. Polly was like a tiny fire beast in a human form, both stunningly sexy and amusingly combative. But he dared not laugh—if he did, Erzo was pretty sure she’d unleash her full flames. He wasn’t keen on finding out what else she might decide to bite. Her feistiness was a complete turn-on, even if it was currently aimed at him.
“Breathe, Polly,” Erzo urged.
“I’m breathing, Captain Obvious!” Polly huffed, her chest heaving with indignation.
“Please hear me—” Erzo attempted.
“Hear what? I’ve seen enough daytime TV to know this script! Cheating alien hunk meets Earth girl, and Earth girl gets duped. Well, newsflash, buddy—I’m not sticking around for the tragic finale. Beam me up, Scotty, I’m out of here!”
He lifted her off the ground, her legs flailing. “Calm down!”
“I am calm!”
“No, you’re not. Please, fierce one,” Erzo implored, carrying her over to the couch and depositing her there with a soft thud.
She sat there, momentarily dazed, then made to stand up again, but he blocked her from moving off the couch, stretching his tail out one way as he stood the other. “You need to listen.”
Polly snorted. “Oh, do I? Since when did you become the boss of me, Mister Alien?”
“You’re exploding without all the data!” Erzo retorted, his patience thinning.
“Better than being a liar!” Polly shot back, her eyes blazing. She snatched a vase from the table and flung it at him.
His tail whipped out, swatting the vase. Polly grabbed another knick-knack and hurled it his way. He ducked, narrowly avoiding the projectile. Frustration bubbled inside him, a sensation he hadn’t felt in years.
“Polly!” Erzo barked, his temper flaring. “Enough!”
The sudden outburst made him pause. He wasn’t one to lose his cool. His father’s words echoed in his mind—emotions were secondary to profit. Yet here was Polly, bringing out intense feelings in him.
She recoiled, her eyes wide with shock and fear. Erzo realized he’d scared her and immediately regretted it. Taking a deep breath, he stepped back, trying to lower the tension. Polly slowly uncurled herself, eyeing him warily.
Erzo took another step back, giving her space. “Please let me share. Breal is technically my intended.”
Polly brushed past him. “So, the Intergalactic Dating Agency doesn’t do background checks on existing relationships?”
Erzo sighed. “Breal and I, it’s not like that. She’s more like family. We’re trying to avoid a forced union.”
“Then why all the secretive calls?” Polly demanded, hands on her hips.
“Because we’re on a timer. If I don’t return, they’ll drag me back for the vow ceremony,” Erzo explained, his tone weary.
Polly’s face softened as realization dawned on her. “So, I’m your escape plan?”
“Exactly,” Erzo confirmed, relieved she was understanding.
“That’s quite the pickle you’re in. And your brilliant solution was to keep me in the dark? Stellar strategy!” Polly’s sarcasm was thick.
Erzo winced. “I admit, my timing could’ve been better.”
“Understatement of the year,” Polly muttered, her anger simmering down to annoyance. “What’s the deal with this mating thing, anyway?”
Erzo explained the transactional nature of Charro matings. “It’s a vow between two beings, but it’s more about clan alliances than romance. The Charro, as you’ve heard, are known to be financially motivated. Clans will barter children in order to strengthen their holdings.”
“And if you don’t marry Breal?”
Erzo shrugged. “Life goes on. But this way, we both get what we want.”
