Page 45 of The Pleasure Contract

He still looks worried.

I try for a smile instead.

He looks even more worried.

Listen, Arena Masters are normally smaller and leaner than the rest of the team. Their most important muscle is their brain. They conjure the playing field, the obstacles, and any advantages their team’s points score allows. If you pit him against a male of my stature in a physical fight, you’re going to be calling for his healer before it even starts.

But I’m not here for violence.

“Az,” he says, his voice unsure, his posture twitchy as his eyes flit briefly to my Lois. “Look, I know I left the team without any real explanation, and I still love you guys, but-”

I clasp him on the shoulder and barge my way into his apartment. “You had to follow the credits, I get it, I get it.”

“You do?”

He steps aside, disbelief in his tone.

Goddess above, what did he think? I would get physical with him over his legitimate transfer? Look, I was pissed. I thought we were all brothers of a sort. But I’m not the type to lay hands on someone for any of this.

Twisting back, I give him a simple, “Yeah.”

Besides, he has a few things I need right now: knowledge and skill.

“This is my…” I pause halfway to gesturing to Lois beside me, the word ‘bride’ clinging to my tongue, not willing to come out because it’s not true – not technically. We have a contract, but not that kind. “This is Lois,” I finish, but feel the need to add, “She is under my protection,” after seeing the way he nervously eyes her.

Pax swallows. “One of the humans from up north,” he says, nodding to himself. “I have read about you and your species, Lady Lois; it is an honor to meet you.” He bows to her, but his eyes are back on me as soon as he straightens.

“Pax,” I start, stepping closer and clapping him on the back again. “You’re good with hacking, right?”

* * *

“So let me get this straight,” Pax says, pointing his bottle of Highhorn Brew at me now that he’s more comfortable with us being here. “You want me to open a communication link with a human… a human that is currently on a planet three systems away… who has no previously established intergalactic communications link… using a personal comms unit that seems to be defective-”

DJ – who had been previously bobbing her little round form to the beats of some Earth sounds promptly goes silent, as if the machine itself is offended.

“Hey,” Lois – who definitely is offended – says as she snatches the comms unit out of the air and hugs the thing protectively. “She’s not defective, she’s special.”

Pax eyes my female like she’s a few heads short of a drak.

“Yes,” I say plainly, getting his attention back on me and away from my Lois. “You’re smart enough to do it. And Lois must be able to contact her mother.”

The weight of a small, human hand lands on my thigh and gives a little squeeze of gratitude.

I suddenly feel like I’m fucking flying. Honestly, winning the Drakball Grand Cup wouldn’t even feel this good.

I cover her hand with my own before she can pull away.

Goddess, but I love how freely she gives touches.

Pax clears his throat, his eyes lingering on where our hands join on my thigh.

We both pull back.

Pax shakes his head and looks me in the eye again. “Even if I could pull it off… Az, the Intergalactic Peacetime Authorities will be on all our asses if they ever found out-”

“If…”

Pax raises his brows and takes a swig of his brew. “Never thought I’d see the day His Royal Highness would be so willing to break the law.”