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Chapter 8

“Stop standing therelike you’re frozen with fear. This is supposed to be enjoyable. You’re meant to look like you’re having the time of your life with your new husband.” Ivy grimaced and waved her hands in the air at the nervous looking couple in front of her.

This photo shoot had been a disaster from the beginning. The couple had been late, the baby kept crying, and every time Ivy tried to get them to pose, they looked awkward and uncomfortable.

“Take five minutes,” Ivy said. “Nalina, change the lighting to a soft-focus glow and give the kid something to play with. She keeps crying.”

Nalina Trib, a tall, pale Koob with beautiful black eyes and long limbs hurried into action. She was quiet and obedient, as all good assistants should be.

Ivy stamped away and grabbed herself a coffee. She couldn’t focus, and her stomach kept twitching uncomfortably. Every time she let her mind wander, she kept thinking about Karn and their encounter last night in the My Single Alien office.

Anger still burned through her veins. He had used her. He’d pretended he liked her to hide what he’d been doing. The betrayal hurt more than it should.

Ivy had undone the damage to the system. At least, she hoped she had. She’d deleted several matches and wiped evidence of Karn being there. So far so good. She’d heard nothing from the office.

Her fingers touched her mouth. Ivy couldn’t deny it. Their kiss had been amazing as had the touch of his fingers deep inside her. Karn was gorgeous but untrustworthy. She’d had enough of men like that. She’d left that behind on Earth. She didn’t want it back, no matter how hot the package was. Maybe she should try a science geek like Heather. She seemed stupidly happy with her alien lover.

Resisting the cookies on the table, Ivy headed back to the couple in front of the camera. She took a deep breath and forced a smile. If she didn’t get this photo shoot in the can, Diadora would start asking questions. That was the last thing she needed.

“Imagine the first time you met. What did you think of each other?”

The petite human, whose name Ivy had forgotten, glanced up at the enormous blue Draxdan by her side. “Honestly, well, I was terrified. I’d read all about Boden in his file. He sounded lovely. When you meet for the first time, you’re never sure what you’re getting or how honest your match has been.”

“I was excited,” Boden said. “I’d been waiting for my human match for six months. I thought my human looked adorable from her pictures.”

“Thanks, honey. That’s sweet of you.”

Ivy kept the smile on her face, even though she felt like gagging.

Boden continued. “But you’re right. The first time we met, I felt nervous. I was surprised how small my mate was. I was afraid she might break.”

The human giggled and gently nudged him. “As you’ve discovered, I definitely don’t break.”

Ivy grimaced. “I don’t want you looking nervous in the photographs. What about when you had your child? What’s her name again?”

“Rosalina. We adore her. I became pregnant almost straightaway, so it wasn’t that easy. We were still getting to know each other and working our way through an alien pregnancy. It all went well. She came out perfectly.” The human sniffed the baby’s head and sighed.

“She’s our little piece of paradise,” Boden said. “I feel complete now I have her. Now I have them both.”

“Take the shot,” Ivy whispered to Nalina, who stood behind the camera.

The couple was lost in cooing over their baby and forgot they stood under glaring white lights in front of the camera.

Nalina got off a dozen shots before the couple realized what was going on and their movements became forced.

“Let’s try a different pose.” Ivy walked to the couple. “Boden, you take Rosalina. Your mate will stand in front of you.”

“Oh, no! I’d feel too exposed. Can I stand behind Boden?”

“No! Everyone wants to see how happy you are. It’s important humans aren’t put off of joining the agency. You’re supposed to be an illustration of how wonderful love is with an alien. If you’re cowering behind him, people will think something is wrong. They might think you’re not happy.”

“But I am.”

“Then act like it. Stop being terrified. It’s only a camera.”

“I’m not sure Rosalina’s feeling well.” Boden pressed a hand on her head. “Does she feel hot to you?” He passed her to his mate.

Ivy repressed a groan. “I’m sure she’s fine. It’s the lights. They make everyone warm.” She just needed a few more shots and then this disaster could be over.