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Meet me in one hour in my quarters. I will dance for you.

Ivy might have decided she wanted to keep them apart, but Faron had other ideas.

“What’s going on?” Sinead asked. “Why are you smiling like that?”

Kendra sucked in a breath. She wouldn’t share this with anyone. This was about her and Faron, not playing up to an audience or pleasing her boss. “Can you cover for me? I’ve got to be somewhere.”

“I can cover for a while,” Sinead said. “Ivy is going to want you clued in on your new date soon.”

“Stall her if you can.”

Sinead raised her eyebrows. “Is this about Faron?”

“It might be.” She squeezed Sinead’s elbow. “I’ve been meaning to say sorry for snapping at you the other day. You caught me in a bad mood. I didn’t mean to take it out on you.”

Sinead shrugged. “It’s forgotten. I never hold a grudge. Life is too short. You can’t have fun if you’re grumpy about something that’s already happened.”

Kendra nodded. Typical Sinead, always smiling and making light of things. “If it all goes well, I’ll explain everything.” Kendra hurried away, leaving Sinead staring at her.

She didn’t have long, and she wanted to be ready for what Faron had to show her.

Kendra had a feeling this dance would blow her mind, and she wanted it to.

Chapter 16

Faron ran his hands across his bare chest. His skin felt hot as he waited for Kendra to arrive in his room.

He hadn’t planned to dance for her so soon, but after their time spent together, he wanted to delay no longer. He’d promised her a dance, and that was what he’d give her. He was excited to see her reaction when he moved for her.

He stopped pacing and examined himself in the mirror. He wore nothing but his ceremonial dance thong, the rest of his body exposed for Kendra to assess how strong and supple he was. His gaze went to his cybernetic arm. He could not hide this. It was a part of him, and Kendra had accepted it. It did not hinder his movements, so he hoped she wouldn’t find it offensive when he danced.

Faron moved to the table and checked again that he’d laid out the appropriate oils. They were for Kendra to use on him. As part of the dance, she had a right to touch him and examine his fitness. It was not meant to stimulate him, although he was sure having Kendra so close and touching him would be arousing. This part of the ritual was to ensure she could perform a thorough assessment of his body and check it met her standards. She could examine every part of him, and he would not refuse her.

He paced to the door and back again. It was not time yet. She wouldn’t be here for another ten minutes, but he was tired of waiting. He should have insisted she come immediately, as soon as he was ready, but he didn’t want to rush her. This was an important part of the courtship, and he needed everything to go well.

Faron’s port screen announced an incoming call. “Rhodan Tiket connecting.”

He grimaced and dismissed it. He needed no distractions from his family with Kendra arriving so soon. He had to focus on her pleasure and convince her he was right for her.

“Incoming call from Rhodan Tiket,” the port screen repeated.

Faron scowled at the screen. “Dismiss the call.”

He had no time to be berated by his father. This was not about his family. Faron had made his choice. Although he would show his gratitude for the work they’d done to find him a Tolong female, he would turn her down.

“Urgent call from Rhodan Tiket.”

Faron gritted his teeth. His father was a stubborn son of a bitch. He moved in front of the port screen. If he continued to ignore his father, there would be consequences. The orders of your family were to be obeyed above all others.

He hesitated. Now that he had Kendra in his life, it didn’t seem so important. Faron had had a taste of kindness and didn’t want to let it go. He wanted to experience more but wouldn’t be able to do that with his family interfering.

This could be his chance to tell them. His family would most likely declare him dead, rather than face the shame that he’d joined with a human. He didn’t want to bring additional shame or discredit to the family name. He would give them up. He would start afresh with Kendra.

“Accept the call,” Faron said.

His father’s angry face glared at him. “I hope you have an excellent reason for dismissing my earlier attempts at reaching you.”

“Now is not a good time,” Faron said.