Psy (Alien Castaways #3) - Cara Bristol Page 0,11

standing ice bucket. A cooler filled with food had been placed off to the side.

You planned all this for me?

Kevanne helped me set it up. I figured you wouldn’t have time to eat after getting off work.

This is the sweetest, most romantic thing anybody has ever done for me. Her eyes misted, and she brushed her lips against his. The brief feather-light caress ignited a flash of heat, and Psy groaned.

Her gaze flew to his face. Her lips parted, and then they were kissing in earnest, her arms around his neck, his around her waist. Mouths fused; tongues met in passionate exploration.

Her low, sexy moan inflamed him. He dragged his mouth down to her shoulder to kiss the bare skin and found it creamy smooth. She stroked his jaw, her touch sending tingles to his groin. He was hard for her, had been the moment he’d spied her through the store window.

Oh my god, he likes me! Her pleased but surprised exclamation resonated in his head.

I like you very much.

She jerked. You heard that?

I wasn’t supposed to? I didn’t mean to intrude. If she’d been a Verital, she would have blocked anything private, but, as a human, her mind was wide open. He closed his eyes and leaned his forehead against hers and showed her how to shield her thoughts behind a distraction. It afforded no barrier at all, but if he encountered it, he would know to back off.

I don’t have anything to hide, I just didn’t realize you could…well, read everything in my mind.

To move beyond the awkwardness, he said, Why don’t we sit? Have dinner?

She looked bemused as she trailed her hand over the white cloth. You went to a lot of trouble to impress me.

No trouble at all. My pleasure. Her openness, her sweetness, her intelligence, her beauty, and gentle curves impressed him. Earth courtship rituals were alien to him, but he very much wanted to woo this woman. Wine?

A little.

To avoid having to wrestle with the bottle, the wine had been uncorked. He poured some in their glasses.

You thought of everything. We even have a view. Sitting up high, the gazebo overlooked the sprawling lavender field. This would be a lovely location for a wedding.

There’s one booked this weekend. That’s why Chameleon constructed the gazebo for Kevanne—so she could rent it out for events.

He must be very handy!

He has become so, he boasted of his friend’s skill. If we need something, we manufacture it in our replicator, but Chameleon enjoys building things. He lifted his glass. I was informed we should toast.

She raised her goblet.

He had no idea what would be appropriate to say, so he decided to speak from his heart. May today be the first of a lifetime of moments.

They clinked glasses.

I’ll get the food. From the ice chest, he brought out and unwrapped a charcuterie board with meats, cheeses, and olives and a crusty baguette. He placed the items on the table and retrieved the grapes and strawberries. He left the chocolate tarts on ice, afraid they would melt in the heat, even though the swishing fan cooled the area somewhat.

So far, the date seemed to be going well! He’d sought advice from his friends’ mates, telling them he wanted the evening to be special. They’d given him some pointers, and he’d ordered the food from a deli.

She helped herself to the meats and cheeses. I still can’t believe you arranged all this so fast. You make me feel like Cinderella. I just hope the hover scooter doesn’t turn into a pumpkin. Her mouth quirked with humor, so he surmised she was joking, but he didn’t understand the reference.

What is Cinderella?

It’s a children’s fairy tale about a peasant girl who meets her handsome prince. She looked at him. You’re like the handsome prince and the fairy godmother rolled into one. I still can’t believe I can communicate with you this way. Do all Veritals communicate telepathically?

We can, but we don’t. Usually only with genmates.

Why not?

Because of the potential for trespass. The right to hold or share one’s thoughts as one sees fit is the most basic right an individual has. A person must have freedom over his mind, so the Code of Conduct forbids intrusion unless one has been invited—or if one is in danger. For self-defense or the defense of others, it’s permissible to enter a mind without prior approval. Only twice in my entire life have I done so.

She leaned forward. What happened?

I’ve mentioned my friend Chameleon. He helped us