Psy (Alien Castaways #3) - Cara Bristol Page 0,26

the physical. The rightness of being with her, the sense of completion filled with him with wonder. He didn’t need swelling mating glands to confirm they were genmates. His cock was swollen enough.

He lowered mental shields so she would understand his intentions. I wish to complete our union physically. Then our bonding will be complete.

I want that, too. She hesitated. Can a ’Topian get a human pregnant?

If they are genmates, yes.

She sighed. I’m not on any birth control. There wasn’t any need for me to be. I would love to have children, a big family—but not while I still have so many other goals to accomplish. Tomorrow I can call my doctor and schedule an appointment, but in the meantime, maybe you could go to the drugstore and buy some condoms?

I’ll do that tomorrow. He’d be at the drugstore the instant it opened. Physical and mental desire burned hot within him. As much as he couldn’t wait for the full completion of mind and body, he wasn’t ready for children, either. Can we still kiss?

Absolutely! She encircled his neck and pressed her lips to his.

Chapter Ten

Steeling herself for confrontation, Cassie let herself into the house. She intended to come clean. She had no choice, really.

A heavy make-out session had left her face and lips tingly. Her mother would notice the whisker burn and realize she hadn’t spent the evening working. Avoidance didn’t solve any problems anyway. To become independent, she would have to act independent. Stand up for herself. She shouldn’t have lied in the first place.

She’d expected her mother to be watching TV but found her on the computer in her office.

Cassie had her confession planned out in her head. All she had to do was write it.

Once again, it struck her how much simpler speaking would be. Psy had been right. She should get her voice checked out. If something had changed for the better—either her vocal cords or medical advances—it would be stupid not to take advantage of it. She couldn’t let fear keep her from living her life. When she saw her doctor for birth control, she would ask for a referral to a voice specialist.

Her back to the door, Rosalie hunched over an email from Rachel, a high school friend. Cassie didn’t intentionally read the message, but since she gravitated to the written word, and the message was on the screen, she couldn’t avoid seeing the email header.

She padded across the carpet and touched her shoulder. Rosalie jumped about a foot, slammed the lid on the laptop, and spun around. “You scared me!”

She pressed a hand to her chest in apology.

Her mother recovered from the fright and narrowed her eyes. “How was work? Did you get everything done?”

Cassie removed her notebook from around her neck. I wasn’t at work.

“Oh?”

I had another date with Psy.

“You said you weren’t going to see him anymore.”

I changed my mind. I like him.

Rosalie said nothing.

I didn’t want to lie to you.

“So you lied when you told me you had to work late.”

Cassie nodded. That was wrong. I was afraid you’d give me a hard time.

“I’m very disappointed.” A horseshoe-shaped wrinkle formed between Rosalie’s eyes, bright turquoise today. “I’m only watching out for you. I don’t trust him.”

You should trust me, trust my judgment.

“Judgment comes from experience. You don’t have much experience with men. None, in fact. He got you to lie for him.”

That was on me. He had no idea—and the way to get experience is to get experience.

“I don’t want you to get experience—I want you to meet a nice man, fall in love, marry, and live happily ever after.”

Really?

“Of course! How could you doubt it? What kind of a terrible mother would I be if I kept you tied to me your entire life? You’re an adult. It would be strange if you didn’t desire a relationship. Forgive me for being protective and wishing to ensure your relationship is with the right person.”

The discussion was going so much better than expected, she found herself at a loss for words. She’d prepared for resistance—not acceptance. Then again, it’s not over yet, she thought wryly. Just because Rosalie was open to the idea of dating, didn’t mean she would accept Psy—or Cassie moving out.

“Why don’t we go in the living room and talk?” her mother suggested. “I’m glad you told the truth about you being with Psy,” she commented after they were settled on the sofa. “I went into town to the hardware store and decided to drop in at