Psy (Alien Castaways #3) - Cara Bristol Page 0,28

on the sofa and cover her eyes before he went to retrieve the gift. Purchased over the Internet, the item had arrived today, and he couldn’t wait to give it to her.

He tiptoed into the living room and set the wrapped present on the coffee table. Having been the first to meet his genmate, Chameleon had the most knowledge of human customs, and he had advised gifts must be wrapped.

“In what?” Psy had asked.

“Paper.”

“Does it matter what kind?”

“No. Paper is paper.”

The only paper they had at the farmhouse was toilet paper, so Psy wound a whole roll around the gift and secured it with duct tape.

Excitement and nervousness welled up inside. He hoped she liked it. Open your eyes! he said.

She dropped her hands and blinked at the gift. What’s that?

“Open it and find out.” He could tell his gesture pleased, and, for some reason, amused her, but he wouldn’t know if she truly liked the item until she unwrapped it. Some things were irreplaceable. Would this be one of them?

A smile played on her lips as she carefully peeled away multiple layers of paper. A spot of teal ceramic appeared. She sucked in a breath. Oh my god, is this what I think it is? She ripped off the rest of the paper to reveal a cookie jar shaped like a bear. The cookie jar! My cookie jar! She squealed aloud.

Do you like it?

I’m going to cry. She fanned her face. I love it. She ran her hands over the jar, removed the hat-shaped lid, and peered inside. It’s the same as the one I got from Verna—except it’s in better condition. It’s not chipped or anything. Her gaze shot to his. Where did you find it? How did you find it?

He sat beside her. You showed me a mental picture, so I scoured auction sites and antique dealers on the Internet until I found one. It came in today’s mail.

I can’t believe you did this for me! She launched herself at him, throwing her arms around his neck.

Why wouldn’t I do this for you? I thought it would make you happy.

She stroked his nape and pressed kisses to his lips, face, and throat.

Heat coiled low in his belly. It didn’t take much for her to stir his libido. A kiss, a glance, a smile. He ached to consummate their mating. A week had passed since she’d instructed him to buy condoms. He’d done so, but then she’d gotten her period. She’d been horribly embarrassed at having to explain. ’Topian females didn’t menstruate.

She kissed him again before examining the bear, peering inside, checking out the bottom. Finally, she replaced the lid. It’s exactly the same as the other one, only in perfect condition. I’m going to take extra special care of this. Mom is not allowed to touch it.

It didn’t trigger another vision though? Mind-linked, he figured he’d be aware if one did occur.

Once they come and go, they’re gone. But this proves I’m not crazy.

You’re not crazy. He’d been in the minds of a couple of people who had gone insane—it hadn’t been pleasant.

I have a surprise, too. She pulled up her sleeve to reveal a lump beneath the skin of her upper arm. I got a birth control implant! She paused. Now we can…you know…if you want to…

He loosened his mental shields to let her feel his desire.

Her eyes widened, and color, part embarrassment, part pleasure, tinted her face.

He stood and beckoned.

With a shy but seductive smile, she slipped her hand into his. They took the stairs to his room, the first door off the landing. Moonlight spilled in through the open blinds. The room was sparsely furnished, but he had invested in a comfortable king-sized bed backed by a padded black faux-leather headboard.

More light? he asked. I can turn on a lamp.

Moonlight is perfect. Romantic.

He stroked a finger from her temple to her cheek, appreciating how the gentle illumination caressed her beauty, accentuating her dark lashes, her wide eyes, the contours of her face. She turned her head and kissed his palm.

He pressed his lips to hers, opening his mouth to deepen the contact. She gave a little moan and melted against him. He cupped her buttocks to fit her in the cradle of his hips and against his throbbing cock. His heart thudded, echoed by the drumbeat of hers. My genmate. Elation and desire wound tighter and tighter within him.

He trailed his lips along her jaw and down. Clutching his shirt in her fists, she