by Frost Kay
“I’m not getting any younger out here!” Jer shouted from the other side of the door.
“You don’t have to yell. I’m right here.”
“Where’s the fun in that? Now, stop stalling and start dressing. I still have to braid your hair.”
She squeezed her eyes shut and counted to ten. She could do this. It was only a dress. She opened her eyes and snatched the dress off the counter, whirling away from the mirror. If she had to wear the ridiculous dress, she wouldn’t even peek at it.
She stripped off her clothes and gritted her teeth as she slipped into the clingy material. Tying the straps, she peeked at the back of the dress, and whipped back around to stare at the wall. There was no back to the darn thing. She risked a glance down and grimaced. It hugged the slope of her belly and hips, then fell to the floor.
“I don’t know how they expect me to work in a floor-length gown,” she complained.
“Let me see it!” Jer called with glee.
“Okay.” She stepped to the side, and paused, gaping. When did those slits appear? The bottom of the dress was cut into strips. When she held still, it looked like one elegant dress, but when she moved, her legs peeked out. “Stars above,” she groaned.
“Two minutes!”
Allie slammed her hand against the button and the door whooshed open. She closed her eyes and held her hands out to the sides. “So?”
Silence.
She cracked one eye open. “That bad?”
Jer just stared. “Wow.”
Allie’s brows wrinkled. “Huh?”
Her friend shook her head. “Allie, that dress is stunning!”
“Are you kidding me?” Allie pointed to her tummy. “It’s clingy, and I don’t like it.”
“It doesn’t look tight. It’s fitted—there’s a difference, and the only one who will even notice your belly is you. You’re beautiful.”
“I look cheap.”
“No.” Jer paused. “Do you think I’m honest?”
Allie sighed dramatically. “To a fault.”
“Then believe me when I say you look anything but cheap. Now spin.”
“It’s missing half the back,” she warned as she spun, the strips flaring out just a little at the bottom. “I feel so exposed.”
“Well, it’s modest. There’s no cleavage. It does cup your butt a little, but not enough to be gross, and the slits barely show any leg. Plus, you have a great back and shoulders. Your body type was made to wear halter-tops.”
“Un huh,” she answered, unconvinced.
“Now stop fretting, I have to braid your hair.”
Jer’s deft fingers slipped into her hair and began to expertly weave her golden hair into a plait. Allie felt her eyes slowly close. There was something so comforting about having someone play with her hair.
“My mama and sister used to play with my hair. I love it.”
Her friend hummed. “All done.”
Allie patted her head and ran a hand along the plait. “Thank you.”
“No problem.” Jer smiled as she donned her boots, then she strode into the bathroom and began braiding her own hair in quick jerky movements. “This suit is obscene.”
She leaned a hip against the door. “What if you put a belt around the hips and wore a jacket?”
“That will work,” her friend said, tying off her hair.
She turned and sauntered to their little closet. Flipping through their clothes, her hand paused over a deep-blue high-low jacket. “I have just the thing.” She held it out so Jer could examine the garment. “It will highlight your blue eyes, cover your boobs and butt, yet give off an air of femininity and professionalism.”
“You and all your big words!” Jer grinned. “I love it!”
Allie held the jacket open and helped Jer into it just as their wrist comms buzzed. She leaned to the side and placed her hand on a scan pad. “Grant entrance to Sid. We’re just finishing up.” She snagged a black and silver belt from the closet and held it out to Jer. “Clasp it over the coat. It will cinch the waist to fit you since it’s a little big.”
“Have I mentioned that I love having you as a roommate?”
She grinned. “Maybe once or twice.”
“Well, I might love it even more now.”
Their door slid open and Sid sauntered in, once again dressed all in black, his scales catching the light. He clutched his heart and pretended to stumble into the wall. “My hearts just can’t handle this much beauty at once.”
Jer slapped him on the arm as she moved by him to grab her satchel. “Always the flatterer.”
He shrugged unapologetically, his gaze running over Allie’s dress.
She picked at the fabric and gave him a self-conscious smile. “Does it look okay?”
His smile widened, and she swore his eyes twinkled. “More than okay. You look stunning. All sunshine and darkness.”
She snorted and slipped her feet into her favorite flats she could walk for days in. “Now you’re a poet?”
“I always was. You’re just experiencing the power of my skill today.”
“Sure.” She squished next to Sid and grabbed his arm. “Let’s go, Casanova.”
“Casa-what? My chip isn’t giving me a translation.”
“It was from an old Earth movie,” she explained, pulling him from their home. She held her hand against the door until it locked. “It’s a nickname for a womanizer.”
Sid scoffed. “I am not a womanizer. I love women.”
“Exactly.”
He held up a finger tipped with a claw. “Not the same.”
“Let’s agree to disagree,” she teased, as they moved down the hallway.
The door opened, and she blinked at the purple sky. She’d never get used to that. It’d always be alien.
Sid pulled her into the bustling street and paused in front of a contraption. “We’ll visit this later. Now, into my hover.”
He tugged on her, but her feet were rooted to the ground. She glanced at the vehicle that looked suspiciously like a motorhover with a sidecar on each side. Open sidecars. “What in the worlds is that?”
“That, dear Allie, is your ride.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“No.”
Jer pulled the goggles off her head and adjusted them over her eyes. “Stop being a sissy. We don’t have time for this. Get in the sidecar.”
“B-b-but we have to fly!” she exclaimed, her telltale panic rising to the surface.
Large, obsidian hands clasped each side of her face, forcing her to gaze into Sid’s eyes. “We’re not flying, just hovering. I promise.”
“I can’t,” she whispered. Heat rushed into her cheeks in shame.
A claw smoothed softly along her cheekbone. “It’s okay, I’ll strap you in.”
Sid whisked her off her feet, plopped her into the sidecar, and had her strapped in before she could panic and run away. A pair of goggles were slapped over her head and eyes. Sid slipped onto the motorhover and it roared to life underneath them.
“Why is it so loud?” she yelled.
“Because I like it that way!”
“You’ll be careful?”
Sid’s grin was slow. “Always am.”
3
Quills, spots, and alien booze
He wasn’t careful.
Allie stumbled from the sidecar and almost fell to her knees and kissed the ground. She yanked off her goggles and stabbed a trembling finger at Sid. “You’re insane!”
“Never claimed to be sane.”
“That wasn’t careful! That was suicidal!”
“We made it here alive, did we not?”
“That’s not the point!”
Sid hopped down from his motorhover and strode to her side. “You didn’t want to fly, so this was your only option. I couldn’t have gone any slower, or I would have put us in danger.”
“That’s ridiculous!”
He breathed in heavily. “No, you know what’s ridiculous?
How your scent becomes that much more appealing when you’re angry. You need to calm down.”
Her anger ratcheted up a notch. “No, you need to calm down!”
“I am, but your scent…it is making me crazy.”
“Keep that stuff to yourself,” Jer commented dryly. “No one wants to hear that.”
Allie rubbed her hands along her arms. “Yeah, and it’s creepy.”
Sid scowled. “I can’t help it any more than you can help being a human with the phobia of flying.”
She groaned. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
He gave her a quick hug and held her away from him. “Take deep breaths, Allie.” He looked between Jer and her. “Keep calm today. I’m not the only race that reacts to scents.”
“Great,” Jer growled. “Is it a common thing here?”
“I would venture a guess that most of the races, aside from humans, have strong senses.”
Horror filled her. “They all can smell me?”
“Yep.”
“What a terrible sense to have. Could you imagine having to smell everyone’s odors all day? I’m glad I’m human.”
Sid flashed an amused glance in Jer’s direction. “It’s helpful, but not always pleasant.” He rubbed his hands together. “I’ll pick you lovely ladies up after work.” He turned his back and slid a leg over his monstrous machine. He winked. “Have a great day.” Then, he tore off into traffic and disappeared in a matter of seconds.
“I like him more each time we hang out,” Jer said.
“He certainly has flair, doesn’t he?”
“Sure does.” Her friend spun and faced the restaurant behind them. “Are you ready?”
She nodded and followed Jer into the building.
The inside was nothing like the simple outside. Opulence was apparent from the ceiling to the floors: the dark wooden tables shone, the half-moon, grommeted black booths screamed wealth and seduction. What really drew Allie’s attention was the rectangular, two-story bar in the center of the room. The glasses glimmered and the rainbow liquids in exotic bottles excited her. It was one of the most beautiful bars she’d ever seen.
A tall man with black hair, an angular nose, and pointed chin moved in their direction. Allie forced herself to stand tall and not fidget as his sharp eyes scanned them from head to toe.
“Allie and Jer, I presume?”
“Yes, sir,” Jer answered.
He held out a hand and took Jer’s, kissing it. “A pleasure.”
Allie held back a gasp as his royal purple eyes met hers. One side of his mouth hitched up as he took her hand as well and kissed the back of it. “It is lovely to meet you.”
“Likewise,” she murmured.
He stepped back and gestured to their bodies. “You both are fetching. Not everyone can wear our uniform.”
Jer crossed her arms. “Well, if they didn’t fit like a second skin it wouldn’t be a problem.”
This time, he grinned, white teeth flashing. “Ah, humans, always so ashamed of their bodies.”
“Not ashamed. I just don’t want to share my body with everyone,” Jer responded.
“Indeed. Not all share your ideals, but it’s refreshing nonetheless.”
“Excuse me, but we’ve not yet learned your name,” Allie inserted smoothly.
The raven-haired man blinked and then bowed low, his grey suit pulling over his wide shoulders. “Forgive me, I’m Sebastian, and I own Scarlett Kiss.”
Allie hid her surprise that the owner had greeted them and gave him a warm smile. “I’m happy to make your acquaintance.”
“Well, let’s get you situated.” He waved a hand and a huge man materialized out of the dark, moving like a predator, each move smooth and purposeful. A marking started at his hairline and moved around his brow, disappearing back into his hair by his ear. She tried not to stare like the country bumpkin she was, but it almost looked like a cheetah print.
The large man paused by Sebastian’s side and eyed both girls impassively.
“I have Becky’s replacement,” said Sebastian. “Elijah, meet Jer.”
Elijah’s cinnamon eyes widened as he took in Jer. “She’s bitty.”
“She’s well-recommended,” Sebastian said.
The big man scoffed. “She’ll be killed the first night. She’s a liability, and human.”
Jer stood a little taller. “You have something against humans?”
A shrug. “Only that they keep arriving and stealing jobs.”
Her friend took a step forward and placed a fingertip against Elijah’s chest. “I didn’t choose to come here, buddy. Your government drafted me. If you have a problem, you take it up with them. I’m just following orders.”
Something like a growl rumbled out of his chest. He sniffed and froze for a moment before closing a massive hand around Jer’s and moving it with care. “Point taken, but you still won’t make it one night.” He turned to Sebastian. “She barely reaches my chest. I bet I could wrap my hands around her waist and have my fingers touch.”
“You think I can’t protect myself?” Jer asked with too much sugar.
Allie’s eyes widened. She knew that tone. The sweetness came before the ass kicking. Inconspicuously, she shuffled back a step and waited.
“That’s right, little one. I could break you like a—”
In a move too quick to follow, Jer had the big man on his knees with his arm wrenched behind his back. “What were you saying?” she said sweetly.
He blew out a breath and his mouth quirked up on one side. “I was saying that you were impressively quick and devious for someone your size.”
The redhead grinned. “Right answer.” She released her hold, stepped back, and Elijah stood, rotating his arm. “My original statement stands. You’re bitty.”
Jer grinned. “That’s the first time anyone’s ever called me that. I’m tall for a woman.” She jerked her head toward Allie. “Allie, on the other hand, is bitty.”
Elijah glanced at her and smiled. She offered an awkward wave and held a hand out. The giant reached out and took her hand like he was touching china.
“Stars above, you’re fragile.”
Allie scowled and stood tall. “I may be short, but I’m not fragile.”
Elijah’s smile grew. “Feisty. I like it. You’ll fit right in.”
Sebastian rolled his eyes. “Now that you’re done insulting my new employees, please introduce Jer to her new responsibilities.”
“Anything for you, boss.”
The owner shook his head and offered Allie his arm. “Let’s acquaint you with my bar.”
“Wow,” Allie breathed when they entered the rectangular bar. Anything and everything she could have ever dreamed of was there. She let go of his arm and ran a finger along the glossy bar top. “It’s beautiful.”
Sebastian beamed at her. “I’m so glad you think so. Not everyone can appreciate the beauty of it.”
“It’s almost magical,” she said, eyeing a luminescent red liquid. Her gaze stopped on an amber liquid that looked very familiar. “You carry Sai moonshine?”
“Is there any other kind, Ms. Sai?” he drawled.
So he knew. She leaned a hip against the pristine counter and crossed her arms. “What do you really want from me?”
He mimicked her pose and crossed his legs while unbuttoning his suit jacket. “I need a mixologist.”
“And?”
He cocked his head. “There’s no ‘and.’ I needed a skilled mixologist, someone that would be exotic, that would pull interest.” He shrugged. “So it was in my interest to pay many credits for you to be here.”
She stiffened. “You paid for me? Like a slave?”
Sebastian held his hands up. “Business owners bid on new employees. All it means is we get first pick of the new workers. I don’t own you.”
“Damn straight,” she huffed. “What about the moonshine?”
“I don’t expect you to brew for me, if that’s what you’re asking.”
> She barked out a laugh. “You’d be sorely disappointed. I can mix drinks, I just can’t brew them. I’d be liable to poison someone.”
Sebastian threw back his head and laughed. She squinted at the little black feathers in his hair. What race was he? He caught her staring and grinned. She dropped her gaze, heat scorching her cheeks. She must seem like a country bumpkin.
“It’s okay to notice our differences. I can tell you’re just curious.”
Her blush deepened. “I didn’t mean to be rude. I just…” She sighed. “I was raised in the country. I rarely went into town, so my knowledge of alien races is limited. The diversity is amazing here, but I’m so darn ignorant.”
“I’m of the Kanji tribe.”
“What’s that?” she asked.
“Well, Kanji typically live on the darker side of the planet. Our fair skin doesn’t burn, but our bodies overheat easily. It’s normal to see Kanji passing out everywhere on a hot day.”
Her eyes turned round. “That sounds terrible!”
“Sometimes, but as with everything, if you’re reasonable, it’s okay.” He rubbed his hands together. “We have heightened night sight.”
Allie held up a hand. “You can see in the dark?”
His lips quirked up at her excitement. “Indeed we can. Our sense of smell is stronger than humans’, but not by much, and we typically have various shades of purple eyes and dark hair.”
She gestured to his hair. “And the feathers…?”
His smile took on a dangerous edge. “Weapons.”
“Weapons?”
He plucked a feather from his silky black hair. “When we’re in danger, our body secretes a poison into the quill. If I were to touch someone with the end of the quill, they’d die in less than an hour if they weren’t treated.”
Her eyes widened and she stepped back.
Sebastian sighed and held his hands up. “I’m not a danger to you.”
“What if I get poked by accident?”
“You won’t.”
“How are you sure?”
“Because I don’t have any reason to attack you. Quite the opposite actually. I’ll be working with you.”
“You’re a mixologist?”