“Yes. Yes,” Sophia says.
Another pause. I strain, trying to overhear the general, but I can’t make out her words.
“No, that’s—”
From the way the bed shifts slightly, I think she’s nodding.
“When would you need me to leave? That soon? Can’t it—”
Another pause.
“Yes, I understand. It’s important to—Yes.”
Another pause.
“Yes.”
Another pause.
I grit my teeth. What’s with all of the yes-ing?
“Yes, I accept the job.”
What job?
20
Sophia
“I understand,” I tell the general. “Thank you for thinking of me.”
“As if I would have called anyone else,” she says, sounding far more amused than I’ve ever heard her.
“I’m just glad that John Doe was lying about more than just his name.”
"Me too, but we can talk about that more later when you come here."
“Yes, tomorrow morning.”
“Bright and early,” she instructs, and she hangs up.
I toss my phone aside and notice that Tox’s positioning has changed. I’m not sure if he ever did fall asleep, but he definitely stiffened a bit when I told the general that I accepted the job, and I don’t mean his cock.
“Tox?” I murmur.
His eyes open, and he stares at me. His expression is almost unreadable, but I know him. I can almost sense what he’s thinking, what he’s feeling.
He wants to know what the future has in store for us.
He wants to know about the job.
He wants to know if I’m leaving him.
But he says nothing, doesn’t verbally acknowledge that I spoke to him, and I bite the inside of my cheek. I’ve never meant this much to anyone before. He’s acting as if I’m his entire world, and it’s off-putting, to say the least. It’s not something I’m used to.
But it is something I’m willing to get used to.
“That was the general,” I say even though I’m sure he gathered that.
“With another job for you.”
“Yes.” I eye him and sit up.
He grunts and does the same. The blanket is a sticky mess from all of the cum we shared and leaked everywhere. Why don’t romance novels ever mention that? Not that I read a lot of romance novels. I prefer paranormal romances, actually, the ones with scary vampires and hunky werewolves. I haven’t read many alien romances, although they sell like hotcakes nowadays. Women love the idea of meeting a Novan or a Kurian and being whisked to bed to experience their legendary cocks, and after having experienced one myself, I can assure anyone and everyone that the rumors about their cocks are true.
So no, I haven’t read many alien romances before, and I don’t see the need to read one now considering I’m living out my own real-life alien romance.
Who would’ve thought?
“What is it?” Tox finally asks.
“Hmm?” I’m so distracted by my thoughts that I forgot what we were talking about.
“The job.”
“Oh, right. The job that I think might be a two-person job.”
A flicker of relief washes over his face, and I want to laugh, but I don’t. Instead, I turn somber.
“I used to have a partner. Dan Terry was his name. He was a good guy, but I’m sad to say that he died.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. It wasn’t either of our faults. We did everything right, but the job… it’s dangerous.”
“You think?”
I grimace, and my fingers trail along the edges of the bandage. “I’m so sorry you got shot.”
“But you want to continue this line of work.”
“Yes, but with you as my partner.”
“Just for this one mission?” he asks.
I shake my head. “I think maybe it’s time for me to have another partner. For every job. It’ll be safer that way, hopefully, and if we’re lucky, neither of us will get shot again.” I smile wanly.
“What about being another partner? I never got paid for killing you—”
“Actually…” I tilt my head to the side. “The general found the briefcase that held the money owed you for killing me in John Doe’s vehicle. As far as she’s concerned, you can have it.”
“Seriously? In that case, that’s enough for me to buy this huge house I’ve been eyeing. Maybe you can move in.”
“How huge a house are we talking?” I ask.
“Six bedrooms, five bathrooms. Fifteen acres.”
My jaw drops. “That’s way too much house for just the two of us.”
“Well, maybe we can fill the rooms with kids.”
I burst out laughing. “Next, you’ll be proposing.”
“Well…”
I slap him.
His grin is roguish and oh so sexy. “What do you think?”
“About the house?”
“About the proposal.”
“Wait, you’re proposing? For real?”
“Do you want me to get down on one knee?”
“I think it’s way too soon for all of that.”
“Maybe,” he admits. “I guess we should talk about what you want in the future. After this job, that is.”
“Well, I…” I hesitate and duck my head, feeling a little shy.
“Do you want kids?” he asks. “I’m going about all of this so very backward. I’m surprised you haven’t thrown me out of your bed.”
“Don’t think I haven’t thought about that because I have.” I nudge my shoulder into him. “I am…”
What Ines said to me comes to mind. “All you have to do is find a guy in a few months and get pregnant a few months later. So long as you have the first before you turn thirty-five, you’ll be fine. It’s more of an issue if it’s your first over thirty-five.”
Ines and I talked like kids are a given for me if I found Mr. Right in time for me to have them.
Seems like I might’ve found him after all, but do I want kids? As I’ve gotten older, I kind of thought that kids might not happen for me, might not be in the cards. I’ve been alone for so long became my default naturally.
But that doesn’t have to be the case. Not anymore.
“You’re what?” Tox urges softly. “If you’re infertile and can’t have kids, that doesn’t change anything for me. I still love you and want to be with you no matter what. Yes, the house is a bit big for two people, but—”
“You what?” I interrupt, smiling widely.
“I what what?” he asks, looking so confused that I have to laugh.
“You what me?”
