Avelyn and the Alien Daddy (Intergalactic Brides 3) (4 page)

“I hope you don’t mind, but I asked the driver to take us to an Italian restaurant nearby. The owners don’t mind a fussy baby and I’ve found I rather like the cuisine. Some of your human foods aren’t palatable to me -- who eats raw squid? -- but I’ve found I rather like Italian food and Mexican food. Are they to your liking?”

“I agree with you about the squid, but with the exception of sushi, I’ll eat just about anything. Well, maybe not mushrooms. I’ve never developed a taste for them, not even on my pizza.”

He nodded. “I’ll endeavor to remember that.”

Avelyn looked over at Lily and smiled when she saw the little darling had fallen asleep. She’d missed her morning nap because she’d been too excited. With any luck, she’d still go down for an afternoon nap after they reached the hotel. She didn’t think Thrace would want to deal with a cranky baby when he came home from work later in the day.

The limo pulled to a stop and Thrace helped her out of the vehicle before reaching back inside for his daughter. He cradled Lily against chest and lightly placed a hand against Avelyn’s back, escorting her into the restaurant. That slight touch was enough to warm her from the inside out. She only hoped he didn’t realize how much his touch affected her, otherwise, she’d be highly embarrassed. It was definitely against the rules to lust after your boss.

Inside, they were ushered to a table, seated, and then each given a menu and a glass of water before the waitress made herself scarce. Lily still hadn’t woken and was cradled in Thrace’s arms, even though a high chair had been brought for her. The baby seemed content to sleep against her father’s chest, and Avelyn had to admit they made a beautiful picture.

“Has she been good for you this morning?” Thrace asked. “Not too fussy?”

“She hasn’t fussed a bit, barely even making a sound when she was hungry or needed to be changed. Lily is a wonderful baby, Thrace. You don’t have to worry about her misbehaving. She’s the sweetest thing.”

He nodded. “You’ve brought this change in her, and I’m thankful for it. She’s comfortable with you, more relaxed. I think I made her nervous.”

“She just wasn’t used to you. I told you my theory that she wasn’t used to being around men. You’re probably the first male she’s lived with. It will just take her a little time to adjust. And I’m sure you were feeling frustrated when she cried non-stop, and that probably just fueled her irritation. I noticed last night that you seem more relaxed with her than you did when I first met you. When you’re relaxed, it makes her feel safe. If you’re stressed, then she senses that too. Babies are very perceptive.”

“I have you to thank for that,” he said.

“Do you believe in fate?” she asked.

“Fate?”

“You know, that some people are destined to meet one another? I believe it was fate that we met. I needed a job and had lost my baby; you needed someone to care for your daughter. We came into one another’s lives at the perfect time.”

“Yes, I do believe in fate.”

The waitress came back and took their orders, then wandered off again.

There was tenderness in Thrace’s eyes as he watched Avelyn take a sip of her water. Or was she imagining it? Was she seeing tenderness there because she wanted to? She couldn’t deny her attraction to him, but it was probably too much to hope he’d feel the same about her. A male who looked like Thrace could have any woman he wanted, so why settle for a broken one who couldn’t give him children? Of course, that didn’t mean they couldn’t fool around. It wasn’t likely he’d get her pregnant. But something told her the alien wasn’t the type to just scratch an itch. He seemed too responsible for that.

“How has work been today?” she asked.

Surprise flashed in his eyes. “No one has ever asked me about my day before.”

“Never?”

He shook his head.

“Well… do you mind that I asked?”

His lips tipped up on one corner. “I like that you want to know how my day has been. And to answer your question, it has been fine. No disturbances at the station. There was a woman who became overly distraught when she found out she couldn’t be a bride and she had a bit of a meltdown, but one of the human psychiatrists we keep on staff gave her a sedative.”

“Poor woman. Why couldn’t she be a bride?”

“The results showed that she can’t have children.”

It was like being doused in ice water. No matter how attractive she found Thrace, she would always be unsuitable for him. It was a good reminder that she couldn’t have anything more from him than an employer-employee relationship, and to even dream of anything else would be heartbreaking.

His gaze softened. “I’m sorry, Avelyn. I didn’t think before I spoke.”

“It’s fine. Really.”

But it wasn’t. And it never would be, not ever again. Who would want a broken woman? Even human males preferred women who could give them children. Was she doomed to spend the rest of her life alone? It was a depressing thought. Thankfully, their food arrived and distracted her from her morose thoughts.

She watched as Thrace held Lily with one arm and ate using the other. If she hadn’t known better, she’d have thought he’d been doing it the baby’s entire life. They were so natural together, so perfect… so not hers. She was merely borrowing the baby while Thrace was at work. Maybe she should start distancing herself at night, keep more to her room so she wouldn’t become too attached to them. She’d only been with them for two nights, but it felt like longer. Although she feared it was too late already. Avelyn was already getting way too attached to the father-daughter duo.

By the time their meal ended, she had almost convinced herself that she could take a step back, that she could distance herself and pull away from the feeling that she belonged with them. Almost. Then Thrace had to ruin it by placing his hand against her back on the way out of the restaurant, the light touch wreaking havoc with her senses. For one brief moment, as she paused next to the limo, she’d thought he was going to lean down and kiss her. But she blinked and the moment was gone. Probably just as well. If the Terran ever kissed her, she had a feeling she wouldn’t want to let go.

After dropping Thrace back off at the station, she returned to the hotel with a now awake Lily and spent the next hour pacing the living area as she pondered what she was going to do. When the phone rang, it was a welcome distraction.

“Hello?”

“Is this Avelyn?” a woman asked.

“Yes.”

“This is Victoria. I believe you met my mate Xonos this afternoon? He asked that I call and set up a time to show you around the city.”

“Oh! Of course. I don’t think today is going to be a good day for an adventure, but perhaps tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow will be fine, but I have a favor to ask. I’ve just picked up Evie, our daughter, from school and she’s been asking every day when she can see Lily again. I realize you may not be up for company, but would you mind if we came and picked up Lily for a little while?”

“Oh, well, I don’t know… “ Avelyn chewed on her lower lip. Would Thrace be upset if she let someone walk out the door with his daughter?

“I tell you what. I’ll call Thrace, run it by him, and ask him to call you if he agrees. Sound fair?”

“Yes, all right.”

“I look forward to meeting you.”

Before she could respond, Victoria had hung up. It was only a few minutes later that Thrace called and said Victoria had permission to pick up Lily for a few hours, and that Avelyn should use the time to relax, do some exploring, or take a nap. He said the time was hers to use as she wished and that he would be home before Victoria returned Lily.

When Victoria came to pick up Lily, Avelyn was a little nervous. She greeted the woman with a smile, welcoming her into the hotel suite. Lily took notice right away and smiled, waving her hands around. The baby rolled onto her hands and knees and tried to scoot across the floor. It was the second time Avelyn had seen her try to crawl, but she thought Lily was still a little young to be crawling. But what did she know of alien babies?

“Has she been doing that often?” Victoria asked. “She’s only five months old.”

“This is the second time I’ve seen her attempt to crawl.”

Victoria rubbed her slightly rounded belly. “I hope Terran children aren’t so advanced that they crawl and walk before human children. I’m not quite ready to chase after this one yet.”

“I already packed her diaper bag, just let me get it from her bedroom.”

Avelyn left to retrieve the bag and heard Lily begin to fuss. Worried, she hurried back to the living room. Lily sat up, holding her arms out toward Avelyn with huge tears streaking her face.

“I’ve never seen her do that,” Victoria said. “I mean, yes, I’ve seen her fussy plenty of times, but she’s never gotten upset because someone left the room.”

“Are you sure you want to take her?” Avelyn asked, lifting the baby into her arms.

“Positive. It will give you a bit of a break until Thrace comes home, and hopefully prepare Evie for what life will be like with a baby in the house.”

Avelyn wasn’t sure she wanted to let go of Lily, but eventually she handed her over to Victoria. The woman had already raised a child and had another on the way. That was way more experience than Avelyn had, so surely Lily would be all right. She doubted that Thrace would have given his permission for Victoria to take his daughter if he didn’t trust that she would keep the baby safe.

“I’ll bring her back after dinner. That will give you some alone time with Thrace.”

“Alone time?” She felt her eyes widen. “Why do we need alone time?”

“Oh, I… “ Victoria faltered. “I’m sorry; I just assumed you would want time alone with Thrace before you became his bride and a full-time mother. Xonos told me that you couldn’t keep your eyes off one another, so I just… “

“It’s all right. It was a simple misunderstanding.” Thrace couldn’t keep his eyes off her? She tingled all over at the thought of the big alien being half as infatuated with her as she was with him. “I’m not here to be Thrace’s bride. I came here to be his nanny.”

“I’m so embarrassed. Xonos never said anything about you being the nanny, and I know Thrace has wanted a mate for a long time. I just thought he’d found someone while he was out of town. None of the brides who have come through the station here have wanted anything to do with him, not after… “ She glanced down at Lily.

“Not after they realize he’s a father?”

“Right.”

“Well, they’re a bunch of idiots. Lily is the sweetest baby ever. Other than when we first met, I’ve never seen her truly upset about anything. She fusses a little when she needs her diaper changed or when she’s hungry, but otherwise, she smiles all the time.”

“You must be a miracle worker. I love Lily, don’t get me wrong, but she has screamed the roof off every place she’s been in since Thrace discovered her abandoned at the station. She’ll quiet a little when I hold her, but for the most part, it doesn’t matter whose arms she’s in, she’ll still scream.”

Avelyn reached out and stroked Lily’s baby soft cheek. “We get along just fine, don’t we, Lily?”

The baby cooed at her and held out her arms.

“Uh oh. It looks like I’d better take off with her if I’m going to get out of here with a baby in my arms. My daughter fell asleep in the limo downstairs and the driver offered to sit with her. I don’t want to abuse that kindness.”

“I look forward to meeting your daughter. If you have any problems with Lily, please don’t hesitate to bring her home. I really don’t mind having her around.”

Truth of the matter was that she didn’t have the first clue what she was going to do without Lily in the suite with her. The little girl kept her entertained and made her smile.

“I’m sure we’ll be fine.” Victoria smiled. “Wave bye-bye, Lily.”

The baby babbled and reached for Avelyn again. It wrenched her heart and she took the baby’s hands in hers, leaned down and kissed the back of each fist, then took a step back. Avelyn watched as Lily’s lower lip trembled and tears filled her eyes; a moment later, that sweet angel let loose with a wail so pitiful it almost made her snatch the baby out of Victoria’s arms. The other woman gave her a reassuring smile, hitched the diaper bag over her shoulder, and left with the squalling baby.

As the door clicked shut behind them, Avelyn blew out a breath and looked around the suite. What the hell was she going to do now? She could only watch so much television, and she really didn’t care to explore that much on her own. Thrace was busy at work, so she doubted he’d appreciate her popping in again. With no friends, and barely a penny left to her name, it wasn’t like she could go to the movies with someone or go out shopping. She really needed to talk to Thrace about those forms so she could start earning a salary.

Avelyn flopped onto the sofa and began surfing channels. After a moment, she clicked the TV off and went to her room, where she tidied the already neat space, made the bed, and then fell onto the pristine surface, arms and legs spread like a starfish. Staring at the ceiling didn’t give her any answers. She closed her eyes and tried to relax, ordering her muscles to go lax, focusing on one at a time. Her mind began to drift and as she floated, she conjured Thrace in her mind.

The long, hard lines of his body. The broad expanse of his chest. The rippling muscles in his arms that she loved to watch flex as he lifted and carried things. It was almost enough to make her find heavy things for him to move, just so she could stare and drool a little. His ebony hair hung long and straight, the mass so thick she wondered how he managed to brush it every morning.

His hands were large and strong, with just a hint of calluses on his fingertips. She’d felt those hands on her skin, even though the touches were brief. It was enough to make her want more, to make her wonder what it would feel like if he were to stroke her to climax. Avelyn doubted it would take much to get her there. Her nipples hardened and tingled in anticipation of feeling Thrace’s hands and lips on them. She felt heat pool low in her belly and her panties dampen as she pondered what he was hiding behind those leather pants.

His clothing left little to the imagination, but if he’d ever had a hard-on around her, he’d hid it well. Pity. If she’d thought for one moment that he desired her as much as she desired him, she’d have offered to share her bed with him. It had been a while since she’d been touched intimately, and with her ex it had rarely been a pleasant experience, but she’d be willing to bet that Thrace had a gentle touch. She’d seen the way he cradled his daughter, and knew that if he ever took a mate, he’d treat her the same way. While Avelyn couldn’t be his mate, she could warm his bed for however long he’d have her. Although, as Lily got older, that might be confusing for the little girl. Maybe it was best to leave things as they were.