Free Lydia And Her Alien Boss by Jessica Coulter Smith Page B

about getting to run her lips and hands over every inch of his body.
    “You’re not eating,” he said as he took another bite.
    “What? Oh!” She looked down at her plate and realized she’d put her fork down.
    Lydia picked it back up and began eating again, trying not to stare too much at the yummy alien sitting across from her.
    The rest of the meal, she stole glances at him and caught him staring right back every single time. There was humor and warmth in his gaze and she wondered what he was thinking. By the time Gryf paid the check and they were on their way out the door, she wanted desperately to invite him back to her place and see if things would be as steamy between them as she imagined.
    Gryf shoved his hands into his pockets. “So, I guess I should take you back to your car so you can go home.”
    “Yeah, I guess so.”
    His gaze skimmed over her, making her skin pebble. “Or you could come back to my place and stay the night. I could loan you something to sleep in.”
    She moved a little closer, close enough to touch. “And is that what you have in mind? Sleeping?”
    “You’re a temptation for sure, but I won’t take advantage of you. I have plenty of guest rooms you could pick from, or you could stay in the cottage if you wanted more space between us.”
    Lydia moved closer still, until her breasts brushed against him. “And if I want there to be less space?”
    “I think you need to tell me exactly what you want, what you expect. I don’t play games, Lydia. If you want to be in my bed, you need to say so. And if it’s just a one-time deal to scratch an itch, then tell me now. Otherwise, once you’re in my arms, I may not let you go.”
    She could feel her pulse pounding as his words ricocheted through her mind.
    Was she really going to do this? It was crazy to even think of mixing business with pleasure, but hadn’t they already gone past that point by going on the first date? Gryf hadn’t made it a secret that he wanted to know her better, and it was obvious there was a mutual attraction between them.
    “Take me home, Gryf. And take me to bed. I can’t promise that we aren’t making a mistake that we’ll come to regret, but I do know that I’ll regret letting this moment pass me by. Whatever the future holds, I want you and I know you want me…and
    that’s all that matters right now.”
    Gryf gave her a smile before snaking an arm around her waist. His lips crashed down on hers with a fierceness that stole her breath and left her dizzy. His kiss was masterful and panty-melting good. When he drew away, Lydia had to lock her knees to stay upright. No, whatever happened, she definitely wouldn’t regret spending a night in his arms.

Chapter Six
    Gryf felt his pulse pounding as he drove back to his home with Lydia at his side.
    He couldn’t believe that she’d agreed to spend a night in his bed, and with any luck, she’d decide she wanted to stay there. He wasn’t stupid enough to call his raging hormones love, but Lydia was interesting. He could easily see himself waking up to her wrapped in his arms every morning, and then spending some time together in the home office. She seemed interested in Espress Yourself and he had to admit that her ideas were sound. With Lydia by his side, they could have a dual partnership, mixing both business and pleasure.
    They cruised the streets, the passing street lamps highlighting Lydia’s golden hair. She was a breathtaking woman and he couldn’t understand how she could be single. With any luck, he could cement a relationship with her before the agency called her back. What would happen if they paired her with someone else? Of course, just because she’d signed up with them didn’t mean she had to follow through. She could always decline to date whoever her match was. But would she?
    He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. She looked so fragile, yet he knew she was strong to have landed on her feet after being thrown out by her