Free Jessica E. Subject BUNDLE (Intergalactic Heat) by Jessica E. Subject Page A

everything. She had left him. He searched the room for a note, something to indicate she would return or contact him, but he came up empty-handed.
    He roared in anguish. His only lover abandoned him after their first mating. He sat on the bed, his head in his hands. He should have been worried about her telling his secrets to others, but his heart ached too much. Her rejection hurt far worse than when Tandee selected Brand as her mate.
    Perhaps arranging a one-night stand had been a bad idea. Madame Evangeline only guaranteed him one night. But he’d been so sure Carrie would stick around after. They’d bonded on so many levels. She’d only needed a boost of confidence to open up, be herself. And she’d revealed more through their mating than during their entire conversation. Then she left him.
    Now, without her, he had nothing. All hope of having a mate and family on Earth vanished, with no chance for him to experience love. He might as well devote his life to the Space Service, but no one from Ginnun would return for him. He was dead to his home planet and destined to live on Earth, forever alone.
    Even with another hour before check out, he had to leave the room. Every incredible memory of his night with her brought the realization he would never see her again. He couldn’t even email her. All emails came forwarded from Madame Evangeline, stripped of any contact information.
    After he finished dressing, he grabbed his key card and headed down to the front desk.
    “Did you enjoy your stay, Mr. Berger?” The front desk clerk appeared too chipper for his mood.
    “Yes, thank you.” As his receipt printed out, a thought occurred to him. “The woman staying with me, what time did she check out?”
    “Six a.m., Sir. Said she had an early meeting.”
    He nodded even though he knew it was a lie. “Thank you.” He took his receipt and turned to leave.
    “Mr. Berger? Will you be seeing Miss Cooper at all today?”
    “I hope to.” If only his words were true.
    “Could you return her phone to her? She ran out of here so fast and I didn’t realize she left it until she was gone.”
    He couldn’t have asked for a better way to get in touch with her. The hotel only had Madame Evangeline’s information. “Sure, I’ll make sure she gets it.”
    He rushed to his car with her phone, scrolling through her contact list. Several numbers were listed under work, but he found only two other numbers: her parents and her best friend, the friend who’d encouraged her to go on the date.
    He would never tell his own parents about a date, but this was Earth. Would Carrie discuss it with anyone?

 
     
    Chapter Eleven
     
     
    Carrie considered going home, but she couldn’t be alone. She needed someone to talk to and the only person who would understand was Tamara. Wanting to call to make sure her best friend was home, Carrie discovered she’d lost her cell phone. The thought of returning to the hotel to look for it caused her stomach to twist. Maybe later, when she knew Frey would be gone. She couldn’t face him. She refused to say goodbye.
    In the foyer of Tamara’s building, she buzzed up. “It’s Carrie. Are you alone?”
    “Yes, just got home from my date. Come on up.”
    She took the stairs to the second floor, hoping the constant movement would keep her tears at bay. She shouldn’t have expected so much out of her one-night stand. When her friend opened the door, the flood gates burst.
    “Oh, Care, was it that bad?” Tamara put an arm around her shoulders and guided her into the apartment.
    “No, it was great. I didn’t want it to end.”
    Tamara stopped and stared at her like she’d grown another head. “Then why are you here? Why aren’t you still on your date?”
    She flopped on the couch. “I didn’t want to have to say goodbye.”
    Her friend headed for the kitchen. “I don’t get it. If you both had a good time, why couldn’t you go out again? Why did you have to say goodbye?” She returned with a