All I Wanted Was To Become A Scientist But Now I've Got An Alien Boyfriend (Bubble Babes #2)

by Petra Palerno

Just because our species are sexually compatible hasn’t meant f’tee all that we are culturally compatible.

Shutting the door gently behind me, I remove my jacket, ball it up, and scream into it.

The cursor drifts back to the forbidden app. It’s like I’m possessed as I click the camera icon. My screen switches to a four-screen view of the security cameras in my apartment. Good men don’t spy on beautiful women, I think to myself. Good thing I’m not a good male—I’m an attorney.

She’s tried to explain it to me before, but I always get distracted by the way her mouth moves when she talks.

I’ve never wanted to be a piece of furniture so badly in my life. I want Jessy to use me for her pleasure, not some f’teeing bed.

I learned a long time ago that if I put something where I can’t see it, I forget about it existing. Me and object permanence don’t have the best track record.

If I’d argue that his back had to be killing him sleeping on that couch instead of the fluffy feather bed he’d offered me, he’d say, “I don’t have a weak back like your species. Goddess, you humans are so fragile. Promise I’ll survive.” Then, in classic Seth fashion, he’d roll his eyes and sigh.

In fact, I think the only thing Seth finds pleasure in is his sarcasm. Sometimes I can’t tell if he’s making fun of me, or if it’s just a joke. To be fair, I don’t think he even knows when he’s doing it.

So, I sing a dumb little song to remember what the buttons mean. Green for Ke’ain, the color of the king. Red, in case I’m dead, the medics it will send. Blue for Seth, cause he's the best.

I’m not sure if I think he’s the best, but I couldn’t find anything that rhymes with Seth. I’m sure he’d love it, though, and then crack some self-deprecating joke. Note to self, never sing this jingle in front of the big doofus.

Why wouldn’t I want to be nice?

“Gra’eth loves sweets, by the way.” “Sweets? Seth? I’ll have to take your word for it, I suppose.

Sweets? Old eat the same freaking protein bar every goddamn day, Seth? Maybe there is more than meets the eye to my alien roommate.

Part of me hated seeing someone who was trying to be helpful get picked on.

His nervousness is gone, but that’s not surprising. He’s confident in his professional abilities, less so in his interpersonal ones. He’s like me.

I don’t know what it is, but I’ve been horned up out of my mind. It’s not quite as bad as the go-go juice the Deenz used to shoot me full of, but not far off.

Someone needs to explain to that woman that just because she speaks slightly softer, it’s not f’teeing whispering.

Maybe that’s the kind of flirting Jessy needs. Touch my mate and die. It’s simple—yet effective.

“What the actual fuck are you doing, Seth?” She presses her back to the stove, trying to put as much space as she can between us. “He touched you,” I growl through gritted teeth.

“He touched you!” I repeat, louder. Hi’rey closes his eyes, waiting for me to hit him. “Are you having a fucking aneurism right now? He’s my friend Seth!” Jessy yells.

“You’re my mate. He shouldn’t even be alone with you!” It leaves my lips before I can stop myself.

“I’m your fucking roommate, Seth! I wanted to surprise you with dinner, for helping me…” She surveys the completely ruined meal, balling her hands into fists, and whispers, “You ruined it…”

Dinner…for me? The spread, now ruined on the floor, is expansive. It must have taken her all day. I don’t recognize a lot, but it smells sweet. I love sweets.

I drop my eyes to the ground, ashamed. Jessy steps toward me. She drags a pale pink finger under my chin, directing my gaze to meet hers.

“I don’t care what you say I am. I won’t be owned again. Help Hi’rey to med bay. I’ll clean up this mess.” Her anger is barely contained. My feet won’t move..

This is such a fucking mess. Mate. His mate. Seth’s fucking mate? Why wouldn’t he tell me about this? Is that why he came in ready to murder Hi’rey?

Does he think I’m his property now because of some shitty little flood of hormones in his brain? The analytical part of me wants to ask questions. What did it feel like when he knew I was his mate? I want someone to take a blood sample, I want an MRI.

But there’s a bigger part of me that’s just plain scared. Men, human and alien, have used me. Used me for my body and their own pleasure. I told him I wouldn’t be owned again, and I fucking mean it.

How long has he known? How long has he felt…that way about me?

Since he met you

“A real man would never hit a woman. Never stay with anyone that does, alright darling?” she said,

Pushing the remains of the not quite sweet potato casserole I made into the disposal, I fight back angry tears. I was so proud of myself for realizing grin’oj root might be a suitable substitute for Earth sweet potatoes. Seth would have loved it.

“I’m sorry, Jessy,” he says softly. I bite back my frustration, hold the tears at bay, and look him in the eyes. His stupid blue eyes are…wet.

“Are you crying?” I ask. He swipes just under his white lashes with the pad of his thumb.

“I…I can’t be frustrated? F’tee Jessy! Are we not even going to acknowledge how hard it’s been to be your mate? To give you space. I can’t be blamed if I snapped. It’s been torture!” He’s gesturing wildly with his hands, like I’ve seen him do when the palace staff royally fucks up.

“I’m not going to talk about how hard it’s been for you to be my mate. How can I talk about something you’ve left me completely out of the loop on? How can I trust you after keeping secrets like that?” I scream.

Gra’eth rushes toward me, and I put my forearm up in front of my head. “Do you want to hit me, too?” He steps back, his face blank. “I would never hurt you,” he whispers.

“Good, because I won’t play into that, not for a fucking second. You don’t own me because of some chemical reaction to my pheromones. You don’t get to tell me what I can do, or who I can do it with. You got that?” I point my finger right...

“You don’t want me then?” His face goes blank as he tries to keep whatever ...

“For Christ’s sake, Seth, I didn’t say that.” I yelp in frustration and put my head in my hands. “What if...

I peek over my palms only to see Seth drop to his knees in front of me and wrap his arms around my hips. He presses his smooth gray face into my belly. “How can I fix this?” he asks, ...

I shift uncomfortably as my core tightens; do I like this closeness between us? I push him away and try t...

“Well, for starters, dinner’s on you now.” “You’d still have dinner with me?” He raises an eyebrow. “I don’t mean protein rations or grin’oj root e...

“I’m surprised you’re okay with eating somewhere else…isn’t that a no go for you?” “This place is different. It’s held to the highest quality and cleanliness. I’ve spoken with the kitchen several times about my concerns,” he says matter-of-factly.

“Okay,” I say, trying my best to push the heat between my legs away. I should be furious, but he’s trying, and I can’t help but appreciate the effort. It’s nice not to be given up on.

“I’ll make sure it’s spotless in here. I don’t want you to have to think about this incident again. I’ll make sure we’ve got the best table in the...

She didn’t throw me out on my ass. She’s not leaving me, and she hasn’t refused me…yet. I hate that this mate bond is making me crazy, that I can’t handle being away from her.

You’d think the fi’len could have outgrown these basic chemical responses of our species over the hundreds of thousands of years of our existence. But we’re pack animals at heart.

Jessy is furious, but she’s still here, and we’re going to dinner. A win is still a win.

Ke’ain constantly makes fun of my juvenile palate—but from what I’ve seen, I align more with human women’s tastes. I hope Jessy can find something she likes here.

How the hell does it only take one image of Jessy trussed up to get me hard? I turn my hips from her, hoping she doesn’t notice.