Monsters Under Mistletoe

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

“ S orry, what?” I ask, not entirely positive I heard him correctly.

He looks at me patiently and nods. “Ah, yes. My father always told me I should not assume.”

Now I’m even more confused. What is going on?

“Mistletoe is the kissing plant, is it not?” K’Laus asks and then does the most bizarre thing. He actually leans forward until his face is close to my neck and sniffs me. He actually sniffs me. And what’s even weirder?

I like it.

He makes a choked moaning noise as if he’s about to eat the most delicious pastry of his life.

And then I realize … I’m the pastry.

He picks up the potted plant and holds it above our heads.

“Let me start again. Holly, may I kiss you?” he asks, as if the coffee shop isn’t half full of regular customers who are watching this entire scene as if it’s the latest instalment of a long-awaited soap opera.

Suddenly, Claire appears at my side with the mop bucket in hand. “Why don’t you two head on back to Holly’s place and get cleaned up? Hmm?”

I look down at myself and realize K’Laus isn’t the only one covered in chocolate drink. How I missed that my formerly white sweater is now covered with brown splotches, I don’t know.

“Oh, I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” I say.

If I get this man alone, I am going to climb him like a tree. If I can remember how. I haven’t seen a tree in my almost three years of being in space. The only thing resembling a penis I’ve seen in that time is the battery-operated vibrator I keep in my bedside drawer.

K’Laus slowly lowers the plant with a pained look on his face, and I feel like I just kicked a puppy. “I understand. It’s my spots, isn’t it?” His head lowers and I have to strain to hear him.

“Oh no, that’s not what I meant at all,” I say, reaching out to pat his arm. “I like your spots. I just don’t know you that well, that’s all.”

“And you need to know someone well before you kiss them.” He nods as if that makes everything clear. “I am K’Laus, you are Holly. Now we have met each other. What else do you need to know?”

I can’t help but laugh at how adorable he is. If an alien who looks like he just won Mr. Olympia Space could be adorable. “That’s not how it works.”

He frowns. “Is it not? I have watched your movies. Do you not ask questions of each other until you are satisfied? Is this not how people get to know each other?”

I’ve never heard him say so many words in one go. His voice is deep and melodic, and I really want to hear him keep talking. He’s also not wrong. That kind of is how people get to know each other.

“I suppose you’re right,” I say with a shrug.

Claire pokes me in the arm with the mop handle. “Go on, I’ll take care of the shop.”

I look from her to the big purple alien. “Are you sure?”

She doesn’t answer, instead just shoos me towards the door.

“All right, what the hell?” I pull my apron off and pass it to Claire, who takes it with two fingers and pulls a face.

“I’ll put this in the wash, then?”

I smile in thanks and slide my hand into K’Laus’, tugging him along behind me out the door of the coffee shop. I squeeze his fingers and shiver as he brushes his thumb across the back of my hand.

I have a small, but cozy, set of rooms a few levels away with my favorite feature—a set of floor to ceiling windows that look out over the central hub of the station. I like to watch the ships coming and going. I’ll never get sick of that view.

It doesn’t take long to reach my place, the door opening as I swipe my wrist over the control panel. It reads the chip embedded under my skin and opens with a happy jingle and a voice that welcomes me home.

I step inside, but K’Laus pauses in the hallway, resisting the tug on his hand. “Holly?”

I let his hand go as I turn back to face him. “Yes?”

“What are we doing?”

That’s an excellent question. I’m not entirely sure. I’ve had a crush on K’Laus for months, but I don’t know how he feels about me.

“I’m not sure. Getting cleaned up?” I say, biting my lower lip and pulling at my sticky shirt.

He crosses his arms over his very, very wide, muscular chest and plants his feet. I have to tilt my head back to look up at him.

“I have something to say.” He clears his throat and waits for a beat before continuing. “You may not like it.” He clears his throat again and I realize he’s nervous.

Oh, my word. This giant alien is nervous. Of me? My heart melts a little at the thought.

“Only one way to find out,” I joke, hoping to lighten the mood.

“Yes, that is correct.” He nods seriously. I bite my lip to keep from smiling. “If you are only inviting me here to change my clothes, I can do that in my own quarters.”

He pauses as a Taurean couple walks past slowly in the corridor, peering at us curiously. He glares at them and growls as they hurry off. I stifle a laugh.

“What if I invite you inside for more than that?”

He frowns. “Like what?”

Oh dear lord, he’s going to make me say it out loud? I flush.

“Like that kiss you wanted?” I say quietly, trying not to draw any attention from people walking past in the corridor. Is it always this busy in the residential part of the station? I can’t recall, but it certainly feels busier than usual.

His face brightens, and he steps inside, the door sliding shut with a slight whoosh behind him. The station was built for Taureans, so the rooms are much larger, with higher doorways and ceilings than I’m used to. It’s always felt huge in here … until now.

K’Laus’ colossal form seems to take up most of the open plan living and food preparation area. There’s no proper kitchen, more like a series of gadgets tucked into a recess in one wall. The only other room is the bedroom with a small ensuite bathroom.

All the single person rooms on the station share the same layout, but I’ve decorated mine with fairy lights and fabric bunting I hand stitched in pinks and purples.

“This is very nice,” he says in the deep rumble of his that is quickly becoming familiar. Then he frowns.

“What’s wrong?” I ask.

“I cannot kiss you.”

“What? Why not?”

“I left the mistletoe behind,” he says and turns as if he’s going to leave.

I don’t think before I reach out and grab his arm, tugging him gently towards me.

“You don’t need mistletoe to kiss me, K’Laus.”

“I don’t?” He sounds surprised and I wonder where he got his ideas from. Plenty of time to ask about that later. “Are you sure?”

I reach up and grab a fist full of his teeshirt and pull, standing on my tiptoes to reach him. I have never been so thankful in all my life that I am a tall woman. This would be even more awkward otherwise.

“I’m absolutely positive, big guy.”

He makes a noise that’s something between a groan and a growl, and then his lips are on mine.