Noir Kioko had only ever seen one human before his undercover work brought him to the diner at the Luna Terminal, and that was at a distance. Humans are rare, most of them disappear without a trace, and he hopes hanging around the restaurant will give him a lead on the smuggling ring he’s investigating. There was no way he could’ve known the human would turn out to be his mate, and no way he can let it show without putting his mate in danger and possibly jeopardising his mission.<br><br>Max Welch is the proud owner of the only restaurant within a light year’s distance. He left Earth four years ago to create a better life for himself, but he hadn’t considered the possibility of scary alien pirates making his restaurant their favourite hangout spot. As a measly human there isn’t much he can do about it, but as one of the pirates starts coming by almost every day he has to come up with something before he loses all his customers. That the giant cat man is rather nice to look at changes nothing.<br><br>When rumours of another human arriving at the space station start to circulate, Noir's species trafficking infiltrate and observe only mission may need a revamp. But will Noir be able to protect his mate and another one of his rare species?

It Doesn't Translate

The spikes melted back into the skin again, disappearing without so much as a trace. Quiet-Guy shrugged but held Max’s gaze.


“Okay, so you’re not poisonous unless you prick me?”


“Tetraoid.” Quam’s voice was soft; his head tilted to the side.


“Well then...” Max wiped his hands on his apron and poured the coffee.


“Skog?” Max had no idea what he was talking about.


“Xog.” This time he knocked his knuckles against his chest.


The guy nodded, took the coffee, and grinned at Max and Quam as if he’d achieved something astonishing—and maybe he had because Max found himself returning the smile.


Chapter 14