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

“Frigging doesn’t translate, and we’ve been over lizards.” Quam sounded calm if a bit exasperated.


“No? Well, maybe hand gestures do.” Max held up his middle finger to Quam waving it about, and Noir allowed his eyes to crinkle.


“You know it doesn’t, and stop yelling.”


“Hey! I can shout however much I fucking want, you don’t—”


Max’s blue eyes found Noir and heat glowed in his chest. “Quam. Max.” Noir bowed his head in a respectful greeting.


“What the hell are you doing here?” Max crossed his arms over his chest. What did that mean? He glanced at Quam for clarification, but Quam pushed past him with a growl, showing him his back. Apparently, he didn’t think Noir would hurt Max—good.


“I wanted to buy Roach some apple pie.”


Max crinkled his eyes at him, and Noir crinkled his back. His skin tingled pleasantly at Max’s reaction, but he got confused when he humphed and went into the restaurant. Humans were strange—cute, but strange.


Chapter 15