Now she grumbled.
“Jessica wanted to line dance, so a DJ—or some guy with a sound system Lindsey must have either imported from Earth or magically programmed an S-Gen machine to make—” I took a breath. “They played the Electric Slide.”
Olivia’s eyes widened; then she burst out laughing. “Oh God, I can only imagine.”
I couldn’t help but crack a smile. “Those big, buff, in-control aliens?”
She put her fingers over her lips to hide her grin. “Can’t dance?”
I shook my head. “Can’t dance. Everyone was bumping into each other. Except this one Prillon commander. Now he had moves.”
Emma tossed a soft ball up in the air, and it bounced off her head.
“Wulf would have stepped on me,” Olivia said.
“Nik ran into me. That’s how we met.” A pang of longing filled me at the memory of us bumping, of him grabbing me so I didn’t fall. Ensuring I wasn’t hurt.
“Was he a fair Prillon or dark? I heard they’re like various colors of caramel.”
“Nik was dark, Sam fair.”
“One of each. Mmm.” Her eyes widened. “Were they good?” she asked, glancing at the kids. “Tanner, be careful running near Emma.”
Tanner fired his weapon, and a light on Wyatt’s armor turned green.
“I’m not the Hive!” Wyatt shouted, mad he’d been hit.
Olivia had to go over and talk to the boys, and I took a moment to think. Were Nik and Sam good?
So good. My pussy clenched. I ran my fingers over the smooth collar.
Olivia returned, saw the gesture. She dropped into the chair, her knees bent up by her shoulders.
“Are you going to take that off?”
I shrugged. “It was supposed to be a fling. I just wanted to get laid. I made it clear. Really, really clear.”
She rolled her eyes. “You remember how Wulf literally moved in even though I told him we wouldn't work.”
I’d been there when Wulf arrived at Olivia’s house, staked his claim. I should have realized from his actions how Nik and Sam would behave. The difference was, Wulf was Atlan and in mating fever at the time. He’d taken one look at Olivia on the Bachelor Beast set and known.
“They didn’t come on to me. I propositioned them,” I clarified.
Olivia grinned. “You go, girl.”
I glanced away, suddenly feeling sad. Or sadder.
“You don’t think they’d have dragged you out of there if you hadn’t made the first move? You know Prillons. They’re just as bossy as Atlans.”
I pursed my lips. “True.”
She was quiet for a minute, waved to Emma. “But it was more than a fling for them. You’re wearing a collar.”
“I refused to be claimed. I didn’t… I didn’t—”
She set her hand on my shoulder as I swallowed tears that were lodged in my throat.
“I didn’t believe them,” I whispered.