Secret Santa Surprise (Kindred Tales)

“An Elite is a female the Goddess has blessed with extra-generous curves,” Clear explained. “I noticed your curves the first moment I saw you, when you came to work in the PR department.”

“Oh, um…”

Melanie cleared her throat, not sure what to say. Was he flirting or was he just being nice? It must be the latter, she decided. After all, he had told her that it was considered polite to compliment women on their beauty on his home planet.

“Thank you,” she said at last.

But Clear was frowning.

“No, I shouldn’t have said it. You’re getting pink in the face again, just like you did when I was talking about pleasuring and bonding. Is sex and courtship really such a forbidden subject to humans?”

“In the workplace it is,” Melanie managed to get out. “But I’ll try to be understanding—I know our, uh, customs are still strange to you.”

“As our technology is to you,” Clear said, nodding gravely. “You know, I would be happy to come to your suite and teach you how to use your wave. I do most of the cooking in my domicile since my brother works long hours at the Med Center.”

“That’s, uh, very generous of you.” Melanie smiled at him. “But I don’t want to put you out.”

Clear frowned.

“Put me out where?” he inquired, looking honestly confused.

“Oh, I mean I don’t want to put you to any trouble,” Melanie explained. “I don’t want you to have to go out of your way for me.”

“I don’t mind and it won’t be out of my way or any trouble.” Clear gave her a smile that made Melanie feel absolutely dazzled. He was just so handsome.

“Oh, well…” she said weakly. “Um…sure, I guess. If…if you really don’t mind?”

“I don’t mind. In fact, I’m looking forward to it.” He gave her that dazzling grin again that showed an adorable dimple in his left cheek. “Tell me where your suite is and I’ll come by to help you cook Last Meal tonight.”

Feeling dazed, Melanie told him her suite number and corridor. The big Kindred nodded and at last rose from his chair.

“I’ll see you tonight, Melanie,” he rumbled.

And then he left, going back to the Accounting department while Melanie tried to figure out what exactly had just gone on between herself and her much younger coworker.

Sonja didn’t seem to have any doubt about Melanie’s encounter with Clear, though.

“Oh my God, Miss Melanie,” she sang, fluttering her eyelashes as she rolled her chair over to Melanie’s cubicle. “Did I just hear you making a date with tall Light and handsome over there?”

“I…I don’t know.” Melanie shook her head, still feeling stunned. “I think he was just being nice. I mean, Twin Kindred can’t date a woman without their brother, can they?” she asked, remembering her research.

“Well, no,” Sonja admitted frowning. “But he could just be softening you up to meet his brother.”

“What? Why would he do that?” Melanie asked.

“Because Dark Twin Kindred can be intense, girl!” Sonja told her. “I’ve heard that’s something they do, you know. The Light Twin sort of softens the girl up until she’s kind of open to the idea and then bam! He brings in the Dark Twin. And before you know it, you’re the filling in a yummy, muscular, Twin Kindred sandwich.” She giggled.

Melanie shook her head.

“Be serious. Look at me and look at Clear.”

“Yeah, I’m lookin’.” Sonja arched an eyebrow at her. “So what?”

“So what is that I’m over ten years older than him,” Melanie pointed out. “Maybe even closer to fifteen years older. I’m way too old for him!”

“Kindred don’t think like that,” Sonja said at once. “You can’t attribute human prejudices to them—they just don’t have them. Like…when I first met Sahran, and he’s all big and blond and so white he practically glows in the dark. I mean, the boy looks all Aryan Nation, you know? So I was not prepared for him to go for me.”

“But you’re beautiful,” Melanie protested.

“Yes, but I’m also black.” Sonja tossed her long braids. “And with the kind of unrest that’s been going on, especially in our own country right now, I just assumed he would be hostile to me because of my race. Instead, he couldn’t wait to get in my pants!” She giggled.

“Oh, you!” Melanie elbowed her gently. “You’re too much,” she told her friend. “And I appreciate the vote of confidence, but I still don’t think Clear would be interested in me that way. He’s just being nice.”

“Mmm-hmm, keep telling yourself that.” Sonja grinned at her. “And let me know tomorrow how things go on your date.”

With a wink, she rolled back to her own cubicle, leaving Melanie to wonder if she might possibly be right.

2

“You look tired, Brother. Long day?” Clear asked, watching his Dark Twin, Feels Strongly, collapse onto the couch in their shared suite.