Chapter 34

Chapter

Thirty-Four

Olivia

T he familiar scent of perfume and new leather filled my nostrils as I leaned against the sleek glass counter at Saks Fifth Avenue. January had brought its usual post-holiday lull, leaving Pippa and me with more downtime than we knew what to do with. Well, that wasn't entirely true. We knew exactly what to do with it.

Pippa leaned over my shoulder as I filled out the tribute bride application. “Under special skills, you put 'Extensive experience with alien cultures and customs.' Is that code for ‘I made out with an alien’?”

I shot a look over my shoulder, my stern look devolving into laughter. “Maybe I should put that.”

“It couldn’t hurt.” She sat down in her chair and crossed her legs. “It would set you apart from the other applications.”

“I could also put ‘proficiency in interplanetary diplomacy.’ You know, from that time I stopped Ruune from causing an intergalactic incident over a hot dog."

We both burst into giggles, the sound echoing in the quiet store. It felt good to laugh about it now, even if thinking about Ruune still sent a pang through my chest.

"Speaking of your Valorian," Pippa said, “if you're not with him anymore, do you think my Valorian is still happening? You know, the one you promised me after you stole Ruune?”

I groaned. “I’m really sorry about that. But considering how things turned out with Ruune, maybe you should apply to be a tribute bride, too. Just in case."

Pippa's expression brightened. “Great idea!” She swiveled to face her computer and tapped the keys. “We can do the applications together.”

Even though I was filling out the Drexian application, my heart wasn’t completely in it. Despite the fact that it was supposed to distract me from thinking about Ruune, it was hard not to be reminded of the guy.

"What did you put for allergies?" Pippa asked, interrupting my wandering thoughts.

I leaned over to look at her screen and burst out laughing. "Small dicks? Really, Pippa?"

She smirked and shrugged. "What? It's a legitimate concern!"

“From what I’ve heard, not when it comes to Drexians.”

Her pupils flared and she rubbed her hands together. “Okay, I’ll take out that answer, but only if you’re sure.”

I shook my head, still chuckling. I didn’t want to tell her if they were anything like Ruune, she had nothing to worry about. Fuck fuck fuck. There I was thinking about him again.

I closed my eyes, letting the memories wash over me. Suddenly, it was New Year's Eve. My heart pounded as Ruune and I stood outside my parents' apartment. He looked devastatingly handsome in his suit, his blue skin a striking contrast against the dark fabric. His hand was warm around mine, his touch sending sparks through my entire body.

At that moment, I'd been sure he was the one. The way he looked at me, the things he’d said to me. How could I have been so wrong?

I breathed in deeply, so lost in the memory I was almost convinced I could smell his spicy, masculine scent. It was so vivid, so real, that for a moment I forgot where I was.

"Liv," Pippa gasped. "Liv!"

I opened my eyes, sure there was going to be a snooty client standing in front of me, probably holding her emotional support peacock. “What’s—”

The words died in my throat as I saw what—or rather, who—had made her gasp.

There, standing in the middle of Saks Fifth Avenue like he'd just stepped from my memory was Ruune. An older Valorian stood behind him, looking somewhat uncomfortable and very unhappy to be there.

I blinked rapidly, certain I must be hallucinating. “You left,” I stammered, my heart pounding so hard I was sure everyone in the store could hear it. "You're supposed to be on Valoria."

Ruune took a step forward, his eyes never leaving mine. "I was, but I couldn't spend another minute without you. I had to come back."

I gaped at him. Part of me wanted to run into his arms, while another part wanted to slap him silly for leaving in the first place.

"I heard what you said about me," I blurted, my voice trembling slightly. "When I was in the shower. You said I was just an amusement.”

Ruune's face fell, a look of anguish replacing his hopeful expression. “I didn't mean any of that. I didn’t want you to be subjected to Valorian scrutiny.” He gestured at the Valorian behind him. “Not when I didn’t know how you felt.”

I stood frozen, unable to process what was happening. Ruune must have taken my silence as an invitation to continue because he pressed on, his words tumbling from him in a torrent.

"I love you, Olivia.” His voice was thick with emotion. "I love you more than I've ever loved anyone or anything in my entire life. I'll do anything to be with you. Anything."

I still didn’t respond. I was too stunned.

He dropped to his knees right there in the middle of the store, ignoring the small crowd of curious onlookers that had gathered behind him. "I'm so sorry for leaving, for ever letting you believe I don't adore you. I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you, if you'll let me."

I stared down at him, my mind whirling. This couldn't be real. Things like this didn't happen in real life, did they? Alien princes didn't just show appear in department stores to declare their undying love.

But as I looked into Ruune's eyes, seeing the sincerity and love in them, my doubts started to evaporate. This was real. He was real. And he loved me.

Beside me, I heard Pippa sniffle. "If you don't say yes," she whispered, dabbing at her eyes with a tissue, "I will."

A laugh bubbled inside me, breaking through the dam of emotions. "Yes," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. Then louder, "Yes!"

Ruune surged to his feet. In an instant, I was in his arms, swept into an embrace so tight I could hardly breathe. But I didn't care. All that mattered was that he was here, he was real, and he was mine.

When his lips met mine, the kiss was soft, tender, and filled with promise. I melted into it, vaguely aware of the applause erupting around us, but too lost in the moment to care.

As we broke apart, both breathless, I caught sight of Pippa over Ruune's shoulder. She was fanning herself dramatically with one hand while the other was pressed to her chest. “That was the most romantic thing I’ve ever seen, and I’ve watched The Notebook a dozen times.”

I melted into Ruune’s tender gaze. “It kind of was.”

Then he kissed me again until I forgot that Pippa and Saks Fifth Avenue and the scary Valorian behind Ruune even existed.