ONE UNITED UNDER FIRE

YAI ASCENI

The silence thickened. The cold, impersonal room seemed to soak it up and magnify it. Tension. The president's violet eyes scanned her from head to toe. Yai burned under his intense scrutiny, but she kept her face neutral. She was very well-versed in playing her hand close to her chest. Four years with the Presidential Protection Division had taught her everything there was to know about Aloe Hill, which was why his infatuation was no surprise. She simply had to keep him from acting on it.

Yai suppressed a sigh as a message came across her AR contacts from General Thea Punb at Base Solaris: Status of operation?

On target, she said in tele-text. Relax, Thea. You'll be going home to your blushing bride soon.

Four years away from my home planet seem like a lifetime. This better be worth it, he replied.

Think: Promotion. I'll be done here in forty-eight earth hours.

She smiled as Thea's laughter filtered through her embedded neurotransmitter. "So, how does it feel to finally be done with this planet?" he asked aloud.

Yai shrugged: I actually might miss this place. It has its perks. Everything is so much less civilized down here.

"Miss this place or miss him?"

Focus on the mission. Leave speculation to the gossip servers. Yai smiled wryly.

Aloe shifted forward and clasped his hands on the table, a slow grin spreading over his handsome face. "What are you smiling about?"

"Nothing important," she replied. She straightened her face.

He approached and laid a hand on her shoulder, and sparks flew between them. Yai knew Thea was watching, but it was an innocuous touch, was it not? Thea had no idea the way it made her feel. "The election is next month," Aloe stated. "I've been thinking about canceling my bid...about what it might be like to give us a chance."

Yai arched a brow. "The world is counting on you, Mr. President. I trust you'll do what's best for the planet and push to be re-elected."

"What if I say I don't want the job anymore?"

"What could you possibly want more than all the power on Earth?"

"You."

He leaned closer—closer than she had ever allowed. Yai smelled his exquisite cologne and pheromones that radiated off his skin like powerful mood enhancers. She inhaled and exhaled slowly. He locked eyes with her, asking permission, as his mouth moved toward hers.

Through no fault of her own, Yai had never been kissed. Maybe that was why she let him do it. In forty-eight hours, their world would change. This might be the last chance. His tongue slid teasingly along her plush bottom lip, and Yai fluttered with arousal. As a high-ranking officer of the Intergalactic Military reconnaissance branch, sexual intercourse was not allowed. Especially not with an enemy race. 

*Video Credit: EXO-K_중독(Overdose)_Music Video ℗ S.M.Entertainment