Title: Ministry of Alien Relations
Series: Devlin Taylor, Earth Ambassador, Book One
Author: Rebecca Cohen
Publisher: NineStar Press
Release Date: 09/12/2023
Heat Level: 3 – Some Sex
Pairing: Male/Male
Length: 69800
Genre: Science Fiction, romance, explicit sex, tentacle/tail sex, aliens, interspecies, office worker, scientist, ambassador, space travel
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Description
Devlin Taylor is Head of Settlement and Relocation for the British Government’s Ministry of Alien Relations. He’s more used to helping recently arrived aliens find new homes and pay their utility bills than babysitting extraterrestrial socialites, but he’s been assigned to look after Zal Catenmir, son of the Chroalian ambassador, during their diplomatic visit to Earth.
Devlin is the perfect host and tour guide, and Zal loves the fuzziness of human males, while Devlin can’t seem to get enough of Zal’s scales and tail. But with only two weeks together before Zal leaves, they need to make the most of their time.
Zal was just out for a bit of fun, trying to relive his wilder youth after a break-up, but Devlin is wonderful and they both wish they could find a way to stay together. The Earth Ambassador Programme is under development, but it doesn’t look likely Devlin will get the job, and the lovers may need to say their goodbyes forever.
Ministry of Alien Relations
Rebecca Cohen © 2023
All Rights Reserved
The low hum of the propulsion engine and the soft lights of the viewing bubble usually acted as a perfect foil to the chaotic atmosphere of the rest of the ship. Sitting in orbit around the blue planet with its yellow landmasses and white poles made the upcoming events far too real for Zal Catenmir to relax.
He wondered how many of the planet’s inhabitants, even with its army of satellites, were aware that members of another bipedal species were watching them, taking measurements, and observing their everyday life. It had been a while since he’d been down to the surface of a planet to interact with the resident species rather than just to collect and preserve the xenoartefacts. He used to love it, but then there were lots of things he used to do that he gave up for Telgan.
“You should be in bed.”
Zal turned to see his mum smiling at him fondly. “It didn’t seem worthwhile since I doubt I’ll be able to get any sleep. Not unless you and Dad have changed your mind.”
“Why would we have done that, darling?” She walked across the room and slid her arms into his. “We both know it’s time. Time for you to stop hiding.”
“I’m not hiding.”
“Then what happened to my sweet little boy who couldn’t wait to grow into his tail so he could go and play with aliens like his mummy? Or the young man who could talk to anyone, no matter their species?”
Zal turned back to the viewing window to stare at the planet known as Earth rather than see his mum’s concern. “Nothing. He just changed his focus, that’s all.”
She squeezed his arm. “I know Telgan hurt you, but you can’t let one katcheezle ruin your life.”
“Mother, such language!” he said in mock reproach and hoped she’d drop her interrogation.
“Zal.”
“I know you mean well but—”
“No buts. I know you aren’t keen to explore brief liaisons with the Endeavour crew after Holjin, but down there nobody knows you; you’re free to be anyone you want. Within reason,” she added, smirking. “You had so much fun when you were younger; you should reclaim that enthusiasm.”
“It’s not that simple.”
“Yes it is. The only thing stopping you is you.”
“I’m not a child.”
Her lips were pursed in annoyance and, if anything, her displeasure made worse by the way her long hair flowed loose over her shoulders, softening her features, whereas during the day she wore it pulled into a tight orange bun making her look more severe. “No you’re not. You are an amazing man who deserves to experience the true wonders of the universe. You were never a wallflower, Zal. You used to delight in coming down to the surface of the planets with me. And to see you hide away breaks my heart.”
Zal’s shoulders sagged, and he sighed. “I’m not that person any more. I’m older, know better.”
“I’m sure the old you is still in there. Deep down,” she said with a smile. “Look. Go to the surface and have some fun like you used to before you took up with the pitwallock.”
“You can hardly call a professor of non-terrestrial archaeology a pitwallock.”
“Shush, anyone who treats you in such a way is a complete fool—irrelevant of how many diplomas Telgan hangs on his wall. Now stop trying to distract me, and let me finish.” She nudged him with her elbow. “Why don’t you go down there and play the part of the fast-living, free-loving young socialite that you excelled at previously—enjoy yourself, let yourself go.”
“You make it sound like you want me to act like some sort of playboy!”
“Why not? It’s not like you didn’t have fun when you visited other species. And as long as you’re careful and not hurting anyone, I don’t see a problem.”
Zal didn’t know what to say; his mum had never been the shy and retiring type, and it wasn’t the first time she’d offered up this sort of advice. According to some of the tales she’d told, his father had been a calming influence, but obviously not calming enough. “I’m not sure I can do carefree and irresponsible any more. I’m so out of practise.”
He’d had a single one-night stand since breaking up with Telgan, and that had been driven by the man he’d slept with, and he’d not had to do any of the running. His mum had been delighted, seeing it as a sign he’d got Telgan out of his system, but he’d not be keen to repeat similar activities with anyone else on-board Endeavour, not wanting to further complicate his life.
“So now is the perfect time to brush off those cobwebs. I’m not suggesting you do anything terrible—just take the opportunity to not overthink for a couple of weeks—it can be remarkably freeing.” She leaned up to place a kiss to his cheek. “At least consider it.”
Zal cast one final look at the blue planet and picked up his journal from where he’d left it on the floor. His intention to write up his day’s findings long abandoned, he tucked the tablet under his arm and made his way back to his quarters.
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Rebecca Cohen spends her days dreaming of living in a Tudor manor house, or a Georgian mansion. Alas, the closest she comes to this is through her characters in her historical romance novels. She also dreams of intergalactic adventures and fantasy realms, but because she’s not yet got her space or dimensional travel plans finalised, she lives happily in leafy Hertfordshire, England, with her husband and young son. She can often be found with a pen in one hand and sloe gin with lemon tonic in the other.
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