he said, making eye contact with her as she slid onto the stool between Vivian and Elisha who’d sat down only moments before Synclare had returned to the table.
“What exactly would those intentions be?” Synclare asked.
“I am prepared to dance each dance with you, that you will not have to dance with others. I have studied the dancers and feel that I can dance as well as they,” Lo’San explained.
“It seemed to me that you were more than a little put out that you had to be here at all. If you don’t want to be here, go back to the Command Deck. I’m here with Vivian and Elisha anyway,” Synclare answered.
“I am aware. And I came so that you will not have to spend time with other males,” Lo’San insisted.
“Have to? I don’t have to spend time with any males. And what other males do you mean?” Synclare asked, her irritation beginning to grow.
“The other six that you have already danced with!” Lo’San answered. “I do not wish to watch you dance with more males than the six you’ve already allowed to hold you!”
Synclare opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out.
Vivian leaned over toward Synclare while continuing to watch Lo’San. “I think he thinks you’ve been dancing all night, and he’s jealous.”
Synclare looked at Vivian, who nodded at her to confirm her point.
Synclare returned her attention to Lo’San. “I… Lo’San, I haven’t danced but once, and it was with Vivian and Elisha,” Synclare said.
“Where would you get the idea she’d danced with six different males?” Vivian asked.
Slowly Lo’San turned and surveyed the room until his gaze landed on Rokai and Rosie sitting at their own table on the other side of the room. He glared at Rokai, and Rokai grinned at him and waved animatedly. Lo’San sighed, let out a deep breath and turned back around to face Synclare. “I must offer you an apology. It appears I was falsely led to believe that you had spent the evening in the company of several different males.”
“And would it matter if I had?” Synclare asked indignantly. “I am not promised to anyone. I can freely spend time with anyone I choose.”
Lo’San stared into Synclare’s eyes. She’d just basically put him in the position of having to admit his feelings for her or deny them altogether. He thought about his options, determined that no matter what happened, he didn’t want to give Sink Lar any indication that he might not care for her, and decided to be honest with her.
“Yes. It would matter if you had. To me, at least,” he answered.
“Why?” she pressed.
“Because, Sink Lar. I would be most unhappy to see you in the arms of another male. I wish for you to be in my arms only,” Lo’San admitted.
“You do?” Synclare asked, her eyebrows rising, her heart stuttering.
“I do. I have spent a great deal of time thinking of you. I do not think of you with other males, only myself.”
The irritation on Synclare’s face melted away and a sweet smile replaced it. “I didn’t know you thought of me that way. I mean, at one time I thought maybe, but then you never made any other effort so I thought you’d changed your mind.”
“No, I have not changed my mind. I’m simply no good at expressing my interest in females,” Lo’San said defeatedly. “It is not my way.”
“Why is that?” Synclare asked.
“Until you, I’ve not been interested in establishing a relationship with a female.”
Synclare’s mouth fell open. She slipped off her stool and walked around the table. “So, you’re telling me you’ve never had a real relationship.”
Lo’San thought about it. “Yes.”
Synclare stood before Lo’San, realizing that if he did really care for her, he had no idea how to proceed. “The best thing to do is to ask — not demand — if the female you like would like to spend time with you.”
Lo’San clacked his heels together and crossed his forearm over his chest as he gave her a single nod of understanding. “Will you please dance with me, Sink Lar. It is for this reason only that I came to this club tonight.”
“I will. I’ll be very happy to dance with you, Lo’San,” Synclare said, holding her hand out to him and allowing him to escort her back onto the dance floor. The couples around them all gyrated to the music that had turned into a peppy dance tune, but the two of them danced slowly together, as though they were the