I stand up, too, swaying a little. “No need. This isn’t a formal dinner. Nothing ruins a date like a forced speech.”
We walk away from the fires and into the relative darkness of the living area. The blue moon Yrf casts sharp shadows on the ground.
Now I think about it, there aren’t really that many places to go here. It’s not like we have a park or a bar or a hotel. But that’s fine. I just wanted to be alone with this gentle giant.
“Delyah says you will escort me again. Don’t tell anyone. It’s a little bit secret what we’re doing.”
“I won’t tell anyone,” he replies. “I wouldn’t even know what to tell them.”
“Oh yeah, that’s right. I never told you. Delyah wants me to make something from the guano and the sulfur. But it can’t happen here in the village. It must be in the jungle, maybe close to the guano cave.”
“Close to the alien place, in other words,” he ponders.
“Exactly. And I thought, that place kept us safe from irox, at least. Might not be a bad place to stay. I have to warn you, though: it could be weeks.”
“I would like to spend weeks there with you,” Brank’ox says so unguardedly it takes my breath away. Not a games player, this guy. He just comes right out and says it. “There or anywhere.”
“Great,” I manage, his intensity taking me by pleasant surprise. “But we’ll need a lot of supplies. Could you get a few of your men to help us carry them? Then they can go back home. Also, I need you to go and get your treasure. All the pyrite. So that we can bring it.”
“Of course.” He smiles down at me, white teeth shining in the dark.
I stop and look up at him. He could never be a model on Earth. He’s too alien, the proportions aren’t the way we’re used to. He’s just too manly, his features too strong, his chin too square and often too dark with healthy stubble. But he has more soul and personality in one square inch of that face than any model has in his whole body.
“Thank you for coming tonight.”
He takes my hand with a shy and infinitely charming clumsiness. “It is I who should thank you. It was more important to me than you know.”
I squeeze his hand. “Let’s bring furs and such to the jungle, so we can make it comfortable for ourselves. It’ll be hard work, so we’ll need to relax a lot.”
I swear, his shadow on the ground grows a new protrusion, right about at his middle.
“We will. Doubtlessly. In many ways, perhaps?”
“In many ways,” I assure him, tingling like crazy down below.
“Then I will get my rest now,” he says, “to prepare for the relaxation. Now take this.”
He takes out a wooden little box and gives it to me.
“Oh, the pills! I forgot. Can I take one?”
“The whole box is yours. It’s new. Unfortunately, it only contains two pills because I’m running low. I will make more.”
The box is warm and smooth and it smells great. I take out one herbal pill and put it in my mouth. “Thank you.”
“It’s my pleasure. Completely.”
“And mine. See you tomorrow morning?”
He bends down, calmly places a big hand behind my neck, and kisses me on the lips so tenderly I lose my balance for a second.
“I think I will probably see you in my dreams tonight. But yes, also tomorrow morning.” He straightens up and walks away towards the army camp, not looking back.
Leaving me trying to catch my breath. If he were an Earth man, that charm and directness would be too much, too studied and theatrical. But Brank’ox didn’t learn that from any silly movie. That’s just the way he is. Everything he says is real and direct and true. I don’t need to second-guess anything. What I see is him. And I’ve never seen anything more spectacular.
I make my way back to the hut, not really noticing anything around me except to note how sweet the air is tonight.
Jennifer is in the hut, rolling up her sleeping furs. “It’s fine, it’s fine. Just leaving. I’ll just sleep with Camila and Beatrice tonight— oh, you’re alone.”
“Yes, but only until tomorrow, when I start my secret mission with Brank’ox.”
“He’s not coming over? I mean, tonight? I can sleep elsewhere, no problem!”
I grab her shoulder and squeeze. “That’s very kind of you, Jen. But I want you here. I haven’t slept alone