He relaxed his hold on her. The poor female heard voices that weren’t real and saw imaginary things that terrified her. He hoped the drugs would fade from her system and she’d be well soon.
Medical personnel quietly entered the room, checking Vera’s information displayed on a screen somewhere behind him. A few of them seemed uneasy at his presence. He didn’t care if they were comfortable or not. All that mattered was the female. Somehow, he’d become Vera’s solace. She trusted him, and he refused to disappoint her.
Dr. Kane came into the room at one point, scowling at him. “This isn’t appropriate.” She kept her voice low.
“Human customs don’t concern me. Promises do. I promised to remain with this female.”
“You’re sharing a bed and holding her.”
“I swore I’d hold her.”
The human doctor stepped closer. “It’s breaking the rules.”
“I do not care.”
She crossed her arms over her white coat. “Are you interested her?”
“I’m concerned about this female.”
Dr. Kane lowered her arms. “I mean, are you sexually interested in her?”
A low growl burst from his chest over the insult. “She is ill and frightened. I do not see her that way.”
“I apologize. I also understand. As a doctor, I see a lot of patients but I don’t really notice if they’re attractive or not until they begin to heal. You Veslors are really something.”
“I’m not certain what you mean.”
“You have integrity. You gave your word to Miss Wade and you’re keeping it, even under the threat of me calling security. That’s admirable.”
“It is our way.”
The doctor approached the bed, reaching into the pocket of her coat before she began to put on gloves. “I need to take a peek at what her pupils are doing.”
He tensed.
“Her eyes,” she whispered. “I’ll be gentle, and it probably won’t wake her. She appears to be exhausted and sleeping deeply.”
Roth allowed the doctor to gently turn Vera’s head. She didn’t stir in his arms. Not even when the doctor used two of her gloved fingers to open Vera’s eyes. He couldn’t see what the doctor did, but she frowned before stepping back and releasing Vera.
“I really need to get a specialist in to see her in the morning. We only have two eye specialists onboard.” She met his gaze. “Both refuse to work the night shifts. Speaking of doctors, I had to ban Doctor Brick from storming in here. She tried to pull rank, but you’re not the one being treated.”
“You should allow Jessa in here.”
That had Dr. Kane’s eyebrows arching upward.
“Jessa is the close friend of a female mate in my grouping. I would like her to see Vera.”
“She’s an alien specialist. That’s her field.”
“I trust her.”
“If this were a contagion…” She paused. “A virus or disease that had been picked up on the planet we’re circling, Miss Wade would be her patient. It’s not. This was an Earth-based drug.”
None of that changed Roth’s mind. He trusted Jessa. “I would still like Jessa to see Vera.”
The doctor grunted. “I’d like a lot of things. I’ll check back when we take another blood sample.” She spun, stalking out of the room.
Roth adjusted Vera in his arms and closed his eyes. He would take a nap. The slightest noise or motion would wake him.
Chapter Five
Vera woke again but she didn’t panic that time. She was snuggled firmly against a big bulk of warmth with a heavy arm firmly anchored around her back. Roth, her alien, was still there.
She inhaled, certain it was him. He smelled nice. The rumbling noise he’d made wasn’t there any longer. She heard faint voices though, coming from somewhere else. Utter blackness was the first thing she saw when she opened her eyes.
“I am here, Vera,” Roth’s voice softly assured her.
“I can’t see anything.”
“It may not be you this time. Computer, slowly raise lights on.”
The room began to grow brighter, and she stared at an off-white colored material in front of her. She reached out, running her fingers over the shirt Roth wore. “I can see.”
“Look at me.”
She had to move a little to raise her chin. Roth looked down at her. She stared into his golden eyes. They weren’t human but they were fascinating, especially against his dark complexion. He had long, thick black eyelashes. A very fine layer of fur covered his skin. She wasn’t even sure if she could call it that. It felt velvety soft.
She took in his wide nose next. His lips were what she’d call nibble worthy. She hated thin ones. He was a good-looking alien. Almost