device so that it’s level with my forehead, he slowly lowers it once a laser appears. The process doesn’t take long, but it feels like forever because of his nearness. I find myself constantly having to drag my focus off the muscles in his arms and his stern yet handsome face. Even though I don’t want to admit it, he’s attractive.
Even for a blue guy? No, that has nothing to do with it because skin color doesn’t and won’t ever matter to me. He’s gorgeous, end of story.
It’s only because I’m watching him that I notice the way he squints his eyes and the skin around his jaw tightens. He’s communicating now, but the message I’m getting sucks.
Something is wrong with me.
“What is it?” I ask.
I almost reach for him again, but this time it’s out of instinct, which irritates me to no end. This male is a stranger to me, which means I shouldn’t seek him out for comfort or anything else, except information. Yet I keep trying to connect with him. I would say on a “human level,” but that doesn’t apply. I guess I was hoping we could relate on a sentient being level?
Aliens make everything so damn complicated.
Instead of answering me, he pivots on his heel and walks swiftly toward the exit. I’m right behind him, for once chasing him and not the other way around. The instant he reaches the cockpit, he presses multiple buttons in rapid succession, creating a series of beeps that has my pulse racing, almost matching its speed. I sink into the vacant chair next to his with a coil of dread winding in the pit of my stomach, not bothering to secure my seat belt, since he hasn’t even sat down. The tension flowing from his massive frame fills the small space, and it’s almost suffocating, causing my breaths to become shallow and irregular.
“I’m going to die, aren’t I?” I ask, slumping in my chair and closing my eyes. I voiced the question without expecting an answer from him. It’s because I’m an external processor and usually need to say things out loud in order to fully assimilate them. And death is not something I’ve come to terms with. I guess now is as good a time as any.
“I can’t believe I’m going to die.” I huff and shake my head, more than happy to be my own audience. “I spent years surviving Earth in its uninhabitable state, then several more as a slave, and now I’m going to bite the dust without experiencing the life I truly wanted. Such bullshit. Honestly, I don’t know why I’ve fought all this time to end up with Babe the Big Blue Ox as the last person I’m going to see. At least you’re hot, Babe.”
A chuckle, infused with a little bit of craziness and a whole lot of anxiety, works its way up my throat and spills from my mouth. “I wonder if you’re hung like an ox too. That usually applies to horses, but since they can both be ridden, who cares? Close enough.” After burying my face in my hands, I shake my head as if to summon my denial and bring it back. Ignorance may not exactly be bliss, but it sure is better than emotional turmoil. “Son of a bitch,” I groan. “I’m not ready to give up just yet.”
The repetitive beeping halts, and a warm touch underneath my chin immediately silences my tumultuous thoughts. I open my eyes and lower my arms to find Babe towering over me, arms crossed, with his tail holding up my head.
My reaction is immediate, and I raise my hand to knock his tail away, but Babe’s gaze hardens, turning the gold of his eyes to an amber. I freeze.
His tail pushes my chin up an inch. “You are not going to die.”
My jaw would surely have fallen to the floor if he weren’t holding it in place.
“I will not allow it, so be at ease, human.”
I wish I could be the type of girl who never lost her cool or who always stayed in control of her mouth and her emotions, but that’s not me. And it has cost me dearly at times.
“Are you shitting me right now?” I say, my tone sharp.
His tail slides down from my chin to wrap around my neck, and I stiffen. He shakes his head once in a jerky movement filled with irritation. And warning. “You will watch your tone when you speak to me.”
“Or