“It is…” he murmurs. “These farms aren’t usually managed by one individual.”
“They aren’t?”
He steps closer, gaze shifting over my face. “I can help you.”
I gulp. Hard. I almost ask him in what way but it’s clear he’s talking about the labor. Though, if he comes any closer, I may put myself into labor.
“I couldn’t.” I shake my head. “It’s far beyond what I hired you for and—” And, well, I can’t spend all the credits New Horizons provided on hiring people for repairs. I’ll have to do some of them myself. It will only take me a long, loooong time.
I’ve always wanted to live the DIY life. Guess I have that opportunity now.
My breath hitches as Zynar suddenly reaches down and grabs my hand. I try not to react as he immediately presses my palm against his pecs.
Don’t react, Eleanor. Don’t do a thing.
I feign confusion. No, I don’t feign it. I am flippin’ confused even though I like it. His scales are like silk. Smooth and not filled with ridges like I expected. Underneath my palm, his muscle jumps and I resist the urge to tighten my palm and grip his chest.
“Feel this?” His tone drops.
“Mm mmhm?” I swallow hard.
“Look at me, Little Bird.”
Oh shit, I respond to the command like a little flower opening up to the sun. I can’t breathe as Zynar leans in. His scent envelop s me. Those slitted yellow eyes are all I can see, and I’m suddenly thrown back to the day before when I’d been desperate for him to kiss me. To make me feel alive again.
“Feel that?” His muscle jumps again and I make that same mumble of affirmation because my throat is no longer capable of forming words. “I am Kari. We strive on this. Let me work. Let me help you.”
“It’s not just the roof though…” I whisper. “There are a lot of things that need to be done.”
Zynar purrs underneath his breath and I feel the vibration against my palm. “Are you doubting my skill, Liora?” he purrs. “I can assure you, I am highly competent.” He leans in closer. “And a great learner.”
I almost choke on my tongue.
I want to nod. I almost do. But this is supposed to be my project. My new start in life. My new independence. Seeing this place rebuilt with my own hands while healing that part of myself that’s broken and needs rebuilding, too.
I’m supposed to be the alien on this farm. I’m not supposed to get an alien for the farm.
But that’s a stipulation I’ve put on myself. A restriction no one but Eleanor Tabitha Taylor has created. What’s wrong with getting help when I need it?
“Put it on the tab?”
“Tab?” Zynar’s too close. There’s barely any space left between us.
“Yes, my middle name is Tabitha, so technically, I’m a Tab. Might as well make use of it.” What is wrong with my mouth? Why am I talking and what am I saying? Dear God, I am what my students would call lame! I clear my throat. “A tab’s like…like a bill?”
He doesn’t answer, only moves closer.
I take a step back, only for my calves to bump into something low on the ground. I look back. It’s a tool that looks like it’s for manually tilling the soil. When I look back up, Zynar’s right before me and the look in his eyes stops my very breath.
“Zynar…”
“Last sol, Liora. I offended you.”
My brows furrow, some of the tension clouding my brain dissipates. “What?” And then I realize what he’s talking about. My cheeks flame. “Oh! No. No, you didn’t.”
Zynar takes another step forward and I step back, not out of fear, but out of pure adrenaline. My calves bump into the tool again and I almost fall if strong arms didn’t suddenly wrap around my waist.
I hang there like that, his arm wrapped around me as he leans in, my heart thundering in my chest and a whistle going off in my head like a steam engine coming down the tracks.