Page 6 of When She's Handy

BRUX

There has to be some sort of reason I’m not thinking of as to why Melody wants to see me so desperately. Does she need credits? Could it be blackmail of some kind? Her expression is innocent enough, her face sweet and guileless, but I also know my own limitations.

I’m not charming. I’m not suave. I’m not particularly educated. Compared to the more erudite mesakkah, I’m a crude, overly broad bruiser thanks to my father’s moden blood. I’m not wealthy, and I don’t have a good family name. I don’t even have a big cock. I’m not entirely sure what she wants from me…but whatever it is, it can’t be good.

Is it revenge, possibly?

Strangely enough, that makes the most sense. Revenge for that single night five years ago. I still think about it with shame. Every moment of our time together is burned into my memory. How soft she was, how delicate. How good she felt against me…and then the moment that I realized she was nothing but bruises and protruding ribs. I’d felt like a monster because I’d taken advantage of her when she was weak. I should have known better.

If us getting together is so she can slip a knife into my gut, I can’t say I don’t deserve it.

Even so…I treat it like a real date. Once my shift is over, I return to my apartment and clean up, shaving my head freshly. I put on a clean, form-fitting tunic that shows off the impressive size of my arms, and close-fitting trou that do the same for my legs. No sense in insulting her by dressing as if I just came from work. When I emerge, several of the crew are in the common area of our barracks and they hoot and call at me, teasing. They know I’m going on a date.

They’re probably as baffled by it as I am.

This planet only has one or two streets that one could call “civilized.” After a short walk from the crew barracks, I’m in the midst of the settlement. There are a few human females wandering about, a mesakkah male with impressive horns and a custodian uniform eyeing me warily, and…no sign of Melody.

I check the time, my face heating uncomfortably. Perhaps this is her plan—embarrass me in front of my men, who know I’m going to meet a pretty human that can do so much better than me.

Turning, I look around one last time—and then I see her, standing in front of an empty shop with a “coming soon” sign plastered over the window in three different languages. She has her face pressed to the plas windows, peering inside, which is how I almost missed her. Relieved, I adjust the high tunic collar that feels tight and choking around my neck, and approach her. “Melody?”

She turns, and she’s dressed in a bright orange dress that seems to be nothing but gauzy ruffles held onto her by two straps over her shoulders. “Oh, hey! You made it.” The smile she gives me seems genuine enough, as does the eager little hop she makes as she approaches. “Hello again!”

I glance over at the building plastered with “coming soon” signs. “Business calling to you?”

Melody chuckles, the sound bright and happy. “Am I that obvious? It’s going to be a restaurant of some kind. A cantina, I guess you’d call it. I was wondering if they’d have a lot of scrap.” Her eyes sparkle with enthusiasm. “And I was looking to see if I could tell who was in charge there.”

“I heard it’s a pirate crew. You might want to stay clear.” I fight back the possessive urge that threatens to overwhelm me. The last thing Melody needs is to get in the way of a bunch of corsairs. She thinks she’s safe here on Risda III, but the truth is that there’s nowhere safe for a human alone in the universe. There’s too many unscrupulous types willing to take advantage.

Like I did, five years ago.

“I’m sure it’s fine,” she says breezily, and moves toward me. She moves to my side and puts her hand in the crook of my arm. “They wouldn’t have a permit if Lord va’Rin thought they’d be a threat to the humans here.”

“You put a lot of faith in one male.”

“Why not? I know who can keep me safe and who can’t.” Melody tilts her head back, gazing up at me. The knowing little smile plays on her lips. “I forgot how big you were.”

My ears grow hot, my tail flicking. I was noticing how small her hand was on my arm, and it’s making my thoughts take a rather lascivious turn. I can’t think of what to say, so I blurt out, “I’m a mesakkah.”

“I noticed.”

“Humans are smaller by nature.”

“I know that, too.” Her smile grows wider. “You’re still bigger than most.”

I grunt, because I don’t know what else to say.

Melody puts her cheek against my arm, right on my bicep. “I like how big you are.”

Frozen in place, all I can do is stare down at her. “What do you want?” I finally manage to say.

She lifts her head. “For dinner? There’s only one place here.”

“I mean with me.”

She pulls back to look at me, and I’m disappointed that she no longer has her soft cheek on my arm, even though I shouldn’t care. I shouldn’t. This is all probably a trap of some kind, a tease. Maybe she sees me as an easy mark because I’m clearly not good with females. But the eyes that gaze up at me are wide and guileless and the strangest shade of gray-blue. “You haven’t thought about me in the last five years? You haven’t wanted to see me again?”

“No,” I blurt out immediately, because it’s the truth. Most of it, anyhow. I’ve tried not to think about her because I’m still ashamed I took advantage of her when she was weak. I haven’t allowed myself to think about her, because it felt wrong.

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