Page 21 of I Married A Catman

“I can’t fight my way out of a wet paper bag,” I concluded for him in a self-derisive tone when his voice trailed off. “But I’m sure that I can contribute in other ways. I’m a hard worker and a quick learner. I may not be able to hunt, but I can help process the meat and the skins or assist with any other trade, including farming.”

He gave me a strained smile meant to be reassuring that failed miserably. That didn’t bode well.

“Hopefully, we will find something appropriate for you,” Gaelec said in a soothing tone. “Otherwise, I will make sure to contribute enough for the both of us.”

“Thank you,” I replied in a soft voice before allowing my gaze to roam over the beautiful landscape sprawling before us.

If not for the two moons hanging low in the clear blue sky, this place could have easily passed for a tropical forest on Earth. Although some of the tall trees looked as if they indeed came from Earth, the shape of the leaves on some other ones as well as the darker color of the bark made it clear we were on a different world. A part of me was excited at discovering this new planet, and all the wonders of its wilderness. But another was increasingly sensing that making my marriage to Gaelec work would be a bigger challenge than I expected, and not purely because of the two of us.

I discreetly studied his handsome profile and the short fur around his chin that almost acted like a beard. Once again, my fingers itched to sink into their softness and properly sample how it would feel. But it was the lingering concern on his face that he still tried to hide that bothered me.

“How disappointed are you with me?” I blurted out.

He stiffened at the same time I flinched inwardly. My wretched mouth had no filter. As much as I didn’t regret putting the question out there, I could have handled it a bit more smoothly.

He frowned and looked at me with genuine confusion. For some reason, that made me feel a bit better.

“Why would I be disappointed? I do not know you well enough yet to establish such a thing.”

I nodded. “Right, but you certainly had some expectations or hopes. It’s obvious that I’m not what you wanted. Don’t worry, it’s all right for you to be honest. I prefer that.”

His frown deepened. But the absence of shame or guilt on his features appeased me far more than a strong denial might have. Most people would be embarrassed to admit they had terriblethoughts about someone else. That he didn’t seem guilty hinted that maybe he didn’t have such a bad opinion of me just yet.

“No, Ophelia. I cannot say that I’m disappointed. The fact is that I don’t know you. Only time will tell,” he said gently but firmly. “What I am is concerned. I worry as to how you could possibly fit in with us. Based on the incident at the spaceport, you do not seem to have adequate situational awareness or orientation skills. As a human, you lack natural self-defense skills, and you do not possess the speed and strength that are important for survival. Our females are strong. You’re not.”

I nodded again as I weighed his arguments. “Everything you have stated is fair. But do not underestimate humans’ ability to adapt. What we lack in natural abilities, we compensate for with technology. I may break my hand trying to punch someone, but give me a blaster instead, and good luck avoiding getting shot. I am one badass shooter.”

He chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement as he probably tried to imagine me shooting the hell out of someone. I loved how it softened his features. My husband was truly an attractive male.

“It is good to hear. And I will help however I can to make it easier for you,” he replied.

I beamed at him. “You’re sweet.”

He snorted as if I said something completely outrageous. Considering the rough life he led over the past decade, I could see how being referred to as ‘sweet’ would sound ridiculous to him. And yet, he truly seemed sweet under his guarded and a little distant demeanor. My gut told me that as we got closer and knew each other better, this softer side of him would emerge more and more. I was just grateful his incarceration hadn’t made him bitter or aggressive.

His amusement suddenly faded, and he gave me an assessing look that immediately had all my senses on high alert.

“And what of you, Ophelia? How disappointed are you with me?” he asked.

The sudden timidity seeping into his voice as he asked that question threw me for a loop. There truly was something adorable about that man, and I couldn’t wait to see more of it. However, my wretched mouth once again decided to run away with me.

“Disappointed by you?! Not at all! You’re super hot!”

I flinched, and heat crept up my cheeks even as the words spilled out of my mouth. Gaelec blinked with an air of confusion.

“Hot?” he echoed.

I couldn’t help but chuckle when he pressed the back of his hand to his cheek as if to check if he was feverish.

“Hot is a term humans use to refer to someone who is very attractive,” I explained sheepishly.

His jaw dropped. He gaped at me for a few seconds before realizing he was doing it and closed his mouth with an audible sound before shifting in his pilot seat. That he seemed so completely stunned that I would find him handsome made me wonder how much of the same insecurities I was feeling about how he perceived me he also worried about my thoughts regarding him.

Throwing all caution to the wind, I decided to go all out.

“Even though you’re not human, your body is absolutely amazing. Men would kill to have a muscular chest and chiseled abs like yours. Your face is very handsome, and your eyes are stunning. I was worried about how I would feel about fur, but yours is so lustrous and fluffy, especially the one below your neck and around your chest, it’s just gorgeous. And then there’s those white streaks almost like lightning on your body and your tail. It makes you look like a God of Thunder.”

By the time I stopped talking, that paler skin on his face had darkened. He was gaping at me again and started shifting uneasily, looking increasingly self-conscious and yet flattered.

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