Page 58 of Ava Greasemonkey

“Not the stars. I’d miss the engine though,” she said after some thought. “I like the pressure to fix something and the satisfaction from seeing it done right. Such a big machine, and knowing how it works and moves everything . . .” As she said it, she felt how true that was. She was also scared. What would life be like without metal walls enclosing everything? Fear raced down her spine from thinking of a truly open space and never returning to this place she’d called home for so long.

“Will you miss anything?” she asked, distracting herself.

Vox took his time answering. “If you asked when I first left, in the beginning, no. Life outside Xai was distasteful to me. But I have come to learn there is . . . beauty here.” He pointed to the outside view. “It is so still, yet everything in this universe is so perfectly in unison for life. If I forget the creatures that harm others that share space with us, I find myself in awe of the universe.” He turned his frilled head to her and added, “I can also not begrudge the stars so much, because they brought me to you.”

Ava’s heart panged hearing that. It made her feel so odd, like she wanted to squirm, and hot all over. She put her hand over his on the table. “Are you just interested in me because of the tests Erox ran?”

Vox put his finger under her chin and angled her head so their eyes met. “No. Before I even talked with you, I grew to care about your soul. From the first time you were above our heads in the vents. It’s only been added to since then.” He paused then added, “I will not lie. Having the test confirm our compatibility made my heart soar.” He smiled at her softly. “I already know the answer, but could turn the question around to you. Are you interested in me only because of protection?”

Ava shook her head no immediately. “I don’t know why, but my heart wants you. It feels like light when I look at you. It’s different than I’ve felt before. It feels . . . I feel . . .” she trailed off, finding it difficult to describe the fluttering feeling in her chest every time she looked at him. The yearning to be near him that she felt.

Vox nodded, smiling, a soft expression on his face. “You’ll stay with me then? You’ll be my love on the bayva fields?”

Ava swallowed and nodded, tears in her eyes. Vox leaned over and gathered her gently in his arms to watch the stars together. She never wanted to be apart from him.

Ava got lost in her thoughts, content in his embrace. Staring outside, her mind strayed to saying goodbye to Ebel and Nuor. After making the decision to help Rhutg earlier, everything would feel even more concrete when she was alone on the ship with the Vorbax and the Tuxa husks.

“I wish I knew what you were thinking when you stare off like that,” Vox gently chided.

Ava turned back to him and put her hand on his. “I know you do. I thank you for not looking without asking.”

“I can ask now though, if you would share.”

“I am just thinking about saying goodbye to Nuor and Ebel. There have been so many changes lately, and seeing them off is going to make everything so . . . real, I think.”

“There is still time to change your mind and to go with them.”

Ava smiled a wistful smile. “I am going with you, Vox.”

Vox sighed and briefly flashed bright blue before returning to normal. “I still do not like this.”

She squeezed his hand. He turned his hand over to cradle hers and squeezed back.

“Would you stay with me after I meet with Ebel?” Ava asked.

“Yes, and during. Always. It seems when I leave you alone, you get in trouble. I don’t think it would be wise for you to go off and to start making even more dangerous deals.”

Ava smiled at that. “You’re going to have your job cut out shadowing me then. However, I am fresh out of deals and alliances right now.” Even though she was happy now with the plans, she was nervous about what had been promised with Rhutg.

“I can sense your fear.” He began to hum and glow. A soothing sensation washed over her. “Are you okay with me doing this?”

“Yes,” she said, nuzzling into him. “It helps.”

“Hmmm,” he said, looking at her. His gaze changed, his eyes heated, and the sensation he was putting out did as well. He pulled it back a second later, turning it off.

It didn’t matter. Ava felt his lust as her own, and it made her more aware of how their hands touched. It made her remember the kiss they shared earlier. With her fear now gone from his soothing, she remembered everything and felt herself slip back into that moment.

Ava willed herself to say something, anything, with the tension she now felt. She cleared her throat. “I know you feel the same way I do.

Vox didn’t move, watching her raptly.

Ava turned in his arms so she could look up at his face, her stomach clenching strongly with that unfamiliar feeling. They had been dancing around each other like this for cycles, teasing each other with their mutual attraction.

“Vox. I don’t want to . . . I like you, Vox. I feel safe, and something more.” She put her hands on his chest.

A twin heartbeat later, he covered them with his as he angled his face and sought her mouth again.. She gave it to him freely, and he moved his hands to cup her around her behind. He scooted her bottom closer up on top of him, moving her so her legs were wrapped around his torso, his larger frame dwarfing her.

Straddling his lap, she could feel his taut muscles beneath her. Ava leaned back, sitting up, and pushed down on the covering he wore over his shoulders. She wanted to see more of him.

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