Page 16 of Stranded with the Alien

Satisfied that it had dealt with its unwanted guest, the creature trundled off through the brush.

Kara struggled to her feet, holding her shirt up to stop the vile mess dripping onto her trousers. The smell was nauseating. “I can’t fucking believe this!”

A low rumble reached her ears. Like thunder on a mountain. It took her a moment to realize what it was.

The Vraxian was laughing.

She narrowed her eyes.

“You think this is funny?”

Clearly, he did. His head was thrown back and his shoulders shook with mirth. Every time he thought he’d got it under control, one look at her outraged face would set him off again. Kara’s jaw clenched.

Okay, you bastard. Let’s see how you like it.

She scooped a handful of shit off her shirt and flicked it at him. It landed with a noxious splat on his shoulder. He stopped mid-chortle and his brows drew down.By Ayanlesh, the smell!

Kara couldn’t help herself. She giggled.

Surprised, he looked over at her. He’d never heard a human laugh before and the sound was not objectionable. In fact, it was cute.

Of course, she would have to be punished for having the temerity to hurl animal dung at him. But itwaskind of funny. A grudging smile crossed his face.

There was a loud snort in the distance. He turned to see the desert beast eye-balling them from afar. Something about its affronted expression got to him.

In the next moment, he was roaring with laughter again.

And so was she.

Ten

They submerged themselves in hot spring water to clean off their clothes. Kara made sure the waterline covered her modesty as she stripped off her shirt. To be honest, she wasn’t sure why she was bothering since the alien had already seen her bra.

She was beginning to suspect his forwardness the day before had been an intimidation tactic. He hadn’t tried to repeat the incident, nor had he insisted she make good on her promise ofshaa’baara.

Which was just as well. If he really wanted to, there wouldn’t be a whole lot she could do about it. He was as strong as an ox and twice her size.

Hm. I wonder if that means he’s big all over?

She ignored the treacherous little voice in her head.

It was getting too late to continue moving rocks so that bone of contention was removed for the time being. They went back to the cave and the alien handed her a food pack. She saw him counting the remaining supplies.

With two of them to feed, her emergency rations were rapidly dwindling. The water might last a little longer – she’d noticed the Vraxian didn’t need as much hydration as she did. Maybe his scales did a better job of conserving moisture than human skin. Or maybe his alien metabolism was more efficient. But he still needed food and at this rate they’d run out in three days.

She had to get her beacon working.

She eyed the backpack, still sitting where it had been discarded. Hard to tell if it was in there or not. For all she knew,the alien had snapped it in half and chucked it away while she’d been unconscious.

Casually, she picked up the Hawaiian doll from the cave floor and brushed it off.

“Hey, Gloria.” She inspected its painted smile. “How you doing?”

The alien glanced at her. Kara waved the doll at him. “It’s a good luck charm. Do you have those on Vraxos? Good luck charms?”

The alien frowned uncomprehendingly. With a disarming smile, Kara pointed at the backpack.

“I’m just going to put her in there to keep her safe. Okay?”

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