Page 51 of Stranded with the Alien

“Can I touch them? Is it safe?”

“You can touch them. They do not emitarakunless I will it.”

She ran a fingertip over the bumps. It was like touching the skin of an avocado; a little rough but not cheese-grater rough.

“Do Vraxians ever get the two mixed up? You know, you’re trying to taste something and instead you accidentally inject it with poison?”

“No. Never.” He sounded amused. “Do humans often mix up their bodily functions?”

“I once meant to say hello to my commanding officer at a party, and instead I puked on his shoes so....”

“You are referring to involuntary reactions. Ourdendraoperate only on a conscious level, not subconscious. We are in control at all times.”

“Except when you’re delirious.”

He turned to face her, a smile ghosting over his lips.

“Touché, little human. Is there anything else you wish to see?”

It took every ounce of self-control for Kara not to glance at his waistband. And the area below it.

“I think I’m fine for now,” she said firmly.

“Then it is my turn.” He gestured at the jacket she wore. “Do you mind?”

Slowly, she unzipped the jacket and shrugged it off, thanking the stars she’d had the foresight to retain her underwear.

Folding her hands in her lap, she steeled herself for his inspection. He moved behind her and she assumed he was studying the structure of her spinal column. But he surprised her.

“We have noticed Terrans have numerous shades of hair color. Vraxians only have white and grey. For what purpose do you have so many variations?”

“Some of it is genetics. Some is choice.”

“Choice?”

“Yes. We can change our hair color using dye.”

“Dye.” He took a lock of hair and let it slide through his fingers. Her pulse ratcheted. “Some of our younger ones perform that affectation. I have never been sure why.”

“Why not? Who says you have to stick with what you’re born with?”

He leaned forward to inspect her hair more closely and she was conscious of his proximity.

“But your color is natural?”

“Yes. Well, kind of. On this planet it looks purple. Normally it’s black.”

“I find it pleasing.”

“Um, thanks.”

He was so close that if she turned her face, her lips would meet his cheek. She held very still.

“What of skin color? Earth people come in many different shades and yet they cannot change it at will. Why not?”

“You mean why don’t we have natural camouflage like Vraxians? We never developed that trick. Though we do have a lizard you might be interested in. It’s called a chameleon.”

“And why do you have this?”

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