Page 65 of Stranded with the Alien

“I… yes, yes, that is the case.”

“And is that why you’re stroking me? Because I’m your pet?”

“I will stop if…”

“No, keep doing it.” She yawned. “It’s nice.”

He smoothed his hand along the dark wave of hair spilling over her shoulders.

“Do you wish to be alone, human?”

There was no answer. She was asleep.

Carefully he lowered her down to the floor of the tent, intending to leave her there, and found his arm was trapped beneath her. He tried to extricate it but she tightened her hold on him. Admitting defeat, he lay down next to her.

She looked peaceful as she rested on his shoulder and he didn’t want to wake her. Her distress earlier had shaken him and he was relieved it seemed to be over.

Have a care,he told himself sternly.You must not do anything to strengthen the kalehsh bond.

He would stay for just a few minutes more to make sure the dream did not come back. Then he would go.

He watched her face as she slept and wondered how it was that something so different to him, so alien, could now seem so precious.

Twenty Nine

She expected him to be gone when she awoke. But as she surfaced, she found herself practically lying on top of him. Her head was nestled on his chest and his arm was curved around her back

She lay quietly for a few moments, not wanting to disturb him. Let him think she was still asleep.

The illusion was shattered when he spoke.

“I know you are awake, human. Your breathing has changed.”

She flushed and pulled herself upright, hoping he wouldn’t think she was enjoying being snuggled up to him.

“Why are you still here?”

It came out more rudely than she intended and he raised a brow.

“Every time I tried to leave, you held on to me.”

Fuck.

“I was asleep.”

“It is of no consequence. But we do have something to discuss.”

“Is it about me asking you to keep stroking my hair? Because…”

“No, not that.” He sighed and sat up so that they were face to face. Well, face to chest. He bent his head so he could see into her eyes.

“We need to talk about the start of the war.”

“What? No. No way.” She reached for her trousers and pulled them on. “You know that’s when my father died.”

“That is just it. He did not die in the first battle.”

She paused, confused.

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