Page 12 of Bad Beehavior

Baryx sits up, rubbing his eyes with his black hands. He looks around before finding the words. “I apologize. I must have been exhausted. I’m usually a light sleeper.”

“Are you really an alien?” I wrap my arms around my chest.

He stares up at me with a confused expression on his face. “If you mean I am not from this planet, then yes.”

“So you’re not a giant bee?”

“No, I am not a larger size of the creatures you have on this planet. Did you forget our conversation that we had last night?”

He stands, and I have to crane my neck to catch his face. I thought Kent was tall. This guy has to be a head taller.

He looks at me with concern as if he’s worried I’m hurt or something.

I step back. “No, I didn’t forget our conversation last night. I just didn’t think any of it was real. I thought you were a dream.” I twirl around, pacing in circles. “I still don’t know if any of this is real. I’m probably just going crazy.”

He steps closer to me. “I assure you, you are not going crazy. I am real, and I mean you no harm.”

I stop my treading to catch the look on his face. He seems sincere and studies me carefully as if he doesn’t want to miss amoment of me or he’s worried I’m going to implode on myself. I’m not sure which one it is.

His gaze is intense, and I must look away to stop my brain from melting.

“Yeah, I get you’re not here to hurt me. I think you would have murdered me last night if that was your plan. I just don’t like this. This is too weird.”

“I know it’s odd for your species to see another lifeform. Your planet is hundreds of years behind, and you haven’t yet contacted lifeforms from other planets.”

I stare at him, mouth hanging open. “You mean there’s more aliens than just you?”

“The Colony is one of many planets with lifeforms, but we are far away. Unless another species comes to you, I don’t think your kind would have any way of reaching them.”

“Oh my god, this is too crazy. Why is this happening to me?” I stare up at the ceiling, feeling a panic attack coming over me.

“Jennessa, it is okay.” Baryx rushes toward me, placing his large hands on my arms.

Tingles rush down my body from his contact, almost like a wave of comfort rushes over me. I turn my gaze to him.

“You are safe. You will not have to worry about this much longer. Once my wing is healed, I’ll be on my way.”

I can’t help that it stings a little to hear that. Yeah, I want him gone, but with a touch that feels like a warm blanket, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if he stayed awhile.

He backs away and flaps his wings, grunting immediately after. “It’s getting better, but it might be a day or two before I can fly again.”

I instinctually step closer to him. I don’t like seeing any living creature hurt, but seeing him in pain causes me more distress than I’d expect. “Can I do anything?” I ask as I take a closer lookat his wings. They look so delicate. It’s hard to believe that he only suffered a slight bend from being pounded by a newspaper.

“Saving my life and allowing me to stay with you is more than enough.” He grabs my hands and brings them to his chest. “I wish more than anything that you were my target.”

I freeze, staring up at his intense gaze. I don’t know what he means by “his target,” but I can’t focus on the meaning of his words. This is all too much, too fast, but every time he touches me, it’s like my brain shuts off, and all I can think about is the pounding between my legs. What the fuck is wrong with me?

I pull away and shake my head, busying myself with the various articles of clothing that are flayed out around my apartment. I’m just now realizing how much of a mess my place is. How embarrassing that this guy's first human impression is that we’re slobs. I hope he doesn’t use me as the example for all humankind.

“Okay, Bee. Well, I need to get to work. Can you stay here today while I leave?” I think for a second. “What do you guys even eat? Please don’t say cats or something crazy.”

“According to our researchers, we have very similar digestion systems.”

I open the refrigerator. “Great. I’ve got bagels. Do you like bagels?” I pop one into the toaster before he replies.

“Anything from you would be a treasure.”

A treasure?Is this guy for real? “Great. Just grab it out of the toaster when it pops up.” I don’t even stop to consider that he might not know what I’m talking about. Matter of fact…

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