Page 26 of Steve's Barmaid
STEVE
Billie had brushed her lips across my cheek. I didn’t even know what to call what she did. Did orkin do that? I pressed my hand to where her lips had been. They had been warm and soft. Iwondered how the rest of her would feel. I quickly shook myself out of it and hurried off to get ready for ourdate. I wanted to shower and change my clothes, maybe even polish my boots. They’d taken a beating during our work.
I showed up to our agreed meeting place early and flustered. I was wearing my nicest clean clothes. I shuffled nervously with my hands clasped in front of me, unsure of what to do as I waited. What if she didn’t show up? She’d wanted to keep this secret, which seemed logical, but what if she was embarrassed of me?
I felt the crushing weight of inexperience. I knew nothing of how to “woo” a female. My knowledge of sex and relationships all came from talk in the sauna with Reykr and the other guys. I didn’t even know if she would expect something entirely different as a human. I shook myself. This was Billie. The woman who had spent the last several weeks making all of us laugh as we worked ourselves to the bone to see her dream come true. I was thinking about the way her face lit up as she got a laugh out of me when I saw her approaching, carrying a basket and a rolled-up blanket.
“Hi.” She waved as she approached.
“Hi.”
We just stood there smiling at each other like two idiots for a moment. I bit my lip. Somehow, calling thisdatinghad made it feel very real.
“Do you know the way?” I asked finally.
“Yes. It isn’t far.” She tentatively linked her arm in mine so she could lead the way. At least she had some idea of what she was doing.
We headed out of the village on a path that took us into the Niflfýri, or Forest of Mists as the humans called it. The sun was still a sliver in the sky, but the shadows were lengthening, and everything was tinged with the blue of twilight. We walkedsilently and I tried to take in everything I could about Billie. This is the closest I’d ever been to her. Her hair was damp and smelled wonderful. It took significant willpower not to bend down and bury my face in her curls. They were amazing. She always had her hair pulled back when we were working, but by the end of the day ringlets were slipping out around her forehead and at the nape of her neck. I had thought more than once about dragging my tongue along her neck to taste her. I was even more enamored with all of her curls on wild display.
I wanted to say something, anything, to get the conversation going. For the first time, I found myself out of questions. She seemed happy walking arm-in-arm, but I realized she was still carrying the basket and the blanket.
“Here, let me take the supplies,” I said, reaching across her and accidentally brushing my arm against her chest.
She looked startled but not displeased as I took the items off her. She didn’t comment on my accidental invasion of her space but blushed as she handed me the basket and blanket.
“Thank you,” she said. “Where did you tell the guys you were going tonight?”
“I didn’t run into any of them. I figured I would let them think I was exhausted from my day with you.”
“And how did I exhaust you?” she asked, arching a brow suggestively.
“I just meant—I mean…” I stammered.
“I’m just teasing you.” She brushed her now free hand down my arm and looked up at me.
I felt like my skin was on fire. “We’re gonna be okay,” she said. “This is supposed to be fun. We already know we like spending time together. This is just taking it to the next level, right?”
I wasn’t sure if she was reassuring herself or me—or both of us. I let out a slow breath.
“I really like talking to you,” I said. “I don’t see how talking to you more would be anything but enjoyable.” I pulled her closer to me as she stumbled over one of the cobblestones.
“I like talking to you, too.”
We walked in comfortable silence for a bit before Billie spoke again.
“Have you ever seen the glowing mushrooms before?” she asked.
“Not at night. I have seen them during the day, but they look like ordinary mushrooms then.”
“I’ve never seen them at all. I haven’t strayed from the village since we were dumped here. I didn’t feel safe.”
“Any reason?” I asked.
“Well, once you realize that being abducted by aliens is an actual viable option, you aren’t keen on putting yourself in a position to be re-abducted. I felt safe within the confines of the village.” Her face was scrunched as if she was admitting something embarrassing.
I’d never thought about having a fear of being abductedagain. That would be terrible.
“But, now?” I asked.
