Page 14 of Tis the Season for Tentacles
Because Najar is like a stoic Lord Vardox fantasy come to life, and I’m more than a little beside myself. And damn if I don’t finally understand whatswoonworthymeans.
As I continue to stare at Najar, my heart races and I have to concentrate on remembering to breathe. I’m strangely lightheaded and almost euphoric.
“Are you all right?” he asks with a frown.
I shiver at his voice and try to calm down, but without even trying, Najar inspires a lot of dirty ideas that I really shouldn’t be having right now.
I try to get my big head to take the driver’s seat again and kick my libido to the curb while I try to focus on the critical things right now.
Rambo whizzes by again. “Pal, you got that moisture on your head,” he offers with several chirpy beeps.
On automatic reflex, I wipe my forehead.
Crap, itissweaty.
My cheeks flush. “Uh… I’m fine. Maybe a little… disoriented from everything that’s happened.”
Najar’s features soften into what appears to be concern. “Let me take you to the ship’s med lab so I can run a scan and make sure you’re okay. This is a brand-new experience for you, and I’d feel better if you let us check you out.”
I let out an awkward and nervous laugh. “As long as there’s no unwanted probing involved.”
Consensual probing, I could be into…
Najar chuckles. “You humans are so amusing. Sasha asked us something similar when he first arrived. There’s no probing, I promise.”
“I grew up onSouth Park. No way was I going to end up like Cartman,” Sasha says with a challenging smirk.
Najar takes hold of my arm. “Shall we?”
I nod dazedly, trying not to melt into a puddle of vibrating goo at Najar’s electrifying touch. My knees go weak and I stumble a little as I follow him.
This makes him frown even deeper than before. “I’m becoming quite concerned. Please excuse me, but I must take some liberties.”
Before I can fully process what he’s saying, he reaches over and lifts me into his powerful arms with the greatest of ease, then strides off the bridge and down a corridor. After several maze-like turns, we end up in front of clear double doors that automatically open for us, and I’m brought into a white, sterile room that appears to be part doctor’s office and part hospital room.
Najar sets me down gently in front of a machine with an arch. “Please stand still for a moment while the BioNexus Med Scanner does an assessment.”
One of his tentacles presses a button on the machine and I try to stand still as a blue light moves up and down my body several times.
After a moment, the light stops and Najar nods. “It’s done. Please have a seat over there while I get the report.”
I sit on the alien version of an exam table and try to calm my racing heart. Maybe there is something wrong with me? I’ve never responded to someone as strongly as I have to Najar.
I study him as he focuses on a tablet device, using a tentacle to scroll up on the screen as he reads.
“Hmm. On the whole, you appear to be in excellent health. Some bruises and minor abrasions in keeping with the fall you mentioned earlier, but nothing serious. Your heart rate is a bit elevated, but I suppose that’s understandable.”
I manage a weak smile. “This has all been a lot to process.” I clear my throat. “Actually, I could use some water if you have any.”
He hurries over to a small sink and pours me a glass of water, which he brings to me. “I’m sorry. We should have asked if you needed any refreshment when you first boarded.”
My lips twitch. “First-class service, huh?”
He blinks, not seeming to get the reference.
I shrug awkwardly, gulp down the cool, clear water, and heave a relieved sigh. “Thanks, I needed that.”
To my surprise, I follow that up with a jaw-cracking yawn.
