Page 16 of Taming the Alien Outlaw
“I know you’re awake,” he says loudly.
How that’s possible is beyond me, but maybe it has something to do with the Bohnari species and some kind of enhanced hearing. Slowly, so as to not make my head ache more than it already is, I climb out of the bed and walk out to the living area. Janik stands in the middle of the room, his hair standing up on each side of his horns like he’s been running his hands through it.
“I suppose you heard all of that.” It’s not a question so there’s no point lying.
“Yes.”
He turns for the kitchen and brings over to me some type of device. “Let me see your arm, please.”
I side-eye him while I try to figure out what he’s holding. “Why?”
“How’s your head?”
“You know it’s rude to answer a question with a question.”
Janik shrugs, and the human gesture looks weird. “Fine, if you don’t want me to get rid of your pain.”
He moves like he’s going to walk away, but I grab his forearm. His skin is burning up beneath my fingertips.
“Don’t you dare.” If whatever that thing is will cure this hangover, then I’ll take it.
He places the small, black device on my arm and I wait for some pinch of pain or signal that it’s doing it’s job, but there’s nothing but a single beep. Janik removes the box thing from my arm and places it back on the counter. To my surprise, I’m already feeling some relief. By the time he returns to stand next to me, my headache is completely gone. I still have dooky mouth, but hopefully a good brushing will make that go away.
“Thanks.”
He inclines his head. “You’re welcome.”
“Are we going to talk about it?” I’ve never been one to shy away from conversations. Plus, his mother said some interesting things. Not the least of which being that Janik is struggling with his mating fever. Why? He’s taking kanet powder like all the other Bohnari, isn’t he? None of them except Horek are struggling, and he only was because of Quinn and her being his heart’s fire.
“There is nothing to talk about. It is just like I told my mother, I know what I’m doing.”
I cock my head. “Which is what, exactly? I mean, beside trying to overthrow the government and place yourself on the throne, that, according to your mother belongs to you. Not to mention you’re not controlling your mating fever as well as you think you are.”
“I have things well in hand.”
That makes me scoff. “All men are the same, no matter what planet you’re on, aren’t you?”
“Since I’ve never left Bohna, I wouldn’t know.”
“Trust me, you’re just like every other man I’ve met. Never listens to what anyone—especially a woman—has to say because he always has the answer. He doesn’t need advice, because he has things ‘well in hand’.” I cross my arms. “From where I’m standing, you don’t have shit in hand except mating fever you can’t control and a bunch of other dudes who think you’re weak. Oh, and a raging bitch for a mother. Welcome to the club. I’m also a card-carrying member.”
From the anger that flares across Janik’s face, I worry my mouth might have gotten me into trouble again. Wouldn’t be the first time, nor will it be the last. Not unless he decides to do away with me. I supposed I’ve had a good run.
Finally, he sighs. His fatigue and frustration are both evident. “Why don’t I show you around camp? We’ll get something to eat and come back here and talk.”
Since I have a feeling that’s the best I’m going to get, I take the offer.
“Can I at least clean my mouth and teeth first? It tastes like how I imagine the river back in New St. Louis would taste.”
Janik looks at me strangely, but nods. “There is a cleansing brush in the hygiene room.”
I dart back into the bathroom and rifle through the drawers until I find what I’m looking for. Then I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. God, I look awful. My hair is a tangled web of knots, and, despite washing my face yesterday, the kohl I’d used to line my eyes is smeared all around making me look like I got into fight. And lost.
The clothes Janik loaned me are ill-fitting, and I still don’t have clean underwear. I don’t know what kind of supplies they havehere, but that’s something I need to remedy sooner rather than later. A comb with strands of teal hair woven through the teeth sits on the counter. Weirdly, it feels like a far too intimate act to use the same comb on my own hair that Janik uses on his. Considering I’m a prisoner, I shouldn’t care how I look, especially since he’s already seen me like this, but I pick up the stupid implement and run it through the tangled mess harder than I normally would.
Once I’m mostly satisfied, I scrub my teeth and tongue and manage to make myself feel human again. I use the towel from last night and scrub under my eyes, leaving black marks on the material. I guess I’m as ready as I’m going to get.
Janik’s where I left him, but he hasn’t appeared to have noticed my presence yet, so I take a moment to study him. Gone is the arrogance that constantly surrounds him. Instead, there’s a weariness that looks as though it’s weighing down his shoulders. Why do I suddenly feel sorry for him? The asshole kidnapped me. Worse than that, his actions led to the death of another of his kind.
