Page 18 of Soros
Ever since I met Star, I had told her to be more assertive and to speak her mind. Now that she finally did, it was the worst time.
“Sweetie, you can’t share a room with Nerix. Then I would have to share with Captain Lios,” I said.
Soros narrowed his eyes. “Or me.”
My heart felt as if it had a cramp, and it was hard to meet his gaze. If I had to share a room with Soros, things would undoubtedly explode between us, and I wasn’t sure I could handle that right now.
Star twirled a lock of her hair in a nervous movement while Lios took control the way he did many times a day. “We don’t have to figure this out right now. I’m hungry and I want to try this spy thing.”
“It’s called a spa. Not a spy,” I corrected him.
Walking down to the spa area, I heard Lios and Nerix talking to Star, who was telling them about her first experience with Earth food. Soros and I walked behind them. We didn’t exchange words, but there were several side glances between us. Neither of us smiled and I couldn’t figure out what he was thinking or why he had pointed to the possibility of him and I sharing a room.
Back when Soros and I were together, he saw me naked plenty of times and yet I felt incredibly self-conscious when I had to leave the women’s shower facilities and walk into the spa area.
Star kept adjusting her bikini top, which gave me a hint that she was out of her comfort zone as well.
“You look beautiful,” I told her with a smile and took her hand. “Come on.”
The soft music, ambient light, and scent of essential oils made for a calm and serene setting. We found the three men in a lounge area where towels lay rolled up. Each towel was bound with thin rope and a lavender flower on top.
Next to the elegant furniture was a small bar with jugs filled with ice cold water and different juices in beautiful colors. The men were snacking on fruit and biscuits and trying all the drinks.
I had been feeling insecure, but I suddenly felt a bit disappointed that Soros didn’t seem to notice me at all. I was standing half naked next to him, wearing only my black bikini, and all he could focus on was the snacks and drinks on the table. Adjusting my top didn’t get any of the men to look, but the moment I turned, I saw in my peripheral view that all three of them sneaked a quick peek.
A group of five women in their late forties and early fifties sat in the lounge area sipping on mimosas. They were sending long glances toward the men and when Nerix noticed, he asked me discretely. “Do you think those humans are on to us?”
“On to you how?” I looked over to see the women whispering among themselves.
“On to us being aliens,” he clarified.
I took a strawberry and handed it to Star. “Try this. It’s sweet.” Turning back to Nerix, I calmed him down. “Those women have no clue that you’re alien. All they see are tall, handsome men and they’re probably wondering how you got all those battle scars.” Touching one of the tattoos on his right arm, I pointed out, “The design of your body art is also very different. They might be wondering what it’s about.”
Nerix looked over at the women again. “Two of them just smiled at me.”
“If their attention makes you uncomfortable you can pretend that we’re a couple,” I offered with a shrug. “I don’t mind.”
Soros heard me and frowned. “What do you meanpretend? Are you saying that you and Nerix aren’t together? Is that why you didn’t offer to share a room with him?”
I instantly flushed red and realized my mistake. “Ehm… well…”
Star unintentionally rescued me when she spit out the strawberry and made a grimace. Reaching for a napkin I offered it to her.
“I’m sorry, but the taste was strange.”
“Don’t worry about it. Maybe that one was bad. It’s okay.” Helping her get rid of the napkin with the chewed-up strawberry, I led her away and called back over my shoulder to the men. “I’m taking Star to the hot tub. We’ll see you later.”
I should have known that my attempt at escaping the men and Soros’ uncomfortable question wouldn’t be that easy. From my seat in the hot tub, I could see Soros, Nerix, and Lios trying out different areas of the spa. They went into the pool and Soros stood under a fountain letting water fall on his shoulders and scalp. Nerix was playing around with infrared lights and Lios disappeared into a Finnish steam sauna only to come out a few minutes later red-faced and sweaty.
Star and I had only been relaxing in the hot tub for ten minutes when Nerix joined us. He was quickly followed by Lios and Soros.
Lios leaned back, closed his eyes, and sighed. “I like this. It reminds me of the hot springs on Mepoi.”
Bubbles formed around our bodies when we sat five people in the large spa. It should be relaxing, but my mind was busy trying to figure out what was going on with Soros.
For the most part I kept my eyes closed and tried to calm my desire to pour all my frustration out on Soros because now certainly wasn’t the time or place.
“So, what’s the plan with the rooms?” Nerix’s question had me sit up a little straighter bringing my breasts just above the waterline where bubbles of water splashed across them. Soros’ gaze was instantly drawn to my chest before he quickly looked away.
