Page 7 of Shadowed By the Alien
“Then you do not oppose matings between humans and aliens?”
She reflects for a moment. “There are many good aliens out there, like the ones who are helping Earth build up its defenses. The Galactic Alliance is filled with them, or my father wouldn’t deal with them. If the guy were good to me… goodforme… then, yes, I could see myself with an alien. Though going to another planet… the very thought terrifies me. My father won’t let me explore my own city alone, but at least here I speak the language, know the customs, and the history. How would I survive on another planet where I’d know nothing?”
“You would not be alone. The male would protect and see to your needs. He would help you acclimate and cherish you.”
“A partner, even an alien one, who truly cares about me, sounds fabulous. I guess when it comes down to it, aliens and humans have more similarities than differences, at least whereit counts. I mean, we all want the same thing, right? Peace. Happiness. Family.”
Raven’s innocent in so many ways, but I’m pleased to hear she doesn’t hate aliens. “Some aliens only care about power. Or satisfying their pleasures.”
She sighs. “That only proves how similar to humans they are.”
Innocent, yes, but not naïve. I suspect she’s been spying at her father’s office doors in their home again.
“What else do you know of aliens? And which ones?”
“Hmm, let me see…” She taps her finger against her lips, drawing my eyes to their fullness. I snap my eyes away before my cocks rise. Even though she would not notice, it would not be proper.
“My father employs several aliens, though I’m not sure for what exactly. He’s in the government, so everything is always a big secret.”
“You have a leaf in your hair,” I say. “May I remove it?”
Her smile brightens, shining more brilliantly than this system’s sun. “Of course. Oh, that permission thing. Right… I give you permission totouchme.”
The way she says the word touch, my horns rise, as do other parts of me, making it harder than usual to will them to relax.
CHAPTER FIVE
RAVEN
Even though I no longer need to, I hold Ren’s arm on the way to the Halloween party. I consider sliding my hand into his, which would be more intimate. I’ve slowed my pace because I’d rather get to know Ren than go to this lame party. Noah and I don’t get along.
“This poem you spoke of before. What is it about?” Renikk asks.
“I’ll see if I can get a copy for you to read.” I would read it to him myself, but my book is in braille and I’m not quite ready to tell him about my blindness.
Renikk will find out eventually, but I’d rather delay the inevitable as long as possible, to give me,us,a chance to know one another better. People change when they find out. They walk away or make small talk and close down because they don’t know what to say. There’s nothingtosay. I am who I am.
His hand slides into mine. Wow, it’s like he read my mind. And man, this feels incredibly right.
“You appear distracted, Raven.”
“Just thinking about the party.”
“You’re not excited about going?”
“Usually, I go out of boredom. I’d rather spend the time with you, but I realize you have to return to work.” I don’t want to keep him from patrolling the area or risk getting him fired.
Neither of us mentions the fact that we’re holding hands as we walk. This is getting serious. Well, not that type of serious. Yet. But maybe in time. I haven’t been with a man since that one guy tried to force me. He assumed because I couldn’t see that I was desperate. Or too scared to fight back.
The moment I slammed my knee into his balls, I felt invincible.
“You’re smiling,” Ren says. “Does that mean you don’t mind that I took your hand in mine?”
Oh, he’s cute. Really sweet, and worried about me. “I love holding hands. It’s very… intimate.”
“That, it is. Back home, we are discouraged from public displays of intimacy.”
“Even holding hands? I mean, it’s notthatintimate. Not like hooking up.”
