Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 92507 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92507 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
"Fine," Khex coughs. "I'm fine. Don't let me interrupt."
"You are not interrupting," Rektar says, straightening his uniform and moving back to his desk. His face is flushed and he won't look over at me as he ignores his new muffin and straightens paperwork on his desk. "And it is time I returned to my duties. Thank you again for coming by, colonist."
I'm being dismissed and I didn't even get a real conversation with him. Frustrated, I chew on my lip as he does his best to look busy. I've got a Hail Mary I've been holding off on using, because it's deceitful, and I'm not good at lying. But I don't know what else to do to get Rektar's attention. I guess it's time to play the big guns, and if this doesn't work, I give up on my big, sweet, innocent alien and start looking at putting out ads. Ugh. I don't want to do that, but I also know my bubble of safety won't last forever. I've been mostly ignored by the more dangerous types who are killing women or forcing them to marry, because my farm is right outside of Port. I'm the one closest to town, and there's a lot of traffic right in front of my land. It's not private, and that lack of privacy has served me well so far. But I also know that the more women that get married or their farms get established as they have children, I'm in danger.
Lie time, then.
I get to my feet, slowly picking up my tongs. "I'll leave this container with you and pick it up tomorrow when I come into town." I smile at the two alien men and give them a nod, and then pause dramatically in front of Rektar's desk. "Oh, while I think about it, can I ask you something? I'm not super familiar with alien etiquette, but maybe you can help me."
His gaze is on my tits, and when I turn to look at him, he straightens, his face flushing that deep shade of blue as he sits stiffly in his chair. "Ask away."
"I've noticed that men have been walking the perimeter of my property recently. No one's said anything, but I keep finding footprints. I'm just curious…do you suppose that whoever is hanging around is shy? Should I invite them in for tea and muffins?" I bat my eyes innocently, toying with a lock of hair. I feel like the most obvious woman on Risda III, but subtle isn't getting me anywhere with Rektar.
A look of concern crosses Rektar's face. He gets to his feet, a scowl on his lips. "Someone is staking out your property?"
"Oh, I don't know if they're staking it out," I continue in a bright, cheery voice. "Maybe they're just waiting for the right opportunity to say hello."
The men exchange a look. "Perhaps you should check out the colonist's farm after all," Khex says, and I could just kiss him. "It might not hurt to ensure her safety."
"My safety?" I feign ignorance. I know the score. All the humans living on Risda III do. We know we're being targeted by other aliens. When the humans arrived here as refugees, we were granted tracts of land, a basic home, and refurbished farming equipment. Apparently this has stuck in the craw of a lot of aliens, because ever since, women have been turning up missing, with their farms “signed over” to new owners. Or women have shown up with alien husbands they didn't want, but no one listens to a woman alone, much less a human woman alone. I know that if someone's stalking my property, I'm in danger.
No one has been. That's the big lie, and I feel terribly guilty for pretending otherwise. And yet…Rektar gets to his feet.
Maybe a teensy white lie never hurt anyone.
"I am certain it is nothing to be concerned over, colonist," Rektar says in an utterly kind voice as he looks at me. His gaze goes soft, and for a moment, he watches me with such yearning that my heart jumps in my throat. This is what I want. This big, oversized alien with the enormous hands, protective nature, and the hungry gaze when he looks at me. I want someone like this.
"But you'll come out and take a look?" I ask, voice husky.
"I will." He clips a weapon to his belt, nods at Khex, and then moves to my side. His enormous hand goes to the small of my back, and I swear I'm going to swoon. "Lead the way," he tells me.
I wonder if it'd be too obvious if I led him directly to my bedroom.
22
REKTAR
It's difficult being alone with the human in my air-sled. Lucy left hers in town, claiming she's happy to return to Port later and finish her errands. My air-sled is of a more recent design than hers—military issue—and she exclaims over it, touching the panels and wiggling in the seat across from me as if it's the most comfortable ride she's ever had. She wiggles and her large breasts jiggle, and I sweat despite myself. The acrid floral scent of her perfume is killing my nose, but I endure it, because this is what I've dreamed about—being alone with Lucy.