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“This place is very…rundown.”
“The dust is hard on everything. The water here is very salty. I also haven’t been here in years. You might find yourself floating in the pool because of the salt, especially since you’re such a tiny human.”
“I’m not a tiny human,” I argued. “I’m average height.”
“Your boots give you more height, sugar. I’m certain your head would barely reach my chest.”
He might have been hot, but he was also annoying. “I’m not yoursugarso stop calling me that. In fact, just stop talking to me. I don’t like you.”
He ignored me as he pushed me through another opening.
I couldn’t help it, even if I was mad at the situation I was in. I gasped as I looked up, taking in the cavern.
It was beautiful.
The cave ceiling was lined with red jewels, all emanating light by themselves. I wondered if the jewels were a living organism or if this planet had a light source in of itself. Regardless, it was captivating. Steam billowed from a rust-colored pool at the center. There was a hand-built glass wall that blocked off what I assumed would be the toilet.
“Does this please you?” he puzzled. “They are simply rocks.”
“They’re pretty rocks. Their glow is lovely. It’s better than the rest of the place,” I mumbled.
He laughed, which surprised me. The sound was infectious when it was genuine. I fought off a smile as I pulled away from him, crossing my arms again.
“You can leave me now,cowboy.”
“I’m not leaving you,sugar.”
“You can’t stay here while I use the restroom and bath.”
“Why not?”
I blushed again. Was he messing with me or did he just not understand me? Were our translators working right? I cleared my throat.
“Because it’s improper for you to be here while a lady takes a bath.”
“I can’t leave you alone here. You are fragile. A human. You have no means of protection. You don’t have claws or hard skin.”
I scoffed, offended. “I can take care of myself just fine. You don’t need to worry about me. Aren’t we safe in yourhideout?”
“You never know,” he mumbled.
“How do I know you won’t try something?”
He frowned, and then I watched him realize the meaning of my words. “I would never hurt you or touch you without your consent. You might think I’m the villain here, but I’m not. My brother is. I just needed you to clear my name.”
His words sounded genuine. “You could be lying.”
“I could be, but I’m not,” he grumbled. “I will leave to get you fresh clothing. And then I will join you in the pool. It’s big enough for many people, so we can take opposite sides. Unless you are prudish about bare forms.”
My mouth fell open. I, of all people, was the exact opposite of prudish. I couldn’t help but look down at his chaps. The fabric hardly disguised what was underneath. I feigned annoyance. “You do know what I do for a living, right?”
He was clearly amused. He shrugged. “Could have fooled me. Do we have a barter, then?”
“Fine. Go away before I piss on your boots.”
He belly laughed this time, but turned around and left the cavern. I stood there for a moment until I was certain he was out of earshot, and then plopped down on the nearest chair sized rock.
“Fucking alien outlaw,” I muttered under my breath.
