“Polly, what did you hear?” he pressed, his tone implying he wasn’t buying her story.
Polly sighed, the shivers returning as he said her name. “Okay, it was you. You snore like a chainsaw in a horror movie.”
Erzo looked affronted. “I do not snore. I sleep with enthusiasm.”
Polly grinned. “Tomato, tomahto. Lucky for you, my softball bat’s back on Earth.”
“Bat?” Erzo asked, clearly confused.
Polly nodded, approaching him with her phone. “It’s an Earth thing. Baseball, softball—sports with a ball and a bat.” She showed him an old team photo. “See? That’s me, and that’s the bat.”
Erzo studied the photo. “So, a club? Was it heavy?”
“Depends on your definition of heavy. It’s got some heft for power-hitting.” She scrolled to a video, sharing a piece of her past.
Erzo watched, fascinated by the crack of the bat meeting the ball. “And this is the game?”
“Part of it,” Polly explained, feeling a wave of nostalgia. “That’s just practice. The proper game’s more action-packed.”
“You look so young,” Erzo remarked, a hint of wonder in his voice.
“I was,” she admitted, suddenly feeling exposed. “Since then, I always kept a bat handy, you know, for break-ins.”
Erzo nodded. “Effective weapon, I’d imagine.”
“Never failed me,” Polly confirmed.
Erzo’s smile was warm and reassuring. “Well, now you have me. I’ll keep you safe.”
His touch on her shoulder was gentle. Polly’s hand covered his.
“I know,” she whispered, feeling a sense of security she hadn’t expected.
Despite the alien surroundings and invisible threats, with Erzo by her side, she might be all right. Her fingers tentatively entwined with his, the touch sending a jolt of heat coursing through her. His hand was large and warm, enveloping hers in a gentle yet firm grasp. The contact wasn’t just physical—it sparked a fiery current that seemed to travel directly to her core.
His gaze deepened, dark and piercing, as if he were delving into the very depths of her soul. The raw desire that echoed her own mounting need smoldered in his eyes. Every unspoken thought, every suppressed yearning seemed to thrum in the space between them.
Her breath hitched, her body instinctively leaning closer to his. His presence was overwhelming, a magnetic force that drew her in, promising a world of unexplored passion.
As they stood there, the world around them seemed to fade into insignificance, leaving only the pulsing heat of their connection. It was a moment teetering on the brink of surrender, a tantalizing promise of what could be.
18
“Good day,” Erzo greeted as Polly emerged from the bedroom, looking radiant in her outfit that hugged her curves just right. He found himself increasingly captivated by her, often having to remind himself—and occasionally his tail—that caressing those curves wasn’t something he could indulge in on a whim.
“Morning.” Polly yawned, rubbing her eyes. “What’s on the breakfast menu today?”
“Tea and a protein wrap,” Erzo replied, setting the table.
“Perfect.” Polly smiled, settling in.
She had taken an interest in his cooking, but mostly left the culinary duties to him. They had settled into a comfortable routine, with Erzo preparing the first meal while Polly was still waking up.
Erzo couldn’t shake the growing attraction he felt for her, especially during their excursions arranged by the dating agency. Although the activities were meant for all three couples, their solitary participation had given Erzo and Polly a chance to bond more deeply, exploring each other and the space station.
However, the ever-present concern for the translucent figures lingered. Polly hadn't seen any more, and Erzo remained unsure if they were connected to the Charro. The absence of tails in her descriptions left room for doubt.
As Polly sipped her tea, she inquired, “Any news from Phares or Olmed?”
