I’m led inside the largest tent. The smell of citrus soap wafts from a clawfoot copper tub set up in the back corner. I feel a twinge of guilt at the thought of the h’axom dragging the heavy sled with a giant tub for me. Since it’s here, I might as well put it to use.
An agitating voice reminds me of who I’m sharing my tent with tonight.
“The water will help.” In the far corner, Tai reclines on a pile of pillows, looking relaxed and clean.
“A gentleman would have let me use the bath first.” I realize how immature I sound.
“Good thing I’m not a gentleman.”
I ignore his retort and hobble my way over to the tub. Behind a privacy screen,
I pull off my clothes and step into thelukewarm water.
I groan while I ease my way in.
The water feels nice once I get past the sting of it hitting my raw legs. The bath is perfect, but it’s hard to fully relax when I’m sitting across fromhim.
“I have a proposal,” Tai says, disturbing my quiet relaxation time.
“Proposing already?” His setup justifies my corny reply.
“Can we call a temporary ceasefire? I'm exhausted. I don’t have the energy to spar with you right now,” Tai says as he wipes a hand down his tired face.
“So…you’re admitting defeat?” I can’t help myself.
“I am. I surrender. Please have mercy on me. I’m tired. You are too.”
I’d never say it out loud, but I’m relieved. I don’t have the energy to go back and forth with him either. Comfortable silence with Tai sounds nice. Having him around isn’t all that bad. I prefer it over the creepy fawning from the brethren. One look from the big blue alien usually sends them packing.
“I promise, we can pick up our usual shit-talking later,” he says.
“You better not be turning soft on me,” I tell him. The words slip out of my mouth before I can snatch them back, an echo of what I said to him the night we hooked up. The taunt that resulted in him pressing his giant cock against me. I scrub my hands roughly over my face, trying unsuccessfully to banish the mental image.
Weightlessness relieves the pressure on my body. My legs, my arms, my back, my face. Everything hurts. Even my hair hurts.
Back above water, I lean against the tub and let the water work its magic. There is a chance he didn’t pick up on my comment, but I’m too tired to care any longer. I peek over at him.
He’s in a similar position. Head back, eyes closed. I seize the opportunity to get a good look at him. My eyes drift lower, taking in his muscular chest. I don’t want him to see me checking him out. He would tease me mercilessly.
Tilaks are objectively good-looking. They are tall, broad, muscular, and chiseled. Blue aliens are hot. Name an attractive trait, andthey’ve got it. So, it’s totally normal for my eyes to be constantly drawn to him. The guy is in incredible shape.
Stop thinking about Tai’s incredible shape. Especially his thighs. He’s got some juicy thighs that could probably… Seriously, stop it.
Nevermind, quiet equals danger. Too much time to let my mind wander. So, I say the first thing that comes to mind.
“Did you name yours?” I ask.
“Name what?” He responds without opening his eyes.
“That giant thing between your legs today. Your h'axom, obviously,” I clarify with a grin.
Tai chuckles. “Name it whatever you want, but we’re not going to be here long enough for it to matter. You’ve got a few days to take care of Boss, then we leave and never come back.”
“Such a hurry to get home! What’s the matter, Tai? Your hand not getting the job done anymore?” The possibility occurs to me that somewhere back on his home planet, a beautiful Tilak female could be waiting for him to return. The thought makes my stomach twist.
Tai’s tone turns more serious. “Very funny. Just don’t get too comfortable around these guys. They aren’t safe.”
“I haven’t forgotten. But what I want to know is why they are so weird with you.”
