Page 37 of Tempting Fate

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Big Fish

Imani

DAIYTAK WAS WAITING for me outside Airida’s hut, leaning against the adjacent building. “You were in there longer than I expected. Are you okay?”

If okay meant I’d completed my objective, then yes, I was absolutely okay. But the riot of thoughts going through me told a different story. Even ignoring the inappropriate tingling between my legs when I’d touched him, I was unsettled. “I’m fine. We talked for a bit afterwards.” At Daiytak’s steady stare, I continued. “The… thing, that was fine.” More than fine.

“We appreciate it. Airida can be difficult.”

I frowned. He was petulant at times, sure, but he really didn’t seem that bad. “Maybe he just needs to be understood. I’m sure he’ll adjust.”

Restless energy nagged at me like a motor. He’d apologised for his rudeness and responded to correction well. Too well. I had to make excuses and leave, get far away from the village. I wanted to see him again. I wanted to do that again. And that was all kinds of wrong. I was depraved.

Fenn was still sitting in the courtyard where I’d left them. “What was that all about?”

I shook my head. “Not here. Can we walk?”

“Sure. Or do you want to go sit in the hot springs?”

I checked my comm, my muscles tensing as if cross I wasn’t already there, letting them soak up the relaxing heat. “God, yes. But it’s nearly Big Fish o’clock.”

Fenn shrugged, entirely unbothered by the most interesting wildlife we’d seen here so far. “So we sit out for a minute. No big deal.”

We grabbed what we needed and walked to the far side of the village, down the wooded path. Birds flitted between the tall trees, the verdant scent of foliage growing stronger as the path opened into a secluded glade. Tendrils of steam rose from the small pool at its centre, the clear water beckoning us in.

“That’s what I’m talking about,” Fenn said, dropping their bag and stripping off.

I did the same, taking in the variety of plants crowding every space on the ground and between every rock and stone rising on the far wall. With a satisfied sigh, I eased into the steaming water.

“So, spill,” Fenn said. “What happened?”

I stared at the sparse clouds drifting across the sky. Where did I start? “So. When shaa’ith leave their planet, they’re in medication withdrawal, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, there’s this particular side effect. Something about delayed sexual responses, and it all comes out in one go, and they get hit with severe fatigue, and the only thing that relieves it is…” I splashed my fingers in the clear water. “I jerked him off.”

“What?!”

“You heard me.”

Fenn let out a low whistle. “Dude is in heat? Or rut. Whatever.”

“Basically. Sort of.”

Fenn pushed off the ledge we sat on, pinching their nose and sinking under the water. They came up grinning. “Alien planet. Can’t beat it. We’ve got hot springs, futuristic tech, and surprise hand jobs.”

I couldn’t help but laugh, shaking my head. “Imagine that on a tourist brochure.” In a low murmur, I added, “Is it wrong that I liked it?”

“I mean, you two seemed to get on really well yesterday.”

“No.” I held up a hand. Water droplets fell from my fingers, creating ripples on the pool’s surface, spreading out and out until they faded. “No, no, no. God, you are a hopeless romantic.”

“You know it, baby.” Their expression sobered, leaving only compassion in their hazel eyes. “You had a really bad run of jerks, I know, but what if you meet someone you click with, and they’re not a jerk? Would it be that bad to give it a chance?”

As if it were that simple. I’d made a promise to myself, and I wasn’t going to break it—especially not for a cute nerdy guy with a ton of baggage, no matter how exciting his dick was.