Alien Bride, page 28
part #2 of The Alien Series
She clicks her tongue at me and looks around the room, as if a response might be dangling from the walls.
“I don’t know… I was 16 before I had my first kiss.” She shrugs.
“No, not good enough.”
“What?” she asks, defensively.
“Someone else knows that. I want something no one knows.”
“Hm. I see your point. Okay… okay… something no one else knows… Okay. I don’t remember my mom’s face. I was still such a little kid when she died and within a few months I started forgetting more and more of her, until one day I couldn’t remember her face, or the look she would get when I climbed into her bed at night after a scary dream. I remember she had a look… something happy, warm, and accepting… but I can’t picture it anymore. I felt guilty about that for a long time. Especially considering how badly my dad missed her. It made me feel like I didn’t miss her enough, or I hadn’t loved her deeply enough.”
I can’t find the right words to respond to her emotionally charged admission, so I press my forehead to hers. “I want more. Tell me more.”
She sighs and smiles at me. “Okay, so you know that first kiss of mine? Kevin Brady. Oh, how I adored Kevin Brady—”
“Never mind, I don’t like this one,” I tease.
“Just listen,” she chides me. “Well, Kevin Brady was three years older than me in school. I was a lowly freshman his senior year of high school, and let me tell you, everyone loved Kevin Brady. If I said I never followed him to his locker or waited around after school to watch him play baseball, it would be a lie. Fast forward to when I was sixteen. There was this little party at my best friend’s house and her older brother was there with Kevin.
“I’m sure he knew I was a complete idiot for him. When we all got to talking, my wonderful best friend decided to tell everyone that I had never been kissed. Later that night Kevin pulled me aside and told me he wanted to be my first kiss. My heart was racing. I was over the freaking moon, you can’t even imagine—”
“I might be able to.”
“But I was so shy I couldn’t bring myself to lean in. Finally, he grabs me, and pulls me close, giving me my first kiss.”
“This one doesn’t count, Kevin Brady already knows this story. I am sure your best friend already knows this story. All of Kevin’s friends have likely heard this story.”
“I haven’t gotten to the part that no one knows yet.”
“Fine, proceed.”
“Well, Mr. Popular, sexy thang Kevin, was planet Earth’s worst kisser.”
I scoff at her admission, but it brings an authentic smile to my face.
“Oh my god, Kye, it was absolutely terrible. Even though I had never kissed anyone before, I instantly knew he was doing it all wrong. It was absurd. Disgusting even. I have no idea how he had the reputation he had kissing people like that. I mean, you had never kissed anyone before—it’s not even part of your culture and you got it instinctively!”
“You think I am a good kisser?” I smile, and she blinks rapidly in response.
“Well, objectively speaking. As a friend, I feel confident in telling you that you do just fine in the kissing department.”
“Just fine?”
“Much better than Kevin Brady, to say the least.”
“Do you remember what Kevin Brady did that was so wrong?”
“Oh man, it was etched into my brain. I’ll never forget it.”
“Show me.”
“What?”
“Show me, so if I ever happen to kiss anyone again I’ll know the difference between what is pleasurable and what prompts a woman to loathe a kiss a dozen years after the fact.”
“You can’t be serious?”
“Remember, Alessandra, my people don’t kiss. It is nothing more than a novelty to me, not even necessarily sexual in my mind,” I coax her, desperate to place my lips on hers again.
“Oh. I guess I hadn’t thought of it like that. I don’t know…”
“Come on, I am curious what this Kevin did that was so horrendous.”
“Well… okay, if you don’t think it’s weird. Are you ready? Here comes The Kevin Brady Calamity,” she says before slamming her lips against mine and thrusting her tongue too deeply into my mouth. I nearly recoil at the intrusion, and that’s when she starts to wiggle her tongue wildly about the inside of my mouth. It reminds me of an animal trying desperately to escape capture. I pull away, unable to control my burst of laughter.
“A man did this to you and meant for it to be pleasurable?” I exclaim.
“Right?! I mean, what on earth possessed him to think that was normal, or sexy even!” she declares, joining my laughter. As terrible as that so-called kiss was, I still find myself enthralled by her taste, her closeness, the smile dancing at her lips. I throw my patience to the wayside and lean in. Her lips catch mine, hesitating if only for a brief moment, before joining me in a true kiss. It is like a reciprocated dance. A game, where we each take turns teasing, tasting, and playing with one another. This is a slower dance than the kisses we shared back on my ship. Those were frantic companions to our lovemaking. This kiss is more like a question. Slow, testing, hopeful, but no less intoxicating.
Reluctantly, we pull away.
“What was that?” she asks, breathless and still clinging to me.
“I couldn’t let our last kiss be The Kevin Brady Calamity.”
“Oh. No, I suppose not,” she says, pulling away slightly, but I just hold her tighter.
“Alessandra, I think it is time we spoke,” I say, but before she can respond, the quietness of the room is ruptured by the sounds of approaching voices. I recognize them as Gorrard and his Sovolian guards.
The men enter the room suddenly and waste no time diving into the water.
“Kye! I’m naked!” she hisses, hugging me tightly again.
“Greetings, friends! Kye! Alessandra! Perfect time for a swim, am I right?”
“Hi Gorrard!” Alessandra calls.
“Hello!” I shout to them, annoyed to be disturbed at such a crucial moment. But I know that Alessandra is embarrassed to be nude around others, so I swim to the side and jump out to retrieve a towel for her. Once out she wraps it tightly around herself and snatches her clothes from my grip when I bring them to her, making a mad dash for the door.
“Alessandra! Wait! We didn’t finish speaking,” I tell her, holding her arm to halt her escape.
“Kye! I’m embarrassed! Half the population of Beacon just caught us skinny dipping together. They probably think we were screwing. Can you please just let me do my walk of shame? We can talk later!” And though she is whispering so the others do not hear her words, it feels more like a yell.
I release her and she hurries away.
A moment later Rennek and his Kate enter the room ready to enjoy the pool as well. Kate makes a playful attempt to push her husband into the pool. He allows it, even going so far as to let her think she did so with her own strength. She jumps in after him and water splashes about the pair. Gorrard and the Sovolians laugh and toss a floating ball to Rennek. He scoops up his Kate and tries to balance her on top of it.
I can’t go on like this. I need some type of catalyst to move Alessandra and me forward. A giant insect. Or a grave illness. I push away all the advice that Khalil imparted me with and a plan is born.
Chapter 49
Alessandra
Kye didn’t come to dinner last night. We never got the chance to tell Tennir about the baby fish in the practice pond. Nor did we have the chance to talk about that kiss. So, when I wake up early I decide to head down to the borough. A thick fog blankets the fields and a light drizzle begins to fall as I walk.
I’m surprised that I don’t find him already up and out working in the fields or at the pond. I’m even more surprised when I knock on his door and he doesn’t come to open it. I hesitantly try the knob. It’s not locked, so I push my way in.
“Kye? Are you in here? Knock, knock!” I call into the room. I am met with the sound of a shaky cough. That catches my attention and I hurry forward. Kye lies in his bed, his scales a sickly pinkish version of the purple he turns when he overheats. “Oh, my god, Kye! Are you okay?” I ask, rushing to his side.
He’s lying there on his bed, wet with sweat and flushed an odd new shade. I’ve never seen him like this before. I sit down next to him and start running my hands over his face and body, feeling for signs of fever.
“What happened? Are you okay? What’s going on? Should I go get Tennir?” I’m frantic and the questions spill out of me.
“The heat,” he moans. “I must have overexerted myself.”
“I’ll go get Tennir, he’ll know how to help you!” I start to get up, but Kye grabs my wrist.
“No! Wait, I just need rest and water. Don’t involve Tennir, I should be fine in a day or so… with a little care.”
“Are you sure? Maybe you’re dehydrated. Tennir could probably give you an IV drip. It would make you feel better.”
“No, no. Please, I would be…” He struggles to speak. “Embarrassed. I would be embarrassed,” he says finally.
“Oh, for god’s sake, Kye! You’re not well! That’s nothing to be embarrassed of!”
“Please, Alessandra, stay with me and if I get any worse, then you can call on Tennir for his aid.”
I frown at him, but he looks lucid enough. I feel his face and chest. He doesn’t even feel hot. “Fine, I’ll take care of you. But if I think you’re getting any worse, no more of this pride bullshit. I’m going to get Tennir.”
“You are an excellent negotiator,” he tells me.
“Psh. Doesn’t feel like it.” I push myself up to fill a fresh glass of water for him and also take the opportunity to wet down a rag before I move back to his side to wipe his brow. The sweat on him already seems to be dissipating, which relaxes my nerves a bit. Maybe he does just need a little rest.
“You know, ironically, it actually isn’t too bad out this morning. It’s even raining a little.”
“Sounds lovely,” Kye responds.
“How are you feeling?”
“Tired. Weak.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
“Lie with me?”
“That won’t get you too hot?”
“As far as temperature? No.”
I roll my eyes. “Okay, it is early… I am a little sleepy still.” He makes room for me, and I climb in next to him. “How should we…? I mean, your spines…” I nod to his arms. He lies on his back and puts both arms under his head.
“You are safe now,” he smirks.
“Hmm, I don’t know. I think the jury’s still out on that one,” I reply, scooting close to him, using his shoulder as my pillow. He shifts so that my head tumbles onto his chest. “Comfy?” I ask.
“Supremely.”
“You don’t sound very sick…” I say, trying to prop my head up. He reaches for me but hesitates, not wanting to brush me with his pheromones.
“Let’s sleep.”
“Sure,” I agree, but I don’t think I can rest like this. Being pressed up against him has my heart pounding and the space between my legs tingling with anticipation. I’m self-conscious about what kinds of scents he might be reading off of me, but the lights are dim and I can hear the steady trickle of rain outside, so slowly I drift off to sleep.
I wake to the sound of a vacuum… no, a hairdryer? I notice I have my arms and legs coiled around Kye’s warm, but not hot, body. I casually attempt to slowly pull my limbs into a less sexually desperate position but give up on subtlety when I hear him let out a low chuckle.
“I’m not responsible for what I do in my sleep,” I tell him, propping myself up on my elbows.
“You were talking in your sleep, too,” he reveals.
“Liar!” I gasp, horrified at what I might have said.
“To my dismay, you first spoke about Kevin Brady. But I forgave you when you started moaning my name—”
“Oh! You rotten liar,” I smack his stomach. “I should have known, I don’t talk in my sleep.”
“You have been known to moan in your sleep though,” he argues, and I blush.
“What’s that sound?” I ask, changing the subject to the white noise that woke me.
“The rain. It is growing stronger.”
“How are you feeling?”
“A little better.”
I get up and flick on the lamp. “Well, you’re still pink, but I’m glad you’re feeling better. Are you hungry?”
“Yes, and you?” he asks, sitting up in the bed.
“I could eat.”
“There are eggs, nuts, berries…”
“You got any cabbage leaves?” I ask, thinking of making a wrap.
“No. I’m all out.”
“Alright. How do you like your eggs?”
I hard boil us a few eggs over Kye’s wood-burning stove and insist he keep the cool rag on his head as I cook so he doesn’t overheat from the flames. We sit cross legged on the bed as we eat, having a little fruit and some nuts to go along with our eggs. Every time Kye’s cup gets close to empty, I’m sure to top it off, insistent about him drinking as often as possible.
“How do you feel?” he asks me.
“That’s a funny question. You’re the one who’s sick.”
He re-words his original question. “How do you feel about caring for me?”
“Don’t worry about it, Kye. If you ever need anything I’m here for you. What are friends for, right?” I smile a little lamely.
He picks at the apple-sized sweet berry in his hand before he finally sets it aside. I stand to clean up after our meal. I can feel Kye’s eyes on me as I do.
“What?” I ask.
“Don’t you already know?”
I hang my head and sigh. “I said friends Kye.”
“We’ve grown into more than that, have we not?”
“We’ve grown into a real friendship finally; do you really want to jeopardize that?”
“No. No I don’t. What I want is everything, Alessandra. I want your friendship and I want your love.”
I laugh a little hysterically at his choice of words. Not sex. He said he wants my love. “Maybe we should talk about this when you’re feeling better.”
He jumps to his feet, looking fairly healthy, save for his strange coloring. “I want to talk about it now,” he says, bringing his body close to mine.
“What is there to say? You weren’t there for me when I needed it, and you kept life-changing information from me because having sex was a higher priority to you. Those things are like nails in the relationship coffin, Kye. How am I supposed to trust you with my heart after that?”
“I’ve never done this before, Alessandra. I’m learning. You are the one who talks about moving forward. Can we not move forward from where we have been?” His eyes are passionate and his words nearly desperate.
“Never done this before? Kye, you’ve been married a dozen times!”
“But I’ve never loved anyone before I met you, I’ve never needed a woman the way I need you.” He drops to his knees before me and wraps his arms around my waist in an embrace. His face presses into my belly as he pleads, “I have been so afraid of losing you. Everything I have done has been out of fear. But know that I will do anything for you, Alessandra. Just tell me what you want from me. Teach me how you need to be loved. I will learn. I promise, I will learn.”
His words suck the air from my lungs. I want this so bad, but can I trust him? If I’m honest with myself, I’ve felt this chemical attraction to him since the very beginning. The more time I’ve spent with him, the more it has felt like something stronger than attraction. It started long before Elysia… back on the ship, those nights we spent cuddling in his bed, talking about his life and planet. Part of me considered staying with him… or wondering at least if I could really go back to Earth after all that I had seen and been through. But now, after the closeness that we’ve built between us? The idea that this could be love has been playing at the edges of my mind, but I’ve ignored it. Pushed it away. Knowing that he feels the way he does, hearing him say the words to me, pleading on his knees with such sincerity—it’s like the floodgates have been opened and there’s no stopping the waves of emotion that wash over me.
Tears glide down my cheeks and I can’t find the right words. He looks up to see me crying and he’s on his feet, gripping my face, searching me for the answers he seeks.
