Lara
“Lara? Lara! Is that you?”
My heart leaped at the sound of her voice.
No way! It just wasn’t possible. Still snuggled against Roark’s chest, I slowly lifted my head. Cami stood next to another red alien, who had his arm around her shoulder.
“Oh, my God! Lara!” she squealed, and rushed over to my side.
Tears flooded my eyes, but I couldn’t make a sound. Overwhelmed by emotions—Roark’s confusion, my disbelief, happiness… Everything flooded my body and my chin quivered.
“Cami?”
“Yeah!” My eyes roamed her length and she looked…happy. Nothing like my emotional mess.
“I can’t believe you’re here!” Tears pooled till they overflowed down my cheeks. Roark hugged me tighter against his chest.
Cami’s face dropped. “I know this is a lot to take in. Go take a shower, get some rest and then we can talk. We have plenty of time to catch up.”
Do not cry, ji’si’.
I buried my head against his chest, still overwhelmed. Everything I had experienced, all the worry…it all came pouring out at once, and I couldn’t make it stop.
Roark started walking, but I was too emotionally drained to care. If Cami was here, and apparently happy, I could release all of my reservations. My tears finally slowed, then eventually stopped. I sniffed hard and rubbed the moisture from my face.
I need to set you down for a moment.
Standing slightly unsteady on my feet, I grabbed Roark’s arm and felt warm pulses wash over my body.
What is this?
It is a sonic shower. It will make you feel better.
My mood lightened and it had nothing to do with the shower. Feeling a little silly after crying like a baby, I tried a little humor.
And not stink up your ship.
I do not care about that, ji’si.
Please stop calling me that. For all I know, you’re saying I’m a dog.
Dog?
Never mind.
When the sonic shower finished, the light flashed off and Roark scooped me up again. Sparks zipped from my body to his, my core clenched from some weird desire that flowed through me.
We entered another room, and as he laid me down on a comfortable bed, I almost groaned in delight.
You rest. When you awaken, we will talk.
He straightened to full height and I fought the urge to grab his arm, begging him to stay with me. A strange feeling washed over me. Notably, the red color bothered me since it brought his alien-ness to the forefront, never letting me forget that I had landed on another freaking planet. And yet…he made me feel safe and cared for.
Thank you for rescuing me.
He nodded. Rest well.