“I’m really sorry about this. I mean, it wasn’t meant to happen. I…I am in a lot of trouble aren’t I?”
Zelron gestured towards the bunk and moved away, as far as he could to allow her space. She moved over and sat down. “I heard on the news Kelons are friendly. I’m sorry for what they did to you.”
He cocked his head and crouched down so as not to tower above her, but also to keep himself in check, not crossing the small distance between them to touch her. He’d spent countless hours remembering and teaching himself to speak human words. Now, it was time to put his learning into practice. It was a struggle as their languages were so different, but it also kept him from going completely insane.
“Do not be sorry, you are not to blame. Human males are to blame. Why…you come down here?”
She sat down, her white legs poking out from the blanket. He forced his gaze up to her face.
“I’m an electrician, ah, um, worker. I fix broken power circuits, install switches, stuff like that—” She paused and he nodded his understanding of her words, but not the reasons why.
“They make you do this work?”
“Well, yes. They offered me a lot of money to come here.”
He growled and fought to keep the simmering rage under control. How dare they use a female like this?
Her eyes widened and he saw the fear in them and, he did not want her to be afraid.
“Not good, they make you work, you are female. Females should be protected and at home. Do they make many females work?”
She blinked at him, her fear melting into confusion, then wonder. So many expressions he read on her face. “Um, yes, but I think you misunderstand. I don’t know what it’s like on your planet, but here on Earth, we females like to hold down jobs; we like to work and earn money. It is our choice.”
They do? Zelron shook his head, confused by the notion. Earth indeed was a strange planet. “Who protects? Do your males follow you to your jobs? To protect you?”
A small smile cracked the corner of her lips. “Many of us look after ourselves. Women don’t need men to protect them on Earth. I’m beginning to think our cultures are very different.”
Yes, he was realizing the same thing, but as confusing and disturbing as the notion was that many females chose to be unprotected, the fact still remained, they worked. She needed him here and now to protect her.
Claim her. No!
“Up there. You have no male? No father, brother?”
The corner of her lips fell and her eyes watered, before drawing in a deep breath. “No, not anymore. I guess I’m kind of alone. My father died a few months ago, and I took over running the family business.”
She glanced around the cell, her gaze coming back to meet his. “I guess right now, none of that matters. I stumbled into this mess, but no way in hell I’m giving up yet. We’ll get out. Do you…do you know what they are going to do with us?”
Us. The word hung heavy in the air for a long moment.
“Above you are alone, but here with me, I will protect, you are not alone.”
“Thank you for sticking your neck out for me; you didn’t have to protect me like that.”
How wrong she was, but he did not want to confuse or upset her. He assumed the duty of her protector. Why? Something about her called to a deeper, more primal part of him, something he struggled to deny. He frowned at the emotions assaulting him.
She blinked at him. Despite himself, he crept forward. A little, pale hand peeked out where she gripped the blanket around her delectable body. He reached out and put his hand on hers. The warmth and softness of her skin sank through to his arm. His body hardened further from the simple contact. It was a long time since he’d touched anyone.
I want her. No, I must control myself.
He met her gaze, moving even closer to her, crouched down as low as he could, so that they were almost the same height with her sitting on the bunk. The folds of the blanket parted and she reached out and touched the scarred side of his face. “What did they do to you?” Zelron jerked back in surprise. No one willingly touched him, not since he had obtained the scars so long ago, during a battle with a Xerson raiding party.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend or hurt you.” Her hand disappeared under the blanket again and she nibbled on her lush, lower lip.
“No, not hurt, this…” He gestured to the ugly, scarred side of his face. “…old. It comes from the war, from an old fight.”
Her delicate, brown brows knitted together, her lips pursed in a frown. “So, those men didn’t give you the scars, but is it why he called you a beast?”
He nodded.