Jasmin/The Alien's Liar part 9

a/n: Tomorrow's update: The Captain

JASMIN

Aldrek is very interested in Beauty and the Beast. He asks many questions, like if we have talking teacups and pots on Earth, like in the story. I’ve never met a man like him. He’s fierce and wise beyond his years, but there’s a subtle innocence to him, too. He probably hasn’t explored many relationships since he’s been isolated for so long.

I yawn until I can’t keep my eyes open and fall asleep. When I awake, I smile. Aldrek is on the other side of the bed, his hand covering mine. I try to tug my hand free, but he wakes up and realizes our connection.

“Female…”

His voice makes a flash of heat go through my body. It’s thick and smoky, befitting of a dragon. A filthy thought strikes me. What would it be like if he breathed hot air between my thighs?

The very thought makes me squeeze my thighs together and goosebumps to erupt through me.

“I told you to quit clinging to me,” he grumbles and pulls his hand away.

I smile. He’s playing the victim again, although it’s my hand that’s pinned down by his. Clearly, he’s the one that seeks me out while I sleep.

His eyes fall to my arms. “What are those bumps on your skin? Are you sick?”

“What, dragons don’t get goosebumps? These appear when a human is cold or overly-sensitized.”

Thinking that I’m cold, he pulls the covers up to my neck. His very concern is enough to warm me.

“Are you warm now?”

His hand skims down my arm, accidentally stroking the side of my breast. The goosebumps instantly return.

I clear my throat. “Yes.”

What is happening to me? On Earth, I was attracted to the occasional men that I spotted walking around the slums. Men that were hardworking, kind, and respectful. Growing up in a saloon, I was always surrounded by sex. I have a complicated relationship with it, and that’s why when I had eyes on a man, I only craved companionship.

With Aldrek, it’s different. He’s built to be wanted. There are no men like him back at home. Not with those arms and that mouth of his, and that’s why I can’t help being enthralled. What are the limits of his strength? How can those hard, muscled arms possibly hold a woman tenderly?

There’s his demeanor, too. An adamant, confident power that burns in his eyes. Although he has his troubles, he doesn’t let them fog his strength. He knows what he’s capable of, and his status at the top of the food chain.

The men on Earth don’t have that confidence. Not when our world is so unstable and the future uncertain. Aldrek lives like us– in his rundown, tiny cabin, and his constant need to hunt for food, but he can handle the stress of survival like no other man could.

He rolls off the bed, and like yesterday, I wait a few before following. I clean up in the bathroom and join him for breakfast. His eyes find the leak on the roof and scan the cabin for other things he has to do.

“You know, I can help you with cleaning and stuff.”

“No,” he replies. “I enjoy having something to do. Keeps my mind off things.” He stares at the corner pile of bottles, that I can only assume were filled with alcohol.

Is he a heavy drinker? I’m not the biggest fan of alcohol. In the saloon, it gave customers a boost of confidence and of meanness. The working girls didn’t only apply makeup to enhance their beauty, but to hide bruises, too.

“I will be gone for longer today. I’m going to town.”

“Okay. Will you bring an umbrella or something?”

He doesn’t reply, and I remember how uncomfortable he gets when I show concern. It only makes me worry more.

He leaves shirtless and barefoot, and I have to bite my tongue to keep from commenting on the rain. I don’t want to stress him further.

When he returns hours later, he carries a basket. There are three glass bottles of alcohol, small spices, a wrapped book, bread, and an item I don’t recognize.

He leaves to change his wet pants and returns minutes later. “Here.” He unwraps the book from the plastic cover and hands it to me.

“What is this?”

He doesn’t look at me as he replies. “Tales about our gods, transcribed in your language.”

I smile. He thinks I’ve introduced him to my culture’s gods and wants to return the favor. English must be rare in these parts, so he probably had to pay a pretty penny to have it transcribed.

“Thank you, Aldrek.”

He mutters under his breath and hands me the contraption I don’t recognize. It’s small and has a wheel attached to the side.

“What… is this device?”

“The merchant woman said females your age enjoy this. Said it’s used to make lip-tint. I don’t know. Throw it out if you don’t want it, or use it. I don’t care.” He frowns, as if regretting the purchase.

I’m not one to use makeup, but it’s thoughtful of him to want to keep me busy.

“Thanks. I will try it. Maybe we can wear matching lip tint?”

His chuckle surprises me.

I watch him set the rest of the items aside, occasionally wiping his wet forehead. My eyes can’t help following the beads of water that fall from his hair down his back, twisting and turning at every muscle and contour.

He faces me. “Well? Start reading.”

I flip the book open and read the first few sentences before he interrupts me again.

“Read out loud.”

“Why?”

He rolls his shoulders. “So that I can…” he hesitates and points to the book. “See if you’re literate enough to read it.”

He’s bullshitting. Clearly, someone grew fond of my voice.

As I read the first page, he cracks open a bottle.

I pause, and he tenses. “Why are you stopping? I have not made my conclusion yet. Keep going.”

I laugh and continue reading to appease the grump.

He takes a sip of his drink, staring so intently at me that I can’t don’t dare to look up from the book.

When he shoots up drom his chair and drops a bottle on the floor, I hold the book against my chest in fright. Did I butcher a word and offend him?

His wide eyes are locked on the door.

There’s a loud knock. “Aldrek?” a man calls from the outside.

The entire cabin shakes when Aldrek roars something in his native tongue. Words I don’t understand. He steps on the glass as he stomps toward the door.

He opens the door and slams it behind him, blocking me from sight as he booms at the stranger outside. There’s a scuffle and a loud splash, and I anxiously shift my feet, wanting to go outside.

Aldrek returns after a minute, his pants muddied and the rest of him soaking wet. No amount of water seems to evaporate his anger.

I don’t know why people won’t leave me alone! Keep intruding!” He breathes heavily. “First Crux haunts me with his letters and presence, and then yo…” he locks his eyes on me, and stops, because he realizes what he was about to say.

He doesn’t want me here.

With a shout, he stomps into the bathroom, digging the glass at the bottom of his bloody foot deeper in.

I grip the book tighter, seeking comfort. His words hurt me. I’m unwanted here; an intruder, but Aldrek isn’t to blame. I’ve lied to him, and I fear how he’ll react when he finds out I’ve conspired with Myra and Crux.

I set the book down. He has tried to make me more comfortable here, but today, this stranger reminded us that I’m not here to stay. Eventually, I’m going to be tossed out in the rain.

a/n: Tomorrow's update: The Captain

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