Page 49 of Alien's Heart
“I infected this field with a fungus a week ago,” she said, solving the mystery. “This crop is resistant. It works. We did it! Two years’ worth of work and we did it.” She clutched the stalk to her chest and bounced on her toes.
Joy beamed out of her, brighter than summer sunshine. Pride swelled in his chest. She turned her research and ideas into reality, planting years of work into a vibrant field of golden grain. Her work solved a problem and would feed people.
“My clever mate,” he said, scooping her into an embrace. She smelled of freshly turned dirt. “We should celebrate.”
“That sounds fantastic. Let’s go dancing.”
ChapterFifteen
Ruth
“What do you think?”Ruth held her arms out from her side and spun. The blue and white checked dress twirled around her, the fabric giving a satisfying swish.
“What is this?” Nox entered the bedroom.
“I bought it on impulse,” she said, smoothing down the front. Doubt filled her. The crisp cotton fabric was unforgiving on wrinkles. The bodice fit too tight, and the skirt was too short when considering her rump. Dancing meant twirling, and twirling meant flashing her panties. “I’ll go change.”
“Do not.” Nox grabbed her around the waist and pulled her to him. Nuzzling the side of her face, he said, “You misunderstand me. I like this garment.”
“Oh, do you?”
He made the happy, rumbly noise that nearly sounded like a purr, just more menacing.
His tail skimmed up the back of her legs, disappearing under the dress’s skirt.
“You look rather dashing yourself,” she said. He wore dark green linen trousers that fit him perfectly and a cream linen shirt. Taken with his perpetually tousled hair, the cocky grin, and the bedroom eyes, the overall effect was a debauched rockstar on a tropical holiday and she was a-okay with that.
“Do we have reservations?” he asked, walking her backward toward the bed.
“No, it’s not that kind of place. Just show up when you show up.” Her fingers played over his shirt buttons.
“Then no one will protest if we’re thirty minutes late.”
They were an hour late.
* * *
The pavilionin the town square was an open-air market by day. During the summer, it became the place for live music and dancing at night on the weekends. It was a massive town-wide party, not that Ruth had ever seen it for herself. She saw the flyers stapled to the community notice boards.
Ruth heard the party long before she saw it. Parked a block over, she and Nox made their way down the quiet and dark street. They turned a corner and wandered into a carnival. At least it felt that way to Ruth.
Lights were strung across the square from the trees. The pavilion blazed with lights and teeming with people. Stands selling food and beverages flanked either side of the pavilion. Lively music and raucous laughter filled the air.
“It’s wonderful,” Ruth said.
“This has a certain quaint country charm.”
Ruth laughed at his haughty tone. “I suppose you’re used to dark clubs filled with strippers, drugs, and orgies.”
His tail swayed in amusement. “It’s not half as interesting as what you’re imagining.”
The song faded and a new one started. Ruth recognized the tune and tugged on Nox’s hand. “Come on. You promised me dancing.”
Nox
Ruth was not the most graceful of dancers. Her tail didn’t know what her feet were doing, to put it politely. Regardless, she danced with enthusiasm. She was a joy to watch. The short length of her dress and the flashes of her thigh were pleasant bonuses.
Joy was an emotion he associated with Ruth more and more. Her smile brought joy to his heart. Her laughter was bubbling, infectious joy. Listening to the excitement in her voice when she launched into a technical explanation was a joy and delight. Worshiping her body was a divine joy. Waking in the mornings with her curled against his side was a soft, gentle joy, the kind he never expected to have for his own. Nothing about his life had been particularly soft or gentle. Or joyous, for that matter.
