“Oh. Well, then.”
It made sense when Hannah thought about it. Of course a star faring civilization would be advanced beyond her understanding. It was just that she was so out of her element, and sharing this rather small space with a distractingly handsome alien didn’t help.
They finished their meals in silence. Hannah could feel Sa’Zhan watching her, but she avoided eye contact. So many conflicting emotions were raging through her, and she couldn’t handle any more.
She also had about a thousand questions, but she didn’t know whether he would or could answer them to her satisfaction. She’d never been so uncomfortable, so out of place, her entire life. Things back home seemed so simple now. How ridiculous her concerns had been!
Hannah got up, meaning to go back to her crew cabin and take a shower. Maybe that would help clear her head. Before she could leave, Sa’Zhan stood and put a hand on her arm.
“Please wait,” he said. “I would like to show you something.”
His grip on her arm was assured but gentle. Hannah felt her heartbeat speed up at his touch. In that moment, her confusion fell away and she realized she’d follow Sa’Zhan wherever he wanted to take her.
He led the way out of the galley and turned right. She hadn’t been to this part of the ship before. They passed a couple more crew cabins, and a question occurred to Hannah.
“If you’re the only person on this ship, why are there so many bedrooms?”
“The ship has a capacity of eight,” Sa’Zhan said.
“On some research missions, there will be a full crew. In this case, that was not necessary.”
They continued onward. At one point, Hannah noticed a door on the right marked “Bridge.”
Now there was a place she’d like to see. The command center, the heart of the ship.
A few feet further on, Sa’Zhan stopped before a different door. This one was marked “Main Cabin.”
The doorway whooshed open, and Sa’Zhan stood to one side, indicating that Hannah should enter. She did so, very aware of the nearness of his body as she passed by him.
The room on the other side of the door was different from any she had seen so far. While it was also circular and shiny, it was quite a bit bigger than the regular crew cabins, and there was an actual bed, not just a sleeping alcove.
There was also what appeared to be a large view screen on one wall, with an array of colored buttons and controls on the surface just below it.
“This is my cabin,” Sa’Zhan said.
“Or perhaps I should say our cabin. It will no longer be necessary for you to have a separate space. You will become my mate tonight, and we will be together here.”
“Um, no,” Hannah said.
This was all happening too fast. She turned for the doorway, but it did not open. “Let me out of here,” she said.
“Do not be ridiculous,” Sa’Zhan said.
He gripped her wrist and pulled her over to the bed. He was much too strong for her to resist, but she tried anyway.
“I said no.” Hannah struggled against his grasp.
At last, he released her and looked at her with consternation.
“I do not understand. It is time for us to be together. It is customary among my people for soulmates to do so.”
“For starters, I’m not one of your people,” Hannah said.
“I don’t just hop into bed with someone because they’ve got some kind of mating urge.”
Part of her did want to hop into bed with this striking alien, though. And Sa’Zhan seemed to sense her uncertainty, because rather than backing off, he boldly stepped forward, wrapping his arms around her waist and kissing her.
His lips melted into hers, hot and passionate, and for a moment, she almost gave in. She felt him, big and hard against her thigh, and nearly swooned into bed.
Then rational thought returned, snapping her back to reality. Her hormones were running wild, but she couldn’t allow them to rule her. She put her hands against his firm, muscular chest and pulled her face away from his.
Sa’Zhan let go of her, confusion evident on his face. He was clearly not used to taking “no” for an answer.
“This is most unusual,” he said.
“Well, I’m sorry about that,” Hannah said.
“But I don’t feel whatever it is you say you feel for me. I’m not experiencing some kind of telepathic bond with you.”
“Hm. I believe I am beginning to comprehend the problem. You do not feel love for me as I feel for you. The mating will be suspended until you are ready.”
Well, Hannah thought, that’s a relief. Although Sa’Zhan seemed pretty sure the “mating” would take place no matter what.
The idea was exciting to her, but she couldn’t decide something like that right away. How long would he be willing to wait?
Chapter 4
Hannah returned to her room, unsure what the next few days would bring. One thing she did know was that she needed a shower. She went into the bathroom and took off her clothes.