Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 34527 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 173(@200wpm)___ 138(@250wpm)___ 115(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34527 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 173(@200wpm)___ 138(@250wpm)___ 115(@300wpm)
He immediately scampers back toward the box, chittering his excitement at our new game. “Oh no!”
To my surprise, Sinath is there, blocking the box from Jerry’s return. He keeps his hands over it, eyeballing my pet. “Be nice,” he says to Jerry. “Or you’re going back out to the barn.”
“No he’s not,” I say, laughing. I gather up the garlands and head over to Sinath’s side. “Put those in the box. I want to get a good look at the tree and see if my decorations will work.”
“Yes, boss,” he teases, but takes the garlands from me anyhow.
I move toward the tree, touching the leaves as I consider how to decorate it. It’s a small, sturdy thing, this tree, and doesn’t look anything like a Christmas tree in the slightest, but it’s a tree. I know they’re rare here on Risda. I know how hard it can be to get something like this, and all I can think of is how Liesje is going to smile when she sees it. Tears spring to my eyes and I wipe my cheeks. “This is a tree, all right.”
“Why are you crying?” He sounds confused. Setting the garlands aside in the box, he moves to my side as I examine the greenery. “Did I do badly? It’s a healthy one. I know it’s not dead like you wanted, but I thought it might work.”
He sounds so disappointed, like he’s failed both me and Liesje. Impulsively, I turn and hug him. “You did amazing. Thank you so much.”
Sinath freezes as I touch him, and then a moment later, his arms go around me. He rubs my back, and when he laughs, I feel it rumble through his chest. “I saw the tears and was afraid you were allergic and just being near it was making your eyes water.”
A giggle bubbles up inside me, and I keep hugging him. Gosh, he’s a really nice hugger and he’s the perfect height. He’s not as tall as some of the other mesakkah, and my head rests on his shoulder perfectly. His arms are strong and reassuring, and it’s been a long time since I’ve touched anyone. Up until this moment, I didn’t realize I missed it. Now that I’ve touched him, I don’t want to let him go. He’s warm and friendly and he smells good. I breathe in deeply, my eyes closing when his hand strokes up and down my back.
A moment later, I realize what I’m doing. Oh Jesus. He showed up with a tree and here I am practically flinging myself at an alien from a germaphobic race. “I am so sorry,” I blurt, stepping away from him. “That was out of line. I swear I’ll never do it again.”
“Crying?” he jokes.
I gesture between us. “The hugging. I know mesakkah don’t like touching anything unless it’s sterilized or covered in plas-film. I really am sorry.” His coat is rumpled from my hugging, and I reach out and smooth a wrinkle away, then realize I’m touching him all over again. “Shit. Still sorry.”
Sinath gives me a puzzled look. “You’re fine. Truly. There’s no need to be frightened of me.” That silly light twinkles in his eye. “Remember me? Sin?”
That goofy fucking name. “I’ll call you Sin when you admit that I’m merry.”
“If by merry you mean weeping all over my chest, then yes, you’re quite merry.”
“Ugh, you’re infuriating.”
“So I’ve heard.” He gestures at the tree. “So how does this work? We put your ribbons on it?” Sinath turns and immediately races for the box. “Your rodent is in there again!”
“Oh no.” I snatch Jerry up before he can start chewing on another ornament. I pepper his face with kisses. “That’s not for you, buddy.”
When I look up, Sinath is eyeing me oddly.
“What?” I say defensively, knowing I’ve probably offended his hygiene-loving senses. Jerry is clean, though. I bathed him just this morning.
“Just wondering if I start chewing on things, you’ll do the same to me,” he teases.
“Oh please.” I roll my eyes. I’m not falling for that again. Sinath has made it quite clear how he feels about my mouth. “Let’s just take this stuff over to Liesje, shall we? Can we do it today?”
“If you like.” He’s still smiling, though he’s watching me closely. Maybe too closely.
I set Jerry on the floor and clasp my hands together, delighted. “It’s snowing. We have a tree and presents. I’m so fucking merry that I’m positively giddy right now, Sinath.”
He just grins, his gaze locked on me. “I’m glad.”
Chapter
Seven
SINATH
Oh no.
I think I have a problem.
I might be falling for a human. Devin keeps surprising me, and I can’t stop thinking about her. For someone that hates mesakkah (and me in particular), she’s free with her caresses. I can only imagine what she would be like if she didn’t hate me. She laughs and smiles so much, and I’m obsessed with those smiles. I love hearing her talk. I like the way the snow dances against her tousled mane.