The Men on Mars by Shara Lanel
Author:Shara Lanel
Format: epub
Chapter Six
âWe see some things the same,â I said cautiously. Though other than sex, I couldnât think of what those things were.
Then I remembered.
I remembered all those times when we were working together that weâd laughed at the same jokes or shared our odd sense of humor about bits on the daily News Bulletin. Heâd never told a soul about catching me in a ménage with the moon people, and more importantly, heâd never told a soul why Iâd been exiled from Earth. In other words, I knew I could trust him ... even more than I trusted myself.
âTime to take a shower,â I said, standing quickly.
Freddy winked at me, whatever the hell that meant. I decided that post-shower, Iâd find Tracha and chat her up for a couple hours.
* * * * *
âJu, I really donât need your advice on this.â Nate scratched his chest and wandered to the other side of his cabin to look out the porthole. Two weeks had passed since the flight-deck sex. Since then heâd gotten as close to Helena as he could, talking to her, joking with her, trying to break through her shell. Annoyingly enough, Freddy had been doing the same. Sheâd been loosening up, smiling more, and sheâd been spending more and more time in Nateâs bunk with the hatch door securely locked.
âShe flirts with Freddy, you know.â The Neptunian stirred her drink and pouted.
âI thought you were going hot and heavy with Daed.â
She smiled. âSuch a yummy man.â
âThen why do you insist on egging me about Helena?â
âIâm still your friend, no matter who I sleep with. Iâm worried your heartâs up for grabs and sheâs going to thrash it to pieces.â
âGreat visual.â Scowling, Nate picked up his drink from the magnetic tabletop. âIâm a grown man and fully capable of handling my heart, thank you.â
Ju sighed and changed the subject. âSo tell me about Space Station Kwan.â They were stopping there the next day to refuel and give everyone a change of scenery. The station was held in Earthâs outermost orbit, beyond the moon, which meant the trip was about halfway done. Halfway there, and Helena still seemed distant after every lovemaking session. Heâd invited her to dinner in his cabin with flowers and soft Earth music. Sheâd laughed and chatted with him, but the wall was still there. What the hell would he have to do to break it down? And even if he could break it down, would she change her mind about staying on Earth?
âKwan is a fun place,â he said. âPlenty of vices available. Gambling, drugs that Iâve never even tried, peep shows for every alien. Iâd think youâd enjoy the techno clubs. Lots of species to dance with.â
Someone banged on the hatch. âJu!â
Nate observed his friendâs eyes as they changed to dreamy lavender at the sound of Daedâs voice. He was a good guy. Maybe heâd succeed in taming her. Nate was just glad that job was off his hands. Heâd had a private conversation with the mechanic yesterday, telling him to keep an eye on Ju on the space station.
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