21. Terra #2
The green artificial sunlight filtered through layers of purple and pink leaves overhead, mixing with the glow of thousands of flowers and making the entire place seem enchanted.
Alien scents drifted through the air—spices and warm bread and fragrant blossoms and things she couldn’t name.
Everywhere she looked there were couples strolling together, laughing and talking, their children sometimes trailing behind.
For the first time in years, Terra felt completely relaxed. There was nowhere she had to rush to, no bill she was worried about paying. No customer waiting for her to smile and pretend she enjoyed his hands on her body when his touch actually made her skin crawl.
In fact, there were no men bothering her at all–no Jackson criticizing her and no Orlov watching from the shadows.
She was millions of miles from Earth, walking through an impossible forest inside a living spaceship orbiting Mars while a giant Minotaur held her hand and carried groceries for a meal he intended to cook for her.
How had this become her life and why did it feel so good–so impossibly right?
Terra glanced up at Taurex again and this time the big Monstrum caught her looking.
“Are you well, Terra?” he asked in that soft, deep voice of his.
“I’m very well, thank you,” she said. Then, before she could lose her nerve, she added, “In fact, I was just thinking that I’m having a really good time.”
Taurex’s expression softened.
“I am glad.”
“This is the most fun I’ve had in…” Terra tried to remember. “God, I don’t even know how long.”
Something serious entered his golden eyes.
“Then you have not had enough joy in your life.”
The words landed more deeply than she expected, and Terra looked away.
“No,” she admitted softly. “I guess I haven’t.”
Taurex squeezed her hand.
“I want to change that for you–I want to give you joy,” he rumbled.
“You already have!” she protested. “You’re the reason I’m feeling this way.
You gave me a good, secure job and a way to pay my bills without…
without stripping. Now I have enough money in the bank to hire a lawyer if Jackson tries to take the kids away.
And I don’t have to worry about that creepy Viktor Orlov coming after me if I refuse to give him private dances. ”
Taurex frowned.
“Who?”
“Oh…he was this customer who was stalking me–seemed to think he owned me. He actually took pictures of my kids and my house!” Terra shivered. “He’s the reason I finally called you for the job–I realized I was putting my whole family in danger with my dancing.”
His frown deepened and his golden eyes narrowed.
“I didn’t know someone was harassing you. Where does this human male live? Do I need to go and have a conversation with him?”
Terra felt a little jolt of pleasure at the big Monstrum’s protectiveness, but she shook her head.
“No–it’s over now. He’s out of my life. I haven’t heard from him or seen him since I quit The Doll House.”
“Well, if he ever bothers you again–if anyone bothers you–let me know.” Taurex’s deep voice had dropped to a warning growl. “I’ll be sure they understand that you’re under my protection.”
“I am?” Terra looked up at him uncertainly.
He squeezed her hand again.
“Most definitely. No matter what happens, you are safe with me, Terra. I will never let anyone, or anything harm you.”
She felt a rush of pleasure and her cheeks got hot again with a blush.
“Well…thank you. That’s the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me. But why do you care so much about protecting me? I’m just your employee.”
His eyes met hers and she found herself drowning in his golden gaze.
“Terra…you and I both know that you’re not ‘just an employee.’ You’re special and important to me. I hope you understand that.”
Terra bit her lip. The way he was looking at her was so intense it gave her chills–but in a good way.
“I do,” she whispered. “I understand.”
“Good.” Taurex nodded. “Come–we are nearly to the wole station.”
“Have we got everything we need for your stew?” Terra asked, glad to be getting back to a more normal topic of conversation.
She could definitely feel the connection between herself and the big Monstrum, but it was so strong that it almost frightened her.
She needed time to sort out her feelings before she went any deeper.
Taurex nodded.
“We have indeed. I do not need to buy the meat for it–I already have some in my chilling unit.”
“Are you sure you’ve got everything?” Terra teased, wanting to lighten the tone. “There might be another alien vegetable somewhere you haven’t bought yet.”
“I could return for one if you wish,” Taurex said, smiling a little.
She laughed.
“No, I think you’ve got enough to feed an army.”
“I eat considerably more than you do,” he pointed out.
“Yes, I noticed every day at lunch,” Terra said dryly.
Taurex gave her an affronted look.
“I am a large male,” he snorted.
“Yes, very large.”
The words came out more suggestively than Terra intended. Their eyes met and for one charged second, she remembered exactly how large another part of him had felt beneath her in the VIP lounge.
Heat rushed into her face at the memory and Taurex’s nostrils flared.
Terra felt a rush of panic–oh, God. Could he smell her getting turned on?
Probably, whispered a little voice in her head. He’s got Monstrum senses, doesn’t he?
Terra cleared her throat, trying to salvage the situation she said,
“I mean…you know. You’re tall and just…really muscular."
“So I am,” Taurex rumbled, the corners of his mouth twitching with amusement. There was something in his voice that told her he knew exactly what she had been thinking.
Terra looked away quickly.
“So. Dinner,” she said, desperately trying to change the subject.
“Dinner,” he agreed. “Or as we Monstrum call it, ‘Last Meal.’”
Terra nodded.
“Right. So we’re having your famous stew for Last Meal.”
“My g’rnfred stew,” he reminded her.
“And the bread that grows in pods,” Terra said. “What was it again?”
“Fargas bread,” Taurex rumbled.
“Right.” She nodded far too enthusiastically. “I can’t wait–it all sounds so delicious! And of course, you’re going to eat a lot of it because you’re large and that’s normal–I mean, for a guy your size to…to…” She trailed off, realizing she was making it worse.
“Mm-hmm.”
Taurex was definitely trying not to smile as he agreed with her.
Terra pointed at him.
“Don't say anything.”
He shrugged.
“I said nothing.”
“You were thinking it,” she accused.
“Perhaps.”
She narrowed her eyes.
“You know, I liked you better when you were all serious and intimidating.”
“That is untrue,” Taurex said, smiling.
“Well…yes, it is,” Terra admitted.
He laughed softly and squeezed her hand again.
“Don’t worry, lovely one–you don’t have to be concerned about the ‘large’ parts of me. I would never take advantage.”
Terra found herself blushing again, which was so unlike her.
After her time stripping, she’d thought that she had used up all her embarrassment as well as all her modesty.
But being with the big Monstrum made her feel younger somehow–almost innocent.
Maybe it was because he never alluded to her time stripping or thought less of her for doing what she had to in order to survive.
Whatever the reason, she liked how she felt with him and more and more, she was wishing he was more than just her boss, she admitted to herself.