Chapter Six #4
Gideon considered, then sat on the floor, graceful and cross-legged. “This is better for you. Those seats are too tall for a human.”
She had the ridiculous urge to go over and crawl in his lap, to let him cocoon completely around her in warmth and fluffy, velvety fur.
“Okay. So, uh...” She followed Gideon’s lead and started setting pieces in designated spaces, hearing them whir to life in the tiny electronic tracks in the board. “What’d you do today?”
“Study,” he said, taking Knights as she set up the goats.
“Oh, studying wh—” Sasha’s lips sealed over the rest of the question as she remembered.
Studying what? Studying me. Ways to make me feel comfortable, safe... even pleasurable.
Human guys, at least the ones she knew, wouldn’t study. They’d assume they knew everything, and they’d learn as they went, dragging her along with them in their clumsy attempts.
“That was sweet of you,” she finally said.
“Well, thank you. It is my duty, of course. I... I found various pieces of information, from several sources. Some of it conflicted.” Gideon stopped touching the pieces on the board and put his huge paws on the table.
Behind him, Sasha noticed the fluffy tip of his black tail was twitching, little flutters that made her think of nervous gestures.
To imagine that this huge, hulking beast of a being, the one she had literally worried about mauling her, was shy and nervous, instantly gave her sweet, gooey feelings that weren’t supposed to be anywhere near her.
“You can ask me,” she suggested, finding out that Gideon’s worry turned her braver.
“Oh, that would be most helpful,” he let out a relieved sigh. “But not now. When the time is better for you. Let me teach you the rules of the game.”
“NO! NO, NO, OOHHH. Shoot.” Sasha crumpled over in laughter as her last goat was lost to Gideon, almost an hour later. “I thought I was getting better at the end!”
“You were, honestly,” Gideon chuckled, and his paw patted her hand. “You made me work for a victory.”
“Yeah, well, at least that’s something,” she sighed, stretching. “We never did get that tea. Now I’m hungry. Want to see if Kamau will feed us?”
“From what I understand, Kamau will never refuse. We could go to the kitchen, or we could go down to the agricultural bay.” Gideon’s voice dropped. “I hear there are plumcotta and even citrine trees. We could pick the fruit ourselves.”
Sasha’s eyes twinkled up at him. “You’re like a naughty cub who’s planning some mischief, huh?”
Gideon looked bashful. “I thought it would be nice to walk in a garden with you.”
Oh. Oh my ooey-gooey melting center. Sasha bit her lip and realized that there was going to be no denying a crush on a being so handsome and so imposing-looking—who also acted so sweet and timid around her.
“I would love that. And I love that you were thinking of something so sweet. You are like... Not to make you uncomfortable, but you are the sweetest person I’ve ever met, here or on Sapien-Three. ”
“I am?”
“You are. I’m... I’m surprised you were available to help out your boss. I mean, if you were my boyfriend, I wouldn’t let you do this. I’d be too jealous.”
“As I explained, Queens are in short supply—”
“Yeah, but if any Queens knew you, they’d fight over you, and I’d be in there, throwing my puny human elbows against teeth and claws.”
Gideon stared at her, mouth open. “You... You would?”
“Well, yeah. You’re sweet and kind, and you work hard to help people. You’re great company. You’re so handsome.” Sasha knew her cheeks must be glowing like warning lights, bright red. She put her hands to her face and pulled them back in alarm. She was practically feverish. “Is it warm in here?”
“No, but perhaps you are dehydrated. I should have gotten you that tea. Come, we’ll go to the kitchens first, and then see if we may wander in the garden area. I will pick you fresh plumcottas and citrines. They are excellent for your health. Very refreshing.”
No, what’s going to be excellent for my health is to think about anything else. Anything at all but how sweet Gideon is, and how this world is so different, and... And how it could feel like we’re going on dates, and growing attracted to each other.
How this could have been my life, if I’d known about it. A life of meeting someone who would treat me right, someone who was worthy of caring about, and so what if the sex is going to suck? We could have cute little babies, little cubs like Alana and Val, and...
I think the booster is just making me loopy. That’s all.
But it shouldn’t even have kicked in yet. Not all the way.
Sasha froze, looking at the digital display that was mounted in all the common rooms of the ship, seeing the time that had passed.
Six hours. Six hours since I got the first injection. Two of those hours were spent hanging out with Gideon. Is it him or the injection that’s making me feel warm and fuzzy?
“Here, let me help you up.” Gideon extended his paw and helped her out of her oversized chair as if she were already pregnant, puffy, and off balance.
Definitely him.