When She's Wary (Risdaverse, #11)

by Ruby Dixon

This might not be normal, but it’s probably about as close as I’m going to get. It’s my own fault, of course. I don’t trust anyone after being sold and betrayed and sold and betrayed. I was told I was getting my freedom twice before I came here, all so I’d willingly go on a transport without pitching a fit. Instead, I was just sent to another horrible slave owner, each one worse than the last. To say I have trust issues is putting it mildly.

No wonder she has major trust issues

“Jrrru. I’d give you my last name but it’s kind of unpronounceable and doesn’t matter anyhow.” He finishes off the hard bread and then adds, “Want to hear my story?” “No?” But I’m smiling a little inside even as I say it, because I know he’s going to tell me anyhow. I kind of like that I can be absolutely brutal with this guy and he doesn’t take it to heart or get offended. When I met Chelsea, she showed up all bubbly happiness and smiles and it didn’t take long for my scowls to scare her away. It’s not that I’m trying to be unfriendly. Okay, so I am, but I also wouldn’t have minded if she’d tried again to be my friend, just to prove that she really wanted to get to know me. She gave up instead. Which is fine. I don’t need fake friends. I need friends that won’t give up on me.

Kind of.lonely but very untrusting

I’m going to have to come back here, I realize. I want to get to know this female better. I want to see if I’m as affected by her without a hint of noli in my system. And more than anything, I just want to have more of the push-pull conversation with her, because it excites me more than anything has excited me in a long keffing time. Who knew that Risda III would have such a treasure living here?

Tabitha getting to Jrrru but it may be the noli talking

Barlia’s home looks very different from Chelsea’s. The crops look fine, but she has no meat-stock in her barn and the house looks more like a fortress. The windows are covered with metal sheets on the outside, the house surrounded by thick, overgrown bushes and the yard seems to be nothing but turned dirt. Clearly Barlia isn’t a gardening sort, or the type to care what the exterior of her house looks like. I think about the weapons she had lining the walls inside and suspect there’s a story in her past that explains all of this. I also suspect it’s not a pleasant one.

Jrrru is determined to see Tabitha

“Then tell me your name.” “Will you go away if I do?” I incline my head in an almost-nod. I’m lying, though. I don’t plan on going anywhere. Not when she’s being such a hissy kitten. It’s so keffing adorable that I want to grab her and squeeze her against my chest. “Tabitha. Not Tab. Not Tabby. Not Bit or Bitsy. Tabitha. The whole thing.” “And not Barlia,” I agree, practically beaming at her. “Tabitha.” “That’s right. So if you’re going to bother me, at least have the decency to call me by my name.” She lingers in the doorway, eyeing me. “It’s called common courtesy, Jrrru.”

Well he finally got her name ...and a lesson in manners

Chelsea’s scars are on the outside, but I’d wager my longest whisker that Tabitha carries just as many scars on the inside. So I just nod. “It’s hard out there in the galaxy for humans, isn’t it?” When she says nothing, I continue. “If you need someone at your side when you go into town to make you feel safe, I’m happy to volunteer. I’d gladly be your escort.”

Jrrru offering to act as a protector / friend

“You took my gift inside. Did you like it?” I shrug, trying not to think about how many times I sniffed that candle yesterday. “It was a candle.” His expression falls, and the purring stops. “So I did wrong?” “I didn’t say that.” I feel like a jerk now. Like I kicked a puppy…or a kitten. Not that he’s anything like a kitten. The purring returns, and Jrrru grins at me, showing whiskers and that strange cat-like mouth of his. “My offer stands, you know. If you want me to pick up something for you in town, I’m happy to do so.

Jrrru came back to offer his services and to see if Tabitha liked the candle...flirt time ;-)

Tabitha doesn’t trust easily. I knew that when I met her. I’ve known that for the five months I’ve been continuing to show up at her house regularly, knowing that she would never let me past the front porch. I know that we’re not going to talk about much, and we’re sure not going to kiss frantically like my brother and Chelsea do. That we’re still leagues away from that. And strangely enough, I’m all right with waiting. Because right now, I’ve earned a bit of Tabitha’s trust, and that feels bigger than any quick, impromptu kiss. It feels important.

Jrrru wooing at a snail's pace because that's what suits Tabitha

“You haven’t given her the ol’ praxiian special on the doorstep have you?” Have I marked her as mine? Staked out her home as my personal courting territory? “First of all, that’s personal.” “I’m not trying to be a jerk. But you might scare her if she catches you in the act.” The look on her face is full of concern. “That would be considered harassment back home, not a compliment.” I know that. I know enough about humans now that I know Tabitha would be alarmed if I whipped my cock out and started jerking it on her doorstep. I’d probably fall right into her thornbushes, too. The thought makes me bite back a smirk. But Chelsea’s still watching me so I shake my head. “No marking. I promise.” “You think she’s ever going to let you inside her house?” “That’s the hope.” For now, I’m content to wait until Tabitha’s comfortable enough to let me into her life.

No marking of his territory cause Tabitha would surgically remove his member :-0