“Tumoro, you can stay in here,” Rensom said, leading the Ugarian to the second bedroom in the building. Boxes and empty cages were stacked high against one wall. Another wall had a fold-down bed similar to the space saving bunks on ships and stations. “It’s a little crowded, but the bed is a standard size, so you should fit. The storage cabinet next to the bed is full of bedding.”
“It’s perfect!” Tumoro assured him, moving to the wall and pulling the bunk down. He froze with his hand reaching for the cabinet. “Wait, where will First Matriarch Han and Elder Zeph sleep?”
“I’m going to take them to the shelter,” Rensom said.
“Uh, shelter?” Han asked. She didn’t like the sound of that. Shelter sounded flimsy, something to protect you from the sun or rain, not like a solid domicile that could protect her from all the animals that might decide a zapper fence wasn’t a big enough deterrent.
“Yes, it’s the yellow-colored outbuilding near the leaper landing field,” Rensom said, leading them back into the main area of the domicile.
She didn’t remember seeing it, but then again, she’d been focused on getting into the domicile, so she hadn’t bothered studying the outbuildings.
“Uh, I’m sure Zeph and I can make ourselves comfy here in the main room,” Han said, looking around and judging how far back she could move the furniture to create space for a bed.
“You could stay here, but the shelter should be more comfortable,” Rensom said.
Han shook her head. “I’d rather be a little uncomfortable than get eaten by something in my sleep.”
Rensom sounded a rumble of amusement. “If that’s your concern, then I can assure you that’s unlikely to happen. The shelter is made to be impregnable. It’s a last line of defense if the zapper fence fails.”
“Impregnable? I like the sound of that!” Han said with a little chuckle.
Rensom sounded another rumble of amusement as he led them outside and to the yellow shelter. It was small and would be a tight fit for two fully grown Talins, but Han’s smaller size made it less of an issue.
It was obviously equipped with an emergency in mind. There were food packs that didn’t require a reconsitutor, an independent power supply, emergency beacon, and far more medical supplies than the average household would bother with.
“Aww, it’s so cute; it reminds me of Zeph’s ship,” Han said, rushing over to flop down on the bed. “Except it’s nicer and newer.”
“She’s an adorable human,” Rensom whispered to Zeph.
“That’s true!” Han called out because she totally heard that whisper. The place was too small for even whispering to be effective.
“And she doesn't have below-average hearing,” Zeph said dryly.
“I know that now,” Rensom said then rushed out the door.
Han sat up on the end of the bed while Zeph remained standing. He looked like he was distracted by something. Whatever was bothering him could wait; she had more important things on her mind.
“I think both of us need some fun time,” she declared, getting up from the bed and crossing to the door.
“Fun time?” he repeated.
“Yup,” she said, slamming her hand down on the door display. There was the satisfying sound of big bolts sliding into place to make the door part of the wall.
With the shelter locked down, she then faced him full of anticipation.
“Strip!” she demanded. “Who knows how long until we get privacy again. We need to take advantage of unexpectedly having a room to ourselves.”
To her delight, Zeph didn’t hesitate. He had his belt off and his pants tossed to the side between one breath and another.
Unlike last time when he’d rushed at her, this time he stood there and let her look her fill. She stepped closer so she could trace the pattern of his keratin plating over his chest, down his abs, and finally to a line across his pelvis. She couldn’t see any genitals, but she knew he had them!
She felt a slight give and looked up to his face. “What’s this?”
“The lip of my mating pouch," he explained, hands fisted at his sides. “When my mating shaft fills with enough blood, it will push the pouch out of the way. Until then, my mating shaft and seed sack are trapped inside.”
“Fascinating,” she murmured, running her fingers back and forth across the seam. “Can you feel that?”
“Yes, but it’s muted.”
