Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82030 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82030 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
“No! Absolutely not.” Was he teasing her, she wondered?
Maybe so, because his lips curved faintly, as though he found her embarrassment amusing.
They moved on and paused at a jewelry stall glittering with delicate, intricate pieces. Necklaces of liquid silver, bracelets that coiled like vines, and earrings like little spirals of crystal were laid out on deep blue velvet cloths.
Lexi’s eyes were drawn at once to a pendant on a silver chain—it had a glowing green stone the exact color of her eyes set in silver. She lingered on it, aching to touch it, imagining it against her skin. It was the most beautiful thing—so exotic and obviously alien yet delicate and perfectly formed. It would make a lovely keepsake of her time here.
“Do you like that one?” Brandt’s deep voice asked softly. “Do you have enough to buy it?” He had given her some money to go shopping with, but when she added it up in her head, Lexi knew she didn’t even have half the price of the necklace.
She shook her head.
“No, but it’s okay. We should move on.”
His golden gaze lingered, unreadable. Then he nodded once and turned away.
Her heart sank stupidly. She’d been hoping he might get it for her, but of course that wasn’t going to happen.
Why would he buy you jewelry, Lexi? You’re not his girlfriend. You’re his dairy cow with legs. Pull it together, she lectured herself and hurried to catch up with him.
They wandered on until they reached the center of the market where a huge crowd was gathered around an open court. Tall interlocking hoops hung suspended in the air, glowing faintly. Brightly colored balls zipped back and forth, caught and thrown by Terian athletes moving in dizzying coordination.
The crowd roared as one player leapt, spinning in midair to hurl two balls through opposite hoops at once.
“It’s called ‘Hoop-Dance,’” T’linga explained—she and Dr. TOo-loo were watching with rapt attention. “It’s our national sport—very popular.”
Dr. TOo-loo’s four eyes gleamed.
“Brandt, come—let us watch. The intricacies of the game may surprise you.”
Lexi wasn’t very interested—she’d never been much for sports. So she was glad when T’linga smiled at her and said,
“Why don’t we split up? The men can enjoy the match, and we’ll go shopping.”
“Sounds perfect,” she agreed. Anything to get out of watching sports—especially a sport she didn’t even understand, which would probably be twice as boring.
She caught Brandt’s eye as T’linga tugged her away. For a moment, his gaze lingered on her, half protective/half worried, as though he wasn’t sure he wanted to let her go. Finally, though, he nodded.
“Be careful, Alexandra. Be sure you and T’linga stay together.”
“We’ll be fine,” Lexi said dismissively. Then she turned and followed T’linga down a row of stalls that appeared to be dedicated to women’s goods. As the roar of the crowd faded, she took a deep breath.
Finally—some freedom.
Now she could really explore. But what she saw wasn’t promising. Everywhere she looked were garments for four-breasted women—lavish corsets…jeweled bras…shimmering breast wraps—all made for four-breasts. Which made sense, considering the Terian physiology. She touched one sparkly four-breasted wrap regretfully, shaking her head.
“Guess they don’t make anything in a two-breast size.”
T’linga smiled encouragingly.
“You’d be surprised what some designers can do. All you have to do is ask.”
“Maybe I will.” Lexi sighed. “But Dr. Brandt is afraid I’ll ‘hinder my nectar production’ if I wear anything too thick.” She nodded down at the wispy, barely-there piece of gauze wrapped lightly around her breasts. It still made her feel vulnerable to be on display like this.
“Ah yes—when you first start getting milked, your breasts are very sensitive,” T’linga said sympathetically. “They cannot be constricted in any way.
“I guess so.” Lexi sighed and turned away from a stall. As she did, she noticed a group of women at the far end of the row. All of them wore breast coverings in shades of green. Suddenly she realized she hadn’t seen anyone else in the market wearing green all day. Every other color, yes—reds, purples, pinks, blues, and golds—but never any shade green. Weird.
“Over here!” T’linga’s excited voice broke into her musings. The alien woman pulled Lexi across to a massive stall hung with colorful coverings. “This merchant has the lightest fabrics—guaranteed not to hinder nectar production. Dr. Brandt can’t possibly object.”
Lexi’s relief was instant. At last, she could cover herself. She wandered deeper into the stall, quickly separated from T’linga by the sheer size of the place.
A Terian merchant approached, his four eyes zeroing in on her chest. “Magnificent,” he breathed. “So full, so lush. You will be our finest customer.”
Lexi folded her arms over herself, flushing. Great. Apparently it’s a cultural norm to openly admire a woman’s boobs here. Lucky me.
“I’m looking for a breast covering for someone with only two breasts—not four,” she told him. “Er, something light enough not to hinder nectar production.”