Page 26 of Klaz
I burst in just as the main lights came on. Klaz stood at the console, a rare smile on his face.
“You did it!” I exclaimed, rushing towards him.
Without thinking, I threw my arms around him in a hug. We stood there, bodies pressed close. I felt the heat of him, heard the quickening of his breath.
Klaz cleared his throat and stepped back. “We should check the entire station for potential threats.”
I nodded, trying to ignore the disappointment that welled up inside me. “Right. I’ll gather supplies – I saw a medical bay earlier.”
But there wasn’t much to be found.
The station looked like it had been cleared out when it was abandoned, leaving little behind. Wrenching open yet another twisted locker revealed a heavy winter coat. Maybe when the miners left, they didn’t need such things, too bulky to pack.
There were several more inside, and I grabbed them all. But as I held one up, doubt crept in. Would any of these fit Klaz’sbroad frame? I bit my lip, hoping at least one might stretch enough to accommodate him.
As night fell outside, we reconvened in a room near the center of the complex. It was defensible, with only one entrance and thick walls.
I busied myself arranging our supplies, trying to create some semblance of comfort in the sterile space. Out of the corner of my eye, I watched Klaz as he secured the perimeter. His movements were precise, economical. The actions of a trained soldier.
Finally, we sat down to a meal of rehydrated rations. The food was bland, but it was hot, and after our hike through the cold, it tasted like a feast.
As we ate, I was keenly aware of Klaz’s proximity in the small room. The air felt charged, electric. Every time he moved, I felt my skin tingle.
I cleared my throat, desperate to break the silence. “So, um, how long do you think we should stay here?”
Klaz considered briefly. “At least until the storm passes. We need to rest, heal, and plan our next move.”
I nodded, then blurted out, “About that kiss...”
Klaz stiffened, his expression guarded. “What about it?”
“I just... I can’t stop thinking about it,” I admitted, my cheeks burning.
In Klaz’s eyes I saw a flicker of something – desire? longing? – before he looked away.
“It was a mistake,” he said gruffly. “We were caught up in the moment. It won’t happen again.”
His words stung, but I pushed on. “Was it really a mistake? Because I don’t think it was.”
Klaz’s jaw clenched. “Cinta, we can’t... I’m not... This isn’t a good idea.”
“Why not?” I challenged, moving closer to him. “Give me one good reason.”
He stood abruptly, putting distance between us. “Because I’m dangerous. I’ve done things... terrible things. You don’t know me, not really.”
“Then let me know you,” I said softly. “I’m not some delicate flower, Klaz. I’ve seen my share of darkness too.”
The sting of Klaz’s earlier rejection still lingered in the air, mingling with the scent of rehydrated rations and the distant hum of the station’s reawakened systems.
I watched him, his broad back turned to me as he secured the room, his every movement a testament to his strength and discipline. The weight of our isolation pressed in on me, intensifying the connection that crackled between us, a live wire threatening to ignite.
I approached him slowly, each step deliberate, a silent challenge to the resolve he’d armored himself with. “Klaz,” I whispered.
He turned to face me, the red of his eyes reflecting the dim light of our sanctuary. The air grew thick, charged with an energy that was undeniable. I reached out, my fingers ghosting over the sharp angles of his cheekbones, tracing the dark green markings that adorned his gray skin.
“Cinta,” he warned, but his voice was husky, betraying his struggle for control.
I stood on my tiptoes until my lips found his, tentative at first, testing the boundaries of this desire. His response was immediate, a growl rumbling deep in his chest as he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me flush against him.