Page 15 of Solan

“What about romance?” Vegas asked.

“The dead flowers option?”

She sighed and shook her head. “No, this has nothing to do with giving a woman flowers. We could try some basics if you insist on a practical demonstration. Something safe for both of us.”

“What are the basics?”

“Do you hold hands with a female companion?”

“I hold the hand of an injured comrade,” Solan said. “Someone who is close to death. Often they appreciate knowing they are not alone.”

“Not that kind of hand holding,” Vegas said. “This is to show you care. It’s something you do with your female companion.”

“I have never done that.” The idea appealed to him, touching the soft flesh of a human.

“Try it now.” She walked closer, her hand outstretched. “Take hold of my hand.”

Solan’s brow wrinkled. Her hand bones were tiny. He would need to be careful not to crush her. He reached out and engulfed her hand in his. “Like this?”

A hesitant smile crossed her face. “Not quite like that. Link your fingers between mine.”

Solan dropped her hand and tried again. Her fingers fit between his perfectly.

“Not so hard,” Vegas said.

“My apologies.” Solan relaxed his grip. “Is that better?”

“That’s not bad.” Her fingers curled around his. Her hand was warm and soft.

“Now what?”

“Now nothing,” Vegas said. “Couples hold hands all the time. They might do it when they’re walking side by side. They could do it when they’re sitting together. It’s a way of showing you like the person. It will be a nice thing to do with your female match.”

“Her hand will feel the same as yours?”

“I imagine so,” Vegas said. “One woman’s hand is similar to another’s.”

Solan wasn’t certain. He could pick up the faint trace of Vegas’s heartbeat as her wrist touched his. It was racing faster than it should. “Are you unwell?”

She shook her head. “No. I feel fine. Why do you ask?”

“Your heart is pounding. You might like to see a doctor about that.”

She yanked her hand away and rubbed her palm on her thigh. “That’s enough of that. There’s nothing wrong with my heart.”

“You might be sick. Your color is up as well.” Although Vegas was stubborn, Solan didn’t like to think of her becoming ill.

“Let’s skip the hand holding part.”

“Very well. What else do couples do?”

Vegas looked around the room. “Well, they play with each other’s hair.”

“That sounds annoying.” Solan’s hand went to his long, dark braid. “I would not enjoy that.”

“It’s a nice sensation,” Vegas said. “I like it when a man runs his hands through my hair.”

He regarded her short chocolate-tinged hair. The color intrigued him. All females on his planet had the same black color, just like their male counterparts. They wore it in a braid tied off their faces, so it wouldn’t get in the way during battle. “Might I touch your hair?”