Hinekiri by Shelley Munro

with each step. Her cotton shirt was just as bad, making her skin tingle with each brush of fabric. And her Earth underthings. Hinekiri liked to blend in when she traveled but for once, her silky robes would be useful. No underwear. Very handy .
    She cast a quick glance over her shoulder, intercepting Richard’s hot gaze. Ooh, Killer was right. Richard was looking and appreciating. Hinekiri faltered and stumbled over an exposed tree root. She flew forward, off balance because of the collection of metal parts she carried, but Richard grabbed her around the waist, lifting her upright with ease. A metal rod fell from her grasp and hit the ground.
    “Thanks.” Hinekiri fluttered her eyelashes. “My hero.”
    Richard flushed but didn’t let her go. Instead, he placed the parts he carried on the bare earth at his feet then leaned forward and took an unhurried kiss without seeking permission. Hinekiri melted inside at his forceful manner. A man who took action at the correct moment. Decisive. Hinekiri adored men who were confident. Masculine.
    The future boded well.
    She sighed into his mouth. Their breaths mingled as they rubbed lips. The tips of their tongues touched. Explored. Hinekiri attempted to push the kiss deeper but Richard seemed content to tease and stroke and generally drive her toward madness. Too many clothes. Definitely too many clothes, and the armful of parts weren’t helping when all she wanted to do was rub against his chest.
    A piercing bark sounded right beside them. “Thought you fix ship,” Killed whined in disgust. “You busy swapping spit.”
    Hinekiri pulled away, but it was with acute regret. The dog had a point. “Can we pick up from here later tonight?” Please don’t disappoint me and say no . Hinekiri’s eyes narrowed when he didn’t answer immediately.
    “Have you got one of those silver weapons?” he asked, his gaze fixing on a spot behind her.
    “Purple people eater,” Killer yapped. “Take cover.”
    Hinekiri whirled around. “I don’t have a weapon. Killer, get in behind.” For once, the wee dog followed instructions. She slinked into the ferns growing on the bank and disappeared. The leaves rustled. Hinekiri hoped the Torgon didn’t notice until Killer was in position. They were crafty blighters and this most recent bunch seemed very determined.
    Hinekiri dropped the parts she still carried and stooped to pick up the metal rod. A weapon. She tested the weight in her hands. Light enough but sharp. Perfect. Keeping her gaze on the Torgon, she waited until Killer signaled she was in position.
    “How do we handle this?” Richard murmured. “Do we need a gun?”
    “The metal rod should do the trick. Torgon are a different composition to us. If you pierce their skin hard enough, they either pop or disintegrate into a purple pile and then disappear. Killer’s teeth might do the trick if she grabs hold in just the right way.”
    “Handy to know.” Richard scowled, looking none too happy with the situation. “What about them? Can they hurt us?”
    “Oh yes,” Hinekiri warbled, trying not to think too hard about the damage they could inflict. She’d hate to see Richard injured because of her. “They can kill us.”
    “Great.”
    A bark sounded. The little dog bounded from her hiding place, directly behind the Torgon. Killer distracted the purple alien by grabbing it on the calf, hanging on tenaciously when the creature tried to kick.
    “Now.” Hinekiri threw the metal rod like a spear. It flew true and pierced the Torgon mid chest. “Yes, strike one!” Leaping up and down, she punched her fist in the air, celebrating the hit with exuberance. The alien crumpled but didn’t explode. It gurgled, one click audible in three. “Damn.” Jubilation died. Just as well Janaya wasn’t here to witness her failure. Hinekiri wasn’t ready to be bundled home like a naughty undergrown.
    “I bite again,” Killer barked.
    “Be careful.” Hinekiri had taken a liking to the