Chapter 37

He turned the water off and without bothering to think of it, wrapped his arms around her slick frame-her soft skin, damp and pliant-as he guided her from the stall. He reached for a towel and draped it over her shoulders before moving away at last. She tucked the white cloth around her snugly, eyeing it with interest.

"It is so white," she observed.

"Yes." Like her skin, which cleansed of the filth appeared like the palest of marble with a grey hue probably because of the lack of sunlight on the asteroid.

"Are you not afraid it will get dirty?"

He shrugged. "It is what cleaning machines are for. And if it becomes too stained, then we replace it." Aware of how his soaked uniform dripped on the floor, he stripped the top off and grabbed a towel, rubbing his chest vigorously before noting her rounded eyes which stared at him.

"What?"

"Your chest."

He looked down and saw nothing amiss.

"What of it?"