“I don’t know. I don’t remember dreaming before but so much of my memory is gone.” He shrugged apologetically. “Sorry, Mistress. I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
“No, nothing like that.” She shook her head. “You never got violent—you were just thrashing and groaning. Had me worried for a while.” She put a hand on his shoulder. “You need anything?”
K-lx started to say he was fine, but he wasn’t. He had an idea of what he needed…but he knew she wouldn’t give it to him.
“I’m just really thirsty,” he said. “Let me get up and get a drink of water and I’ll try to get back to sleep.”
“Stay here—I’ll get it.”
She left the bed and went into the bathing chamber for a minute. She came back with a big glass of cool water which K-lx gulped thirstily.
Corinne took the empty glass back from him and placed it on the night table beside her.
“There now—feeling better?” she asked.
His throat was still dry but somehow K-lx knew that more water wasn’t going to solve his problem. His eyes kept returning to her full breasts and tight nipples, barely contained by the short, silky robe she still wore.
“I feel better, Mistress,” he said, which wasn’t exactly true, but he didn’t want to bother her anymore. She’d already had a full night taking care of him and here he was, interrupting what little sleep she was going to get. He felt ashamed for disrupting her rest.
Corinne frowned.
“I can tell that’s not true, K-lx.” She tapped her temple, where the Linking star glimmered faintly. “I can tell that you’re not happy and you’re not feeling good. Tell me what would make you feel better.”
“Well…” K’lix shifted and the bed creaked under his weight. He swore under his breath. What he wanted made him feel fucking needy.
“What is it?” Corinne insisted. “I’m ordering you to tell me what you want—what’s going to make you feel more comfortable so we can both get back to sleep?”
The direct order unlocked his tongue.
“What I need is to suck your nipples, Mistress,” he said hoarsely. “And then I want to hold you while we go to sleep.”
“You want to suck my…” She trailed off, frowning at him.
“You ordered me to tell you what I wanted—what I needed,” K-lx growled, frowning at her. “I don’t know why I need that—I only know that my throat feels dry and I’m fucking aching to hold you. That’s all the physical information I can give you right now.”
She shook her head, looking bemused.
“I’ve never dealt with a Unit like you. Very well—you’re not sucking my nipples but I will let you hold me if you think it will help you sleep.”
“I do.” K-lx nodded. “I don’t know why but I feel the need to be close to you, Mistress—very close.”
“All right then. Scoot over some.” She motioned and K-lx scooted closer to the wall. He started to turn on his side again, but Corinne stopped him. “Lie on your back and I’ll lay against your side,” she directed.
Again, K-lx did as she asked. Corinne scooted into bed beside him. He was sure she would probably lay on her side with her back pressed against him. He was surprised when instead of turning away from him, she turned towards him and slipped an arm around his waist. She pillowed her head on his chest and her long, lovely hair spread over his bare torso like silk.
Feeling her soft, curvy body pressed against his own did something to K-lx. It seemed as though having her near him—touching him—somehow slowed the toxic mixture of anxiety, fear, and anger that churned under the surface of his brain. She shut down his worry circuits and, as her sweet scent filled his senses, he felt himself relaxing fully.
“Mmm, thank you, Mistress,” he murmured as he settled an arm around her shoulders and pulled her a little closer. “This is exactly what I needed.”
“So glad it makes you feel better.” Corinne already sounded sleepy again. She nuzzled closer, her full breasts pressing against his side. “Now go back to sleep. We still have to get up in the morning and face breakfast with the crew.”
Then her breathing evened out and she fell back to sleep. K-lx was tired too, but he made an effort to stay awake a little while longer.
He wanted to savor the feeling of the soft, sweet little Elite in his arms and breathe in her scent while he could because he had no idea what tomorrow might bring.
12
CORINNE
