And he cursed himself, because he didn't either.
He’d let his self-control snap, allowed himself to believe the lie that he was just proving a point, and now he couldn’t bring himself to let go. To step back. He squeezed her wrists, and her back bowed up. Arching into him. Her heated cunt rubbed against his thigh. And it wasn’t an attempt to get away this time. There was no sense of rejection he could use to justify to himself why he should let her go. He could only hold on, pressing her harder into the wall. Grunting when his hardening cock brushed against her belly.
Just a little lower…
“Tanin,” she whispered, her voice a plea.
He couldn’t resist. An alarm was screaming in his head. This was dangerous! She was a danger to him. A treasure it was not his right to hold. A gift he couldn’t afford to accept. A weakness, a softness, a beauty he couldn’t let himself possess.
He leaned closer. Didn't even realize he’d moved. His nose brushed against hers as he breathed deep. She smelled so different. There was an inherent musky sweetness to her scent that had to be unique to humans. The artificial freshness of the cleaning fluids, the metallic sharpness of his ship, something soft and untraceable he longed to lap from her skin.
Their lips ghosted over each other. A hint, a whisper of a kiss. Incomplete. Longing. She wasn’t even trying to resist him. Did she feel this inexplicable yearning? Was she as entranced with him? Did her eyes follow wherever he went? Did her thoughts stray to him at random times throughout the day? There was no way. He wasn’t nearly as enchanting, as desirable as her.
But the way she pressed back against him, one of her legs moving up his thigh…
The way she turned into him, chasing a kiss he definitely couldn’t give…
Maybe-
The shrill shriek of the ship’s alarms pulled him back. He looked up, frowning as Alred’s voice echoed through the speakers.
“Enemy ship incoming. Take battle stations.”
“Enemy…” Garnet breathed, still trapped against the wall.
Tanin forced himself to let her go, stepping back. Letting her come down on her own two feet slowly as she gave him a wide-eyed look. Like she wanted more. Like she already regretted it was over. But as she blinked, she came back to herself and realized what she heard.
“Battle stations…?”
“Captain.” Alred appeared, his light form flashing and flickering as he, no doubt, did a dozen other things at the same time. “A pirate ship just dropped out of subspace too close to us. Shields were damaged by the reentry force wave. They’re coming around. Sway is already performing evasive maneuvers.”
“Show the females to the shelter,” Tanin ordered, still looking at Garnet as she gazed up at him, expression unreadable. “Get Rok to protect them.”
“Aye, captain.”
“Tanin” She reached out for him.
He pulled back. “I told you. This job is dangerous. We go where others refuse to tread. We deliver where no one will dare step foot. Even staying on this ship can be lethal. You should be somewhere safe. Somewhere you don’t have to fear harm or death. I cannot offer you any kind of peaceful life.”
With that, he turned and jogged away, pulling a coiled, red ribbon from his pocket. He twined it quickly around his wrist, ignoring the way she called after him.
She was a soft, sweet dream. One he’d never be able to have. Not because he didn't want it or felt he didn't deserve it, but just because he couldn’t take care of her the way she deserved. She was meant for a male from a completely different life. One that didn't need to fight pirates. One that wasn’t likely to find transported females in a chest out in space. One that hadn’t had to fight for every scrap he’d ever stolen in his life.
This attack might be annoying, but at least it would prove that to her. No doubt, she’d be so afraid after this, she’d beg him to get her away faster. That’s how it should be.
Chapter 12
Garnet
“Tanin!” Garnet yelled after the captain, but he was already gone. Off to fight pirates. Because he was in a business where he needed to fight pirates. Like a cargo ship on rough seas, only there was no convenient navy to radio for help. He had to do it himself.
“Garnet,” Alred spoke to her, his light form flickering like he was having trouble maintaining it. “This way, if you please. I’ve already alerted Rok and Goldie to go to the shelter. It’s an armored, sealed part of the ship, impervious to most attacks and shielded against scanning. I am the only one who can lock and unlock it. Even the ship’s actual AI cannot override that lock. No one can detect life signs from outside. You’ll be safe there.”
“What about everyone else?”
“What?” He cocked his head, like he was confused about what she was even asking.
“The others! There’s half a dozen other people on this ship. What is everyone doing? Are they going to be okay?”
