She couldn’t do it. She couldn’t sacrifice everything she was to be someone’s mate. If she was going to end up tied down to a male for life, she could’ve stayed with her family. Never had an adventure. Never been a captain. Never had a chance of having a successful career. She ached for this male. He fuddled her brain and captured her heart. But what she wanted most in this lifetime was her freedom. Her independence.
Her body was a traitorous bitch, demanding she return to his arms to let him give her an orgasm that didn’t involve tentacles or an audience. But that wasn’t what she’d studied so hard for, what she’d sacrificed for. He could be a temporary distraction, but no more than that. Except that she liked having him with her when she went off-ship. The way he protected her from danger she hadn’t recognized.
She wasn’t much of a people person to begin with and once Varik had trash talked her to anyone who would listen, she had a bigger target on her back. She already stood out from most of the other transporters—tall, blue, and female. Not like she could blend into the crowd with those characteristics.
In the past she’d kept to herself and avoided any possible threats. As captain, that was no longer an option. She had to interact with the key players in the industry, the bartenders, the dock workers, the vendors. She wouldn’t leave it to her crew to handle everything the way Captain Auvi had done.
The gelatinous water held her aloft as her thoughts tried to drag her down. Why couldn’t the answers ever be easy? Her entire life was a struggle between what she wanted and what she could have. She closed her eyes allowing the solution to come to her, letting go of all the tension. Hours might have passed before she found her less-than-perfect resolution.
For as long as she could, she would let Dez help her. It would hurt to let him go when the time came, but it would hurt them both if she shunned him in the meantime.
An imperfect compromise, but it was all she had. She continued to float around letting her thoughts wander until she was completely relaxed. She returned to her quarters and fell asleep as soon as she settled into bed. Her dreams were filled with Dez.
The next cycle, Cyra stumbled into the galley. With Dez on her brain, her sleep had been anything but restful. But she had a business to manage. Blaize and Rhysa were at opposite ends of the table. Dez was at the food prep station, filling the room with amazing scents. His thick legs and taut backside clenched and rippled with every shift of his body. Cyra’s mouth watered.
Veda came in and sat in next to Cyra.
She purposely looked away from the temptation of Dez. “Do we have any leads on a communications expert?”
“Nothing,” Rhysa answered.
“I talked to everyone who would listen, putting the word out, visiting at least thirteen places. I even talked to the shopkeepers, and no one knows of anyone who’s looking. It’s incredible. You would think there would besomeone. It seems like it should be a solvable problem. I mean, aren’t new officers graduating regularly and don’t they need a contract if for nothing else than to pay their living expenses? I can’t believe that nobody knows anybody who is looking…”
Dez cut off Blaize’s ramblings by placing a plate of hot food under her nose. Cyra was grateful. It was too damn early for all that jabbering.
“We’ll need to restock and get going then.” The time had come forThe Treasureto make the trip she dreaded. “Rhysa?”
Rhysa paused her fork mid-bite. “Captain?”
“Can I ask you to help us with getting the fuel?” It was awful to ask, but every credit counted since there were far too few in the business account.
Rhysa chewed and swallowed. “Absolutely.” She grinned and wiggled her white eyebrows. “I was planning on a quick visit to my guy. Having a valid reason works to my favor.”
Cyra glanced up as a dark arm holding a plate of food entered her vision. His smoldering look was warmer than the meal he’d given her. “Dez? Would you be willing to go with me to select provisions?”
“I would be pleased to assist you.” Why did his answer sound sexual?
“Veda, do you need anything?”
“Dez’s family was incredibly generous. And since no one was sick or injured, even the thuringies are well, so, no. I don’t need anything,” Veda replied.
Dreading what might be a long-winded answer, Cyra ate a few more bites of the delicious protein and vegetable mixture Dez had made. “What about you, Blaize? Need anything?”
Fortunately, Blaize was still eating and just shook her head no. As soon as she finished eating, Blaize would be all over the system checks. Cyra’s crew was experienced and talented. She didn’t need to instruct them what to do every minute of every cycle. It made being the captain simpler.
Cyra and Dez spent the day shopping and revisiting their contacts. There was no contract to be had to deliver anything to Kolben, and they struck out on any leads for the communications position. Cyra was discouraged, but her time wasn’t a total loss. Dez held her hand for most of the day. He touched her shoulder or her back if she was busy with her hands. He was in contact with her all the time and she liked it. The warm energy that came from him wrapped her up and soothed her almost as well as being in her water chamber. She couldn’t get used to it, but she was going to enjoy it while it lasted.
“Hello?” Cyra called out as she and Dez walked down the main corridor ofThe Treasure. They’d already found the bridge empty. “Veda?”
The med lab was empty. So were the engineering areas of the ship. “They must have had errands to run after all.”
She hadn’t been uneasy all day, but being alone with Dez on the ship had an air of intimacy she hadn’t experience being with him in public.
“Hungry?” she asked heading back to the galley.
Dez tugged her hand that he hadn’t let go of. She stopped and gave him a questioning glance. He embraced her and his lips hovered so close to hers. She couldn’t resist, she pressed forward, accepting his silent offer. His lips were warm and gentle but determined. He hand went to her hip, pressing her body to his, while he teased her lips with his tongue until she opened for him.
The corridor disappeared. There was only Dez. His kiss deepened as he feasted on her, savoring her. He teased her tongue until she responded, just as hungry for him. She would never end their kiss, if she had the option of forever. His erection pressed against her mound. Clothes the only barrier to prevent them from having sex there in the hallway.
