The realization of where she was interrupted her desire. She dreaded getting caught making out by her crew and with a great draw on her internal will, she put her hands to his muscular chest and pushed him back, instantly missing the sweet connection of their lips.
Dez sighed, dropping his hand from her hip. “I’ll begin preparing our last meal of the cycle.”
“Dez…”
“There is nothing to say.” He held up a hand, his eyes briefly closed. When he opened them, they weren’t focused on her but on some distant point on the ship. “I understand. Do you think everyone will return to eat?”
“I’m sure they will.” His food was delicious and credits were dear. “Can I help you?”
He shook his head and her gut clenched as if he’d punched her.
“I think I would prefer a few minutes alone to regain control of myself. If you are with me in the galley, I may not feel like cooking.” Dez finally met her gaze and gave her a panty melting grin.
She took her first conscious breath since she’d pushed him away. His smile warmed her almost as much as his touch. He wasn’t mad at her like she would be if the situation were reversed. She couldn’t have him, and she didn’t deserve him. She left to go to her quarters and find her own control or, more likely, release. The water tank wasn’t going to cut it. She stripped down once she’d locked herself into her room, laid on the bed, and used her fingers as she imagined what they could have done if she’d let the kiss go on. Her orgasm was like her cooking—barely adequate to sustain her and only left her craving what he could give.
Later in the galley, after everyone had returned, Cyra slunk in and took a seat, still worried about how Dez really felt. His grin had been convincing at the time, but could he really be okay with her ever-moving boundaries? If she could get control, and keep her hands and her lips to herself, there’d be no room for misunderstandings. But she didn’t have the willpower. Even her eyes betrayed her as they roamed over his thick muscles, cataloging every bump and shadow.
“So, Rhysa, did you blow the fuel guy again? Or did we have to pay full price?” Blaize asked interrupting Cyra’s fantasy life.
“Funny, bitch,” Rhysa replied light heartedly. “He gives me a good price because he wants to, same reason I blow him. Besides, I wasn’t in such a hurry this trip. Everyone got theirs.” She winked a pink eye at the redheaded engineer who was blushing deep red.
Cyra assumed their banter meant they were forming an odd sort of friendship. She was relieved that Rhysa didn’t take offense to Blaize’s snarky comment. She’d expected Rhysa would blow up about giving a blow job. Not so much. Of course she hated that Rhysa was trading sexual favors for their fuel even though she appeared happy doing so.
“By everyone, I hope you mean you got yours.” Cyra blurted out. “There’s selfless and then there’s stupid. I personally need a lot more up front before I go down on my knees for someone.”
“Good to know.” Dez turned and put a plate in front of Blaize.
Despite being blue, her blush rose, and she was likely purple. She bit her tongue. The same appendage that had explored his sexy mouth. She stuffed her mouth with seared meat. Talk of blowjobs and people getting theirs made her uncomfortable. Not because she didn’t like sex talk, but because she was aching for sexual release. A real one, not a mini-gasm on the tips of her fingers.
Dez caught her quick glance in his smoldering gaze. He took her hand in his and kissed her finger tips. His tongue teased out so briefly and then he broke into a huge grin. She’d washed her hands, but somehow he knew what she’d done. Maybe he had some super predator sense and could smell her arousal or maybe he was empathic and could sense her feelings. He released her hand. “You could have asked for my assistance.”
Cyra’s breath caught. She’d have to be careful around him if she was going to hide anything. Especially anything having to do with imagining fucking him. Veda cleared her throat, bringing Cyra back to the galley. Dez freed her, and she released the breath she’d been holding. She might have to give in and have a brief affair with him. Not too brief—it was a long way to Kolben. The more toyed with the idea, the better it seemed.
“Where did you go this afternoon, Veda?” Dez asked as he sat with his own meal.
“Oh, I went to run a few personal errands. I sent a message to Doc, just to check in. I need some personal items. Oh—” She startled and shifted on her seat. “I was thinking about starting a hydroponic garden. It would be nice to have some fresh vegetables on these long journeys. I know this guy who knows all about the lights and the soil and the plants that do best. I didn’t buy anything. I wanted to talk to you about it first, Cyra.”
“That’s a brilliant idea.” A hydroponics project could be the perfect distraction. “What do you think it will take in credits to get started?”
“Don’t worry about the credits. Everyone else bought into a partnership and I want to do the same. I just wanted to make sure that you would be okay with me setting up the system.”
“Blaize?” Cyra asked. “What do you think? Can our systems absorb the hit for the power and water?”
“Depends where on the ship you’re doing this.” Blaize took a breath to continue, but Veda jumped in.
“I was thinking I might take over one of the cells. I could take over one of the empty crew apartments, but that would be harder since the furnishings are built in. A cell is the perfect space. I’m spending so much time back there anyway with the dogs.”
“Actually, that works. The systems are designed to climate control those areas within in pretty tight parameters. As long as it’s not too big an area.”
“Of course you can have a couple of cells. Maybe the set of four that can be connected to form one larger space,” Cyra replied.
“I would be happy to assist you with this project, Doctor.” Dez added, making Cyra fall for him just a bit more.
Chapter25
Varik slunk downto the docking bay once theHarlan Johnsonhad made it back to Cassan. Twalley deemed him a hero for limping the ship all the way back, avoiding a rescue hauler. Varik leveraged every bit of the captain’s reaction, confirming how smart it had been to take the ship for a test run, even putting in a new part on order to complete the deception. It was the captain’s fault that the situation had come to this. If he’d only let Varik take the ship when he’d asked instead of insisting on tagging along. As it was, Cyra had returned to Cassan an entire cycle ahead of them.
There she was, his treasure. The huge ship filled the large docking bay, one of the largest available on Cassan that wasn’t for a pleasure cruise or other passenger vessels. He ached to run his hands over her, make sure she was being taken care of, but he had to stay hidden. The ramp was lowered as if in invitation. Varik took a single step and froze. The blue bitch who’d stolen his ship strode out. Followed by a giant male, her literal shadow. The Din’Gale native Auvi had contracted to deliver to Kolben. What was Cyra up to?
