“In fact, Rhysa and Blaize mentioned there might be a partnership opportunity?”
That option carried its own risks. She already had three partners. And what if Bodi didn’t fit in? “Possibly. I’m willing to give you a temporary contract for the trip to Kolben. If that works out, we can renegotiate. If not, we can drop you here when we pick up the next load of produce.”
Bodi’s wings quickly flittered and stilled. “That works.”
After they finished eating the omelet and fruit salad Dez had prepared, Cyra met with Bodi to go over the contract. Bodi didn’t ask about any of the details of the contract. She signed quickly and returned to staring at Dez. It made Cyra uncomfortable, but she didn’t address it. He could manage his own love life. It was none of her concern. At least, that’s what she told herself before leaving the galley for the deck.
After several hours of discussing the repairs with Blaize and the fuel needs with both Blaize and Rhysa and all the options for getting to Kolben, Cyra was exhausted. Rhysa, who had argued to use bridges, was completely against using one to get to Kolben. But Cyra worried avoiding wormholes could set them back because they were so far behind schedule. Rhysa was adamantly opposed and insisted they would be fine traveling at the fully accelerated capacity of the ship. Blaize confirmed that, with the repair, there was no reason they couldn’t avoid using an ER Bridge. Cyra had finally given in. Her crew had a change of heart? Why? There was something she was missing. The lack of logic made her brain hurt. Rather than continue to struggle for answers, she retreated to her water tank.
The next cycle, after all the final checks were made on the fuel system and the new refrigeration unit, they launched. Cyra had no problem getting the ship out of atmosphere by simply imagining having sex. So what if it was Dez she pictured. At least he could power her emotions without actually fucking her, thank goodness. For whatever reason, sexual energy led to a much smoother burst from atmosphere. Sometime in the future when she had a ton of time on her hands, she’d ask Blaize to explain the system to her in detail.
After the launch, Rhysa verified the navigation and declared there was nothing more to do. “I’ll keep an eye on trajectory for a few more until last meal is ready.”
Cyra nodded her agreement. Blaize and Bodi left the deck. Time to find Veda and have some girl time. Her best friend would listen to all her concerns about the changes in the crew, the ongoing threat that could be Varik or someone else, and, of course, Dez. Because as much as she tried to ignore the situation, he was constantly on her mind.
The med lab was empty which meant she was either in her quarters or working on her garden. Cyra checked Veda’s quarters first since it was closer. As she entered the corridor, she heard voices—an argument between Dez and she wasn’t sure who. She hurried to his quarters. His door was open. Bodi had her arms wrapped around him.
My mate.
“You know you want me to order you around. You’re a natural submissive. I can see it in you. I can give you what you need, a little dominance. Just get on your knees, Dez. Or I could even spank?—”
Cyra exploded. “Bodicea! Let go of him right now.”
Bodi jerked her head around and her dark eyes went wide. She released Dez and took several steps back, hands in the air. “Captain, we were just…”
It wouldn’t take a minute to jettison Bodi. But if Cyra did that, the crew might mutiny or worse, send her out behind Bodi. Cyra sucked in a slow deep breath and willed her gills to settle. “I don’t care what you think you were doing. I’m going to say this once and you, if you understand what’s good for you, will remember it always. He’s mine. Don’t touch. Ever.”
“Yes, Captain.” Bodi’s wings were buzzing they were flapping so quickly as she left Dez’s apartment.
Cyra stepped into the room and hit the panel to close the door.
Dez didn’t say a word, but his gaze was locked on her. He wore nothing but a pair of pants, his chiseled dark chest lined with markings he claimed were hers. He’d probably been changing his clothes after cooking or getting ready to work out. She didn’t care. “What the fuck was that?”
“She followed me. I didn’t realize—you have nothing to be concerned about.”
“Really? You’ve been calling me your queen, insisting that you’re mated to me. And the first cute bubble-butted, big-boobed bad-ass who wants you can be in your rooms, touching you?
“I didn’t?—”
“You didn’t say no.”
“My queen.” He tilted his head and gave her a soft pleading look. Held his arms open.
Cyra considered falling into them, but maybe he liked what Bodi was offering. “Take off your pants.”
“My queen?”
“It wasn’t a question, Dez. You understood the words.” Would he push back? It was a crazy risk, speaking to him that way.
Dez’s mouth turned up in a small smile as he undid the fastener on his pants and dropped them to the floor. His gaze smoldered through her.
Holy typhoons. Cyra clamped her mouth shut and swallowed. Her gills fluttered.
His cock began to harden. Apparently, whatever Bodi had done or said hadn’t worked. He truly hadn’t wanted her.
Cyra closed the distance to Dez, almost pressing her body to his, maintaining the smallest amount of space. She reached down and grasped him firmly.
“I’m not sharing.” She stroked him. His thick, hard, length filled her fingers. She teased the spongy head, squeezing it and causing a tiny release. She rubbed her hand across the top and released him so that she could slowly and purposefully lick his essence from her palm. Her gaze never strayed from his.
