Page 26

S talad watched the large transporter leave the hangar bay. After he ensured all systems operated as they should, he headed to the bridge. Crax and Kara left hours earlier for Rumaska.

As he walked, he thought about the night before.

At evening meal, Morgan and Niksen talked as if they were friends.

He, the Jalaxians, and the Orkites exchanged raised eyebrows, but the humans acted as if the behavior was expected.

Females. I don’t think I’ll ever really understand them.

Although knowing that neither female seemed upset about earlier relieved me.

I would hate if Morgan continued to berate herself for her reaction.

Rain and Abby sat on the bridge quietly talking. The pilot glanced at him when he arrived. He sat at a console and checked the scans.

“We’re in orbit. Ladorta’s defensive systems are ignoring us.”

“I’m going to set an alert to notify us if that changes.” Stalad tapped the console.

“Good idea. You and I are going to have to take shifts at the helm, since neither Abby or Morgan can pilot. I’m thinking twelve-hour shifts with a four-hour overlap midday when we’re expecting comms from everyone.”

“Sounds good to me.”

They looked up as Morgan entered with a tray of food.

“Breakfast.” Morgan placed the tray on an unused console and handed out cups of a hot beverage. She went back to the tray and scooped out servings of a breakfast casserole onto plates before distributing them to everyone.

“Thanks, Morgan.” Abby sipped at her cup. “I really wish we could find an acceptable substitute for coffee. I really miss it.”

“This is the closest I’ve been able to find so far,” Morgan said. “It’s some sort of blend of seeds from Praxis. Not easy to obtain.”

“It’s more tea-like than coffee-ish.” Rain smiled. “But at least it has a caffeine hit to it.”

“Thank you, Morgan.” Stalad bit into the egg and meat concoction and hummed. “This is good.” She’s a good cook.

“I figured I’d make sure everyone stayed fed unless something else takes priority. I’m not very useful up here otherwise.”

“Why don’t we take the opportunity to train you on various positions so you have some working knowledge? It’ll kill some time, and you’ll feel more confident up here afterwards.” Rain’s eyes scanned her console and out the window as she ate.

“Just don’t expect great things from me. Working on the bridge is a far cry from teaching children or exotic dancing.” Morgan’s eyes twinkled.

“You’ll be fine.”

Stalad coordinated with Rain on when she wanted him to return for his shift, then helped Morgan collect the used dishes. He carried the tray for her back to the kitchen.

“Are you going to take a nap before your shift?” Morgan placed the dirty items in the recycler.

“Yes. I’ll get up a little earlier to do my training forms and take a shower before I have to relieve Rain. You’re welcome to join me.”

“In the shower?” Morgan giggled.

Heat filled his face. Crek. Now I can’t get the vision of her wet and slippery out of my mind.

“I meant on the bridge during my shift. I can teach you about the different systems.”

She gently pat his back.

“I knew what you meant, but the look on your face was priceless.” Her eyes sparkled.

“Very funny. If I knew I were free, I would make the other offer.” His nostrils flared as her scent deepened.

“I believe I might say yes to such an offer…if you were free.”

His hands gently squeezed her upper arms, and he rested his forehead on hers.

“You are far too tempting, ciebala . We shouldn’t talk like this.”

Her eyelids dropped to hide her blue eyes.

“I know. I couldn’t resist teasing you. Forgive me?”

“I think I could forgive you anything.”

She inhaled deeply then pulled back. She made a shooing motion with her hands.

“Go get some sleep. I’ll have a meal waiting for you when you’re ready.”

He stepped away slowly. When she turned to the sink to wash the tray, he left with his tail swaying quickly.

I want her. I only wish I knew if I could pursue our attraction fully.

With the reduced ship’s complement gone, the next few weeks tested Stalad’s resolve.

Morgan spent a great deal of time on the bridge with him alone.

He taught her how to read the various scans and consoles, as well as how to operate the weapons system.

She taught him how to program the small synthesizer on the bridge for snacks.

She found it strange he didn’t know how to do it when he capably handled every other ship operation.

His tail found ways to hold her, usually around her ankle.

Most times he didn’t even know it had moved.

Her wonderful scent clung to him, even if they hadn’t touched.

Trulet , grass, and rain smells followed him into his dreams. He began waking a little earlier so he could spend extra time in the shower, fisting himself to thoughts of Morgan.

But he resolutely kept his hands to himself when they were together.

He looked forward to their times alone. Morgan spoke of her mother with a great deal of love and shared her memories of the female who birthed her.

His need to hold her when her sadness when she told him of her mother’s cancer battle almost overwhelmed him, but he resisted.

His claws bit into his palms, but the pain reminded him he shouldn’t give either of them false hope for a future together.

Crax and Kara reached Rumaska and waited almost two weeks before they received clearance to land because of some planetwide celebration where outsiders were not invited.

On Ladorta, Makai reported that negotiations appeared to be progressing well.

Then Niksen disappeared for two days. Krinir barely slept while she was missing.

Triumphantly, she resurfaced unharmed with two Orkites trussed up.

Last he heard, Krinir threw her over his shoulder and spanked her ass when she protested.

Tren gleefully reported that it was another two days before Krinir let her out of her quarters to resume negotiations which were almost completed.

When Morgan heard about it, a secretive smile grace her plump lips and she only said, “Good for her.”

The Ladortans transported the perpetrators to Arona, so at least the Fortitude didn’t have to put them in their brig. Now they waited for the team on Ladorta to return after the signing of the treaty.

He met the larger transport in the hangar bay and exchanged warrior clasps with the Jalaxians. Krinir tugged on Niksen’s braid to pull her to his side, looked at everyone, then said, “We’ll be busy for the foreseeable future.” He lifted her over his shoulder, and she pummeled his back.

“I can walk.”

“You’re too slow. I want you now.” He slapped her ass. “No sass or I’ll teach you a lesson.” Her furious retort was lost in the laughter that filled the hangar bay.

Now that the bulk of their personnel was onboard, they traveled to meet the smaller transport to pick up Crax and Kara who already contacted Costonia with the results of their investigation before returning the Orkites home.

At evening meal, everyone except Krinir and Niksen sat and shared stories of their time apart.

“Oh, I can’t wait until Heggar finds out about our newest mated pair.” Fraddar grinned. “He owes me a bottle of Estalan liquor.”

“He knew about them?” Morgan stabbed some meat on the platter and transferred it to her plate.

“A lot of us have been placing bets on when she’d wear him down. It’s taken years. Krinir’s one stubborn Orkite.” Fraddar scooped up some roasted vegetables. “I told Heggar this was the trip where he’d finally realize how he felt about her.”

“The sexual tension between the two has been unbearable.” Lollek smirked and fanned her face with a hand. “I had to work it off with a pair of Ladortan guards numerous times.”

Everyone laughed at the female Orkite’s antics.

“I’m glad they figured it out,” Morgan said quietly. “I know she was very unhappy.”

“You’re very kind to say so, especially after how she treated you.” Fraddar’s normally cheerful face became solemn. “It hurt to watch her take her pain out on all of you, but he needed to witness it. I apologize that I couldn’t step in sooner.”

“It’s okay. Everything worked out.” Morgan popped a vegetable into her mouth.

She’s such a caring female. And forgiving. Goddess, is there nothing unattractive about the human?

“We’ll meet up with Crax and Kara in three days. Once they’re back with us, we’ll take you home,” Makai said. “That should take another week.”

“Such a shame I couldn’t bring those guards with me. They were very inventive,” Lollek said.

“If you’re in the market for another pleasure mating, feel free to knock on my door. I’m certain Krinir won’t be there.” Fraddar wiggled his eyebrows.

“You’re much too old for me.” Lollek pointed her utensil at him. “I’d hate for you to keel over dead from pleasure.”

“You wound me.” Fraddar clutched at his chest. “I wouldn’t mind testing your theory.”

“Another lifetime, perhaps.”

Stalad shook his head at their banter. Everyone is much more relaxed. I wonder what’s next for us.

Stalad chewed on his fruit and glanced around the dining area.

Except for Yaz, everyone onboard sat enjoying morning meal.

Grouped together at one end of the table, the females chattered, while the males concentrated on their food.

Crax and Kara returned four days ago and from her gestures and the laughter around her, she related another story about Rumaska.

Even Niksen and Lollek participated happily.

Closing his eyes, he couldn’t quite hear the details of the conversation, but the rise and fall of female voices soothed him before an ache in his chest began.

A sensation of a memory flittered in his brain, but when he tried to grasp it, pain throbbed at his temples.

Ceasing his efforts, he reverted to listening and entered a meditative state similar to when he conducted his training forms. The sensation returned, although he didn’t try to force any memories.

He simply enjoyed the warmth the voices provided him.

“Stalad?”

His peace interrupted, he opened his eyes to see Lezon peering at him with concern.

“Are you okay? I called your name several times.”

“Yes, just thinking.”

“We’re going to spar later with the Orkites. Did you want to join us?”

“I’ll be there.” Stalad sipped his juice. “Does Makai have another mission for us?”

“Not that I’ve heard. Come by for a checkup after we spar. I want to see if there have been any changes.”

“Of course.”

Morgan’s peel of laughter drew his gaze.

Her bright eyes and pink cheeks highlighted her beauty, while the slight jiggle of her pert breasts as her shoulders shook intrigued his cock.

His tail rose slightly before he wrangled it around his chair leg.

Goddess, I’d love to see her riding me, her flesh all dewy and pink, those luscious globes free of confinement and in my hands.

Despite my best efforts, I want her now more than ever.

To give his hard cock a chance to settle, he offered to clean up. He remained seated after everyone left to hide the bulge. Standing, he snorted in disgust at himself as he picked up the dirty dishes and put them in the recycler.

I think it’s time to seriously consider going to Costonia. I’m not sure I can continue to resist her.