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The wall between us and the public room goes opaque, and Lochdon lifts me to his chest, rolling over so he’s the one on his back. I lay on top of him, soaking in his warmth.

“One day, you and I are going to find our way into a bathtub.” I look up at him. “Or else.”

“‘Or else’ what?” he asks, kissing me, instead of letting me answer.

But I don’t ignore the question. As soon as he gives me the chance to breathe, I say, “Or else I’ll be very sad.”

“I don’t ever want you to be sad.”

I don’t tell him I’m already sad it’s over. “I wish we could stay here for a little… just nap and then start again.

“My next contract starts in a few hours. I can’t risk falling asleep.” He tips my head up again. “If I ever take you home, I’ll have to cancel the next month’s worth of contracts.”

“Yeah?”

“If I get you in my bed, I’m not letting you out again until these marks are stained so deep in your skin they never go away.”

I’d like that… “Is that possible?”

“Probably not, but I’d like to try.”

“I wasn’t planning on taking a booth shift after this… Do you want to go get coffee and just… hang out before you have to hop on your ship?”

“I would love that.”

I chuckle, thinking about Feather’s expression on the way here. “A friend was very upset to learn I had only been to one restaurant on station.”

“I am not upset, but I am surprised.”

“You’re the only one who’s lured me out of Phantom’s.” I stretch and yawn against him. “There’s no one else I want to spend time with.”

A stack of towels appears beside us and I take the subtle hint that someone else might be waiting for the room.

We clean each other up with the warm wet cloths that are rolled on one side and dry off with the folded ones on the other.

Phantom does seem to think of everything.

Distracted by Lochdon’s lips, I let myself linger in his embrace, even though I know we should get moving.

He hands me my underwear and I take them, reluctantly.

The walk back to my locker room is going to be a little awkward… I don’t get to see him enough. I’m sore.

But when we both have our clothes on, the door opens, directly to my locker room. Just like the booths do.

That’s a relief.

I turn back, pressing up on my toes, even though I’m still in my heels and kiss him once more. “See you outside?”

“I’ll be waiting.”

When the door closes behind me, I take a deep breath.

“Would you like me to draw you a bath, Peach?”

“Not this time.” I don’t want to make him wait any longer than I have to… and I don’t want to wash away any of the… evidence.

“Your payout has calculated.”

I look up at the wall as the bot flashes the breakdown and flinch at the amount… and the amount. Forty-one different tippers, not including Lochdon. “Jesus.”

When I see Coral next time, I’ll have to tell her to consider it. I’ve never made so much in such a short work day before.

I put on jeans and a chunky sweater and slip on my sneakers and with one last glance in the mirror, I hurry out to meet up with him.

He doesn’t have much time and I don’t want to waste a minute of it.