Page 35 of Tempting Cargo

“And Ellie and that reptilian,” Fenn said.

“Have you heard from her?” Imani asked.

“Hush, let him speak.” Zerena held up a hand, and I found some words.

“We kissed, and then she ran away.”

“What? Rewind. Start at the beginning.”

“We were sparring—”

“What?” Zerena crossed her arms. “How come we’re stuck in the cargo bay, and you’re sparring with the captain? Where?”

“Do you want me to finish this or not?” I managed a small smile. “There’s a training room. We were wrestling.”

When I caught their eyes, their knowing nods and smirks eased my tension a little.

“It’s as you can imagine. Boy meets girl, boy fights girl, girl pins boy, they end up kissing.” I sucked in a ragged breath because, fuck, that kiss. I could still taste her. “She broke the kiss—after being very into it, I hasten to add—then forced herself off me and ran away.”

“‘Forced herself’? ‘Ran away’?” Imani’s voice was gentle. “They’re interesting choices of words.”

“She looked distressed. I’m worried about her.”

“I’m worried aboutyou, Garrison,” Zerena said. “You catch feelings too easily. I don’t want to see you get hurt.” She grimaced. “You know this thing with her can’t go anywhere, right? So what’s going on?”

“I know.” My head dropped, upper spine aching with the stretch. I’d have told them how I was feeling, but I couldn’t put it into words for myself, let alone anyone else. It was easier to worry about her.

“Anyway, I thought you hated kri’ith?” she teased.

I caught her eye for a brief, lopsided grin. “Not this one.”

“So, what do you want?”

That was the question, wasn’t it? What did I want? I wantedher. Beyond that…

We’d be on Vadias in three days, though the thought of it was nebulous, as if it were a potential reality that wouldn’t resolve.

Maybe I had to approach this new chapter in our lives with a new attitude. If I couldn't imminently explore the galaxy, I could embrace whatever new experiences came my way. Shohari was a beacon I couldn’t help but be drawn to, despite the trepidation that needled at me.

“I want to explore this,” I said, certain. “But she’s skittish. I know she likes me, and I don’t know why she pulls away."

Should I say more?Fuck it.“I don’t want to gossip, but I overheard something. A conversation on the bridge. It sounds like there’s something strange going on with her and her family.”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know. As soon as I realized how private the conversation was, I walked away. But I think there’s more to it. I can’t help feeling she’s in some kind of trouble.”

“And you want to help.” Fenn wasn’t asking a question.

“I do.” And I didn’t want to leave theDorimisauntil I had.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

My walls are the brittle ache of regret

Shohari

I COULDN’T avoidGarrison forever, so I changed my mind and headed into the canteen for the evening meal—with the shipful of humans. There were only five now, at least.