Page 50 of Tempting Cargo

We need practice. Lots of practice.

The commonhouse induction took longer than a Neighbourhood Esteem Society committee meeting. The allocated bunks didn’t look overly comfortable, but anything was a step up from my cargo hold. The females were excited to have employment and their own beds.

If only I was as easily satisfied.

I should have been happy this stop meant two fewer humans on my ship, but it was also one stop closer to Garrison walking out of my life. It was ridiculous. I’d just met him. And, aye, I locked him, but it didn’t mean anything. How could it?

My comm vibrated, making my spines jump. I jerked my head at my crew and told the humans, “We’ll wait outside.”

We moved out of the small room, our station boots echoing down the dormitory corridor. “Summarise, Paiata, unless you think I need more of this verbosity in my life.”

“Aye, Cap, though I sent it because it’s not trivial. Remember the Bzhaltian linens incident?”

I dragged a hand through my headspines. “Not another stunt like that?” If Mother intended me to be sabotaged, a little forewarning would have been something.

“A maid overheard Madame dai Yakri talking about snatching a shipment from another Orithian ship. She was all spunky about it so he assumes it’s us. He implores me to advise him on the particulars of our next shipment. I think he wants to know which madame is going to come away with soup in her spines.”

“If this is one of Mother’s silly games again, we’ll go to the next system over, collect a known cargo instead.” If all this ended up being a feral ulth chase, the comms would resolve before we burned fuel getting to the ydouir.

“Nice, Cap. Always with the backup plan.”

My brother’s face flashed in my mind.Except when I don’t have any plan at all. “Damn. We have to go to Hydouis regardless.” Mother’s shipment or no, it was too big an opportunity to pass up.

“You mean this isn’t the best opportunity to ditch your Mother’s crapandAnandri’s?”

“It’s the perfect opportunity.” I waited until his mouth was open before holding up a hand. “And we’re not going to take it.”

He swung his head. “Harsh, Cap.”

“But fair. I could also accept the mineral shipment I was offered last week. Even better.”

“Kheh. Shall I tell him we’re off to Hydouis, then?”

“Can’t hurt. We’ll be landing by the time he reads it, or thereabouts. Keep him sweet. Only tell him we’re picking up spices, though.”

Sweet.

Ah, skyk it. Why have cantina liaisons when you’ve got a sweet alien on your ship for a few days?

Garrison poked his head through the doorway. “Everything all right?”

My cheek muscles protested at my wide smile. “Just fine,mitsha, just fine.”

Duly satisfied my cargo would be safely stowed in the dismal bowels of Aurora Five, we all—including both new Aurorians—headed back to the highlight of this hunk of junk.

I wasn’t allowed to care until I was free. Until Airida was free.

But to enjoy what I had?

If I couldn’t have dreams, pleasure was a suitable backup plan.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Just another dick in the wall

Garrison

THE THRIVING marketplaceof Aurora Five deserved all my attention, but my mind was back on theDorimisa, recalling every detail of Shohari’s body under my hands, her hot mouth on mine, my cock trapped deep inside her.