Page 64 of Tempting Cargo

Damn. They’d been in the next berth.

I ran the drinks machine on autopilot, making a strong, sweet chrya for Shohari, the same for me, then making two more—I’d drain my first one straight away, and Sho chain drank the stuff like she needed it to live.

“Did you both sleep okay?” I said.

“Yes, thanks,” Imani said. “Though Fenn snores.” She nudged their arm with her elbow. “But we didn’t kick each other once, so it’s all good.”

“The bed is massive,” added Fenn, then turned to Shohari, busy making a huge pile of flatcakes, and back to me. “Or, you know, just the right size.”

Fenn wasn’t much taller than Imani, and average build, and if their bed was the same size as Shohari’s, it would be palatial for the two of them. Pretty comfy, too. I hoped their new place wouldn’t be as spartan as the beds on Aurora Five had looked. Nope. Not thinking about our next destination.

I glanced at the hint of Shohari’s arse under the flow of her robe. “Hope we didn’t disturb you.” I rubbed my hand over my hair, heat creeping into my cheeks.

“Nah, you’re good,” Fenn said.

Imani sipped her drink. “We got up for breakfast hours ago and just hung out in here. As long as we kept talking we couldn’treally hear you.” She smiled. “I’m happy you’re spending time together.” Then she mouthed, “have you talked?”

“Soundproofing is heavy,” Shohari called out from the other side of the room. “And theDorimisaisn’t the fastest anyway. So not much is private on a ship.”

I shook my head at Imani, pursing my lips. She had a point, but I wasn’t ready for reality to intrude.

Shohari put food in front of all of us and leaned over to hiss in my ear. “I was being quiet.”

“I think we need to check the translator got that word right,” I teased, and she punched my shoulder, which I was realising was a standard, if mildly-bruising-to-humans, friendly kri’ith gesture.

“You two are really cute together,” Imani said. “Thank you for the food, Captain. And for transporting us. It’s very kind of you. Fenn and I are looking forward to settling on Vadias.” She looked at me. “Do you still want to come with us, Garrison? Or do you have other plans now?”

I loved Imani but I could have killed her. She was about as subtle as a kri’ith orgasm.

I’d neverwantedto go to Vadias. It was just the least unattractive option. The longer I spent with Shohari, the more I wanted to stay with her. But I couldn’t pressure her, and her family situation complicated things.

Imani thought it was as simple as just asking her if I could stay, but it wasn’t. Was it?

“I guess Vadias will be fine,” I said, then took a breath and turned to Shohari. “But I want to help rescue your brother. I meant what I said last night.”

Shohari stared at her plate, poking at a part-eaten flatcake. “I do not know when that will be.”

“Okay.”I’ll be here as long as you need. Just ask me to stay.

She only ate her food, and we sat in silence until Fenn towed Imani away.

Eventually, Shohari spoke. “I wish we had more time together.”

My heart squeezed, as much joy as it was pain. “Imani thinks it should be as simple as me telling you I want to stay, and you letting me,” I said, hoping the direct approach was good advice.

“You want to stay?” The glimmer in her crystalline eyes was hopeful and wistful all at once.

“You know I do.” I entwined my fingers with hers, stroking my smooth thumbs over her ridged ones. “Whatever this is between us, it’s more than just great sex. I want to see what else it could become.”

She held my gaze until a grimace twisted the hope from her face. “I wish we could. I hate feeling so trapped. I hate that I’m not free to say yes, to trust that things will work out.” She went very still. “Things have never worked out for me before.”

“I know, sweetheart.”

She gripped my hands so tight it hurt but turned her head away. “I can’t let this last long enough to risk… feelings.”

My mouth went dry.

“If my parents win…” Her headspines pulsed and went flat. “It is partly why I never locked anyone before you. I cannot risk bonding to someone, only to have it ripped away.”