Page 74 of Tempting Cargo

We slumped on the comfy sofa in the mess hall.

Shohari rested her head on my shoulder, then jumped up, paced, and poured herself a drink. “Do you want one?”

“Just water, thanks.”

“Suit yourself.”

She handed it to me, drinking her ale, her mouth twitching between sips, eyes darting round the room. Was she looking for the words themselves, or the courage to say them?

We sat in a nearly-easy silence until she drained her mug and placed it down with a distinctclack.

“The last time I asked for something for myself, I put my brother in danger,” she said eventually. “And I put a chain around my neck.”

Sensing she had more to say, I stayed quiet, waiting.

She plucked at one of her headspines, wrapping the soft stalk around her finger. “I appreciate you staying, Garrison. It means a lot.”

I nodded, not pushing it. Maybe daytime Sho couldn’t ask me to stay, but for now, she didn’t have to.

“The spare berth is free tonight,” she said, fiddling with the hem of her tunic. “But so’s the space in my bed. If you want.”

I reached for her and threaded her fingers with mine. “I do.”

Her bedroom was just how we’d left it, all rumpled sheets and smelling of sex. I’d have cleaned it before we got off at Vadias, except she hadn’t let me go back in.

I imagined my beautiful Shohari sat on the floor, surrounded by memories, alone and howling, and it killed me. If it ever looked like I was leaving again, I’d insist. For now though, fate had granted us a reprieve.

We undressed without touching, but when we got into bed, she snuggled into me, her back to my front. “This makes me the little spoon, is that right?”

I fitted myself to her, relief flooding me at being able to hold her once again, pressing my face to the soft part of her shoulder between her spines and breathing her in. “Yes. Even badass ship captains are allowed to be the little spoon sometimes.”

“I think I am more of a large spoon person,” she said. “But this is nice. With you. Today I can be the little spoon.”

I slid an arm over her waist and rested my hand on her soft stomach, tugging her closer, and she melted against me. “I’ve got you, Captain. Whatever happens, I’m in this till the end. I promise.”

Shohari

I LIKEDbeing the big spoon, I decided.

It was too early to be awake, but I was anyway. My brain was too busy with too many things, and I pushed them away, anchoring myself to the warm, solid feel of Garrison’s body.

I was definitely a big spoon person—except when he fucked me. But now, with his lusciously curved backside pressed up against me, I wanted to fuckhimlike this.

I knew he’d not done it before, that most human males did not get fucked like this. But the way he groaned and gasped whenever I circled my stiff clit over the cleft of his arse? Well, that just confirmed he was not most human males.

“Good morning, beautiful,” he said, voice gravelly with sleep.

“It’s too early to be morning.” I nipped the top of his shoulder, rubbed up against him through my nightclothes, and was rewarded with those delicious, deep, breathy noises of his.

I slid my hand beneath his undershorts and freed his buttocks, squeezing them possessively before letting my fingers brush his stiffening cock.

“I want to fuck you,” I murmured, rocking against him.

He gave a low hum of assent. “Fuck yes. Turn over, sweetheart.”

I gripped his hip so he couldn’t move. “No.” I lowered my voice to a purr, and thrust my aching clit over his tight hole. “Iwant to fuckyou.”

Gods, I loved the needy moans he made, even as his body tensed up.