“So,” she tapped her chin, drawing my attention to her face once more, “do you have space for a sparring match or not?”
My jaw ticked. This female had the heart of a ljona, a native creature to our home world. The savage beast had a mane of red fire instead of fur. Hot to the touch, it could burn a warrior with a simple brush of its paw. The captain may not possess the flames, but her temperament was as fiery as the animal’s hide. “Yes, little captain, I believe we have a space that can accommodate your needs.”
“Great,” she waved a dismissive hand at me, “then, lead the way.”
I crossed my arms over my chest, not moving from my spot at the helm. Jutting my chin toward her, I said, “You expect to fight in that?”
Her brows rose to her hairline. She yanked on the bottom of her jacket. “I don’t need to change a damn thing to beat you. But…” Taking one shiny silver button at a time between her fingers, she pushed each through the corresponding hole. The action revealed more of her skin and the garments underneath. When she’d had all undone, she opened her jacket to divulge a white tank top. It clung to her body, revealing every curve.
I clenched my jaw so tight I feared my teeth would crack…again.
“I’d rather be comfortable when I kick your ass.” Dropping her uniform jacket into the co-pilot’s chair, she stalked forward. “Any more excuses?”
I ignored her question and stepped to the storage locker to retrieve her bags. I’d wanted to carry them for her earlier, and that thought had been enough to stop me. Showing her kindness would chip at the barrier I’d erected between us, an action I could not allow. Now, I simply grabbed the bags to save time. “I’ll show you to your quarters.” I walked to the back of the bridge, bags in tow, not checking to see if she followed. “Then, we may continue to the mat.”
“Perfect,” she said, in step behind me.
The space fighter did not have the same luxuries as our deep space or battle cruisers, but it had everything a warrior needed. My ship was compromised of two quarters for sleeping, the bridge, the engine compartment, a small mess hall with space for up to three, and the holo-room. The last was the most vital part of the vessel. Utilizing holographic technology, it allowed us to create whatever we needed to train, strategize, practice, or even relax. From artificial environments to battle scenarios, the holo-room provided it.
Now, it would present the perfect place to indulge the little captain in her request. My blood heated at the thought.
I have to call a florin.The need was rising to a crescendo. I worried that sparring with the tempting female would undo me. Spying the door to her quarters, I stopped and transferred her bags to one arm. I slapped my palm to the console and the door slid into the wall. “These are your quarters.” I motioned to the open doorway with my free hand. “Do you wish to change or rest first?”
She passed me as she entered and quirked a brow. “Stalling, are we?”
I dropped her bags by the door, not daring to look at the bed. Built for a Rhonar warrior, she’d have more than enough room in it. Plenty for another to lay beside her and hold her while she slept.Crex!I had to get the void out of there before I exploded. “I’ll give you time to settle, then we’ll meet.” I turned from her before I could do something foolish, like throw her on the bed and mate her. Over my shoulder, I added, “If you need food, it is one door down. Two doors is the holo-room. We’ll meet there in one span.”
“So, youarestalling.” Her laughter tinkled over me as light as rain.
I huffed. “I am giving you a chance, female.” I would not look at her again. I would not. My body spun despite my resolve. I captured her gaze with mine. “You’d best use the time to prepare.”
“Oh, I have no fear, cocky commander.” She flopped on the bed, her body bouncing once before she sunk into the softness. She sighed. “Ah, that’s nice.”
Crex. Crex.I didn’t dare another word. Spinning on my heel, I ducked from the room and put my palm to the console. The door slid shut with a decisive swoosh. I heard her surprised mumbling from inside, but I didn’t stick around to decipher it. I headed straight for my quarters on the opposite side of the hall.
With fast steps, I entered my room and shut the door behind me. Lust burned my skin and thickened my blood, hotter and denser than Syconian oil. Not even a florin could help me in this state. Only one thing might temper the edge of these desires.But it’s not what I need.
It wasn’t by a wide margin. What I required was to sink into my mate’s sweet embrace and bury my cock deep inside her. Since that wasn’t possible, I had to settle for a lesser option. Shedding my vest with my daggers inside, I placed it on the chest of drawers inlaid in the wall. Then, I chucked my boots and stripped off my pants. Heading for the shower, I stood under the black tiles and cranked the nozzle. The cleaning gel sprayed from the faucet, dousing me in the thick substance.
I palmed my cock.Drav it.The instant my hand made contact with my skin, it burned. Yet, the gel beneath my fingers provided a cooling sensation. I used it to run up and down the length of my shaft. Closing my eyes, I pictured the captain’s face: her deep blue eyes, her high cheekbones, her lush lips. I imagined her beside me, long, slender fingers wrapped around my cock. Her wild hair brushed my skin.
I groaned as my touch became hers in my head. Holding my free hand against the wall, I increased the pace. My lust was too raw, too close to the edge.
“Jane,” I called her name to the emptiness and let go. The black tiles ran with my desires before washing away under the cleansing gel. A blast of warm foam hit me next, dissolving the gel. My body went slack as it was cleaned and dried. I fell to my knees in the shower stall.
Shame hit me like a blow to the gut. I’d never wrestled with the emotion before, and its pungency left me raw and sick. It wasn’t my lust that caused the guilt, but the fact that I’d used her, Jane, my little captain, without her consent. Even if it were only in my mind, I had used her.
I am undeserving of a mate.The clawing, biting sensations ripped at my insides.
Staggering to my feet, I stepped from the cleanser and to the wall unit that stored clothes. I donned a fresh pair of simple, loose-fitting pants. Clothed and racked with a whirlwind of feelings, I sat on the edge of the bed. With my lust momentarily quieted, I shouted for a florin.
The empathetic creature popped into the room within a beat of my call. Emerald fur appeared in my peripheral vision as it bounced around to stand before me. With a white stomach, white front paws, and a white line down its face, the surrounding emerald fur stood out in contrast. This florin had an easy communication style, sending images into my mind. Each of their kind had differing preferences from chittering vocalizations to telepathic abilities. I was thankful this one preferred the latter as the former often grated on my ears.
“Thank you for coming.” I inclined my head toward the florin and remained seated on the bed. Even sitting, the florin did not stand higher than my stomach. “I have only discovered my mate a few rotations ago, and the emotions within me lack an outlet.”
The florin tilted his head, sending a plethora of jumbled images to me.
“Why?” I anticipated his question. He nodded. “Well, I cannot claim her. And I have not revealed the call of the mate bond to my warriors.”
