Captain's Treasure

Chapter 24

Cyra escapedto her water chamber. She could have visited the salt pools at one of the station’s spas, but she preferred to be alone. Alone she could let her skin release the feel him. Release the energy she’d absorbed from him.

Their impossible connection clawed at her.

She couldn’t do it. She couldn’t sacrifice everything she was to be someone’s mate. If she was going to end up tied down to a male for life, she could’ve stayed with her family. Never had an adventure. Never been a captain. Never had a chance of having a successful career. She ached for this male. He fuddled her brain and captured her heart. But what she wanted most in this lifetime was her freedom. Her independence.

Her body was a traitorous bitch, demanding she return to his arms to let him give her an orgasm that didn’t involve tentacles or an audience. But that wasn’t what she’d studied so hard for, what she’d sacrificed for. He could be a temporary distraction, but no more than that. Except that she liked having him with her when she went off-ship. The way he protected her from danger she hadn’t recognized.

She wasn’t much of a people person to begin with and once Varik had trash talked her to anyone who would listen, she had a bigger target on her back. She already stood out from most of the other transporters—tall, blue, and female. Not like she could blend into the crowd with those characteristics.

In the past she’d kept to herself and avoided any possible threats. As captain, that was no longer an option. She had to interact with the key players in the industry, the bartenders, the dock workers, the vendors. She wouldn’t leave it to her crew to handle everything the way Captain Auvi had done.

The gelatinous water held her aloft as her thoughts tried to drag her down. Why couldn’t the answers ever be easy? Her entire life was a struggle between what she wanted and what she could have. She closed her eyes allowing the solution to come to her, letting go of all the tension. Hours might have passed before she found her less-than-perfect resolution.

For as long as she could, she would let Dez help her. It would hurt to let him go when the time came, but it would hurt them both if she shunned him in the meantime.

An imperfect compromise, but it was all she had. She continued to float around letting her thoughts wander until she was completely relaxed. She returned to her quarters and fell asleep as soon as she settled into bed. Her dreams were filled with Dez.

The next cycle, Cyra stumbled into the galley. With Dez on her brain, her sleep had been anything but restful. But she had a business to manage. Blaize and Rhysa were at opposite ends of the table. Dez was at the food prep station, filling the room with amazing scents. His thick legs and taut backside clenched and rippled with every shift of his body. Cyra’s mouth watered.

Veda came in and sat in next to Cyra.

She purposely looked away from the temptation of Dez. “Do we have any leads on a communications expert?”

“Nothing,” Rhysa answered.

“I talked to everyone who would listen, putting the word out, visiting at least thirteen places. I even talked to the shopkeepers, and no one knows of anyone who’s looking. It’s incredible. You would think there would be someone. It seems like it should be a solvable problem. I mean, aren’t new officers graduating regularly and don’t they need a contract if for nothing else than to pay their living expenses? I can’t believe that nobody knows anybody who is looking…”

Dez cut off Blaize’s ramblings by placing a plate of hot food under her nose. Cyra was grateful. It was too damn early for all that jabbering.

“We’ll need to restock and get going then.” The time had come for The Treasure to make the trip she dreaded. “Rhysa?”

Rhysa paused her fork mid-bite. “Captain?”

“Can I ask you to help us with getting the fuel?” It was awful to ask, but every credit counted since there were far too few in the business account.

Rhysa chewed and swallowed. “Absolutely.” She grinned and wiggled her white eyebrows. “I was planning on a quick visit to my guy. Having a valid reason works to my favor.”

Cyra glanced up as a dark arm holding a plate of food entered her vision. His smoldering look was warmer than the meal he’d given her. “Dez? Would you be willing to go with me to select provisions?”

“I would be pleased to assist you.” Why did his answer sound sexual?

“Veda, do you need anything?”

“Dez’s family was incredibly generous. And since no one was sick or injured, even the thuringies are well, so, no. I don’t need anything,” Veda replied.

Dreading what might be a long-winded answer, Cyra ate a few more bites of the delicious protein and vegetable mixture Dez had made. “What about you, Blaize? Need anything?”

Fortunately, Blaize was still eating and just shook her head no. As soon as she finished eating, Blaize would be all over the system checks. Cyra’s crew was experienced and talented. She didn’t need to instruct them what to do every minute of every cycle. It made being the captain simpler.

Cyra and Dez spent the day shopping and revisiting their contacts. There was no contract to be had to deliver anything to Kolben, and they struck out on any leads for the communications position. Cyra was discouraged, but her time wasn’t a total loss. Dez held her hand for most of the day. He touched her shoulder or her back if she was busy with her hands. He was in contact with her all the time and she liked it. The warm energy that came from him wrapped her up and soothed her almost as well as being in her water chamber. She couldn’t get used to it, but she was going to enjoy it while it lasted.

“Hello?” Cyra called out as she and Dez walked down the main corridor of The Treasure. They’d already found the bridge empty. “Veda?”

The med lab was empty. So were the engineering areas of the ship. “They must have had errands to run after all.”

She hadn’t been uneasy all day, but being alone with Dez on the ship had an air of intimacy she hadn’t experience being with him in public.

“Hungry?” she asked heading back to the galley.

Dez tugged her hand that he hadn’t let go of. She stopped and gave him a questioning glance. He embraced her and his lips hovered so close to hers. She couldn’t resist, she pressed forward, accepting his silent offer. His lips were warm and gentle but determined. He hand went to her hip, pressing her body to his, while he teased her lips with his tongue until she opened for him.

The corridor disappeared. There was only Dez. His kiss deepened as he feasted on her, savoring her. He teased her tongue until she responded, just as hungry for him. She would never end their kiss, if she had the option of forever. His erection pressed against her mound. Clothes the only barrier to prevent them from having sex there in the hallway.

The realization of where she was interrupted her desire. She dreaded getting caught making out by her crew and with a great draw on her internal will, she put her hands to his muscular chest and pushed him back, instantly missing the sweet connection of their lips.

Dez sighed, dropping his hand from her hip. “I’ll begin preparing our last meal of the cycle.”

“Dez…”

“There is nothing to say.” He held up a hand, his eyes briefly closed. When he opened them, they weren’t focused on her but on some distant point on the ship. “I understand. Do you think everyone will return to eat?”

“I’m sure they will.” His food was delicious and credits were dear. “Can I help you?”

He shook his head and her gut clenched as if he’d punched her.

“I think I would prefer a few minutes alone to regain control of myself. If you are with me in the galley, I may not feel like cooking.” Dez finally met her gaze and gave her a panty melting grin.

She took her first conscious breath since she’d pushed him away. His smile warmed her almost as much as his touch. He wasn’t mad at her like she would be if the situation were reversed. She couldn’t have him, and she didn’t deserve him. She left to go to her quarters and find her own control or, more likely, release. The water tank wasn’t going to cut it. She stripped down once she’d locked herself into her room, laid on the bed, and used her fingers as she imagined what they could have done if she’d let the kiss go on. Her orgasm was like her cooking—barely adequate to sustain her and only left her craving what he could give.

Later in the galley, after everyone had returned, Cyra slunk in and took a seat, still worried about how Dez really felt. His grin had been convincing at the time, but could he really be okay with her ever-moving boundaries? If she could get control, and keep her hands and her lips to herself, there’d be no room for misunderstandings. But she didn’t have the willpower. Even her eyes betrayed her as they roamed over his thick muscles, cataloging every bump and shadow.

“So, Rhysa, did you blow the fuel guy again? Or did we have to pay full price?” Blaize asked interrupting Cyra’s fantasy life.

“Funny, bitch,” Rhysa replied light heartedly. “He gives me a good price because he wants to, same reason I blow him. Besides, I wasn’t in such a hurry this trip. Everyone got theirs.” She winked a pink eye at the redheaded engineer who was blushing deep red.

Cyra assumed their banter meant they were forming an odd sort of friendship. She was relieved that Rhysa didn’t take offense to Blaize’s snarky comment. She’d expected Rhysa would blow up about giving a blow job. Not so much. Of course she hated that Rhysa was trading sexual favors for their fuel even though she appeared happy doing so.

“By everyone, I hope you mean you got yours.” Cyra blurted out. “There’s selfless and then there’s stupid. I personally need a lot more up front before I go down on my knees for someone.”

“Good to know.” Dez turned and put a plate in front of Blaize.

Despite being blue, her blush rose, and she was likely purple. She bit her tongue. The same appendage that had explored his sexy mouth. She stuffed her mouth with seared meat. Talk of blowjobs and people getting theirs made her uncomfortable. Not because she didn’t like sex talk, but because she was aching for sexual release. A real one, not a mini-gasm on the tips of her fingers.

Dez caught her quick glance in his smoldering gaze. He took her hand in his and kissed her finger tips. His tongue teased out so briefly and then he broke into a huge grin. She’d washed her hands, but somehow he knew what she’d done. Maybe he had some super predator sense and could smell her arousal or maybe he was empathic and could sense her feelings. He released her hand. “You could have asked for my assistance.”

Cyra’s breath caught. She’d have to be careful around him if she was going to hide anything. Especially anything having to do with imagining fucking him. Veda cleared her throat, bringing Cyra back to the galley. Dez freed her, and she released the breath she’d been holding. She might have to give in and have a brief affair with him. Not too brief—it was a long way to Kolben. The more toyed with the idea, the better it seemed.

“Where did you go this afternoon, Veda?” Dez asked as he sat with his own meal.

“Oh, I went to run a few personal errands. I sent a message to Doc, just to check in. I need some personal items. Oh—” She startled and shifted on her seat. “I was thinking about starting a hydroponic garden. It would be nice to have some fresh vegetables on these long journeys. I know this guy who knows all about the lights and the soil and the plants that do best. I didn’t buy anything. I wanted to talk to you about it first, Cyra.”

“That’s a brilliant idea.” A hydroponics project could be the perfect distraction. “What do you think it will take in credits to get started?”

“Don’t worry about the credits. Everyone else bought into a partnership and I want to do the same. I just wanted to make sure that you would be okay with me setting up the system.”

“Blaize?” Cyra asked. “What do you think? Can our systems absorb the hit for the power and water?”

“Depends where on the ship you’re doing this.” Blaize took a breath to continue, but Veda jumped in.

“I was thinking I might take over one of the cells. I could take over one of the empty crew apartments, but that would be harder since the furnishings are built in. A cell is the perfect space. I’m spending so much time back there anyway with the dogs.”

“Actually, that works. The systems are designed to climate control those areas within in pretty tight parameters. As long as it’s not too big an area.”

“Of course you can have a couple of cells. Maybe the set of four that can be connected to form one larger space,” Cyra replied.

“I would be happy to assist you with this project, Doctor.” Dez added, making Cyra fall for him just a bit more.