She hadn’t been checking out his crotch all that much in the last week—though her own cheeks heated at the memory of walking in on him earlier that night and getting the lay of the land. All right, more than her cheeks heated. She had never been one to find a penis and balls all that attractive, but knowing he must have been thinking of her as he’d been lying there, working himself over… It excited her. And now, when she followed his glance downward, seeing that straining bulge excited her further. The thought of straddling him and rubbing it between her legs flashed into her mind, but she wanted to do more than simply fling herself at him. He was being so considerate of her needs with his list—and his eagerness to follow a list—that she wanted to take her time, not simply look at him and smile.
She slid her fingers past his ear, pushing them through his thick hair, taking pleasure in ruffling up his tidy locks. “I’m glad to know my smile has that kind of power, but I’d like to think you’ll enjoy things even more if I exert myself a little.” Val let the tablet drop into her lap and brought her other hand to his waist, pulling out his shirt so she could slip her fingers beneath it.
“Exertion is good,” Gregor whispered, his belly shivering as she traced the lean flesh there.
His lips drew her eye, and she found herself leaning forward, wanting another taste of that bottom one. He either read her mind or had the same thing on his, for he met her halfway, and it was her lip that found its way into his mouth. He grazed the inside with his top teeth, then sucked gently. Raw sparks of energy coursed through her body. Her earlier desire to tease faded, replaced by hot urgency and a longing to stop the play and get serious.
She was gasping by the time they broke for air and on the verge of straddling him, taking her time be damned. “Why don’t we just figure it out as we go this time?” she asked, nuzzling his neck as she caught her breath. “I’ll work on the list later. Maybe add those diagrams that were getting you excited.” She slid both hands beneath his shirt now, letting them roam along the ridges of his abdomen, relishing the feel of his taut muscles and deciding whether she should explore farther up… or farther down. Either way, it was definitely time to start removing some clothing.
“Oh, yes. Although…” Gregor glanced down at the tablet, forgotten in her lap. “I was getting even more excited at the idea of making my way to Number Three.” His gaze drifted the inches from the tablet to her breasts. The appreciation and almost reverence in his expression made her feel like some goddess worthy of admiration and devotion, not a freighter pilot who had never done much with her life.
“No need to skip it then.” She paused her exploration of his body to free the buttons of her blouse. She had been thinking of removing his clothing, but she was feeling hot and restrained all of a sudden. And the way he watched her every twitch of her fingers made her even hotter. Again, reverence mingled with the eagerness on his face, as if she were peeling back a cloth to reveal bars of the purest gold. Her nipples hardened under his gaze, and she thrust herself toward him, longing for his touch. As he lifted his hand, she hurried to remove her bra, wanting nothing between her and his fingers.
He stroked her lightly, tracing her contours and brushing his thumb across her nipples. Hot wetness stirred between her thighs. Though she longed to get back to touching him, she let her head fall back, luxuriating in his exquisite attention.
“All these years, I dreamed of you,” Gregor whispered. “You were never so beautiful as this.”
She thought about complimenting him back—she was certainly enjoying his body, as well—but a selfish part of her was aroused by the idea of him thinking of her and wanted to hear more about that. “Did you dream of me often?”
He lowered his head, finding the curve of her breasts now with his tongue. “Yes,” he murmured, tracing a circle, his moist heat brushing the sensitive flesh at the base of her nipple. Moist heat of her own gathered, and she could scarcely wait to take off more of her clothing, to give him access to the rest of her. “When you were in my classes, I always struggled to make sure I looked at your eyes.” He rubbed his face between her breasts, and his hair dusted her skin, a thousand tiny pricks of pleasure. His tongue followed the curve of her flesh, and when he flicked her nipple, she almost bucked into him, the wet sensation startling her with a rush of desire. He traced the outline of her other breast with his hand, his delicate touch teasing her, making her ache for more, making her ache for him. “And since you kissed me in the freezer… I’ve barely been able to think of anything else.” This time, he caught her nipple between his teeth, nibbling and sucking.
Val gasped, arching into him. She grabbed the back of his head with both hands, digging her fingers into his hair. He sucked and stroked with his tongue, and she leaned back onto the bed, pulling him with her, wanting to shift her legs and wrap them around him. Except she was still wearing her trousers and boots, and he was still wearing everything. She grabbed at her laces in frustration but kept the movements small, not wanting to do anything to disturb him, or stop those lips as they laved her nipples.
Gregor chuckled, sliding her boots off easily, as he let his mouth continue to roam. She’d never gotten to Number Four on her list, but he must have known where she had been going, for when his lips left her breasts it was only to wander lower. He licked and nipped at her abdomen as his fingers slid open the fastener on her belt. She kept thinking that she should do more for him, despite his claim that he had no list of desires, but he kept distracting her. She managed to rub his scalp, hoping he enjoyed that, but mostly, she wanted to push his head lower. She lifted up eagerly when he tugged her trousers over her hips. Cool air touched her damp core, reminding her how chilly it was in the room, and she hoped he would bring the heat of his tongue down there to keep her warm. Or—she grinned like an imp as he rubbed his stubbled chin against her inner thigh—inferno hot would be good too.
Her trousers hit the floor, and she lay naked before him, her body wet and hot and tight and eager. He paused to gaze up at her, checking to make sure she wanted more? Oh, she did. Before she had to plead with him not to stop, his thumb eased between her lips. He made a pleased sound in his throat, as if he hadn’t been sure he would find her so wet and ready. As if she hadn’t been wanting him since their first kiss.
She gasped when he found her clitoris, gently brushing against it. She grabbed the bedspread, her fingers curling into the fur, her body arching toward him, pushing against his hand. His gentle brushes became more of a rub, and she groaned, waves of sensation running through her body. He watched her face, his eyes full of desire and… intensity too. “Did you ever think of me?”
With her eyes crossing, Val could barely focus on his words. It was silly, but she almost felt like this was some test, and if she gave the wrong answer, he might torture her by stopping those delicious strokes. “Not back at the academy,” she whispered, her words rushed—she wanted to get to the part he would want to hear. “I thought you were handsome, but that you thought I was worthless and… you know the rest. But since the station, I started to realize, to get you…” His thumb continued to pleasure her, and she struggled to get coherent sentences out, enough to satisfy him so he would stop teasing her and give her what she ached for. “Yeah, I’ve been wanting you. If Summers hadn’t shown up in that stupid shuttle, I would have…”
“What?” he whispered, his voice lower. He nipped at the tender flesh of her inner thigh, and all she could manage was a groan of pleasure in response. By the time his tongue slid between her lips, she had forgotten the question. Talking was too hard. She spread farther for him, wanting, yes, that was what she wanted. The long, slow strokes of his tongue, an exploration that soon had her panting. “You wanted me?” he murmured, his lips against her lips, the reverberations of his voice making her thighs tremble. His eyes gleamed as he watched her even as his tongue continued those long sensuous strokes that had her shaking with desire, pushing toward him, panting as sweat slid down her ribcage. Every time he grazed her sex, the
shuddering throb that coursed through her body brought her that much closer to the edge.
“Yes, I wanted you,” she panted, knowing he was teasing her again. She deserved it, but she could barely stand it. “If I could have gotten you out of that suit. Hell, I was probably going to hump you, anyway.” Her words came in such a jumble that she didn’t know if he’d understand, but she wanted him to know… that she understood that he wanted to know. “You’re amazing, Gregor. Wish I’d figured it out sooner.”
He paused for a moment, and she lifted her head, meeting his eyes, and felt a charge of electricity between them. Then, as if she’d released him from some tether, he slid both hands under her ass, cupping her and pushing her up against him. He stroked faster with his tongue, sending her back to that spot where she was dancing on the edge. His next brush with her clitoris, he lingered, drawing her into his mouth for rhythmic sucking that soon had her crying out, begging for him not to stop. She bucked into him, clawing at the fur beneath her, and with one final pulse of his lips he sent her spiraling over that edge, the explosion rivaling that of the bombs in the hangar. She collapsed back onto the bed, her muscles spent and quivering, her body and soul floating on a sublime cloud.
Gregor lifted his head, his breathing rapid as he gazed over her body. Val felt a twinge of regret for her selfishness. She’d done so little for him thus far.
“Take off your clothes.” She pushed herself up, grabbing his shirt and helping him remove it, even though he was already rushing to comply. She stared into his hungry eyes. “I want you in me.” The intensity in her voice, the naked truth, surprised her. “Now,” she added, almost a growl.
He nearly fell over in his haste to tear off his boots, and she would have laughed, but she was too busy kissing him. His mouth, his ear, his neck, those magnificent shoulders that were finally bare. She nipped at his warm skin, rubbing and raking her nails across the corded contours of his back, savoring her exploration and hoping he was enjoying it, as well. When her fingers brushed over a bruise, one of several on his back, thanks to that fall in the hangar, she lightened her touch, overcome with a sense of caring and protectiveness, wanting to make sure she didn’t cause him discomfort.
“Don’t stop,” Gregor whispered, still breathless. “I’m fine.” He gave her a quick kiss, but most of his focus was on yanking open his belt and shoving his trousers to the floor. His straining cock finally sprang free, released from confinement.
Val chuckled and grasped him. “Yes, you are.”
He groaned at her touch, then leaned into her, pushing her back onto the bed. With his cock throbbing in her hand, his mouth found hers as his elbows came down on either side of her. Kisses that had been playful before were hard and demanding now, his tongue thrusting into her mouth. She sucked at it, taking him in, wanting him deeper, her own desire building again. As their kisses grew in intensity, she rubbed him with her hand, spreading her legs and guiding him to her, her core slick and ready for him. Her other hand came around his back, grasping the hard muscles of his shoulder, fingernails digging in, gripping him, afraid someone might interrupt them again and she wouldn’t get to pull him into her.
“I need you,” he rasped, the tip of him nudging her, ready.
“Me too,” she whispered, releasing him so she could link both arms around the back of his neck. He was hers now.
He slid into her, his muscles quivering as he forced himself to take it slow, testing her response. But she didn’t want slow. She wanted him in her, all of him in her. She grabbed his butt, pulling him down even as she rose up to meet him. He moaned as she engulfed him fully. They rocked together, and his restraint faded, his intensity unleashing itself. He kissed her as he drove deeper, their bodies clashing. She wrapped her legs around him, meeting his eagerness, pushing him until sweat bathed both of them, and their breaths came as rapid gulps for air. Pressure built, a bomb poised to burst. He panted her name, passion smoldering in his eyes, and she felt him on the edge. He buried his face in the side of her neck, his body straining with those final thrusts, beautiful friction sending spirals of pleasure through her. She squeezed with her legs, capturing him, tightening around him. He gasped, growling into her ear. Then his teeth grazed her throat, and that bomb exploded inside of her, waves of release shaking her body. He was there, too, giving one final thrust, then pouring himself into her. He groaned her name again, rubbing his lips against her damp throat, delicious bliss swallowing her as they melted together, spent muscles quivering.
Val dragged a hand up to the back of his head, pushing her fingers through his damp hair, twining them there and keeping him close to her. He patted around, then dragged one of the furs over them. Good, he wasn’t planning on going anywhere. Something clunked to the floor. The tablet.
“Guess we didn’t need the list.” She smiled, nuzzling the side of his throat.
Gregor shifted onto his elbows and kissed her gently, lovingly, then paused to gaze down at her. The reverence in his eyes filled her throat with emotion again. “I hope my performance was satisfactory without it.”
He was so earnest that she almost laughed, but she kissed him back instead, then pulled his head down so she could reach his ear. She licked a salty bead of sweat off his lobe and whispered, “Don’t let this go to your head, but you’re as good in bed as you are in a cockpit.”
“You were satisfied then?”
“Very satisfied.”
“Excellent. I was too.” His earnestness faded, and he smiled shyly, looking pleased with himself.
She laughed and kissed him again.
Epilogue
The shuttle soared out of the atmosphere without any alarming rattles or jolts, on course for the space station where the Albatross awaited its wayward children. The last Val heard, the bigger ship had successfully extricated itself from the war with mostly superficial damage and no personnel losses. Apparently, the other mercenary fleet had departed the planet too. It seemed the Orenkans had to pay for extensive earthquake damage and could no longer afford their hired help. The Death Rush ships were now docked on the other side of the station from the Albatross. Some of the formerly warring mercenaries might even be in a pub somewhere together, gambling over dice, darts, or holo-bowling.
It was a strange world Val had entered. At least she didn’t feel like she was alone in it anymore.
She and Gregor were flying together in their craft; the other shuttle trailed, carrying the crew that had come down for repairs. Knowing they were on their way back to work—and that her position was still up in the air—Val hadn’t made any suggestions that she and Gregor should program the autopilot and investigate the comfort level of the banks of passenger seats, but she was having a hard time not making I-can’t-help-myself-but-I-adore-you eyes at him. He still looked a little surprised and flattered when he caught her making them, and he smiled shyly back at her. Once, she wouldn’t have thought Gregor Thatcher knew how to smile, and yet here he was, making her stomach flutter.
The comm bleeped.
“Thatcher here,” Gregor said, still smiling at her. Val grinned, wondering if his tone sounded strange to those on the other end, dreamier than usual.
“It’s Sequoia, sir. The captain wants to know if you’ve been taking good care of his shuttles or if they’ll be needing repairs at the station before we can leave.”
“Sparks reports that both vessels are operating at 98% efficiency and won’t need further attention until their regular monthly maintenance.”
“Good news. I’ll let the captain know. We’ve got you down for a forty-seven minute ETA. Does that sound right?”
“Precisely, Lieutenant. Ah…” Gregor glanced at Val and bit his lip. Was he going to bring up what he’d been speaking of the day before? That he wanted Sequoia to decide whether she was qualified for the job? She had damned well better be qualified after all she had gone through, but she didn’t say anything. If he didn’t want to appear biased, she could understand that. Besides, Sequoia seemed fair, not
like someone who would make her leap through the rings of Tindar IV or keep her in suspense for ages.
“Yes, sir?” Sequoia asked.
“Cadet Calendula and I have been through a lot on this mission, and I believe I may struggle to judge without bias whether she should be selected to join Mandrake Company.”
Val wondered if anyone besides Sequoia was listening in on the conversation, anyone who might read between the lines to realize that their proper and by-the-book Commander Thatcher was shagging the new recruit. She didn’t hear any sniggers over the comm. If people were listening, they probably couldn’t imagine the scenario. She never would have imagined it a week ago.
“I told her the decision would be in your hands, Lieutenant,” Gregor continued.
After a pause—a dumbfounded pause?—Sequoia asked, “You did?”
“Yes. I have faith in you, Lieutenant.”
This time, Sequoia’s dumbfounded pause stretched longer, into stunned silence.
“Lieutenant?” Gregor prompted.
Sequoia cleared his throat. “Yes. Good then. Let’s do it. Cadet Calendula, are you there?”
Gregor cocked his head curiously.
Val leaned forward. “I’m here, yes.”
“All right. Commander, has she demonstrated that she knows how to pilot a craft?” Sequoia asked.
“Several, yes.”
“And, Calendula, now that you’ve been with him for a few days, do you think you can put up with being under Thatcher’s command?”
Gregor met Val’s eyes. She almost laughed. It was true that when she had first seen him standing in that shuttle bay, she hadn’t been certain. When she didn’t answer immediately, Gregor’s expression grew alarmed.
“Yes,” Val hurried to say, laying her hand on his arm at the same time.
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