by S. E. Smith
“I’m on duty at my usual time but I’ll make the drinks small enough to cause nothing but a warm glow. There’s always headclear for us nonpilots.” Juli led the way into the small living space and poured them each a tiny glass of feelgood from her private stock.
“Here’s to dream-free sleep,” Steve said, clinking his glass against hers.
There was a companionable moment of silence as they drank. “Would you stay here the rest of the night?” Juli asked, courage bolstered by the warmth from the drink. “I freely admit I’m afraid to be alone.” She rubbed her forehead. “I can tell the nightmare will come back the minute I close my eyes.”
Face set in serious lines, Steve studied her. “Would you like me to sleep on the couch in here?”
“No, you could um join me in the bedroom,” she said. “To sleep.”
“I understood the boundaries on your invitation, don’t worry. I’m to be the first line of defense against a nightmare. I can handle the assignment.” A serious expression on his face, he set the glass down. “I think we’ve gotten our whole relationship wrong from the first, honestly. There was the disastrous group date where I made a fool of myself—”
“You made a fool of yourself? No, I was the one—”
Mouth open, she stared at him and he stared back before they both broke into laughter.
“We’ve wasted a lot of time,” he said softly. “I find you very attractive Ms. Shaeffer and I’d like to get to know you better. Will you go out on a date with me?”
“As opposed to what happened on the catastrophic ‘get to know your fellow crew members’ evening three years ago? Or us having dinner with Dian, dancing at the ship’s reception and attending the special concert together on this cruise? Oh and dealing with this cursed alien rock together?” She couldn’t stop smiling. “I’d love to.”
“All right, now we’ve settled the question of an actual date, let’s see if we can get a few hours of shuteye or whether the damn rock is going to invade our dreams all night.” He collected both their glasses and took them to the kitchenette.
“We can invite Dian and Charrli to join us if it happens again,” she said with a smile. “An old fashioned slumber party.”
Hand in hand with Steve, she walked into her bedroom. He lay on top of the covers and Juli climbed onto the bed, under the blankets, spooning herself next to him. He drew her close and she fought the temptation to make the first overture to take this into a different direction. She was sure he was as willing as she was, although he was being the perfect gentleman. Being in such close proximity to him—even fully clothed—was heating her blood and making her pulse pound, particularly in her most private places.
What did you expect, idiot? You’ve always had the hots for him…and now he’s here…
Was she going to waste this opportunity and pile up more regrets where Steve Aureli was concerned?
“Are you as turned on right now as I am?” she asked in a low voice, knowing he was because she could feel the hard steel of his arousal against her back, even through the layers of blankets and clothing.
Gently he parted her tousled hair to reveal the back of her neck and pressed a soft kiss to her heated skin. “Maybe even more.” Slowly he nuzzled his way to her ear and nipped at her lobe, giving her pleasurable goose bumps. Juli wriggled a little, which of course made both of them even more aware of just how aroused they were.
Moving with deliberation, Steve slid one hand to her breast, palming the weight with a contented murmur and teasing the nipple with his thumb through the silky fabric of her nightgown. “Tell me to stop and I’ll go sleep on the sofa to remove the mutual temptation,” he said. “Word of an officer.”
Juli rolled onto her back, studying the contours of his face, realizing all over again how attracted she was to him, even sleep deprived and disheveled. And he came to see if I was in trouble. “I think taking action is a much better plan, don’t you? More likely to keep the nightmare at bay.”
“And you’re sure this decision isn’t the effect of the drink?” he asked, face set in serious lines, although he’d transferred his attention to her other breast, playing with the sensitive nipple.
Although she appreciated his chivalry, Juli laughed and shook her head. “The amount I poured for each of us was barely a swallow, not even enough to start a good buzz, let alone impair my judgment. I know what I’m doing and it’s something I’ve wanted to explore with you for a long time.” She made a little business of removing her robe, sliding first one sleeve and then the other down her shoulders slowly and shrugging out of the garment, in a manner that lifted her breasts as she did so.
His eyes a little glazed with desire, Steve was clearly enjoying the show she was providing. “Getting to know you better these past few days has only made me more regretful over the time we’ve wasted,” he said. “You’re not like any other woman I ever met and I want more. I want you.”
“I can tell and the feeling is definitely mutual.” Pleased, Juli chuckled and lay back on the pillows.
Staring at her with admiration and desire, he moved his hand along her leg, pushing the nightgown out of his way until he reached the vee of her legs. With his big hand he cupped her. Instinctively Juli gave a soft moan and pushed her hips against the pressure he was exerting, savoring the tingles of sensation reverberating through her. She pulled him to her and the next kiss was scorching, each seeking to explore the other, making up for lost time. His weight on top of her felt so right, with the impressive bulge between his legs nudging her body insistently despite the clothing between them.
Eventually they broke apart, breathing hard. Steve sat up and took off his tee shirt, throwing it on the deck, revealing tatts and honed, sculpted muscle, as well as an enticing trail of hair drawing her attention ever lower on his body. In her eagerness, she didn’t spend any time studying his amazing physique or the art but allowed her fingers to drift below the waistband of his pants. Juli took his impressive shaft in her hand, although she couldn’t close her fingers around the girth. She reveled in the power of his arousal and the answering desire invoked in her, seeing what effect she obviously had on him.
Aching deep inside, wanting, she undid his pants and his cock sprang free. Juli stroked him root to tip and he moved against her as if helpless to resist. After rubbing her thumb across the plum shaped head she licked her finger, savoring the salty, musky taste of him. She kept her eyes on his face, enjoying his reaction to her byplay.
Steve groaned as he watched her. “You’re the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.” His manhood pulsed against her, lengthening even further.
Juli lowered her head to swirl her tongue over the sensitive head while she used her free hand to excellent effect, massaging his sac, pulled tight to his body, and then the sensitive skin behind. Steve plunged his hands into her hair, holding her in position, but gently, not trying to force her attentions.
Juli took his cock as deep into her throat as she could, rewarded by his guttural moan of pleasure.
“Keep doing that and this will be a regrettably short interlude before we go to sleep,” he said, voice tight as he shifted position under her attentions. “I think it’s my turn to give you my full attention.”
With a smile, she allowed him to slip from her lips and sat up, raising her arms. “I could use a little help.” She tilted her head and arched her eyebrows.
Steve wasted no time in drawing the nightgown over her head and tossing it aside. He feasted his eyes on the picture she presented and Juli did a little artful stretching. His attention went to the tiny scrap of silk and lace doing almost nothing to conceal her most private parts and he ran one finger along the edge of the fabric. “This is what you’ve been wearing under all those uniforms? You’ve been sitting prim and proper in Fleming’s staff meetings with these on? I’ll never be able to concentrate again.” His voice was deep and full of yearning, with a touch of teasing. She approved. He drew the panties away from her body, slipping them down her legs in a
slow process, gliding his hand over her skin as he did so and leaving her breathless.
He pushed his utilities down and kicked them aside, taking her in his arms so they were touching skin to skin everywhere and then he kissed her again, deep and delicious. The lingering hint of the nightcap on his tongue gave her a sensual buzz, added to the unique taste of Steve himself, warm and spicy.
Running one hand down her body, as if savoring the feel of her skin and the lushness of her curves, he slid his fingers through the neatly trimmed curls at the vee of her legs, inserting one digit into her channel. “You’re so wet,” he said in a low voice, nuzzling her neck again. “Which really makes me hot, in case you can’t tell.”
“I can tell. I’ve wanted to do this with you for a long time,” she murmured in between placing tiny kisses along his jawline. ”I’ll reveal one of my secrets—you have this effect on me every damn time we’re together. It’s a total turn on and I expect you to take care of my problem tonight.”
“Am I living up to expectations so far?” he asked with the grin she adored, massaging her clit skillfully with his talented fingers. “Because I must tell you, you’re a dream come true for me.”
“You say the sweetest things.” She gasped as he brought her perilously close to climax with only the use of his hands.
He kissed her again, cutting off whatever she might have said next and Juli let go and came apart in his arms, the sensations of her orgasm intense, filling her mind and body with a near overload of sensual rapture. Steve held her close, murmuring affectionately in her ear.
Floating on the afterglow of the release, she smiled at him. “Mmm, very nice but now I have even higher expectations,” she said in a teasing voice, stroking his back and gliding her hands down to his taut butt. Moving her hips, she sought to entice him into her body as his thick cock rubbed her sensitive outer folds.
Steve pulled himself back a fraction and gave her a deeply serious look. “I want you to know I have a clean bill of health,” he said. “Had my annual physical this week.”
Amused at his timing but appreciative of his consideration, she managed not to smile and said, “Likewise. And I’ve had my annual contraceptive shot so there’s nothing to stand in our way.” Reaching between their bodies, she regained her hold on his shaft and guided him toward the place she wanted him to be. She was so ready for him he slid inside in one smooth thrust, going deep as she shifted her hips to accommodate his entry. Steve gave her time to get used to him, holding himself motionless even as he kissed her breasts and stroked her back. Then, when she indicated she was ready, he set a fast rhythm she was happy to match, their bodies moving together as if halves of a perfect whole, the sensations overriding her senses until she could barely think.
“You feel so amazing,” he said in a hot whisper against her ear.
The sound of his voice pushed her over the edge into a climax that improved on her first orgasm of the night a thousand times, spectacular as the initial experience had been. Steve drove to his own release, his thick shaft buried deep, stretching her and stimulating all her hyper alert nerve endings. Juli was suspended in the intense state, holding him as close to her as she could, wrapping her legs around him to maintain the contact and keep him sheathed deep within her most sensitive inner core.
They stayed locked together, breathing hard, relishing the closeness. Eventually Steve rolled over onto his back despite her halfhearted, murmured protest and she curled up under the blanket with him spooned against her, held tight and secure in his arms.
“That was amazing,” he said, voice husky. “You’re a very special lady, Juli Shaeffer.”
If she could have purred like a cat, she would have. “Likewise, Steve Aureli.”
“I dare the darn rock to try and give you a nightmare now,” Steve said, hugging her to him. “But if it does, I’ll be right here.”
“I appreciate your dedication to my peaceful dreams more than I can say.”
“Happy to be of service. In any way you might require.” With a laugh that went straight to her core and made her more than a little interested in a repeat performance of what they’d shared, ideally sooner than later, he kissed her. “If we had more time before you have to be on duty later this morning, I’d be glad to show you the depth of my dedication to fulfilling your needs. We’re still on for a real date later, right?”
She chuckled along with him. “Most definitely, just try to stand me up.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it. Now get some rest so you can deal with annoying passengers all day.” He tucked her close to him, her head pillowed on his shoulder.
“Our passengers are challenging,” she said with a reproachful look and an admonishing tone, although she winked to make it clear she was only half serious. “Never annoying.”
One eyebrow raised to signal his doubt, Steve asked, “Not even the diva? Remember when she came aboard and there was all the trouble with the cat chasing her alien butterflies?”
“All right, you got me, she’s the one exception.” Juli snuggled close, enjoying the warmth of his presence in his bed and a little in disbelief that after three years the two of them had gotten past their mutual wariness and misunderstandings. “I suppose we do have to be sensible and I am on duty in just a couple of hours. I owe it to Meg to show up on time today and carry my half of the load.”
“I’m all yours tonight, I promise. And we’ll have more than a few hours.” Steve kissed the soft spot where her neck met her shoulders and hugged her again.
As she began to surrender to the sleep overwhelming her, she remembered the rock was supposed to bring good luck in its wake as well as bad. No, I refuse to give the cursed lump of congealed minerals any of the credit for this night!
Although to be fair, Steve had come to find her because of the odd nightmares …
Chapter Eight
Later in the morning, Steve kissed Juli goodbye, promised to call her later to make firm plans for the evening, although it wouldn’t be their formal date, not yet, since Aunt Dian and Charrli would probably be invited along. But later we can have a repeat performance of the past few hours, just the two of us, later in my cabin. He whistled cheerfully as he made his way to his own cabin. He’d been depressingly sure he was never going to get a second chance with Juli after the disastrous way they first met. He had to admit part of it was his own fault, not seeking her out and apologizing for what he certainly remembered as rude behavior. But he’d been in the middle of breaking up with Sanjia, who was as temperamental and selfish as she was beautiful, and in no shape to deal with his unexpected attraction to Juli. Steve Aureli was a one woman guy and at the time of the now infamous group date, he’d been officially in a relationship with Sanjia. So of course he hadn’t been free to pursue Juli. He hadn’t needed to be so abrupt on the night in question, however. Suffering a serious flashback incident under the emotional strain of that night’s events and having to lie low for a time afterward hadn’t helped matters. None of his mood that night or the PTSD episode which followed the screaming match with Sanjia had been Juli’s fault.
Yeah, give me a rough mission behind enemy lines or a tricky course between a black hole and a supernova and I’m your man. But he was so not good with women. With Juli’s help, I’m learning.
His luck was changing. As he showered and dressed in the privacy of his cabin, he paused in mid-ablution, struck by his own reference to luck. Oh come on, Aureli, no damn alien rock has anything to do with Juli forgiving you and being willing to take a second chance.
Except maybe it did. After all, the dreams—his, hers and even Aunt Dian’s—had been about the Tahumaroan luck charm. And the existence of the rock had thrown him and Juli together again.
“Oh for fuck’s sake,” he said, slamming his toothbrush into its holder and staring into the mirror. We’re not at the mercy of superstitious nonsense. All coincidence.
He wasn’t entirely convinced but he was running late to a private but important appointment, so he pul
led his tee shirt over his head, put on his shoes and took off. He made his way through the ship’s corridors, venturing deep into level nine, passing the huge hydroponic gardens which provided key aspects of life support, as well as the flowers the Ship sold to tourists and special vegetables, fruits and herbs the five star chef used in her most exotic recipes.
Gotta remember to snag a rose or two for Juli on my way out.
The deck, which ran the length and breadth of the ship, was deserted, save for a few agri robos going about their tasks. Steve ended his walk at a blank bulkhead. Making sure no one was watching, he placed his palm in the right spot to open a hidden control panel. Maeve registered who he was and the fact he had the right clearance for this area, and a portal slid to the side. Taking a deep breath, Steve stepped over the threshold and entered the secret Tadochi garden.
He stood on the edge of a real garden crammed with well-tended plants of all types, from many worlds. Riotously colored flowers bloomed on all sides, filling the air with scent. Tiny humming insects flitted through the foliage, filling the air with a soothing buzz as they sipped from the flowers. Thick green grass stretched like a carpet and a stunning holo overhead projected blue sky dotted with a few wispy white clouds. Steve heard the music of a small brook running along the path.
The blue sky and clouds were holograms, as was the expansive, slightly misty view to the horizon. Steve took a deep breath as a welcome sense of peace flowed through him. His memorable night with Juli had been a balm to his soul and this moment now only added to the calm pervading his being right now. The portal closed behind him and he was as alone as a person could be on an interstellar ship.
He strolled the path through the carefully designed garden, enjoying the real dirt underfoot and the gently gurgling stream running alongside. Chief Engineer Takkei came from a high-ranking family on a planet with strong ties to the Tadochi priesthood, but the area hadn’t been installed as a religious shrine. More of a place to sit and think, and seek precious serenity. Most of the ship’s core crew was ex-military, and many of them experienced bad things on their various deployments. Takkei was one such person and he and the captain had established this hidden sanctuary for themselves and others suffering the most intractable post-traumatic stress.