Page 68 of Grulen

“Thank you, Morgan.”Stalad bit into the egg and meat concoction and hummed.“This is good.”She’s a good cook.

“I figured I’d make sure everyone stayed fed unless something else takes priority.I’m not very useful up here otherwise.”

“Why don’t we take the opportunity to train you on various positions so you have some working knowledge?It’ll kill some time, and you’ll feel more confident up here afterwards.”Rain’s eyes scanned her console and out the window as she ate.

“Just don’t expect great things from me.Working on the bridge is a far cry from teaching children or exotic dancing.”Morgan’s eyes twinkled.

“You’ll be fine.”

Stalad coordinated with Rain on when she wanted him to return for his shift, then helped Morgan collect the used dishes.He carried the tray for her back to the kitchen.

“Are you going to take a nap before your shift?”Morgan placed the dirty items in the recycler.

“Yes.I’ll get up a little earlier to do my training forms and take a shower before I have to relieve Rain.You’re welcome to join me.”

“In the shower?”Morgan giggled.

Heat filled his face.Crek.Now I can’t get the vision of her wet and slippery out of my mind.

“I meant on the bridge during my shift.I can teach you about the different systems.”

She gently pat his back.

“I knew what you meant, but the look on your face was priceless.”Her eyes sparkled.

“Very funny.If I knew I were free, I would make the other offer.”His nostrils flared as her scent deepened.

“I believe I might say yes to such an offer…if you were free.”

His hands gently squeezed her upper arms, and he rested his forehead on hers.

“You are far too tempting,ciebala.We shouldn’t talk like this.”

Her eyelids dropped to hide her blue eyes.

“I know.I couldn’t resist teasing you.Forgive me?”

“I think I could forgive you anything.”

She inhaled deeply then pulled back.She made a shooing motion with her hands.

“Go get some sleep.I’ll have a meal waiting for you when you’re ready.”

He stepped away slowly.When she turned to the sink to wash the tray, he left with his tail swaying quickly.

I want her.I only wish I knew if I could pursue our attraction fully.

With the reduced ship’s complement gone, the next few weeks tested Stalad’s resolve.Morgan spent a great deal of time on the bridge with him alone.He taught her how to read the various scans and consoles, as well as how to operate the weapons system.She taught him how to program the small synthesizer on the bridge for snacks.She found it strange he didn’t know how to do it when he capably handled every other ship operation.

His tail found ways to hold her, usually around her ankle.Most times he didn’t even know it had moved.Her wonderful scent clung to him, even if they hadn’t touched.Trulet, grass, and rain smells followed him into his dreams.He began waking a little earlier so he could spend extra time in the shower, fisting himself to thoughts of Morgan.But he resolutely kept his hands to himself when they were together.

He looked forward to their times alone.Morgan spoke of her mother with a great deal of love and shared her memories of the female who birthed her.His need to hold her when her sadness when she told him of her mother’s cancer battle almost overwhelmed him, but he resisted.His claws bit into his palms, but the pain reminded him he shouldn’t give either of them false hope for a future together.

Crax and Kara reached Rumaska and waited almost two weeks before they received clearance to land because of some planetwide celebration where outsiders were not invited.On Ladorta, Makai reported that negotiations appeared to be progressing well.Then Niksen disappeared for two days.Krinir barely slept while she was missing.Triumphantly, she resurfaced unharmed with two Orkites trussed up.

Last he heard, Krinir threw her over his shoulder and spanked her ass when she protested.Tren gleefully reported that it was another two days before Krinir let her out of her quarters to resume negotiations which were almost completed.When Morgan heard about it, a secretive smile grace her plump lips and she only said, “Good for her.”

The Ladortans transported the perpetrators to Arona, so at least theFortitudedidn’t have to put them in their brig.Now they waited for the team on Ladorta to return after the signing of the treaty.

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