Page 48 of Tattle Tail
“Yesterday was an emergency. Today has been merely…difficult.” She spent the day trying to boost the comm signal. The asteroid belt caused too much interference and degraded the signal. Increasing the signal strength was possible, but small vessels did not have the equipment. The day had been a series of frustrations, cobbling together a power amplifier and failing.
“We wouldn’t have enjoyed it yesterday.”
“I disagree.” She always enjoyed chocolate, but perhaps she would have been too worked up to savor the treat.
He held out the box, grinning. “Go on, have one.”
She reached up to select a piece. “The time delay makes this emotional support chocolate, not emergency chocolate.”
“Oh, my stars, Peaceable, I am utterly delighted that you feel the need to clarify the function of my chocolate. You’re operating at full Peaceable-ness. Maximum Peaceability.”
“You tease me,” she said, amused rather than annoyed. She wasn’t sure when his teasing began to amuse her. Some time ago.
“I tease because I love.”
The words hung between them.
His face flushed red, and rather than explain himself, he shoved a piece of chocolate into his mouth.
Peaceable did the same. The chocolate had a waxy texture, suggesting it was old and, indeed, reserved for times of emotional support. The soft caramel center melted on her tongue.
“Nice, right?” he asked with a full mouth.
She eyed the last piece in the box. “I have suffered great trauma. I require more support.”
He pulled the box closed. “I’m saving this one.”
“Do you not care about your friend’s happiness?” She stared up at him, hands on her knees and her ears turned down.
“You said we weren’t friends,” he said, sounding skeptical.
They weren’t. Not really. Whatever this was, sleeping under the stars in each other’s arms, it wasn’t friendship. Still, she wanted that piece of candy and was not above using guilt. “A good friend would share his chocolate,” she said.
“I have.”
“A good friend would give away his last piece because he is generous and understands that the concept of property is an unjust paradigm,” she said, not entirely sure where she was going with this line.
“Unjust, huh?”
“True generosity is not just of spirit but also the sharing of material wealth.”
“And a good friend shares.” He held out the box. Peaceable reached for it, but he snatched it back at the last moment. “Ha! My money bought this chocolate, and I’m too stingy to give it away.”
He popped the last piece into his mouth, holding it between his clenched teeth like a dare.
Growling, she sprang up and tackled him to the ground. Sitting astride his hips, she leaned down and bit the chocolate in half. Their lips brushed, chocolaty mixed with fruit, and something else.
She leaned back, savoring her victory. Underneath her, she felt his hardness. Unexpected, but not unpleasant.
Their gazes met, stretching out for a long moment as sweet and soft as the caramel.
“Come back here,” he said, drawing her back down. His fingers tangled in her hair.
He tasted of chocolate and heat, warmth and desire.
“Joseph—” His name came out as a moan. Eyes fluttering shut; she nuzzled the side of his face.
“The way you say my name,” he said, voice thick with desire.
