get cleaned up? It’s not like I’m going anywhere. I’m stuck on board tonight while you two get to go roam the station. At least, I think it’s night. This no sun, no moon thing is very disorienting.”
“It’s late afternoon, ship time. And yes, we’re going out tonight, but you’re coming with us. As long as it’s safe for you, that is. Trevar’s errands include finding you some decent clothes so you can join us on the station for dinner and more shopping.”
Sonja squealed with joy and bounced in place, hugging Deke so hard his ribs creaked under her hands. “I’m going with you? I get new clothes? Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” She glanced down at her too big shirt and the pair of pants they had modified by cutting the legs much shorter and using a bit of cord as a makeshift belt.
“Well, Trevar wanted to take a look around first and make sure it was safe. If there had been a bunch of Alliance personnel around we wouldn’t have risked you being seen, but as it turns out, there aren’t that many on the station right now. It’s about as safe as we can hope for.”
Still bouncing, Sonja nodded and beamed. “It’ll be fine, I’m sure of it.”
“Promise me that you’ll listen to us out there. This based is run by the Reema, and that means things are little different than you’re used to.”
Sonja was surprised by the note of concern in Deke’s voice. Trevar had described Jikrat as a trading post of sorts, where races and ships from a myriad of worlds came to do business. “Care to explain that in a little more detail? How different could it be? I mean, apart from the fact that it will be full of aliens.”
“For starters, assume everyone you see is armed. We’re still in Alliance space, but that doesn’t mean things are exactly like they’d be on Earth. Whatever you do, don’t get separated from us.” He lifted his hand to trace the lines of the tattoo that marked her face. “Back home, this protected you. Out here, Trevar and I are your only protection.”
Sonja felt a thread of ice weaving through her veins at the thought of being alone and unprotected. For the first time since she’d fled her parents’ shuttle, she felt the full weight of her decision. She was going to have to learn to take care of herself, and quickly. “Before we get to X2, will you teach me how to protect myself?”
“I’ll teach you. And we’ll make sure the Krytos that run the bar there will keep an eye on you. T’karra is something of a friend. She’ll see to it that you’re safe. I don’t like the idea of you being alone out here in the big black. What if something happens and I’m not there to protect you? What’s worse is knowing that by the time we get sent back here, you might have left. I want you to swear to me that if you decide to leave the station, you will tell T’karra where you are going.”
“You going to check up on me?”
Deke’s arms tightened around her as he walked her backward a few steps until her back hit the work table. “No, sweetheart. I’m not going to check up on you, I’m going to come get you.”
Sonja opened her mouth, but nothing came out. What the hell was he talking about? This was only temporary, wasn’t it? Looking up at him, his eyes full of determination and his jaw set, she suddenly wasn’t so sure. He pressed his body into hers, letting her feel the thick ridge of his erection against her stomach. His mouth crashed down on hers a second later, hands tangling in her hair as he claimed her lips in a kiss that made her toes curl in her woolen socks.
Damn, the man could kiss. There was nothing cool or calculating in the way he touched her. Lips mated and tongues entwined as he ground their bodies together, fucking her through their clothes. Clothes were suddenly a barrier, frustrating her sudden need to be naked and in his arms.
Deacon heard the whimper of frustration from the angel in his arms and grinned. She wasn’t arguing against him coming
“It’s late afternoon, ship time. And yes, we’re going out tonight, but you’re coming with us. As long as it’s safe for you, that is. Trevar’s errands include finding you some decent clothes so you can join us on the station for dinner and more shopping.”
Sonja squealed with joy and bounced in place, hugging Deke so hard his ribs creaked under her hands. “I’m going with you? I get new clothes? Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” She glanced down at her too big shirt and the pair of pants they had modified by cutting the legs much shorter and using a bit of cord as a makeshift belt.
“Well, Trevar wanted to take a look around first and make sure it was safe. If there had been a bunch of Alliance personnel around we wouldn’t have risked you being seen, but as it turns out, there aren’t that many on the station right now. It’s about as safe as we can hope for.”
Still bouncing, Sonja nodded and beamed. “It’ll be fine, I’m sure of it.”
“Promise me that you’ll listen to us out there. This based is run by the Reema, and that means things are little different than you’re used to.”
Sonja was surprised by the note of concern in Deke’s voice. Trevar had described Jikrat as a trading post of sorts, where races and ships from a myriad of worlds came to do business. “Care to explain that in a little more detail? How different could it be? I mean, apart from the fact that it will be full of aliens.”
“For starters, assume everyone you see is armed. We’re still in Alliance space, but that doesn’t mean things are exactly like they’d be on Earth. Whatever you do, don’t get separated from us.” He lifted his hand to trace the lines of the tattoo that marked her face. “Back home, this protected you. Out here, Trevar and I are your only protection.”
Sonja felt a thread of ice weaving through her veins at the thought of being alone and unprotected. For the first time since she’d fled her parents’ shuttle, she felt the full weight of her decision. She was going to have to learn to take care of herself, and quickly. “Before we get to X2, will you teach me how to protect myself?”
“I’ll teach you. And we’ll make sure the Krytos that run the bar there will keep an eye on you. T’karra is something of a friend. She’ll see to it that you’re safe. I don’t like the idea of you being alone out here in the big black. What if something happens and I’m not there to protect you? What’s worse is knowing that by the time we get sent back here, you might have left. I want you to swear to me that if you decide to leave the station, you will tell T’karra where you are going.”
“You going to check up on me?”
Deke’s arms tightened around her as he walked her backward a few steps until her back hit the work table. “No, sweetheart. I’m not going to check up on you, I’m going to come get you.”
Sonja opened her mouth, but nothing came out. What the hell was he talking about? This was only temporary, wasn’t it? Looking up at him, his eyes full of determination and his jaw set, she suddenly wasn’t so sure. He pressed his body into hers, letting her feel the thick ridge of his erection against her stomach. His mouth crashed down on hers a second later, hands tangling in her hair as he claimed her lips in a kiss that made her toes curl in her woolen socks.
Damn, the man could kiss. There was nothing cool or calculating in the way he touched her. Lips mated and tongues entwined as he ground their bodies together, fucking her through their clothes. Clothes were suddenly a barrier, frustrating her sudden need to be naked and in his arms.
Deacon heard the whimper of frustration from the angel in his arms and grinned. She wasn’t arguing against him coming
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