Page 33 of Captain's Companion

“You want me to move furniture,” he asked.

“No,” she said biting her lip.

“What do you want moved,” he asked putting his hand out to her.

“It’s set up how you want,” she said but she took his hand.

“It’s set up how the movers put it in there,” he said. “I’m a big guy. I don’t take the standard size furniture.”

“Oh,” she said smiling up at him. “If we rearrange just a little, it will make the whole room more welcoming.”

“All right,” Ulrik said his breath caught as she smiled. He wanted her to smile more. “I’m not spending the next hour moving furniture.”

“Three small changes,” she said. “I promise.”

“Are you sure we couldn’t do it naked,” he asked.

“Get changed,” she said. “I want to look at the lounge one more time.”

“No,” he said pulling her back into his arms. “I want…”

“So it is all about sex,” she said crossing her arms and raising her eyebrow.

“I don’t want you to feel like a companion,” he growled. “I want you to know you matter.”

“If I matter, then I get a say, right?”

He nodded, “You always get a say.” He frowned as he let her go. He missed her but if she needed to look at the lounge.

“Change your clothes,” she said. “I’ll sit here, and we’ll talk. No lips touching or hands straying to each other’s bodies. Talk.”

“I can talk,” he said. Toeing off his shoes, he asked, “What did you work on today?”

“I did a couple beaded projects,” she said. “I finished a bracelet and necklace.”

“Will you wear them tonight,” he asked wanting to see her work. He stepped out of his uniform pants and walked them to the hamper.

“I don’t normally make for me,” she said. “I usually give away my things.”

“Why do them then,” he asked stepping into the black pants she picked for him.

“It keeps my hands busy and I like creating,” she said. “I did some drawing after you went back to work.”

“Can I see,” he asked pausing before putting on his shirt.

“Why,” she asked.

“I’m interested,” he said dragging the pullover on. The pumpkin color was something he wasn’t sure he liked but she smiled seeing it on him.

“No one’s ever taken an interest in my scribbles,” she said. “You look nice in off duty clothes.”

“Maybe we could go for a walk after dinner,” he said thinking to show her around the ship.

“After they go,” she asked.

“Yes,” he said pulling her into his arms.

“No,” she said.

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