Page 56 of Captain's Companion

“He’s rather desperate for your passageway to heaven,” Ulrik said. Leaning back, he pulled her with him as he lay down. “Do you mind if he stays there all night?”

“He’s so needy,” she giggled but pulled him closer.

***

“What are you doing,” she murmured.

“Putting these away,” he said as he hung one of her dresses and put it next to his uniform. “Right where they belong.”

Gwyn saw his hands shake as he hung the dress in the closet. He made love to her for hours. She saw how upset he was with her suitcase full. Slipping from the bed, she walked into his arms. “I’m right here,” she said. “You’re stuck with me.”

He inhaled her scent as he wrapped his arms around her. “I’m doing it wrong, aren’t I?”

She giggled, “But it’s sweet you’re doing it. If you didn’t register the complaint, who did?”

“I’m putting the restraints on you until we leave the next stop,” Ulrik said crushing her to him. “I’ll put an extra lock on the door.”

“No kidnapping,” she said. “Ulrik, I’m staying because I want to.”

“Thank the gods,” he said. “I’ll contact the controller and find out what’s behind this.”

“I want to be in on that conversation,” she said.

“I don’t want you hurt,” Ulrik said.

“We can do this together,” she said firmly. “You’re working in your ready room anyways so I can be there when you contact them.”

“If that’s how you want it,” he said. “We need to talk about my next assignment.”

“What do you mean,” she said. “Haven’t you already signed a contract?”

“I’ve got one,” he said. “I didn’t want to sign it without your input.”

“Oh,” Gwyn said. “Really?”

“You’re coming with me so you get a say,” Ulrik said. He pushed her suitcase closer to the wall. “I’m getting rid of that.”

“No, you aren’t,” she said. “Tell me about your next contract.”

“It’s seven years,” he said. “I’d be in charge of a fleet of haulers and four passenger ships to take them to a new planet for settling.”

“Not just adding settlers to an already established planet and taking supplies,” Gwyn said.

“No. Probably more than a dozen ships total,” Ulrik said. “My hours will be more stable.”

“But you’ll be more on call because of possible incidents,” Gwyn said.

“Possibly,” Ulrik said. “It starts as soon as this contract is done. I basically go back to the station and pick up the new ship.”

“Do you know what your quarters are like,” she asked.

“I’ve got more space,” he said. “I’ve only seen pictures.”

“Is there room for me to have a place to do art,” she asked.

“If there isn’t one, I’ll pay to have one made,” Ulrik said. “You’ll need a lot more beads and pencils and sketch pads and lacy underwear.”

“How much more do you think,” she asked.

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