Page 3 of Captain's Companion

“Except in case of an emergency,” Gwyn said though something in her tone made him pull her close to him again.

“You can do anything in my quarters you want when I’m not with you,” he said. “Do you have a hobby?”

“I have a couple,” she said but didn’t say what.

“Do you need supplies for these hobbies,” he asked.

“Will we have time at all to do any in person shopping,” Gwyn asked her eyes scanning the stores and stopping at one.

“What do you need,” he asked. He wanted her in his rooms. He needed to have her under him. He needed to be inside her, to pleasure her.

“It doesn’t matter,” she said seeing his desire. She put on her professional face. “We can go to the ship so I can take care of your needs.”

The hollow sound of her words tugged at him. While he wanted her alone, away from people, he asked, “Which store?”

“Your needs come first,” she said.

He tipped her chin, brushed his lips across hers, and inhaled deeply of her scent. “Can you stay this close to me,” he demanded.

“I’m here for you,” she said.

“Which store,” he asked this time with a softer tone.

“The craft store,” she said. He kept his arm around her waist. “I want a few things. I brought some with me.”

Once in the store, he held her second bag as she carried tiny beads and other jewelry making items. She reached for the same set of beads for the third time, sighed, and dropped her hand. “I’m ready to check out,” she said softly turning away from the beads. The basket she carried filled with a half dozen different colors and styles of beads.

“You want those,” he said nodding to the ones she left behind.

“They’re too costly,” she said. “I’ll see if there’s a better price later.”

“You won’t be able to get more for three months,” he said.

“I have enough with these to keep me busy when you’re out of your quarters,” she said. She walked to the front of the store. He looked at the price, they were slightly more but not a large difference from what she picked up.

By the time he reached her, she said, “I’m sorry. I messed up the math. Please take these off.” She handed four containers of beads to the woman.

“No,” he said. He added the three colors she waffled between of the other beads. “Add these in.”

“I can’t,” she blushed and stumbled over her words.

“Here,” he held out his id. The attendant took it and finished the sale.

“I can’t afford these,” she whispered as they walked out.

“I can,” he said handing her the bag. “Anywhere else you need to go?”

“No,” she said biting her lip.

“There will be no deduction,” he said firmly.

“I don’t need you to pay my way,” she said.

“Good,” he said. “You will be remarkably busy. I want your down time to be pleasant. You need more than you purchased. It’s my pleasure.”

“I earn my way,” Gwyn said stopping as he rushed her towards his ship.

“Yes and I’ll make you work hard for your credits,” Ulrik said.

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