Page 83 of Savage Union

Turk’s face was troubled and I knew he didn’t like that idea. Neither of us trusted the big Galafruxian. He was too likely to jump us into a black hole, just for spite. And since his people believed that the minute they died, they reincarnated into a better and happier life form, there was absolutely nothing to stop him.

“I don’t know what to do about that,” Turk admitted at last.

“I do,” I said firmly. “If you’re not going to let me navigate during the day, let me do it at night. Let me go out onto the Bridge after Lights Out and plot the course for the next day. Then makesurethat Gurflug uses it.”

He nodded.

“All right, that’s a good idea. That’s what we’ll do. Gurflug won’t like it, but that’s too damn bad.”

“Thank you,” I said. I still didn’t like being cooped up in his quarters for the weeks it would take to get home, but as long as I could spend time with him, I would put up with it.

“All right, now I really have to go.” He got out of bed and started putting on his uniform. “I’ll bring your tray soon.”

“All right,” I sighed and nodded. “But do you at least have something I can read to keep me occupied while you’re gone?”

Now that I was feeling better and not so miserable, I wanted some distraction to while away the long, dull time while I was trapped in his quarters.

“I have an entertainment cube,” he offered and rummaged around in the dresser until he found it. “Here—I don’t know how much you’ll like the books and vids I have on there, but it’s all I’ve got.”

“Thanks,” I said gratefully, hefting the small silver cube in my hand. It was about as big as a medium sized apple from Old Earth. “I’m sure I can find something worth watching or reading.”

“Have fun, little bird.” He bent down and gave me a swift kiss on the mouth before leaving.

I felt my heart beating faster as I watched him go. He might not know it, but he was already treating me less like his best friend’s little sister and more like his Fated Mate. The way he had casually touched my breast and nipple and kissed me goodbye—that wasn’t the way you acted with anyone but your mate.

I just had to make him see what we were to each other, I told myself. Now that I was feeling better, it should be easier to reason with him.

I had no idea that I was going to be feeling much,muchworse in the near future.

49

TURK

Igot the trading done—I even got a better deal from the Dovix Centrium Overlord than I would have from the Salashions. So I was in a pretty good mood when I got back to The Illyrian.

This time I had forbidden any of the Crew to leave the ship. Some of them grumbled, but after losing Jerx there was a somber mood aboard and most were willing enough to stay where they knew it was safe.

I was elated at the deals I’d made and wanting to share my joy with someone. So after getting the cargo loaded and letting Yorrin know we could lift off from the Dovix Centra spaceport, I went right to my quarters.

Only to find Jessina lying naked on the bed, crying.

“Baby, what is it? What’s wrong?” Feeling like she had my heart in her soft little hand and was squeezing it, I sat beside her on the bed and turned her over.

She was lying on her side and when I turned her, her tear-streaked face looked up at me and I saw pain in her amber eyes.

“Turk, ithurts,” she whispered brokenly and let out a soft sob.

“What is it, little bird?” I asked anxiously. “Is it your breasts? Did they fill with nectar again?”

She nodded.

“That’s…part of it.”

“Let’s take care of that first, then,” I murmured. I rose for a moment to strip off the top part of my uniform and toe off my boots. Then I joined her on the bed and took her in my arms.

“Oh, Turk,” she whispered as I drew one of her tight nipples into my mouth. Gods, how I loved it when she called my name! “Touch me too—please?” she begged, running her fingers through my hair and over my horns.

She didn’t have to ask twice. I still felt guilty for what we were doing, but I couldn’t stand to see her in pain. I would do anything—anything at all—to alleviate her suffering. Even touch her and taste her in ways I knew I shouldn’t.

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