Page 63 of Time Forged

“I have a date with Wren this evening.She told me to dress…better.”He flicked a dismissive hand at himself.

Qaff chuckled.“You could wear your ceremonial armor.”

Cylo blinked then laughed.“My normal armor with a cloak?”

Qaff rubbed his chin.“True.What else do you need?”He squeezed beside Cylo to browse the jackets on offer.“Whoa, why do they have so many?”He scrolled through.“I like this one.It looks similar to what the O.D.I.showed me, and it is almost as long as a cloak.”

Cylo selected the overcoat in deep blue but chose the dark gray option.“My thanks,” he said, with the garments stacked in his hands.

“Where is your date going to happen?”Qaff swept out an arm, encompassing the common and medical.

Cylo grimaced.Here meant no privacy.“We are meeting in the common, but perhaps, somewhere else would be preferable.I shall research.”

“Wise,” he said and left Cylo to his own devices.

Taking control of this date might be a good idea.Especially after her kiss.He didn’t want to share her or suffer through distractions.He dumped the garments onto his bed and sank onto a chair to activate his O.D.I.A quick search revealed too many choices.A picnic offered the best privacy.Except, the viewing deck wasn’t available.Which left the shuttle bay.

He hummed.Could he make that work?Perhaps many blankets to soften the floor?He deactivated the security cams, not wanting them to be recorded.

And what about food?He scrambled, hurrying through a cleanse.While he air-dried, he ordered the blankets and packed a basket, of all things, with roast chicken sandwiches, potato salad, strawberries, and a bottle of champagne.None of which he knew he’d like the taste of, but that didn’t matter.Although, the sandwiches did smell good.

Pulling on the leggings was a struggle.They were tighter than he was used to.The shirt’s fasteners took a moment to figure out.The shoes in the O.D.I.images appeared too constrictive, so he hadn’t ordered them.He was thinking twice about the leggings, too, but at least he could wear his boots.He eyed the overcoat with dubiousness.

Never would he have thought he’d be in this position when Malo had tasked him to save the women.Would he sacrifice this inconvenience for having never met Wren?No.He grunted and slipped into the overcoat, liking how snug but not uncomfortable it was across his shoulders.

“Opacity: mirror,” he commanded the nearest bulkhead.

The male before him wasn’t himself and did resemble the O.D.I.’s example except for his braid draped down his chest.He flipped it behind him then hoisted the basket.The true test would be how Wren reacted.

She was waiting for him in the common, wearing a black V-necked robe that gathered at her waist and split, flashing her knee whenever she moved.His step faltered as he swept his gaze over her.Maker, she is beautiful.

She did the same, scanning him in a slow, sensual way that darkened her cheeks.The musky scent of her arousal tickled his nose.He beamed then smothered his grin.That she found him attractive bolstered his confidence in this ridiculous outfit.

“A picnic?”She arched a brow at the basket.

“I like this garment on you,” he said, a sudden awkwardness tying his tongue.

“I know,” she rasped.

His breath hitched, and he met her gaze, allowing himself to sink into her steel-gray eyes.‘Is this wise?”he asked.“A date leads to…more.”

“I don’t care about the consequences.I’m tired of fighting this.”She crossed to him on impossibly high footwear that enhanced the curve of her calves.When she was close enough, she rested her hand on his chest, sliding it inside the overcoat.The heat of her palm sent a quiver of warmth through him.The shirt’s fabric was so thin, her touch burned his skin as if he was naked.

His stomach knotted.To hell with the meal.He wanted her…beneath him.

He swallowed hard.Her recklessness meant he needed to be stronger for them both.“Shall we?”He gestured to the shuttle bay’s door then tucked the blankets under his arm.

While she led the way, he stayed back, eager to admire the dress clinging to her backside.

“Come, ensa,” she said, tossing a smile over her shoulder.

He groaned and trailed her through the door, turning to ensure it locked behind them.Between her work area and his perch, he flicked out the blankets, then placed the picnic basket in the center.She sat and bent a knee to undo her footwear.He crouched beside the other one to assist, unable to resist stroking her ankle to her toes.Even there, her skin was silky smooth.Setting the footwear aside, he chose not to release her; the temptation to run his palm along her calves was too unbearable.He pushed the hem of her garment up with a sweep of his thumb.His goal was clear in his mind, and when he spotted the prize, he dipped to press a kiss to the underside of her knee.

She trembled beneath his touch, and the rich fragrance of her desire filled the air between them.He met her gaze, content to admire the flush on her cheeks, her parted lips, the desperate need in her eyes that mirrored his own.

“Why did you kiss me earlier?”he asked, caressing her where he’d just moments ago kissed her.

“I couldn’t bear it anymore.”

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