Page 41 of Captain's Treasure
“That went well.” Veda’s words dripped with sarcasm.
It couldn’t have gone worse. Dez closed his eyes and sighed.
Chapter21
Rage rode Varik hard.He was impotent to force Captain Twalley into action. Something had to give. How the fuck could he get their ship off the station? He banged his head against the wall of his shitty quarters above the narrow bed.
Jarn rolled over and stretched. “Holy crap. I haven’t used some of those muscles in so long, I nearly forgot how.”
A smile settled on Varik’s lips as his lover’s words inspired the solution. The insight almost made up for the fact he shouldn’t have taken Jarn to bed. If Twalley caught them, it could ruin everything.
“I have to go.” Varik flipped off the coverlet and pulled on his pants. He sniffed his shirt and when it didn’t make his stomach curdle, pulled it over his head.
Jarn sat up, face slack, eyes pleading. “What about…”
Varik leaned over and gave him a firm kiss. “Just need to keep this under wraps until we leave the station.” He caressed Jarn’s soft cheek. “Be patient, love.”
Jarn nodded.
“I’ll find you tonight.”
“Of course.” Jarn’s smile didn’t quite convince Varik, but he couldn’t take time to comfort the man. He had to saveThe Treasure.
Varik stuck his head in the open door of Twalley’s office. “Captain?”
“Varik,” Twalley’s cheerful voice welcomed Varik in.
“I have a concern I should share with you.” Varik rounded his shoulders and gazed the man wide eyed. “Get your advice.”
Twalley puffed up a bit. “What can I help you with?”
Varik wrinkled his brow and filled his voice with worry. “It’s about your ship, sir. It’s been in the docking bay for a while now, right?”
Varik had already looked up the records. Over four galactic months.
Twalley murmured agreement.
“Well, sir. There’s some risk when the engines are allowed to fallow like that. I mean, they’re designed to run, be lubricated, used. If left neglected, they could possibly seize up on you.”
Twalley’s grunt carried a note of apprehension. Perfect.
“Sir, I think you should let me and a skeleton crew take it for a short trip, make sure the systems are optimal. Identify any maintenance that might be required before we take off for your extended research study. It would be horrible to finally get the approval and then have a delay we could have foreseen or prevented.”
“That’s a great point.” Twalley picked up his comm. “I don’t have any meetings scheduled for the next several cycles. Why don’t you organize the necessary crew members—navigator to plot the course—and so on and we’ll go out.”
Shit. “There’s no need for you to be involved in a technical maintenance run, sir. I know how busy you are with organizing the research plan and coordinating the grants. I’m happy to cover this routine task.”
“To be honest, I’ve organized what I can. It’s simply a matter of waiting. I’m happy for the change in routine. Give us a chance to get…more familiar.” Captain Twalley stroked Varik’s arm.
“Perfect, sir. I’ll make the arrangements.” Varik forced a seductive smile to his face and squeezed Twalley’s hand with a fake promise. One he would do everything to avoid. But after fucking Auvi on the deck ofThe Treasure, a private session with one slightly balding, middle-aged mouse of a scientist was no big deal. “Shall we…share a cabin?”
Red bloomed up Twalley’s cheeks. “Uh, perhaps not this time. Keep up appearances.”
Varik made a pouty face. “I understand. I’ll talk to the navigator and organize the rest of the crew we need.”
“I’m sure we’ll be able to get some alone time on the trip even with separate quarters.” Twalley winked.
“I look forward to it,sir.”
