Page 43 of Captain's Treasure
The last part he said so low as to be a whisper, but it still stung. “It’s not that I do or don’t want you. I just think you’re wrong.”
“I’m not wrong.” He closed his eyes briefly and took a slow breath. “Will you let me cook for you?”
“Just eat this, I’m sure it’s not as bad as it looks.”
“I’m sure it’s worse. Have you tried feeding it to the thuringies? Did they reject it as well?”
Cyra sputtered at a loss for words.
He stood up from his bunk and crossed his arms, facing off with her. “I will not be eating another substandard meal. There is no rational reason for you not to let me cook.”
Dez’s arms bulged. His smooth bald head was covered in sexy black stripes since they’d rearranged. His gray skin was no longer odd to her. In fact, he was gorgeous. Damn, she needed to get her mind out of the gutter. She was the captain, he was her cargo. Her cargo that had acquired food, fuel, and another contract. Her cargo who was insisting he was her mate. All he wanted was to cook. “Fine.”
“Fine, I can cook?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you, my queen.”
Cyra rolled her eyes. “I’m your captain, not your queen.”
“You are both.”
Cyra huffed and left. There was no arguing with him, especially since he made her want to melt with a look, with his primal scent, with the sound of his voice. She was gone for him. Not good.
“I’ll have the mid-cycle meal ready for you and your crew, my queen.” She heard him call out behind her.
Cyra busied herself with correspondence from the bank, reviewing possible flight plans to Kolben with Rhysa, and commiserating with Blaize on the antiquated state of the systems. Discouraged by the discussions, she headed to the water chamber to take a break. In the corridor, she froze. The scent of something delicious hit her and her stomach grumbled. She checked her comm. Midmeal. Cyra turned for the galley where she found Dez and her partners cozied up around the table, moaning.
“This is better than the food at the palace,” Rhysa declared.
“I’m going to gain back the weight I lost,” sighed Blaize.
“It’s better for all of us,” Veda said. “Good nutrition is critical to good health.”
Damn it. Cyra was going to have to let him keep cooking because it was the best meal she’d had that she could remember. He’d made the noodles taste decent, but since he had ingredients to work with, there was no denying his skills.
“How is yours, my…captain?” Dez asked her quietly after he sat back down with a refilled plate, nudging aside Veda to sit next to Cyra.
“It’s fine, thank you.”
“Fine,” Dez repeated the word in the same tone she’d used. He clenched his jaw briefly. “Fine is a very good word for many things, and beings. I will accept fine,” he concluded, and lifted a full fork to his lips.
Cyra’s attempt to keep him at arm's length emotionally wasn’t working. She couldn’t even slight him successfully. The beast would not take offense. She would have to find another way to keep her distance because the urge to wrap herself around all of his warm muscles and express her thanks for the amazing food with kisses, lots of kisses, all over his body, a particular part of his body, was nearly irresistible. Refusing to so much as glance at him, she finished her food as quickly as possible and left the galley to soak in her water chamber—away from him.
Despite her best efforts over the next few cycles, she learned avoiding him was next to impossible.
Cyra peeped out into the corridor and found it empty. She made a mad dash for the bridge only to slide to a halting stop.
“There you are, my…captain.” Dez held a small tablet Veda had loaned him to track inventory and plan meals. She dreaded the sight of that device. He grinned at her.
She scowled and slipped past him to collapse in the captain’s chair. All that running for nothing.
“What are you making us for midmeal, Dez?” Rhysa asked from her position at the navigator’s deck. Did she have to sound so seductive? And who cared? Whatever he made would taste good, but he insisted on reviewing every meal plan and demanding Cyra’s approval.
“I was just about to discuss that with our captain.”
“You two need some alone time? I could make myself scarce.” Rhysa stood up.
