Page 8 of Stealing the Lorgor's Heart

Her stomach kicked in rebellion, but she quickly ducked her head as if hiding a blush and his smile grew further. Thankfully he didn’t reach for her or say anything more. Giving her one last lingering look, he retired to his private suite. He would likely emerge later to choose a female or two from among his favorites to sleep with him, but she didn’t care. Such treats were considered exceptional rewards to enjoy the sort of luxury reserved only for Calysii royalty but if it meant having to be in his bed then she was perfectly happy to be overlooked.

Casually walking over to a towel, Stacey unfolded it and began to wipe off the body oil that was not only on her hands but had been slicked over her hips, breasts and one arm by Gaix’s frequent attempts to grab her. She wrinkled her nose at how heavily her breasts were coated as she surreptitiously watched the room clear out with a bustle of activity. She was alone when she finally dragged the towel down her arm and cast it into the basket, a weight suddenly lifting from her as an opportunity to escape the pleasure deck presented itself. Although she had the same opportunity yesterday evening, she’d been too tired from all the travel, stress, and preparation to do more than crawl gratefully into the bunk that barely fit in her small, closet-sized room and collapse happily into the soft bedding with a book already loaded on her datapad.

But tonight, she was going to explore. She would see what viewing screens were the largest, and which would make her feel as if she could escape and touch the stars. And perhaps she might even run into Captain Otorol.

A blush climbed into her cheeks as she walked exiting the lift. She wasn’t entirely sure what deck she was on since the lift was a bit different than the one that she was accustomed to that took Gaix’s mates to the various floors of the females’ quarters. It was large and mostly empty comprised of numerous corridors and sealed rooms. Every now and then a Lorgor officer or two strode briskly by, their bright eyes with their narrow pupils only briefly glancing off her in passing. They were each tall with scales in varying hues of blueish to dark green and eyes in a rainbow of colors, no two males just alike.

But none of them were her captain. Then again for all she knew, she was probably in a part of the ship that his duties didn’t take him to. There wasn’t even a decent viewing screen to show her what lay beyond the exterior of the ship. Nothing but endless steel with little else to break it up.

Well, fuck.

Pursing her lips in frustration, she walked what felt like hours before descending to the next deck directly below her. To her disappointment, it seemed even emptier than the first but had locked doors spread much further apart to suggest that it was some sort of supply area. At the very end of the corridor that appeared to wrap around toward the front of the ship, a large viewing screen dominated a broad wall. Stacey stopped in front of it, her breath slowing with her wonder as she stared at it. It felt as if she were suspended in a field of crystalline stars.

A soft sound rasped behind her and Stacey’s spine stiffened.

“It is a wondrous view, is it not? Nothing makes me feel more insignificant and more apart from everything than being out in space and surrounded by the limitless expanse of it,” a deep voice rasped just beyond her right shoulder.

A shiver ran up her spine and she breathed in, drawing in the scent of a light, pleasant musk. There was a hint of woody spice to it that made it tantalizing and as she stood there she swore it got faintly stronger. Slowly Stacey half-turned and looked over her shoulder and up at the Lorgor towering over her. Neon blue eyes pierced her, and she felt her heart kick wildly in her chest as it raced rapidly toward a gallop. It was him. Captain Otorol. She didn’t realize just how large he was until now, standing practically tucked beneath his arm, her head barely coming to his mid chest. She felt small, protected… and oddly cherished… standing there beside him. His dark, reddish pupils expanded slightly, thickening their narrow slits into something a little more diamond in form like a predator waiting to pounce and desire teased the depths of her belly in response.

“It is,” she agreed softly as she tore her gaze from him to look once more out the window. It was safer and more dignified than staring at the captain like a besotted puppy. There wasn’t time for that, not when they would be soon arriving on Kaidava. “I heard that we will be taking a shuttle down directly down to Kaidava?”

From the corner of her eye, she saw the shadow of his chin dip in agreement. “Yes, we will be arriving directly at Resort Efkalad. It is on the western continent. Normally we dock at the capital Orug but Prince Gaix received special permissions that were communicated to me at the beginning of the day cycle.”

A resort! That sounded promising… unless that was code for Kadesh hunting grounds. She had spent a portion of the morning reading up on the local species as well as the planet itself, and while what she read wasn’t detailed, it wasn’t comforting either. There were only vague statements about Kadesh hunting mates by pheromonal attraction on any male or female who wasn’t covered in the pheromones of a potential rival, signifying their mated status. No other details were offered—such as what determined the strength or at what point they would consider a lone woman fair game. It made her nervous but the high population that would be found around a resort made her hopeful.

“And when do you think we will be arriving?”

“In approximately five days, around mid-day cycle by my estimation,” he replied, his voice rumbling over her with a tantalizing bass. During the night-cycle, the crew on shift will be takingAcasai Horinthithrough the nearest jump stream. Kaidava is in the same sector, so it is a short trip for a ship of this class.”

“And it will be safe?” She turned her head to look up at him and met his gaze. The warmth in her belly expanded as he inclined his head and for a moment appeared closer to her. “I don’t recall whether we entered any jumps streams last time I was aboardKing’s Glory.”

“I will not let anything harm you,” he replied thickly, the rough sounds vibrating erotically through her. “I promise you this.”

Stacey nodded her head and looped a lock of pink hair around her finger, allowing it to slide in a continuous path around her finger as she stared out ahead at the view, digesting his solemnly spoken words and the impact that they had on her. Was it possible that he too felt the strange spark between them?

The soft chime of a comm broke through the silence and Captain Otorol raised his arm silently to glance down at it.

“My apologies, mistress…”

“Stacey,” she interrupted. She couldn’t abide the title used in reference to the “honored mates” of the prince. “Please, just Stacey.”

He inclined his head. “I am honored. I am Varik Otorol. It would please me if you wish to call me Varik. I am ever at your service,” he growled softly as he bowed low, his long tail rising slightly as it swept out behind him, the frilled end rising elegantly.

“Oh,” she whispered, her heart jumping nervously into her throat. She was the one who was supposed to be seducing him! “Uhm, yes, of course. Thank you.” She bit her lip. “I don’t know if you remember me?—”

“Of course I remember you,” he rumbled. “You made yourself difficult to forget.”

She winced. She was afraid of that, that he would remember the stupid young woman she had been when she left Earth.

“Yeah… about that. I wanted to apologize,” she said slowly and he cocked his head faintly, the numerous little ridged crests lifting slightly as if in silent inquiry. She couldn’t know for sure since she had little to no exposure to Lorgor in the females’ quarters. “For what I said,” she elaborated. “I… didn’t mean it.”

“Did you not?”

His words were spoken softly with the faintest rumble of a growl which both excited her and made her feel guilty all at once.

“I didn’t,” she assured him. “I was stupid and trying to fit in… and I guess also to prove something to myself and to everyone else. I don’t know. There is no excuse for it really, but I regret the way I acted. And I… I wanted you to know that. I actually found you to have an intriguing and distinguished appearance.”

Something in his expression softened and the corners of his mouth curled. “I thank you… Stacey.”

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