“They’re not just called a group?”
When we stopped outside his door, he gave me a wry smile. “No. They’re called a mischief.”
“Well,” I said, smiling back, “if you think Rax and Morgath were upset today, you should have seen them when they had to chase after a mischief of fungus rats running loose around the decks.”
We laughed, then stared at each other, and then he closed his eyes. “Oh, Chan just sent me the FFK’s file,” he said, opening his eyes again, standing a little straighter. “I suppose I’ll be spending the rest of the evening reading the reports and brushing up on my Kravaxian nonverbals. Wouldn’t want to offend a ruthless space pirate with an accidental thumbs-up.”
My eyes popped, my stomach dropping to somewhere around my knees as I realized, quite suddenly, the very real dangers inherent in FFK visitation. “Good idea,” I said. “Andnote taken, no thumb movements. Wait, what would that mean? If I did give them a thumbs-up?”
Taking a step toward me, moving close, he said, “It would indicate that you wereinterestedin them.”
“Interested?” I repeated as heat flashed across my cheeks.
He backed away again, leaning his shoulder against his door. “That’s correct.”
“Well,” I said, flicking my bangs off my forehead. “I won’t be doing that, then. No, sir. And thank you. For the warning.”
“Of course.” He winked. “It’s kind of my job.”
“Ha. Right.” My voice was all wrong, too loud, too high.Chirpy.
“Tell me, Sunny,” he said, changing gears. “What should I expect from the upcoming Fire Ball?”
I had to tear my eyes away from his juicy lower lip before replying. “Anything and everything, darling.”
He hummed. “That sounds…intimidating.”
“Oh, it is. But it’s also wonderful, exhilarating. A night without inhibitions.”
The way he looked at me, like he wanted to say something, like he wanted todosomething… I retreated a step, and then another, just to be on the safe side. Which was, to be honest, probably located halfway across the hall.
Taking his own backward step, he said, “I can’t wait. Good night, Sunastara.”
“Good night, Freddie.”
And as much as I tried to deny it, it was useless. I wanted him. Every night, every walk back to our pods,stars save me, I wanted him even more. I wanted to kiss him and taste him and feel him again, and he probably knew it. He probably knew how much I wanted thatgood nightto turn into agoodmorning. It was there in his eyes. Mischief, just like those damn rats.
Turning on my heel to keep myself from inadvertently grabbing him by the lapels of his suit coat and pulling his mouth to mine, I waved over my shoulder while marching away from his door.
It wasn’t against the law, wanting him. It didn’t even mean anything. He was attractive. I had eyes. I could want him all I wanted. I’d just have to do it in my pod, in private, alone, with my vibrator.
8
I commed Elanie back, miffed.
she replied.
I protested.
Elanie asked.
I grumbled.
