“Corrina,” Zann calls softly, and I stop before the door to look at him. For a moment he looks as if he will say something else, but then he just gives me a warm smile. “Sleep well,” he says, and I head out the door with a wave.
???
“Good morning, Commander,” Liu calls as I step into the office. “Got a minute?”
“Of course,” I reply. “What’s up?”
“I got a message from housing. They want to know how much longer the haleens will be staying on base.”
“Right,” I say partially to myself. Now that everything with the trial is over and the trio have started working, they really should probably be moving on to their own space. I’ve been able to pay for their housing out of my own funds, but I don’t want that to become common knowledge. I also don’t relish the idea of them moving off base into their own space. It’s nice to be able to see them every day and spend time together in my downtime. But it’s probably time. “I’ll talk to them about it tonight,” I tell Liu. He gives me an understanding look and then nods. “What else is on my plate for today?” I ask, moving to settle behind my desk and pull up my planner. Liu rattles off a list of tasks and meetings, but my mind is elsewhere.
Chapter Thirty-One: Krish
I have been waiting all week for a chance to go back to the lake with Corrina. She assures me that she has found something suitable to wear so that she can join us in the water. Davix is perhaps even more excited than I am, and we are both waiting anxiously by the door when Corrina arrives. I frown at her. “I thought you were going to wear clothes for swimming,” I say, glancing up and down at her usual pants, shirt, and boots.
She looks down at herself. “Yes, under my other clothes. I’m not wearing a bathing suit to walk through base or town.”
“Why not?” Zann asks, as the three of us step through the door.
“It’s just not,” Corrina starts to say, and then she stops. “It would be strange, that’s all.”
I shrug. “As long as you keep your promise,” I reply. We take a more direct route to the lake today, though we still find time to stop at one of the little carts and get something to eat. There are so many different varieties of food that I wonder if I will ever try them all. Some of them are more tasty than others, but I enjoy all the new and unusual flavors.
There are a few others at the lake when we arrive this time, but they pay little attention to us as Zann, Davix, and I strip and head towards the water. I glance back to see that Corrina is slowly removing her clothes, folding them neatly in a pile as she does. My attention is then stolen by Zann tackling me in the water, and a moment later I hear Corrina’s voice from somewhere to my right.
“Stars and planets, this is cold,” she says, wrapping her hands around her upper arms. The movement pushes her large breasts together creating a deep valley down which water streams. I stare at her for a moment, mesmerized by the sight. Her skin is a warm golden brown, like the thick nectar of ameloni flower of our home planet. I wonder for a moment if it would be as rich and sweet as that nectar and then shake my head at the thought. I cannot imagine that Corrina would appreciate the idea of me licking her. Still, now that the thought has entered my mind, I find it hard to dismiss. Corrina’s scent is subtle but pleasant, and even if she doesn’t taste like nectar, I am certain that the taste of her would be enjoyable. I wonder briefly what it would feel like to run my tongue against her skin, and I am startled at a twinge from my abdomen. I glance down in surprise and then am surprised again when I feel Corrina’s touch. Her hand is pressed gently against my arm, and I look at it and then meet her eyes.
“Are you okay?” she asks, tilting her head to look at me.
I think for a moment and then smile. “Yes,” I tell her firmly. Then I watch her eyes widen as I scoop her up and dunk her under the water. She is sputtering and her teeth are chattering when her head pops up, but she is laughing.
“That’s it,” she says and then she pounces on me. I know that she is surprisingly strong for her size from watching her spar with Curran, but I am not entirely prepared for her assault. We both end up underwater, arms tangled around each other as we fight for dominance. As we emerge for a breath of air, dripping and laughing, I see Zann staring at us. There is a strange intensity to his gaze that I have rarely seen outside of a hunt. I am about to ask him if anything is wrong when Corrina squeals beside me as Davix tackles her under the water again.
It is hours later when we wade out of the lake and lay on the shore to dry off. I notice Corrina’s eyes skim over my body before quickly glancing away. A part of me is pleased to have her attention, and I am similarly pleased to notice she gives similar looks to Davix and Zann. I would welcome more of her attention, but she tucks her hands behind her head, lays back her head, and closes her eyes. Her posture gives me an opportunity to look my fill of her. She is so different from the females of our species. Curvy where they are lean, short where they are tall, and with a thick halo of black and silver hair where they are hairless and hornless. I watch the rise and fall of her chest as she breathes, and I find myself having to resist the temptation to reach out a hand to touch her.
An almost inaudible growl startles me from my inspection, and I glance up to see Davix and Zann staring at her as well. For a moment, I think the growl is directed at me, but then Davix stands and stomps away. “Is he okay?” Corrina asks, propping up on one elbow to stare at Davix’s back.
“He is fine,” Zann assures her, positioning himself at her side. “Hopefully my brood brothers weren’t too rough with you today,” he says.
“It’s fine,” Corrina replies as she lays her head back down. “Honestly, that might be the most fun I’ve had in a long time,” she adds with a chuckle.
“Then we should do this more often,” I say decisively. Zann nods at me across Corrina’s prone form.
“Yes,” he agrees. “And perhaps we can find other ways to have fun together as well.”
Corrina’s breath hitches, and her scent changes ever so subtly becoming somehow richer and sweeter. I am about to comment on it when I see Zann shake his head decisively.
“We must talk,” he signs to me quickly. “All of us,” he adds, with a glance at Davix.
Perplexed, I simply nod at him. It has been too good of a day to spoil with worrying about whatever is on his mind, so I lay beside Corrina and let the sun warm and dry my bare skin. When we are all dressed, we begin to head back towards the base. I enjoyed being at the lake, but now that are back in a busier part of the station, I cannot help feeling like we are being watched. It is different from the casual looks we get from those who pass by us. Instead, it is the sensation of being the focus of someone or something’s attention. I step closer to Zann and whisper my feeling to him, and he nods. I notice Davix nod as well. Apparently I am not alone in feeling this.
“Corrina, we should stop for meat skewers,” I say.
She grins at me. “Good idea.”
“Davix and I will go back to the base now,” Zann announces. “Maybe you and Krish can bring us something later.”
“Oh. Okay,” Corrina says, her face clearly showing her confusion. “Are you sure?” Davix nods decisively, and the three of us exchange a meaningful look. “Okay, then. I guess it’s just you and me, Krish,” Corrina says. “See you two later,” she calls.
