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He kissed her neck, his hand trailing back to her thigh. “Oh, sure. He was scratching at the door while you were in the bathroom. I let him out.” He moved in to kiss her mouth, but she whacked him in the chest.
“Why did you do that?”
“Huh? I figured he needed to use the bathroom or something. Was that the wrong thing to do?”
She whacked him again and wriggled out from underneath him. “He’s not allowed out of here. I need to get dressed.”
Striker’s mouth dropped open. “But... we’re just getting started.”
“Not anymore, we’re not. We have to find Dinky.”
Chapter 11
It was late, and there weren’t many members of crew wandering around the Apocalypse, for which Wren was grateful. She was sure everyone would know exactly what Striker had been doing to her ten minutes ago.
“Hey, I’m sorry again about letting Dinky out. I had no idea he wasn’t supposed to go roaming.” Striker jogged along beside her as they hunted the corridors for her elusive pet.
“You weren’t to know.”
“Are you angry with me?”
“No. Dinky is naughty. He shouldn’t have snuck out. He knows I never let him out.” She couldn’t stay mad at Striker, not after he’d given her that amazing orgasm. Her knees still felt shaky after the explosions had gone off inside her.
She glanced at Striker and flushed as he caught her eye.
“We’ll find Dinky. He won’t have gone far,” he said.
“He’s inquisitive and always gets in trouble when he’s out of the apartment.”
“I could rig up a pen for him in your quarters,” Striker said. “He could roam around without getting out.”
“It’s a nice idea, but he wouldn’t be a fan. He’d be miserable inside a pen.”
Striker’s hand brushed down her back. He’d touched her every few seconds since they’d been together. It was as if he was struggling to keep his hands off her.
The shivers of pleasure that ran down Wren’s spine every time they made contact told her that was exactly what she wanted, too.
She shot him another glance. Could this be something more? She shook her head. She couldn’t think that far ahead. Striker was all about the good times. And wasn’t he leaving anyway?
She should consider this his parting gift. His apology had been sincere, and his desire clear, but it wouldn’t go further. There’d soon be a time when they’d say goodbye forever. It shouldn’t hurt her, but it did.
She slowed and looked along the corridor. “We’ve tried the dining hall. And he’s not in the bar.”
“What about the lab?” Striker said. “Maybe he can hear the other creatures and is interested in them.”
“After his experience meeting the other norkie, I doubt it, but it’s worth a try. Let’s go there next.”
Striker wrapped his hand around hers. “We’ll find him. I’m sure he’ll be fine. I bet he’s having a great time.”
The warmth from his fingers spread up her arm and made her heart pound. She shouldn’t make too much of this. Striker was being friendly and helpful. He wasn’t looking for forever.
“I wouldn’t mind him being out, but he always gets in trouble. The last time he escaped, he got lodged in an air duct and shut down a whole level on the ship. Cleo warned me I’d have to lock him up if he couldn’t behave himself. I promised her he wouldn’t get out again.”
“I’ll take the blame for this,” Striker said. “It was my fault, after all. Dinky must have figured out that I didn’t know he was on lockdown.”
“Dinky is smart. He’s got you figured out.” She only wished she could do the same. “Come on. Let’s check out the lab.”
They walked to the end of the corridor and up to the next level. Wren unlocked the lab door, and they stepped inside. It was quiet, and the night lights were on.
