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Etterian battleship Phoenix
The shared quarters
Three days to Etteria
Macy shook her hands to ease her stiff fingers. Trying to finish the scarf in the remaining time had her aching. She stuck out her tongue as she looped and slipped the wool over the knitting needles, ad infinitum. The scarf was good enough for her, but super-tall Oyaz would need something a bit longer, like half her damn height extra. Still, it was a thank-you gift she hoped he liked.
This morning, she’d awoken to a message from Zoo—a simple ‘good morning, ensa.’ The leap and dance of her heart and the constant smile said it all, surviving right through Oyaz-torture. She’d been too happy to care that he expected her to stuff her foot into her backside in a butt kick. Not physically possible, but he ignored her grumbling, as per usual.
Romance comedies blared in the background. Favorite scenes were giggled at. Thankfully, Illan had left soon after his porridge-sort of breakfast he called parhp, so no one witnessed her dancing in the comfy, singing along to the soundtracks, or yelling at the actors to kiss already.
Overall, she was content, despite being alone. She hummed as she remeasured the scarf for the hundredth time that morning. Then she sang about sweat dripping down her balls. Most of the lyrics made no sense, but it had a catchy tune.
By the fourth comedy, she was done. As in the scarf could be used as a wraparound dress if she was skinnier. As in her stomach ached and twinged at the abuse she’d put it through gorging on candy and soda. Wrapping the scarf six times around her neck, she pushed off the comfy and moaned, bending over to catch her breath. Okay, maybe that last bowl of jelly beans was a bad idea.
She winced as she inched to the door. Strawberry-flavored bile traveled up her throat. She gulped, pressed a cheek to the cold bulkhead for a few minutes, then pushed off it to stagger into the passage.
Males stopped to help her as she inched past them, but she waved them away with a stiff hand and smile. Sweat beaded her temple and upper lip, but she didn’t dare try and remove Oyaz’s scarf. The quicker she reached Rior, the better.
She didn’t make it to the common. Rior barreled toward her, his face scrunched in concern. She had never seen a more beautiful angel. Slumping against the bulkhead, she waited for him to reach her with those glorious long legs of his.
“I’m so glad to see you, Rior.” She moaned, clutched her stomach, and doubled over. “I ate too much.”
“Many males commed me, Macy. I had to ask Pilot Msar to track your O.D.I.” While he berated her, he scanned her with his medical box.
When the cramping eased, she released a deep sigh of relief. “I need one of those boxes, Rior.” Or maybe not. That would give her the license to eat like a pig and not suffer the consequences except for an ever-expanding ass. “Have there been many males visiting you after my evening meals?” She would bet her life the poor medic was plagued by all manner of gastric complaints.
“No. Each male has a med-gun and can attend to such minor...ailments.” He smiled. “Would you like one, Macy?” He glanced at her leggings. “Though, you will need a pocket.”
“And learn how to use it.” She shook her head. “I prefer to see you, Rior.”
He beamed. “And I you.” Stepping back, he punched into his O.D.I. “It is best I update Sub-Commander Oyaz.”
She sighed and pushed off the bulkhead, wriggling her backside and stomach to test out her healed abdomen. “By all means, inform my bodyguard that I am well.” She huffed. “We don’t want him coming down here for nothing.”
Rior frowned, hovering his finger an inch above his forearm. “I meant no offense, Macy.”
“I know you didn’t.” She patted his upper arm. “Thanks for the healing, Rior.” After a step, she faced him. “Where is Oyaz?”
“In his quarters.”
“And that would be where?” She pointed down the passage, then in the opposite direction.
Rior frowned then raised his wrist to his lips. “Pilot Msar, guide Lady Macy to Sub-Commander Oyaz’s quarters.”
“Acknowledged, Medic Rior.” Lights flickered from faded to bright, directing her past Rior and the common.
“Thanks, Rior,” she called as she jogged to Oyaz’s quarters. He was waiting for her when she entered his passage. “Thanks, Msar, a little surprise visit wouldn’t have hurt him, y’know.”
“My apologies, Lady Macy.” And the poor pilot did sound contrite.
Guilt twinged through her, and she hurried to assure the male his guidance had been epic.
“What now?” Oyaz scowled while ushering her into his quarters.
“Well, don’t overwhelm me with enthusiasm, Oyaz.” She unraveled the scarf and fanned herself with it.
He crossed his arms over his bare chest. Dark-gray yoga pants clung for life to his hips. And the male had an Adonis Belt. She raised her gaze to the ceiling.
“I brought you a gift.” She shoved the scarf at him without looking at him. When silenced dragged, she peeked.
“For me?” He hesitated, unfolded his arms, and accepted the bundle. “I...thank you, Macy.” He opened the scarf and stretched it out, then jerked to a halt. Groaning, he gathered it into a ball and buried his face into the wool. “So soft. What is it?”
“It’s a scarf.” She tried to take it from him, but he wouldn’t budge. “I made it for you.”
“Scarf?” He whipped his head up and met her gaze. “Made with your knitting needles?”
“Yes. Do you like it?”
He smiled so wide, his dimples appeared. “Yes. I shall cherish it always.”
“Cherish? You’re supposed to wear it.”
He frowned then hooked it around his neck, rubbing the ends across his skin.
She rested her hands on her hips and nudged her chin at his bedroom. “Go put on a shirt, then I’ll show you how to drape the scarf.”
In a flash, he left to do as she commanded. She grinned, dancing on the spot, so happy he liked it.
“Greetings,” a familiar voice intruded.
She squeaked and faced the display vid an inch from her shoulder. “Hello,” she breathed. This is Zoo?
He had a broad forehead and cheeks that narrowed at his strong, square jaw. His nose dominated his face, and his kissable lips were wide, his bottom lip oversized, tempting her to test its softness. He had incredible dark blue almond-shaped eyes under straight eyebrows—black slashes against his bronzed skin.
“Ensa?”
“Well, it’s lovely to put a face to the voice.” She hurried to clear her throat after that breathless reply.
He chuckled, jarring her heartbeat. Damn.
“I have always seen your face, ensa.”
She gasped and ran her hands over her unbrushed hair. How many times had she been in a similar state, as if a skunk had dragged her through the bushes backward? “I thought we agreed...on anonymity.”
“I could not resist. To look upon your sweet face is heaven-sent.”
She blinked, willing the heat traveling up her neck to skip her cheeks. “I...” Holy cow. She’d longed to see him, and here he was, an impressive Etterian male. “No fair.” She pouted. All those times she could have ogled him? She frowned. How did he know to find her here? “Were you looking for me?” She glanced at Oyaz’s bedroom. “Oh, um, Oyaz, you have a caller.”
Rocking on her heels, she clasped her hands in front of her and smiled at Zoo. “Oyaz is changing.”
Under Zoo’s intense eyes, she fidgeted, not knowing what to do or say. If he couldn’t see her, she would have stroked his sharp jawline, brushed her thumb across his plump bottom lip, run her fingers over his thick braid, and finished off with a swipe of an eyebrow.
She shivered, her pulse fluttery.
Oyaz stepped through the door and strode toward her, now wearing a shirt-like garment and the scarf. Grabbing the scarf, she flicked the ends, almost strangling poor Oyaz who’d dipped for her to reach. And when she snuck glances at Zoo, it was to find his gaze fixed on her.
Short of hyperventilating, her heart thundering in her ears, she cast a smile at Zoo, waved at Oyaz, and bolted. Outside in the passage, she slumped against the wall and fanned her face. Holy sweet tamale, Zoo is gorgeous. His devastating smile enhanced his appeal, and the way he watched her... Whoa. Her body hummed under his attention.
Bursting with energy, she jogged to her quarters, then inside, chose a song about sunshine and walking on it. Hell, yeah, she would dance on a sunbeam, skip, and do the fandango. If she knew how.
“I miss your smile, ensa.” Zoo’s message zinged up her arm.
She giggled, not caring that her face was flushed, that her heart had yet to calm, nor that her insides churned like a good barrel of butter. This excitement, this wild tingle rushing over her senses was what she’d wanted. Even if Zoo turned out to be yet another friend, she would be forever grateful for how he made her feel.
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