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Walking out into the alley, I take Akiyra’s hand, loving the feel of it in mine. It’s been a long time since I touched a woman for my own selfish reasons and not for the job. The life I live is all I have known since I was thirteen, but I dream of a life where I get to choose who I spend time with and what I do. Akiyra makes me feel as if one day that dream might be a reality, even though I know in the morning she’ll be gone.
“So, what do you do when not visiting Xistrosie?” I ask her.
“Shipping,” she smiles, “I have my own ship. It’s just Tiri and me traveling through the galaxy.”
I feel jealousy worm it’s way through me. “Will Tiri be worried about you not getting back tonight?”
“No, he’ll be fine.” She doesn’t elaborate, making the jealousy snake further through my gut.
We’re silent walking through the streets. In the distance, I can see the red glow of my home and realize I should warn her.
“Um, there’s something I should tell you.”
She turns her head to look at me quizzically and my gut clenches. Will she think less of me when she knows what I’m forced to do, what I’ve been forced to become?
“My home, well it isn’t mine really. It’s where I live and what I do, but it’s not my first choice.”
Relly turns to look at me with a hiss, his eyes narrowed. I wave my hand at him, I won’t break the unspoken rule here, I will not reveal how Xistrosie finds many of their laborers.
“What do you mean?”
“Not all of life on Xistrosie is the glamour of the strip and some of us do what we must to survive. You’ll see.” I stop in front of the large building with steps leading up to double doors. Besides the red light that illuminates the building, it looks like any of the other buildings on the street. Most are apartments or boarding houses. “Here we are.”
Taking her hand, I lead her up the stairs and open the door into the entryway. Ahead of us is another set of stairs leading up, to the right and left are lounge areas, that are thankfully dark and empty due to the late hour. Either everyone is entertaining in their rooms or sleeping.
“Fynn, I don’t understand what you’re worried about. This seems like a nice place.” Akiyra stands in the hall.
Grimacing, I lead her upstairs. “We’ll see what you think in the morning. Let’s just get you to my room and hope Umbri doesn’t see us. If he does, just play along.”
I can see the confusion on her face, but she silently follows me down the hall and to my rooms. Jax, Sawyr, Tobis, and Roberd share the suite with me. We each have our own rooms, plus a large common room with a large tub that is really more like a small pool. It can comfortably seat six people in it. Opening the door, I step in and wait for Akiyra to enter.
“Wow! That tub looks like heaven.” Her eyes zeroed in on the massive tub. “After two months in space, the one thing I promised myself I would be doing is going to the spa.”
“Well, how about a spa night here? Unless you would like to sleep.” I ask her, loving the blush that flushes her cheeks.
“Um,” her eyes won’t meet mine.
Leaning in, I kiss her, pulling her close so that she can feel how aroused I am. “Clothing optional.”
I pull away just enough to see her pink-tinged cheeks and the indecision on her face. I have a feeling that she’s used to being in charge, knowing what she wants and right now she doesn’t know how to respond.
“Or you can take a soak and then take my bed. I can wait in there for you and then sleep on the couch.” And while you take a bath I will be taking a cold shower. Never has a woman spoken to me the way Akiyra does, make me feel like life could be different.