Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 34065 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 170(@200wpm)___ 136(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34065 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 170(@200wpm)___ 136(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
“I have an amazing partner,” I reply. “That makes it easy.”
Simone huffs, amused. She tucks her ankle between my calves and we lie together in a tangle, content to drift and idly touch one another. I’m still dressed, my clothing pushed down and aside, and it occurs to me that I should get up and undress for bed, but I’m not ready to move quite yet. Simone smells like cookies and pussy, two of my favorite things, and I want to just bury my nose against her for the next few years and never come up for air.
Something cold and wet nudges my calf.
I jerk in surprise, and a moment later, Simone shifts, too. “Ugh, gross, Pluto.”
Pluto makes a mrrp of agreement at the sound of his name. Two seconds later, the big carinoux kitten is crawling into bed with us, trying to squeeze his way into our cuddle puddle.
Simone starts laughing, tugging down her nightgown, and I hastily hitch my pants back up into place. “I think we just scarred poor Pluto for life.”
“He’ll live,” she says, scratching at his jowls. She gives me a mischievous look. “If he asks, tell him I had an itch you were scratching.”
Laughter bubbles up inside me. I’m not sure if it’s the ludicrous thought that Pluto would ask anything, or that I’m just happy. But I laugh and laugh, falling against her, and it feels so good. I don’t even mind when Pluto starts kneading the mattress as he worms his way into bed with us, and his big claws occasionally catch against my skin. It’s like watching an enormous, contented caterpillar as eight paws move up and down and he purrs so hard he starts to drool.
Simone just looks over at me, her expression doting and full of love. She pets Pluto, but her gaze is on me the entire time. “So, now that I know your big dirty secret, what’s your plan?”
I tuck my arm under my head so I can watch her. “Well, I think I’m moving off the ship and onto this planet permanently.”
“Oh?” She seems surprised by this. “What do your sisters think?”
“Ruth said the ship’s leaving soon for a bit. They’ll be back in a couple of weeks or months, but I figure it’s time I have my own place. Ruthie’s going to be staying with Kazex, running the cantina. So I’ll have one sister here, and about half of the Scarlet Gaze’s crew. And you. And Pluto.”
“Can’t forget Pluto.” She gives him an affectionate scratch. “So you’re going to get your own place? Because you know you can move in with me. You’re practically living here anyhow.”
“I’d love to move in with you,” I admit. “But I didn’t want to presume.”
“Presume away. I’d love to have you here.” Her smile is brilliant.
I smile back. “So…yeah. I guess I’m staying. The cantina crew needs me.”
Her look grows competitive. “I need you more.”
Just what I like to hear. “As far as I’m concerned, you’re always first in line.”
“Good.” Her smile is big enough to rival the stars, and my heart feels light as air. I stroke Pluto’s nose and then rest my hand on his thick neck, and when Simone’s hand finds mine, our fingers twine. It’s like the last few puzzle pieces lock into place.
I’m exactly where I need to be.
EPILOGUE
SIMONE
“I had no idea that thing would be so big in person,” the mesakkah Custodian says, unable to take his eyes off my carinoux. “Why did I assume it would be smaller?”
“He’s a good boy,” I say, putting my hand on Pluto’s harness. The lizard-cat rubs against my leg, but he watches Custodian Sinath with an intent gaze. “He isn’t around a lot of men, so maybe don’t get too close.”
It’s a lie. It’s not that Pluto doesn’t like men. He just knows which ones are my friends and which ones aren’t. And while the Custodian is perfectly pleasant, coming into the office here always sets me on edge.
He takes a careful step behind his desk. “I won’t. What can I help you with?”
“My bakery application? I was coming to check on the progress.” I smile brightly and gesture at the box in my hands. “I brought over some leftover cookies from today’s sales. Figured someone could eat them.”
The Custodian’s eyes brighten. “Lucky me! That’s wonderful.” He gets to his feet, eyes Pluto, and sits back down again. “Maybe just leave them on the closest desk to you?”
I bite back a chuckle, because Pluto is rather huge and carinoux are known for their fierce protection of their owners. This guy doesn’t need to know that Pluto is also scared of loud noises and the dark and sometimes his own tail. He looks intimidating, and that’s enough. I set the box down on the desk and give it a happy pat while Custodian Sinath flicks through a screen, typing as he does.