Straik looks over at me and frowns at my amusement. "I was considered a catch in some circles of society, you know. That was before the piracy, but it makes sense that if he likes males, he'd naturally fall for"—he gestures at his body—"all this."
"Oh, absolutely." I nod, doing my best to keep a straight face. He's wearing his long, sweeping black robes with the embroidery on them, and today he just looks like a pissy wizard cosplaying as an alien. It's my least favorite outfit of his because it just swamps him in black and hides all those lovely muscles of his. "Anyone would be dying to pounce on you." I make a mock-pouncing motion. "I'd do some pouncing, too, but my legs are too tired."
The pleasure flares on his face, quickly followed by concern. "Do I need to get Sakkar? How tired are you?"
"Normal tired," I reassure him. "It's fine. I'm just whining because I wanted to take a bath but I don't feel up to it."
His expression brightens. "That's easily fixed." He moves to the edge of the bed and tosses aside the blankets, then scoops me into his arms. Then, Straik frowns. "You feel lighter than usual."
"Flatterer." I lean my cheek against his shoulder. "I probably dropped some weight while sick." Nothing has tasted good lately, and Sakkar is a big fan of broths. It’s just as well—I don’t think I’ll eat another one of those sweets, ever. They’ve been ruined for me.
"I don't like that," Straik replies. "We're going to have to get some more treats for you."
“I’m fine, but Sakkar would probably want some more of his nuts again." I nudge his chest. "You didn't have to throw out everything. I wouldn't have scavenged for his food."
The stubborn look appears on his face. "I wanted you to be safe."
"I know. But your crew have feelings, too," I point out as he gently sets me on the lip of the tub.
"Too many," he grumbles as he reaches for the hem of my slip-dress. It's a simple garment, one of the ones I picked up at the station, and just needs to be tugged over my head to come off. "I need to figure out how to let Dopekh down gently."
I bite my lip, trying not to giggle. He gently pulls me into his arms, lifting me up so he can undress me fully, and then tosses my dress aside, still holding me. All business, as if I'm not naked in his arms. He's focused. In control. "We humans have a saying for that sort of thing. It applies in this situation. I can talk to him for you if you like."
Straik hits a button on the edge of the tub and then steamy water begins to pump into the tub. "You'd talk to him? What would you say?"
I put my hand boldly between his legs, resting right over his cock. "I'd tell him that I licked it, so it's mine."
His cheeks turn so deep a blue they're almost purple. His breathing quickens and he looks…miserable? "Ruth…"
I drop my hand and try not to feel disappointed. "Well, that wasn't the reaction I'd hoped for."
"You're sick. I don't want to push you past your limits. You need time to recover."
I roll my eyes. "Can't a girl be flirty with a guy without him thinking she's on death's doorstep? I'm fine. Really. I'm just tired, but I'm getting stronger every day. And it's not as if I need a ton of muscles to touch you. Just, you know, a strong hand and some good tongue action."
Straik groans, then hefts me into the water. "You're not doing anything of the sort until you feel better."
Spoilsport. I sink into the water…or as far as I can considering it's not very deep yet. "You're no fun."
"I am not," he agrees. "I am the captain of this ship and I am going to look out for you." Straik glares down at me for a moment and then touches his collar.
It takes me a moment to realize he's activating the auto-fastener, and it slithers, his robe opening up. He rips off his belt and then tosses his robes off, revealing his pants—trou, he calls them—underneath. His cock is definitely at attention, so he's not completely immune to my flirting. "What are you doing?" I ask, even though it's obvious.
"I'm going to wash you," he tells me. "You're tired."
There's a frisky look in his gaze and I sit up in the water, hugging my knees. "Climb on in, then."
63
STRAIK
As I slide into the water, my larger form displaces a great deal of water. I wait for Ruth to complain, to tell me that she wants the tub to herself, but she only waits patiently as I stretch my legs out around her, cradling her between my thighs. Once I'm settled, she leans back against me and sighs, content.