Cassidy

CASSIDY

A s we return to Doanor's quarters, I can't help but want to tease him, just a little.

"This bed is definitely big enough for two," I remarked, glancing over my shoulder at Doanor with a mischievous grin. "If you're interested in putting it to good use."

His eyes widened slightly, and I swore I saw the faintest hint of a blush creep across those rugged bovine features. "I, uh...we should..." He cleared his throat, suddenly flustered.

Laughing lightly, I decided to put the poor guy out of his misery - for now. "Relax, I'm just messing with you." I plopped down on the edge of the bed, bouncing slightly. "This is pretty comfortable though. You'll have to let me borrow it sometime."

Doanor shook his head, but I caught the ghost of a grin. "You're incorrigible, you know that?"

"And you love it," I fired back without missing a beat.

He opened his mouth as if to protest, then seemed to think better of it with snort. Moving toward the study area, he gestured vaguely. "I'll just...get settled in here for the night."

I pouted exaggeratedly. "Aww, you're not even going to tuck me in?"

Doanor paused mid-stride, shooting me an exasperated look over his shoulder. "I highly doubt you need any assistance there."

"Well, you're no fun," I lamented with a dramatic sigh, flopping back on the bed. A playful giggle escaped my lips as I sank into the plush softness.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Doanor watching me, an unreadable expression on his bovine features. Our gazes locked for a charged moment before he abruptly turned away, busying himself with straightening some books on the shelf.

Sitting up, I regarded the broad expanse of his back, feeling a strange fluttering in my chest. Part of me wanted to press him further, to see how far I could push those boundaries. Yet another part was almost...afraid to cross a line we couldn't come back from.

Get it together, Bennet, I chided myself silently. This is all just an act, remember?

Suddenly feeling awkward just sitting there, I hopped off the bed. "I'm gonna grab a quick shower, if that's okay?" I blurted out, already heading for the bathroom.

"Of course," Doanor rumbled without turning around. "Make yourself at home."

Slipping into the cavernous refresher, I leaned back against the door with a soft thump. What was happening to me? This was supposed to be a simple job - keep up appearances as Doanor's romantic partner, nothing more. So why did I feel like I was getting tangled up in emotions I couldn't quite decipher?

Shaking my head firmly, I quickly stripped off my clothes and stepped into the glassed-in shower alcove. As the warm water cascaded over me, I tried to clear my mind, to regain my focus. But Doanor's gruff voice and intense gaze kept drifting unbidden to the forefront of my thoughts.

By the time I had dried off and slipped into a soft robe, I had managed to compose myself somewhat. Taking a steadying breath, I emerged from the bathroom to find Doanor already settled on the small couch.

He looked up at my approach, his dark eyes inscrutable. "Feel better?"

"Much," I confirmed with a nod, raking my damp hair back from my face. "Thanks for letting me freshen up."

An odd silence stretched between us, filled with unspoken tensions and questions. On impulse, I crossed the room and sank onto the couch beside him. Our shoulders brushed, and I felt that familiar spark of awareness, like static electricity dancing across my skin.

Doanor stiffened almost imperceptibly but didn't pull away. His warm, musky scent surrounded me, oddly comforting yet intoxicating at the same time. I found myself leaning into him, drawn by forces I couldn't quite explain.

Slowly, cautiously, he turned his head until our faces were mere inches apart. His breath ghosted across my skin as our gazes met and held. There was a guarded vulnerability in his deep brown eyes that stole my breath.

Then, before I could second-guess myself, I closed the distance between us.

Our lips met in a tentative brush, soft and exploratory and Doanor's hand came up to cup my cheek, his calloused thumb grazing my skin. I melted into the kiss, parting my lips in silent invitation.

For an endless moment, we were locked in a heated embrace, the world narrowing to just the two of us. My fingers tangled in the thick waves of his hair as our tongues dueled in a sensual dance.

Then, all at once, Doanor broke away with a sharp indrawn breath. His chest rose and fell rapidly as he stared at me, eyes wide and conflicted.

", I..." he began hoarsely, then stopped. Shaking his head, he abruptly stood and took a step back, putting distance between us. "I should go. Let you get some rest."

My heart sank as the warmth of his body moved away. "Doanor, wait..."

But he was already retreating to the study, shoulders tense. "Goodnight, ," he murmured without meeting my gaze.

And just like that, the tension was broken, leaving me feeling adrift and strangely bereft as I watched him disappear into the adjoining room.

Sinking back against the couch cushions, I drew my knees up and wrapped my arms around them. A soft, wistful sigh escaped my lips as I gazed at the closed study door, wishing - though I'd never admit it out loud - that Doanor hadn't pulled away quite so quickly.

Beep beep beep

The shrill tone of my commpad alarm pierced the silence, jolting me awake from a restless slumber. I groaned softly, rubbing the sleep from my eyes as I fumbled to silence the incessant noise.

Right, time to check on the Lazamai again.

Stifling a yawn, I reluctantly peeled back the luxurious sheets and swung my legs over the side of the massive bed. The plush carpet cushioned my feet as I stood, my body protesting the early wake-up call.

It was going to be a long week if I had to keep getting up every few hours to tend to those little furballs.

Quietly, I redressed in the dim amber glow emanating from the corner of the suite, careful not to disturb Doanor in the next room. My cheeks flushed at the memory of our heated kiss, the feel of his strong arms around me.

Shaking my head to dispel the distracting thoughts, I slipped out of the cabin and into the dimly lit corridor. I retraced the path Doanor had shown me earlier, my steps echoing softly in the empty hallway.

Finally, I reached the secured door leading to the Lazamai's enclosure. Taking a deep breath, I pressed my palm against the biometric scanner and waited for the lock to disengage with a heavy thunk.

As the door slid open, I was immediately enveloped in a warm, humid atmosphere, filled with the gentle sounds of rustling leaves and chirping creatures. The large aviary stretched out before me, an explosion of vibrant colors and lush foliage.

Dozens of tiny, iridescent forms flitted through the air, their soft fur glimmering like jewels in the artificial light. The Lazamai seemed to sense my presence, drifting closer with a chorus of curious whistles and trills.

"Hello, little ones," I murmured, a smile tugging at my lips as I approached their enclosure.

One particularly bold Lazamai hovered just inches from my face, its large, expressive eyes studying me intently. Reaching out slowly, I let it sniff my fingertips before gently stroking the downy softness of its fur.

The creature chirruped contentedly, nuzzling into my touch. Despite their diminutive size, these beings possessed an undeniable charm that melted my heart.

"Alright, let's get you fed," I announced, turning my attention to the food and water dispensers. One of the Lazamai suddenly darted in front of me, its eyes flashing with an intensity that made me pause. Just as quickly, the moment passed, and the creature resumed its playful chirping.

As I worked, carefully measuring out the precise portions and ensuring everything was fresh and clean, I found myself conversing with the Lazamai in a one-sided dialogue.

"I really don't need Doanor to give me extra lessons on caring for you guys," I mused aloud, my words punctuated by the gentle clicking and whirring of the dispensers. "I mean, sure, he's the captain and all, but I've been around plenty of exotic pets before. This isn't exactly my first rodeo."

A tiny Lazamai landed on my shoulder, peering at me curiously as I continued my musings.

"Then again, I wouldn't say no to a few pointers from the big guy," I admitted with a rueful chuckle. "It'd give us a chance to spend some more time together without the whole ‘we're a couple' act getting in the way."

I paused, my brow furrowing slightly as I considered my own words.

"Not that I want to spend more time with him or anything," I hastened to add, though the protest rang hollow even to my own ears. "It's just...complicated, I guess."

Complicated didn't even begin to cover the tangle of emotions swirling within me whenever Doanor was near. There was an undeniable magnetism about him that drew me in, despite my best efforts to maintain a professional distance.

And then there had been that kiss...

The memory of his lips on mine, the scorching heat of his embrace, nearly made me melt. I squeezed my eyes shut, fighting the urge to get lost in the phantom sensation.

"Stop it, Bennet," I chided myself firmly. "This is just a job, remember? You can't afford to get tangled up in feelings that'll only lead to heartache."

Yet even as the words left my mouth, a tiny voice in the back of my mind whispered that it might already be too late for that.

With a sigh, I finished tending to the Lazamai, ensuring their every need was met. As I straightened, I felt a gentle tugging on a strand of my hair and glanced down to find one of the little furballs playfully batting at the golden tresses.

I couldn't help but laugh softly, carefully extracting the creature from my locks. "You little rascal," I teased affectionately, cradling it in my palms.

Its fur shimmered through a kaleidoscope of colors, from vivid blues to deep violets, as if reacting to my shifting emotions. For a fleeting moment, I was mesmerized by the ethereal beauty of this diminutive being.

The sound of approaching footsteps snapped me from my reverie, and I glanced up to find none other than Doanor himself entering the enclosure. My chest tightened as I drank in his imposing form, all taut muscle and rugged features.

Despite the early hour, he looked every inch the commanding captain, his back straight and shoulders squared. Yet there was something softer in the depths of his warm brown eyes as they settled on me, holding my gaze with an inscrutable intensity.

"You're up early," he observed, his deep voice reverberating through the humid air.

I gave a casual shrug, refusing to let my composure falter under his piercing stare. "Lazamai don't really keep regular hours," I quipped. "Figured I'd better get used to it."

Doanor nodded, seemingly satisfied with my explanation as he moved closer to inspect the enclosure. Our shoulders brushed as he leaned past me, and that familiar spark of awareness ignited between us, charging the air with a heady tension.