Doanor

DOANOR

I left the enclosure with Cassidy by my side, her blonde waves shining under the ship's bright lights. What was I thinking, inviting her to breakfast? Being this close could only lead to complications. But I told myself it was necessary to maintain our ruse in front of the crew. They all believed we were new lovers who had met through some human dating service. Keeping up appearances was crucial for the secrecy of our mission with the rare Lazamai.

We walked in silence for a moment before Cassidy spoke up. "Those little furballs are adorable. I can't get over how their colors shift like that."

"The Lazamai are a marvel," I agreed gruffly, trying not to get distracted by the musical lilt of her voice. "Few have ever witnessed them in person."

Cassidy beamed at me, and I felt an unfamiliar warmth spread through my chest. Foolish. This human woman meant nothing. Our paths would separate once she completed her duties caring for the creatures.

We entered the galley, the harsh artificial lights making Cassidy squint. I couldn't help noticing how it made the blue of her eyes even more vibrant. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear as I gestured to the long table.

"Have a seat. I'll get us some food synthesized."

Nodding, Cassidy slid into one of the chairs, trailing her fingers along the polished metal surface. I busied myself at the food replicator, punching in orders for a hearty Zemaitoz breakfast while sneaking glances at her over my shoulder. The way she fidgeted, playing with a loose thread on her shirt, was almost...endearing.

I shook my head, pushing the thought away as I retrieved our plates. This foolishness had to stop. Settling across from Cassidy, I slid a steaming plate of scrambled turliki eggs and salted gralak strips in front of her.

"I, uh, I've never had turliki eggs before," she said, poking at them with her fork. "They smell...interesting."

"Just try them," I said, a bit more brusquely than intended. "You'll see they're quite good."

Cassidy took a tentative bite, her features scrunching up for a moment before relaxing into a look of pleasant surprise. "Hey, these are really tasty! Kinda like...chicken eggs, but richer."

I grunted in acknowledgment, digging into my own plate to avoid studying the way her lips wrapped around the fork. The salty, familiar flavors helped ground me.

"So," Cassidy began between bites, "you've been all over, right? As a cargo captain? What's the most interesting place you've visited?"

Pausing, I considered her question while I chewed. Truth be told, most of the places I'd been held little interest for me beyond the job at hand. But there were a few exceptions...

"Kalindra Four was rather striking," I finally replied. "A rogue planet, with landscapes of crystal towering into the sky." I closed my eyes, recalling wind-swept vistas of amethyst and ruby. "Incredible mineral diversity."

"It sounds beautiful," Cassidy said wistfully. "I've never been anywhere exciting like that. Just stuck on Earth, dreaming of traveling among the stars."

Her words rang with such longing that I felt a surprising pang of...sympathy? Preposterous. I was becoming entirely too sentimental around this woman.

"Well, maybe one day you'll get your chance," I said gruffly, focusing intently on my plate.

Cassidy pushes her food around, suddenly pensive. "Can I ask you something, ? About your childhood?"

I tensed at her question, muscles tightening instinctively. "I...suppose."

"What was it like? Growing up on another planet, I mean." She looked at me with those wide, earnest blue eyes. "Your parents, were they...surprised when you decided to become a cargo captain instead of something else?"

The question struck far too close to home. I knew I should deflect, maintain my typical aloof front. But something about Cassidy's open, guileless expression made the truth want to slip out.

I set my fork down, taking a moment to organize my thoughts into words.

"My parents were scientists," I began slowly. "Brilliant minds, devoted to the pursuit of knowledge above all else. I imagine they were...surprised when I chose a less academic path."

I watched Cassidy carefully for her reaction, but her face remained open, receptive. Encouraging, even.

"But the truth is, they... They weren't that disappointed."

The words tumbled out before I could stop them. I'd never admitted that truth aloud before, let alone to a human I barely knew. But Cassidy simply nodded, seemingly understanding the significance of my admission.

"Sometimes parents just want their children to be happy, doing what feels right to them," she said gently. "Even if it's not what they expected."

Her compassion disarmed me. I found myself wanting to confide in her further, an utterly foolish notion. I was , captain of the starship Koloss. Not some addlebrained youth spilling secrets to a pretty face.

Hardening my expression, I pushed my plate away and stood abruptly.

"Enough prattling. We have duties to attend to," I said brusquely, avoiding Cassidy's disappointed look. "I'll see you on the bridge later for the supply inventory."

Without waiting for her response, I turned and strode from the galley, fists clenched at my sides. Getting too close, letting down my guard - it was dangerous folly. This human, Cassidy, was a complication I couldn't allow myself to indulge in. No matter how intriguing I found her endless optimism and warmth.

For the good of the mission, and my own sanity, I needed to keep my distance. Even if it meant burying the parts of me that Cassidy exposed so effortlessly.

I stalked through the corridors of the Koloss, my boots thudding against the metal grating with each purposeful stride. The ship's engines thrummed around me, that familiar vibration grounding me like an anchor in a storm.

Cassidy had gotten under my skin far too easily. I couldn't afford to be distracted, not with the importance and secrecy of this mission. Keeping my emotions locked down was crucial.

But as I neared my quarters, that damnable warmth crept back into my chest at the thought of her bright smiles and sparkling eyes. I clenched my fists, steeling myself. This was foolishness.

The door slid open with a hiss of hydraulics and I stepped inside, my gaze instantly falling on Cassidy. She sat curled up in the study's plush chair, a datapad resting on her lap as she pored over the contents with rapt attention. A few errant strands of blonde hair had escaped her ponytail, framing her face in a way that made my hearts stutter.

Ridiculous. I was the hardened captain of the Koloss, not some lovestruck fool.

Cassidy glanced up at the sound of my entrance, her eyes widening almost imperceptibly before crinkling at the corners in a warm smile.

"There you are," she said, setting the datapad aside. "I was starting to think you'd gotten lost on your own ship."

"Hardly," I rumbled, fighting to keep my tone gruff. "I was attending to business, ensuring our scheduled stop goes smoothly."

That piqued her interest, Cassidy straightening in the chair with undisguised curiosity. "Scheduled stop? We're going somewhere?"

"A cargo run," I explained, moving further into the room with my hands clasped firmly behind my back. "A necessary cover to explain the Lazamai's presence on board without rousing suspicion."

Cassidy nodded slowly in understanding. "I guess it would look pretty strange, hauling exotic creatures around for no reason." She cocked her head, that inquisitive spark dancing in her eyes again. "So where is this stop, exactly?"

I hesitated, a flicker of uncertainty rippling through me. Telling Cassidy the details risked growing attachments neither of us could afford. And yet, I found myself wanting to share this new experience with her all the same.

Gritting my teeth, I pushed past the warring impulses and forced the words out in as detached a tone as I could muster.

"Galadon Six. A terrestrial trading outpost, not too far from the Korizi system." I studied her reaction carefully, watching realization and excitement bloom across her features.

"You mean...we're going to an alien planet?" she asked, her voice hushed with awe. "Like, an actual inhabited world out there among the stars?"

I couldn't stop the faint upturning of my lips at her childlike wonder. "Indeed. The cargo will take some time to load, so if you wish..." I trailed off, feeling uncharacteristically self-conscious. "That is, I could...show you around the settlement. For a brief period."

Cassidy's face lit up like a supernova, and something in my chest clenched at the radiant sight. "Are you kidding? I would love that! My first alien planet..."

She laughed then, a bright, melodious sound that washed over me in warm waves. I found myself unable to look away, captivated by the way her joy encompassed her entire being.

Get a grip, I chided myself sternly. This was not a pleasure junket - it was a necessary deception for the good of the mission. Still, the idea of being the one to guide Cassidy through her first extraterrestrial experience stirred a strange sense of pride within me.

"Very well," I said, nodding once in affirmation. "I'll make the arrangements. We'll only have a few hours of free time, so I suggest you prepare accordingly."

"You don't have to tell me twice," Cassidy replied, already bouncing to her feet with an enthusiasm I couldn't help but find...endearing. She started toward the door, then paused, throwing me a sly grin over her shoulder. "But you know, we'll have to sell this ‘couple' thing if we don't want to blow our cover."

My brows hiked upward as realization dawned. Of course - in front of the crew, we were newly joined mates, reveling in each other's company.

"I, ah..." I fumbled for words as Cassidy took a few deliberate steps closer, her hips swaying in a mesmerizing rhythm.

"Maybe we should practice keeping up appearances," she murmured, reaching out to trail a fingertip down the edge of my vest in a feather-light caress.

I swallowed hard, frozen in place as a jolt of blazing heat lanced through me. Her scent, some ephemeral blend of floral and spice, enveloped me in its intoxicating embrace.

Creators help me, this woman would be the end of my sanity.

Cassidy's hand came to rest against my chest, her eyes locked with mine in a smoldering gaze. "Just a thought," she whispered, her voice taking on a husky rasp that set my blood alight.

Then, just like that, the spell was broken. Cassidy pulled back with an impish grin, giving me a playful wink before sauntering from the room, leaving me rooted in place with my heart beat thundering in my ears.

I stood there for several long moments, struggling to catch my breath as arousal and disbelief warred within me. That teasing vixen knew exactly what she was doing, toying with me in a way no female ever had before.

And the most dangerous part? Some reckless, idiotic part of me enjoyed every maddening second of it.

I flexed my hands at my sides, feeling the tension thrumming through my body. This human woman was a complication I could ill afford. And yet, the thought of being parted from her company struck an inexplicable chord of loss within me.

Gritting my teeth, I straightened my shoulders in a futile effort to regain my composure. Foolish thoughts. I was letting this ruse go too far, blurring the lines in ways that could jeopardize everything.

But as I strode from my quarters to make the final preparations, I couldn't quite banish the memory of Cassidy's touch from haunting my senses. Or the yearning, so foreign and unsettling, that her teasing had awoken in my soul.