a few inces closer and tell her everything. Well, almost everything. I didn’t tell her I saw pictures of handsome Simkin males flashing on every vid screen on the bridge as I strretchered her out.
“I hung onto every word, Ar’Tok. Every word you spoke, every story you told, the music you played. Instead of worrying about my impending death, I held onto you. I can’t say I wasn’t scared, terrified actually, but for long moments I was able to push those thoughts out of my head and focus on you. Your calm, caring voice pulled me through. I’ll be forever grateful.”
Ahhh, grateful. She’s trying her hardest to be kind to me because I was her lifeline. After all, if it wasn’t for me, she’d certainly be a cold, dead, hunk of meat lying on the floor of a malfunctioning satellite.
What a female of worth! She’s doing an excellent job of pretending I don’t offend her eyes. I have to give her credit, she has a kind heart.
Dr. Drayke barges through the double doors. The medbot must have pinged him when her vital signs indicated she was awake.
“You’ve been through a lot,” he says as he conducts a full array of scans. “You may be weak and possibly out of breath for a few days, but the tests indicate you’re doing well. You can walk as much as you want, just make sure someone is with you, in case you get tired and need a hand. I imagine this fellow would be happy to accompany you.”
He smiles wider than I’ve ever seen him smile as he pats me on the back. Is he matchmaking? Throwing us together? Forcing my abhorrent presence upon this unsuspecting innocent female?
“My mate, Nova, and some of the other females have gotten your cabin ready and stocked it with clothes. We’ve put you right next door to Ar’Tok. Our ship is halted next to your satellite. Savannah, the mechanic you spoke with yesterday, says the Misfit can be salvaged. It just needs some parts. Don’t worry; Captain Zar told me to inform you that you’re welcome to stay with us as long as you like.
“Do you feel ready to walk? Want the hover-stretcher?” his voice is kind and concerned.
“Let me see.”
She throws her legs over the side of the bed, but before she puts any weight on her feet, I rush to her side to help support her. With my hand on her elbow, she rises, tests her ability to stand, then nods.
“I can walk, I think, if you keep your arm around my waist, Ar’Tok.”
My arm surrounds her of its own volition as I realize I’m touching Star after two lunars of dreaming about this. Why did she want my touch? She’d be better off on the hover-stretcher, pushed by someone other than me.
Before we take two steps, I see the medical gown that fully covers her front has left her backside exposed. My cock becomes instantly hard at just my quick peek of her rounded ass.
“Wait,” I order as I grab the thin blanket from the bed, wrap it over her shoulders, and let it cover her like a cape.
“Thanks.”
We saunter out of medbay under the indulgent smile of Dr. Drayke. Star’s slim arm slides around my waist, my arm is around hers, and we shuffle down one hallway after another on our way to her cabin.
Her steps, slow at the start, become more labored the farther we go.
“Want me to get you the hover-stretcher?” I ask as I peer over at her. Her jaw is clenched, every step is costing her precious energy.
“I should have taken the doctor up on that, but I don’t have the strength to wait for you to go get it—”
I lift her into my arms to carry her the rest of the way. I have a picture book in my head, one I’ve nurtured since childhood. Last night when I urged her to stay alive so she could taste the ocean and dig her toes into beautiful blue sand, those ideas were all from my picture book—thoughts and images I cultivated in my mind to keep me alive during the dark times.
This picture, right here, will become the first page of that book. No, it’s now the cover. Pretty Star, in my arms, nestled tightly against me. I’ll never forget how moving this moment feels.
Then I glimpse her face. Every muscle is tight. This isn’t from fatigue. This is from being so close to me. She’s grimacing from forced