Her eyebrows arched, as if she didn’t believe him.

“You’re on a ship with cyborgs. We’re careful with our calculations.”

“You’re saying you’re smarter than all the other people who have been lost out here, right?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll buy that. Will you com me and let me know how it goes?”

“I’ll return when my shift is over.” He spun toward the door. It opened but Nala grabbed his wrist with both of her hands. He halted and turned, staring at her. “What?”

“Can I go with you?”

“No.”

“Your hours are always different. You could be gone a really long time. I don’t want to just pace around your room and worry. Please?”

“No.”

“Have a heart. Actually, I know you have one. I’ve heard it beat. There’s nothing to do in here. You don’t have books, no entertainment system, nothing. You say you don’t want to be cruel to me, so allow me to go with you. I’ll be on my best behavior. I’ll worry and go nuts just pacing in here.”

He stepped away from the door, pushing up against her, and it closed them inside. “Why would you worry whether we get out of the dead zone or not, when you’re confined to my quarters either way?”

“I’m going crazy in here. Ever hear of confinement sickness? I spent a lot of time in my quarters on the Pride but I had things to occupy my time. I know you don’t want anyone to know we’ve done more than just sleep together on your bed. Is that it? I could have told Maze, but I haven’t. And I won’t. Your secret is safe. Please let me go with you.”

“For what purpose?”

“There are three hundred and twenty-six tiles on your ceiling. I know. I’ve counted them more than once. I can tell you how many drawers I’ve found that aren’t clearly defined. I’ve touched every part of the walls where I could reach. Not to snoop through your stuff, since most of them are locked, but because I had nothing else to do. I’m going crazy, Stag. Please? I just want out of this room. I’d rather watch paint dry than stay in here for another day. At least the color of it changes in slight variations after hours.”

“You would be a distraction I can’t allow if I took you to Control with me.”

“I won’t say a word. I’ll be quiet. Shove me in a corner and I’ll sit on the floor.” She released his wrist with one hand and placed it over his chest. “I’ll do whatever you say. No argument. You give me an order and I’ll do it. Done.”

He peered into her eyes and his thoughts instantly went to a sexual request. His lips parted but he refused to say it.

“Tell me to jump, I’ll jump. Want me to stand on my head? I’ll do it. Just please don’t leave me in here.”

Blood rushed to his dick and desire ignited. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and he couldn’t resist. “Would you drop to your knees and open my pants?”

He’d surprised her. Her eyes widened but then her cheeks turned a little pink. “I’ll blow you if you let me tag along with you today. I owe you for last night. I’m not as expert at oral sex as you are, but I know the basics.”

Stag instantly killed his emotions instead, shutting down his physical arousal with his implants when a hail came through. It was a buzz in his head that let him know one of his crew was politely attempting to reach him. He tore his gaze away from her and reached out, pressing his hand on the pad to open coms.

Kelis spoke. “We’re got our solution and are ready for you to evaluate it.”

“I’ll be right there.” He cut coms by lifting his palm off the pad, and then looked at Nala again. “You may go with conditions. Are you ready to hear them?”

“You have my full attention.”

“You do not speak or move around. It will distract my crew.”

“Done.”

His gaze lowered to her mouth. She had a soft, sweet one. He couldn’t wait to discover what it would feel like when she gave him oral sex.

It was a bad decision, taking her with him to Control, but he wasn’t going to pass up the payment. Cyborg women didn’t give oral sex, and the sex bots on stations had felt nice but they weren’t sentient. They had been programmed with motion patterns that he detected while he’d made use of them. Nala would be a unique experience.

It was easier to think of it that way, as opposed to the fact that he just wanted her to touch him again.

“You do everything I say without argument or hesitation.”

“I swear.”

He placed his hand over hers on his chest, trapping it there. “When we’re off shift later, I get to evaluate your skill level of performing oral sex.”

Pink fused into her cheeks again but she didn’t hesitate to nod. “It’s a promise.”

“The crew is not to know we’ve had intercourse. Don’t speak to them.”

“I understand. Does it embarrass you?”

He couldn’t miss the way her mouth tightened, almost into a frown.

“I’m their commander. It’s my job to avoid discord amongst my crew.”

“You think they would get upset that we had sex because cyborgs distrust anyone from Earth? Maybe think you were some kind of traitor?”

“They might want equal access to your body.”

She paled and her body stiffened.

He felt guilty, identifying her fear. That scenario was possible but he mostly didn’t want to deal with their comments. His crew tended to express their thoughts. “It’s best if they don’t know.”

“I won’t say a word.”

“Let’s go. You stay at my side and do as I say. You break your word, and I’ll have you escorted immediately back to my quarters. Clear?”

“Yes. Thank you.”

He released her hand and shrugged her other one off his wrist. “No touching.”

She backed up. “I’ll glare at you a lot. How is that?”

He wasn’t certain if she was trying to make a joke or if he’d angered her for real. “That’s fine. Let’s go.” He opened the door and allowed her to follow him to the lift. She’d get a better idea of what kind of shuttle class the Varnish was, but it wasn’t as if she was a security risk. She’d be taken to Garden, not to an Earther station, where she could report everything she’d learned about cyborgs to their authorities.