Free Captain's Choice: A Romance by Sierra Darcey Page A

Captain himself by now. But it just wasn’t in him. And although his brain told him to stay away from her, another part of his anatomy believed she was a sexy wet dream just waiting to happen - exactly what he needed, even if not want he wanted. He dropped into the pilot’s seat and ran a hand over his face. He didn’t want to spend another night tossing and turning in his bunk kept awake by his desire for her. But Damian knew he wasn’t going to get sleep anytime soon if he didn’t stop thinking about her and wished like heck he could feel nothing for her, just banish her permanently from his thoughts.  Then find some other mindless, willing female for his nocturnal pleasures.
         But she wouldn’t leave his mind, the wench haunted him, refusing to be cast out. He spent too much of his time watching her and wondering what she was thinking. She challenged him on all levels and then further. He found himself wanting to change to be a better man for her. But in the end, whenever he got near her, all he ever ended up coming out with was a teasing comment or a snide remark.
         Damian shook his head. He needed to exorcise her from his system or-
         Have her-
         Exclusively his own, all of her, forever and never anyone else’s. Maybe that, and that alone would quiet the demons raging through his psyche.
     
         Jillian faced the full-length mirror and checked her one piece jumpsuit front and back and came to the conclusion no one really could tell she didn’t have on a bra or panties. Damian had just guessed and her embarrassment had given it away as truth. She looked professional and that’s what counted.  It was just plain foolish to let that man get to her. Regaining her composure she headed back to the bridge.
         Jillian slid into the Captain’s chair and didn’t miss the smirk on Damian’s lips down below her in the cockpit.  As the view of the fifth moon of Saturn filled the windshield, the crew assembled each taking their places at their assigned stations. Except for herself, Damian and the ship’s doctor, the remainder of the crew where fledglings, new to the Corps, extremely young and untried. She was certain they would all be tested before this mission was through. What had started out as a routine supply run had now become a rescue operation.
         Guards at the outpost on Saturn Moon Five had found an unconscious Antarean male. How he got there was anyone’s guess, but returning him to his people could be tricky and potentially dangerous. Damien, at the helm, came in with a flawless landing, as usual, smooth without a single bump or bounce. He grinned at her again. The man was beyond infuriating.
         If it were anyone else she would have praised him, but she just couldn’t. He would no doubt warp it into some sexual come on or a putdown. Damien always flew the craft effortlessly. She knew it was an incredibly difficult landing and he did it with precision. The truth was she admired his piloting skills and felt she was lucky to get such an experienced pilot. Most of the new graduates from the academy were mere babies compared to him. But none of this could she tell to him.
         Being Captain was a lonely position, there was no one on this ship with whom she felt comfortable in confiding her concerns. The ship’s doctor was the only other officer on board. He was an older, always polite man, but she didn’t feel any kinship with him.
         If she was successful with this mission there might be some commendation.  Still medals and awards, even promotions , didn’t keep a girl warm at night.
          As the ship entered the docking area, Jillian jumped out of her chair and went straight to the cargo area. Dr. Walter Malloy, the ship’s physician was already there with a stretcher and one of the crew, a young man named Kevin. Kevin wore a perfect crisp uniform and saluted her on arrival. Jillian greeted D octor Malloy and nodded at Kevin.