Free Cosmic Bliss by Stormie Kent Page B

family. How will you do so with your
mate gallivanting through the galaxy?” Cheris was as upset as Acia had seen her
in years.
    “I can’t. He wants to go home. I won’t take that from him.
Besides, I only chase after men I intend to rob or kill.”
    “Acia—”
    “Enough!” She quieted her tone. “Enough, let us turn our
thoughts to defense. I trust the Defiant , but I never want to be caught
unaware. Ever.”
    Cheris held her tongue for the moment, but Acia knew another
confrontation was coming her way. She didn’t want to speak about her mate
rejecting her or the fact that she felt bruised and battered on the inside. She
wasn’t even sure he would help them with the Ordanian job.
    The fervor was gone, but it didn’t mean she wouldn’t crave
him, only that she wouldn’t make herself sick with it. Already she was haunted
by the memory of turning to him and pressing into his side whenever she wanted.
He’d whispered to her as they’d shared their bodies and Acia missed the sound
of his voice and the soft touch of his breath against the shell of her ear.
    “I don’t care how dangerous it is. If it’s more than ten
thousand credits I say take the job,” Ruvia said.
    There were nods all over the room.
    “Yes and aren’t we due for some time off? Several of us will
begin the fervor soon,” Juni said.
    Cheris snorted. “Four of you at once, egu .”
    Acia forced her mind back to the conversation. “We’ll be
vulnerable.”
    “Maybe we could vacation on Dovia?” Figia said wistfully.
    Ruvia rubbed the brand on her wrist. “The danger would be
worth it to go home.”
    They were homesick. She could understand it. She would be
too if she wasn’t so heartsick.
    “We have time to think about it. Let me know your
decisions.” They were a family. When it came to dangerous jobs, they decided as
a group how to proceed. Acia stood and headed out.
    She wandered. The halls were quiet. What did all the Earth
people do every day? What was Shunyuan doing with them? What was he doing with
the dark-haired woman who called his name so sweetly in the guest mess hall?
She concentrated on her link with Shunyuan and followed it.
     
    Shunyuan had tried everything he could to clear his mind. Meditation
hadn’t worked. Push-ups and jumping jacks were completely ineffectual. Now he
was trying martial-arts exercises. His body dropped fluidly from light stance
into drop stance. Lotus stance and a series of straight punches were followed
by a smooth transition into horse stance and several side punches. Along with
the moves came a realization. He wasn’t going to be able to ignore the woman he
was trying to escape.
    She was somewhere near, watching him. Acia was also teeming
with sadness and jealousy. Jealousy? Someone giggled. Oh the women.
    He’d nearly said he would stay with her this morning. It had
felt as if her heart were breaking. On the outside she’d appeared calm, but
through their ever-growing bond he had sensed her heart splintering and
shattering.
    Shunyuan had felt then as he felt now. He was an ass for
hurting her. It pained him when she was unhappy. He knew a simple touch or
conversation would make her feel better. He and Acia hadn’t had much time to
talk during the fervor. He was a decorated soldier, a good citizen and a public
servant. He also felt as if he was the biggest jackass for not having a simple
conversation with her.
    He moved through his last pose and straightened. He grabbed
his towel and walked out into the hallway. He headed straight for her. Acia
straightened against the wall but didn’t run away. She did look hopeful as hell
when she realized he walked toward her.
    “Hello, Captain.” He kept his voice gentle.
    “Shunyuan.” She looked down at the floor.
    She was a pretty little thing, standing there in her
skintight bodysuit and firearms strapped to her hips. Her skin glistened as
though it held all the stars in the sky. Her hair lay over her shoulder in one
long plait.
    He reached