Sunday Snippet: Clubbing on Space Station Delta

Ugh. What a week. I ended up succumbing to the upper respiratory yuck that started with my middle kiddo. I took him to the doctor on Monday and by late that evening, I already started feeling pretty ick. Slept most of the day on Tuesday—not kidding, about fifteen hours—and still felt terrible on Wednesday, with worsening symptoms, continuous cough, inability to breathe regularly, and basically everything hurt, up to and including my hair. Got in to see the doctor on Thursday afternoon, got tested for the flu, which came back negative, got something for the cough and came home. Finally got some additional sleep and started feeling slightly better by Friday evening. Continued to improve Saturday and finally think I've turned the corner. Going to take everything nice and slow through Tuesday and follow up with the doctor, but at least I can think clearly again. Definitely a wild ride for a few days.

Did not get a lot of television watched. Well, I did. But I don't remember a huge chunk of it. I did get some additional episodes of Batman: The Animated Series in before falling off the cliff of craziness.

Finished up "Joker's Millions," which I remember but forgot how much I actually enjoyed. Also caught "Growing Pains," "Mean Seasons," a truly excellent episode, "The Demon Within," "Over the Edge," and "Torch Song."

I hope I can still finish up the final season before HBOMax sucks the joy out of life by removing it from their service. Fingers crossed I don't end up with a new yuck thing to deal with.

That's more than anyone wanted to know about my life this week! Tonight's post is from Clubbing on Space Station Delta, a fun little space romp where perceptions are turned on their head and fun ensues.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Macie Gunn discovers a very different side to Nix Handleman, her commanding officer, when they get some downtime on Space Station Delta. Macie likes what she sees, but wonders if Nix will keep the stick out of his ass once they return back to duty. Nix loves taking Macie by surprise but doesn't quite trust her enough to take things further … after all, Macie never met a secret she didn't want to spill. Each has to show some trust in the other's ability to change and they only have a weekend to do it.

And a sneaky peek…

By the fifth song, Macie needed to quench her thirst, and maybe something else ... if she read Nix's body language correctly. And she rarely missed when it came to mutual attraction. She simulated downing a drink and sashayed to the bar.

Nix followed and dropped down on a stool beside her. "You've got some moves, Macie." He ordered a tonic water and juice.

She cracked a smile. "High praise coming from you. I'll take it." She downed the shot and ordered a glass of juice.

Nix's lips quirked. "Gotta replenish the system after all that gyrating."

She laughed a little. "That and I have the early shift on watch." She yawned. I gotta call it a night. I didn't have time catch any sleep before heading out." She slid off the barstool.

Nix got up also. "How about I walk with you to your quarters. The first night of leave usually brings out all the bad ideas." He fell into step beside her.

Macie squashed a thrill and couldn't resist a comeback. "One person's bad idea is another person's idea of fun." They crossed the entertainment hub lobby and headed for the turbolift.

She spoke too soon, because when they exited the lift, a group of crewmen were weaving and swaying and jostling each other. Nix grasped her arm and edged her close to the wall. The rowdy bunch took up most of the corridor and Nix draped an arm over her shoulder to shied her from the horseplay.

Macie welcomed his arm around her. "Thanks. Guess I didn't realize I landed on the party floor." She gave Nix the room number of her quarters.

He got them to the door and she pressed her keycard to the monitor. The door lock snicked and Macie turned, hoping to extend her time with Nix.

Leaning in, she lifted her chin. "Thanks for the escort." Her lips covered his.

Nix responded, deepening the kiss and slipping his tongue past her teeth. The embrace nearly melted her brain. Not only could the man dance, he had lip-locks down to an art form also.

Easing away, she invited him in, thinking the night would have a very satisfactory conclusion.

But he shook his head. "I gotta decline."

Stymied and frustrated, she blinked. "I thought you wanted me."

Nix put a hand on the wall beside her. "It's not about want, Mace…" He pressed the hard ridge of his cock against her. "The want isn't lacking. It's about trust. And we're not there yet."

She moaned, her eyes sliding shut. "I thought maybe the whole what happens in Loco stays in Loco…" She glanced down, eyeing the hard bulge. "Could apply to Delta, too."

Nix flashed a smile. "I'm not saying it can't. But your track record with discretion is pretty much nonexistent." An arched eyebrow dared her to deny his statement.

Macie groaned. Hoisted by my big, damn mouth.

She met his gaze. "So … you don't trust me?" She honestly couldn't blame him.

He leaned in and his mouth nuzzled her throat. "Mace, I want and need you." His lips brushed over hers. "But, no, the trust isn't there yet." He eased away from her.

Macie sighed. "What can I do to convince you?" Short of committing murder, she'd do just about anything.

Nix lifted his chin. "Meet me at Loco tomorrow night. We'll talk more."

Macie weighed trying to cajole him to come into her quarters against letting the tension build a little.

Nix decided for her.

He caught her lips in a kiss. "Good things come to those who wait, Mace." Backing away, he headed down the corridor.

She opened her door and shuffled inside, stripping off her skirt and shirt and falling into bed. Dejected and disappointed, she drifted off to sleep with plans to prove he could count on her to keep her mouth shut.

This story went in a direction I didn't think it would. Nix had a definitive idea of what he wanted and wouldn't let me deviate from his chosen route. I love it when that happens.

 

That's it for this week. Catch everyone on the flipside.

ML Skye