“Thanks.”

“Rest. Get better.” He reached down, adjusting the front of his pants. “Sooner would be better.”

She grinned. “I like that I make you hard.”

He left without commenting.

Nala lay back and felt happy. Her cyborg wanted to keep her. The L word hadn’t been exchanged but they had built the foundation for that. His wanting her said it all. “Stag?”

“What’s wrong, Nala?”

“Nothing. I was just making sure it worked. I think my back will be fine if I stay off it and on top of you. I did love that position.”

“I remember. You’re going to make me enter Control with an erection. I knew you were trouble.”

“I guess your crew will figure out we’re doing more than just sleeping in your bed.”

“I’ll make certain that they do. I know some of them have made you offers. They won’t do that again.”

“Good. And Stag? I’m the fun kind of trouble. I’ll show you when you get back.”

“I need to address this situation. Behave. Stag out.”

“Okay.” Coms silenced, and she chuckled.

Stag stormed into Control, glaring at Maze. His entire crew had assembled there, and he had a feeling it was the medic’s fault. “What’s going on? What is the emergency?”

“Maze stated you’re keeping the female.” Veller stepped forward, glowering. “I protest.”

“It’s not your call, Veller,” Yammer replied, crossing his arms.

“I think it’s wonderful.” Hellion grinned. “I like Nala.”

“You like everyone,” Kelis rasped. “What do you think, Parqel? I’m neutral. Stag did tell us we could keep one of the sex bots.”

Parqel shrugged. “The Varnish belongs to Stag. He can keep the Earther if he wants. As I said before he arrived, it’s none of our business.”

“Exactly.” Maze pointed at Veller. “You’re the only one with a problem with it. You can transfer duties once we reach Garden and assign yourself to another vessel.”

“I like this one because there are no females aboard. And put your hand down.”

Maze lowered his arm. “You’re outvoted.”

“Well, now it has a female aboard, and I’m glad,” Hellion said. “It means we can get females too one day.”

“You only say that because no one else wants to work with you, so you’re stuck on the Varnish.”

“That’s right, Veller.” Hellion’s good humor faded and he advanced, his hands tightening into fists. “This is my home, more so than yours. Nala stays. You go.”

Stag was done. He’d feared keeping Nala might have an adverse effect on his crew, and he’d been right. A few of them appeared ready to fight. “Enough!”

All the men looked at him at the loud bellow.

“It’s not a vote or up for debate. Nala belongs to me. You are more than welcome to no longer assign yourself to my ship once we reach Garden, Veller.”

The male grimly regarded him. “You’re really set on allowing an Earther to live on your ship?”

It was an easy answer for Stag. “Yes. She stays.”

Veller snarled and spun, pacing the floor.

“I don’t know what your problem is, nor do I care.” Stag watched him warily, prepared if he attacked. “And this was a brilliant idea, Maze.”

“I figured you might delay informing them of your decision. I had hoped they would all agree Nala might be a good thing for this entire crew.”

“Anyone touches her and I remove their fingers.” Stag gripped his sidearm. “I’m not sharing her. I’ll allow you to keep two sex bots. You can figure out where to store them though. I don’t want them leaving the crew quarters area.”

“That’s agreeable to me.” Parqel smiled.

“I didn’t mean Nala should sleep with us.” Maze shook his head. “You micromanage us all, Stag. Nala will keep you occupied and give the rest of us more responsibilities. You can be a bit overbearing.”

Veller paused, interest finally showing on his features. “That’s true. I didn’t think of that.”

Hellion snorted. “You can take the helm more often. That makes you happy, doesn’t it? Stag won’t work as many shifts if he has a female.”

“Can I lead a mission?” Veller stepped closer. “Just one? You’ll need to bond with that female. That means you should spend a good week or two with her. Perhaps you could do it on Garden. You can trust me with the Varnish.”

“Earthers have honeymoons. I remember that. It’s where they enclose themselves and have lots of sex.” Kelis nodded. “We could go on a mission without you, Stag.”

“Over my dead body are you getting me to leave my own ship.” Stag considered Veller’s request briefly. “I will let you lead a mission, though but I’m staying onboard. I don’t like spending time on Garden. It’s why I went to the trouble of stealing this shuttle.”

“So we have a plan.” Hellion grinned widely. “Nala stays. Everyone is happy. Stag spends more time with the Earther so he’s not too controlling with us.”

“And we get two sex bots instead of one.” Yammer smiled too. “I like this compromise.”

Stag eased his hold off his weapon. “Are we done here? I’d like to return to the captain’s quarters. I’ll be staying there from now on. Nala and I need the extra room.”

“There’s our answer to the sex bots. We can store them in your old quarters when they aren’t in use.” Parqel nodded. “Once we do repairs, of course.”

“Veller, you’re in charge.” Stag spun, leaving Control.

It could have gone a lot worse. It would be difficult hiding two sex bots aboard his ship, keeping them from the council, but his crew deserved something for all the dangerous missions they went on. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d left something out of his reports.

He smiled, entering his new quarters. Nala waited—and it felt good.

Chapter Fifteen

Ten days later

Stag sat at the helm, checking systems.

“Everything is perfect,” Hellion stated from a few feet away. “We went over every inch of the Varnish while we were grounded on Garden doing repairs. Go spend time with your Nala. We have this.”