He climbed down into his bunk … their bunk, even though she wasn't there at the moment. She was tucked up in bed in the passenger dorm, probably asleep by now, ready for Ariel tomorrow. He’d sat up late on the bridge, not wanting to go back just yet, not wanting to feel the need so overwhelmingly to pull the covers from her body and run his hands up her flesh, cupping and caressing, hearing her call out his name as he pressed himself into her.

But even here, staring out at the stars in his sky, his body betrayed him, and he felt the heaviness building, blood engorging his veins. Laying his hand in his lap, he felt a corresponding pulse of desire.

No. Not again. He couldn’t do this. It was almost like deceiving her. But he’d said, told her he wouldn’t make her do anything until she was ready, until her body was strong enough to take what he needed to do with her, however gentle he was. But just the thought of her, naked as always, waiting for him to come back to her, even asleep, was too much.

He pressed on the hardness and groaned, throwing his head back, the tendons in his neck stretched tight. Way too much.

And now he was here, in their bunk, staring at their bed. The blankets were still crumpled from the last time he’d slept in it, so long ago now it seemed. Sitting on the edge he kicked his boots from his feet and twisted enough to lie down, pulling her pillow into his embrace. It still smelled of her, that indefinable perfume that twisted his heart into toffee and made him want to love her for eternity.

Without conscious thought he unbuttoned his pants and pushed his undershorts down, letting his manhood free from its confinement. The suddenness of the cool air on his skin made him shiver, but his eyes were closed, only seeing her in front of him, her body waiting, ready, yearning for his. With a sigh he wrapped his hand around his shaft, gently squeezing and moving his palm up to the end. He was ready too, moisture easing his movement as he circled, then slid back towards his