As Inara reached up to retrieve the tin of tea from one of the galley cabinets, Mal’s arms encircled her waist from behind. She leaned back into his warmth and purred softly as his hands cupped her breasts.

“Mornin’, darlin’,” he whispered against the shell of her ear. “Why didn’t you wake me before you left?”

“I thought you could use the extra sleep, with Badger’s job coming up today,” she said, pulling away from his grasp. “And I knew Zoe and Jayne would probably be up earlier than usual as well.”

Mal frowned, reaching out for her again. “What’s wrong, bao bei?” he asked.

“Nothing’s wrong,” she answered defensively.

“Uh huh,” Mal said. “Then why are you pullin’ away when I touch you?”

Inara looked up at him, a faint flush on her cheeks. “It’s nothing,” she said. At his skeptical look, she added, “I thought we agreed to keep our…relationship a secret. Anybody could just walk in here and catch us together. We are in the galley, after all.”

Mal chuckled low in his throat, pulling her to him again. “Didn’t seem to bother you two nights ago,” he said, ghosting his lips along her throat. “When we were in here and you were pushed up against the…”

“That was in the middle of the night, Mal,” she protested, breathless from the path his hands were taking. “Everybody was asleep.”

“Haven’t you ever heard of a midnight snack?” Mal asked teasingly, nibbling at her earlobe.

“Mal,” she said as firmly as she was able.

Sighing, he let her go. “I was thinkin’,” he began. “After the job today, the crew might like a little time to pick up sundries and such. Thought we might stay dirtside for the night. Maybehaps you and me could go out on the town, have a meal with actual food, find a little inn or somethin’. Whaddya say?”

Inara smiled prettily. “That sounds lovely, Mal. It truly does. Perhaps another time. I’m…” She took a deep breath, having dreaded this moment since she’d come to her decision a few days ago. “I’m not sure I’ll be back in time.”

Mal had the horrible