Blue Blood – Chapter Two

No claims of ownership or rights do I make, no money for my labor do I make:)

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Goldie was busy in the engine room, and didn’t realize Zoe was there until she spoke.

“We need to talk.” Goldie jumped, the pump casing in his hands hitting the floor with a heavy clang.

“You need a bell,” he groused, mentally counting his toes.

“You need to be more aware,” Zoe responded, sharper than she’d meant to. Goldie looked at her, frowning.

“I guess this ain’t a social call, then,” he said.

“We need to talk,” Zoe repeated. “Get some things straight.”

“Okay. Such as?” Goldie asked, sitting down.

“Such as I’m the Captain. And you’re part of my crew,” she told him, and again her voice sounded harsh to her own ears.

“I pretty well got that worked out, after two months,” Goldie said drily. “I may not be the genius River is, but I can get by.”

“This. . .thing, between us, it can’t keep going,” Zoe said, ignoring his sarcasm.

“What ‘thing’?” Goldie asked, brow creased in thought. “There’s nothing between us, as I’m aware of.”

“You know what I mean.” Zoe was standing with her arms folded, her weight on one foot.

“No, I don’t know what you mean,” Goldie said, his own arms crossing. “But let me see if I can make it simpler. I’m attracted to you. Powerfully so, I admit. More than any other woman I’ve ever met. And I haven’t been terribly shy about letting you know that. Are you telling me you don’t want me to keep doing that? Is that it?”

Zoe studied him carefully for a long time. This wasn’t going well.

“It’s not a good idea,” she finally told him, and Goldie fought to keep the disappointment off his face.

“Is that the Captain talking, or the woman?” he asked quietly.

“Both,” she answered without thinking, instantly regretting it.

“Yes, ma’am,” Goldie said, nodding his head. “I will reel in my attraction for you, and just do my job. Is that acceptable?”

Zoe was confused. This wasn’t what she’d had in mind, and the conversation had gotten away from her in