Kaylee’d never been in love before, so it took her by surprise when it happened. Not least of all because it was Jayne she fell in love with.

She dreamed of being in love. Had expected it to strike her like lightening the moment she met The One. Kinda like it had when she’d first set eyes on Simon. But that wasn’t love, it was hardly even lust, come to that. After that glorious disappointment, she figured love would roll over her like waves, warm and comforting and she could float away on it.

Loving Jayne snuck up on her. She’d always liked him well enough. He was rude and crude, but it was all bluster, even if the others couldn’t see past it. Things between them started simply enough after she and Simon got together and fell apart. Just two friends releasing some steam.

Lust was never a problem with Jayne.

They’d been messing around for months before the realization hit her. She was certain the others knew about them, Jayne wasn’t exactly subtle. He was always finding ways to touch her when he thought no one was paying attention. Of course, on this ship, everyone always paid attention.

He was a little more careful at the beginning, stealing a grope when they caught each other alone in the hallways, or just brushing deliberately against her in the galley when it was her turn to cook. Every touch was deliberately sexual and stoked the fire for days straight sometimes before they managed to put out the flames. About the time he stopped being so careful was the same time he stopped groping her to excite her and just touched her as often as he could.

Stroking, patting, ticking, brushing.

She liked the constant attention he paid to her and the feel of skin on skin. Had missed that kind of contact more than she knew. Kaylee was a smart girl, and didn’t go questioning it when things were going her way.

Love was a sneaky hun dan, and if she’d known it was coming at her, she’d have done a better job preparing for it.

Jayne was lying on the med cot after a heist, reasonably well drugged,