Gamble by Viola Grace

tidbits to it. She really doesn’t know when to quit.”
    “From the light contact I had with her and the others, she is unstable. They need a new commander here who has some sense of other species. A xenophobe is never a good leader.”
    She had to agree. Just as she was leaving the atmosphere, she got a ping. “Huh. It is time for my overhaul.”
    The mundane matter broke the tension of the moment.
    “What?”
    “Every few months, they check our systems. It is not a big deal, just a short trip to the transport hub.”
    The ship moved on its own, eager for the chance to meet up with one of its sisters. This was one path the Star Fairy could manage on her own.
    She grinned at Neuro. “You file your report, I will file mine, and I will meet you in the bedroom in an hour.”
    He smiled slowly as he got to his feet. “What for?”
    “Another training session. I have been reading companion manuals.” She winked and settled in, closing her eyes as she settled in the throne.
    He gave her a light kiss, and she smiled as he headed for his quarters to file his report on the Guardians of Keylan.
    She settled in and created a locked link with Nitza. “Well, I blew it.”
    “What did you do?”
    “I booted a grabby Guardian off the ship.”
    “Ouch. How did he take it?”
    “ She was enraged. I think that Jeeni, or Commander Ranit, has cracked. She has no awareness of other species and considers beings such as myself to being beneath emotion or consciousness. I think, anyway. I have no idea what she was thinking, but I did get the idea that she wanted to have sex with me just because I am a cyborg.”
    “Ick. It is being filed. This is not the first complaint, but I think we may need to get a xeno-relations expert to some of these closed worlds. The Guardians need to work on their people skills.” Nitza snickered.
    “Thanks. Well, I am off for my physical, so I believe I am off duty for a few days.”
    “Correct. You have six days of silence. Enjoy it.”
    With what amounted to a blessing, Kora disconnected the call and sat back in her throne for a moment. Smiling, she got to her feet and stroked the control panel of her companion and symbiote. “We are going home for a visit, sweetie. Do you think Neuro will like it?”
    The ship set off a series of lights within the room, delight burning in every one. It seemed the Star Fairy was eager to show off.
     

Chapter Nine
     
     
    He lay on his back, and she knelt on the bed next to him. He asked her quietly, “Did you want some help to start?”
    She shook her head. “No. I am merely going over the documents in my mind. I would like to make sure that I get it right.”
    He grabbed her fingers and brought them to his lips. “There is no right and wrong, there is only pleasure and a bit of teasing.”
    She was fully clothed, and he was not. Only a drape of black silk covered his hips and kept her from getting extremely distracted.
    “Why are you so willing to let me play?” She was nervous but an excitement was boiling in her as well.
    “Because, everyone needs the opportunity to learn without fear. That is what I was given, that is what you shall have.” He released her hand and closed his eyes.
    She sighed and ran her fingers over his chest with the lightest of touches. His skin was velvety under her touch, the texture was more noticeable with the lights on, and her vision focussed on the way her fingers left a slight trail before it faded.
    There was a slight smile on his lips, and she moved her fingers to bracket his left nipple, casually trailing her fingers around him as she learned his textures. His erection tented the fabric, but release was not the goal today. This afternoon, she was learning his reactions to her touch, and so far, it was pretty gratifying.
    His eyes were blue again, and he was so focussed on being relaxed that she could see the tension around his eyes. She stroked his forehead, nose and lips. The wide mobile surface of his lips curved under