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Erzah looks over at Kazex.
Kaz just shrugs. "I've got some boots I have to, uh, shine."
"You're shining boots? This late at night?" Jerzec makes a face, leaning over Erzah's shoulder. "What the kef kind of lame-ass excuse is that?"
Aithar clears his throat, looking embarrassed. He glances over at me. "Guys?—"
Erzah mimics the goofy face that Jerzec is making, and for a moment, it's like I'm seeing double. Neither of them has tattoos on their faces, and they look incredibly similar in that moment. It's a little jarring—and amusing. "Don't be like that, Kaz. You used to be fun."
"Guys," Aithar says again. "Leave him be?—"
Jerzec bounds over to Kaz's side, leaning in close and examining his hair. "Do we need to check you for grays?"
Kazex slaps his hand away. "Kef off. I'm allowed to organize my boots."
"I thought you said you were shining them," Erzah points out.
"Guys," Aithar says again, more pointedly. He grabs Erzah by the arm and pulls him toward the door, looking like a kid brother amongst his older siblings. "Let it go. Him and Ruthie want to be alone together. Do they have to keffing spell it out?"
All eyes turn to me.
"Oh, kef me," Jerzec says. "Is this some kinky sex game?"
"What?" I yelp, sitting straighter on the couch. "No! I'm just going to sleep?—"
But they're on my lies like bloodhounds on a trail. Suddenly I have three clones in my face, studying my expression.
"Look at her cheeks," Erzah says.
"And she won't make eye contact," Jerzec points out. "Definitely a kinky sex game."
"Sweet," Erzah says. "Can we watch?"
"All of you, kef off," Kazex leans forward and pushes Jerzec away with a hand planted to his forehead. He does the same for Erzah, and Aithar slides out of the way before it can be his turn. "No one's watching anything."
"But you're not denying it's a kinky sex game," says Erzah.
"It's not a kinky sex game," I protest. "Tell them, Kaz."
"Go away," is all he says to them, and I make a sound of aggravation. When I give him a pointed look, he adds, "Go have a drink on us."
They burst into laughter and tease us a bit more before heading out of the rec room and leaving us behind. I can hear them talking loudly as they head for the ship exit, and I swear it's like living in a frat house sometimes, being on board this ship. Better yet, it's like being in a house full of annoying little brothers.
Except I don't think very brotherly things about Kazex. I shoot him a look. "Why didn't you shut them down?"
"Who cares if they think we're having sex? Is that so bad? We sleep together already. We've been sharing a room for months. They already think we're a thing."
My face grows hotter, and I resist the urge to tug on the piercings in my too-warm ears. I've heard hints and teasing before that Kaz and I were together, but it's never been so blatant. Tomorrow it'll be all over the ship and...
And so what? It's not as if I'm not interested. I glance over at Kazex. He remains in his spot on the couch, sprawled out as if he owns it, his legs stretched in front of him. One arm moved along the back of the couch at some point, right behind me. Like he's claiming me.
I don't protest any of it. That warm, fluttery feeling of delight is sweeping over me again. I've been waiting all day for this fricking moment and I'm so on edge with anticipation that if he so much as touches my hand, I might spontaneously combust.
But he just gives me a slow, languid smile. "Did you want to go with them?"
Oh, I realize I didn't answer him. "No, I want to do my piercing while everyone's gone or occupied. You ready?"
He nods once. "Let's go."
My hands are sweaty—and my nipples pricked—as we walk down the hall to the med-bay as silently as possible. Sakkar's going to be so annoyed if he finds out we've been in here without him. He's fussy over the machines. I'm excited, though, and as Kazex palms the door lock to admit himself, I'm practically squirming.
"Quiet," he tells me as we step into the dark room. He flicks the lights on and turns to me, a finger to his lips. "We don't want Sakkar hearing us in here."
I nod. The absolute last thing I want is to be tits-out if Sakkar decides to swing by. I'm going to be as quiet as humanly possible. As he moves to the med-bay computer to access it, I tiptoe over to the patient table and ease myself up on it. I remove my long tunic, exposing my breasts, and I wait, breathless. I'm not completely naked. I knew we'd be sneaking out, so I'm wearing leggings. Still feel incredibly exposed, however.
