Page 53 of Trove’s Purpose

Trove did like dancing, but…

“I don’t think she’d appreciate me dancing with her. Or any other females.”

Tanin cut him a look out of the corner of his eye. It was brief but telling.

“You’re not claiming her.” It wasn’t a question.

“She’s better off without me,” Trove said, completely certain. “It’s better this way.”

“If you insist.”

That was all Tanin said. Because, of course, his captain wasn’t going to pry into his private business and insist he overcome his cowardice. The shackles of his past. That he throw off the chains that continued to bind him and accept her instead.

And Trove was annoyed.

Why wasn’t his captain telling him that?

Why would Tanin let him let her go?

Suddenly aggravated, Trove had to bite his tongue to keep from saying something foolish. Because this was what he wanted. He asked for this. He had no right being angry if someone agreed with what he had chosen.

But he was, and he didn’t understand why until later that night when he was helping the rowdy, happy, but clearly sleepy, females walk back to their inn.

He’d been hoping that, somehow, the captain would have something more for him. Like maybe there was something anyone could tell him that would make things better. That would fix him. That would offer some kind of solution.

The fact that he didn’t, that he didn’t even try, made Trove feel angry. And helpless.

He returned to his room, having had no fun at all, annoyed, frustrated, and hopeless in a way he hadn’t felt before.

Like for the first time, it really was sinking in that Chee would not be his, would never be his, and there was no hope to ever make her his.

He threw himself back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. His jaw clenched. Slowly, cautiously, he moved his hand over the groin of his pants. Over his completely soft cock.

And cursed.

Chapter 18

Chee

The appointment with the owner of Vaulted Trade was set for late in the morning. Chee went with Trove, Tanin, and Sorbet and Tebros. Tanin because, as the captain, he was going to be in charge of this deal. She was in charge of Hyde’s money, but it was still Tanin’s ship and his job. Sorbet and Tebros were acting as security.

And Trove…

She pretended like she didn’t know exactly why he came with them.

She also pretended like she hadn’t picked one of his outfits to wear for the trip. She lied to herself that it was just because his clothes looked more professional and respectable than her baggy stuff or the envirosuit Hyde gave her. She tried to believe that it was because she was learning how to dress herself based on his suggestions.

She ignored the voice that whispered it was because she liked wearing what he picked for her.

A handsome male with glittering eyes who was working the front desk welcomed them in and then brought them up a lift to a waiting room outside an office. After checking if they wanted anything to drink, he informed them that Rinnicks would be calling them in shortly. With that, the five of them were left alone, sitting and waiting in silence.

Sorbet and Tebros didn’t sit but instead moved around the room. They looked at everything like they were going to be asked to draw it all from memory later. Tanin sat to one side of her, Trove to the other. She deliberately looked away from her would-be mate and spoke to Tanin instead.

“Shall I take lead in the discussion?”

Tanin grunted in agreement. “Hyde has told you what he’s willing to pay, I’m sure. You make the deal. We’ll be there to help if you need it.”

She nodded, appreciative. Not really concerned. She was used to making deals with vendors and clients. This felt just like work.