Page 58 of Trove’s Purpose

“Sorry?”

“I want you,” she grinned, tusks glinting white and deadly. “The moon and you, Trove, and you can take the cup.”

Chee was so stiff, she wasn’t even breathing anymore. Trove couldn’t see her face, not from where he stood just a step behind her. But he didn’t need to in order to know that her jaw was tight and she was hiding her hurt.

“I’m afraid I’m not for sale,” he said. “I certainly appreciate your interest, but I’m afraid I enjoy the life I’m living now.”

She scoffed. “As a delivery person?”

“I’m a simple kind of male.”

“You’d rather hard labor to the life of pleasure and leisure I could give you?”

As though they were just waiting for the cue, the two males behind her let out moans. One was strangled and desperate, the other low and deep. The farasie male was on top, his hips moving suggestively over the sheets. The other male was facing him, but his legs were up and spread, offering his hole to the other.

They weren’t even being subtle about their fucking. And the way Rinnicks grinned promised similar if not better pleasures if he sold himself to her.

And he was sure that her toys were very well kept. They must have the best of everything. Whether they were just with her for a short time, or if she kept them long term, she doubtlessly made it worth their while to give her their time and devotion.

Trove could see how someone would be tempted into that kind of life. However-

“I appreciate the offer, but I really am happy with my job. I don’t want to leave my crew.”

Rinnicks groaned, sneering. “Sentimentality, again. It really does make fools of people.”

“Yet, it never fails to move them.”

“I suppose.” She hummed with a frown. She stared up at the ceiling for just a moment before leaning forward again, smile back in place. “I can’t change your mind?”

“I’m afraid not,” he smiled back.

“Fair enough. Alright. Here’s my second offer. I don’t keep that cup here. It’s in my private vault off planet. I’m going to have to have it fetched from its place in storage and brought here. It should take more than enough time that the Crimson Moon ownership can be transferred to my ownership while it’s on its way.

“In the time it takes for that cup to arrive, be mine. You’ll be staying here until the cup arrives anyway, won’t you? So, spend that time with me. Stay with me in my arms. They don’t have to be here if you’re not into males,” she waved her hand at the two fucking males behind her. “I imagine you’re not since only the females speak of you. Oh, but the things that they say. If half of it is true, you’re practically designed to please a female.”

“You flatter me,” Trove said neutrally.

“I don’t flatter. I collect valuable things. And they say your skills are well worth it. Show me what those workers whisper about. Please me. I’ll even pay for the rest of your crew to stay in the city while you’re with me. See? I’m a generous person myself, aren’t I?”

Chee still wasn’t moving. Tanin, however, was giving him a look. Though his expression was stoic as ever, the unspoken words were clear to Trove. He was telling Trove not to agree to such a thing without talking to him first.

Trove had no intention of telling her yes. However, in order to discuss it with his captain first, he inclined his head to Rinnicks.

“Thank you for your offer. May I think on it?”

Rinnicks waved her hand at him, grinning like she knew full well that she was going to get her way eventually. “Go ahead. But don’t leave me waiting for long. It’s been a long time since someone left me breathless and shaking. I’m eager for it. Of course, I’ll give to you in return as well. My darlings can tell you how good I make them feel.”

The fucking males, definitely responding to her cue, moaned together, their hips moving with more frantic energy.

“I’m sure,” Trove said. “I won’t leave you waiting long.”

Finished with them, Rinnicks waved them off, even as she was turning around, paying attention to her toys. She chuckled as she crawled back into her bed. Both of them looked up and reached for her at the same moment, their faces glazed with pleasure and joy.

And that was also part of the show. Look how much they were enjoying themselves. Look what he could have if he gave himself over to her. Even temporarily.

Effectively dismissed, the five of them turned to leave.

And Chee very deliberately did not look at him as she walked ahead. She put more force and speed into her steps, leading the way from the office, back out into the entry room and to the waiting lift where the silver furred male was already waiting.