“Yeah, they are.” One of the other engineers smirked. “Hung onto one running over the ship’s surface. Great toys here.”
“Okay, kids!” Dolan snipped at the crew. “Glad you’ve had a little fun out there, but this is serious.”
They were chastised, but laughed a little too. One by one problems were poised and solutions tossed out by everyone, veterans and young ensigns alike. The camaraderie made Jayda reminiscent of her days in the service. She’d forgotten how that felt.
As the meeting ended and everyone returned to their duties, Dolan came to where she sat quietly. “Are you all right?”
“Yes!” She sat up straighter as he knelt down in front of her. “Just thinking.”
He smiled and it was another knife in her chest. Dolan had that same crooked smile, as if plotting some wicked joke. She flinched when his hand settled on her knee.
Dolan noticed. He looked down at his hand. “Not to be intrusive, but you know as well as anyone the effects of low gravity, without muscular therapy.”
He wasn’t smiling anymore. Jayda jerked her knee away from his hand. “I do therapy. Daily, until you showed up.” He stood up, but didn’t back away, holding out a hand to her. “What do you need to get back on track?”
“I’m not used to other people using my gym.” She still didn’t accept his hand.
“What time would you like it back? I can make sure my crew stay away so you can have privacy.” His hand didn’t budge.
“I usually do an hour in the late afternoon, station time, depending on what’s happening in the lab.”
“Then I will keep everyone out from four to six.” He looked to the galley clock and back down at her. “I’ll make sure it’s clear and you can get back in routine today.”
She’d talked herself into this corner. He wasn’t going to let her slip away with excuses. She took his hand, gritting her teeth as she stood. He didn’t give her an extra boost by pulling, just a hand to steady herself.
He didn’t let go immediately either, or back up to give her space. She felt even more uncomfortable standing close enough to pick up his male scent, the hint of the sonic cleanser overlaying a natural muskiness. Neither overpowering the other.
Slowly he stepped to the side, but still didn’t release her hand. His other hand slipped into the small of her back, a gentle pressure, propelling her to take a step. She didn’t pull away, or breathe as he walked her towards her quarters.
He let go as her door opened. “Change and I’ll see to it you aren’t disturbed.” He bowed and walked away.
She watched Dolan leave, then remembered to inhale, stepping backwards into her room. She’d lied and been caught in it. Her workouts were not up to her doctor’s recommendation. Out here she never expected to be called out on skipping days. No doubt he’d be waiting for her. Grudgingly she changed.
As she assumed, he stood guard at the gym door. “All yours.” He gestured for her to enter.
“Thank you.” She tried to sound sincere. Going straight for the treadmill, she harnessed herself in. The computer identified her as she took hold of the hand rails, adjusting the program to compensate for the additional gravity. The pace was slow and easy, or it should have been, if she’d kept up with her schedule.
Though she didn’t look, she felt Dolan watching as the computer started altering the speed, angle and tension. Jayda pushed or pulled herself through five minutes before the pain started to dig into her resolve. Seven minutes in, her hands hurt from gripping the rails so tight, but she couldn’t quit.
After ten minutes of this torture she couldn’t get a breath into her chest and tripped, her feet dragging, her fingers frozen to the rails. An arm wrapped around her waist, holding her as the treadmill’s tension bands snapped free.
“I’m okay.” Jayda gasped as Dolan pulled her other hand free. “I slipped.”
“I know, but you’ve done enough for today.” Dolan swept her up in his arms and carried her back to her room.
She was beyond protesting as he helped her stretch out on her bunk, biting her lip as her legs cramped up. Sucking in air through clenched teeth.
She groaned as his hands started rubbing out the knotted muscles in her thighs. She’d have pulled away, if she could.
He looked away from her, over his shoulder. “Computer, respond.”
“How may I assist you, Capt. Dolan?”
“Dr. Maldonado has an additive to her oxygen. Would it be harmful to me?” Jayda wanted to shake her head, but that wasn’t happening with every muscle in her body locked up.
The computer delayed for a millisecond. “As of yet no harmful side effects have been recorded.”
“Good! Initiate the program at her highest dosage.” A cold blast of air answered Dolan. He turned his face away from it, as ineffective as that would be. In a few minutes her breathing eased and combined with his massage, the cramping in her legs stopped. She closed her eyes, letting the Senaprox do its job.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Jayda blinked, her vision clearing with her thoughts. Dolan sat across the room, his head dropped back into the chair, snoring lightly. He’d kicked off his boots and stripped down to his uniform pants. She could see the healing wound to his shoulder.
She stretched under the blanket, only then feeling the texture of the blanket against her bare skin. Peeking was stupid. Yes, she was naked. Her skin also tingled, meaning he’d given her a treatment while she was asleep.
She considered being mad, except for remembering how she felt after pushing herself so hard. She still hurt, but not nearly as bad.
So far so good, until she stood up. “Aghhhh!” The groan came out of her mouth. Dolan’s head jerked up from the chair as she attempted a step.
He was faster than her half-g collapse and scooped her up before she hit the deck. “You can stop it now.”
“Stop what?” Jayda struggled
