-Enslaved-by-an-Officer[ Sold 8] by McLeod-Anitra-Lynn Page A

don’t want to retire, do you?”
“No. I do not. I am sorry.”
“Well, it’s not the end of the world I suppose. I mean, you have to have a job, right? I’ll just be your cabin boy until you’re ready to retire.”
“You cannot stay with me.”
All the bright, shiny joy slid off Carver’s face and practically shattered on the floor. “What?”
“I did not think. I am the foremost on this mission.”
“But you…” Carver cut himself off and just sat on the bed looking at the far wall.
Honor didn’t know what to say or do. He’d made a mess of things, and now he might lose Carver for good. What Carver said next surprised him so much he was literally dumbfounded.
“We’ll work it out.” Carver took his hand. “If I have to wait for you, then I have to wait for you.”
“You’d be willing to do that?”
“I would.”
Honor didn’t know what to say. Once again he was astonished at the way humans were able to face difficulties without being crushed by them. Rather than allow something to block their path, they simply went around the obstruction, over it, or sometimes they went right through it. Their determination and tenacity was admirable.
“Hey, most of my goals have been very long term. Getting a degree and getting a ticket to the pros didn’t happen overnight.”
“No, I don’t imagine that they did.”
“Don’t you get recreation time or something like that? I could meet you, and I could make sure your detaf doesn’t ever get too full.”
Since Honor had not told him about the Krase need to expel fluids, he though Acerith might have. Not that it mattered. The only thing that mattered was that Carver wanted to make things work. In that moment, Honor was certain that he fell in love.
Chapter 10
    Honor’s eyes went totally black.
Carver leaned close and kissed him. He had a feeling it was love and lust combined, but he didn’t need to know for sure. He was secure in Honor’s affection for him. “So I guess the other big question is, are you willing to wait for me?” From what Acerith had said, the Krase were a horny bunch. If they weren’t fighting, they were fucking. Carver was concerned about the first since he didn’t want to lose Honor during some kind of battle, but the second he simply couldn’t handle. As much as he wanted to be an understanding boyfriend, he didn’t think he could be that permissive. He didn’t want Honor fooling around with anyone but him.
Honor reached out and traced his finger over Carver’s mouth. “I will not ever be with anyone but you from this point forward.”
Carver blushed, and he wasn’t sure why. Honor didn’t just say something to pacify Carver’s concerns. It was more like he was making a declaration or taking a solemn oath. It was romantic and a tiny bit scary.
“Why do you look frightened?”
“Because I’m a little overwhelmed.” Carver reached out before Honor could pull away. “Not in a bad way. I’m just—you aren’t like any human I’ve ever met.”
“And this is a bad thing?”
“No!” Carver moved closer. “It’s just everything is so new and I’m so sad and happy.”
“You are emotionally confused.”
“I’m on an emotional roller coaster.” Carver had to describe what that was.
“Your kind is very strange to ride something that scares you.”
“It’s thrilling. It’s like defying death in a safe way.”
“Perhaps this is another example of why you can be so fearless when you need to be. You face your anxiety in tame ways so that when you are called upon to be heroic you can act with less terror.”
Carver had never thought of it in that way, but he had to agree. “With everything that’s happened to me in the last—however long I’ve been out here—it’s a lot to get used to.”
“I can give you time.” Honor made as if to move away from him.
Carver stopped him, taking a moment to get his thoughts together. “I don’t need time away from you. I don’t need—” Carver cut himself off from the