Chapter 8
Love
Dani finally finished up her work on the ship’s computer files and was escorted to Cash’s to strip, take a shower, and fall into bed naked. She was exhausted waking only when she sensed someone else was in the room with her.
“Dani?” Cash said uncertainly.
She rolled over then sat up looking at him. Dani was still so tired she couldn’t think straight. “Yes?”
“You’re naked. Not that I mind. How long have you been asleep?”
Turning slightly to look at the clock she was surprised by the time. “Three hours.”
“I just wanted you to know supper was on the table. You really need to eat.” He stood there staring at her like she was a sweet treat.
She sighed heavily. It was important to eat and she needed to work out a relationship with Cash for the sake of the child. Unfortunately, she was selfish. Dani wanted to try to work things out between them before she told him. Otherwise she would always wonder if he tried only because of the baby.
“Give me a second and I’ll be out there.” Dani said before she rose and began to dress.
Once she turned, she saw Cash had left the room. She’d just thrown on something comfortable just so she could eat before returning to bed. Everyone was out at the table, most of them already eating their food. Cash had a seat next to him waiting for her, her plate was full with a drink sitting next to it.
“Thank you.” She responded. Dani began to eat because she wanted to get back to sleep.
The food was good, the company was too. She felt better once she’d eaten. After she thanked Envy and Justice for the meal, she stood to go back to her room. Cash caught her arm leading her there with Toby following.
“Let’s say goodnight to Toby first.” Cash suggested so they went to his room. The room was plain, it needed Toby to make it his own.
Cash tucked him in and kissed his forehead. “Remember, tomorrow we have another mission.”
“Isn’t he a bit young for missions?” Dani asked.
“He refuses to stay anywhere without me. We tried, but I don’t want him emotionally damaged.”
Dani looked around. “Where are we going?”
“To our room. I just want to hold you while you sleep. Nothing else.” He held up his hands to show he meant it.
“Okay.”
“You gave in quickly.”
“I’m too tired to fight, but I’ll try if you want me too.”
“No, I’ll accept my victory gracefully.” Cash offered with a cheeky grin. It was just what she’d expect from him.
“I don’t have anything comfortable to wear.” She admitted.
“Easy fix.” He said as he tossed her a long T-shirt.
Easy indeed. It fit loose and comfortable. She slipped into his bed falling asleep before he was in it, Dani felt him when he slipped in beside her naked. Gods the male felt incredible. Wrapping his body around her, the manly scent and the warmth of him enclosed her. Never had she felt more protected or more at peace.
When she woke in the morning she felt rested. There were few people around as she went out into the main areas after she had dressed and prepared for the day. Selia was at her desk handling the day’s work. Rather than take Cash’s desk, she sat in the spare office often used by hunters after they came back with their bounties or had completed missions.
It was midmorning, late for her to start her day. She turned on her computer then went to get something for breakfast. A plate of food was in the fridge with her name on it. Envy had left it for her, no doubt. Heating it up, she then took it to her office so she could eat as she worked. There was a lot to do.
Her work progresses well, her speed incredible. Her plate was empty too as her appetite was also good. Maybe it was just because she had her own ship and some bounties coming in? Someone at the labs had taken her activities personally and it was creating an income for her. She wasn’t so overconfident that she didn’t realize she’d best be careful. That was why her usual computer was in storage while she used a spare.
The information she was using came off a flash drive pulled off her original computer. There was no way she could be tracked form that since the drive had been scanned for anything like a virus or tracker. Even so, she had her twin stun guns which she was becoming attached to. Not that she wanted any more trouble. It would be nice to have a break in between. No one was likely to attack before evening anyway. That seemed to be the time everyone determined it was most likely to be successful.
She worked hard, even having a snack between brunch and supper. Her usual daily work was done by the time Cash and his team arrived. That meant she could help with supper as she used to sometimes do. It was something she enjoyed, especially when she worked with Envy and Justice. It was a little awkward tonight with Cash in the kitchen too.
Things got funny when Cash didn’t know what certain spices were or how to cut up the loaf of homemade bread. “Dani, you have to help me. It won’t cut, the bread just sinks and gets all squashed.”
“You’re using a dull knife and you need to cut the top a little before you put all your strength behind it.”
At least he listened, quickly getting the job done. The table was full with lots of talking and joking. Like Dani had always imagined a family would be.
“You know what a family is like, Don’t you?” Cash asked.
Shit! She’d said that out loud. “No, I didn’t have a real family growing up.”
“How did you grow up?” Cash asked.
All talk at the table had stopped. She turned fiery red. “Just like you did.”
“Lab bred? Lab born?” She nodded not knowing what to say. “You mean we could be related?” Cash asked.
“I don’t think so, but it’s possible.” Cash went pale.
“Julio?”
“Yes, Boss.” Julio smirked. He knew what Cash wanted.
“Scan for a blood test. Whatever the best that machine can do.” Cash demanded.
“I’m on it, Boss.” Julio was new and still pushed the limits. This really wasn’t the time to do so.
He got up and walked over to Cash scanning him then turned to Dani scanning her. “Hm, interesting.”
“Give me the damn results now.” Cash hollered.
“You’re not related. Not even distantly.” Julio admitted.
“Thank the gods.” Cash declared. His body relaxed in relief. “Why didn’t you let us know?”
“You know I’m not outgoing and I don’t like too much attention.”
“Yeah, but this is important. Which facility?”
“I don’t know. I was five when I was put with a family. They couldn’t have children and they thought they wanted one. What they really wanted was a pet. By the time I was ten, they knew they’d made a mistake. The dog they got was a better fit than I was. After giving me a hundred coins, they told me to leave. I did and I never looked back.”
“I’m sorry, Dani.” Cash said and others echoed the sentiments.
“Don’t be. At five if I’d been dumped, I’m not sure I would have survived. At ten, I managed to. I kept going to school so I could learn and I was good on my computer. I hacked into the system and got free meals, breakfast and lunch at school. I found myself a foster parent that was decent and had a place to live until I was fifteen and she died. By then I had a part time job and could live on my own. I was lucky, luckier than many lab kids that died on the streets.” Dani admitted.
“You had some luck, but you also made the best of it. You were brave and smart. Never forget that.” Cash observed.
After things quieted down, they ate and cleaned up. “Come to bed with me, Baby. I’ve missed the hell out of you. I want to make love to you every night for as long as we live.” Cash admitted.
Was she giving in to fast? Should she punish him a bit? She thought about the baby growing inside. It needed parents and a family. Even a different family like the hunters was better than no family at all. “Let’s go to bed.”
Cash looked surprised, but it was clear he cared for her and wanted her desperately. “You’ll never regret this.” He whispered as he led her to his room. “Undress.”
Dani was ready, she’d missed him so much and this even more. They’d only been together one time, but it had been amazing. She undressed for him slowly revealing inch after inch of skin and her sexy bits. Cash growled attempting to speed her up. But she ignored him until she was done.
“Your turn.” She directed as she started at him.
He removed his boots and socks before he slid off his shirt. His chest was bare, smooth, and well-muscled. Her hands itched to touch him although she held back. Cash unbuckled his belt as her eyes tracked every move. Unsnapping his pants, next he unzipped them, then he pushed them down catching his underwear at the same time.
His impressive cock sprang free waving at her in invitation. Her mouth watered for a taste. She moved a step forward before she realized what she’d done. He would have to come to her. Standing still as if frozen to the spot, she watched and waited.
Almost like in slow motion. He moved toward her. Gods, the man was gorgeous. Her eyes were drawn to his impressive cock as it continued to wave at her, a drop of dew glistening on the end. Cash was primed and ready for her. That was good because she was ready too. Her channel was so slick, her honey dripped down between her thighs.
Pulling her into his arms, lifted her on his cock impaling her there. “I couldn’t wait to get inside you.” Cash admitted. He turned pressing her back against the wall as he held her still while he pumped into her rapidly.
Dani clung to him feeling her orgasm build as he moved faster until she exploded. Cash followed soon after as they writhed together until they calmed. They stood together until their breathing slowed and their heartbeat went back to normal.
“Gods, you’re amazing!” Cash whispered in her ear.
They made love several more times throughout the night whenever they woke up. The morning alarm seemed early even though it was at the usual time. Cash woke cussing. “Damn, I have to go on this mission. Will you be alright here alone?”
“I won’t be alone.” She answered.
“No, I suppose hunters will be in and out all day long.” Cash admitted.
They got up, showered, and dressed. When they went out to the table, breakfast was set out on large platters that everyone pulled off what they wanted from. Once they were all full, it was time to clean up. “You guys go on. I’ll do the cleanup.” She offered.
“You sure?” Envy asked looking doubtfully at the mess.
“I’ll stay and help her.” Toby added.
She knew they were relieved Toby was staying behind. He was much too young to be taking those types of risks. As the team hurried away, she and Toby began to clean things up and start something for lunch.
Dani took Toby into the office where she worked on her computer to speak to him privately. “I wondered if you had gone to school.”
“I went before I came to the last guy. We aren’t supposed to get educated. The doctors don’t like it. That’s why I was moved from my first family. Once I figured out how this guy was, I got on his computer late at night after he was asleep and read things.”
“That’s great Toby. I’d like to get you a computer and a schooling program so you can test to see where you should be and start learning. That’s what kids should do. They learn, they have some responsibilities, and they have fun.”
“My life has never been like that. The first guy I was with was a teacher so he felt everyone should get at least a little education. I heard him talk to the guys that came to get me. He said he didn’t like to be around uneducated people because there was no excuse for it.”
“I also believe people should be educated, but life is tough. Sometimes there are reasons that people just can’t get that education. But right now, there’s no reason you can’t. Cash had laptops that he gives his hunters and there are always several in stock. Let’s go get one.”
She was glad to see Toby looked excited. They went to the storage area pulling one out. Dani grabbed some of the usual programs they would also put on it. Passing Selia’s desk, she let her know they took a laptop out of supply. Now they were ready to get started.
Once they were back in her office, they sat down. “What do we do now?” Toby questioned.
“We have to plug it in to an energy source and turn it on. Then we’ll have to put these programs on one at a time.”
“But that’s boring.”
“It would be, but we’ll just get them started and go do something else.”
“Maybe that won’t be so bad.”
By the time the programs were all downloaded, Toby had seen all of headquarters. They’d also finished lunch, ate, and cleaned up. Supper was cooking now.
“So what now?” Toby asked.
“Now we find you a proper program to find out what grade you’re in and to take you through until you’re done. How old do you think you are?”
“I was told I was ten.”
They looked through the programs until they agreed on one which she bought. Once it was installed which was almost instantly, Toby wanted to test. “Okay, I’ll go finish supper.”
Once she was in kitchen, Razar called. “Hey, I love that ship. Sure you won’t sell it?”
“I have plans for it, but I would rent it to you.”
“I’ll consider it. No one claimed it so it’s yours.”
“Isn’t that a surprise?”
“Not really. The ship was used in an illegal activity and it was legal registered to the captain that was running the operation. Anyone claiming it would be investigated.” Razar explained.
“Their bad luck, my good luck.”
“Exactly. I’ve got to go now. Talk to you later.”
Supper was finished and hunters appeared out of the wood work. Toby tested and came in at third grade. He was now working hard to move up. Her health was good, she’d gained some weight back and didn’t look as rundown. Her bank account was happier too with her share of the bounties finally coming through. Cash had laughed all the way to the bank too. Those mercenaries may have seemed dumb, but they had some high bounties because they were dangerous males.
Two weeks later, everything seemed to be going well. She was cooking most nights and they always had a full house. Things with her and Cash were sizzling. Toby was moving ahead to fourth grade and life was good.