The Dove Bounty

Round 2: Tease.

Strauss had laid out some of his clean clothes for me to wear after the shower. I felt a million times better, energized, and I wanted to use all my energy to get as far away from Strauss as I could.

In my sober mind, every moment from the stairwell onward was whizzing around in my head and I needed to get someplace where I could sort through them in peace. I gathered myself for the escape; as soon as I opened the door I ran for the main door, away from Strauss who was sitting on the bed. I couldn't face him, not without some ammo, some clarity, or something. I needed to run.

He was quick to stand from the bed, but made no more attempt than that. I was glad. I don't think I would survive playing his game.

I clung to oversized pants as I ran down the corridor and up the stairwell were Noosa had brought me the drug. I paused, my heart thumping in my ears. It was still there, lying lifeless in the middle of the stairs where I once stood; the fish.

"Come on Dover, get someplace quiet," I mocked myself a reminder and continued on my sprint up the stairs, scooping the little thing up along the way in my free hand.

I felt like I could run forever as long as it put distance between myself and Strauss, but pushing open the exit door to the living quarters I fumbled through to the other side. Barely catching myself, the forever feeling was starting to fade as I closed in on my room.

"I just have to make it to the ninth door on the right," I tried to sound positive. My mouth was incredibly dry but before I could crave my favorite aneea juice, I was standing in front of my door.

Wiping my sweaty hand on the ill-fitting feline trousers, I pushed it against the gelled pad beside the door. The pad glowed green with approval and the door slid up, disappearing into the ceiling. Soon after stepping into the room the door shut itself and I dropped to my knees.

I felt the heavy weight of exhaustion creep its way through my body. "I… just need to make it to bed... " I tried to encourage myself. Looking up, my bed seemed like a million miles away. I don't know why I felt so exhausted, It's not like I was doing much when that gold fish drug had a hold of me. I was standing... I was lying on the bed... and I was clinging.

My body burst into heated goosebumps at the thought of clinging… to Strauss… Strauss… my mind started to indulge in the photo album made just moments ago. I let my body slide to the ground so I laid on my belly. The cool metal floor felt amazing on my warmed cheek and body. I gave one last worn out look at the distant bed and my aneea juice sitting beside it and sighed heavily before closing my eyes.

I had no will to make it to my bed or get the juice - I was just glad that I didn't have to be like this for everyone to see. It may have still been late, but I was lucky I didn't run into anyone when I was running back to safety.

Although, I still wasn't sure if I was in any real danger.

Strauss was able to hold back everything he was going through; I didn't want to be full of myself, but I was pretty sure he had a thing for me. Being able to hold back while I was turned into a helpless slut begging for release? Well, it made me see Strauss in a completely new light. I thought back to the stairwell and my surprise at how well he cleaned up...

His black hair had been combed back at one point but was thrown about in the race to catch Noosa. His dark brows set straight and serious while his orange eyes settled on me. Strauss stood at the bottom of the stairs in my mind; something was in his eyes just before he came towards me. It made me want to gravitate towards him, but that changed quickly when he started to move. I held that image in my mind and slowly played the moment forward. My heart started to race as as I watched him take those steps holding back every urge he had.

Just before he was face to face with me, the reel in my mind switched to Strauss trailing kisses up my stomach, slowly making his way up my chest. It made my breath hitch and my whole body ignited, hot against the metal floor. His pupils were wide. He was excited and ready to play. My d**k started to twitch to life, even without the drugs. The flame was lit inside me and all it wanted was to be fed an endless stream of pleasure and indulgence.

Somehow even under the influence with hazed vision, I was still able to take in nearly every detail of the encounter. I played it in my mind, countless more times, his eyes focused on me. The dangerous lust that Strauss wanted to get lost in so badly was glazed over with better judgement...

I was torturing myself. I had no energy to release my erect d**k, I simply got lost in the replaying reel in my head and somewhere along the line fell into a deep sleep.

"Dover!" The booming voice made my head throb and the pain cranked my senses to high. "Dover?"

They rolled me over and I could feel my body still limp with heavy sleep. I groaned, not wanting to be moved. I struggled to open my eyes at first and it proved difficult just to open them a crack.

"Send for Gaelic." It was the Captain; his voice was unmistakable and his orders were always without question.

"Got it!" The other male said with determination. I heard him running off in a hurry only to return not a moment later. "Wait, which Gaelic do I get?" He asked sheepishly. It must've been Malic. There were few shy people on the spacecraft and only one that could question an order and walk away with their head still attached.

"Are you serious right now Malic? The only one of the two that's a Medic!" Captain's voice slowly raised with every word. The last few weeks have just been hell for us all and I was just adding to it.

"Thank you Captain." I could hear the smile in his voice as he responded to the Captain's scrutiny without even an ounce of venom in it. Malic was always like that - always sweet and always kind, no matter what was thrown at him. Before he left out the door again, he added in a playfully positive voice. "Don't forget to be kind, Captain."

My eyes finally made a full blink at the Captain looming above. I came to the realization he was in my room and I was still on the floor.

"What happened here, Tokay?" He was bent down on one knee and placed an arm on the other. "It's nearly an hour into the work day and here you are still laying around." His hand gestured to my body now sprawled out on the floor.

I started to push myself up from the cool metal, "I…" My voice cracked from being so dry, but I just gulped back some spit for temporary relief and tried once more, "Sorry Cap… last night…"

I could feel the bite Strauss left on my shoulder burn as I moved it, I pushed it to the back of my mind. I needed to tell the Captain something and it couldn't be that I had dumped a bag of s*x drugs on myself, getting fondled by Strauss in the process.

"I-I was drinking last night sir," my voice shook. I wasn't used to lying to the Captain. I had nothing but respect for him, but I couldn't bear letting him know what really happened.

"Well hell, Tokay. You should know better than most on this ship! Drink on your damn days off." His black eyes studied me hard while he scratched at his white beard. He was in his casual wear so we must've been close to the trading post. The only time you'd see the Cap dressed in slightly less threatening attire is when he had to socialize and get along with the tradesmen to get better deals.

"I know sir." I moved to stand up but faltered. The Captain must've been feeling sympathetic for me because he pulled at my arm helping me to my feet. "It won't happen again, Captain." I shuffled the few feet past the Captain, holding tight to the pants, making my way around to my bed to sit down. It was an enjoyable relief to be on something soft. I should've endured those million miles to get to the bed last night.

A little late to dwell on it now, I reached for my juice. Unscrewing the bottle I chugged it back and couldn't get enough. I went until there was none left and hung my head down.

"Hell Dover, don't be giving me that sad sap crap too." He scratched at the back of his head. "We're hitting the trading post today…" He watched me carefully. "You and Strauss are going to be watching the ship."

I sprung up at the order; the over-sized pants almost didn't come with me. "The hell I am!" I argued, wiping the escaped juice from my mouth with my free hand - but before I could continue my protest the Captain cut me off.

"Don't give me that s**t Dover. I know you have been having some bitter bickering garbage going on between you two, but this isn't some f*****g highschool drama! You need time to get coordinates and routes mapped out for the new bounties and Strauss has some crap to do on the ship before we take off again." His arms had crossed against his puffed out chest. I sunk back down to my bed.

"I understand I have not been the most agreeable lately, but you two are the least of my problems right now." He paused to scratch at his bearded chin again. "It's going to be three days that we're here. No one's going to be on the ship but you two. That will give you guys a bit of time to come to some kind of compromise."He turned his dark eyes on me. "If you two can't get along after we've picked up everything, then you can get the f**k off my ship. Strauss knows the deal." He left no room for negotiation - it was either suck it up and deal or be stranded at the outpost for who knows how long.

A light knock on the door frame had us both turning to look.

"So what's going on here?"

Danse was standing at the door wearing his thick plastic skin suit over his body and a white coat. As he always did when he was working, being overwhelmed with sensations and emotions while working would be distracting. Danse and his twin brother were part of the Natuulian race -an amazing group of lifeforms that call home on the 17th star of the Daagpi system; Blandaugh. They had the ability to morph to start any living creature's life cycle, the twins chose the human race to mimic. Only one way would let you know you ran into a Natuulian... the way they react to skin contact. They're able to absorb emotional thoughts and sensations from just a touch. I had done some previous work on the race and was quite fascinated by them at one point. Danse's dark brown hair was combed neatly back and his eyes darted back and forth between the Captain and I.

"Gaelic, give Dover here a look over and then report to me. I still need those files you promised this morning. Tokay, you… " he sighed. "Take it easy 'til I send the new bounty list."

"Ah, I'm so proud of you Dustin!" Malic came dancing into the room with his long ice blue hair flowing around him. "Being so sweet to let Dover rest." He smiled wide at the Captain and sent a graceful wink my way.

Captain grunted at the slim beauty. "Don't act like you could get away with murder under my watch Malic." His voice grew dark and it chilled me. It was scary how menacing the Captain could be, but that's why he was one of the top bounty hunters out there.

Somehow, Malic seemed unfazed by the threat.

"Let us go finish what we started before we dock." Malic cooed the words to the Captain as he tapped him on the chest before turning and leaving.

Even though the Captain already had red skin, you could see his cheeks flush a deeper crimson. He cleared his throat as he looked at us once more. "You two have your orders?" Both Gaelic and I nodded and he nodded back before turning to follow after Malic.

"Those two love birds, huh?" Gaelic was sitting next to me already, his bag opened, and was fiddling with one of his medical tools.

I chuckled lightly and dazed at the thought, love birds; Malic and Captain had been a couple long before I was around and they didn't hide it. I had never been in love before and it was something I thought would come in time... but with the job I chose to take, while the pay was extremely well, it never left much time to get to know a person other than who was on the ship itself.

"Danse?" I wanted to ask the doctor about love. After all, he had an odd enough relationship... maybe it would shed some light.

"Hmm?" the doctor replied while taking my arm in his hand. and placing a cool pad on my exposed part. It sucked tight to my skin and grew warm the next moment.

"How… how did you know you loved Dax?" I watched the medic pad warm on my arm.

He looked up at me, and it didn't take long for him to answer. "You know, I don't think there was a moment I didn't love Dax… I just.. never knew him yet." It sounded so cheesy but I could see it in his face - he beamed at the thought of his love.

Not a lot was hidden on the ship, but right now I had a secret that was only shared with Strauss.

"But, it's hard to tell where your emotions start and stop. Sometimes it can be a gradual change and yes, sometimes there is a defining moment." He was now pushing keys that appeared randomly on the pad. "I think you just have to embrace everything that person has to offer. You know, take a leap if you really want to know how you feel. Ah, but you know. I'm just a doctor, I know more about the actual heart then the emotional one." He smiled.

I had to sort out how I really felt about last night. Would the heat still be there? I fell asleep to the thought of Strauss staring me down with want, lust, and need... and it didn't seem to bother me in the least. I could still feel the parts he touched imprinted on my body. Strauss said with the water I would be free from the effects of the drug. Such a simple remedy, he should've just thrown us in there to begin with, but why was I still feeling the need to continue where we left off?

"Well it looks like you are going to be okay... just get some more fluids in you." Danse started packing his items away and peeled the pad from my arm. "And get some more rest after you drink lots and eat something."

With everything packed, he was ready to head off again. "Thanks…" I said, rubbing the warmth from where the pad just was. "For checking me and… you know. Answering my question."

"Listen Dover, I know that you and Strauss are having a rough road. I just want to tell you, he's not all bad. He tends to come off as a relentless prankster, but I suspect it's how he shows his feelings." He gave me a sympathetic smile. "Take it easy, I hope we get to see you after we've resupplied."

With that I was left alone in my room once more. Nothing was hidden on this ship... well not for long.

I knew it was true that Strauss wasn't all bad, and I would be a fool to keep thinking so after last night. He leant me clean clothes - I rubbed the soft sweats - and got me out of doing something I probably would regret later. Throwing myself at him in a desperate attempt to get off. I thanked Strauss again in my mind and threw my head into my hands. I couldn't believe I acted in such a way and he got to see it all.

Sighing out loud I pulled myself up and made my way over to the wall on my right. Pushing one of the panels, it popped open to reveal a small fridge. I grabbed a few bottles out and brought them back to the small table beside the bed.

Then I pulled off the large clothes Strauss leant me and pushed another panel close by to reveal a small closet. I picked a simple blue shirt and loose jeans to wear and quickly dressed.

Cracking open another bottle I chugged it until it was empty. I really couldn't get enough - it felt like I had just walked the Nadura deserts. I gathered up all the bottles leaving two full ones on the bedside table. With my hands full I turned to leave the room and my eye caught the little fish laying on the floor. Lifeless as ever... It reminded me I hadn't seen Noosa all night. She'd always come back to our room for the night. I hoped Noosa wasn't coming down with anything. She was really acting out of character lately…

It was something else to distract me from the looming ultimatum the Captain had given me. I slid the small fish off to the side with my foot and made my way out the room. The halls were empty again, all the main crew - well all but Strauss - lived on this floor and they all had lots to do.

The rest of the ship was abuzz; everyone running around getting all the last minute preparations ready and preparing for the transfer of the three bounties being brought in. I had nothing to do until I was given an updated bounty list.

My stomach steered me straight to the cafeteria. It was sparsely filled with a few temporary helpers the Captain hired for the last leg of the Bounty run.

I placed the empty bottles in the tube labeled "plastic" on the wall and they were instantly sucked up, disappearing in the maze of tubes above. I wondered why I was sucked into Strauss's pull; his atmosphere would always make it hard for me to think straight and half the time I would find myself trying to get away from the situation. In the first year, he was quite mysterious to me - only ever around for a moment reporting to the Captain. Eating silently and alone, no more than a few minutes, and he would be gone again, working. I looked over at the table in the back corner closest to the second exit. Sixteen times I had seen him in the cafeteria the first year, and every time it was right there. From where I would usually sit, I could turn my head to the left and have a perfect view of him.

I had seen him 197 times on the Bridge talking to the Captain and he spoke to me four times in that first year. I also passed by him six times in the corridors… I hung my head wondering why I kept track of him… Strauss was taking over my mind.

I headed around the main serving counter, where you would pick up your orders, and made my way past to the prep kitchen. I walked in to see Helena, who was much shorter than Ophelia, hugging it out. Helena had her face pressed to her sister's chest and she was quick to lock onto me.

"The hell you doing here Dover?" Helena spat like she wasn't in a good mood.

"Ah, hey Dover. Don' min' Helena, we just gettin' though a heart ta' heart. Right me little sis?" Ophelia patted her sister roughly on the head.

I nodded. "We all have our moments." I offered a small, sympathetic smile to Helena.

She scoffed at me, but it seemed like it had calmed her down a bit. "You here for some food?"

I nodded. "Anything you don't want me using?" I was glad I ran into her when I did it would save me from her rain of terror if I used something she didn't want anyone to touch.

"Yeah, the list is on the side of the fridge." She pointed her thumb behind her towards the giant fridge. "Don't think I won't notice what's missing either. f*****g people thinking they can get away with that shit..." Helena mumbled under her breath, her small hands balled at her side.

'One hour warning'

The voice rang loud through the ship announcing we would be docking in one hour. I looked out the kitchen window as the last few people in the eating area bustled back to work.

"Alright O' - I just need that crate back to the bay and have a chat with the Captain. Meet me in the bridge when you're done." Ophelia nodded to her little sister and as Helena walked past she gave me a pat on the shoulder. "Glad you're getting your s**t together."

Was I? I didn't feel like I was, but in the next moment I realized I was alone with Ophelia and didn't feel like a nervous wreck.

"Hey Ophelia, is it me? Or did your sister and I just get along?" I gave her an exaggerated surprised look. I felt so at ease.

"Haha, I think you're right Dover." She tilted the hand truck back and with ease lifted a crate. "So Dover, what had 'ya runnin' last night? Seen 'ya zipping down the corridor before I called'er a night." Her smile said she was teasing, not really caring what had me running.

"Ha, yeah nothing much. Just had to get to bed in a hurry is all…" Dig yourself deeper into a hole why don't you Dover. It was the second time I lied just so no one but Strauss and I would know what happened. Would it be so bad to admit he felt my d**k up, trailed hot kisses all over me, and let me grind on him like an animal in heat?… No… yeah… I wasn't sure really. Thinking about it, the pleasure was overriding the embarrassment. I could feel my body craving contact, not just anyone's, but his. Strauss.

"Hell, I never seen no one run like that just to get to bed." She laughed. "Well I bes' get this job done, before Hel snap's another twig."

"Yeah, see you in a few days Ophelia." What happened to me? I had no trailing dirty thoughts when I walked in to see her little sister's face deep between her breasts and then not an ounce of unease in her presence. I wasn't stuttering or using my hands for exaggerated incoherent explanations.

"I hope so Dover." She gave a casual salute before she left the kitchen and I had no urge to watch her apple bottom I once enjoyed on occasion.

My stomach growled a reminder that I was still hungry so I looked over the list briefly and then went into the fridge. I settled on Baroosa soup that looked like it would be good for at least two more meals and it was my favorite. Maybe the distraction of Strauss was clouding my usual thought paths, or maybe it was clarity I didn't want to embrace.

I pulled out the large container of leftover soup and went to grab a bowl and spoon. I wondered if I would even run into Strauss the whole time we would be alone on the ship. I mean, it was a pretty big ship; I would be busy and sure he would be too… yet somehow I found myself hoping to see those dangerous orange eyes. I scooped large spoonfuls of soup into the empty bowl then went lazy and slid it along the counter. I entertained myself by walking with the bowl like I was a zombie with a limp leg, going to warm up his brains meal.

I enjoyed learning from other cultures and races - each star held something different and I favoured the imagination of the human race. Their creative vision for nonsense was beyond compare. I let out the best zombie voice I could muster. "Braaaainnzzz." It made me smile and I continued in my theatrics, pulling at the microwave door with a stiff arm and grunting triumphantly as the door popped open.

"Glad to see you're full of energy Dove." The sudden interruption nearly had me throwing the bowl off the counter. I caught myself, turning to face Strauss at the door with the bowl in my hands.

Those orange eyes I had hoped to see just a moment ago were staring me down; a small coy smile played on Strauss's lips. His black hair was combed back again and his fluffy cat ears tilted with his head as he looked on at me. Strauss was dressed for work in his usual baggy coveralls that covered the lower half of his body and the unfilled arms wrapped around his waist. His muscle shirt was well fitted to show off his toned body underneath - my eyes ravaged his body and it ignited my nerves.

"W-what are you doing here?" I knew it was a pretty obvious answer, but I couldn't think of anything else to say.

As soon as he stepped foot into the kitchen the atmosphere changed as always, but something was different this time.

I quickly turned away from Strauss as he came closer and focused on placing the bowl in the microwave, closing the door, and punching in the numbers for the cook time. We still needed to upgrade a few things on the ship.

"Looking for something delicious to satisfy my hunger." His words made my skin prick, sending my heart into a race. The urge to chase that pleasure from before pulsed deep in my stomach; it twisted against doing as I always did when this situation arose - run.

I could feel the heat from his body near my back. That urge for pleasure was winning and making my balls tighten as a tent raised itself in my loose jeans. "I'd love to taste what you have Dove…" he whispered in my ear; my body burst into goosebumps that rippled down my body.

"Why do you always mess up when I ask you to fix something?" It was a random enough question in the moment, but something deep inside of me needed to know. I kept my back to Strauss but I could feel a heating urge to turn around and chase that pleasure I've felt at his hands... see if that drowning pleasure was still there.

"Can I get a kiss if I answer?" his voice was both serious and playful; the words melted down my body as he said them. I needed to know his answer - and if a kiss was the cost it would be ok… it was Strauss. I turned to face him. He was very close... I couldn't bring my eyes to his. My stomach turned with nerves that bubbled below my belt.

Something about those drugs made the wheels in my head start to turn and I couldn't stop them once they did. It only became more obvious the more I payed attention to where the wheels would be taking me. I don't think I ever disliked Strauss, I was just frustrated with his actions, which usually sent me into a blinded rage.

I nodded in agreement to his question and it didn't take long for Strauss to cash in his end of the deal.

He pulled me away from the counter with ease and into a dip like I was some kind of princess. My hands grabbed onto him in instinct, and my eyes widened with surprise. It was like he was being romantic?

Strauss held me up with one arm under my back as his other cupped my face gently. "I really adore seeing you so flustered and angry." His lips gravitated slowly to mine and I felt my lips tingle with anticipation - my mind became consumed by the impending break in this tension. "And I got to see it almost everyday Dove…" His voice was blissful when he whispered the words and closed the gap.

Our lips connected and I melted to his arms. Strauss maneuvered his tongue skillfully, breaking into my mouth and making my mind swirl into a dizzying state. He tasted every inch of me with his wet muscle and it didn't take much from Strauss to coax my tongue to explore his wet cavern. He tasted sweet and it left me wanting more. My body lost to the pleasure Strauss gave me.

He grabbed the back of my neck and pulled my body even closer to his, devouring me. My grip on his arms loosened as my strength was dwindling away, but he held me steady and continued the raid in my mouth. I wasn't complaining, I wanted more. I felt more from his kisses and touch than I ever felt with anyone before and it was all consuming.

It wasn't lost on me when he connected our bodies even closer - he was just as rock hard as I was. It made the heat in my groin grow; he wasn't wearing the boner hiding briefs either and my knees went weak. I was becoming a vessel consumed by pleasure and he hadn't even touched my c**k yet.

Would he touch it? The thought had my mind swirling again.

Strauss broke the kiss which allowed us to catch our breath, but I let out a uncontrolled whine at the lost contact. I was gone before anything had really started. His eyes looked like predators; me, his prey caught in his grasp. And it then dawned on me. The kiss was a way in... he wasn't going to stop unless someone or something stopped him.

My eyes went wide, but his lips cut any fear down to nothing. He scraped his tongue just under my ear and behind my jaw which sent jolted waves of pleasure to my aching, throbbing hard d**k that was getting wetter by the moment. My body started to rock and I attempted to get a grind into his hard on; the pressure of our jeans rubbing against each other sent me to the edge.

With a sudden whip I was torn from the heated pleasure. Strauss had me at arm's length, holding me steady 'til I regained a sensible state of mind again. My eyes blinked unresponsive for a moment or two before they focused on Strauss and his greedily happy orange eyes. I had no idea what was going on. Why did he stop? I looked down at his jeans which were just as tented as mine

"You best eat some food, Dove." Strauss loosened his grip as I found my footing, the microwave coming to the end of its warning beeps that the food was ready. "You will need your strength," he traced my jaw and thumbed my chin, leaving me dumbfounded and aching for release once more as he left.

I was alone in the kitchen left hungry, aching and unsatisfied.

"f**k. I don't know if I can take this much more."