Chapter 6

As they lay tangled in one another’s arms, skin still damp, the com unit Simon had deposited onto the bedside table activated. Moments later they could hear Mal’s very irritated voice.

“Hey, anyone there? You been ignorin’ this thing fer hours. Kaylee? S – Brandon? One of you answer me right this minute.”

Simon closed his eyes and tightened his arms around Kaylee before reaching a long arm over to the table and clicking on the two-way. “Yes, Captain. We hear you.”

“Where the gorram hell you two been?”

“We aren’t due to return for another hour, Sir.” Simon kept his voice neutral in case anyone had tapped their com line.

“Yeah, yeah. Well, we’re takin’ off so you’d better be back on time.”

“Yes, Sir. We – ah, have a bit of cargo to pick up. Can you send the mule? Kaylee went – uh, overboard in spending our – wedding money. She’s filled trunks full with – well,” he glanced down at Kaylee with an amused grin, “I’m not sure what. I try not to ask too closely when a woman goes shopping.”

Mal laughed and they could hear Wash in the background muttering something about not letting any woman he knows hear him say that.

Kaylee playfully batted at his shoulder, a mock look of annoyed shock on her face.

“Give us about an hour and then come get us?”

Silence greeted him on the other side of the com and he nervously hurried to cover the lull. “Ah – the room includes breakfast, Captain.”

“Oh, oh, yes. Fine. We’ll see you in an hour.” The com clicked off and Simon exhaled a sigh of relief.

“He will kill me, you know that.”

Kaylee pressed her mouth to his chest and rubbed her cheek against him. “No he won’t.”

“He doesn’t like me Kaylee. And he will like me sharing your bed even less.”

“He ain’t never cared who I spread for before, and he won’t care now.” Her eyes twinkled as she trailed her hand down his chest and below the sheet. “’Sides, if he complains, I can always remove a coil or three and Serenity won’t go nowhere.”

Simon’s eyes widened and he laughed, a sight Kaylee couldn’t imagine for the life of her looked more swai.

“You are a very evil woman, Kaylee Frye. Please remind me to always stay on your good side.”

It was Kaylee’s turn to laugh. “Starting today, right? ‘Cause ya ain’t done so well in the past.”

“I think the slate changed sometime last night.” He gasped as Kaylee’s hand slid around him and began to tease his swelling length.

Kaylee licked her lips. “You did say we had an hour.”

Simon laughed and pulled her hand away. “Yes, enough time for a shower and to get dressed.”

Her face fell. “Oh.”

He pulled her to him suddenly and kissed her deeply. “Later. I promise.”

“I’ll hold you to that.” Kaylee slid off him and shot him a coy look over her shoulder on her way into the bathroom, letting her eyes sweep down his very handsome and very aroused body.

Simon groaned when she looked at him and found it difficult to resist having her all to himself just one more time. As much as he wanted to deny it, he wanted her, all of her, as often as he could have her.

Kaylee giggled when he launched himself off the bed and hurried after her, catching her around the waist and pulling her back against his chest.

He bent down to trail his tongue around the curve of her ear and she melted against him. “Can’t linger. Only have an –“

Kaylee turned around and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling his mouth to hers, all the while backing up until she was pressed against the sink opposite the shower. “Ready now,” she murmured against his lips.

Simon groaned and lifted her legs around his waist, balancing her backside on the edge of the sink. “God Kaylee –“he murmured as he sank into her, squeezing his eyes shut as he felt her slickness stretch and enfold him.

The rested their foreheads against one another as Kaylee tightened her legs, slid her hands around his neck to keep his mouth firmly pressed to hers. She whimpered against him as they moved quickly, roughly, having no time to delay.

Simon’s hands slid around her backside, squeezing tightly, pulling her against him with each hard thrust. He knew he was close as her body clenched around him, tugging, squeezing. “Kaylee I –“ But it was too late. She moved against him as roughly as possible, ripping the release out of him with a loud cry. His body tensed and he groaned against her neck, loud and long, as he spilled himself within her. She held him when he collapsed weakly into her arms and then smiled brightly, eyes still clouded with unspent passion, when he looked horrified into her eyes. “I’m sorry, I –“

She kissed him, unconcerned that he had finished first, and rolled her hips against his, drawing a surprised gasp from his lips. “You can make it up to me.”

Sufficiently recovered, Simon reached around him and unclenched her legs. Sliding her back so that she was more firmly seated on the sink, he glanced up at her before sinking to his knees.

Kaylee gasped when his hands drew her ankles up and over his shoulders and she leaned back against the wall when his tongue darted out of his mouth to taste her. She stared down at him through heavily lidded eyes as he slid two fingers into her core and swirled his tongue around them, tasting her passion and his. When his mouth closed over her sweet, sensitive nub, she cried out, her end closer than even she thought. He flicked his tongue over her, and she arched her hips against his mouth.

“Simon,” she panted, unable to form any more of that thought as the constant motion of his mouth and tongue brought her to a swift, eye-crossing climax.

He continued to drink from her as she trembled around him, her musky scent and taste causing his own spent length to swell uncontrollably. But there was no time, he couldn’t be ready again so soon, so he simply licked her clean and carefully lifted her legs from his shoulders.

He gathered her into his arms and led her to the shower, where he turned it on, and stepped in with her, holding her upright, and bathing her with the soft sponge as delicately as he had bathed her with his tongue.

~*~

Everyone was waiting in the cargo bay when the Mule returned with six very large and very heavy trunks. They’d needed to add a temporary attachment to carry more cargo so they didn’t have to make another trip to the hotel. Kaylee sat up front with Wash while Simon sat in the back to make sure everything remained secure.

“What the hell you buy, lil Kaylee?” Mal continued the charade that they’d been on their honeymoon, his hands extended, an incredulous look on his face.

“Things for my favorite Captain, ‘course!” Kaylee jumped off the mule and hugged him happily.

Mal raised a curious eyebrow at this and then shook his head when Kaylee scurried up the staircase to a waiting Inara’s side. Something was up with those two. Kaylee was always bubbly, but never thisbubbly.

“Kaylee, prepare for takeoff. Don’ want no pieces of Serenity fallin’ off with so much cargo on board.”

“Yes, Cap’n!” Kaylee kissed Inara’s cheek and all but bounced off to the engine room.

“Why’s she in such a good mood?” Mal asked as he moved to help Jayne, Book and Simon unload the trunks while Wash returned to the cockpit to fire up the engines. “An what the hells in these damn things?”

“No idea,” Simon answered with a shrug. “Like I said earlier –“

“Yeah, we all heard,” Jayne interrupted with a grunt as he lifted one off the mule. “Did Kaylee? ‘Cause ifn she did, I’m surprised yer still alive.”

Simon smiled to himself and didn’t answer. When they’d deposited the last trunk, Simon glanced up toward the catwalk just in time to see Inara smiling down at him with a knowing twinkle in her eyes. River stood beside her and he could feel a flush creep along his neck knowing his sister could read him,

Just as Mal reached to close the cargo bay doors, a delivery arrived, a closed crate addressed to Simon’s alias, Brandon.

Book helped Simon carry the crate inside as the cargo bay doors shut and the engines fired. “I wonder what –“

Jayne appeared beside them with a crowbar, ready to get at whatever was inside. Simon stepped back, happily willing to let Jayne do the work.

As the crate fell open, they all gaped at the fresh food packed carefully within.

Jayne was the first to recover as he reached for a smaller crate of fruit nestled against real, honest to goodness bags of potatoes. “Wei, lookit this.”

Simon grabbed his wrist. “I believe it was addressed to me. And – since Kaylee had to endure my endlessly boring company last night, I think she should be allowed a first sampling.”

Inara and River had silently made their way down the stairs and stood behind Simon as he spoke. When he turned around, he started a bit at River’s seemingly sudden appearance at his side. “Mei mei. Must you do that?”

River smiled and said simply, “Dancing makes you tired. You should go take a nap.”

To his other side, Inara covered her mouth to keep her chuckle from becoming too evident. The others were too busy examining the crate of food to notice Simon turn a pleasing shade of red.

He quickly turned his back on the women and addressed Book. “Help me with this? We can put it in the kitchen.” Simon squinted back at the cargo bay, and the multitudes of crates that held various sized puppies all yipping noisily. Groaning, Simon hoped they did not have far to travel to get the smelly creatures to their new home. At least it wasn’t cows.

Once everything was stowed, Serenity in the air, and everyone in their respective places, Mal glanced at the crate of food and another smaller trunk filled with clothes, sitting on the dining table.

“Who was this woman and why in hell she give you so much?”

Simon simply shrugged. “I’m not quite certain. She was very kind last night but, we danced only once and then she just slipped the room key into my hand. The instructions for the cargo were not delivered until this morning.”

“Well, where we takin’ this stuff?” Mal asked as Simon held out a code key.

“Instructions said to be given to the Captain only.”

Mal’s eyes narrowed as the rest of the crew started to file in for lunch. “I’m not liken’ this. Too mysterious.”

Kaylee bounced in and stood next to Simon who smiled warmly at her, reached into the crate and pulled out a large, red apple. Everyone grinned when her eyes lit and she snatched it out of his hand. When she bit into it, her eyes widened, and then fluttered closed as the sweet juices flowed over her tongue.

Simon watched her eyes, her mouth, transfixed, remembering how that mouth, her hands had felt on his skin. He felt himself harden at the mere thought and he shifted uncomfortably, drawing Kaylee’s attention.

Only her innocent, “Was for me, right?” snapped him out of his pleasant reverie.

“Yes, it was for you.” The warmth in his voice was unmistakable for those adept enough to notice it.

The only clear indication that Zoe had noticed something had changed between the two from last night to this morning was a quirked eyebrow as she watched the brief exchange. “Most of what’s in this smaller trunk is for you as well. We can go through it later to see what other surprises Lady Alexandra may have left for us.”

His invitation was delivered with a friendly smile but from Inara’s point of view, it held a far deeper meaning. She covered her smile with a delicate hand and fervently hoped she would have a chance to talk to Kaylee soon. It certainly appeared that Kaylee had gotten a lot more last night than she had hoped.

River, on the other hand, pulled a decidedly female garment out of the trunk and held it up to Simon. “Not your size.”

The men laughed and guffawed as she did the same with the next two pieces she’d pulled out of the trunk; a slinky, silky dress and an even shorter, see-through lace nightgown.

“Okay, enough mei mei.” Simon snatched the clothes out of River’s hands and shoved them back into the trunk. He looked at Kaylee, who was giggling right along with everyone else. He pushed a suitably shocked look onto his face. “Well, now, this isn’t fair.” He dug into the chest, just to get one good jab back in, and pulled out a man’s cravat. “Now see, this would not fit you.”

“Oh, I dunno, I can think of lotsa things ta do with that,” Jayne eyed the piece of silk with a lopsided grin.

“I don’t want to know.” Simon dropped it quickly into the trunk and closed the lid.

“I do!” Kaylee bounced beside Simon, who forcibly restrained himself from covering his ears.

“I don’t!” Wash and Mal coursed together.

“Huh, well, you know how girls love to be restrained and blindfolded. It’s just –“

Inara rolled her eyes and Zoe stood, shooting a glare at Jayne from across the table.

Wash turned to Zoe and asked, “You do?” A moment of silence passed before he added, “Huh.”

Simon blanched. “We don’t need to know anything about your women.”

Jayne shot him a smirk as he leaned back into his chair. “Sure ya do. When ya have one of yer own, ya won’t be so curious as ta what I do with mine.”

Simon exchanged a quick look with Kaylee, who simply giggled.

Wash leaned forward and plucked and apple from the crate. “All you do with your women, Jayne, is polish them until they gleam.”

“Stroke them so they fire straight and true.” River added much to Simon’s dismay.

“River!”

River shrugged at her brother. “Well he does. You prefer to –“

Simon’s eyes narrowed a warning at his sister. “River.”

Mal cleared his throat. “Well, I know I don’t want to be hearin’ anymore of this conversation. So, now that everyone’s here, les discuss delivery schedules while whoever is in charge of makin’ lunch today goes to it.”

Book and Simon moved the crate of food over to the opposite counter where they proceeded to store the food. Kaylee, once she’d finished her apple, joined them, favoring Simon with a sultry look that caused every hair on his body to stand on end.

Fortunately, Book was too concerned with starting the meal and missed the look that passed between the two.

Simon was called back to the table but not before he held her eyes for a lot longer than he was accustomed.

“So these delivery instructions from this mysterious Alexandra Bai are to be carried out specifically by you.” Mal said, pocketing the instruction chip.

Simon’s eyes widened. “Me?”

“Seems as though she’s taken a fancy to ya.” Mal wiggled his eyebrows and Simon groaned.

“Oh don’t even –”

“The lady that put us in that fancy place last night took a likin’ to ya, Simon?” Kaylee returned with a basket filled with apples. As she placed it on the table, she rested a hand on his shoulder for balance.

This time, Mal noticed the look that passed between them and his eyes narrowed. “Apparently she did. She wants you to deliver these trunks to her business warehouse on Osiris. We got eight weeks to get it there.”

“Can we make that schedule?” Jayne asked. “What with all the other cargo we got to transport.”

“Barely. But with what she paid, we can push the engines to full burn and still earn a tidy profit.”

Everyone stared at Mal, and an excited smile played across Kaylee’s face. “We get to go to ‘nother Core world?!”

Simon paled and sank into the closest chair. “There has to be a mistake. I can’t get off there.”

Mal nodded at him. “Yep, right. So we have ‘bout two months to figure out why this woman wants our resident pretty boy to deliver her goods.”

Simon’s eyes shifted to Mal. “Please. Don’t ever call me pretty. Ever.”

Kaylee giggled beside him and he looked up at her with narrowed eyes. “Call Kaylee pretty, but not me. Please.”

Jayne jumped on that comment the moment it fell from Simon’s lips. “Oh, we all know she’d rather hear them sweet words from you, doc.”

Simon swallowed nervously and stood, his eyes never leaving Kaylee’s. “She already knows I think she’s pretty.” He kissed her cheek softly before telling her he would help Book with lunch, that she should sit down and relax, enjoy another apple. He walked away, leaving everyone staring after him in awe.

Kaylee simply smiled and sank into her chair.

Mal was the first to demand, “What the hell happened last night?” But everyone’s mouths were open to undoubtedly ask the very same thing.

Inara interrupted him with a delicate hand on his arm. “You were discussing the cargo. Don’t get all distracted now. That’s Jayne’s job.”

“Hey!” Jayne stared at her aghast.

Everyone else laughed and even Kaylee’s eyes lit at Inara’s little jab. But anyone who’d have looked at her face at that moment knew she could only feel the soft brush of Simon’s lips against her cheek.

By the time lunch was finished, the delivery schedule of the cargo had been decided. Simon’s special delivery would wait until last so they could have more time to work out the details.

No one felt comfortable letting him off the ship, especially on a Core world; and not just any core world. His home planet. Not the best place for making a delivery run, regardless of how much this Alexandra Bai was paying.

While Simon went to tend to the infirmary, dragging River with him, Kaylee disappeared with Inara, leaving the rest of the crew sitting at the table wondering about what had changed between Kaylee and Simon.

“Lets just leave ‘em be, Sir.”

“I ain’t approvin’ of no shipboard romances.”

“I’m fair sure they didn’t ask for your approval.”

Mal glared at Zoe and then turned to Wash and Jayne for support.

Jayne shrugged disinterestedly as he carved into a fat juicy apple. “Jus don let ‘em share her bunk. The bulkheads ain’t thick enough.”

“What?” Wash exchanged a concerned look with Zoe before turning to Jayne. “You ain’t never heard us before.”

“That’s cause I imagine Zoe threatens ta twist your balls until ya scream like a girl ifin ya make too much noise.”

Zoe covered a short laugh with her hand and Wash simply glared at her.

“’Sides, I dun think Kaylee could keep her ‘citement contained at finally beddin’ that stuffy, uptight doc. The whole ship likely ta hear ‘er. We’ll know when that relationship changes.”

Having heard enough speculation, Book weighed in. “I think you’re all overreacting. He kissed her cheek. That was all.”

TBC