“Captain.” The disapproving voice of First Officer Sternbottom caused her to sit up and turn, thereby giving Sternbottom a good view of Haree’s upper torso and his bound wrists. “Captain!” The officer’s tone changed from disapproving to shock. #lookinmybriefs #haroldhardpod #spaceopera #shortstory

She draped the stocking around his wrist and tied it lightly to the bedpost. His irises darkened in response, causing her body to flush with expectation.
He stared at the binding and then lay down. “You would have needed to tie both hands,” he said, his tone a little hoarse.
#lookinmybriefs #humor

“Of course, it might have been an interesting experience if you had tied me to your bed.”
She giggled, looked around, and spotted an errant stocking. “You mean like this?”
She draped the stocking around his wrist and tied it lightly to the bedpost. His irises darkened in response.
#lookinmybriefs

“It’s okay,” Haree hastened to say. “Truly, this is the most exciting thing that has ever happened to me. And honestly, I know you wouldn’t have got satisfaction in a Marlen court.”
“Well then,” she gave him a brilliant smile and settled back on her heels.
#lookinmybriefs #haroldhardpod #spaceopera

"I was asking if you intended to tie me to your bed and have sex with me without my consent.”
“Oh.” Her jaw dropped. “Oh!” She crawled onto the bed and knelt next to him. “I hope you understand that you had every right to say no to me last night. I wouldn’t want you to feel coerced.”
#lookinmybriefs

“What did you mean when you asked if you were to be bound in this room? Did you think I was going to tie you to a chair or something?”
“No, I was asking if you intended to tie me to your bed.”
Juzee frowned. “The bed? Where would I sleep?”
“I don’t mean at night." #lookinmybriefs #haroldhardpod

“Good waking,” Haree said, rubbing sleep debris from his eyes.
“Good waking,” Juzee replied, feeling a little awkward.
Haree sat up and yawned.
“I was wondering about something,” Juzee said, trying for casual conversation. #lookinmybriefs #haroldhardpod #spaceopera #shortstory #humor

Captain Softcenter woke, feeling more rested than she had in a long time. Beside her, Haree stirred. She slid off the bed, searched in vain for her clothing, and then grabbed his long shirt. It covered her to mid-thigh. After using the viver, she returned to the bed. #lookinmybriefs #haroldhardpod

In the middle of the night, she thought of a new addendum and so, since he was obviously awake, she thought it perfectly natural to turn and explain the new condition. It took a fairly long time. Afterwards, she slept the sleep of the happily exhausted, as did her accountant. #lookinmybriefs #humor

Captain Juzee Softcenter was not a maiden, but she had never had a man spend a night in her bed. She tossed and turned for a long time, and against her back, the ship’s new accountant tossed and turned also. #lookinmybriefs #haroldhardpod

“I’m sorry, but I don’t have any place for you to sleep, except for in my bed,” she said. “We’ll have to share. I hope you won’t mind.”
“Not at all,” he replied graciously.

Captain Juzee Softcenter was not a maiden, but she had never had a man spend a night in her bed. #lookinmybriefs #shortstory

“My father was correct,” he said with amorous shudder. “It is stimulating.”
“Very.”
At that moment her rom emitted a soft tone, indicating that her wake cycle had finished, and that her sleep cycle was beginning.
#lookinmybriefs #haroldhardpod

“My father told me that if I ever found myself kissing a woman, I should do that,” Haree confessed. “He said it would be quite stimulating.”
“Let me try it.” She grabbed his head and stuck her tongue in his ear. His gasp was even louder than hers. They exchanged nervous laughs.
#lookinmybriefs

For the next ten minutes, they added addendums, codicils, and kisses to their agreement. As they finished kissing, he took her head, gently turned it, and slid the tip of his tongue into her ear. She gasped loudly.
“Good Spirit!” she panted. “That was a strange feeling.”
#lookinmybriefs #shortstory

When they broke apart, breathing heavily, he said, “I have a codicil to our addendums.”
“And that is?”
“I want to be paid in Marlen dollars rather than in Hooper dollars. Better change rate.”
“Very clever, Haree Hardpod,” she said, admiration oozing from her voice. “Done.”
#lookinmybriefs #humor

"Um..." Her mind worked furiously. “You have to sign a non-disclosure form, Harold.”
He nodded. “Excellent idea, Captain Softcenter. Call me Haree.”
They exchanged kisses to seal the deal, and then another one just for the heck of it.
#lookinmybriefs #haroldhardpod #spaceopera #shortstory #humor

“I’ll need my own desk and rom,” he explained.
“Oh. Yes, that makes sense. I’ll have one moved in here.”
“It’s a deal,” he said, and he took her head between his hands and kissed her mouth.
They exchanged another stare.
“I have an addendum, too,” she blurted.
“What is it?”
#lookinmybriefs #humor

“What was that for?” he asked, bewildered.
“That’s how we finalize deals in the Hoop,” she lied.
They exchanged stares for a moment, and then he said, “I’m afraid I’ll need to add an addendum to our deal.”
“What kind of addendum?” she asked, suddenly cautious.
#lookinmybriefs #haroldhardpod #humor

She frowned, considering his words. They were somewhat justified. “All right, I pay you a stipend. Enough to make us break even.”
Harold’s eyes widened even farther. “You would really let me travel with you to the Hoop?”
#lookinmybriefs #haroldhardpod

“Right.” She waited expectantly, as he regained his composure.
“Not to boast,” he protested, “but my salary is twice what the additional overbilling amount comes to. And I came aboard with nothing to my name. How can I visit the Hoop if I’m penniless?”
#lookinmybriefs #haroldhardpod #spaceopera