I'm sitting in the mess, drinking coffee and trying not to stare. It's hard because she's sitting right next to me. "Riddick, is there something on your mind?" she asks.

Is there? No…back off, she's off limits and you need to remember that.

"No, just enjoying the company." I say staring straight ahead. Man, when we got off T2 I didn't have this problem. When we got off that rock she didn't look like that.

She's brushing her hair, after we just spent the last two hours running around like kids. Wait a minute, she still is one.

No she's not.

"Say something." She asks. Like what? You're gorgeous, we're alone on this ship for the foreseeable future, and I'm not trying to take you over my shoulder and fuck the shit out of you. Right….

I'm trying to keep my hands to myself. But that ass was just too much and I had to go and smack it, repeatedly.

"So, you liked the sound system." I ask, now that's a fair question. A very safe question.

"It was awesome. I like it, got a great workout from being able to move without worrying my head set would come off." She tells me. Yeah did you ever and now I get to take about four cold showers just to calm my ass down.

"I'm glad. I liked the music." Okay, that's also safe.

"It's from a cinematic back in the twentieth on Earth. Queen of the Damned. It's called System. I love it. It's so…" she blushes. Yeah Jack, I know just what you mean. It's the kind of song that gets your rocks started.

"I like it. It has a good beat. It's real good mood music." I smirk. I couldn't help it.

She laughs and puts her hand on my arm. "Real good 'mood' music? Yeah, that's what I'd call it. I like it. There are a few others, a bit darker but it brings the animal out in me and I like it when it does."

I have to admit it, she's right. When her animal comes around boy I'm ready to play too. "Jack. Don't play that again when I'm trying to sleep. It's distracting."

The look on her face isn't good. Shit. "I-I'm sorry. I was just dying to try it out with that 'dancing' I told you about. They make us listen to some crap and think that's what will entice a man into bed. They made us practice it forever. I just thought I'd do it my own way."

I remember kid.

At this point, all I can remember is her hips, those hand and her body moving slowly and seductively with the look of pure animal on her face.

I'm needing to put my head down.

"Riddick. I'm so sorry. I forgot. I need to stop this. I'm sorry." She tells me and gets up to leave. I can't let her do that. She needs to know she can be herself and not have to worry about me.

I want her to act like she wants not how they conditioned her to.

"Jack, stop it. Listen. Let me tell you something." And I put my hand out to stop her and lift my head doing some serious deep breathing. "Any woman I have ever been around, I paid for. I was just surprised that's all. I don't want you to think that you can't do anything you want on this ship, or around me. It's just us. No secrets. Right?"

She blushes and its so cute. "I usually have to pay for something like that, and that show, princess, was for free." I smirk.

"So you liked it?" she asks me. What a fucken question Jack…

"Let me preface this next sentence with a warning. Tell me before you want to practice again. I need to be doing something else so I don't well, just remind me."

That came out completely fucked.

"I'm not sure I understand."

"Do you see me getting up any time soon?" I growl still looking at the floor. "I'm gonna need a cold shower, but I'm fine, really."

She laughs, making me laugh and we're back to being Jack and Riddick the killer. Normal.

"Riddick? I didn't know you even noticed. I mean, "she starts and bats her eyes. So like a woman. "I always thought you saw me like I was."

Skinny and twelve, not a chance princess.

"No, I don't think so." The thoughts running through my mind are fast, and very graphic, so that would be a definite no.

Then she leans on her elbows and smiles, like she's cooking something in that brain. Jack, don't play. I can be a whole lot of trouble. "I'm glad it worked to some degree, we never were able to try it out on any men before. On a scale of 1 to 10 what would you rate me?"

She did not just ask me that.

"Go to bed Jack." I growl, louder than I wanted to.

"I take that as a sign that you approve?" she smirks, "Bet you got all hot and bothered, hard and needing—"

"Jack. I'm warning you. I have my limits. Be good."

"Yes dear, if I have to." She answers in a mock pout. "I'm going to bed. All that dancing got me tired. See you in a few hours, Mr. Carmichael." She says and kisses my cheek.

Was that a hint? I'm too tired to notice, but that kiss was sweet and I could get used to that. Hell, I could get used to a lot of things.