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you’re willing to give me a moment, I’ll leave you in my quarters and collect that clothing for you.”

    The ship rocked violently to starboard as Ever opened her mouth to speak. The captain braced for the motion, rolling with the deck, but Ever lost her footing and tumbled into him, sending them both sprawling. She landed atop him, arms and legs coiled together, her lips poised above his, only a breath of air separating them.
    Her brain told her to move, that this was not the time, nor was he the man, for an interlude. Her body betrayed the thought, her nipples hardening as her flesh pressed against his wiry frame, and her legs refused to respond. The fact the captain didn’t try to move her made something inside Ever flutter and she felt warmth spreading between her legs.
    Ever’s jaw tightened. No. This man will not affect me. He is a pathetic excuse for a captain. Her muscles bunched, ready at last to move away from him, when the ship rolled again. The strength in her arms gave out and she fell against him completely, her mouth crushed against his. She froze.
    They lay there for a long moment before the captain’s lips moved against hers, saying, “Perhaps it would be wise if I checked on the situation.” His words were the barest whisper against her skin.
    The warmth that had threatened a moment before turned to ice, and she rolled off him. “Of course, Captain. I did not intend my clumsiness to interfere with your duties.”
    An expression she didn’t recognize appeared on his face, quickly smothered by a mask of stoicism. “I’ll drop you in my quarters on the way.” He turned from her and strode purposefully toward the front of the ship.
    After about twenty steps, Zeke intercepted them, heading the other way. “Noah’s working on giving us more speed, Cap’n, but the other airship’s attacking and they’ve got gliders.”
    Captain Pierce muttered a curse. “This way, Ever.”
    “If you don’t mind, she might be able to help man the guns.” Zeke raked a hand through his already mussed hair.
    “Fine.” He faced Ever for a second. “If you can’t or don’t want to, my cabin is the last portside door.” The captain raced toward the bridge.
    Ever stared after his retreating form for too long a second before shaking her head and turning to face Zeke. “Lead the way.”
    He gave a brisk nod and jogged down the corridor the way she’d just come. Past the shadowy alcove where she’d spoken with the captain, Zeke knelt down, yanked open a hatch and dropped through.
    Less sure than the burly man leading her, Ever glanced through the hatchway into a small gunnery boat. She eased her way down and took up position at one of the heavy weapons. Unfamiliar with its operation, she turned to ask but found Zeke already at her side, the stench of sweat and grease assailing her nostrils.
    He pressed against her back and reached around to point at the gun. “I’ll get your feed started, but all you have to do is crank this here piece and aim.” On the other side of the weapon, Zeke hefted a box of ammunition and filled the gun’s hopper. “They ain’t actually attacked yet, but I saw them opening up. Gliders are small and can maneuver like birds, and while they’re fast enough to catch us, we can still hit ’em.”
    Ever nodded as the first drops of rain pattered against the dirigible hanging above her. “I have but one question.”
    “Shoot.” He moved to the other gun and loaded it, intent on his work.
    “Are we to leave the other airship alone? Or should we fire on it as well?” She took a knee and sighted down the barrel toward the airship full of the soldiers who had decimated her home.
    “Cap’n didn’t rightly specify. Ain’t likely to hit it from this distance, but I doubt he’d be heartbroke if you managed. Just don’t waste the ammo.”
    A slow smile crept across Ever’s face at Zeke’s words. This was the type of man who appealed to her. No nonsense, with a love of weaponry