Page 47 of Black Star

Diamond blinked. There was something she was missing, but she had no idea what. “I don’t believe in any person ‘belonging’ to anyone, Viktor. You definitely owe me one, but that’s as far as I go.”

“I see.” He seemed strangely… disappointed. “Will you at least let me make up for our first encounter?”

A wonderful thrill shot through Diamond’s body. She had been sorely afraid Viktor would shun her after he no longer needed her. Viktor wasn’t the kind of man who would appreciate being reminded how much he needed anyone.

She smiled. “I’d like that very much.”

Diamond didn’t have time to say or do anything else because Viktor pulled her to him and covered her mouth with his. At first his kiss was filled with an overwhelming hunger that almost consumed Diamond. Had she fought him, it probably would have. Instead she embraced him, and his kiss soon became gentler and more filled with passion than with the fear of losing her.

He held her as if he never wanted to let her go, and his kiss was so sweet she wanted to cry. She couldn’t imagine never feeling this again. Truth was, she loved his special brand of loving. Even if he was excessively rough. She hated the awkwardness that seemed to exist between them now.

She kissed him back as thoroughly as he kissed her, wanting this moment to last as long as possible. Truth was, she wanted more. Much more from Viktor. The mere nature of this one kiss revealed a Viktor she’d never seen before. This man was not the strong, self-assured second in command who hated being second-guessed by anyone. This Viktor was almost vulnerable in his need. It was a humbling thought.

When he broke the kiss, his hand dropped to her breast and gently caressed it. Diamond knew her nipple stabbed his palm, and she didn’t care. She wanted him to know how he affected her. If she could prove she still desired him, maybe he’d realize she meant what she said when she’d told him she had no regrets.

He might have said something, but the ship’s alert siren suddenly blared out.

“Bloody hell,” he growled and gripped her shoulders, looking at her so intently she couldn’t look away. “Go to my cabin and wait for me there.”

So much for the vulnerable man she’d admired a few moments ago. “Is that an order, Commander?” She couldn’t help the irritated drawl to her voice. She hated being ordered around.

“Does it have to be?” The Viktor she’d met when she first came aboard was back. It was hard to reconcile one with the other.

“I don’t respond well to orders, Viktor. If you’ve learned nothing else about me, I suggest you learn that.”

“In that case --” He lowered his eyes. “-- I respectfully request for you to consider being in my quarters when my duty is done.”

The formality of the request didn’t escape her. Neither did she ignore the ease with which he changed directions on her. Viktor might be used to being the dominant presence everywhere he went, but for some reason he was willing to defer to her in some instances. What was so important now?

“Well, who could refuse such an eloquent request? I’ll be there.” She gave him a little nod and would have turned away, but he held her still.

Viktor opened his mouth as if to say something, but shook his head and closed his mouth again. Instead, he pressed his lips to hers once more, briefly. Then he moved past her and out the door. She watched him trot down the corridor toward Command.

Chapter Six

He should have bloody well known Diamond wouldn’t want anything more to do with him after his Blood Burning was over. Hell, he couldn’t blame her. He’d gone more than a little nuts. Any woman would think twice before accepting his life as her own.

Later. He’d worry about it later. Right now, he needed all his concentration on theBlack Starand everything around her. The ship had left him alone during his crisis, but she was like a jealous lover. She couldn’t stay gone for long, and she hated it when other women had his attention.

That’s not entirely true, Viktor, the ship’s slightly superior sounding female voice said inside his head with a sniff.I could care less what you do in your free time. It’s when you’re cavorting with others duringmytime that I have problems.

“I’d give almost anything if you’d speak only when spoken to.” He was irritated at himself and projecting it to the sentient mind of the ship.

And how would you work through all this frustration and self-loathing if I did? You need that girl, Viktor. As surely as you need Ranier. And air to breathe.

“You don’t think I know that?” Viktor got on the lift that would take him to Command in a matter of seconds. “Now, shut up and let me work. What’s going on?”

The Hand ships as well as the allies they picked up among the Vok’nair are approaching us.

“What are our odds?”

Not good, in my estimation. We needSword Breaker.We cannot withstand them as one ship alone.

The doorshooshedopen, and the conversation was terminated.

“DidBlack Starbrief you on the situation?” Captain Damon Singh glanced Viktor’s way when he entered the command center.

“She said we can’t get out of this without help.” When he got to his station, Viktor glanced at the monitors, though he was already getting most of the information he needed from the now open link between him and the ship. He tentatively reached for the information he wanted -- the location and number of ships -- and got more than he bargained for. He gasped as his head was flooded with information. Had it not been for his cybernetic implants, he would have probably been overloaded.

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