Page 2 of Bradi

“Yes, you don’t look like other Corneusims I’ve met before.”

Bradi laughed slightly. The very sound shook her to her core. “Why would I look like a horny toad warrior from the planet Cornu?”

It was as she’d expected. The man had doctored his medical records. He certainly wasn’t the first officer to do so, nor would he be the last. Whatever reason he had for hiding his heritage must have been a good one—to make him take such a risk. She’d never report him for it. She’d seen what happened to men who ended up on the wrong side the people in charge. “Hmm, just wondering. After all, your last blood scans showed traces of Corneusim DNA in it.”

Mumbling under his breath, Bradi rubbed his strong jaw. It seemed to be a habit he only had when he was dealing with her. “Doc Graves is ancient. I bet his equipment failed again, or more than likely he just mixed up the samples.”

Bradi was right. Dr. Graves, the ship’s head physician, was old but not careless. Mixing up samples wasn’t something he would do. Marisa decided to fight this battle with him at a later date. Right now, she planned on immunizing him and drawing a sample of his blood in the process. She wouldn’t submit it to the officials. No. Bradi had his reasons for hiding. She just needed to set her own mind at ease. “Ready to bare it all, Lieutenant Commander?”

He released the slight hold he had on his pants, letting them fall to his ankles, and grinned from ear to ear. The absence of underwear gave Marisa a quick flash of his front side before he turned around and pulled his T-shirt up. Her breath caught and her inner thighs tightened. Hell, the man wasn’t even erect and his cock was impressive. There was no way Bradi would ever fit in her.

Thank the gods I can’t have him. He’d break me.

Staring at his rock-hard ass did little in the way of alleviating the overwhelming need to touch Bradi. Would it be so wrong to just trace the edges of his tight body? She licked her lips, imagining her fingers digging into both cheeks as he fucked her. Marisa fought to maintain what little she still held of her composure. “All set?”

“I would much rather have you remove my pants next time, Doc,” he said, his deep voice moving over her.

“I’m sure you would,” she said wryly, trying to shake the visions from her head of Bradi fucking her. Grabbing her booster gun, Marisa moved up behind him. Placing one hand on his ass and confirming that he was indeed rock hard, she released the Star Union’s recommended dosage of immunizations and population control serum into him. He didn’t seem the least bit phased by the injection.

Lt. Commander Bradi Janelle would now be disease free for at least another year, and considering the stories she’d heard about his prowess, that was a blessing. Unable to help herself, Marisa patted his bare cheek lightly and let out a soft laugh. Bradi flexed and temptation ran through her. She clutched her hands tight to avoid doing a full backside rubdown.

“Have you talked to Peter today?” she asked, desperate to get her mind off his hind end.

Bradi stood quickly, pulling his pants up as he went. The second he turned to face her, he rolled his blue eyes. Running a large hand over his chin, Bradi shook his head, annoyance evident in his masculine features. “You always do that. You always toss Pete’s name out whenever I make a comment that turns you on. Every time I make you wet, you throw him in my face, Doc. What? Do you think I forget that you are engaged to my best friend?”

“I think you forget I’m engaged to him.”

“No. I never fucking forget that.”

Marisa’s body tightened. “And I do not toss Peter in your face every time you make me wet.” Instantly, she cringed as she realized she’d just confirmed his statement about making her wet.

A smug smile tugged at the corners of Bradi’s mouth and Marisa wasn’t sure if she wanted to kiss or slap it away. “See, was it so hard to admit that I make you horny? Come on, Doc. Just own up to it. You want me.”

She did want him. That was the problem. He seemed to be all she wanted. She was off the market, and he was a pigheaded jerk. That didn’t seem to stop her longing for him.

It was too easy to imagine having him make love to her. The thought heated her at once, making her dizzy with need. Marisa reached out and used Bradi’s forearm to steady herself. He didn’t seem to mind so she held tight to it. A shaky laugh came from her as she tried to play off her desire. “Yeah, must be the Corneusim blood in you. I’ve always wanted a toad. What can you do with your tongue, Lieutenant Commander?”

“Hold the communicator,” he said, as he leaned down, putting his face so close to hers that their lips would touch if she dared to move. “Was that a joke coming out of your mouth? It was funny, Doc, and you look damn good when you smile. You should do it more.”

Hearing the warm tone in Bradi’s voice, Marisa found herself edging even closer to him as heat continued to erupt from her. “Do what more?” she asked, feeling almost drunk from the closeness to the man. The question popped out even though no part of her had intended on asking it. Something about Bradi made rational thought leap right out the window. The man had a way about him.

Running the pad of his thumb over her cheek, Bradi caught her off guard. “You should smile more. You’re getting married soon. You’d think you’d be in a better mood about it.”

His words cut to the bone as they were no doubt intended to. Stiffening, Marisa collected her thoughts and hardened herself to his charms, or at the moment, lack thereof. She jerked back from him, unable to hide the hurt on her face. And the fact that he’d been the one to bring up Peter wasn’t lost on her.

Something moved over Bradi’s handsome features. He reached for her but stopped just shy of actually touching her. “Doc, I-I just wanted you to—”

“I’m perfectly happy,” she retorted, knowing it wasn’t the truth.

A pregnant pause drew out between them. “You could do better.”

“What do you mean?” she asked. She had an idea of what, or rather who, he was talking about but wanted to hear it from his lips.

“Peter,” he confirmed. “He’s not the prize he presents himself to be, Doc.”

“He’s your best friend.”

“Yeah. But still. You could do better.”

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