Page 5 of Rogue: Planet Athion
He grinned and leaned against the frame, his shirt stretched tight across his chest hugging his taut biceps. “How about tomorrow? I know this great little Italian place,” he played along.
I bit back a smile. “It’s a date.”
He leaned in and pressed a kiss to my temple. “Speak later, Rogue.”
I breathed him in, resisting the temptation to wrap him in a hug. “Later.”
He backed up, his attention on my face, and then turned and walked away. I exhaled sharply and then flopped down on my bunk and closed my eyes, allowing the sexual tension to drain out of me.
There was no room for it here. Long minutes passed, and then a shadow fell over me. My body tensed as it acknowledged the unwanted presence.
I’d know that scent anywhere, sharp and almost acidic. Jurak. “Do they not have manners on your shitty planet?”
“We need to talk,” Jurak said.
I opened my eyes and sat up. “Unless you’re about to tell me you’re off to fuck yourself, I’m not interested.”
The Trad glared at me, his jaw working, and I offered him a mirthless close-lipped smile.
“We have our differences, but we need to work together.”
“Differences? You tried to rape me.”
His tongue flicked out to swipe along his bottom lip. “Things can get muddled in here. Emotions can get heightened.”
Was he seriously trying to justify rape? I took a deep breath and stared up at him. “You know what else can happen when emotions get heightened?” I stood to face him, hands curling into fists. “Noses can get broken, and scrotums can get busted.”
He took a step back, his chin tucked in. “It’s not normal.” He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, and when he opened them, his pupils were dilated. I noted a sheen of perspiration on his forehead. “The heightened emotions. They weren’t always there. At least I don’t think they were. I was a librarian once.”
“What are you trying to say?”
He shook his head, looking suddenly disorientated. “I don’t know. But it comes and goes, the rage and the need.” His gaze ran over me, but whereas in the training room it had felt invasive, right now it was innocuous and almost clinical. “We need to win, and we need to work together to do it.”
I crossed my arms. “I know that.”
“Good.” He backed out of my room. “It’s better, though, at this time of day.”
“What?”
“The chaos is calmer.”
He wasn’t making any sense, but I nodded anyway, just wanting him gone.
And then a hand fell on his shoulder, and Marlon yanked him out of my cell. Jurak stumbled back and landed on his ass.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Marlon towered over the Trad. “I made it clear, you go near her and I will break your face.”
“It’s okay.” I came up behind Marlon. “He didn’t try anything, and he was just leaving.”
Jurak rose to his feet and strode off without a backward glance.
“What was that?” Anton joined us in the corridor.
I shook my head. “Honestly, I have no idea.”
A buzzer sounded.
Time was up, and we needed to get back in our cells. With a final concerned look, Marlon headed for his cell.
