Page 4 of Stealing the Star Stone
“I saved your life.”
“And I saved yours.You’re welcome.”She shoved past him.
He gaped, but she shut the maintenance closet door on his Adonis-like face.Changing took moments, used to the fastenings of the boots and suit.When she emerged, once more in her comfortable pilot’s uniform in burgundy, it was to Petr helping Thorne undress.
Flashes of his well-honed body weren’t for her eyes or spank bank.Those days were behind her.She marched off, intent on a steaming cup of Lady Grey.
“Fifty-seven scouts destroyed.Warden Mining Corp has filed a complaint.”
Nova settled in her seat, swiveled it to order a tea from the kitchen, then faced the ‘music.’“Computer, record this: Undocumented ships of any sort are considered an immediate threat as per the Combined Planetary Alliance treaty.End recording.”
She checked the fuel tanks and smiled.“Let’s head home,” she said, pushing on the big lever at the center of the console.
“Recording communicated,” Computer said.“Tea is en route.”
She settled back, gazing at the stars and planets in her screens.If it wasn’t for that scout, she’d have considered today the worst she’d had since Seth was murdered.With a kiss to her forefinger and middle finger, she pressed them to his digital image.“For you, my love.”
Chapter Two
On an L-Class Entertainment Cruiser.
Heading to a movie premiere on Artivar Station.Against my will, mind you.
Year of 2202, May
Asexhilaratingasthesurfing had been, Ms.Bee-up-her-butt had ruined it for Eli.What was Nova’s problem anyway?He’d been the picture of charming since he’d boarded this ship.If only she knew how he didn’t want to travel to the outskirts of the galaxy to where yet another premiere was being held...He sank onto the couch, letting the pseudo leather embrace him.
Still, he couldn’t shake the image of her sexy ass from his memory.She had the best he’d ever seen.And those thighs… He swallowed hard and reached for a bottle of water on the coffee table.Long copper-tinted hair, amber-colored eyes, and plump lips downturned in a perpetual pout?He shook his head, trying to clear it.She hated his guts for whatever reason he couldn’t fathom.
The way ‘Thorne’ snapped off her tongue said it all.
He pushed off the couch, taking the bottle of water to the bathroom with him.The mirror above the vanity showed an all-too-familiar face, one plastered across the media.Fame hadn’t been the goal.He smirked and glanced away.Billions of credits were nice, though.What had drawn him to acting was the skills he’d be taught.As a child, he’d marveled at how actors had to learn to ride horses and solarcycles, fence, swordfight, archery, how to use all manner of guns, box, ‘speak’ languages, fake accents, and romance women.All while being paid.He doubted a better job existed.His last movie had required he learn how to fly speeders.
He hadn’t needed to earn his pilot’s license, but he’d insisted as part of the contract.Ten thousand hours to master anything, or so the urban legend went.He was far from that, but at least, he’d made a dent.
This cruise to Artivar was supposed to be a break from his many hobbies.
Doing nothing didn’t sit well with him when there was so much he didn’t know.He hadn’t always thought like this.In the early days of his career, the fame had swept him away on a tidal wave of drugs and sex.Those memories he left in the wasteland of his mind.
Although, this trip had introduced him to…Nova.Even her name promised something spectacular.
The shower was topnotch, the pressure almost too much.The spray pummeled his body like a mini-massage, easing the tension he hadn’t realized he’d carried.
She’d fired a missile like it was commonplace.No hesitation.
That ricocheted in his thoughts.
But her tumbling away had sent a shiver of fear through him.He grinned, flicking water off his cheeks.Her butt in his face…priceless.She’d filled his arms perfectly for that split second when she’d righted herself.
Just a pity she was such a viper.
Well, challenge accepted.
He washed his semi-hard cock, admitting Sharon’s ministrations were acceptable.But taming the shrew, nowthatwas irresistible.
“Eli, you there?”Graham called.
“Yeah,” Eli said, wrapping the towel around his hips and padding into the lounge.“What’s the buzz?”
