Page 7 of Stealing the Star Stone
Light tapping on his door stole his focus.Sharon.Not that he answered, instead, sinking deeper into the couch and cradling the tablet closer.He flicked through image after image of Nova and her sisters until a man’s face stopped him.This had to be her late husband.She clung to him, her gaze adoring.
He tossed the tablet aside.Researching her had done nothing to aid his mission.And he was damn sure not going to let her loss soften his resolve.
What he should do is find ways to annoy her.Regardless of whether she agreed to escorting him to the premiere, he needed more: between now and Artivar were many planets he could force her to ‘visit.’
What followed was an hour listing activities that would crack her shell—something he wanted with too much eagerness.Tarnis had orchards and tea emporiums.Nyxara offered ice farming and hot springs.If theValiancehad a speeder, stone skipping along Velis’ rings would be somewhat new.On Caerule, he could go kangaroo hopping.
He chuckled as he messaged Captain Harolds, copying Graham in the request.Now, if only he could be there when she reacted to this.
He tapped his chin, running his fingertip along the dimple in his chin.“Petr….”
A laugh slipped free, and he leaned back.Oh, yes, he’d convince Petr to share the security feeds or his name wasn’t Eli Thorne.
Chapter Three
On the EC Valiance.
Babysitting egotistical, selfish, and sexy Eli Thorne.Did the universe hate her?
Year of 2202, May
Familiarlipsgrazedtheshell of Nova’s ear.She whimpered, squirming under the sheets as need pummeled her senses.Her fingers twitched, desperate to test the thick muscles of his chest.He gathered her close, stealing a sweet kiss before traveling lower—one destination coming to mind.
Her thoughts scattered.But each kiss, caress, and flick of his tongue pulsed pleasure through her, evoking scents, textures, tastes, and memories.
Ecstasy loomed, bolstered by pure anticipation.Her breath caught.A tremble swept over her, skittering goosebumps across her skin.Her nipples puckered.
And the alarm blared.
The what?
Her eyes opened to the lights brightening, the window blinds sliding aside to the breathtaking view of outer space.
Sweat coated her, plastering strands of hair to her face.
Desire thrummed, unfulfilled.
For Thorne.
She smacked the pillow and scrambled out of bed.No way was she having sexual fantasies about that ass.And they’d better just be that and not long-buried memories.Both she couldn’t deal with.Stomping to the bathroom didn’t ease her frustration.
She gritted her teeth, almost biting off the head of her toothbrush.The shower was set to scorching, matching the anger burning inside her.She could count on one hand when last she’d had a wet dream.And this was number two.Both had been about Thorne.
She muttered curses, almost yanking out her hair while shampooing.
Her skin glowed when she stepped out, made worse by the thorough toweling she gave herself.Off went a magnet from her uniform, forcing her to calm herself, to inhale for four counts, hold, then exhale for four.Ruining her clothing would cost her credits, and for what?She couldn’t blame Thorne.He’d grin like the egotistical ass he was.
No, this…whatever the hell this was…would go to the grave with her.
Thankfully, no one was in the passages on the way to the cockpit.She might have chewed their head off.
She sank into her seat and blinked at the console.“Computer,” she finally whispered.“Anything to report?”
“All is well,” the pseudo-female intoned.
“Great,” Nova muttered.Nothing had changed in her world.That’s what she needed to focus on and not what dream-Thorne had made her feel.
“Um, morning, Nova.”
