Page 9 of Stealing the Star Stone
Alone, she couldn’t slow her heartbeat nor draw in calming breaths.Be his date?Why the hell would she agree to that?The man was an arrogant ass.And he’d no doubt dress her in something insanely slutty, not to mention parade her around like he owned her.
The evening would be demeaning, and everyone she knew would see her.His premieres were the talk of the town, so to speak.Talk she always ignored as best she could.Now her name would be on every man’s lips while women glowered at her.
Would he let her strap a blaster to her thigh?A dagger?Would that make it through security?
“No,” she squeezed past the lump in her throat.“Why can’t he go alone?Can that man not be single for a second?”She scoffed and shifted in her seat.
“Tea?”Sharon said, walking into the cockpit.She balanced a teapot on a tray, the cup rattling on the saucer.“What’s the matter, Nova?”
“Something Captain wants me to do,” she said, rising to help the poor girl slide the tray onto the flattest surface in the room—the shifting galactic map built into a side console.
“Well, heisworried about his ship,” Sharon said, leaning against the doorframe.“At the cost of fuel, he’s grateful the ship uses solar.”
Not to mention their salaries and other expenses Nova could only hazard a guess at.And here she was, bitching about spending a few hours at a party.She bowed her head, shame lacerating her conscience.“Thank you, Sharon.I needed that reality check.”She flashed a smile to soften her words.
“Um, okay.Nova?”Sharon wrung her hands.“What are you wearing tonight?”
“My dress uniform?”she said, gesturing to her clothes.
“Oh?Yes.May I borrow your blue gown?”
Nova studied the slender young woman.“It might be too short for you but sure.”
She beamed; a flicker of familiarity to Captain’s features—expected of his niece.As young as she was, Thorne should have left her alone.Seemed his morals had dropped lower than Nova had thought.She swallowed past the bile pooling at the back of her throat.A quick sip of Lady Grey eased a hot path down to warm her belly.
“I’ll drop it off,” she said when Sharon lingered.
“Thanks, Nova,” Sharon called as she hurried down the passage.
Nova ached to help Captain at Thorne’s expense, but she sure as shit didn’t want to spend any more time with the conceited actor than she had to.The trapped feeling made her stomach knot despite her beloved tea.
Sighing, she sipped from her cup while searching possible tourist sports and spots.When she brought the idea to Captain’s attention, she wanted to have all the information ready.He’d want to know costs, strategy, the target market.
Cloud surfing off Velis?They had the equipment.Although, a few hardier suits would help against the harmful chemicals.
Clubbing on Auralis?She winced.That didn’t align with the other options, considering the amount of trouble guests could get up to when alcohol was involved.The thought of babysitting them made her ass twitch.Getting Thorne out of the hotel and on board without the media finding out had solidified a few connections she could rely on if they had to visit Auralis.They’d have to hire muscle, because if this took off, she couldn’t see Petr taking anyone down; bless his soul.
Apple picking on Tarnis?She couldn’t find any orchards with seasonal pickings for non-farm staff.Which meant theValiancewould be the first to offer thisifshe could negotiate with the orchards.
Ice farming on Nyxara?The cold made her think of a bath, one she hadn’t had in so long.Storing water on board for the luxury of a bath was too cost prohibitive.But a dip in hot springs on Nyxara after an hour or two of chopping icicles might have great appeal.
Investigating the feasibility of these would require a hands-on approach.And an expense Captain would need to agree to.
They needed to end the package with something lavish.A special dinner at the end of the known universe?Mm.She’d have to give that more thought.
There were also shopping trips across space stations—all had upper levels targeting tourists, but she also wanted to show them the memorable pubs in the bowels—the best mining hopper, the sticky donuts made by Mrs.Lee on Artivar, where to get fake tattoos that were safe and lasted a while, and the antique book store in New Liberty on Auralis.
She blinked back tears.She and Seth had visited these places during their honeymoon, finding it an adventure to stumble on such hidden treasures.Sharing them with tourists would be an homage to her lost love and former life.
Flicking the tears aside amid sniffles, she scrolled through the first draft of her proposal.When they reached Artivar, she’d pitch the idea to Captain.And hopefully with Thorne’s endorsement, this would be, as Gramma would say, a slam dunk.
With her focus on the passing space, Nova lost herself in the view.No matter how many times she made the journey, the ever-changing beauty stole her breath.Even when the view was from the executive lounge and she had the ‘pleasure’ of wining and dining the guests.
“I would officially like to ask you to be my ‘date’ for the premiere.”Thorne’s baritone made her ears hum.
She smothered a shiver but could do nothing about her staccato heartbeat.
She met his gaze in the glass’s reflection, preferring that to meeting him head-on.Still, her cheeks heated, remembering where she’d dreamed his lips had been.“Why?”
