Page 106 of Stealing the Star Stone
Sharon whipped her head up, a scowl marring her delicate features.
“No, Barry’s mine.”
“You named it?”Sharon snapped, bitterness in her tone.
“He’s a Kovari Shol—a sentient rock from Lethara.So yes, I namedhim.”Unable to enjoy in peace the pain meds the nurse had given her, Nova sat up and shifted back, resting against a pillow.
“We’re running out of docking time, sweetheart, so when you’re released, we can start the next voyage,” Marco said, then smiled.“On a happy note, you and Eli have generated such business that our trips are booked for months.”
“That’s wonderful,” she said and meant it.At least something good had come from their adventure.She sighed.That was a lie.It hadn’tallbeen bad.“I’ll be ready to leave soon.Doctor just wanted me to stay for a few hours.He mentioned lasting effects?”She frowned, unable to recall his words exactly.“Something about monitoring it, just in case.”
“I’m just glad you’re all right,” Marco said, giving her toes another pat.“I called your grandmother as soon as Graham let me know you’re fine.”
“Thanks,” she said, accepting the bottle of water Petr handed her.“My sisters aren’t home often, and Gramma never watches the news.”
“Well, we’ll let you get some rest.”Marco raised an eyebrow at Sharon, and the three left.
The silence was perfect.She cuddled Barry and the bottle to her chest, slithering under the blankets until the pillow cushioned her head perfectly.
Back and forth, medical staff rushed past her door; no one entered.Time ticked on, and she had no idea how much longer she needed to stay.
“Where’s Graham?”she muttered.
A man loomed in the doorway.
Her breath caught when Eli strolled into the room.He was in his tux minus the bow tie.He’d undone the top button, exposing his collarbone.Damn, he looks good.She licked her lips, her mouth dry despite the sip of water she’d had.
“He’s taking care of things,” Eli said, his attention on her.He swept a gaze over her, and the concern furrowing his brow smoothed out.“How do you feel, Nova-honey?”
“Fuzzy,” she said, pinching the bridge of her nose.
“Doc says the pain will lessen by tomorrow, then gradually every day.”He clenched his jaw, anger darkening his eyes.“I should’ve realized she was capable of—”
“You can’t anticipate everything,” she said.
“And don’t we know it,” he said, curling his hand around her fist.“Barry okay?”
“Yeah, the scald was across my thighs.He was more than safe.”She slipped her hand free to press a kiss to the stone.“Right, buddy?”
“Nova—”
“We need to talk.”She sat up, resting Barry in the blanket valley between her thighs.
“Yes, I—”
“If I don’t know where we stand, I can’t react to whatever-the-hell just happened.”She arched a brow at him.“Should I be angry you kissed another woman?”
He opened his mouth to speak, but she held up her hand.
“Cassidy doesn’t know either, so to her, you’re as philandering free as usual.”
He snapped his lips shut and glowered.
She waited.
So did he.
“Tonight, I pretended to be yourfriend.”The word made her stomach churn.
