Page 25 of Stealing the Star Stone
She bowed her head at Orien, then winked at the server when she slid the food onto the table.“I have to admit, I’m looking forward to this adventure.”
And a chance to be alone with Thorne, because damn, they needed to strategize.
As sweet and accommodating as Orien was being, she didn’t trust him one bit.
Chapter Eight
Tarnis’ Messis Station
Skycrop Café
What the hell’s going on?
Day One.
NovasnortedwhenElitried to hide a smirk by stuffing slices of pawpaw into his mouth.Like she couldn’t see him.She ignored his childish behavior, relishing each bite of the selection of cheeses on her platter.She had to wonder though, why neither of them had lost their shit over this new development?He hadn’t reacted because throwing a tantrum in public wasn’t something she’d ever heard he did.And he could, now a nobody in her body.
But why hadn’t she?When avoiding the paparazzi wasn’t instinctual for her.Drawing attention to their situation seemed stupid.Maybe that’s why she’d yet to wail at the fates and their silly games.And she’d be forced to ‘stay’ with him.Pretend to be him while watching him act like her or his perception of her.
Shopping for a new wardrobe wouldn’t dent his credits, as wealthy as the paparazzi purported him to be, and she did need clothes.She’d been right about that.And it would give her a chance to ‘talk’ to him about this insane situation.Traveling with Orien was a risk, but it made sense.She’d expected Thorne to object; then again, he didn’t stand to lose his job.He had little skin in the game other than getting his body back.
Solving this took priority.She hummed on a sip of Lady Grey, cradling the cup as if it were liquid gold.
Thorne shoved aside his unfinished meal and rose to his feet.“Let’s get this over and done with.”
She blinked at him.“What?Now?”Maybe getting this mission started sooner was wise.She set her cup down and rose.“My thanks for breakfast, Vex.”
The man waved mid-chew.
“I would like it in writing,” Thorne said, playing into Nova’s distrust of everyone.“Once we find this rock, I want you to leave me alone.”He splayed her fingers on the table and leaned in.“I’m not an idiot, Orien.You’re going to want to test my blood.Any xeno-archeologist worth his salt would have noticed we sport the same blue stains.Your rock did that to us.”
“Mm, I was going to ask you about that.”Orien studied his palm.“I find it intriguing that you two caused such a potent reaction.”He peered at them both.“No other effects?”
“I damn well hope not,” she said, then winked at Thorne.“Come, Nova, let’s get you out of that uniform.”
“You can get that thought right out of your head, Thorne,” he said, circling the table to reach her.Then with a huff, he marched off, adding an extra sway to her hips, the idiot.
“I do like to watch you walk away, darling,” she crooned, smothering a giggle—something a movie star like him wouldn’t do.Still, she was tempted.
She trailed him, amazed at how he knew where to go.
Frederik remained on the outskirts of her peripherals; there if needed, so to speak.Probably to keep tabs on them and ensure they made it to Orien’s ship.That thing better be space-worthy or else.No way was she going to die in some ill-maintained death trap he called a research vessel.She peeked at Frederik, considering asking him.But she didn’t bother when he might not know and she’d find out soon enough.
Thorne veered into a clothing store she wouldn’t have glanced at.The items on display were super expensive and made with natural cloth.Synthetics were all she could afford.The ass better not be thinking of slinky and silky.The last time she wore anything sensual was for her anniversary, the year before Seth died.
She wasn’t about to dress-up for Thorne, no matter what he said.
Being tall had the bonus of giving her an almost bird’s-eye view of the shop’s layout.Thorne had already thrown garments over his arm and in colors that might look good on her.They were too dark but at least they weren’t in oranges or pinks.She couldn’t pull off those with her hair coloring.
“Trying these on,” he called, heading to the changing booth.
She bolted, panic widening her eyes and ratcheting her heartrate.Whipping the curtain back summoned a squeak from the shop assistant.“Wife,” she muttered to the poor, flustered girl.She took a moment to press a forefinger to her lips like it had to be a secret.
Thorne glared at her, his cheeks flushed.“Get in here, then.”
She squeezed in, realizing how big the bastard actually was.“Good,” she whispered, checking they were closed in without the shop assistant eavesdropping.“What the fuck happened?”
“You’re asking me?”He hung up an array of dresses she wouldn’t have chosen.“You touched the damn rock.”
