Page 35 of Stealing the Star Stone
“I bet he does,” she grumbled.Asshole extraordinaire.That one comment had ruined her self-confidence for long after her ‘session’ with Eli.
“We have dinner sorted.What’s that, an hour or two of entertainment?”
“Should’ve asked Frederik for something to do.”She chose another ham and mustard.“I was more concerned about food and tea.I wouldn’t put it past Orien to starve us.”She waved her half-eaten sandwich at the bed.“Might just sleep the next two days away.”
“Yeah, that’s right.The premiere’s that soon.”He drank from his water and smacked his lips.“Maybe we can steal the shuttle then?It would mean sneaking away in the premiere’s chaos.”
“Doable,” she said, rising to make another cup of tea.“Gotta find the planet first.The shuttle’s fuel has to be able to reach it.Otherwise we’d need way bigger.”
“We could just stay with Orien, since he’s heading in that direction.”He thrust his hand forward like a ship taking off.“No need to go to all this effort.”
“True, but he might leave us on board while he searches for a stone.”She tossed the tea bag and returned to pick at the sandwiches, balancing the cup and saucer on an opened hand.
Thorne yawned.“Giving him all the control.”
“Yes.I want to find a stone and touch it, not be studied before, during, and after.”
“Then it’s agreed.”He rested his head on the back of the couch, barely reaching it.“Ifwe can locate this Leratha.”
“A big if,” she said.
Chapter Eleven
Laurus Research Vessel
Never dine with a snake.
Day One.
“Youdounderstandthiswill not be a common occurrence for you, Blake,” Orien was saying, a brandy snifter in hand.Behind him was a wall of space, a few stars ‘shooting’ past as the ship traveled.“Dining with me is an honor and not so frivolously bestowed.”
Thank the Lord for small mercies.Maintaining politeness in the face of this man’s audacity was taking all of Eli’s acting skills.“We’d like to keep ourselves busy: books, games, a television.”If Nova insisted on staying platonic, Eli would go insane with nothing to do.
He gazed at her across the dining table lavishly adorned with various dishes and treats.In a black buttoned-up shirt paired with jeans, she’d made him look good, even braided his hair to the side.He was starting to not see himself but the woman behind the eyes.Kiss her?Yeah, he craved to do that, a steady burning in his core urging him to take the chance.To taste those lips.
He’d be on top, riding her.Or would she show a little dominance in the bedroom now that she was…bigger?
“What do you think, Blake?”Orien asked, arching a brow at who he thought was Nova.The fact that the man had yet to figure out something supernatural had happened said much about his intelligence.
“I’m sorry, Orien.Forgive me.This day has been…trying.”That was as polite as Eli would play Nova.
“I said, as a pilot, you’d know whether we’re making good time.”
Eli glanced at the scenery and hazarded a guess when his piloting experience wasn’t as extensive as Nova’s.Nor had he flown this route before.“Yes, we are.How far from Artivar is Lethara?”
“Five hours,” Orien said, staring into his brandy.“We have a day or so before we reach Artivar.”He met Eli’s gaze.“Where the law will be waiting.”
He froze, casting a glance at Nova before glaring at Orien.“What?Why?”
“For destruction of property.Or did you think you were going to get away with what you’ve done?”
Eli pushed off the table.“Then why pretend to be civil?And you can fucking forget about any more tests.I should sue your ass for—”
“Nova, honey pot,” Nova crooned despite the fire in her eyes.
“No, this bullshit is kidnapping.A galactic offence.Which this asshole has done to usboth.”He pointed a finger at Orien, whose cheeks had flushed.“He lies to our faces.Here I thought we’d find another stone together.But no, he has to torture us, too.”Eli swept a hand along the wound on his forearm.
“Vex, please, put our minds at ease.Why the impending arrest?”she asked between sips of champagne.Her ‘calm’ didn’t travel to her tense posture.
