Page 10 of Stealing the Star Stone
“I want someone I can talk to.As pretty as Sharon is and I’m sure many other women are on Artivar, you I can trust.”
His honesty snuck under her skin and hit her in the solar plexus.
“You don’t like me.”He settled beside her, his shoulder almost touching hers.“Which means there’s no silly attempts to take advantage of me.”He studied his half-finished water.“It’s refreshing not to have to be on my guard around you.Maybe this once, I can enjoy the night without second-guessing everything you say and do.”He took a sip, rolled his lips, then offered her a smile.“No strings attached.Just good entertainment, food, and company.”
He sauntered off, pausing beside Captain for a chat.
Damn, the man was good.He’d gotten better at it, to be sure.Last time, he hadn’t had to do anything and virginal her had let him have his way with her.She scoffed.The poor thing, offered endless sex and adoration?It had to be too much for his sensibilities.
But he was right.She wantednothingfrom him.Shit, she’d toss him into the pit of hell to save an enemy.She froze at her nasty thoughts.That was too mean of her.No one deserved eternal torment.If she could knock him down a peg or two, she’d snap at the chance.
Which meant…she was going.As his effing date.
She marched to him while he stood next to Captain.“Fine.I’ll do it.”
Thorne’s smile was breathtaking.Had he given her his smirk, she would have rescinded her agreement.But this…was genuine.
“No backing out?”
She bristled.“I’m a woman of my word,” she gritted out.
“Thank you, Nova,” Captain said, sidling between her glare and Thorne.
She huffed and set the wine aside before she shattered the glass.“I—”
“My agent Graham will be in touch to ensure all’s ready for our arrival.”Thorne bowed his head, his light brown hair falling across his temple.She’d once flicked it aside mid-thrust.
Anger stole her tongue even while she clenched her thighs together.There was no finding the man sexy.She knew damn well who Graham was.He was the ass who’d called her appearance lacking.Oh, how the tables had turned.She was tempted to ensure she looked hideous.
“Um, Nova?”Petr crowded her, snuck a glance at Thorne, then ushered her to the dessert buffet.“Since we’re passing Tarnis—”
“No,” she snapped.“We’re not going on yet another joyride.”
“Tea emporiums.”
She froze.That didn’t sound bad, and she’d wanted to sample the many teas Tarnis had on offer.“At his expense?”
“Yes.”Petr wouldn’t meet her gaze.
She narrowed her eyes.“What else?”
“Ice farming—”
“What?”She fake-winced as if the idea was the worst she’d heard.Having just considered it as part of a tourism package, investigating whether it was feasible made sense.Especially when Captain wouldn’t have to pay for it.“The next thing you’re going to ask for?”
“Caerule.”
She arched a brow.
“Kangaroo hopping.”Petr’s smile was tentative.“I didn’t know that was a thing.”
Neither did she.By the way Thorne hovered nearby, Captain found the cheesecake fascinating when he couldn’t eat it, and how much Petr had stiffened, they expected her to overreact.
What she wanted to do was grin like a cheshire cat with a bowl of real cream.What else could she get him to pay for?That question had her brain spinning with ideas.
Clearing her throat, she fixed a glare on the three co-conspirators.“The delays better be minimal.Artivar’s docking fees rise with every change.”She scooped up a fruit bowl and sank into a chair next to a moon-eyed Sharon.“What’s your problem?”she asked the girl.
“I must have done something wrong… He’s ignoring me.”She sniffed.
