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"Why did you do that?"
"It's only two stories up, and it will save us from bumping into someone in the elevator."
"I didn't mean the stairs. Why did you sign up for another tour of duty?"
"Because being a trooper is all I know, and I'm good at it. Besides, with what I've saved so far during my service, I could only afford to live in the type of colonies that are not particularly appealing to me. When I have more saved up, the selection will improve."
A smile bloomed on her tired face. "Are there many of them with dragon-like creatures?"
"Thankfully, there's only one. But who knows, the gods might decide to introduce the pest to other worlds." He exited the stairwell on deck three and proceeded down the corridor. "What's your cabin number?"
"It's that one." Margo pointed at the next door over. "I need to open it with the phone." She took the device out of her purse and pointed it at the lock. "I want to keep talking to you, but I don't think I can keep my eyes open for much longer." She opened the door.
That sounded like an invitation but with reservations, or maybe he was reading it wrong, and it was her polite way of saying that she was tired and wanted him to leave.
Negal walked in and headed to her bedroom. "That's okay. We can continue talking tomorrow over breakfast."
She looked worried as he lowered her onto the bed. "How did you know that this was my bedroom?"
"It smelled like you."
She frowned. "What do I smell like?"
He sniffed. "Sweet with some spicy undertones."
Margo chuckled. "You are making it up."
"I am. But it's hard to explain. Every person has a unique smell, and you have yours. It's a very pleasant scent." He rubbed a hand over his neck. "Do you mind if I stay in the living room and watch some television?"
She seemed both relieved and surprised.
"Why?"
"I don't feel like leaving you alone. You've been drugged, and I don't know what the withdrawal symptoms are and whether you are in danger. Frankie is not here to keep an eye on you, so it has to be me. Anyway, I won't be able to sleep while worrying about you."
"That's so incredibly sweet, but you should go back to the party. You didn't get to eat anything, and they are probably serving dinner now."
"You didn't eat either."
"I snacked, and I'm too tired to eat anyway."
"If you give me the code to your cabin, I can go down, get the staff to pack two plates for us, and come back."
It was a test to see if she trusted him.
Margo chewed on her lower lip. "If you intend to sleep on the couch, you should change out of this tux while you are at it."
His heart flipped inside his chest as if she'd just declared her love for him. "I'll do that."
"Give me your phone number, and I'll text you the room number. That way, we will also have each other's phone numbers."
It was an unexpected victory, and Negal congratulated himself for following his instincts and doing what his heart demanded, which was not leaving Margo alone for the night even if he wasn't going to share her bed.
After he had given her his phone number and she'd texted him the code to the lock, he hesitated for a moment before leaving. "If you get in bed before I'm back, leave the door to your bedroom open just a crack. So, if you fall asleep, I can hear you breathing."
"I will."
He nodded, turned on his heel, and headed toward the cabin's main door.
