He growled and the sound shocked her. It wasn’t something she equated with easygoing Justyn Phoenix.
He got to his feet and moved far too close. “Nissa, I don’t want your thanks. You were hurting. I did…I did…” He broke off, his jaw working.
“Can we leave it at that?” she asked. “Please?”
He nodded.
“Anyway, we’ll drop you back at Galaxy’s Edge.” She moved forward now, not looking at him. “I’ll arrange for the finder’s fee to be placed in your account.”
A hand circled her arm and she stilled.
“Nissa.”
He was so close, the heat of him wrapping around her traitorous body. Her nipples hardened and she swallowed. It had to be the last effects of the drug.
“We worked well together down on Alchemia.”
She wasn’t sure where he was going with this. “Yes. We did.” She couldn’t deny he’d been a far better partner than she’d anticipated. Better than anyone else she’d worked with in the field.
He reached out and fiddled with the Patrol insignia on her pocket. “And we have a whole nebula full of chemistry.”
“The drug?—”
“Hey.” He pulled her chin up to face him. “At least look at me while you lie to me.”
She raised her eyes to meet his. “I was under the influence of an aphrodisiac…”
Disappointment flared in his beaten-metal eyes. “You’re honestly going to stand there and tell me you don’t want me?”
Dammit, she couldn’t push a single word past her lips.
He smiled. Leaning forward, he pressed a kiss to her temple. Hot lips against her skin. “Knew you weren’t a coward.”
“Justyn—”
His arms circled her, pulling her flush against him. “I want you, Nissa. I enjoyed the hell out of our mission, working with you.” He brushed his mouth over hers. “Let me have you?”
She closed her eyes. She wassotempted. His lips moved, brushing against her cheekbone, over her eyelids, along her jaw. His scent worked into her senses. So familiar now. Desire ignited and she felt a rush of damp between her thighs.
“I’ve wanted you for what feels like forever,” he whispered. “Be with me.”
She opened her eyes and her gaze fell on the framed picture of her parents. Her father’s stern face stared back.
Nissa yanked herself out of Justyn’s arms. Everything rushed in on her in an overwhelming wave—her re-igniting desire, what had happened here between them just hours ago, the mission.
“No.”
He blinked. “Just no? That’s all you have to say?”
She shoved her hands into her pockets. “Life’s just a big game to you, Justyn. You loved the fun, daring mission, but that’s not really what my life is like. I’m a Patrol captain. I have duties and responsibilities. I can’t run off on a whim with you.”
“That’s not what?—”
“I could never be with a man like you.” No matter how much she wanted him.
He flinched like she’d pulled out her stunner and zapped him. “A man like me?”
“Careless.” Fun, exciting, and thrilling.
