“Okay. Tell me more about it.”
“You’d love it.” Justyn did. “The people are so friendly. They’ve developed outside the galaxy as we know it, so they have a different view on things. They have a slower pace of life, believe in everyone finding their own passion, not livingup to external expectations. Their architecture is simple and beautiful.” Hydrae was a quiet little paradise. “Believe me, anyone stopping there considers never leaving.”
Nissa leaned back against the table. “Traveling the convoy routes must be so exciting. New species, new planets, new foods.”
“It is. You meet new people, see amazing things. But it’s also dangerous. Some species prey on the convoys, looking to steal goods and ships, or take slaves. Sometimes even the food’s dangerous. I tried some berries once that shone like a pearl. Damned things tasted like ambrosia. Turned out they were also violently poisonous.” He shook his head, remembering the hideous pain. “Luckily, Elana, our medic, is smart and quick. She saved me from a painful death.”
Nissa shook her head. “And you like to bring some of theseamazingthings back to the galaxy, where they could be dangerous to other species.”
He grinned. “You’re just trying to trip me up and get me to admit to smuggling.”
Nissa rolledher eyes at Justyn, ignoring his question, and looked back at the star map. “So, you think Captain Griffin stopped at Hydrae for supplies?”
“Yep, I do.”
She thought so too. “Do you have access to any of their records? We need to check to see if there’s any reference to a visit in the right time period.”
“They don’t keep many records. They have excellent memories, so they tend to store things in their heads. Their planet’s history is mostly recorded in oral storytelling. Thatsaid, Rynan does collect data and historical records from all the planets along the convoy route. Guy is obsessed with security and boy, does he love information. He might have something.” Justyn moved back to the table, plugging his Sync into the computer console and working on the larger screen.
Nissa followed, trying to rip her gaze off the man’s first-class ass and the way his cargo pants hugged it. His dirty little “notes” had left her feeling more than a little hot and bothered.
Damn tempting smuggler.
She sat back in her chair, shifting restlessly. This time it had nothing to do with boredom and everything to do with the aching emptiness between her thighs.
Why shouldn’t she enjoy a man she was crazily attracted to? She wasn’t talking about long term, or forever. She was talking about enjoying every wild thing there was about Justyn Phoenix while they were on this crazy treasure hunt together.
“A-ha!” He tapped furiously at the screen. “I found Ry’s stash of files on Hydrae. There’s not much. I’m shooting you the link to the directory now. You start at the top and I’ll start at the bottom, and we’ll work toward the middle. See if you can find anything referencing theNero.”
“Got it.”
It was tedious work. Most of the records were intelligence about climate, resources, the level of development of the Hydraen people. Certainly nothing gripping, with the exception of some interesting information about the caravanserai and its long history.
But as the minutes ticked by, Nissa felt her vision waver from staring at the screen so long. She rubbed at her tired eyes and glanced over at her partner. Justyn seemed just fine, wide-awake and alert. He was sprawled back in his chair, his gaze intently flicking across the screen as he read.
A naughty idea tickled at the edge of her mind.No. She couldn’t.
But as she watched him snatch up his drink and chug back a large gulp, her stomach tightened with pure feminine appreciation.
She opened up a blank message screen and typed.
I’ve had my fantasies, too, Phoenix. I imagine you naked, me exploring every inch of that big, tough body of yours. With my hands and my mouth. I wonder what you taste like and how your cock would feel in my mouth.
She stared at the blinking cursor. Goddess, was she really going to do this?
Screwing up her courage, she hit send.
Justyn’s console chimed. She watched him lean forward, then sit up straight like he’d been electrocuted.
His gaze shot to her and he groaned. “Jesus, Nissa, you’re going to kill me. There is no more room in my pants and I just got harder.”
She slapped her hand over her mouth, stifling her laugh. “You started it.”
He glanced at the ceiling, breathing deeply. “You’re right. And now look, I’ve created a she-devil.”
With a snort, she went back to her searches. But thrilled by his reaction to her message, she typed another one.
I think I might like driving you crazy. Can you imagine me, on my knees between your legs as you sprawl in that chair? I’d take out your cock and lick it, stroke it, suck it. I wonder how hard you’d be, and how long it would take me to make you come?
