“Isn’t that what attraction is, just a bunch of hormones? A biological imperative.”
He shook her a little. “When we do this—and wewilldo this—it’s going to be just you and me.” He let his gaze roam her magnificent face. “I want you, Nera. More than I’ve wanted anything in my life. You’ve pushed, pulled, teased, taunted… It’s only ever been you.”
Her lips parted. “Niklas…”
He thought he detected the faintest tremor in her voice. “I won’t rush this.”
“You’re making this into something…”
“Important? Hell, yes, I am. And you aren’t a coward, Nera. If all you want is a quick roll in a bunk, I’m not the man for that.” He reached up, stroking the damp strands of her hair back. He loved the fact her chest hitched. To be able to affect a strong, capable woman like Nera dazzled him. “Let’s do this properly.”
“Do what?”
He cupped her cheeks and spun her until she was pressed against the wall. “Kiss.”
He took her mouth, not gently, but not in a rough, needy assault, either. But one taste of her, that spicy addictive taste, and he groaned.
Her hands gripped his shirt, and then it was his turn to be pressed firmly into the wall. Her breasts mashed against his chest and she moaned into his mouth. His tongue touched hers, and she tilted her head back, her hands digging into his shoulders.
God. That was Nik’s last thought before feelings, wants, and desires took over.
Moments later they parted, panting. Nera pressed her fingers to her lips. “Hell of a kiss.”
“Yeah.” He was feeling a little dazed, himself. “I want to take you to dinner.”
Some expression crossed her face, her eyes widening for a second before she hid it. “Dinner? I’m a killer, a thief, a treasure hunter…and I’ve been other things, too. Not nice things. And you want to take me to dinner?”
“Yes.”
Her eyelids flickered, and something occurred to Nik. “Hasn’t anyone taken you to dinner before?”
“No. Like I said, killer.” She dragged a hand through her hair, a flash of something crossing her face. “People are afraid of me.”
God. What kind of life had she led? He wanted to be the one to show her the quiet pleasures…and the not-so-quiet ones.
She straightened, her features hardening. “What’s it matter? Dinner’s no big deal. I can get my own damn dinner.”
“I never said you couldn’t. Now, grab a shower and get changed. Then meet me at my cabin.”
She watched him for an eternally long moment, then finally, she nodded. “Okay.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Nik hurried to his cabin. He was tidy by nature, so he didn’t need to clean up. He quickly ordered food from the tiny food printer in his room, and then placed an order to the galley for a few fresh things. He kept his shower to a quick in-and-out, mainly to scrub the Earth dirt off.
He paused in the act of pulling on his shirt. Earth. He still couldn’t believe he was here. He’d stepped foot in the ruins of New York. Unbelievable.
The classic cars were a great find, and he hoped Mexico, with its wealth of ancient history, would prove a fertile ground for their hunt.
The food printer chimed, disrupting his musings. He hurried to get everything set up on the small table in his cabin. The food arrived from the galley, and he arranged that as well. He didn’t bother with flowers or a simulated candle. That wasn’t Nera’s style. Instead, he focused on lush, tasty foods to tantalize the senses.
He’d just finished setting the table when his door chimed.
He opened it. “You look…” As he looked at her, his words stuck in his throat. His chest constricted.
He’d mainly seen Nera in her armor. Always black and formfitting. Once, at the Galaxy’s Edge space station, they’d both infiltrated a nightclub to steal a special invitation from a partygoer. Then, she’d been wearing a provocative black catsuit—simply a civilian version of her armor.
He’d never before seen her legs bare. All that skin… He gave his head a slight shake, and forced himself to start at the top. She wore a simple, black wrap top that left her arms bare and molded to her high, firm breasts. The short skirt…holy hell, her legs were impossibly long, toned, with skin the color of Amoron honey.
