Page 47 of Silver Slayer

Elizabeth paused in the doorway. A slow, secretive smile tugged at her lips. Without saying a word, she drew one finger across her lips as though sealing them shut, pretended to lock them with an imaginary key, then tossed the invisible key over her shoulder.

Then she was gone, leaving five women in various states of amusement and the distinct sense that we’d been expertly outmaneuvered.

Mara slumped dramatically and let out an exaggerated groan. "That's so not fair."

“Well,” Brooke huffed, “that was evasive as hell.”

"So true," Mara said with a mischievous grin, wagging her eyebrows. "And a girl's gotta wonder. Does she do them both at once or one at a time? The Nomadicans are some pretty big guys."

“She’s entitled to her secrets,” Erin said, reaching for the new crate. “If I had two seven-foot horned aliens worshiping the ground I walked on, I’d keep the details to myself too.”

“Speaking of worshiping,” Mara said, her gaze sliding toward Brooke with the precision of a sniper acquiring a target. “What about you, Brooke?”

"What about me?" Brooke asked, trying and failing to sound innocent.

"Don't think we haven't noticed the way you ogle Truxxet every chance you get."

Brooke didn't even bother denying it. Throwing up both hands, she laughed. “Why wouldn't I? The guy's practically naked, wearing nothing but a breechcloth, and he's built like a freight train without even an ounce of fat. Cut me some slack. He’s some serious eye candy.”

Lila threw her head back and laughed so hard she nearly toppled backward.

“I agree! A hundred percent.” Erin chimed in, setting another inspected connector into theUSABLEcrate. "After what we’ve been through, a little eye candy is good for the soul."

Kira smiled as she rotated another connector beneath the light. "I wonder if all Valosian males look like that. If they do, Valose might be the sexiest planet in the galaxy."

The conversation erupted into excited chatter as everyone seemed to speak at once.

"All three of them are every bit of seven feet tall," Brooke said with an appreciative sigh. "I do love a tall man."

Lila laughed as she brushed herginger braidover one shoulder. "Have you noticed the width of Truxxet's shoulders? I don't think he'd fit through my apartment door back home."

"I still can't believe their hair is naturally that whitish-silver," Kira said, turning the connector so the light caught its polished surface. "It reminds me of Christmas tree tinsel."

"And those silver eyes..." Erin sighed dreamily, resting her chin in one hand. "I could stare into them for days."

"And Vennox—" Brooke began.

"You know they can hear everything you're saying," I interrupted, surprised by the sharpness in my tone as a surge of jealousy caught me off guard. "Just because they aren't in the same room doesn't mean they can't hear you. Their hearing is exceptionally acute."

Brooke smiled unapologetically. "Good. Then Truxxet already knows I'm interested."

Lila barked out a laugh, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Get in line. I think he's gorgeous too."

Brooke pointed a finger at her. "Too late. I already called dibs."

Mara barked out a laugh. "Pretty sure Truxxet didn't agree to that arrangement."

“He prefers blondes.” Brooke tossed her head.

"He does not,"Kiralaughed, smoothing a strand of sleek black hair behind one ear. "Did he tell you that? Because last night he said he liked my dark mane."

"Sounds like he's playing both of you,"Erinobserved dryly as she sorted another connector into theUSABLEcrate.

"Fine by me,"Brookesaid with a shrug. "I'm not looking for anything permanent. I wouldn't mind a little fun."

"Me either," Lila admitted with a grin.

"You know what they say." Mara leaned forward conspiratorially. "What happens off-world stays off-world."