Page 42 of Jarran

“I don’t care.”

“You will when I breathe on you.”

He laughed. It was still rough and unfamiliar, but it came easier now than it had on Durik’s ship. She liked the way it changed his face. The hard lines softened. His eyes creased at the corners. He looked younger and lighter and almost…happy.

She caught herself staring and looked away. The galley was thinning out as diners shuffled toward the exits, trays discarded in a bin that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned since the station was built.

“You know what I keep thinking?” she said. “Nobody’s watching us.”

Jarran tilted his head.

“No guards,” she said. “No energy barriers. No locked suite in an enemy ship. We’re just here. Nobody gives a shit who we are.” She paused. “It’s the most normal I’ve felt in a while.”

His eyes glinted as they passed over her. “I was thinking something similar.”

“Yeah?” Oh boy. This was heading somewhere, and it was heading there quickly.

“I was thinking that we should turn in to our room.” He looked away, then back at her. “If you’d like.”

The words had a heady meaning, and she didn’t pretend to misunderstand them. She didn’t say anything for a moment, because her heart had started beating fast and the heat that had centered between her legs was making her squirm. Instead, she reached across the table and put her hand on his. His fingers curled around hers immediately. Warm. His skin was always so warm.

“I would like,” she said huskily. “Let’s celebrate our newfound freedom with something that has a little more flavor.”

Those sexy lips curved again. “As you wish, Evie.”

They walked toward their quarters. The corridor narrowed as they moved deeper into the residential section. The lighting was dim at best, as she counted the numbers on the closely spaced metal doors, looking for theirs. Recycled air rattled through overhead vents. It reminded Evie of a submarine, or what she imagined a submarine would feel like, with its tight, utilitarian interior.

Jarran scanned the card and the door slid open. The room was as basic as it got, but at least it appeared clean. There was a bed barely big enough for the two of them, shelves, and a door that probably led to a bathroom the size of a closet.

“We’ve been downgraded,” she said, eyeing the bed. On Durik’s ship, the suite had been obscenely large. Oversized tub. Steam shower. A bed built for someone Jarran’s size, with silk sheets and an actual mattress. This bed looked like it was built for a species roughly the size of a large dog.

“I disagree.” He stepped inside and the door slid shut behind him.

“Do you?” She gave him a cheeky smile and gestured at the bed. “Your feet are going to hang off the end of that bed.”

“But you’ll be in it with me.” He moved in closer until she could feel the heat coming off his body. “So I won’t care.”

“Oh,” she said, suddenly breathless. “I guess we’ll have to stay close.” She swallowed thickly. “So neither of us falls out.”

He smiled and stepped even closer so his chest barely brushed her breasts. “I’ll hold onto you.”

“Good idea.” She didn’t even try to hide her raspy voice. “We wouldn’t want to—oh.”

He reached out and cupped a breast. He just stood there, holding it gently, testing the soft weight as Evie felt her nipple harden to a peak against his palm. His thumb brushed over the firm tip. She bit her bottom lip and stayed where she was, letting him caress her breast but not touching her anywhere else.

“Evie.” His voice was deep and gravelly with need. “I want to touch you. I want you, and I don’t want to stop this time.” His hand squeezed gently, lifting her breast and compressing her aching nipple between his thumb and finger. “But only if you want this too. Tell me to stop and I’ll stop.”

Stop? That was the last thing on her mind. Her heart hammered. Her skin felt hot and too tight.

“Jarran.” Her hand came up to his chest and she covered his own nipple. “If you stop, I’ll kill you.”

His eyes went dark. His other hand came up to claim her other breast and they both let out gasps. He cupped them high and lowered his mouth to hers.

This kiss was different from the ones before. This was slow and full of promise of what was to come. This was the first kiss they’d shared as two free people with a locked door between them and the rest of the galaxy.

His mouth opened against hers and she opened to him, accepting his tongue as it slid against hers. She made a sound like a whimper and threaded her fingers into his hair. It was smooth and thick and cool. She gripped it and felt his breath catch.

He relinquished her breasts to put his arms around her and pull her closer. Both arms wrapped around her waist, pressing her into the heat of him.