Page 113 of Tempting Fate

Kira’s eyes softened. “One time, we had to hide in an asteroid to get away. When we came out and turned around, there was this stunning nebula below us. I’ve never seen anything so gorgeous. And as we were looking, there was this flash of something. It lit the nebula up into these vivid colours, just for a second. Then it was back to normal, but I’ve never seen anything quite so breathtaking.”

I tried to imagine what it might have been like, but the idea left me dizzy. “That sounds beautiful, but you wouldn’t get me into space again. Not for love nor money.”

“Not at all? Not even to see something amazing?” Kira asked.

“No fucking way.”

“Not even if you could get home?”

“To Ceres III? When I’ve got all this?” I waved my arm above my head. “Don’t be daft. I am home.”

“This planet is gorgeous,” Kira admitted. “What’s the downside?”

Honestly, I couldn’t think of many, not if we stayed within the familiar. “I wouldn’t go into the forest. I don’t know what critters live in there, but they don’t sound friendly.” Especially at night.

“Reski, can we stay here a while?” Kira asked, injecting a wheedling tone into her voice.

I hid a smile. Oh, that girl had him wrapped around her little finger.

The corsair gave a rumbling purr. “It depends what you’re going to offer me, kamevi.”

“Taamthi, behave.” Kira’s tone was so stern, I couldn’t help but stare at her.

She winked back.

Airida’s ear ridges held a bright magenta flush, and he gripped his mug so tight his knuckle spines were pale.

“You okay?” I asked.

“I am fine.” But his voice was husky, and his eyes flicked between Kira and me.

I wish to court you.

Those damnable butterflies again.

Reskavi drained his mug and placed it on the ground. “Where’s this wreckage, then?”

I stood, needing to move, and rested a hand on Airida’s shoulder. “Are you okay if I go for a few hours?”

“Go. Have fun. It is extra important I spend time working anyway.”

“Are you not coming with us?” Reskavi asked.

“I would if I could. But I have to stay here.”

Kapiya clapped Airida on the back. “Don’t be glum. You can show Urula and I around a bit before we head back to town. Those two can go sightseeing, but we’re heading straight for a cantina after this.”

That caught Fenn’s attention, but Airida threw me a pleading look.

No, this was good for him, and he could handle it. “Have fun, kitten, I’ll see you later.”

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

Aventurine

Imani

WE PULLED UP to the crash site and piled out of the speeder. I hadn’t realised it was so close to where Airida and I had sat days ago, where I’d been attacked. But instead of remembering that, I thought of how I’d used my mouth on him, how sweet his cum tasted. How I wanted to taste it again.