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The ship continued to slow as they grew closer to the surface of the planet. Mountains then forests came into view.
This place was so stunningly beautiful, it always took Eden’s breath away. Even though she’d visited Tiavac half a dozen times, there was always something new to see. The sky was a pale, hazy green, intensifying the vast mass of lush forest below.
There were small pockets of habitations for sanctuary staff, but this was a protected planet focused on endangered animal protection. Anyone who wanted to visit needed a permit. If they were caught snooping around and trying to get in, they were sent away with their tail between their legs.
Tiavac was one of a dozen of amazing sanctuary planets in this galaxy.
“I’ll take us in,” Blaze said. “The ship’s stabilizers keep disconnecting, so the landing could get rocky.”
“I can handle the controls,” Eden said.
He shot her a grin. “You can handle anything. But I like to fly. Let me have my fun.”
They always had the same argument. She’d done her time in the simulators and had plenty of experience in a real ship, but Blaze was the expert pilot.
“Show me what you’ve got.” Her heart fluttered as a warm smile crossed his face, and he winked at her. Dammit! Even when she was angry with him, Blaze could get a reaction out of her and turn her into a teenage girl with an oversized crush.
“I’m sorry for what I said. You don’t use guys,” Blaze said. “I just... it’s easy to get jaded. You get used to people behaving a certain way around you when they know who you are. And when we kissed—”
“A kiss you started.” A kiss that still burned on her lips and made her want more. “It surprised me when I learned about your family, but I didn’t think for a second I’d exploit that. You should know me better than that.”
Blaze was quiet for a moment. “I do know you well. I didn’t think. And I hated seeing you with Ranger. You’re too good for him.”
She snorted a laugh. “You think? A girl like me should be happy with whatever she’s offered.”
“Smart, sassy, opinionated, and sexy as hell, you mean?”
She cocked her head. “Is that how you see me?”
“Of course. Because that’s what you are. Especially the opinionated part.”
Eden laughed again. “You have to know what you want out of life.” Her smile faded. “But I do use guys. At least, I did. It’s easier that way.”
“But not anymore? You looking for something more permanent?”
Her instinct was to say no. She’d experienced what happened when you tried permanent, when you fell in love. Your heart got smashed by lightning and your hopes burned.
“I’m looking to not get my heart broken.”
“That’s easy to do if you don’t commit to anything.”
Eden stiffened in her seat. “I commit.”
“Only to your job. I see how much you care about that. But that’s it.”
“And my family.” Eden wasn’t sure if that was a good thing. Her mom and her fucked up reasoning was why she struggled around guys.
“Family is important to us both,” he said quietly.
“You see. I commit. Just not easily with a guy.”
“Don’t you think you’re missing out by not letting a guy in?”
“Let me think. No cheating, no lying, no stealing, no deception, no broken promises, no—”
“No joy, no real happiness, no bliss, no feeling of always having someone watching your back no matter how big a jerk you’ve been. No real love.”
Her forehead wrinkled. She studied Blaze’s profile as he continued to maneuver the ship. “Have you ever felt real love?”
