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“Julia,” Ethan sounded disapproving. “I’m pretty sure at this point I’m never going tonotwant to kiss you.”
My stomach did somersaults, and I pressed my hand against his chest, though I didn’t push him away. “Be careful saying things like that. I might think you mean it.”
“I do.” He kissed me, cradling my head gently with his free hand. “Our souls have touched,” he murmured against my lips. “I can feel it. Now that they have, I’m not planning on going anywhere. I know that might scare you off,” he smiled gently, pushing a stray hair out of my face, “but it’s the truth.”
Itdidscare me, there was no way around that, but it also excited me. The part of me that feared commitment told me to shove him away as quickly as I could, but all the other parts of me screamed to never let him go. I fisted my hand into his shirt, holding on as tightly as I could. “Okay.”
He lifted an eyebrow at me. “Okay?”
I blushed. “I want to see what happens.”
Ethan didn’t say anything more. He pulled me closer and kissed me again. Not only did he smell like maple, but he also tasted of it, somehow. Vaguely sweet and like nature.I could get addicted to this.
The tablet hit the ground, dropping from Ethan’s hands with a thud. His fingers tangled in my hair, and he pulled my head back, nipping at my throat. My breath caught in my lungs, and I forgot how to breathe. I slid my hand under his shirt and across his stomach. I could feel his muscles tighten under my fingers and I rubbed them with my thumb. He smiled against my neck and tilted my head down again to capture my mouth with his.
My body felt like it was on fire. Everywhere he touched me, I could feel sparks tingling against my skin.I’ve never felt like this with anyone before.
Ethan paused, pressed his forehead to mine, and took a few deep breaths. I was also out of breath, and I smiled, feeling a little shaky.
“You okay,ami?”
“A little overwhelmed. But in a good way.” I pressed a kiss to the tip of his nose. “I’d feel better if I was cleaner.”
He laughed, nuzzling my cheek with his. “I’m not complaining.”
I smiled ruefully at him. “Let’s not pretend like I don’t smell like blood and sweat. I need a shower, and you need to make a call.”
Ethan pressed a kiss against my ear, breathing into it. My knees shook. “Want to pick this up when you’re clean?”
Yes.
I swallowed, hard. “Emerson might not like us using his quarters for that.”
Ethan groaned something in his native tongue and his hand found mine, drawing circles on the back of it with his fingertips. My mind turned to mush. He kissed my ear again. “I won’t tell if you won’t.”
Snails.“Okay.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Ethan
Julia and I stood at the spaceport just outside the Hawk, and I basked in the warmth around me. I was happy I had shed my coat and returned it to Emerson. Viridis, unlike Esmuna, was tropical and hot. It felt like a rebirth, having moved from winter into vibrant summer. I smiled in the sunlight and sent up a prayer of thanks to the universe.
“Don’t forget, Carter,” Emerson said as he strolled down the ramp to see us off. “You still owe me one.”
Julia smiled at him and rolled her eyes. “I won’t forget. You did me a solid. So, thank you.”
Steel also came down the ramp, but none of the rest of the crew followed. That was fine with me. We hadn’t gotten to know most of them outside of Emerson and Reuben, and it wasn’t a secret that Reuben hated Julia.
I offered my hand to Emerson, and he took it. “Thank you, Captain Emerson. You have proven to be a man of character.”
Emerson scowled and dropped my hand. “Watch it. You’ll ruin my reputation.”
Julia laughed at his grumpiness and then wrapped her arms around him, giving him a quick hug and a peck on the cheek before releasing him. He blinked at her, obviously surprised. He didn’t seem to know how to react. He grumbled something under his breath, and she winked at him.
“A hug won’t kill you, Emerson. Not even one from me.”
She seemed to have fun teasing him, and I couldn’t help but smile as well. Even Steel cracked a smile. I offered my hand to Steel, and he shook it. Julia turned to him next, respect in her eyes. “Steel. Don’t take offense, but I hope to never see you again. But also, thank you.”
