Page 4 of Honor Code

She walked ahead of him along the narrow gangway, swishing her hips as she went. Groaning silently, he followed.

Was she toying with him? Trying to provoke him?

He followed that sexy ass down the corridor, trying to stay focused, but damn if she wasn't making it difficult. Inappropriate thoughts crept unbidden into his head, not helped by the memory of her flushed face, soft skin and sensual stride.

They reached the door that descended into the crew's quarters, and she glanced back—big eyes, asking permission, but not without a mocking glare.

He nodded and down they went, the greenish glow of emergency lights bathing everything in an eerie tint, the rig creaking around them. He had to admit, she seemed to know where she was going.

"My roommate is still sleeping." She hesitated outside one of the cabin doors.

"I'll wait here."

So, the little vixen had been telling the truth, but he had to play by the book. Everyone onboard had to wear their ID card. No exceptions.

She slipped into her room, leaving the door cracked just enough so he could glimpse inside. Last time he'd let his guard down, it had almost cost him. He wasn't about to make the same mistake twice. Women could be full of surprises.

Then she was back, dangling her ID right in his face. "Satisfied?"

Phoenix checked it out, squinting in the murky light.

Eleanor Rider, Chemical Engineer, Xonex Energy Services.

Okay, so she was on the level.

He handed it back to her, meeting her triumphant gaze. "Thank you, Eleanor Rider. Sorry about the inconvenience. I had to make sure, you understand. We take security very seriously on the Explorer."

He saw a flicker of fear return, but she covered it well. "I suppose you were just doing your job."

He gave a brusque nod. "Yes, ma'am."

She sniffed, not quite ready to forgive him. "You should think twice next time you jump a stranger." Her gaze roamed over his physique, and he thought he detected a reluctant flicker of appreciation. "A man your size, you could hurt somebody."

"In my line of work, a delay could mean loss of life." His eyes bore into hers. "Just remember to wear your ID in future. It will save further… misunderstandings."

She tossed the loose strands of hair over her shoulder as she spun around to go back inside the cabin. "Don't worry, I will."

CHAPTER 3

That man!

Ellie perched on the edge of her bed, buzzing with a weird kind of electric energy that left her both flustered and excited.

What the hell?

She didn’t know what to make of him. He was certainly efficient, the way he barreled into her, sending her flying. And strong—that effortless force, biceps of steel. She had tried her hardest to throw him off, and since those self-defense classes, she was no pushover. Not anymore.

Yet, he hadn’t so much as budged. Not even an inch. An immovable mountain of stone. A shiver shot threw her at the thought of him sitting on top of her. No way was that his full weight. He'd been holding back, she was sure of it. That made it even more incredible, that he'd rendered her helpless while not even using his full strength. She could only imagine what he'd do to a real intruder.

But why was she so strung out?

She knew why.

Rafael.

Damn him. Ever since the incident, she couldn't be in an even remotely threatening situation without feeling her heart leap and her palms go sweaty as her anxiety spiraled out of control. It had been that way for the last two years.

The security operative had only been doing his job. She'd been the one at fault, not wearing her ID badge.

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