Page 48 of Sublime Target

“This place I’m bringing you to is enjoyed by humans and Kordolians alike. It’s an important place for us, and I hope you will find it to your liking. It’s also a safe place. Once we’re within those walls, I am yours. Considering you barely know me, you can ask me anything you wish. I implore you.”

Clarissa’s heart pounded as he led her down the cabin toward the rear of the ship.

He was inviting her… to get to know him better.

This definitely wasn’t a simple business lunch.

This was much, much more.

What if we…?

The thought was almost too much for her brain to handle.

There were so many what-ifs, buts, maybes, and be-fucking-carefuls.

Considering what he was, he should be the biggest walking red flag ever.

But he didn’t make her feel that way at all.

A familiar, flexible cable extended from a mysterious compartment in the ceiling. Jerik grabbed it without a second thought and wrapped several loops around his armor-encased hand. A satisfied grunt escaped him as he tested the tension. Clearly, he’d done this sort of thing a thousand times before.

“Ready?” he asked.

There were no windows in the back. It was darker in here, casting his features in shadow, making him look even more otherworldly. His eyes became hooded, his gaze impenetrable.

“Okay,” Clarissa said, her voice sounding stiff because her heart was in her throat. She tensed as he came alongside her, wrapping his arm around her waist. His grip was firm. Her body molded against his, and it felt natural.

Almost immediately, his proximity became maddening.

She became weak at the knees. She was at his mercy right now, but she would do everything in her power not to let him know that.

Maybe he already knew.

If that was the case, she was already done for.

As the hatch opened—unraveled, really, millions of tiny black fibers literally coming apart to reveal the cool night below—she couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to have him this close…

But without any barriers between them.

NINETEEN

As they dropped onto the roof, Clarissa’s heart was hammering like crazy.

Jerik landed with perfect timing and precision, dropping her onto her feet and releasing the cable from his hand.

It swiftly retracted, disappearing into the night sky, where the ship was completely invisible.

It was all so surreal. To think Kordolians could just come and go as they pleased, undetected, and they had little haunts like this place all over the world.

As far as Earth was concerned, it was over.

They’d already invaded.

What defense did humans have?

“Let’s go down.” Jerik led her to the edge of the roof, where an old-fashioned metal staircase led down to the alley below.

Although the skies were clear now, it was apparent it had rained recently. The street glistened, reflecting the bright neon lights of surrounding buildings.

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