Page 43 of Sublime Target

“Where are you taking me?” She tensed. Although he’d let go of her waist, they were still very close.

“New York.”

“New York?” Of all the places on Earth to choose from, she couldn’t have been more surprised by his answer. “I was thinking you’d go for somewhere a little less… hectic.”

“I have a place in mind,” Jerik murmured, leaning in and placing his hand lightly against her back.

Clarissa could have flinched or shied away, but she didn’t.

She had to admit, she didn’t mind the attention.

He knew exactly what he was doing, and so did she. She also knew she could kick up a stink at any time if she didn’t feel comfortable.

She didn’t feel like doing that right now.

So she let him exert a small amount of pressure on her back, guiding her through what appeared to be the rear compartment of the ship until they reached another chamber with ample seating.

He didn’t get her to sit. Instead, he showed her to a window, a small, oval port hole that looked out over the world below.

They were over the sea. It stretched out forever, deep blue and shining like a jewel. She saw blurs and shadows, masses of clouds, and dark patches that could be storms. But she couldn’t be sure because they were moving too fast, and suddenly, they were over a gigantic landmass—was that the African continent? She saw green forests and vast sandy deserts, abruptly interrupted by the intricate network of a huge city.

It disappeared, giving way to the ocean once more.

Wow.

They were moving unbelievably fast—faster than any human-made ship, and the craft was so damn silent and smooth that she hadn’t even realized they’d taken off.

And they were headed in the general direction of New York, just like Jerik said.

How strange and wonderful this day was turning out to be.

But she was fooling herself if she thought the Kordolian’s sudden appearance in her office was all sunshine and unicorns.

“Why are you after my employer’s land?” she asked, figuring that aside from the paint bomb incident, Jerik the Kordolian had been given an easy enough ride so far.

He couldn’t just show up unannounced and suddenly decide to whisk her away.

If he wanted to win her trust, he had to answer for himself.

“Several reasons. That tract of land is adjacent to my dwelling on Earth, amongst other things. We can’t afford to have human construction and proliferation in that region. If our enemies ever decided to target Earth, it would be the first place they strike.”

“I see.” Clarissa stared out across the ocean as Jerik’s words sunk in. How had Garner’s analysts been so oblivious to the Kordolian presence near the Copernicus development? “Your reasons are more sensible than I’d imagined.”

“And what did you imagine?” The low rumble of his voice was laced with a hint of danger. She found it irresistible.

The reckless part of her wanted his hands on her again.

In the deepest, most secret part of her imagination, she wondered what it would be like to see him without his armor—without anything on him at all.

What else was she supposed to do? The man was undeniably attractive, and he was making all the right moves.

Who bloody taught him, anyway?

He wasn’t supposed to be so good at this.

She couldn’t even imagine what he’d be like…

What did you imagine?

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