Page 22 of Obsessed

I lean against the doorframe, crossing my arms, and gruffly clear my throat.

The crowbar clatters to the ground. Alice spins around, her face draining of color as our eyes meet. Her mouth opens, but no words come out.

"I'd say this is an interesting way to thank someone for saving your life the other day." My voice comes out harder than intended, but finding her here, about to crack open my cargo - cargo that could get us both killed if the wrong people found out she'd seen it - it sets my teeth on edge. "Care to explain?"

Alice straightens her spine, though her hands still tremble. "What's in the container, Davrik?"

"That's between me and my client." I move into the cargo hold, positioning myself between her and the crates. "Professional pride. I don't peek at what I transport, and neither should you."

"Professional pride in smuggling?" Her eyes narrow. "Isn't there a shipment manifest or?—?"

"I provide a service. My customers trust me with their privacy." I pick up the fallen crowbar, turning it over in my hands. "Like how your company trusts you with their research."

She flinches at that. "That's different."

"Is it?" I set the crowbar on a nearby shelf. "You're out here alone because they trust you. I work alone because my clients trust me. Sometimes curiosity needs to take a backseat to integrity."

Her shoulders slump. "I'm sorry. I just..." She gestures at the crates. "This secrecy is bothering me, and after last night, I thought..." She trails off, cheeks flushing.

My chest tightens. Last night. The memory of her skin against mine, the way she'd—No. Focus. "You thought what? That I'd suddenly break client confidentiality?"

"No, you're right." She runs a hand through her hair. "My scientific curiosity got the better of me. It won't happen again."

I nod, though the guilt gnaws at my gut. She deserves to know who she's harboring, what kind of danger she might be in if Freynal finds out she's seen even this much. But telling her means losing her, my fated mate, and I'm not ready for that. Not yet.

"I should get to work," she mumbles, already turning away. "Those samples won't collect themselves."

I watch her go, the morning sun casting her shadow long across the ground. The truth sits heavy on my tongue, but I swallow it back.

The afternoon sun beats down as I push through another patch of dense vegetation. My nav AI would be helpful right about now, but it's fried with my ship. Three hours of hiking, and I've mapped a decent perimeter around Alice's station. She needs this - we both do. A break from the tension hanging between us since this morning.

A distant roar catches my attention. Not wildlife - water. Following the sound leads me to a clearing, and my breath catches. Two waterfalls cascade down a rocky cliff face, meeting in a crystal-clear pool below. The overlook provides a perfect view of the valley beyond, where the twin rivers snake through the jungle canopy.

"Perfect," I mutter, scanning the area for threats. The rock face would make it difficult for larger predators to approach unnoticed. The clearing offers clear sight lines in all directions. Most importantly, it's close enough to reach before sunset.

I crouch near the pool's edge, testing the water with my hand. Cool, but not frigid. The mist from the falls creates rainbows in the late afternoon light. Alice would appreciate that - she's always stopping to admire the smallest details of this world.

My fingers brush against something smooth near the water's edge - some kind of local crystal formation. I pocket a few pieces. She'll want to examine them, probably launch into one of her passionate explanations about mineral formation. The thought brings a smile to my face.

The sound of a distant creature call reminds me to stay alert. I mark the path back to the station in my mind, noting distinctive trees and rock formations. It's settled, I'll bring her here. No work, no cargo, no secrets - just us.

I touch the crystals in my pocket. Maybe I can't give her the whole truth, but I can give her this.

I find Alice in her lab, hunched over her samples. The crystals feel warm in my pocket as I approach.

"Got something for you." I place them on her workbench.

Her eyes widen. "Where did you—?" She snatches up a crystal, holding it to the light. "This formation... I've never seen anything like it. The structure suggests volcanic activity, but the coloring..." She trails off, already reaching for her instruments.

"Want to see where I found them?"

She freezes. "Now?"

"Got food packed. Even brought something to drink." I pat my bag. "Unless you're too busy categorizing rocks?"

"They're minerals, not—" She catches my smirk. "You're teasing me."

"Maybe a little. Come on." I hold out a strip of cloth. "But you'll need to wear this."

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