“You’re so full of yourself.”

Sterling splays his free hand on my hip, eliciting tiny shivers all over my body. “Your ability to go from complimenting me to insulting me in thirty seconds amazes me.”

While his playful tone teases, there’s nothing teasing about what he does next.

His lips brush mine, tentative at first, like he’s waiting for permission. I wind my arms around his neck and kiss him back, giving him all the consent he needs.

Pulling me even closer, he angles my head back and begins a slow exploration of my mouth. Somehow, it’s just as hot as his other kisses…the ones where he devours me.

I brush a thumb over the base of his neck before tunneling my fingers through his silky hair. He groans, a low guttural sound that sends a rush of heat straight to my core.

“Fuck.” He nips at my lower lip. “I can’t get enough of you.”

Same.

My body responds to him no matter how much I tell myself to be careful. To guard my heart. There’s a hollow ache inside me that only he can satisfy. And still, no matter how much he gives me, I want more of him.

He slides his hand under my shirt and skates his fingers over the bare flesh of my lower back.

I gasp. “Sterling…”

Hands stilling, he slams his eyes shut and takes a breath. “You have no idea what hearing my name on your lips does to me.” He opens his eyes. “But if we don’t stop, I’m going to fuck you into oblivion in the storage room.”

Gods.

My entire body goes up in flames. “Why don’t you?”

“Thorne! Are you here?” Vice Commander Torno’s voice carries from somewhere outside.

Shit.

We break apart like we’ve been struck by lightning.

“That’s why,” he whispers while finger combing his hair into submission. “Follow my lead.”

He unlocks the door and walks out, motioning for me to do the same.

Once we’re in the aisle, Sterling launches into an explanation of the safest way to fly in strong winds.

“I never thought about that before.” I plaster what I hope is a studious expression on my face. “What should I do if?—”

“There you are.” Torno’s boots thud on the floor as she strides our way. Sunlight filters into the stable, glinting off her auburn bun. Shielding her amber eyes against the piercing morning light, she glances from Sterling to me. Her shrewd gaze rakes over me, taking in my flushed cheeks and rumpled shirt. An eyebrow hitches toward her forehead.

I want to burrow under a pile of hay. She knows. I swear she knows. I bet my impure thoughts about the man standing next to me are written all over my face.

Though I want to slouch and hide my face, I stand up straight, chin high, and stare at a point somewhere over her left shoulder.

Sterling, on the other hand, leans against a stall with one knee bent, studying his nails.

After scrutinizing me for a small eternity, she fixes her attention on him. “I was hoping to discuss arrangements for the upcoming trial.” Her eyebrow rises again, and her mouth twitches. “That is, if you’re free.”

A chill runs down my spine. She suspects. She must. What happens next? Does she report us to Bigley? Do we undergo a disciplinary hearing? Will I get kicked out? Will Thorne lose his job?

Uncertain whether I’m overreacting or not, I stay at attention, nails biting into my palms.

Torno drums her fingers against her thigh. “Am I interrupting a training session…at this early hour?”

His face is unreadable. “We were just finishing a lesson.”