Page 32 of Bounty Hunter's Match

“The suite’s systems are fully operational and equipped with amenities to support extended stays. The emergency fold-out sleep pod is particularly... accommodating.”

Camden groaned, rubbing her temples. “We’ve been played.”

“Definitely,” I replied, crossing the room to lean against the wall. “But I’m not complaining.”

She shot me a glare, but it lacked heat. “Of course you’re not.”

“Would’ve been worse if it was actually a vase,” I pointed out. “At least here we can sit down. Relax.”

Her lips quirked into a reluctant smile. “You’re insufferable.”

“Good thing you like me that way.” I pushed off the wall and stepped closer, my gaze locking on hers. “And since we’re stuck here... we might as well make the most of it.”

Camden’s expression softened, her datapad lowering as her shoulders relaxed. “You’re impossible.”

“Efficient,” I corrected, my voice dropping as I closed the last of the distance between us. “And we’ve got time to kill.”

CAMDEN

The emergency lighting bathed everything in soft red shadows, casting a faint glow over the diplomatic suite. I looked up at Barek, his frame blocking out the rest of the room as he stood close enough to steal my breath. My pulse raced, my heart hammering against my ribs in a way I couldn’t blame on the station’s environmental instabilities.

“Professional distance,” I said, my voice trembling slightly as I pressed my hands against his chest. “That’s what we kept saying.”

“Not saying it now.” His hands slid down my sides, his touch firm but reverent, like he was memorizing every curve through the thin fabric of my dress.

“No more excuses about security protocols?” I asked, tilting my head as his lips brushed the edge of my jaw. “Or proper workplace boundaries?”

His growl vibrated through me, low and raw. “Done with excuses. Done pretending I don’t want you.”

I shivered under the heat of his voice, my own walls crumbling. “Good,” I whispered, tilting my head back to offer him more. “Because I’m tired of pretending too.”

His mouth claimed mine, the kiss igniting something inside me. The press of his body against mine, the way his hands moved like they already knew me better than I knew myself.

For a moment, I was weightless, lost in him. Then reality intruded in the form of a maintenance drone whirring past the doorway, its sensors sweeping the hall.

Barek broke away with a curse, his forehead pressing against mine as he steadied his breathing. “Of course.”

“Routine patrol,” MIRA’s voice chimed in innocently. “Though perhaps the emergency bed’s privacy field could prevent future interruptions...”

“MIRA,” Barek growled, his hands still firm on my hips.

“Simply ensuring optimal conditions for... cultural exchange,” she added, her crystals sparkling.

I laughed, the sound shaky, even to my own ears. “I think my AI has been spending too much time with the twins.”

“Definitely.” His lips brushed the corner of my mouth as he pulled back to look at me. “But I’m not letting them interrupt us again.”

“Good,” I replied, tugging him closer. “Because I’m not done with you yet.”

Barek was already backing me toward the bed, his hands sliding under the hem of my dress.

“No more interruptions?” I pulled Barek down for another kiss.

“None.” His hands found the zipper of my dress. “Though if anyone tries...”

“You’ll handle it.” I worked at the clasps of his vest. “Professionally.”

He laughed against my throat. “Nothing professional about what I want to do to you.”

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