Page 31 of Touch the Stars
The other option was that this was a trap.But, for whom?Certainly not them.No one expected them, as his mission was secret.
“Bajiki freighter’s status?”
“Unchanged.”
As expected.No power, no lights, and no other ship trails.Most disturbing.If the Bajiki had been attacked, the evidence should be plain to see with imperial technology, even at this distance.He rubbed his fingers over the stubble of his chin.It was tempting to abort this side mission, take Kaitlyn somewhere safe, then deal with the grand emperor’s ultimatum himself.
That will not happen.
As perplexing as the situation was, he must see his imperial mission to its conclusion, with Kaitlyn.And that was the most difficult part—Kaitlyn.The Ancient Ones had tasked him to protect her from every threat.Given what had happened, the grand emperor was now a threat.
I would protect her even without imperial orders.
He moved his fingertips over the center of his chest in a tight, circular motion to ease the tension growing in his heart.When had the little human female come to mean more to him than his own life?
The pressure of the air in the command center shifted, and he turned his attention to the doorway.Kaitlyn stepped through into the room, smiling.Her Earth garments had been replaced with snug-fitting white pants and a matching short-sleeve, scoop-neck shirt.She was a vision, every bit the empress the Ancient Ones had chosen.
Her smile widened, and she twirled in a circle.“You like?”
He tried to swallow, but his saliva glands had dried up.“Yea, much I do.”
Enough to try to impress her by speaking English.By the stars, the material conformed to her luscious curves like a second skin.
“I wondered why there wasn’t any furniture in my room.”She leaned against the arm of the command chair, putting her breasts a hair’s breadth from his right biceps.“But then I discovered that if I pressed any of the little blue lights on the wall, drawers come out or cabinets open.And, most of them are full of clothing.”
He should have explained that to her after she came aboard.
Eyes up.Do not look down.
“It took me a while, but I found a few things that fit okay.”She shrugged her shoulders.“Bummer that they’re all white, though.It’s not exactly my color.Anyway, did I miss anything?”
“Nay, Emp…Kaitlyn.”Now he was stumbling over his own words?This must stop.He straightened his spine and waved his left hand in the direction of the main screen.“We be arriving at the freighter in less than two hours.If there be no response to our hails, I will put on an environmental suit to go aboard.”
Her short laugh drew his gaze back to her.“I’m coming with you, you know that, right?”
“Nay.Stay you here.”
“I don’t think so.”She pushed away from the chair and crossed her arms under her breasts.
Do not look down.
“Kaitlyn—”
“She’s my sister, dammit.”
There was no argument about that.“It be too dangerous.”
“More dangerous than staying here?”She made a snorting sound.“I doubt it.What if Rocky calls while you’re gone?There’s no way you could get back before he bellowed me to death.”
The argumentative words died in his throat.The grand emperorwasmore of a threat than a dead-in-space pirate freighter.
He leaned back in the seat with a long sigh.“So be it.”
“You mean I can go with you?”She bounced on her toes, making her breasts jiggle enticingly.
“Yea.”Just stop bouncing.
She emitted a small cry and wrapped her arms around his neck.“Thank you.”
