Page 24 of Anna's Bounty
Treto narrows his eyes, contemplating the request. Then he shrugs before turning back to the control station, setting his hands to the keyboard.
“We’re on it, Ro,” Sone says, turning back to face me.
“Let me know as soon as you learn anything.”
“Will do.” Before the hologram cuts out, the Markatti jumps down from his stool. “I’m going to see what those long-limbed freaks might know about thisEarth.”
The comm flickers out, and I shove it back into my pocket. I don’t like the idea of the human going with anyone else. But I don’t trust myself to be able to keep her safe either. Not after the way I’ve already behaved around her.
I rub my hands over my face and growl before rolling out of the tight bunk and heading for the bridge where Igid is flying theShade. If Sone and Treto are unsuccessful, her plan will have to do. In the meantime, I’ll need to put as much space between us as possible, so I can keep my promise to her that I’ll keep her safe.
* * *
Anna
* * *
W
hen I wake, I’m in Rovos’ room. In his bed.
Naked.
And alone.
Holding the blanket to my chest, I push myself up. Everything is as I remember it. Minimalistic. Empty. Sterile. Everything, that is, except for me. Nothing about me feels the same. Not after what happened last night.
I take a deep, shuddery breath.
This time there is no tray of food waiting for me on the bedside table, but there is a neatly folded stack of clothes at the end of the bed.
Biting down on my bottom lip, the night before comes back to me in vivid detail. The way Rovos’ eyes sparked gold when he looked up at me from between my legs. The feel of his tongue.
My nipples tighten, and my knees snap shut, remembering the wicked pleasure he gave me. That shivery feeling is almost immediately followed by waves of embarrassment.
How could I let that happen? I’ve never even kissed someone on the first date, but I let Rovos—who’s practically a stranger—dive between my legs after only knowing him for a day, two tops!
And you came for him. Twice!
“Oh, god!” I moan into my hands. What came over me? I’ve never behaved this way in my life!
Yeah, well, you’ve never had a six-and-a-half-foot alien go down on you either.
My cheeks are burning when I glance at the empty bedside table again and grit my teeth, knowing I’ll have to get my own breakfast. That means there is a chance of running into Rovos. My stomach ripples with trepidation—definitely not with excitement.
“You can’t avoid him forever,” I mutter, swinging my legs over the side of the bed.
Grabbing the clothes left for me, I pad into the bathroom, where I shower, brush my teeth, and dress in another set of Igid’s hand-me-downs. Then I make up the bed and straighten things that don’t need to be straightened. When I’ve put off the inevitable for as long as I can, I head for the kitchen.
I still get turned around, but this time I seem to find my way much quicker than I did yesterday. Peeking inside, I blow out a sigh of relief when I find the kitchen empty. I make my way to the Replicator and order myself a kahva and more of the green raspberries. Then I take them to the table to enjoy.
I’m about halfway through my breakfast when it happens.
Rovos strides into the kitchen and straight to the Replicator.
My head lifts, and when I see him, I can’t stop the soft gasp that leaves my lips. His hand pauses on the keypad, and he slowly looks over his shoulder at me. His eyes flare, and for a moment I think I see a glint of gold, before he snaps back to the Replicator, where he taps out what he wants with practiced ease and then opens the door to collect his food.
Nervous excitement churns in my belly as I watch him, my mind spinning over what I should say to him. I mean, just hours ago I shared parts of me that only my GYN has ever seen.
