Page 32 of The Interstellar Rake's Irresistible Kiss
“Yes, sir,” said Amanu, who had quickly revealed herself as the unofficial leader of the little group. “Any special gear or munitions, sir?”
Nor’s gaze flicked to Trixie, so quick she would’ve missed it if she hadn’t been watching him so closely.“This is a non-specialty research run out to the space station, and all required gear will be provided. But if you have a preferred side-arm, bring it.” He gave them a lopsided grin that hinted at the ex-pirate Trixie had seen in him. “I don’t expect you’ll need it, but it’s what you’re not expecting that is precisely the reason for wanting it.”
The young crewmen chuckled, their eyes sparklingwith what Trixie recognized as hero worship. She’d never met a man to inspire that in her, but shesupposedshe could see how Captain Rokal Nor irThorkonos would fascinate these entitled young people.
He stood so tall and imposing in his (presumably extra set of) ships fatigues, the stark black somehow warming his golden skin and the honey-brown of his hair. He’d bound the thick waves into thattight knot at his nape.
Which only made her fingers twitch with the urge to unravel him again.
Although him walking out on her without even a see-you-later should’ve left her wanting to strangle him with those long, lovely locks. The jerk.
She found her gaze tracing his broad, tensed shoulders as he turned to watch his young crew hasten to return their trays to the sideboard and head for theirassignment. But he hadn’t walked away from her.
Pushing out of her chair—she didn’t like beingsomuch shorter than him—she asked, “Why are you going to the station?”
If anything, his shoulders tensed a little more before he swiveled to face her, his expression bland. “A routine inspection,” he said. “Nothing to bother you with.”
She put her hands on her hips. “I do believe that’s the firsttime you’ve lied to me.”
He jerked his chin back as if she’d taken a swing at him. “Itisnothing to worry you,” he said defensively. “Would I take this gaggle of younglings if it was critical?”
“Tell me why you’re going and then I’ll know.”
He shifted from one boot to the other, looking for a moment even more callow than the ensign and her friends. “What does it matter when it’s not goingto change anything?”
The words needled her. Here she’d just been thinking about how she was going to change… A little defensively, she crossed her arms over her chest. And then recrossed them when the bulky rolled cuffs got in the way. “The space station is mine,” she told him, trying to channel the dowager’s imperious tone, before amending, “partly. So tell me why you’re going there.”
“Trixie,”he said, a warning clear in his voice.
“You might be captain of a dreadnaught,” she said. “But Raz said the space station will always belong to Rayna, me, and the others. So you can’t do anything without me.”
His jaw flexed, but she wasn’t going to be overawed by a handsome jaw, no matter how hard his teeth were gritted. “Rayna’s sister checked in, trying to reach theduke.” He glowered at herfor her familiarity. “Vaughn and her mate need physical samples from the station, something they can’t do remotely. Thedukewould approve any assistance necessary, but if you want to issue other orders…” He glared at her.
She wasn’t sure if he was more mad about being ordered around by his half-brother or by her. “I’ll go with you.”
As soon as she said it, she wanted to rescind the words.Whywould she go back to that terrible place? Bad enough to know that her off-Earth livelihood was dependent on successfully reconditioning the space station, but did she really want to be personally involved?
Nor sputtered. “No.”
If he’d been answering her unspoken question, he wasn’t wrong about her not wanting anything to do with her former prison. But somehow his rejection roused a determinationin her that had never existed before.
“I’m going,” she repeated. “Raz”—she stressed the personal connection with Nor’s superior—“made the estate staff available to Lishelle and me before he left with Rayna, so I’ll just requisition another shuttle if you leave without me.”
That was an outrageous threat, she knew. She’d never be bold enough to actually demand an entire spaceship for her own use,even just a little shuttle—
“Fine,” Nor growled. He twisted on his heel.
“You can’t—” Wait. He’d said fine? She hustled after him as he strode out the door. “You’ll take me?”
He glared down at her when she reached his side. “I’m not letting you go without me.”
His annoyance was palpable. From another male, she might’ve cringed, knowing what anger could mean. But hearing that Nor didn’t wanther to go alone dissipated her unease like a weak fog on a sunny day. “I just need to do one thing and then I’ll join you,” she said, probably with a touch too much enthusiasm.Notthat she was excited about joining withhimspecifically…
The corner of his mouth quirked just slightly. “Going to get your blaster?”
She put her hand over the thigh holster she’d found in his stolen pants. “Don’tneed to go anywhere. Got it right here already.”
His gaze dropped to where her hand rested over her hip. Was that a glint of simmering awareness in his gaze? Maybe shehadcocked her hip just a leeeeeetle bit farther out than necessary.
