Page 1 of Surrendering the Skies

Chapter One

Turquoise waves crashed upon the sandy beach, creeping up the shore to tickle Geneva’s toes. She squealed as the cool water swirled around her ankles and resisted the urge to jump back to dry land. As the surf receded, she took a tentative step forward and braced herself for the next splash.

A deep chuckle resonated from behind her. “After everything you’ve faced in your line of work, a little bit of cold water has you shivering?”

She glanced over her shoulder at Marcus, who stood several feet away with his hands on his hips. The sunscreen he’d finished applying highlighted his lean muscles with a glistening sheen, and his snug swimsuit left little to the imagination. She took a moment to appreciate the sight before answering. “It’s so hot out here today,” she said. “Give me a minute and I’ll adjust.”

He strode past her, forging into the sea without hesitation. When the water reached mid-thigh, he dove beneath the waves. He resurfaced farther away from the shore and pushed his dark hair away from his eyes. “Well?”

Geneva turned to the set of chairs they’d abandoned. One man remained, sprawled out on one of the reclining seats beneath a wide straw umbrella. “Are you coming?” she called to him.

“No, thanks.” Ash stretched his arms upward and twisted from side to side before folding his hands behind the back of his head. “I’ve escaped a sunburn so far on this trip. I don’t want to risk turning into a tomato.”

“I’m sure there’s some sunscreen left.”

“I’d better not push my luck.” A sly grin curved his lips. “Unlike some people, I wasn’t raised on a planet with two suns.”

Laughing, she nodded and raised her hands in acquiescence. “Fair enough.”

Geneva inched forward into the sea, wincing when the next chilly blast hit her knees. She waded in up to her waist then forced herself to plunge the rest of her body into the water, save for her head. A shiver rippled over her skin, but the water offered some relief from the blazing heat and humidity.

“See?” Marcus swam toward her. “It’s not so bad.”

He paddled in lazy circles around her, reminding her of similar adventures they’d shared as children. Wherever she’d gone, he’d followed close behind, and the memory made her smile. “This was a good idea you had,” she said. “I’m glad we were able to escape for a vacation, brief though it may be.”

“You deserve it.” A frown darkened his expression. “Especially considering how you’re being sent to the farthest recesses of the galaxy once you return to your ship.”

Geneva wrinkled her nose. To say she’d been disappointed upon receiving her team’s next assignment from the Terran military was a vast understatement. “Kasarad is supposed to be brutal. The higher-ups didn’t even bother trying to sugarcoat it.” She swirled her arms back and forth underwater in an effort to warm up. “Admiral Walker must have either drawn the short straw or really pissed someone off to get the whole crew stationed there for the next nine months.”

Marcus stopped swimming and touched her shoulder. “I hope it’s not further punishment for what happened after the attack on Enegar.”

“Me, too. I’d like to think they wouldn’t take it out on everyone else.” She offered him a helpless shrug. “Besides, I served my time for my very brief fling with insubordination. I’ve been on my best behavior ever since.”

“Of course. I wouldn’t expect anything less.” He looked over her head toward the shore. “At least you and Ash will be able to keep each other company.”

“Thank goodness.” Lifting her feet, Geneva drifted closer to him, circling her arms around his neck. “We’re still going to miss you, though.”

His mouth pressed into a tight smile. “I’m sure the time will pass quickly.”

“No, it won’t. But I appreciate your attempt to make me feel better.”

He leaned his forehead against hers. “As remote and desolate as Kasarad may be, I’m glad you’re not being thrown into a dangerous situation out there.”

“Yeah, since we’re just testing equipment under the extreme conditions, nothing’s supposed to explode at us unless we make it explode.” She closed her eyes, savoring the feel of his skin beneath her touch. “But nine months is such a long time…”

His lips brushed across hers in a feathery kiss. Supported by the currents, Geneva wrapped her legs around his waist. He pulled her in close as her lips parted, and they bobbed together with the rhythm of the rolling waves.

Their tongues tangled together, his warm, inviting mouth a stark contrast to the water surrounding them. Broad palms skimmed up the bare skin of her back, coming to rest at the strings of her bikini top. When he tugged at the knot, she pulled away. “Aren’t you worried about Ash feeling left out?”

“He’s probably asleep by now, for all we know.” Marcus fixed her in an intense stare, his onyx eyes glittering. “Even though it’s our last day here, we’ve still got plenty of time. Is it so wrong for me to want to steal a few minutes with you before you go flying millions of miles away?”

As he spoke, his hand dipped lower to caress the swell of her hip. She feigned a melodramatic sigh. “I suppose not.”

He recaptured her lips with another kiss as his hands continued to roam her body beneath the water’s surface. The pressure of his touch and the sweet taste of his mouth stoked the first embers of desire in her core. She tightened her knees around him and flattened her breasts against his chest, aching to feel more of him.

Marcus’s grip on her was firm, his fingertips pressing into her ass as she clung to him. His burgeoning erection strained against the confines of his swimsuit, and she ground against it. As the tip rubbed against the length of her cleft, he traced the crease of her thigh with one hand.

She squirmed in his grasp, seeking out further intimate contact. Before she could achieve any sort of gratification, he broke the kiss, using her buoyancy in the water to help shift her away from him. “Maybe you’re right.” He loosened her legs from his sides. “Maybe we should hold off for a bit, then think about returning to dry land.”

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