Page 15 of Conquering the Skies

Ash stood beside her and planted his hand at the small of her back. “I’m driving anyway. I figured I have to do something useful around here every now and then.”

She leaned her head against his shoulder. “We do have to get you used to the civilian lifestyle after all.”

Marcus chuckled and stepped away from the table. “I know your short trip home seems so insignificant compared to everything you used to do, but I’ll tell you to drive carefully regardless.”

The four friends exchanged farewells at the front door, engaging in a series of brief hugs and hurried kisses. “Congratulations again,” Marcus said, squeezing Geneva’s shoulders as he released her. “If there’s anything you need, just let me know, though I’m sure you can handle the planning process.”

“Will do. I appreciate the offer.”

“Me, too,” Ash said. “And likewise, be sure to keep us updated with your plans and let us know when we need to report for attendant duty.”

Adele beamed at them. “We might even have some new ideas after our meeting tomorrow.”

“Can’t wait to hear them.” Geneva put her hand on the doorknob. “With that, we’d better get going.”

“Thanks so much for coming over!” she chirped.

Marcus slid his arm around her waist. “Hopefully we’ll see you soon.”

Outside, Ash held the passenger door of the hovercar open for Geneva before walking around the front and sliding in the opposite side. “There’s no one else around,” he said as he pulled away from the house. “Want to see how fast this thing can go before we reach the city limits?”

“Not when the car’s registered in my name and I have a professional reputation to uphold!” Giggling, she leaned back against the seat and stifled a yawn. “Just try to get us home before I doze off here.”

He glanced sideways at her. “Maybe it’s a good thing, then, we weren’t invited to spend the night?”

A long sigh echoed throughout the small compartment of the vehicle. “I see you also noticed the conspicuous lack of such an offer.”

“Eh. They probably do have an early morning meeting to work on hosting what’s bound to be the social event of the year.”

“You sound like you’ve been talking to my mother.” Tilting her head toward the window, she gazed at the expanse of twinkling stars overhead. “Sometimes I can’t help but wonder if them getting married is, in fact, the end of certain parts of our relationship.”

Ash shifted in his seat as he drove. “Has Marcus said anything to you either way?”

“Not recently.” She rubbed her eyes with the heels of her hands. “Though he made it clear what he would choose—orwho, rather—if it came down to it.”

“I know for an overachiever like yourself, it sucks to feel like you’re coming in second place.” Reaching over the center console of the car, he patted her knee, letting his hand linger on her leg. “But I wouldn’t jump to any conclusions yet. They’re all wrapped up in the excitement of their engagement, as they have every right to be, and if they haven’t already had a conversation about whether or not we’re kicked out of their bedroom for good, I’m sure it’ll come up in the future. Until then, I say we give them some time and let them enjoy their moment.”

Geneva curled her fingers around his. “I do appreciate how rational you are and how you try to talk me out of my bad moods…but every now and then, I wish you would sulk with me. Only for a little while.”

He laughed as he steered the car onto the road leading toward the capital. “I’m not the sulking type. It usually doesn’t change much.”

“I know.” She traced lazy lines up and down the top of his hand with her fingertips. “Give me another minute and I’m sure I’ll get over my slight disappointment.”

His grip on her thigh tightened. “If I, on my own, am not enough for you anymore, we could always check out Triayda’s nightlife scene and find somebody else to bring home.”

“Ash!”

The wan lighting failed to conceal his devilish grin. “We’re on Pasurea, you know. I’m sure the strangers in bars and clubs are of the highest quality.”

Geneva attempted to wriggle away from him and camouflage her laughter, but the compact interior of the hovercar left no room for escape. “Of course you’re enough for me.” The weight of his hand so close to the apex of her legs sent a rush of heat flooding throughout her. “And there’s no one else in the universe I’d rather be going home with right now.”

“Good to hear.” Though he stared straight ahead at the skyscrapers growing larger in front of them, remnants of his smile still played upon his lips. “Though don’t think I’ve forgotten how you randomly picked me up in the bar on the ship that one night.”

“Me?” she squealed. “Youwere definitely the one who came on to me first.”

“Hmm.” He drummed his fingers on the inside of her leg as if deep in thought, the insistent rhythm teasing her. “Maybe it was more of a mutual thing after all. But, either way, I consider it the luckiest night of my life.”

The fond memories contributed to the affection and desire simmering inside her. “You’d better get us home quickly,” she said, resuming her strokes along his arm. “If you crash my car because you’re distracted, then I’llreallybe in a bad mood.”

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