Page 15

“Really. Why don’t you like going home?” she asked Aculus.

He paused for a moment as he was about to sit across from her.

“It has something to do with all the females and being the Premiere Servant of the Conclave,” Incus commented with a chuckle.

Everyone at the table laughed.

“So, I was right about you being an interstellar playboy. Any port in a storm, eh?” she asked flippantly while casually stirring her soup.

The men laughed harder, making her smile. She glanced at Aculus, who was eyeing Incus, his usually affable expression flat. His gaze slowly panned to her and he adopted a lopsided resigned smile.

Her brows rose. It was totally true. Aculus was like the alien James Bond, kicking ass and saving worlds in his fancy suit, then bedding the rescued damsel in distress before moving on.

“Wow. Okay, player,” she replied when he didn’t deny it.

“Incus exaggerates,” Aculus backpedaled, his gaze darting around the table, challenging them to say otherwise.

“Really?” she snorted incredulously. “So what’s the last mission you didn’t score with the ladies?”

“The last one, on Cadi,” he swiftly replied, looking smug.

“That’s true. Riley mated Cyprian,” Payim chimed in, backing his fellow male.

She cocked her head, recalling the names and the story Ashtoret had shared. “Isn’t that the mission where you met the Cadi? You fought the Cyprian guy in some messed-up maze to win Riley? If I recall right, there were some rather perverse rules to that game.”

Aculus’ proud expression slipped. “I thought I was saving Riley from a life of slavery.”

“That was very sweet and I believe you are the good guys.” She looked around the table, smiling, wanting them to know she genuinely appreciated all they’d done. From what she’d heard the Osivoire and Cadi fought against slavers, arms dealers and nasties on a cosmic scale. “I’m just saying, when the bad guy’s been defeated and the grateful ladies are lining up…Oh, Aculus, you were amazing,” she spoke in a high-pitched voice, batting her lashes and pawing the table like she was stroking his chest. “I imagine you don’t turn them away, and this just confirmed my suspicion.” She shrugged nonchalantly.

The aggravated expression Aculus had been casting his crew shifted to amusement upon hearing her silly voice, despite the fact she basically called him a man whore. The smile that split his face made her grin.

Game on!She did her best to repress her giddy reaction.

“So, then why’s this miraculous power not working on you?” he countered, pinning her with his red eyes.

“Would you like the entire list?” She held up her fingers, pretending to count his infractions.

“Oh, infernal torment. Give me the entire list, I guess, but pass me that tankard of vocatus first. I’m going to need a drink before the ivory beauty breaks my shell.”

Cartil passed him the carafe with a snort. Aculus poured himself some then offered it to her. Nadzia nodded and he filled her cup. She took a sip and was pleasantly surprised by the fruity alcohol.

“First is attitude.” She held up her index finger. “I like confidence but there’s a fine line between confidence and cocky. I’ve met my fair share of men who have this attitude that they’re God’s gift to creation and I should recognize that and fall in line. You’ve got this fancy title, and it’s obviously bloated your ego. I get the impression you’re stunned I haven’t dropped to my knees to worship at your feet.Thank you for showering me with your favor, oh mighty Aculus.”She used her bimbo voice again.

Aculus’ expression was focused as he listened, then he smiled. She paused, waiting for the ornery reply she knew was coming, loving that he was such a good sport.

“You do realize it’s not my feet I want you to worship?” he replied, one of his bony brows cocked.

The other men laughed and choked at his reply. It was a pretty good comeback. She chuckled and nodded while taking another drink of the foreign wine. His randy retort was what she was hoping for.

“That’s the other thing. You are a pervert. Everything is about sex. I’ve got a brain in my head. I have aspirations in life. I’m more than my snooch.” She gestured to her crotch. “But that’s all you’re preoccupied with. You don’t even mind that I’m a total bitch.”

“Snooch. Is that the proper name for your sheath?” He stared toward her lap.

“No.” She shook her head. “It’s slang.”

“Well I don’t know what a bitch is, although I think I understand the meaning. Your flippant attitude gives me a glimpse into that fascinating brain of yours and I’m very amused by what I see.” He was serious as he spoke, and she took the compliment to heart. “But my behavior is actually your fault. I only act this way because I want to see what you’ll do.” He grinned.

He had a point. Half of their conversations were spent trying to one up each other and she’d honestly enjoyed every minute of it.