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“Have her come into the clinic. She’ll need to be inoculated before disembarking,” Cartil reminded him.

Carol chuckled and said something to Cartil, but Aculus didn’t catch what it was on his way out. As he neared the projection suites, he glanced at his comm and saw Nadzia was in the third room. The door opened and his brows rose. Nadzia wore short pants and a skin-tight top that clung to her breasts. She was running in place, flailing her arms as she loudly sang along to the music that had been recorded when they visited Earth. Nadzia spun around and froze.

“How long have you been watching me act like a dork?” she asked, her cheeks turning red.

“Don’t worry. I didn’t see you having a seizure,” he fibbed.

Nadzia’s mouth dropped open and her eyes narrowed on him. She marched up and poked her finger in his chest. “I’ll have you know it’s called aerobics and I’m horrible at it,” she laughed.

“No. I was just teasing. It looks like great exercise.”

“I prefer dancing and my crappy version of aerobics to traditional workouts. It’s more fun.”

“It looked it.” He held his arms out and made a face while convulsing.

“All right, you comedian.” Nadzia smacked his chest and gave him a slight shove.

He grinned and grabbed her hands. If he teased one of the Osivoire females like this, they’d break his shell.

“You make fun, but you’re missing out, big guy. Classical music, please,” she instructed the computer and the frantic song shifted to something slower.

Nadzia took his hand and put it on her upper back, then placed her palm on his chest, while the fingers of her other hand threaded between his, so their palms touched. It was an intimate pose. He looked down into her big green eyes, curious of what she was up to.

She stepped back with one foot, obliging him to mirror the move. He followed as she shifted to the side, and then back again to their original spot, creating a square path on the floor. Her steps went along with the flowing beat of the music making it easy to predict. The routine reminded him of the hand-to-hand combat maneuvers he practiced in academy, but was a lot nicer. After a few rounds he had it figured out and took the lead around the room.

“Are you ready for it?” Nadzia asked as he held her close.

“I’m not sure.” He cast her a lopsided smile.

Still holding his hand, she twirled beneath his arm then stepped back into position and they continued their dance.

“Here’s another turn,” she announced then swiftly spun outward.

He laughed, gripping her hand tighter so she didn’t fall. When Nadzia twirled toward him again, instead of taking her original pose she placed her back against his body. His arms banded her midriff, hugging her close while they danced.

Time went by so fast as she showed him various steps. It was fun learning the routine. But it was the way she looked at him and lay her head against his chest as they moved in unison that he enjoyed the most. He was shocked when he realized how late it was getting.

“Nadzia, I hate to say it but we’ll be landing soon.”

“Okay. Thank you for dancing with me.” She stood up on her toes, her lips puckered.

He leaned down and kissed her full pink lips, wrapping his arms tightly around her. Her lush body felt so amazing pressed against his, their tongues tangling. The desire to rip off her clothing rode him hard, as hard as the spurs pressing at his suit.

“Ugh,” he groaned and pulled away. “You need to collect your things and stop by the clinic so Cartil can inoculate you.”

“Wait, what?” Nadzia backed away, her brow furrowed.

“We’re landing and you need to get your things,” he repeated.

“No, the second part.” She scowled at him.

“Cartil needs to inoculate you?” he asked, unsure if that’s what she meant.

“That’s it.” She pointed at him. “Nope. Not happening.”

He groaned, recalling how difficult she was when she got the tracking implant.

“It won’t hurt. Remember the implant?”