Page 42 of Stealing the Star Stone

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Artivar Station

In the Med Zone.

I’m no longer alone.

Year of 2202, June

“We saw it go down,” Petr said, waltzing into the ward, his uniform misbuttoned. “You’re all over the news, babe.” He punched his fist into a palm. “ That woman… I will never watch another of her movies.”

Nova grinned, almost throwing out her arms for a hug. Damn drugs, making me loopy. She pulled the hospital gown close, just in case.

Captain was on his heels. Sharon trailed him, her chin down like she’d prefer to be anywhere but here.

“It’s so good to see you,” Marco said, resting his hand on her toes tenting the bed’s blankets. “I was so worried when Lord Orien whisked you and Eli away. Graham was panicking, especially with the comm silence.”

She scanned the room, her eyes widening. Here was her family, something she hadn’t considered before. “I won’t lie… There were some scary parts I won’t bore you with.” Her thoughts buzzed as if she couldn’t focus, and a warm lassitude had her sinking deeper under the covers.

“What did the doctor say?”

“All good,” she mumbled, gazing at her gown draped over the back of a chair. Oh, yes, the hot tea. She pushed herself onto her elbow and peered around Marco. Where’s Eli? “The leather protected me from third-degree scalds.”

“What’s that?” Petr tapped her fist.

She opened her fingers to reveal Barry.

“It’s beautiful. Did Eli give it to you?” Petr stroked the stone’s smooth surface.

Sharon whipped her head up, a scowl marring her delicate features.

“No, Barry’s mine.”

“You named it?” Sharon snapped, bitterness in her tone.

“He’s a Kovari Shol—a sentient rock from Lethara. So yes, I named him .” Unable to enjoy in peace the pain meds the nurse had given her, Nova sat up and shifted back, resting against a pillow.

“We’re running out of docking time, sweetheart, so when you’re released, we can start the next voyage,” Marco said, then smiled. “On a happy note, you and Eli have generated such business that our trips are booked for months.”

“That’s wonderful,” she said and meant it.

At least something good had come from their adventure.

She sighed. That was a lie. It hadn’t all been bad.

“I’ll be ready to leave soon. Doctor just wanted me to stay for a few hours.

He mentioned lasting effects?” She frowned, unable to recall his words exactly.

“Something about monitoring it, just in case.”

“I’m just glad you’re all right,” Marco said, giving her toes another pat. “I called your grandmother as soon as Graham let me know you’re fine.”

“Thanks,” she said, accepting the bottle of water Petr handed her. “My sisters aren’t home often, and Gramma never watches the news.”

“Well, we’ll let you get some rest.” Marco raised an eyebrow at Sharon, and the three left.

The silence was perfect. She cuddled Barry and the bottle to her chest, slithering under the blankets until the pillow cushioned her head perfectly.

Back and forth, medical staff rushed past her door; no one entered. Time ticked on, and she had no idea how much longer she needed to stay.

“Where’s Graham?” she muttered.

A man loomed in the doorway.

Her breath caught when Eli strolled into the room. He was in his tux minus the bow tie. He’d undone the top button, exposing his collarbone. Damn, he looks good. She licked her lips, her mouth dry despite the sip of water she’d had.

“He’s taking care of things,” Eli said, his attention on her. He swept a gaze over her, and the concern furrowing his brow smoothed out. “How do you feel, Nova-honey?”

“Fuzzy,” she said, pinching the bridge of her nose.

“Doc says the pain will lessen by tomorrow, then gradually every day.” He clenched his jaw, anger darkening his eyes. “I should’ve realized she was capable of—”

“You can’t anticipate everything,” she said.

“And don’t we know it,” he said, curling his hand around her fist. “Barry okay?”

“Yeah, the scald was across my thighs. He was more than safe.” She slipped her hand free to press a kiss to the stone. “Right, buddy?”

“Nova—”

“We need to talk.” She sat up, resting Barry in the blanket valley between her thighs.

“Yes, I—”

“If I don’t know where we stand, I can’t react to whatever-the-hell just happened.” She arched a brow at him. “Should I be angry you kissed another woman?”

He opened his mouth to speak, but she held up her hand.

“Cassidy doesn’t know either, so to her, you’re as philandering free as usual.”

He snapped his lips shut and glowered.

She waited.

So did he.

“Tonight, I pretended to be your friend .” The word made her stomach churn.

“You are,” he said, then clenched his jaw. “ And the love of my life.”

She’d been friend zoned. The blow to her solar plexus was visceral. “Well, that sets me straight…” Her mind reeled. “What did you say?” She shook her head. Damn drugs messing with her hearing.

“I said , you crazy redhead, that I love you.” His expression softened, and that potency was there, blazing his affection for her.

She froze, her heart thundering in her ears like she needed extra sound dampening. “That’s not residual sex hormones making you say that?”

He chuckled. “Nova… Just tell me you feel the same so we can move on, honey pot.”

“I do…love you.” She pouted. “You could’ve made it a little more romantic.”

“On bended knee? In an alien paradise? On the back of a drooling yuxmet?”

She laughed. “Yes, you’ve had plenty of prime opportunities—”

He kissed her, snatching her breath. “I…adore…every…inch…of you,” he said between kisses. “Let me love you. Inside and out.”

She grinned. “Only you could say that and mean it.” She cupped his face and held him still for a long gaze. “I feel the same.”

“Forever?” he asked, nuzzling her palm. “My qidhari,” he whispered.

She jerked back. “You know what it means?”

The slow smile he blessed her with held promises, happiness, and pure love. “Yeah. God’s savior, and you did…save me.”

“No regerts?” she teased.

His reply was without hesitation. “None. Ever.”