Page 5 of Stealing the Star Stone

Chapter Three

On the EC Valiance.

Babysitting egotistical, selfish, and sexy Eli Thorne. Did the universe hate her?

Familiar lips grazed the shell of Nova’s ear. She whimpered, squirming under the sheets as need pummeled her senses. Her fingers twitched, desperate to test the thick muscles of his chest. He gathered her close, stealing a sweet kiss before traveling lower—one destination coming to mind.

Her thoughts scattered. But each kiss, caress, and flick of his tongue pulsed pleasure through her, evoking scents, textures, tastes, and memories.

Ecstasy loomed, bolstered by pure anticipation. Her breath caught. A tremble swept over her, skittering goosebumps across her skin. Her nipples puckered.

And the alarm blared.

The what?

Her eyes opened to the lights brightening, the window blinds sliding aside to the breathtaking view of outer space.

Sweat coated her, plastering strands of hair to her face.

Desire thrummed, unfulfilled.

For Thorne.

She smacked the pillow and scrambled out of bed. No way was she having sexual fantasies about that ass. And they’d better just be that and not long-buried memories. Both she couldn’t deal with. Stomping to the bathroom didn’t ease her frustration.

She gritted her teeth, almost biting off the head of her toothbrush. The shower was set to scorching, matching the anger burning inside her. She could count on one hand when last she’d had a wet dream. And this was number two. Both had been about Thorne.

She muttered curses, almost yanking out her hair while shampooing.

Her skin glowed when she stepped out, made worse by the thorough toweling she gave herself.

Off went a magnet from her uniform, forcing her to calm herself, to inhale for four counts, hold, then exhale for four.

Ruining her clothing would cost her credits, and for what?

She couldn’t blame Thorne. He’d grin like the egotistical ass he was.

No, this…whatever the hell this was…would go to the grave with her.

Thankfully, no one was in the passages on the way to the cockpit. She might have chewed their head off.

She sank into her seat and blinked at the console. “Computer,” she finally whispered. “Anything to report?”

“All is well,” the pseudo-female intoned.

“Great,” Nova muttered. Nothing had changed in her world. That’s what she needed to focus on and not what dream-Thorne had made her feel.

“Um, morning, Nova.”

At Captain’s greeting, she slumped and pressed her temple to the right of the ‘deploy rocket’ button. “Morning.”

“How did you sleep?”

She spun the chair and glared at him. He couldn’t possibly know, right? “As well as to be expected.”

“Good.” He beamed, then inched closer, his hands clasped behind his back. “I need you to escort Eli to his premiere.”

She shook her head, disbelief making her question her sanity. But reality hit harder than 45g’s. “You want me to do what?” she boomed.

Her cheeks tingled with the heat flushing them. Her breathing had gone haywire, and for the life of her, she couldn’t keep her hands from curling into fists. Sensual visions didn’t help calm her heartbeat.

“You’re acting like I asked for a limb,” Captain said, his warm brown eyes so like a puppy’s.

She usually couldn’t say no to him, but in this case, there was no way in hell she’d agree…

He continued, not picking up on her cues, “Said they would pay for your time, cover all expenses, and book us for the return trip.”

She reeled, the world spun, and she sank into the pilot’s seat. “So, not only do I have to schmooze with the ass, I have to fly him home?” A giggle escaped her, bordering on hysterics.

“It’s just one night,” Petr whispered, coming around to massage her shoulders.

Now that took guts. Anger warred with disbelief with amazement, and here Petr took a chance she wouldn’t strangle him.

“And you get to keep the clothes.” He offered a tentative smile.

She giggled again, then hiccupped, giving up on the man to face the real authority in the cockpit. “I’ll stab him with a champagne flute if you make me go.”

Captain winced, then tugged on the hem of his pristine white jacket. “We need this.” He raised his sad gaze to hers. “I’m not above begging, sweetheart.”

She blinked, switching her focus between him and Petr huddling in a corner like she was about to explode. When Captain didn’t back down, she slumped and stared at her clasped hands in her lap, zipping between excuses that lost their shine when she examined them too closely.

“I know,” she said, keeping her tone gentle. “It’s just that… This makes me feel dirty, like you’re not above pimping out your staff. If I wanted to spread my legs—”

“No one said anything about sex,” Captain gritted out. “Just spend the evening at the premiere then head home. Or not. Your choice.”

“ My choice?” she squeaked, then pinched the bridge of her nose. “You’re bulldozing me for publicity and credits. What’s that if not prostitution?”

Captain tutted, but he had the decency to blush. Such a gentle soul, and she did adore him, but still. That he thought he could ask this made a piece of her heart shrivel up and disintegrate into a puff of ash.

“You don’t like him?” He frowned. “The man’s handsome, rich—”

“Lacks morals, has an ego bigger than Jupiter,” she ticked off on her fingers, “not to mention his entitlement complex, his arrogance, audacity, sheer—”

“All right, I get it.” Captain waved his hands, one missing a wedding finger. “It’s a few hours of your time, Nova. Please.”

“Tonight’s the farewell dinner. Let me get through that.” Without imagining where his lips have been. “If he can… behave himself, I’ll think about it.”

Captain grinned. “Knew I could count on you.”

“I said I’ll think about it,” she snapped.

He shrugged. “I consider that a win. Come, Petr.” He nudged his chin at the door. “Let’s leave Nova to her thoughts.”

“Good idea.” Petr hurried out then peeked at her. “Whatya wearing?”

She glared at him.

He paled then bolted with a “I’ll have kitchen send you a tea.”

Alone, she couldn’t slow her heartbeat nor draw in calming breaths. Be his date? Why the hell would she agree to that? The man was an arrogant ass. And he’d no doubt dress her in something insanely slutty, not to mention parade her around like he owned her.

The evening would be demeaning, and everyone she knew would see her. His premieres were the talk of the town, so to speak. Talk she always ignored as best she could. Now her name would be on every man’s lips while women glowered at her.

Would he let her strap a blaster to her thigh? A dagger? Would that make it through security?

“No,” she squeezed past the lump in her throat. “Why can’t he go alone? Can that man not be single for a second?” She scoffed and shifted in her seat.

“Tea?” Sharon said, walking into the cockpit. She balanced a teapot on a tray, the cup rattling on the saucer. “What’s the matter, Nova?”

“Something Captain wants me to do,” she said, rising to help the poor girl slide the tray onto the flattest surface in the room—the shifting galactic map built into a side console.

“Well, he is worried about his ship,” Sharon said, leaning against the doorframe. “At the cost of fuel, he’s grateful the ship uses solar.”

Not to mention their salaries and other expenses Nova could only hazard a guess at. And here she was, bitching about spending a few hours at a party. She bowed her head, shame lacerating her conscience. “Thank you, Sharon. I needed that reality check.” She flashed a smile to soften her words.

“Um, okay. Nova?” Sharon wrung her hands. “What are you wearing tonight?”

“My dress uniform?” she said, gesturing to her clothes.

“Oh? Yes. May I borrow your blue gown?”

Nova studied the slender young woman. “It might be too short for you but sure.”

She beamed; a flicker of familiarity to Captain’s features—expected of his niece.

As young as she was, Thorne should have left her alone.

Seemed his morals had dropped lower than Nova had thought.

She swallowed past the bile pooling at the back of her throat.

A quick sip of Lady Grey eased a hot path down to warm her belly.

“I’ll drop it off,” she said when Sharon lingered.

“Thanks, Nova,” Sharon called as she hurried down the passage.

Nova ached to help Captain at Thorne’s expense, but she sure as shit didn’t want to spend any more time with the conceited actor than she had to. The trapped feeling made her stomach knot despite her beloved tea.

Sighing, she sipped from her cup while searching possible tourist sports and spots. When she brought the idea to Captain’s attention, she wanted to have all the information ready. He’d want to know costs, strategy, the target market.

Cloud surfing off Velis? They had the equipment. Although, a few hardier suits would help against the harmful chemicals.

Clubbing on Auralis? She winced. That didn’t align with the other options, considering the amount of trouble guests could get up to when alcohol was involved.

The thought of babysitting them made her ass twitch.

Getting Thorne out of the hotel and on board without the media finding out had solidified a few connections she could rely on if they had to visit Auralis.

They’d have to hire muscle, because if this took off, she couldn’t see Petr taking anyone down; bless his soul.

Apple picking on Tarnis? She couldn’t find any orchards with seasonal pickings for non-farm staff. Which meant the Valiance would be the first to offer this if she could negotiate with the orchards.

Ice farming on Nyxara? The cold made her think of a bath, one she hadn’t had in so long. Storing water on board for the luxury of a bath was too cost prohibitive. But a dip in hot springs on Nyxara after an hour or two of chopping icicles might have great appeal.

Investigating the feasibility of these would require a hands-on approach. And an expense Captain would need to agree to.