Page 6 of Stealing the Star Stone

They needed to end the package with something lavish. A special dinner at the end of the known universe? Mm. She’d have to give that more thought.

There were also shopping trips across space stations—all had upper levels targeting tourists, but she also wanted to show them the memorable pubs in the bowels—the best mining hopper, the sticky donuts made by Mrs. Lee on Artivar, where to get fake tattoos that were safe and lasted a while, and the antique book store in New Liberty on Auralis.

She blinked back tears. She and Seth had visited these places during their honeymoon, finding it an adventure to stumble on such hidden treasures. Sharing them with tourists would be an homage to her lost love and former life.

Flicking the tears aside amid sniffles, she scrolled through the first draft of her proposal. When they reached Artivar, she’d pitch the idea to Captain. And hopefully with Thorne’s endorsement, this would be, as Gramma would say, a slam dunk.

With her focus on the passing space, Nova lost herself in the view. No matter how many times she made the journey, the ever-changing beauty stole her breath. Even when the view was from the executive lounge and she had the ‘pleasure’ of wining and dining the guests.

“I would officially like to ask you to be my ‘date’ for the premiere.” Thorne’s baritone made her ears hum.

She smothered a shiver but could do nothing about her staccato heartbeat.

She met his gaze in the glass’s reflection, preferring that to meeting him head-on. Still, her cheeks heated, remembering where she’d dreamed his lips had been. “Why?”

“I want someone I can talk to. As pretty as Sharon is and I’m sure many other women are on Artivar, you I can trust.”

His honesty snuck under her skin and hit her in the solar plexus.

“You don’t like me.” He settled beside her, his shoulder almost touching hers.

“Which means there’s no silly attempts to take advantage of me.

” He studied his half-finished water. “It’s refreshing not to have to be on my guard around you.

Maybe this once, I can enjoy the night without second-guessing everything you say and do.

” He took a sip, rolled his lips, then offered her a smile.

“No strings attached. Just good entertainment, food, and company.”

He sauntered off, pausing beside Captain for a chat.

Damn, the man was good. He’d gotten better at it, to be sure. Last time, he hadn’t had to do anything and virginal her had let him have his way with her. She scoffed. The poor thing, offered endless sex and adoration? It had to be too much for his sensibilities.

But he was right. She wanted nothing from him. Shit, she’d toss him into the pit of hell to save an enemy. She froze at her nasty thoughts. That was too mean of her. No one deserved eternal torment. If she could knock him down a peg or two, she’d snap at the chance.

Which meant…she was going. As his effing date.

She marched to him while he stood next to Captain. “Fine. I’ll do it.”

Thorne’s smile was breathtaking. Had he given her his smirk, she would have rescinded her agreement. But this…was genuine.

“No backing out?”

She bristled. “I’m a woman of my word,” she gritted out.

“Thank you, Nova,” Captain said, sidling between her glare and Thorne.

She huffed and set the wine aside before she shattered the glass. “I—”

“My agent Graham will be in touch to ensure all’s ready for our arrival.” Thorne bowed his head, his light brown hair falling across his temple. She’d once flicked it aside mid-thrust.

Anger stole her tongue even while she clenched her thighs together. There was no finding the man sexy. She knew damn well who Graham was. He was the ass who’d called her appearance lacking. Oh, how the tables had turned. She was tempted to ensure she looked hideous.

“Um, Nova?” Petr crowded her, snuck a glance at Thorne, then ushered her to the dessert buffet. “Since we’re passing Tarnis—”

“No,” she snapped. “We’re not going on yet another joyride.”

“Tea emporiums.”

She froze. That didn’t sound bad, and she’d wanted to sample the many teas Tarnis had on offer. “At his expense?”

“Yes.” Petr wouldn’t meet her gaze.

She narrowed her eyes. “What else?”

“Ice farming—”

“What?” She fake-winced as if the idea was the worst she’d heard. Having just considered it as part of a tourism package, investigating whether it was feasible made sense. Especially when Captain wouldn’t have to pay for it. “The next thing you’re going to ask for?”

“Caerule.”

She arched a brow.

“Kangaroo hopping.” Petr’s smile was tentative. “I didn’t know that was a thing.”

Neither did she. By the way Thorne hovered nearby, Captain found the cheesecake fascinating when he couldn’t eat it, and how much Petr had stiffened, they expected her to overreact.

What she wanted to do was grin like a cheshire cat with a bowl of real cream. What else could she get him to pay for? That question had her brain spinning with ideas.

Clearing her throat, she fixed a glare on the three co-conspirators. “The delays better be minimal. Artivar’s docking fees rise with every change.” She scooped up a fruit bowl and sank into a chair next to a moon-eyed Sharon. “What’s your problem?” she asked the girl.

“I must have done something wrong… He’s ignoring me.” She sniffed.

With her spoon in her mouth, the splashes of tart and sweet fruit coating her tongue, Nova couldn’t respond.

She swallowed, coughing when she choked on a small piece of apple.

“He’s an actor. He fucks anything that moves, and you think he’ll change his ways for you?

” She bit her lip. “Sorry, Sharon, that was a little harsh.”

A tear slipped over the girl’s delicate cheek. “You want him for yourself, don’t you?”

Nova laughed. “I’d rather sleep with aliens.”

Sharon leaped to her feet and spat, “That’s because he wouldn’t look at an old woman like you anyway.”

Nova blinked at the girl’s disappearing back. “Uncalled for but expected,” she muttered, digging into her fruit salad. Only for wealthy guests did they offer actual fruit, and no hissy fit from a na?ve girl would stop her from enjoying this.

Sharon would come around. Life had a way of teaching the hard lessons. Like self-respect, integrity, honor, and what love truly meant. Arguing with the silly girl made Nova shift in her chair. As the ‘old woman,’ she should’ve known to be gentler.

Well, the warning was conveyed however poorly.

She licked the spoon, her gaze on the pants hugging Thorne’s fine ass. Perhaps she needed to listen to her own advice. A snort escaped. The chances of her succumbing to anything sexual with Thorne were the same as a wormhole swallowing this ship in 1…2…3…

She chuckled when nothing happened.

“Slim,” she mumbled and fetched another bowl of fruit.