Master of Her Heart (Sons of Amber Book 2) by Bianca D'Arc Page A

way I wanted to start my day. Instead, I came out of the shower to an empty room. Why’d you sneak out?”
    She could see the disapproval in his eyes. “I…” What could she say that wouldn’t make her sound foolish? “I needed some time alone. To think.”
    “All right,” he let go and set her away, stepping back. “Did it help?” His gaze studied her.
    “To be honest, not really.”
    “I know you wanted to talk last night, but the situation got out of control fast. How about we try again tonight? Bring a change of clothes with you this time and maybe we can shower together tomorrow morning. Start the day off right. And maybe this time we’ll actually get to talk a bit before the fireworks begin. What do you say?”
    Relieved, she nodded. “I’d like that.”
    “Good.” His smile warmed her as he moved away, heading for his office door. “Now, what have we got on the agenda for today. Lunch with Admiral Watts, right? I’ll need those force reduction figures and the redeployment schedule. And I don’t care what the Admiral’s staff says, I want you at that table with me. No way am I going to sit through another one of her poorly veiled innuendoes or blatant attempts at seduction. With you there, she’ll think twice before putting her foot in it again.”
    She laughed. “Poor Commandant. All his subordinates want to seduce him.”
    “Maybe so,” he winked at her. “But you’re the only one I’ll actually let do it.”
    She knew everything would be all right then. Michael was in a great mood and it carried over to everything they did that day and for the days after. Each night they dined together and she stayed over, being careful not to be seen on her way into or out of his quarters. They made love long into the night and woke together in Michael’s big bed the next day, starting it together before they headed for work. Together.
    They never did manage to talk all that much. They were always too hungry for each other by the time they were alone at night. It didn’t seem to matter much until those times when Leah thought about the future. Then she’d worry until Michael caught her eye and winked. He had to know there was something preying on her mind and he probably had a good idea of what it was, but neither of them had the strength to resist the other long enough to discuss the nitty gritty of what would happen in the future.
    Three, then four days passed, and they fell into a routine of sorts, until one morning they arrived at work to find a report from Tyron. Michael took it into his office and closed the door. An hour later, an urgent transmission came through and she entered the office, knowing this was important enough to interrupt whatever he was doing.
     
     
     

CHAPTER SIX
     
    “Ty is on tight beam.”
    Leah’s voice caressed him as she bustled into Michael’s office, all business. She came around his desk and flicked on the controls that would bring the highly irregular signal to his comm unit. If Ty were contacting them this way, something was definitely up. His brother’s face came up on the unit, a bit grainy, but Mike could read the urgency in Ty’s eyes.
    “Brother, things are worse than we suspected. Someone very highly placed is collaborating with the jits, allowing them to capture and transport human women and turning a blind eye as long as the jits pay up. Mike, someone is selling human females to the jit pirates.” Mike’s fist hit the desk as anger rode him. “Look, I don’t have enough proof to nail anyone yet, and I think I’m close to finding out who’s behind this, but my cover is a bit precarious. I may need more help here, Mike. Send a brother.”
    “Dammit! I’ll come myself. This is too important.” Mike sent back the immediate, furious reply, knowing he’d have to wait the few moments it took for the tight beam signal to reach Ty. He turned to Leah. “What’ve we got in that region? Can we use a legitimate trip out there to cover our real