They stood and stared at each other, each taking in the details of the other.
This was so different from when he’d first met Calantha. There wasn’t the insanity, the mind-numbing passion that had overcome them both. No, while not as wild, this was more intense. Both of them carefully gauging the reaction of the other, testing to see how far they dare go.
Which made him feel…unnerved.
“Have you spoken with Sean this morning?” He kept the same low tone he’d used earlier, enjoying how it made her body shift.
“Yes. He was going to head back to the med bay to see if Doc had finished with his autopsy. He wanted us to meet him there.”
Taber held out his arm, indicating for her to lead the way. Fallon cocked her head to the side again, exposing the long, creamy skin of her neck and part of her shoulder, before she turned and walked outside. Coming up beside her, he made sure to stay half a step behind, not wanting to give anyone the impression he was attracted to her.
Because by the goddess he was.
Without pausing, Fallon turned her head to look up at him, her bright smile fixed in place. “Have you been on Eurus long? I meant to ask you last night.”
“I came to the colony with Administrator Kamran. He was an ambassador back then. Ten cycles ago.”
33
“And you were on Briel before then?”
“No. I was deployed with the Protectorate. We were engaged in battles with the Ecada for many cycles.”
“So how long has it been since you’ve been home?”
“Close to fifteen cycles.”
Fallon stopped suddenly and spun to face him. Somehow he managed to avoid running into her.
“You haven’t been home in fifteen years ?” Shock accented her voice as it echoed loud in the hall. “Don’t you have family?”
Her face was so close to his, her mouth only inches away. All he needed to do was dip his head a little and he’d be able to suck her bottom lip into his mouth.
“I have no family,” he spoke the words and pushed away the emotion and lust.
“I’ve only been away from Earth for three years and I can’t wait to get home.”
That crucial piece of information was what he needed to snap him from his fantasy.
They were from different places, had different needs. Nothing could come from this unexpected infatuation on his part. It would be best if he pushed these feelings away and concentrated on the task at hand.
After all, there was a killer on the loose.
“How far is med bay?”
He shifted his gaze from Fallon, focusing instead on the transportation tube doors at the end of the corridor. He could feel her gaze on his neck and hear her soft sigh as she resumed her journey forward.
“Up three levels. This tube will get us there the fastest.”
“Thank you.”
The corridors were full this morning despite the ship still being in lockdown.
Despite the danger, apparently Captain Zane saw no problem with letting people enjoy the facilities. As they walked they passed groups of men and women laughing and dancing, running between the shops and various recreation facilities. It was a shame he’d been the one assigned to this case because he was the last person to take advantage of it. Perhaps Sean would enjoy himself.
They’d just missed the tube car and were forced to wait for the next one. Taber stood silently, his eyes fixed on a spot straight forward. Fallon shuffled her feet from side to side, hummed a tune for a moment, before turning her head to look around the corridor. At least five men turned to stare at her as they passed by, a few even making some comments loud enough for her to hear—which she was apparently unaware were directed at her. It didn’t take an expert in security to recognize the fact she was oblivious to elements in her surrounding and the power of her own beauty. She’d be an easy target for even a slightly experienced killer.
“I don’t want you to be alone.”
34
“Pardon me?” She turned to face him, clearly startled.
From the corner of his
This was so different from when he’d first met Calantha. There wasn’t the insanity, the mind-numbing passion that had overcome them both. No, while not as wild, this was more intense. Both of them carefully gauging the reaction of the other, testing to see how far they dare go.
Which made him feel…unnerved.
“Have you spoken with Sean this morning?” He kept the same low tone he’d used earlier, enjoying how it made her body shift.
“Yes. He was going to head back to the med bay to see if Doc had finished with his autopsy. He wanted us to meet him there.”
Taber held out his arm, indicating for her to lead the way. Fallon cocked her head to the side again, exposing the long, creamy skin of her neck and part of her shoulder, before she turned and walked outside. Coming up beside her, he made sure to stay half a step behind, not wanting to give anyone the impression he was attracted to her.
Because by the goddess he was.
Without pausing, Fallon turned her head to look up at him, her bright smile fixed in place. “Have you been on Eurus long? I meant to ask you last night.”
“I came to the colony with Administrator Kamran. He was an ambassador back then. Ten cycles ago.”
33
“And you were on Briel before then?”
“No. I was deployed with the Protectorate. We were engaged in battles with the Ecada for many cycles.”
“So how long has it been since you’ve been home?”
“Close to fifteen cycles.”
Fallon stopped suddenly and spun to face him. Somehow he managed to avoid running into her.
“You haven’t been home in fifteen years ?” Shock accented her voice as it echoed loud in the hall. “Don’t you have family?”
Her face was so close to his, her mouth only inches away. All he needed to do was dip his head a little and he’d be able to suck her bottom lip into his mouth.
“I have no family,” he spoke the words and pushed away the emotion and lust.
“I’ve only been away from Earth for three years and I can’t wait to get home.”
That crucial piece of information was what he needed to snap him from his fantasy.
They were from different places, had different needs. Nothing could come from this unexpected infatuation on his part. It would be best if he pushed these feelings away and concentrated on the task at hand.
After all, there was a killer on the loose.
“How far is med bay?”
He shifted his gaze from Fallon, focusing instead on the transportation tube doors at the end of the corridor. He could feel her gaze on his neck and hear her soft sigh as she resumed her journey forward.
“Up three levels. This tube will get us there the fastest.”
“Thank you.”
The corridors were full this morning despite the ship still being in lockdown.
Despite the danger, apparently Captain Zane saw no problem with letting people enjoy the facilities. As they walked they passed groups of men and women laughing and dancing, running between the shops and various recreation facilities. It was a shame he’d been the one assigned to this case because he was the last person to take advantage of it. Perhaps Sean would enjoy himself.
They’d just missed the tube car and were forced to wait for the next one. Taber stood silently, his eyes fixed on a spot straight forward. Fallon shuffled her feet from side to side, hummed a tune for a moment, before turning her head to look around the corridor. At least five men turned to stare at her as they passed by, a few even making some comments loud enough for her to hear—which she was apparently unaware were directed at her. It didn’t take an expert in security to recognize the fact she was oblivious to elements in her surrounding and the power of her own beauty. She’d be an easy target for even a slightly experienced killer.
“I don’t want you to be alone.”
34
“Pardon me?” She turned to face him, clearly startled.
From the corner of his
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