Moonstruck by Susan Grant

Author:Susan Grant [Grant, Susan]
Format: epub
Tags: Science fiction
ISBN: 9780373772599
Publisher: HQN Books
Published: 2009-04-26T00:06:05+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

HADLEY HURRIED to make the briefing on time. Tango leaned against the wall of the corridor outside the room, twirling a nano-pic between his fingers as he held it between his lips. The set of lips she was supposed to have kissed by now. Grr. She stared straight ahead, hoping that by not making eye contact, the Earthling would not say anything as she passed by.

“I heard you were on this team,” he said.

She slowed, wincing. Why did he have to talk to her? She didn’t want to talk.

“That’s not a happy face.”

She groaned, exasperated. “Is there something you need, Earthling?”

“Your forgiveness. I’m sorry about what happened last night in the bar.”

She felt heat rush to her cheeks. Damn her blushing. How could she stop doing it?

“I really wanted to be with you.”

“You had a funny way of showing it.”

“I know.” He didn’t try to defend his actions with Rakkelle. His expression was sincere, yet her gut told her not to believe it.

“I’d like to make it up to you, Hadley.” Those white teeth flashed. “Come up to my quarters for a drink.”

“I can’t do that—you can’t do that. We’ve got a mission coming up.”

“We don’t go anywhere until the morning. And we’re not at war, baby. It’s a repair call, okay? We’ll send in the mechanic and wipe our hands of it. Besides, you don’t have to drink anything. Just come over to my place and relax. You do know how to relax, don’t you?”

“Why, of course I do.” Didn’t she?

“We’ll watch some movies, and I’ll prove I’m not that bad of a guy. Let me make it up to you. Come on, Hadley. What do you say? Don’t make me get down on my knees and beg.”

He started to crouch, but she squeaked, stopping him by grabbing his arm. “Don’t.” His eager-to-please charm was winning her over by the second. Men never chased her, never flirted with her.

Never begged her to be with them.

She squashed the lingering warnings of her gut with the high hopes of her heart. “I’ll come,” she said softly. She’d give him a second chance.

“Cool. Meet me in the officer mess. Eighth hour, ship-time. We’ll eat then go up to my place after, unless you want to get a drink in the bar first.”

“No. No bar.” No Rakkelle.

“We’ll have drinks in my place then. Or you can watch me have one. Tango won’t make you do anything you don’t want to do.”

Did he have any idea what she hoped for? An image of a serious, loving relationship surfaced again but she squashed it. Kisses first. The rest would follow. After all, they had an entire voyage to get to know one another.

He started walking backward, grinning as he did. Then he bumped into another Earthling, Rothberg—tall, lanky, short and spiky dark brown hair—who draped his arm over Tango’s shoulder, telling him something in their language. They both looked at Hadley and smiled. She smiled back. Then Rothberg pulled Tango away, whispering words in his ear that made him laugh.

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