She glanced at him, her brow furrowing over her beautiful eyes. There was something missing, a piece of the puzzle that didn’t quite fit. He had to know what it was.
“Tell me. Why is this shipment so important to you?”
She bit her lip. His heart skipped a beat. Suddenly, this was the most important question he’d ever asked.
Her gaze darted back and forth, as if she assessed whether she could trust him.
He inhaled, waiting.
She let loose a slow breath, her shoulders visibly relaxing.
His chest lightened. Would she share her secret with him?
She twisted the ring on her thumb. “My brother, Toman. He’s in jail and I need four hundred credits to pay his fine within a week. If I don’t, he’ll be sentenced to the mines.”
A stray tear fell over her lashes, splashing against her cheek. He followed the trail with the back of his finger. Her cool, wet anguish brushed against his soul, and he ached to help her.
“In addition, a large payment is due on my ship. The numitite crystals would be enough to pay for both, but when Malachi tripled the price…” She lowered her gaze and shook her head. “I don’t have enough tenium for either.”
“I’m sorry, Elle.” He couldn’t stop himself and pulled her into his embrace. She’d trusted him with her secret.
He brought his lips to her ear and gave her a tender kiss before he whispered, “I have an idea, but need to ask you a question first.”
She shivered in his embrace then leaned back to stare into his eyes. “Ask away.”
“You mentioned the Sandowins have a drink fetish. Did you mean alcohol or any kind of drink?”
“Their nervous system is very touchy. They like anything that can either relax them or give them a good buzz.”
“Perfect. As luck would have it, I have some rare Earth coffee on my pod.”
“Really? How did that get there?”
He shrugged. “It belonged to my co-pilot.”
Her eyes brightened, lightening the weight on his chest. “The Sandowins love caffeinated drinks. How much do you have?”
“Four bags. My co-pilot stashed them in the small space under his seat.” A small knot of regret pooled in his gut. “He owed me anyway.”
She bit her lip, worry lines creasing her forehead. “I’m not sure that will be enough.”
“It’s worth a try.”
She focused on the blank vid-screen. The light reflected off her yellow eyes, making them appear to glow. Caught up in their beauty, he couldn’t look away. When she finally glanced at him, his chest tightened. He understood at a base molecular level that he’d do anything to help her.
“Perhaps between the tenium and the coffee, they’ll be willing to bargain.” Her features softened a tad and a smile tugged at her lips, but tension lines still crinkled her forehead. “Thank you, Angelo.”
He knew how to ease her frustration, and the blood pumping through his veins headed south with his desire. As he licked his lips, a tendril of uncertainty raced along his nerves. “Elle, would you allow me to service you?”
She scrunched her forehead. “Service me?”
He tightened his grip around her waist, drawing her closer. Her breasts pressed against his chest and even through the material of their shirts, her nipples hardened. His breath bottled up inside. Breathing became difficult. “I want to take away your frustrations. Please, let me service you.”
Her eyes widened. She pushed against his chest. “Release me. Now!”
A rush of adrenaline coursed through Elle’s bloodstream, fueling her anger as well as her desire. She couldn’t believe the callous words had come from Angelo’s lips. He still held her in his embrace, and she squirmed against him. With each twist, her nipples rubbed against his firm chest, teasing her, testing her resolve.
In an instant, he released her. His eyes widened then his brow creased over his gorgeous chocolate eyes.
“Let me service you? What do those words mean to you, Angelo? Do you just want a free fuck?” Even as anger tore hot and fast through her veins, a part of her melted under his scrutiny.
Angelo touched her arms, his fingers light and gentle. “Elle… On Earth, people go to copulation clubs to relieve a physical need, to provide and receive a service.” His jaw tightened. “I hated those clubs. The sex was cold, impersonal. With you, I feel something different, and I only want to pleasure you.”
She focused on his eyes. The sincerity reflected there broke through the walls around her heart. He cared about her. Tears threatened to form, and she couldn’t maintain his gaze.
He caressed her cheek, and with the tip of his index finger, raised her chin. “Elle, I would never force you to—”
She didn’t need to hear another word. With a quick tug, she wrapped her fingers in his hair and kissed him, silencing him in the process. He stiffened momentarily then placed his free hand behind her head, cradling her. His kisses were soft, gentle, exploratory. Her heart pounded. As if sensing her need, his kisses became more passionate, deeper, and he licked the seam of her lips, requesting entrance.
She opened to him and their passion took on a fevered pace, the intensity of which she’d never experienced before. A rush of wetness pooled between her legs, and a soft moan escaped her lips. For the first time, she longed for more, for more of this man.
“Angelo…” Hearing the desire in her own voice sent a thrill coursing through her.
He pulled back enough to look at her, measuring her with a narrowed gaze. “Elle, is that a ‘yes?’”
She couldn’t stop the giggle as it bubbled from her lips. “Angelo, that’s a definite ‘yes.’”
The smile that formed on his lips warmed her heart, and her chest expanded.
“Angelo, just so—”
“Angelo Thirteen.”
She pursed her lips, her heart aching for his unwillingness to drop the moniker. “Just so you know, I’ve got a strip in my arm. It prevents pregnancy.”
His eyes widened for a moment. “I hadn’t thought about the possibility. On Earth, women’s eggs are harvested shortly after birth—”
She placed her fingers against his lips. “Enough.”
With a brazen attitude, she tugged on the edge of his scrubs, and he gripped the material, ripping it over his head in one fell swoop. The deep planes of his chest and the definition in his firm abdomen sent a thrill along her nerves. She boldly trailed her fingers along the ridges.
His muscles tightened, and he audibly inhaled. She smiled. Torture him, she would. She tugged on his waistband, untying the slip knot. With reckless intent, she trailed a single finger under the edge of the material, grazing the tip of his erection. A hiss burst from his lips and he gripped her wrist.
“Not so fast. Remember, I said I would pleasure you.” A sexy smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
Trailing a finger down the side of her face, he pulled her in for another bruising kiss. Warmth spread through her body until her toes tingled. His passion burrowed into her chest, setting up home. She was under this man’s spell and a wave of happiness built in her soul.
When she didn’t think she could take much more, he broke the kiss. Placing his arm under her legs, he drew her to him and captured her in his embrace. The sudden movement made her squeal. She wrapped her arms around his neck to hold on, and his warm scent invaded her senses. All she wanted was to stay in his arms. Cradling her with one hand, he yanked the comforter off the bed and laid her on the sheets.