That couldn’t happen.
She’d made it clear he had a one-way ticket.
Chapter Seven
THE SCENT OF THE LIPIDITE PLANT filtered into Elle’s lungs and she inhaled, the sweet aroma calming her ragged nerves. A handful of small fruit trees lined the cultivation unit, surrounding mounds of tubers, large leafy green vegetables, and an assortment of edible flowers. A low hum emanated from the iridescent lighting built into the synthetic ceiling—the only reminder she was on Paragon. She’d turned one of the ship’s container compartments into the cultivation unit. The special place was a luxury on her ship, but she needed somewhere to unwind, relax, let the stress of her job melt away.
After the debacle with the failed reactor, they’d lost some precious time, but over the past couple of days, they’d almost covered enough distance to get them back on track—thanks to Angelo Thirteen. Since he’d come on board, they’d spent more time together, getting to know one another. He’d moved into an unused crew chamber, and had kept busy learning various aspects of her ship. His gentle nature never faltered. Despite her initial misgivings, he’d grown on her, and she couldn’t help her attraction to him. Even now, heat rose to her cheeks.
“Ugh, Elle, concentrate.” She pinched the bridge of her nose, pulled her favorite stool closer to the Lipidite plant and sat down. The deep green leaves were in stark contrast to her cold, barren world. Only the small, inhabitable strip near the equator had enough warmth to sustain the treasured planet. With careful deliberation, she pinched the stem at the end of a large leaf and caressed the soft frond. A sense of peace wound into her soul, and her tense shoulders relaxed. Ah, this is what I needed.
She laid the leaf on her lap and folded the ends, this way and that, shaping her small creation. When she was done, she held up her handiwork.
“It’s beautiful, Captain. What do you call it?” Angelo Thirteen’s deep voice resonated into her chest.
Warmth spread to places she didn’t want to acknowledge. She stood, a nervous energy pulsing through her veins. “I…didn’t hear you come in. How long have you been here?”
He leaned against the doorframe, his arms crossed. A slow smile tugged at his lips, and she focused on them. They were so tempting, and it was all she could do to pull her gaze to his eyes.
“Long enough to watch you make that…squirrel?”
A nervous laugh broke from her lips. “This is an ornithium, a small sub-surface dweller from our planet. The tiny creature comes above ground to retrieve nuts that fall from the trees during the season’s first frost. It is the good luck symbol for our winter celebration—Lintria, representing hope and love, for if this small animal can survive in the harshest of conditions, so can we.”
“I see. When is your next observance?” His calm demeanor called to her, sending a tingle of curiosity and excitement along her nerves.
“In a few days, when our sun is lowest in the horizon in the southern hemisphere. This special day is celebrated by everyone in our culture.” Her throat constricted. Not everyone. Toman was still in jail. If she didn’t return to get him out before the celebration, he’d observe the rite in the mines and never participate in another. I can’t think about that.
With a quick swallow, she focused her attention on the sexy man in front of her. “Thank you, again, for replacing the reactor.”
His gaze flicked to her mouth before returning to her eyes. The brown in his irises deepened.
Warmth spread between her thighs, and she bit her lip.
He took a step forward, closing the distance between them. “It was the least I could do, given you saved me from a long, cold, lonely journey through space.”
“Well, then, seems we’ve saved each other.”
The lines around his eyes flinched ever so slightly. “Teach me.”
A ball of confusion rolled in her stomach. “Wh…what?”
“Teach me how to make,” he pointed to her piece, “one of those.”
She stifled a small giggle. “You want to learn how to make a Lipidite Ornithium?”
The smile that broke across his face endeared him to her. “Yes, Captain.”
“Please, call me Elle. Captain is so…formal.”
He gave her a short nod.
She pointed to the chair in the corner. “Pull up a stool.”
A fluttering sensation started in her stomach, and a sense of happiness welled inside. He was so calm, so different from the other males she knew. She couldn’t help but want to spend time with him.
He dragged the nearest stool close to her, and when he sat, his kneecap brushed against hers. Even through the thin scrubs, her skin tingled at the contact. His unique scent reminded her of a cool rain shower on Alta, and she had the sudden urge to be held in his strong arms so she could drink him in, savor his scent up close and personal. A shiver not born of fear raced down her spine.
She couldn’t look at him, so she busied herself with her task. With a quick pinch, she broke off two more leaves, twice as big as the one she’d used to make her piece. The larger size would be easier to demonstrate the proper technique. She handed him one, and their fingers touched.
Sparks flared like a high-voltage energy current. The force of the cold fusion reactors paled in comparison. Her pulse ticked up.
“I’m ready whenever you are.” He spread the leaf across his thigh.
She swallowed.
“The art of folding leaves is called tamitos. Fold the leaf in half, two times. Like this.” She demonstrated with her own, careful with the delicate frond. With a quick glance, she noted he’d done the same.
“Now, fold the tips here and here. Then flip over the leaf.”
He scooted forward onto the edge of his stool, his legs surrounding her thighs. “Like this?”
Heat chased the tingling sensation all the way to her core. She gasped. As his scent invaded her senses once again, a lump formed in her throat. She struggled to breathe.
“Y…yes,” she whispered. Her heart beat double time. “Now…fold in this direction and tip it here, then pinch the end and you’ll be done.”
He struggled with the last part and before she could stop herself, she placed her hand over his, squeezing the delicate frond between their combined fingers. A slow gasp escaped her lips.
“This is more complicated than I imagined.” His voice was low, sensual.
She wasn’t sure if he meant the leaf folding or their situation. At this point, she couldn’t stop her gaze as it rose to meet his. Beautiful pools of brown, she lost herself, falling into their depths. She trailed her finger over the raised edges of the marking under his eye, her fingertips tingling at the sensation. “Tell me about this.”
The muscles in his shoulders and arms tensed, but he didn’t move. He held her gaze, his features deadpan except for the slight furrow in his brow. “My marking is the number thirteen. It was tattooed onto my skin the day I was born in the clone farm. There were twelve before me. As replicas, we are emotionless and identical in every way.”
A sudden coldness hit her in the gut. “That’s not possible. Everyone feels. Everyone is unique.”
He stood, the sudden movement knocking his creation and the stool to the floor. The crash echoed off the ceiling. With his back to her, the muscles in his shoulders bunched.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.” Her leaf fell from her fingertips as she approached. The desire to comfort him raced through her veins. She couldn’t restrain herself any longer and ran her hand over his shoulder until her fingers rested against his chest, right over his heart. Placing her cheek against his broad back, she whispered, “There’s plenty of emotion in you. I feel it here.”
He turned to face her, his intense gaze flitting back and forth, studying her. As he raised his hand, an involuntary flinch wracked her body. Before she could react, he trailed a finger over her forehead and placed a few stray strands of hair behind her ear. The gentleness in his touch sparked the fire between them, and her lips tingl
ed. Something stirred deep inside, building on the foundation of trust.
A brazenness she wasn’t aware she had rose to the front of her mind, and she spoke the words before she lost her nerve. “Let your emotions loose, Angelo. Show me the passion inside you.”
A spark lit up his eyes, burning its way deep inside her, scarring her in its intensity. He placed one hand at the back of her neck and cradled her head. The other, he wrapped around her waist. With a quick tug, he pulled her against him. The firm muscles in his chest and abdomen sent a thrill to her core, and a rush of wetness dampened her panties.
He lowered his head, and his minty breath caressed her cheeks. A short, quick gasp escaped her mouth, and she licked her bottom lip. His gaze riveted there, and she ached for him to kiss her.
He obliged, his soft lips teasing her with a gentle caress. A moan escaped him, and he deepened the kiss, devouring her, pouring all his emotions into their connection. She melted under his onslaught, blissfully aware of this tall, strong male holding her so tenderly in his arms. Never in her life had she felt so wanted, so needed, so…cherished.
His tongue slid across the tender juncture between her lips. A new round of desire surged through her body. Her nipples peaked, and she pressed the taut nubs against his pecs. Beneath the soft material of his scrubs, the hard planes of his chest were like steel. She longed for more, of what, she wasn’t sure, but she didn’t want him to ever let her go.
When at last he released her, their panting breaths echoed in the still chamber.
He brought his gaze to hers. “Elle, you…you called me Angelo. No one has ever called me that before.”
Still recovering from their passionate kiss, her heart pounded loud in her ears. “I thought that was your name.”
He kissed her forehead, the soft touch so tender, so caring. “My name is Angelo Thirteen.”
“You are Angelo to me.” Never again would she call him Angelo Thirteen.
A half-smile tugged at his lips, but the creases around his eyes betrayed his sadness. “On Earth, emotions are forbidden. No one is an individual. We are raised without parents, taught to conform. Any overt display of emotions is punishable by…”
A loud exhale escaped his lips, and he released her from his embrace. Coldness ran over her skin in his wake, raising goosebumps everywhere he’d touched. She missed him already.
Unable to stop herself, she ran her hand down his thick, muscular arm. “Please, continue.”
“I was on my way to Iridis to start a new life as the base mechanic. The planet offered me a chance to leave Earth, find someplace I could live without fear of…” he looked at her, and the conviction in his eyes made her still, “…reprogramming…losing my identity…being alone.”
A heavy lump formed in her gut, and she couldn’t stop the question as it fell from her lips. “How many times were you reprogrammed?”
He shrugged. “There’s no way to know.”
Realization hit her square between the eyes. He’d left Earth to escape—she’d planned to send him back. Her stomach churned, sending acid into her mouth. She swallowed the bitter pill.
A slight crackle filled the air—the com-link.
“Elle, we’re at the rendezvous point. Malachi has pinged me three times. I need you on the bridge.” The tension in Montoya’s voice was unmistakable.
Angelo studied her for a moment, his intense scrutiny burning into her soul. “You should go.”
She gripped his arm. “Come with me.”
Chapter Eight
ELLE STEPPED ONTO THE BRIDGE, her attention focusing on her second in command. Montoya studied her vid-screen, her stiff shoulders displaying her unease. Standing against the navigation station, Adalyn glanced up, and she pursed her lips. This was the meeting they’d come here for, but none of them looked forward to the exchange. Elle’s chest tightened.
“Captain, Malachi is on the com-link whenever you’re ready.” Montoya’s low and controlled tone was tense.
After Elle left the cultivation unit, Angelo had remained by her side. Even now, his presence was a constant reminder of their time together. A soothing warmth filled her chest.
He rubbed his fingers down her arm, the gesture tender and supportive. “Elle, what can I do?”
His offer to help meant more to her than she could say. As much as she wanted to soak up his calming influence, she needed to complete this deal. Toman’s well-being depended on it. She shook her head and gave him a quick smile. “Thank you for your offer, but I have to do this on my own.”
His eyes darted back and forth as he assessed her. With a quick nod, he stepped aside and leaned against the bridge’s hatch. “I’m here if you need me.”
An unexpected lightness filled the empty spot in her chest, but there wasn’t time to dwell on it. She placed her hand on the back of her captain’s chair, her fingers digging into the synthetic material. She glanced at Adalyn. “Display on holo.”
The hologram lit up, the giant orb coming to life before her eyes. In the center, a single Sandowin appeared—Malachi. His green eyes penetrated from beneath his shroud’s hood. The tip of his pointy nose was the only bit of visible skin. He leaned forward and raised a bony finger. The appendage reminded Elle of a twig. Disgust twisted her stomach.
He tapped his finger against his chin, the digit disappearing for a moment beneath the darkness of his shroud. “You’re late. Almost thought you weren’t coming.”
Elle raised her chin. “There was never any question of our arrival, Malachi. Do you have the numitite crystals—all of them?”
A garbled laugh burst from his lips. “Of course I do, my dear. The question is, do you have enough tenium to trade?”
Elle’s hair stood on end, but she refused to let down her guard. “I have the two hundred containers we agreed upon.”
He tsked. The sound skated over her nerves. “Well, that’s not nearly enough. I’m afraid the price has increased.”
I knew they’d ask for more. She ground her teeth, her pulse pounding at her temple. With careful measure, she contained her expression. The last thing she wanted was for him to realize her desperation. “Perhaps you don’t want our tenium as badly as I thought.”
He pulled back his hood. Two antennae protruded from behind his ears, the feelers flicking this way and that. A row of progressively smaller eyes flared from the edges of the two largest that graced either side of his nose. Their gazes tracked over her body, each eyeball studying a different part of her anatomy. The hairs on her arms stood on end. Now she understood what it was like to be studied under a microscope.
His eyes gleamed. “Don’t toy with me, Altonian. I know how much your kind values numitite crystals. Ready for another harsh winter?”
She fisted her hand, her nails digging into her palm. Toman… What choice do I have?
Hatred flowed through her veins and into her voice. “What is your price?”
“Six hundred containers of tenium or their equivalent.”
Her stomach hardened. They’d loaded an extra hundred containers for just this circumstance, but she never imagined they would triple the price. She scoffed. “That’s ludicrous.”
A heinous grin spread across his face. “That is our price. Take it or leave it. I will give you until tomorrow to decide.” The picture faded to black.
Adalyn swiped her hand over her vid-screen and the holo closed.
Elle’s mind reeled. How could she pay him? Toman… A flush of warmth flared up her neck. An urge to lash out, pound her fists against the dirty Sandowin’s chest bubbled to the surface, but she could do no such thing. She placed her hand over her mouth to hold back the scream.
Montoya rubbed her nape. “Elle, we can’t possibly come up with—”
Elle raised her hand. With her head held high, she faced her crew. “Those bastards and their drink fetish… I…I need time to think. I’ll be in my quarters.”
As she crossed the bridge, her boots echoed through the silent room. The tension was as th
ick as an uncut slab of frozen glacial water.
In her path…Angelo. He placed his palm against the doorframe’s smooth surface, blocking her exit. His deep brown eyes roamed her features as he studied her.
She stepped into his personal space, her body heating as the memory of his kiss raced through her mind, but fear and anger gripped her heart. “Move.”
“Elle…you’re upset. Let me—”
She pinched the bridge of her nose, holding back her fear. “Please…let me by.”
He visibly flinched, the creases around his eyes deepening along with his furrowed brow, but he stepped aside. She ran down the corridor, tears hot and fast streaming down her cheeks. All she wanted was some time alone—to think, to sort out her options. She couldn’t let Toman suffer.
Chapter Nine
FOR THE THIRD TIME, Angelo Thirteen traced his fingers over the vid-screen outside Elle’s door. A light blinked on the display, but she didn’t answer. She’s in there. A part of him wanted to bust through the barrier, pull her to him and take away all her anxiety. Why was she so upset about a cargo of numitite crystals? His mind raced, searching for answers. Not knowing the source of the problem drove him crazy. How could he fix it if he didn’t know what was wrong?
He clenched his hand and knocked on the door. “C’mon Elle, open up.”
A ripple crossed over the door’s thin membrane, and a rumble shook his feet.
He exhaled and ran his fingers through his hair. “I share your frustration, Santek.”
On a soft hiss, the door to her room slid open.
She stood before him, the muscles in her shoulders bunched tight. Her red-rimmed, moist eyes pierced deep into his chest. He couldn’t breathe. Creases wrinkled her forehead, but spunk and determination lined her lips. She’d never seemed so distraught, so pained, yet he couldn’t help but admire her passion.
Baby, it's Cold in Space: Eight Science Fiction Romances Page 4
