Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 55108 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 276(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55108 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 276(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
“Sharing isn’t so bad.” He grins. “Some of us prefer it.”
“It’s not for me.” I cut him off, my voice abrupt. “And neither is mating, so drop the topic.”
He starts to say something, but two more techs enter the dome so he just shakes his head.
“You’ve got a… human coming in for testing this planet rotation?” The first tech, Marlon, sounds confused. “That’s novel.”
“The new human. Initial nav testing.” I busy myself with the screen.
Drayk starts, glances over, but his voice is perfectly neutral. “Zina?” Is he staring at me extra hard? “She’s doing nav testing?”
“Yes.” I nod.
He waits. Quirks a brow. “There is already a wait list of top Zandian warriors who wish to take the test.”
I try not to scowl. “Master Seke said Zandia must prioritize the acclimation of new humans and give them a chance to try out fields that interest them. I am simply following orders.” I cross my arms. “Besides. The others on the list will not wait more than half a planet rotation for their chance.”
“I see.” He gives me a long look, because it’s a while before I register the movement of his pupils from my face. “I’ll certainly be interested in the results of her exam.” He shakes his head a little bit as he turns away. “I’m sure you’ll keep me apprised.” I’m not sure why he’s smiling—this is not a laughing matter.
I incline my head. “Of course.”
He turns to the techs. “Head to Dome 2 for sat repair.”
“Yes, Captain.” They turn and stride away, and as they do, my sensors alert me to someone new in the area.
“They’re here.” I turn toward the entryway.
Zina approaches. I can tell it’s her without my sensors, because I detect her delicious scent—sort of a mix of flowers and female. Undertones of cinnamon, something just from her skin, not a perfume.
I like it.
Zina
“You’re interested in navigation.” Tarek’s tone is deep. He looks good. Really good.
Just being in his presence makes my nipples pucker. My heart beat faster.
“Very.” I nod vigorously and smile. “It’s, I don’t think I can overemphasize this, a strong interest of mine.” I look from him to Captain Drayk and make eye contact with the captain, hoping I look earnest.
The captain seems unconvinced of my fervor. He looks me up and down, assessing, and shakes his head a little bit.
“Yes,” I add, although no being has asked a question.
The truth is that I am terrified of navigation. But I am more frightened of being jobless. And the idea that nav training could merit me a place in Tarek’s company for a while? Priceless. I understand he is not interested in me. And I should definitely not be interested in him, because he’s been sort of a dick to me.
But I’m drawn to him.
“Navigation.” Tarek crosses his arms over his chest and the muscles bulge out. “It is absolutely a critical part of Zandia’s present. And future.”
I nod and sneak a look at his body and catch a breath at the way his breeches strain over his immense thighs. And his cock.
“Yes. Things like, um, stars. Navigating. The navigation to stars, from stars, and ah, by stars. Asteroids. Space.” I nod back like I’m saying something intelligent. “Good stuff.”
Captain Drayk suddenly has a strange expression on his face but it flickers away after a microsecond. “Best of luck, Zina. Thank you for your dedication to Zandia. Tarek will administer the exam to you.”
I try not to think about what else I’d like Tarek to administer, but the heat in my face tells me that I’m not as cool as I pretend. “Great. That sounds excellent.”
Abbi has been watching intently, and now she clears her throat. “If you don’t need me, I’m going to head back to the barracks. I have another dorm to prepare.” She touches my arm. “Have a good planet rotation, Zina.”
Then it’s just me and Tarek. And Captain Drayk, but he’s moved away to a console across the dome, so it’s pretty much just the two of us.
“Well.” I twist my toe on the ground. “I’m here.”
“So you are. I don’t even know why I agreed to do this.” He sounds confused. But he’s standing close to me. Closer than you’d expect for a random Zandian and a rescued human. Does he still want me?
“Because you see my capacity for greatness, I assume.” It feels good to speak lightly. After being enslaved for so long, the ability to use humor freely with a superior is a drug to me. I can’t get enough. Oh, we humans did what we could to make the barracks pleasant with laughter when possible. But the Ocretion guards didn’t like our camaraderie, and we were often punished if they suspected we were too familiar with each other.
I cross my arms. “Sign of a strong mind, Tarek.” Can I call him by his first name? Am I supposed to use some kind of title?