Claim of Eon - Anna Hackett Page 0,16
see Allie allowing Donovan more leeway to bend the rules on a mission.
Airen sighed. She hadn’t really accepted his apology, or let him explain. Still, it was best they kept things professional between them.
“Airen?”
Cren, she’d completely forgotten about Ander. “Sorry. I’ve got lots on my mind.”
“Of course.” He leaned closer, his voice dropping to an intimate drawl. “I’ve missed you.”
Seriously? She looked into his black eyes streaked with gold. “Really?”
“Yes. We were good together.”
She blinked. He had a creative memory. Cren, she was so not interested in this. “I heard that you were engaged to be married.”
He straightened, his lips tipping up. “Are you keeping tabs on me?”
“No. Someone mentioned it in passing.”
“It’s an advantageous marriage. She’s a teacher.” He gave a small laugh. “Well, almost a teacher. She finishes at the academy at the end of the year.”
So, the poor woman was young. Airen found she felt…nothing.
She hadn’t loved Ander deeply or passionately. She’d just wanted a connection. And then she’d let him push the right buttons to make her doubt her strength.
“Well, I wish you both well.”
Ander frowned. “Marriage doesn’t mean I’m not free to be with you when it suits us. My soon-to-be wife and I have an understanding.”
By the warriors, what had Airen ever seen in this man? “Actually, Ander, it does. Marriage is a commitment.”
“But you’ll never mate, never marry—”
She cocked her head. “Why do you say that?”
He looked at her askance. “You’ve never wanted that. You’re so driven, dedicated to your career.”
“So? If I find the right man, one who supports me in all that I am and want to do, and can handle my strength…” She shrugged. “That was just never you.”
Now his eyes narrowed. “Good luck finding a man like that. No man, especially a warrior, likes to be emasculated, Airen.”
She felt a warm, solid presence at her back. She smelled Donovan, but she already knew it was him. It was like she could sense him.
“Ander, you’ve met Donovan.”
The security commander’s mouth firmed. “A pleasure. I hope you’re not too overwhelmed here aboard the Rengard.”
“Seriously?” Donovan looked down at Airen. “You were with this guy?”
She shrugged one shoulder. “I’m wondering why, myself.”
Donovan smiled and it was dazzling. Her gaze dropped to his mouth.
“You busting to question that pirate?” he asked.
She nodded. “Yes.”
“Can we blow this gathering now?”
“I think so.”
Ander cleared his throat. “Excuse me, we were talking.”
“You’re done.” Donovan rested his hand on Airen’s shoulder.
He didn’t push in front of her, or talk over her, or try to intimidate Ander. Just a confident man, sure of himself, offering her quiet support.
“I wish you the best of luck with your marriage, Ander.”
“Airen, a Terran? Really, you’d lower yourself to this?”
The anger that cut through her was sharp.
Donovan arched a brow. “I feel so insulted.” His tone was deadpan.
She found herself fighting off a smile.
“You’re nothing,” Ander continued. “You’re from a low-tech, backwater planet—”
Donovan leaned down to Airen. “Maybe we should introduce him to Eve and Lara?”
Oh, the deadly Traynor sisters would just love Ander. “Maybe for the sake of our alliance, we shouldn’t. Ander, I realize you need to belittle everyone to make yourself feel better, but we have an alliance with the Terrans, and you will show Donovan respect.”
Ander scoffed.
She lowered her voice. “Donovan is ten times the man you are.”
The warrior stiffened and made a spluttering sound.
Malax stepped into their group. “What are we discussing here?”
Ander stiffened and clamped his mouth shut.
“Nothing important,” Airen said. “Donovan and I are heading down to interrogate the pirate prisoner.”
Malax nodded. “Keep me updated.”
She looked at Donovan, who was still grinning. “Ready?”
“Oh yeah, lead the way, Second Commander.”
Donovan tried to gauge how Airen was feeling, but her face looked calm and composed.
They rounded a corner in the corridor. “Are you okay?”
“You know what?” she said. “I’m better than okay. Ander is, to borrow an Earth word, an asshole.”
Donovan snorted. “You’ve got that right.” As they neared the brig, he grabbed her arm. “I made a mistake not listening to you on the outpost mission, but I’m not like that jackass—”
Airen pressed a finger to his lips. “I know.”
A sense of relief flooded him. “I’m going to earn your trust back.”
“Everything’s fine, Donovan. We have a good working relationship.”
He moved his lips against her finger and she sucked in a breath.
“Maybe a little more than a working relationship?” he said.
“No.”
“God, I really want to kiss you, Airen.”
“That’s not appropriate—”
“So be inappropriate, just for a second.”
“I was once. With Ander.”
Donovan scowled. “Don’t compare me to that—”
Airen surprised