B Clones (Clones #1) - Laurann Dohner Page 0,63
port, which means they’re in an Earthlike atmosphere when they visit, rending the secondary shields useless. I would have asked you to leave the cargo hold and sealed the doors to the ship if we were in danger of decompression. I wouldn’t risk your life.”
“Why repair it at all?”
“I like everything on a shuttle functioning. Especially one as nice as this one. It just seems wrong to leave it this way.” He shrugged. “Plus, I have some down time. I like to keep busy.”
Hailey watched him work as he replaced the pipe for another one and filled it with fluid. His body fascinated her. The sight of it also did funny things to her stomach; it felt a little fluttery every time Blade’s muscles flexed and moved under his tan skin. He was beautiful and strong. She couldn’t look away.
He finally finished the repair and closed the panel. He used his shirt to clean up more of the mess, then stood, smiling when he looked at her.
“I’m all done. I’ll clean the rest of this later. I’m going to go shower.”
“You can use mine,” she blurted. Heat crept into her cheeks when she realized how that must sound. “I mean, it’s got twenty nozzles…” She cleared her throat. “You’ve got that stuff all over you. It will probably clean off better in mine.”
“I’d appreciate that.”
She slid off the crate. “Are you hungry? I could make us something while you use my cabin.” No way would she go into her room while he showered. It would be too tempting for her to sneak a peek to see him totally naked. She was already too curious about what he would look like.
“That’d be great.” He stepped a little closer, towering over her. “Why are you being so nice to me?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
He arched one eyebrow.
Because you’re the most handsome man I’ve ever seen. But she wasn’t about to tell him that. “You saved my life.” She shrugged. “And we’re in this together. I’m not going to poison you, Mr. Paranoid.”
He chuckled. “I appreciate it. Thank you.”
She didn’t know what possessed her, but she reached out and lightly touched a clean spot on his upper chest with one of her fingertips. His skin felt firm and warm. She liked touching him. “You look a lot better when you’re not coated in grease.”
Hailey spun away quickly and walked out of the cargo area. Heat warmed her cheeks. She wasn’t sure what had possessed her to flirt with Blade.
Well…there was his looks. But it was an action she already regretted. Her mother would be horrified over her touching a man’s bare chest. It just wasn’t done unless a woman was serious about a man, and even then, they never really touched anywhere that clothing usually covered.
Blade fascinated her, and she had to admit to the attraction she felt toward him. He hadn’t done anything to hurt her. The opposite, in fact. She felt safe with him. It could be because he was a clone, making him different from any other man she’d ever met.
She entered the kitchen and picked out meals, hydrating them with hot water, then selecting two drinks. She set the small table, attempting to make it look nice.
That’s when she froze—realizing that she was acting as if this were a date, and she’d invited him to her home to eat. Except her parents weren’t there to play chaperone. And she didn’t invite men to her table. Her mother was the one to do that, usually without even asking her first, trying to set her up.
“Crap,” she muttered.
“What’s wrong?”
She jumped, startled, and faced Blade. His dark hair was wet and slicked back. He’d chosen a tight black tank top that revealed his broad shoulders and thickly muscled arms. It also emphasized his narrow waist and flat stomach. The matching black pants were the type men slept in.
“That was a super-fast shower.”
He grinned. “I was motivated to hurry. What did you chose for us this morning?”
“Cheese and meat omelets with potatoes. I hope you like those.”
“I do. Thank you.” He took a seat next to where she stood, picked up his silverware and placed the cloth napkin over his lap.
She sat, realizing how close he was. “It was no problem. It’s not like I actually had to cook.”
“Can you do that? Make meals from raw ingredients?”
“Of course.”
He arched his eyebrows, appearing amused. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to insult you. It sounds like maybe I did. I lived on Clone World for most