Break Out - By Nina Croft Page 0,22
twice before you piss me off any more than you have already.”
She held her stance for a minute longer, just to prove she could, then lowered the pistol and shoved it back in the holster. Rico rose gracefully, brushing himself off.
His gaze settling on Tannis, who stood propped against the wall, grinning. “Thanks, captain, it was good of you to jump to my rescue.”
She lifted one shoulder carelessly. “You’re alive, aren’t you? Now do you think you could get us out of here before that space cruiser decides to come back and take us out after all?”
Skylar stepped out of the way, and they prepared to make the jump. Tannis came to stand beside her.
“Hey, don’t feel bad about it.”
Skylar scowled. “About what?”
“Getting naked and sweaty with Rico.”
“Thanks for reminding me.”
“You’d forgotten? Would you like a look at the surveillance feeds?”
Skylar didn’t answer.
“Mind you,” Tannis said, “I’ve never known him to make a move quite that fast.”
Skylar heaved a huge sigh of irritation. “Your point is?”
“I’m just saying he’s a vampire.” Tannis leaned in closer and lowered her voice. “Apparently, if he doesn’t get sex on a regular basis, he goes all dark and scary.”
Skylar stared at her hard, trying to tell if she was joking, but Tannis’ face was as deadpan as usual.
“Also,” Tannis continued, “they have this whole seduction thing going. Helps them catch their prey, apparently, if everyone’s trying to jump their bones.”
“I was not trying to jump his bones.”
“No? Sure you wouldn’t like a look at those feeds? I could have sworn….” She grinned.
Skylar resisted the urge to pull her pistol again and instead changed the subject. “Have you come up with a plan yet?”
“You’re a cool one,” Tannis murmured. “I’m not sure what to make of you. I don’t quite trust you, but I have no clue what your angle could be. I can’t even begin to guess what you might be after.”
“I just want to free my brother.”
“Hmm. Let’s hope so, but double-cross us and Rico will be the least of your worries.”
She gave Skylar one last long look then strode across the bridge, one hand resting on her laser pistol. At the door, she turned to face the room. “I suggest we get moving towards the Trakis system. We have ten days to make this happen.”
“And where are you going, captain?” Rico asked.
“I’m going to come up with that plan.”
Chapter Seven
Skylar was hungry.
At least she presumed that’s what the hollow sensation in the pit of her stomach was telling her. It was weird—as though her appetites, long suppressed, were coming to life.
All her appetites.
An image of Rico flashed through her mind, and she shifted on the bed, her thighs clenching as she remembered the feel of his mouth and hands on her breasts, between her legs….
Oh God. Maybe food would take her mind off sex.
But as well as food, she wanted company, real company.
Last night, her first night on board, she’d pleaded exhaustion, and Al had brought her a tray to eat in her room. Maybe tonight, he would stay and talk while she ate. Tell her about Rico.
Rico again. She was obsessed. She had to get her mind off him and his hands and his mouth and his tongue and….
A light tap on the door interrupted her thoughts. She leaped up, crossed the room, and peered into the viewer. Al stood outside, shifting from foot to foot. Tonight, he didn’t carry a tray, and Skylar’s stomach rumbled in protest.
She pressed her palm to the panel and the door slid open.
Al shoved his hands in his pockets. “Captain Tannis says if you want to eat, you have to join us in the galley.”
“I—”
“She said that anyone who thinks they’re too good to eat with her crew could go hungry.”
“But—”
“So are you coming? The vampire won’t be there. Vampires don’t eat—not food, anyway.”
Skylar made a swift decision, nodded, and followed Al down the corridor. He stopped before they reached the galley and turned to her. “You know, if you’re worried about the vampire, I can protect you.”
Skylar managed to keep a straight face. “You can? Don’t you have work to do?”
Al nodded. “But when I’m busy, one of the others could take over.” He chewed on his lower lip. “You’d probably have to pay them though.”
“You think it would be worth it?”
“Oh, yeah. He won’t try anything when one of the crew is around. He promised the captain. You’ll be safe.”
Skylar wasn’t really afraid Rico would snack on her against her will. On the