haven’t known you long, but it’s been long enough to see that you’re a man of honor.”
“So?”
She leaned down and grabbed her gear, slinging her bag on her shoulder. She stepped closer to him. “I’m not sure I can stop myself from dragging you down to the floor and tearing your clothes off.”
Donovan’s gut filled with flames and he groaned. “Airen, you can’t say stuff like that and not expect me to act on it.”
“Don’t worry, I’m very good at controlling my desire for things I can’t have. Good night, Donovan.”
She strode out, leaving him with a hard cock, and a fierce need to carry her straight to his bed and make her beg for him to do delicious things to her.
Chapter Three
On the bridge, Airen stood at a large light table with Malax and Wren.
“I’ve managed to crack some of the encryption.” The Terran woman was small and curvy, with curly, brown hair. She pushed at an errant curl, frustration evident on her face. “But this stuff is crazy. There’s no rhyme or reason or rhythm.”
Malax touched his mate’s back. Wren leaned into him, relaxing a little.
The pair was so connected. Airen could practically touch their bond. She looked at the light table, instead of at the couple. Even though she knew she didn’t want that, she wondered what it’d be like to have one person become the center of her universe. Someone who she could depend on, and who would always be there to support her.
She shook her head. Her career was the center of her universe.
“These look like coordinates,” Airen said.
Malax nodded. “We have some pirate maps in the database. Let’s see if anything matches up.”
“I’m already one step ahead of you, and I’m a genius.” Sassy’s voice came through loud and clear, and she sounded pleased with herself. “I’ve already matched some locations.”
Wren smiled and Malax shook his head.
“Let’s see,” the war commander said.
Maps flashed up on the light table, with several locations marked by glowing gold dots.
Malax frowned, pressing a hand to the table as he leaned forward. “Those are Eon outposts.”
“Correct,” Sassy said. “One is a colony, and the other four are science outposts. They’re all close to the edge of Eon space.”
Airen tapped her fingers against her leg. “Why do the pirates have all these marked?”
No one had the answer, but Wren looked worried, and Malax looked angry.
Her war commander swiveled. “Airen, contact these outposts and have them raise their alert levels.”
“Yes, War Commander.”
“Sassy, keep working on decoding the rest of the pirate data with Wren.”
“We’re already on it, big guy,” the AI replied.
Wren and Malax left, but Airen remained, staring at the table. Sabin moved in beside her.
“I don’t like this,” the security commander said.
“I don’t, either. This has Kantos treachery written all over it.”
“These are science outposts, so there is no heavy warrior presence. We know the Kantos want to find a way to neutralize our helians.”
And the aliens also wanted to find a way to utilize the helians’ unique abilities for themselves. They’d already dabbled with fusing helians with their weaponry.
It was vital Airen’s team decoded the rest of the information. She glanced around the bridge. “Is Donovan with you today?”
“No,” Sabin replied. “He has a few assigned days with engineering and maintenance.” Sabin paused. “He is extremely competent.”
“You like him.”
“I was sure an alliance with the Terrans was a mistake, but he’s helping prove me wrong.”
A warrior from Sabin’s security team called out, and he moved away. Airen’s portable comp pinged and she pulled the small screen out. She had a message.
Donovan: Good morning, Second Commander.
She touched the screen.
Airen: Good morning, Sub-Captain. How’s Engineering?
Donovan: Engineering is interesting. Although, your chief engineer doesn’t like Terrans much.
Airen: Our Engineering Commander is still a little upset that Wren hijacked the Rengard and kept us hostage for a week.
Donovan: Uh-oh, you got me into trouble. I laughed and he skewered me with his grumpy gaze.
Airen found herself smiling. It was getting harder to deny, but she liked this smart Terran.
Donovan: I’m guessing you’re on the bridge?
Airen: Yes.
Donovan: Bet you’re standing in front of the viewscreen, feet hip-width apart, back straight, looking in-charge and badass.
Airen shifted her feet. She was standing exactly like that.
Airen: Actually, I’m lounging in my seat, studying rosters.
Donovan: Liar.
She smiled. Then she glanced up and spotted a young warrior eyeing her curiously. Airen cleared her throat. Okay, so she didn’t smile much on the bridge.
Airen: My shift is almost over. I need to finish my work.
Donovan: Let me guess, you’ll