Hard Line - Pamela Clare Page 0,25

Russians.”

Thor grabbed his towel. “Stay here.”

Samantha took off her parka, draped it over her arm, waiting for Thor and Malik to step out of the men’s changing room. She ought to have followed Vasily or at least asked him what he was doing. Instead, she’d stood there, watching him walk away in his towel.

Vasily isn’t going to steal the components.

What would he do with them? It’s not like he could run out the back door and thumb a ride to Moscow. He was likely stuck here until November, just like the rest of them. The most he could do was hide the package somewhere in the station and hope no one found it.

Thor emerged, wearing jeans and that navy-blue cable-knit sweater, towel in hand, radio clipped to his waistband. “I’ll get you back to your room.”

“What about Vasily?”

“I know exactly where he is.” Thor held up his radio.

“Oh.”

The two of them walked toward the second-floor A1 berthing area, the image of him naked burned into her mind. She’d known he would be hot, but…

Damn.

He was a Nordic god come to life. Broad pecs. Muscular arms. A six-pack. Obliques. A huge, beautiful, uncircumcised dick. And then there was the rear view. A raven tattoo on his upper back, the tips of the bird’s outstretched wings reaching his shoulders. The tight globes of his perfect ass.

The sight of him had put flutters in her belly, made her ache.

Forget it. He’s not interested, and you have work to do.

She waited till they were out of earshot of the others. “Is everything okay?”

“Our Russian friends were outside our rooms having a friendly chat with Segal. It seems they got lost on their way to their berthing area.”

“You don’t believe that.” She could tell from the tone of his voice.

“Do you?”

“No.” It wasn’t a big building. Different parts of the station had different color tiles on the walls making it hard to mistake one area for another. “You think they tried to steal the, uh, package?”

“I think they took advantage of the distraction to do some recon.”

“Recon?”

“Reconnaissance.” He explained. “Before anyone tries to take it, they have to figure out where it is and what obstacles stand in their way.”

“Oh. Right.” She clearly didn’t think like a military guy. “I almost followed them, but I knew you’d be back soon.”

“You did the right thing, waiting to tell me. I don’t want you putting yourself in harm’s way. You’ve done enough already.”

Why his words left her feeling flustered, she couldn’t say.

She changed the subject. “You did it. You’re now a member of the world’s most exclusive and insane club. How was it?”

He grinned. “It was good—inwigorating.”

He’d gotten the V mixed up with a W.

“I think you mean ‘invigorating.’ With a V sound.”

“Really?” Thor held the door for her as they moved from the hallway to the berthing area. “Invigorating.”

“Patty said the same thing.”

“And you’ve never thought to try it?”

A part of her had wanted to, but no way was she going to run around nude in front of everyone. “I guess I’m a little more self-conscious than the rest of you.”

They reached the door to her room and stopped.

“That’s too bad. It really is fun.”

“If I had a body like Kristi’s, maybe…” The words were out before Samantha could stop them.

Oh, God.

She had just bared her insecurities to him, which was a thousand times worse than being naked. She would have disappeared inside her room to wallow in humiliation, but he made no move to leave.

His gaze moved over her, a faint smile on those lips. “Kristi is pretty, but so are you. Trust me. From where I stand, Kristi doesn’t have anything on you.”

Samantha’s cheeks grew warm. She stood there for a moment, staring up at him, her brain going blank, some part of her wishing he would kiss her.

Your key.

She fished it out of her pocket. “It’s late.”

“I hope I didn’t make you uncomfortable just now.”

She looked away. “No, I did that to myself.”

He tucked a finger beneath her chin, lifted her gaze to his. “You’ve had a rough week, Samantha. Go easy on yourself.”

There was no judgment in his eyes, only concern.

Some of her embarrassment melted away. “Thanks.”

“What time should I meet you tomorrow?”

“I usually get breakfast at around seven. I try to get to the lab by eight.”

“I’ll meet you in the galley. And don’t forget your radio. It won’t do you a bit of good if you don’t keep it with you at all times.”

“Got it.” She unlocked her door. “Goodnight,