awning. The cooler shadows made her shiver. Or maybe it was Zaxe himself.
“I shouldn’t do this,” he muttered. Before she could ask what he meant, he lowered his head.
He’s going to kiss me.
She’d been kissed before, but only twice. Neither experience had been anything to get excited about. But this time, her heart raced, her breathing getting quicker, and he hadn’t even touched her beyond holding her hand.
Then his lips were on hers, firm and warm. Tingles spread down her neck and chest, making her nipples pucker. Her toes curled in her short leather boots.
He lifted his head and released her hand. “I’ll see you tonight.”
Wits scattered, all she could do was nod. He didn’t seem nearly as affected as her. And why would he? It was a simple kiss—fleeting and innocent—no different than one might share with a friend or relative. There was no real passion. Then why was she sweating?
Pull yourself together.
Determined to get back on equal footing, she called after him, “It would be easier if I knew who you were looking for.”
His gaze sharpened and there was a new alertness about him. “A man named Helldrick.”
It felt as though all the blood drained from her face. It shouldn’t come as such a shock, considering the way this day had gone. Did he know? Was that why he’d hired her?
Giving a curt nod, she walked away. As soon as she was out of sight, she broke into a run.
Chapter Three
Zaxe watched Jamaeh until she was out of sight, fighting the urge to go after her. She was Helldrick’s daughter. He knew it in his gut. Her hair and eyes were very distinctive, and the expression on her face when she’d heard the name was all the confirmation he needed.
“By the god Melton and his fiery hell,” he muttered. Melton was the god of the Zaxian version of Hell, and in this particular case, it seemed as though he’d fallen right into it. He took his communicator out of his pocket and pulled up the pictures he’d taken while he’d been on the rooftops following her. He had several excellent shots of her face.
It wouldn’t take him long to uncover all her secrets. He ignored the slight clutch in his gut. Information often meant the difference between success and failure. And he never failed.
A hush had fallen over the city, everyone retired inside for the next two or three hours. A few people shuffled along the street. Probably on their way home.
Keeping to the shadows as much as possible, Zaxe made his way toward the docking station. He kept the pace steady. Hurrying might attract attention, and he’d already garnered too much of that as it was.
You are your father’s son. The vendor’s words whispered in his ear. Zaxe clenched his back teeth and kept his attention on his surroundings as he left the more populated area of the city and reached the outskirts. He was alone, but it paid to stay alert.
The docking station loomed in the distance. The heat was stifling and sweat beaded on his face, his shirt sticking to his body. The corners of his mouth turned up. A sense of well-being, of place filled him.
The cool interior of the station was a shock to the system. He shivered and hastened his step. His ship was the best Alliance vessel money could buy. Gravasian tech was better, but they wouldn’t risk it falling into the hands of other cultures. And they’d never trust a non-Gravasian with any.
His lip curled slightly as he pressed his hand against the security panel located on the hull by the loading bay. It scanned his palm and fingers. The light turned green and a section slid away, displaying a keyboard. He punched in the twelve-digit code and the door silently opened.
“Computer, full security on,” he ordered as soon as he stepped on board.
“Security on,” the mechanical voice confirmed.
Zaxe leaned against the wall and rubbed his hand over his face. He needed a shower and food. His stomach growled in agreement, reminding him he hadn’t finished the harira he’d purchased in the market.
Did Delphi remember their past? Or like him, had she shoved it aside, forgotten it because it was too painful?
Pushing away from the wall, he strode to his cabin, stripped off his clothes, and padded into the bathing chamber. He ignored the gel cleansing unit in favor of the mirror over the small sink. Positioning himself so his back was visible in the glass, he looked over his