“We have assessed every scenario and calculated all risks and variables. The safety and reliability of the technology is 99.97 percent. We have also trained for this extensively. Everything has been covered and thought of. Now relax.”
His words partially reassured her. They calmed her. Quieted her whirling mind. She would have liked a comforting hug, even a handshake. But of course, that was simply not done. Not anymore.
“C’mon” he said, uncoiling himself from his comfortable pose against the desk. “They are calling us. It’s time to go. Let the adventure begin.”
CHAPTER 1
England,
November 1872
About three weeks into their mission.
He had gone too long without sex, Dariux reflected morosely while tapping his fingers on the table. It was just a normal physiological response. His conscience scoffed, unimpressed, pointing out that three weeks did not qualify as “too long,” and that he had gone without it for much longer than that without feeling this prickling, uncomfortable awareness that now plagued him.
Or maybe it was this accursed mission, all the probing into feelings and emotions, that had him so out of sorts. How was a man supposed to stay unmoved while studying and scanning people for feelings of love and arousal all day, and then spending all night analyzing them with his attractive colleague?
Attractive? Of course not! She was not his type at all. She was too short, her breasts were too small, and her hips too slim. Her hair was red. He liked his partners generously endowed, tall, and blond. The mere fact that he was objectifying her by cataloging her features was proof of his unbalanced state.
Yes, it was all this mission’s fault. There. He dared his conscience to refute that. This time, his conscience remained gratifyingly silent, and he relaxed a little.
But only a little. The sounds of splashing water coming from behind the screen reminded him all too well that she was taking a bath, naked. Her body glistening and wet... Hell and damnation! He had to stop these lurid imaginings. That’s what had got him into this awkward state of arousal.
It was not as if he had not seen her naked before. He had. Many times. During the weeks of preparation before this mission, they had trained together every day. After those intense sessions, they had retired to the lockers and taken showers together while discussing many high-minded topics as the scientists they were, without ever feeling self-aware of their nakedness.
It was not as if the human body was an object of morbid titillation in their time. Humans had moved beyond animalistic desire and disorderly passion. If she only knew where his mind had wandered, she would look down on him. Think of him as an unevolved barbarian. She was a respected colleague and his investigation partner, and he would do well to keep that in mind.
Just then, his esteemed colleague stepped out from behind the screen, wearing a bathrobe and a towel wrapped around her head.
“You bathed already? That was fast,” she remarked, noticing his wet hair.
He had had to make it fast, to make sure he got dressed before she caught him naked and sporting a rampant erection. That would have been embarrassing.
He only grunted his assent, then pointed to the table. “They delivered the food while you were in the bath. Looks edible enough. I already analyzed it for microbes. It’s safe to eat.”
“Good. I must admit, I’m famished. The meal bars we ate during the day were not satisfying.”
