An instant later, her bodyguard rolled off the bed and to his feet before striding naked into the bathroom.
The moment the door shut behind him, Jenna buried her face in her hands.
The Gods strike her down—what had they done?
Her heart started to pound then, sweat beading on her top lip. They hadn’t even used any protection last night. She was on birth control—something she’d deliberately hidden from Tian over the past two years—but there were other consequences to not taking precautions with sex.
Shit.
The sound of water rushing reached her, rousing her from her panic and mortification. Jumping up from the bed, she retrieved her clothing from where it lay scattered across the floor and hurriedly dressed. Her shower would wait until later.
They couldn’t afford to arrive late at the spaceport. What if Vic got jumpy and left? She’d already paid him a hefty deposit after all.
Her carelessness could cost Cathal his life.
She was sitting on the edge of the bed, and had just finished lacing her boots, when the bathroom door slid open.
Jenna automatically looked up to see Malik stride out, still gloriously naked. Glancing hurriedly away—which felt like a ridiculous move, especially after last night—Jenna rose to her feet.
“Are you okay?” Malik asked. His voice held a rasp, betraying the fact he, like her, was badly dehydrated. They’d both need to down some water before they set out for the spaceport.
Jenna drew in a slow breath and raised her chin once more, carefully avoiding looking anywhere except his face. “I think so.” She exhaled sharply then. “Although I can’t believe what an idiot I am.”
Malik raked a hand through his dark hair. “None of what happened was your fault.”
“It wasn’t?” Her voice sounded brittle. “I’m the one who ordered those drinks.”
A groove appeared between his brows. “The server didn’t tell you what you were ordering?”
Jenna winced. “No.”
“I’d say she was hoping we’d make use of one of their rooms.” He reached for his pants before glancing up at her. “How much of last night do you remember, Jenna?”
Not ‘My Lady’ or ‘Lady Jenna’. They’d gone way past formalities.
Swallowing, Jenna held his eye. “Everything.”
Her breathing caught then, for he was looking at her with such disarming intensity, it was impossible to break his stare.
“So do I,” he admitted softly.
Long moments stretched out, and then Jenna cleared her throat. “Yes, well … neither of us were ourselves.” She strode to the kitchenette in the corner of the room. “Water?”
“Yes, thanks.”
Pouring them tall glasses, Jenna turned back to find Malik dressed in yesterday’s clothing, like she was. Their fingers brushed as he took the glass from her, and Jenna tried to ignore the way her pulse leaped in response.
Get a grip, Mir-Brennan.
Last night had been delicious, sexy, and forbidden. But it had also been a mistake.
If they hadn’t been influenced by that cocktail, neither of them would have transgressed.
Heat washed over her then as images from the night before resurfaced. The things they’d done, the way he’d taken her against the wall—and the way she screamed his name. She had no idea she could let go like that, or that she could experience such pleasure. A small shiver passed through her as her body responded to the memories, to the things he’d said. She tensed then, embarrassment prickling her skin.
He thinks I’m haughty?
Jenna shut her reaction down and took a few gulps of water. She drained her glass and turned to put it on the counter.
