Chapter 15
Kat’Chinna was nearly out of her mind with rage.How dare he order me to be his serving wench?
She stalked down the corridor, headed for the mess. Kat heard the human clomping along behind her and wished then for an airlock to shove him out of.
Entering the mess, she was surprised to discover a large storage container taking the place of the usual small table in the center of the room. She read the sticker on the top of it.
“What’s this?” Jeffrey asked, coming up behind her and peering at the Zantharian writing.
“It seems the chief requisitions officer thought we could do with one of the devices the scientists set up to keep the Hareema prisoner.”
“And electric box?”
She nodded. “Fairly optimistic of him.”
Her companion frowned. “You don’t think we can take the ones on my ship captive?”
“We got lucky with the last one,” she said. “And it was the first we’ve ever captured. So despite your cockiness, I don’t think we have an excellent chance, no.”
“Have a little faith, Kat,” he said, his voice low. She could feel his breath on her ear and for a fleeting moment, she wished she could relax back into his arms.
Immediately banishing the thought of giving into her desire, she stiffened and walked away, moving to a console and punching in the order for a container of water. A metal cylinder popped out of the console and she took it, cracking the lid and holding it out to the human male.
He took it and began to drink. Kat watched his strong neck flex as he swallowed the water, then looked away, wishing she could get rid of the attraction she had for the lieutenant.
“Got anything stronger?” he asked when he’d finished.
“Afraid not,” she said too sweetly. “Is there anything else His Majesty desires?”
The look he gave her told her that there was. But nothing she was willing to give.
“If we’re done here, I’m going back to the bridge.” She didn’t wait for him to respond, instead making her way through the exit and back into the corridor.
“Wait,” he said, grabbing her arm to stop her progress. “I know you’re upset about what happened on the flagship—“
“Let me go,” she said, ripping her arm out of his grasp. “And stop talking about what happened on the damn flagship. I’m over it.”
“But I’m not,” he said, maneuvering around her to block her path. “I want you, Kat, and I know you want me too. I’ve never had a woman react so passionately to me before, and I’ve never felt this kind of longing either. It would be an opportunity missed, to not see where this thing between us is going.”
“There is nothingbetween us,” she replied. “And the only opportunity I’m missing is to have another regret to add to my roster.”
“Is it because of him?” Jeffrey asked in a low voice.
“Him?” What the hell was he talking about?
“Major Ontarii.”
Her whole body stiffened. She felt like glass, like at any moment she could shatter into a million pieces. “How dare you?” she hissed, almost shaking with rage.
“I saw how you look at him, Kat. But I also saw how he looks at her.”
It was the worst possible thing he could have said to her in that moment. Her skin flushed yellow, her fists clenching as her insides tightened. To have this human realize her secret was too much.
“You son of a shark!” she yelled, flinging a fist at him with as much force as she could put behind it.
Jeffrey caught her arm and pushed her backward until she hit the wall. He pinned her down, grabbing her other arm and bringing it above her head. He held her wrists, his body pressed against hers. The softness of her curves cushioned him and he was lost to wanting to own her again, to drive into her and claim her as his own.
“Assaulting a commanding officer,” he said, his voice low, his face inches from hers. “There’s only one punishment for that offense.”
