Chapter 19
When Dawn woke, she experienced a moment of serious disorientation. She was used to having her furry companion at the foot of her bed, but it was not soft fur she felt enveloping her. It was the heat of masculine skin against her body, a sensation wholly different.
Turning her head, she took in the sight of the beautiful golden god asleep in her bed. Memories of the night before rained down on her, enveloping her in a deluge of sensation. He’d wrung two magnificent climaxes from her, and she knew now that she’d never have it better. Z was a god in every sense of the word. A sexual deity come from the heavens to make her naughtiest dreams come true.
I can’t think like that.He’s not for keeping.
As carefully as she could, Dawn disentangled her limbs from his and padded to the bathroom. Shutting the door behind her, she leaned up against it to catch her breath. Last night had been everything she thought it could be and more. But now that the fantasy was broken, only harsh reality remained.
Today, she would send Z on a wild goose chase, off into the cosmos searching for much needed equipment that didn’t exist. When he was gone, she would be free to pursue her plans to wake the sleeping beauty in her lab. Nothing was more important than advancing her research.
Not even the man who slumbered in the other room.
He’s a liar, remember? A spy. A man who is only seeking to use you. So use him first.
It sounded reasonable in her mind. So why was her chest aching like she was betraying someone close to her?
It made no sense. Sure, he was hot. And thoughtful. And a mean cook. But that didn’t make him any less of an enemy. She couldn’t trust anything he said or did. And after today, he wouldn’t trust anything she said either.
For a moment, Ladee’s suggestion crossed her mind. She had a sample of Z’s “essence” inside her. She could provide the robot with the means of further refining his profile.
But she wouldn’t. It just didn’t feel right.
Wiping away tears that seemed to spring up from nowhere, Dawn took off her glasses and turned on the shower. Stepping inside, she punished herself with the cold spray until the water finally heated up. Slowly, she washed herself, wondering where the energy she normally felt in the morning had gone.
Climbing out, she wrapped herself in a towel and wiped the steam off the mirror. After settling her glasses back on her face, her eyes were drawn to the mark at her neck, and she felt a tinge of arousal at the sight of it. He’d nibbled and sucked enough to leave his brand on her skin, and the thought of it excited her anew.
Calm down, stupid.It was a one-time deal, so don’t go thinking you can have seconds.
Even though she told herself no, Dawn couldn’t help thinking about leaving the bathroom, climbing back in bed, and straddling the golden god. She would give him the ride of his life and explode all over his massive throbbing member.
But it wasn’t to be. One more time on the merry-go-round with him and she might never be able to break it off. Pushing her stray thoughts away, she brushed her teeth, styled her hair, and pulled on an oversized robe. Then she took a deep breath and opened the door.
Z was sitting up in bed, a lazy smile on his face. The expanse of that golden chest beckoned to her, as did the bulge she saw growing under the sheets. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply, then opened them again with a false smile.
“Good morning,” she said, filling her voice with a brightness she didn’t feel. “Please, feel free to use my shower. I’ve got to get busy in the lab.”
Her back to the bed, she dug in her closet and pulled out her favorite sweater. She needed as much comfort as she could get today, considering what would soon be taking place. Digging out a pair of gray slacks, she turned back to him.
He was watching her every move, his eyes the dark eyes of a predator. Could she drop the robe and dress in front of him casually? If not, would he think that something was wrong? In the end, she settled for a compromise. Pulling some socks out of a drawer, she sat on the edge of the bed and pulled them on. Then she slipped on her slacks without removing her robe.
Pulling her arms out of the fuzzy robe, she pulled her sweater on as quickly as possible, deciding to forego a bra because of the effort it would entail to get on.
Suddenly, his hands were on her, pulling her backward into that massive chest. “Darling,” he murmured, burying his face in her hair and inhaling. “If you give me a moment, I’ll make us some breakfast.”
“Breakfast sounds good,” she said, pulling away and giving him a smile. “Go ahead and get that started. I’ll just pop down to the lab and get things moving.”
He cocked an eyebrow at her, his grin on the verge of collapse. “Everything okay?” he asked, concern evident in his tone.
“Oh yes, I’m fine. I just had one of those shower breakthroughs, you know. I’m eager to go test it out in the lab.”
Z nodded, collapsing back into the mattress. “Oh, you scientists, never a break for normal life.”
She forced out a laugh in response. “Sorry. Just bring me some toast, if you want. And, like I said, enjoy the shower. It should be much more convenient than returning to your ship.”
Giving him a quick nod, she fled the bedroom like her ass was on fire. It was hard, staring a man in the face right before she was going to betray him.
In the lab, she felt like she could finally breathe again. Ladee rolled up to her, concern evident in his little fox features. “Everything okay?”
