Roys laughed. It was a pleasant sound. His smile too, and how he almost looked shy or embarrassed. “I’m not that bad, am I?”
“I used to think you were incapable of smiling.” Which he further disproved by offering one of those smiles that deepened his scars, making him even more alluring.
“You never stopped to consider that I could, butyouensured I never could?”
“I do not know what you could be talking about because I have been nothing but kind and humorous.”
He let out such a loud laugh that I couldn’t stop myself from mirroring him. It was infectious, and I wanted to hear more of it. He tapped a finger on the beer bottle. “It is hard sometimes to bridge the gap between being the captain. If I’m too soft, you especially, would destroy me.”
“True.” I knocked my foot against his under the counter. He returned the gesture. “I love making things difficult. For you, most of all.”
“I’m honored.”
I took another drink, not missing how Roys wouldn’t look away. His attention fell on my lips, which were yearning to taste him. Even after all the bouts we’ve had, I wanted another go, to map him so no change could ever be a surprise to me.
“So, what has led you to being laid-back tonight? I’ve never seen you like this,” I said.
He took another long drink that finished the bottle. He still had all this energy, physically forcing him to move about like his body didn’t know what to do with it. I suppose if I spent the whole day behind a desk, I would feel the same.
“The surprise bunk inspection was startling, but you’ve all been doing your best since then, especially Zavir. He has accepted all my punishments and has seen them through, although I am going to put himthrough it for another few days. It was a major fuck-up on his part.” Roys sat his empty bottle aside. His eyes maintained a spirited spark. “And you have shown exceptionally good behavior.”
“Because I have been regularly and enthusiastically rewarded for that good behavior.”
“It’s a little sad that’s the only way I can get you to do anything.”
“That smile of yours says you don’t really mind that much, and the fact that you’re about to invite me back to your office.”
“Am I?” He leaned in closer, challenging. He should be careful because I found myself less inclined to listen to reason.
“Yeah, why not?” Every fiber of my being said to kiss him ragged, to rid him of his clothes and show everyone what kind of man he could be when I had my hands on him.
Roys shocked me further by taking my arm and tugging me into the corner for a kiss. The kitchen had a window for the droids to lay out our meals. Anyone could look into the kitchen from there, but Roys took us into the furthest corner where one would have to lean over the counter to see. Still, I didn’t expect him to be brazen enough to shove his tongue down my throat when anyone could find us. It wasn’t my job to be the levelheaded one, and yet I couldn’t stop thinking of getting caught as he broke away to claim my neck.
“This may not be the best place to get hot and heavy,” I said, cursing myself for giving a shit when Roys grabbed my ass.
“We’re not doing much.” Except he slid a thigh between my legs and sucked on my neck. My body knew exactly what he could do and wanted anything he would offer.
I clung to his shoulders while rolling my hips against his eager thigh. “Not yet, but you are keen on getting there quickly.”
“Here I thought you’d like this kind of thing, the rush of getting caught.” He nipped the underside of my jaw. He didn’t taste of cherries tonight, just that hint of alcohol we shared.
“And I thought you’d rather take a laser blade to the eye than risk it.” I stifled a moan when he squeezed my ass hard.
“I’m full of surprises,” he said.
“Apparently.”
He kissed me again, fast and fierce, leaving me wanting to throw every concern to the wind and undress right there in the kitchen, but he broke away with a quiet pop. “Thirty minutes. My office.”
“The others won’t be asleep by then.”
“Up to you.” Roys retreated, his eyes full of mischief, then left to rejoin the others.
Definitely full of surprises that I wouldn’t pass up.
Glancing at my commlink, I took a minute to calm down before returning. I trailed into the lounge to fall beside Ryker on the couch. Lilea and Iylene were done, and Maddy took a turn against Arana. Maddy’s moves shocked the troops. If she weren’t so rusty, Arana would be in trouble. It was relieving, though, learning Maddy didn’t have to put what we learned to use, that enough time passed where she got rusty. Her life wasn’t what it once had been.
Roys sat across the room. Elado came out to sit on the arm of the chair where the two spoke quietly. Arana won the match against Maddy. With arms raised, she cheered and sought another challenge. Ryker stood waving his arms. “Let’s go! I’ll put you in your place.”
