“Yes, well, I will do that—after our banquet this evening.”
LemAN narrowed his eyes at the male. “What banquet?”
“We never got a chance to thank your people for helping us while we were under attack. It took a few weeks to get everything cleaned up but now we are ready to celebrate our victory.”
“A party?” Teagan asked, perking up.
Toro—that bastard—knew exactly what he was doing. “A banquet is not necessary. Just send us the coordinates.”
“But, LemAN…don’t you think your crew deserves to have a little time off this bucket of rust? I know I do.” Teagan pouted.
He should refuse her. He had to; it was an unnecessary risk. What was that she was doing with her eyes? It pulled at something in his chest.Say no and end this.
“Please, LemAN…say yes.” She touched his arm.
“Yes.” What in Kitana had he just agreed to?
She beamed at him and then turned to speak with Toro. “What time is the banquet?”
Toro smiled smugly as if he knew LemAN would cave to Teagan. “At twenty hundred this evening, but if you come at eighteen thirty I will provide you with a room and clothes to wear to the event.”
“I don’t have anything else to wear so that sounds awesome! Doesn’t that sound awesome, LemAn?”
No, it did not! “We shall be there at eighteen thirty.”
Toro smiled fondly at Teagan. “I am looking forward to it.”
“The coordinates, send them to me,” LemAN snapped.
“Right, they are being sent now. See you this evening.” Toro ended communications.
“Oh boy, I can’t wait!” Teagan left the command bridge and he found himself following after her.
“Miss White, I need to speak to you about your bursting in on the command bridge!”
“Why are you yelling at me?”
She turned to look up at him and he was reminded once more how small she was compared to him. He was six feet six inches and she couldn’t be more than five feet one inch, if that. Several warriors passed by and looked at them. He took her elbow and walked her farther down the hall until they reached a supply closet. He opened the door and pulled her inside.
“What are you doing?” She didn’t sound scared, only curious.
“I don’t want witnesses.”
“To what? Are you planning to take advantage of me?” she teased.
No one teased him. He was well respected by his warriors. He had experience and knowledge. Even the Primes deferred to his judgment at times.
“You burst onto my command bridge and questioned me in front of my crew. No one does that.”
“Oh…I didn’t think about it that way. I’m sorry.”
“Sorry?” Some of his anger deflated at her earnestness. She wasn’t a warrior and wasn’t familiar with protocol. He couldn’t hold his anger at her. How did she do this to him? She was definitely dangerous if only a small word from her could affect him like this.
She stepped toward him and touched his face. “I didn’t think about how it would look in front of your crew. I sometimes act before thinking things out and I’m sorry if I embarrassed you or questioned your authority somehow.”
It would be so much easier to keep his distance from her if he could remain angry. Goddess help him for this weakness in him. He cleared his throat. “You can’t do that again.”
She nodded, stepping closer. “I promise I’ll call you on the comm link thingy next time.”
