Leaning over her like this, his lips hovered just inches away. Their breaths mixed together so tantalizingly. He wanted to kiss her, feel her soft-looking lips against his. They were temptation themselves. He knew if he took a taste, it would never be enough. He would want more—all of her. His body tightened with need.
Corey wrapped an arm around her shoulder to slide her body against his side. Her small shiver reassured him that she was feeling the same desire that he was. Slowly he lowered his head further to finally taste those lips, but was interrupted. A throat being cleared somewhere close by stopped him from reaching heaven. He kept his hold on her so that she couldn’t move away from him as she startled too and tried to shift away.
“Easy, we’re supposed to be a couple traveling,” he whispered.
“You were going to kiss me,” she whispered back, glaring at him. There wasn’t real anger in her eyes, more desire and confusion.
Smiling, he nuzzled her neck. “A couple in love would be very affectionate. It’s all part of the role.”
“That was not part of the plan.”
He chuckled. “You and sticking to your plans. Think of it this way: When I was learning a particular hand-to-hand move, and I would have a hard time finding the opportunity to apply it because the other warriors would block it, do you remember what you would tell me?”
“Switch your moves to throw the other warriors off.”
“Exactly. The resistance might be looking for two warriors investigating things, but not a young couple in love traveling together. Switching our appearances will throw off the enemy.”
Nix bit her bottom lip, making his body react again. She really was the most beautiful woman he had ever met. So naturally sexy, and she didn’t even realize that about herself. It was like she had no idea of her appeal.
He knew, though, all too well. He had watched as one warrior after another flirted with her and tried to impress her with his skills. Corey admitted to being one of those men trying to get her attention, even if it just be casual back then. She’d always acted like she was immune, but he could tell he got to her sometimes. After getting to know her more, his admiration for her as a warrior had grown to match his desire. However, she always seemed to keep people at a distance, making it hard for anyone to know her on a more personal level.
Another image of them naked in a bed plagued him. The dreams of the two of them having sex had been coming to him more and more frequently and seemed more and more real. He was starting to suspect that maybe something had happened between them. How could he ever forget that, though? He was about to question her but she laid her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. He thought she looked like an angel, except for the dark circles of exhaustion under her eyes.
“It’s going to be half an hour to the next stop. Why don’t you take a little nap?”
“I’m fine.”
“We’ll take turns as we travel. I’ll take the first shift. Go on, nap, I’ll wake you when we get there.”
“I’ll just close my eyes for a few minutes.”
“No problem,” he pulled her closer and enjoyed the feeling of having her in his arms. He decided to appreciate this rare intimate moment with her, because he knew when they stopped, she’d be up and gone in a heartbeat.
Chapter 8
Thirty minutes later, Nix had woke up just as the subcar pulled to a stop at the next station’s platform. She’d only meant to close her eyes for a few minutes, but then her exhaustion had kicked in. She hadn’t been sleeping well, with those damn sex dreams of Corey keeping her up. How could she still be dreaming of it when he seemed so unaffected?
In the past, she’d had sex with males without a need for a serious relationship, but both parties always knew that up front and they’d parted on good terms. The way that Corey didn’t even acknowledge the event had her thinking that maybe, just maybe Corey really didn’t remember anything from their night together. Those drinks he’d had were pretty strong.
It was crazy to think that could be the case, but she had to give the possibility a thought. Would that change things for her? For him? What would he think if she said,“Hey, remember the night we had sex? No? Well, we did. Just so you know.”That sounded so ridiculous. Would he even believe her?
“What are you thinking about?” Corey asked as they stepped out of the subcar.
“Nothing.”
He groaned out loud. “I hate it when women say nothing, it always means there’s something but they don’t want to tell right away. It takes more effort to try to get that information out, so much talking, and in the end, it usually ends up not being worth all the effort.”
“With that type of attitude, no wonder you’re still left unmated.”
“Okay, that sounded sexist. Sorry about that. I meant that whenpeoplesay nothing is wrong without giving me direct eye contact, it usually means thereisa problem, at least to them.”
“Wow, the wisdom and insights just roll right off you.”
“Hey, I’m very insightful. You hurt my feelings by making fun of me.”
She laughed at the fake hurt expression he put on. “Okay, okay, Mr. Sensitive, where is your tribe located?”
“We’re not there yet, but I thought we would stop here to get the lay of the land. This area is one that’s being renovated. We can check to see how much progress is being made and how the security set up here is working.”
