“Ready to go?” he asked.
“Yes.”
She walked next to him side by side to the waiting subcar. She moved back to where they had beeen sitting before. He sat down next to her but didn’t say anything until the rest of the people got in and the subcar started moving. She turned in her seat to look at him.
“Commander Estro didn’t tell us about any missing equipment.”
“No, he did not. Do you think the equipment was reported appropriately?” Corey asked.
“It’s a possibility. I’d like to see a report of any and all missing equipment. I’ll see who the lead warrior is at the next stop.”
“The next stop was part of our original destination and we can get a place to sleep. They should have apartments with working showers, and we can get something to eat as well.”
“Once I find out who the warrior in charge is there, I can try to get that report.”
Nix watched as he closed his eyes and attempted to rest. He must be exhausted, given how she felt. “Get some sleep. I’ll let you know when we get to the next stop.”
She looked away from him, trying to remember to keep her head down so that no one would recognize her as not human. Corey leaned his head on her shoulder as he fell asleep. An older female smiled at them. They must look like a loving couple with their proximity. How strange to think that. She caught a reflection of them in the window and was shocked at how right they looked together. She placed her head against his and relaxed, enjoying the closeness for however long she could.
*****
Twenty minutes later, they had reached the next stop. She wished it had lasted a little longer. It had been nice to be with Corey that way, even though he had been asleep most of the time. Just listening to his breathing was soothing to her. Of course, when he woke from his nap, all of that changed. She went from being soothed and relaxed to being alert and very aware of him as a male.
It was the way he looked at her. There was something in his eyes that had her feeling off kilter and unsure. Like he possessed knowledge of something that she didn’t really want him to know. Did he remember their night together? No, he would have said something. Corey was cocky; no way would he got that long without teasing her about it. What if he had, though? What would she do or say?
Corey greeted a human who must be the tribe leader. Nix kept herself back and silent so that no one would look too closely at her. Of course, keeping in the background allowed her to watch Corey, too. He was so easygoing, smiling and laughing with others. People responded to Corey in a way that they never did with her. She really admired him for that.
As a trainer, she was often seen as tough and unemotional. Many warriors didn’t even attempt to approach her for sex. The few that did were more often doing it as a type of challenge, a dare to see who was manly enough to get into her bed. She made a point to never sleep with anyone who was trying to win her just to score points.
Sadly, she didn’t have very many female friends that she could talk to about such things. Her position as trainer interfered with that as well. She hadn’t realized just how lonely her life was until Liam brought Maggie on board the command ship. She saw how his family accepted her, and also how close Maggie was to her friends from the subway tunnels. Nix envied her for that, just as she envied Corey’s ease at making friends.
Even on the command ship, Corey made friends with Drastan warriors by working hard, not complaining, and always be willing to lend a hand. Other males admired him—even Liam admired him, which surprised her. Drastan males were known for their possessiveness of their mates, but Liam tolerated Corey being around Maggie with no apparent problem.
Corey waved her over as the tribe leader walked away to speak to some other humans. “What did he say?”
“They haven’t experienced many problems with the rebels. He also says that there is an apartment ready for our use. He’s asking some of his people to prepare food for us.”
“Good, I have to admit after the welcome we received and having to travel by foot, I could use a hot shower and a little sleep. You haven’t had much sleep at all.”
He shrugged that off. “Come on, let’s get going. Maybe we’ll both get to have our shower before the food arrives.”
She followed him to the U-shaped apartment buildings. Most of the lower spaces were clearly intended as shops and a trading market. The two upper levels contained the living spaces, with one, two, and three-bedroom apartments available.
“The tribe leader has a one-bedroom apartment on the second floor in the corner, room 212.”
Walking up the stairs they passed a few couples and a family. Children were playing outside in the courtyard and the sounds of their laughter made her smile. She wasn’t good with kids, but she liked them. Maybe one day, she would have a few. An image of having Corey’s baby popped into her head.
Stop that!She told herself. That was not appropriate, they had to work together. She needed to put these feelings for him on the back burner. That was easier said than done, though, especially now that they were going to be sharing the same apartment. There would be no way for her to ignore him, no where she could escape to. It would be just the two of them—and, she saw as they walked in, one bed. She gulped.
