As they passed some stalls, he watched Eos’ gaze take in every detail. She shoved her hands in her pockets, almost vibrating with the need to touch.
Don’t do it, Phoenix. You’re on a schedule. He huffed out a breath. “Go on, take a look. But a quick one.”
“Wonderful!” She hurried over to the nearest stall. Handwoven textiles. She laughed and smiled with the stall owner. They moved onto the next stall. This one selling tiny metal figurines.
It was typical tourist crap, but Eos looked at them the same way she’d looked at the torq earlier. He curled his fingers into his palm. A crazy, insane urge welled up.
“I just thought of one more thing I need. Wait here and don’t go too far. I’ll be back in a couple of minutes.”
She nodded enthusiastically, not even looking at him. Within minutes, he’d bought what he needed—something he was stupid to buy and would probably throw out—and was back.
She wasn’t where he’d left her.
He wandered the nearest corridors, moving past the stalls, then heard her laugh. Funny how he could pick it out in a crowd. He followed the sound and found her at a food stall laden with sweet rolls and cakes.
The old man at the stall had long white hair and incredible eyes that looked like cracked ice. Dathan knew only people from ice planets had eyes that had adapted to mimic the terrain of their worlds.
“This must be your man,” the stall owner said.
Eos glanced up and laughed again. “Oh no. This one is more trouble than I’m interested in.”
Dathan shifted. For some reason, her words felt like a quick punch to his chest. “We need to go.”
“You have to try this.” She held up a small circular treat. “It’s a…kanelbulle.” She looked at the stall owner and when he nodded, she smiled. “A traditional sweet roll from Lars’ homeworld of Perma.” She took a bite, her eyes rolling back. She moaned and licked her lips. “Divine.”
Dathan stared at her lips. And wanted.
“Here.” Eos tore off a bit of sweet treat and pressed it to his lips.
He took it and tasted the explosion of smoky spices and sweetness. Then he nipped her finger.
She froze. “Dathan?—”
Fuck it. He gripped her wrist, spinning to give the stall owner his back. “Why deny something we both want? Something we both know will be good?”
“We have a mission.” She tugged her hand. “And we aren’t compatible?—”
He leaned down and licked at the frothy white sugar on her fingers. He felt her tremble. “I think we’d be very compatible.” He pulled her closer, slowly, giving her time to pull away if she wanted but daring her not to.
But she didn’t. Her chest bumped into his, her full breasts an exquisite sensation.
When was the last time he’d wanted a woman this much? He pulled her in tight and kissed her.
The market sounds and smells disappeared. There was only the two of them and all Dathan saw was her.
Her hands slid up his arms. Her fingers slid under his sleeve and caressed his tattoo. He thrust his hands into her hair, anchoring her as he moved his lips over hers.
God, she tasted sweeter than thekanelbulle. Addictive. He felt like the ground was spinning. Her tongue met his, then she nipped at his bottom lip, making his gut tighten.
Then her hands fell away and she took a shaky step back.
He was shocked to find his own legs unsteady. He’d always prided himself on his good balance—especially when it came to women.
But Eos Rai had sent him flying off course.
She ran a hand through her hair. “This…it’s not a good idea. I don’t have room for someone like you.”
Someone like him. Right. He didn’t have her fancy education, her elegant manners. He was a space treasure hunter who lived for adventure. For a second, he wondered if this was what his father had felt when Dathan’s mother had finally left. Like he was slime on the bottom of her shoe.
