“Do you ever think about the future? Beyond your next mission?”
The question caught me off guard. “No.”
“Why not?”
Because planning for a future I might not live to see seemed pointless. Because I’d learned young not to get attachedto possibilities. Wanting things I couldn’t have only led to disappointment.
“It’s not productive,” I said instead.
“But it is human.” He rolled his shoulders. “At least, from what I’ve observed of them.”
“I’m not like most humans.”
“No.” He looked at me, and the intensity in his gaze made my breath catch. “You’re not.”
We stared at each other. I saw the moment he decided to push forward, saw it in the shift of his colors to determined oranges.
“Would you have dinner again with me?” he asked. “Not as liaison and operative this time. As Baleck and Iris.”
My heart felt like it just stopped right there in my chest. Like everything inside me just went still and silent.
“Tomorrow,” he added. “At the communal hall. Just us.”
IknewI should say no. I should forget out that hug, and his words, andmaintain boundaries.I should protect us both from the inevitable complications. “Okay,” I heard myself say.
His face lit up, skin blazing gold. “Really?”
“Don’t make me regret it.” I narrowed my eyes, but I couldn’t stop the smile from curving my lips. I liked him, damn it.
“I won’t.” He was grinning now, boyish and hopeful and so beautiful it hurt to look at him. “Tomorrow evening. I’ll meet you at your quarters?”
“Fine.”
We packed up lunch and continued the tour, but something had shifted between us. I caught him looking at me more openly now, caught myself doing the same. When we navigated rough terrain, his hand found my elbow or lower back. I didn’t pull away.
By the time we returned to my building, the sun was setting and I was exhausted in the best way. Not from danger or combat, but from a full day of experiencing something beyond duty.
At my quarters, he lingered. “Thank you for today.”
“No thanks necessary,” I said. “I had a good time.”
He laughed. “High praise from Iris Larivee.” He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, the gesture gentle and intimate. “See you tomorrow?”
I couldn’t speak, just nodded. His fingers lingered against my cheek for a heartbeat before he pulled away and left.
I went inside and stood against the closed door for a full minute, my hand pressed to where he’d touched my face.
I was in so much trouble.
CHAPTER 10
BALECK
Two cycles had passed since Iris and I had dined together. Not as working partners, but as two people. I’d made her laugh. Truly, freely laugh. It felt like the greatest accomplishment of my life. The two cycles since consisted of stolen glances and not-so-accidental touches and an awareness that crackled between us like static electricity.
Today, though, Iris had a request. Or rather, a demand. She’d asked if I would teach her to use azavat.
“I want to understand Destran weapons,” she’d said that morning. “For security assessment purposes.”
