He didn’t bother to tell her that while he’d managed to keep his clothes on and not dance a set with Nik, he’d wanted to. It had been fifteen minutes of torment. And he was guessing that fifteen minutes with Ria in the Helio was going to feel like a lifetime of temptation.
He straightened in his chair. “Strap in. We’re coming up on it now.”
She clicked her buckles in and leaned forward. “I don’t see anything. Wait…over there. There’s a patch of space with no stars.”
“That’s it.” He adjusted the ship’s controls. “Welcome to the Helio.”
They crossed into the area. No matter how many times he saw it, it was eerie to see no stars.
He glanced at Ria. “Feel okay?”
“Fine.”
But after a minute, Zayn started to feel the subtle effects. He felt like he’d had one too many ales followed by some kila shots.He smiled. It felt pretty damn good. Only thing that would be even better would be Ria’s mouth on his.
Shit. Get a grip, Phoenix.He glanced her way again. Found her gripping the armrests of her chair and gritting her teeth. “Ria?”
She made a hissing sound. “Don’t talk to me.” She closed her eyes, her hands going to her temples, rubbing at her ridges. “No, talk to me. I want to hear your voice.”
“Another twelve minutes and we’ll be out of here.”
She groaned. “Not sure I can make it that long.”
Zayn heard a click. She’d unbuckled. “Ria? What the hell?”
She came toward him, a little unsteady on her feet. “We both know we’re attracted to each other. Why not do something about it? Get it out of the way.”
He wasn’t sure this thing he felt for Ria was something that would go away any time soon. “Get back in your seat.”
She planted herself in front of him. “No.” She toyed with the catch on her shirt. Unzipped it far enough that he caught a hint of cleavage.
God, save him. He let his head fall back against his chair. Only ten more minutes. But there was a lot they could do in ten minutes.
“Zayn, I want you to touch me.”
His pulse spiked. “If I do, you’ll hate me in about ten minutes.”
“Fine.” She moved, straddling his lap. “I’ll touch you.”
“Fuck.” He clamped his hands on the armrests . “I’m not going to touch you.” It was all he could do. He wanted to strip her bare and fuck her right here in his chair. But he respected Ria, so he dredged up the very last wisp of his control.
She undulated against him. All temptation. “I love your body.” Her hands smoothed over his shoulders. “You’re built for speed.”
And she was built to drive a man mad. Athletic curves and strength. Irresistible.
She leaned down and nibbled at his ear. Zayn’s whole body shook. He wouldn’t survive this. Eight more minutes. May as well have been eight years.
Her mouth moved down his neck. Nipping, just a little hard, so he felt it all the way to his swelling cock. Her hands slid inside his shirt, nails scratching over his pecs and nipples.
“Don’t you want to get rid of all these clothes?” She toyed with her zipper again. It slid down another few centimeters and he saw the generous curves of her breasts.
“Ria…you’re killing me.”
She brushed her lips against his, giving him a hint of the sweet taste of her. Then she nipped him, tugging on his bottom lip. He groaned.
“Kiss me, Zayn. Kiss me.”
Just a small taste wouldn’t hurt, would it? His fingers dug into the armrests. He’d keep their clothes on, wouldn’t touch her with his hands. Just a kiss. No harm, no foul.
