Laila took a big breath and turned to look at him. “Thank you for bringing me here.”
He smiled and reached out to cup her face in his big hand. She held his hand to her face, tracing the scarred flesh with her fingers. He flinched, pulling away and sitting up. She gently turned him to face her, knowing there was no way she could have moved him if he didn't wish to be moved.
“I do have questions about the scars, sure, but only if you want to talk.”
He lifted his eyes to meet hers, and his gaze mesmerized Laila. She chewed her bottom lip nervously, her gaze dropping to his own lips. He reached towards her hesitantly and she smiled, sliding her hands up his arms to loop behind his neck. His arm around her waist burned into her skin, sending shivers along her back. A delightful warmth settled into her core and she felt her nipples tighten against the fabric of her bra.
“I can think of other things I'd rather do right now. Maybe later?” He said as he pulled her onto his lap.
Laila wriggled, and his arms tightened around her. Zac nuzzled her neck, nibbling his way down to her collarbone.
She closed her eyes and let her head fall back, baring the front of her throat to his kisses, feeling safe in his powerful embrace.
His hands spread across her back, one sliding down to gather her legs as he stood in one fluid movement. It should not have impressed her that he lifted her so easily, but it did. She was not a small woman, and this giant just handled her as if she weighed nothing.
“What are you doing?” She breathed, amber eyes lifted to meet green.
“Making us more comfortable,” he said, laying her down on the soft couch and settling next to her so they were both facing the ceiling. “Look.” He gestured towards the stars beyond the glass dome. Her eyes widened as a big ship moved into view, slowly maneuvering into place in the docking bay.
“It’s beautiful,” she breathed, turning towards him.
They shared a smile, her eyes dropping to his lips, and a soft groan escaped him. He lowered his head slowly, brushing her lips with his. Their mouths the only contact between them. One kiss. Two. Three. She grumbled impatiently and laced her fingers into his short hair, fastening his lips to hers. She opened her mouth as his kisses became more insistent.
Then suddenly he tore his mouth away to bark out a curse. He lifted his wrist to read the face of his comm. “Oh, for fuck’s sake!”
One hand settling onto her hip, he rolled onto his back before opening the channel and demanding, “Yes?”
“This is station security, Commander.”
Laila shifted, moving off him to settle into a seated position on the couch. She felt like she shouldn’t be listening, but it was hard not to when she could hear everything.
Zac sat up and sighed, exasperated, “What can I do for you?”
“It’s about Sub-Commander Qu’Ress. There was an… incident…”
Zac ran a hand through his hair.
“I'll be there shortly,” he said, sitting up smiling apologetically at Laila.
“Thank you, Commander Qu'Rell.”
Laila stiffened.
What? No way. Zac was Commander Qu'Rell? Fuck.
He was the Taurean she was to meet tomorrow. The Taurean she would train with! She ran a hand over her hair. Shit. Shit. To think she'd almost...
Oh my God, what a nightmare! Should she say something right now?
She stole a look at Zac, who was scowling at his comm, eyebrows drawn together in fierce concentration.
No. She had to get out of here. Fast. She needed to get to her quarters, gather her thoughts, and figure out how she was going to handle the meeting in the morning.
She stood and turned to Zac. “It sounds like you’re going to be busy, and I really should get going, anyway.” She knew it sounded like a flimsy excuse, but it was the best she could come up with. “Uh... thanks for the tour...” she gestured around the room with her hand, taking a step towards the door.
He stood, a puzzled look on his face.
“You don’t have to leave...” He reached out his hand. She looked down at it, and then back up at him, taking another step backwards. She felt an odd pressure in her chest.
Oh, no. This could not be happening.
“I... I have to go,” she managed, turning to the door, which, thankfully, opened at her approach.
“Wait! Laila!” Zac's voice followed her into the corridor, but she ran, leaving him standing in the doorway.
