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Chapter 4

“Pass me that caulkinggun, Georgia.” Eden slid out from under the base of the ship. They’d been working all day on getting it ready for take-off to Tiavac.

When there was a small crew like theirs, you became a jack of all trades. Biologist, fighter, ships’ maintenance. Eden drew the line at cook. She didn’t want to poison everyone.

Georgia appeared, her dark hair pulled off her face. She chuckled. “You even look hot when you have grease smeared across your chin.” She gave Eden the caulking gun and a cloth.

Eden made a cursory swipe of her chin. “How’s the auxiliary drive looking?”

“Everything’s smooth running. I’ve got Ash inside going over the checks on the main system. This beauty will be good to go by the time the military escort gets here.”

“Great.” Eden disappeared back under the ship and checked the fuel line. She wanted nothing going wrong on this flight.

“Georgia, you’re supposed to be doing the heavy lifting. Eden’s got a messed up arm.”

Eden glanced over to see the bottom half of Wren standing next to Georgia.

“Eden wanted to do it all herself. She got pissy when I said she wasn’t doing it right,” Georgia said.

“It’s my transport. I need to make sure everything is working right.” Eden finished what she was doing and slid out from under the ship to join Wren and Georgia.

“As if I’d let you down,” Georgia said.

“I should have told Cleo my arm was too painful and nominated you to take my place on this dull trip,” Eden said.

Georgia cocked her hip and rested a hand on it. “I wouldn’t mind a week on a ship with only Blaze for company. I could have a lot of fun with that one.”

Eden scowled. “Hands off.”

“You’re finally laying claim to him?” Georgia said.

“I’m not laying claim to anyone.”

“Does that mean I can have a go with him? He sure is gorgeous. He gets me hot and bothered just thinking about him.” Georgia waved a hand in front of her face. “And those manners. He’s a gentleman.”

“You’ve got enough on your plate with Ash and his smoldering looks,” Wren said.

“Smoldering looks? What do you mean?”

“As if you haven’t noticed. They’re directed at you. When you’re in the room, he only looks at you.”

Georgia wiggled her hips from side to side. “And so he should.”

“Keep your claws out of Blaze.” Eden stepped into Georgia’s personal space. Georgia was taller than her and well-built, but she didn’t intimidate Eden.

“You sound jealous,” Georgia said. “If you claim him as yours, I’ll know not to mess. When will you admit you like him?”

“When space freezes over,” Eden said.

Wren eased her hands in between them and gently pushed them apart. “How about we get back to work and don’t fight over who gets to have Blaze in their bed?”

“I could have him if I wanted him.” Georgia snapped her fingers. “It would be that easy.”

“In your dreams,” Eden said.

“In my dirtiest dreams. I bet all those good manners go out the window when he’s naked. Don’t you like them rough, Eden?”

“Screw you.” Why the hell was she fighting over this? Georgia could hang out with Blaze if she wanted to. It wasn’t as if she had a claim over him. She had no right to dictate who he got with.