I brushed my fingers through my red hair only to find it was tangled.
He looked away from me to speak to Joele again.
Mortified, I took another peek at my dirty, torn clothing, then slanted my head toward my armpit for a discreet sniff and I coughed, disgusted.
While he was talking to Joele, I observed him closely then licked my dry lips and admired his rugged face.
The ship’s Captain was impossible to miss - a formidable presence, towering at least over six-and-a-half feet tall, with a muscular build and broad shoulders.
In those tight black pants, his ripped body looked even better, displaying every muscle in his legs.
Next to him, I felt tiny. It was surprising, considering I gained weight in the last year and was curvier than I liked to be.
I smoothed my fingers through my hair, unable to take my eyes off him, feeling an irresistible pull toward him. His intense gaze made me feel like I was going to ignite.
Why can’t I take my eyes off of him?
In an attempt to calm my racing heart, I focused on my breathing while wiping my sweaty palms on my sides.
When our eyes locked, I’d experienced not only arousal but a strange familiarity, like I already knew him. The corners of my lips lifted at the sensation I felt.
It was as if there was an invisible string connecting us, causing a deep stirring in my belly.
There were a hundred questions swirling in my head that I should have been asking instead of swooning over him.
But I found myself unable to open my mouth to speak.
When I’d looked into the Captain’s eyes, I’d almost begged to stay on the ship but stopped myself. I suppose it made sense, considering I had nowhere else to go.
There was no way I’d ever be worthy of the attention of a starship Captain. Particularly one so handsome. Pursing my lips, I shrunk into myself.Yeah. He definitely won’t be interested in me.
Since when did I care about having the attention of a man? Or in this case, a male alien?
Plus, there was no way he didn’t notice my stench.
Despite my efforts to convince myself otherwise, I winced and felt self-conscious about his opinion of me.
I didn’t have time to speak up as it turned out, because after the Captain spoke to one of the younger warriors he walked away without a backward glance, leaving me to wonder what had just happened.
My mouth twisted up in one corner as I watched him leave. Perhaps it was for the best, anyway.
I sighed.
Then why did I feel so disappointed?
6
Trex
ON THE WAY TO THE BRIDGE, I encountered Commander Krin. ‘Is the Calti settled?’I asked.
‘Yes. She seems content, but she inquired about the humans and their well-being. She told me to keep her aware of what we intend for them,’he said with a genial smile.
I grunted in acknowledgment as we strode next to one another.
Drakkari society was run strictly by females, with the males in more subservient roles. Not that they were weak. The Drakkari were a proud warrior race.
The Calti, also known to her people as Mistress Joele, would have put her life on the line to protect the humans.
