“Have you seen enough, Beauty? Or would you like more?”
Blaize turned away and sucked in a breath. Cifer’s chuckle had her turning back with anger instead of embarrassment. “You knew I was here.”
“Of course. You tend to stomp. Especially when you’re angry.” He stepped to the door and gripped the bars. “What have I done now?”
Sweat made his warm skin glow, like copper in the sun. She shook her head. Damn, he was distracting. “Nothing.”
“Then why are you angry with me?” He reached for a lock of her hair.
She stepped back. “I’m not. I’m trying to make a decision.”
“Can I help decide?”
“It’s about you.”
“Damn, are we back to spacing me already?” His eyes went soft, and she swore he pouted.
“No.” She crossed her arms. “I’m considering if I can trust you or not.”
He pressed his body against the bars of the door. “Of course you can. I’m very good with secrets. What do you want to tell me?”
“It’s not a secret.” Why was this so difficult? “I came to ask you if you’d be interested in helping me in engineering?”
Cifer stepped back. “I’ve been helping you. Not that you need it.”
Did his cell brighten, or was it the surprise of someone recognizing that she was good at her job? She dropped her arms and took a step forward. “I could use a hand. Occasionally. In the engine room and the other system areas.”
Cifer didn’t respond. She figured he’d jump on the idea. Maybe it was a bad offer. Maybe he wanted compensation. Maybe he didn’t want to work with her.
“Thank you.”
“What does that mean?” she snapped. “I mean, if you don’t want to, I understand. It’s not like a job or anything, but I’m out of—” She stopped.
He grinned as if he’d won something. “I would be honored to help you in any way I can, Beauty.”
Ugh. Why did he make the offer sound so sexual? And why did she like it? “It’s Blaize. And one misstep, one red flag, and you’ll be back in this cell for the duration. Don’t make me regret this offer.”
She spun on her heel and retreated to her quarters. If this decision cost her credibility with her business partners, she’d never forgive Cifer or herself. But that wasn’t as likely as falling even harder for his charms. She laughed at herself as she flopped onto the bed. Who was she kidding? She’d already succumbed.
Chapter 8
“Captain?”
Varik roused from half-slumber to sit straighter in his captain’s chair in the center of the bridge. “What is it?”
“I found The Treasure. Or at least I found their docking request.” Karnek grinned, his teeth more off-putting than usual. “They’re stopping at Cassan with a delivery.”
“When?” Maybe he could reach the space station before that lumbering behemoth Cyra stole from him. “We have to be there first.”
Karnek’s smile faded. “We’re tracking to get there a cycle later.”
“Fix it.”
“But I’m a communications exp?—”
Varik stood. “And I’m an engineer. But I’m also the captain.”
“Yes, Captain. I’ll get the computer to run some scenarios.”
