He grazed her elbow with the tips of his fingers. “After you.”
Cifer placed his hands under his head and relaxed on the bed in his cell. He’d taken plenty of time to clean up properly, and after he was sure there were no stray cobwebs or spider legs anywhere on his person, he’d let his mind drift to the activities he would have preferred to spend hours engaged in with Blaize. Her writhing above him, begging below him, exploding around him.
His recently emptied cock twitched when her voice floated through the grate. He stood and stretched to hear her better, but Veda’s voice came through next.
“You aren’t even the least bit attracted?” she asked.
Blaize didn’t reply. At least not that he could hear.
“You must know he’s smitten with you.”
“Smitten. That’s such an old-fashioned word, Veda.” Blaize’s laugh made Cifer arch into the sensation of being caressed.
“You saved his life when we took the vote.”
Cifer nodded to no one, but he’d listened in on that conversation too.
“Doesn’t mean I’m attracted to him.”
Cifer flinched.
“I’ve seen you working together. He can’t take his eyes off you. Takes every opportunity to touch you.”
He could remove the vent cover and see her reaction with his own eyes, but he’d bet that she was blushing, her cheeks attempting to match the gorgeous color of her hair.
“You’re ridiculous. It’s convenient for me to have a helping hand, and it helps him earn his travel. That’s all.”
“Running away from me won’t change the truth,” Veda said, her voice raised.
Cifer dropped back onto his bunk. Blaize came rushing toward the exit of the cargo area.
He called out to her. “My feelings are hurt, Beauty.”
She halted. “What?” Slowly, she shifted back to his cell to face him. “What did I do?”
He rolled on his bunk, propped his head on his fist. Her gaze traveled over his mostly bare body. The briefs he wore left little to the imagination. The little wrinkle between her red eyebrows delighted him. He dragged a hand slowly over his bare chest above his heart. “You don’t like me?”
“I—” She glanced over her shoulder toward the greenhouse. “How did you overhear our conversation? There’s no way you could have.”
“Actually, the acoustics in this cell are quite good. Like parabolics. What have I done besides help you?” He rose and slowly closed the distance between them, his gaze locked on hers. “I’ve been nothing but helpful.”
“You’re hiding something.” Her breathy voice lit across his skin. He suppressed the shuddering urge to reveal himself to her. A pink glow flowed from the cell, making her even more tempting.
He gripped the bars and leaned forward. “But you voted to save my life.”
She glared and brought her mouth closer to his. “Not because of any personal attraction. I saved you because I’m a good person.”
He licked her words from his lips slowly. “Give me a chance.” One moment alone with her naked, and he would prove to her. “I could be very, very good.”
Her breath hitched, and her pulse raced along her neck. Heat from her body met his. She closed her eyes. Cifer prepared to meet her lips. She stepped back and marched away. The thud of her feet was nearly as fast and intense as his heartbeat. The pinkish light in his cell dimmed, and he dismissed the hollow ache that settled in his chest. She was a wicked temptation. Best he could offer was a brief interlude of intense pleasure. Better for both of them that she walked away.
Absolutely.
No question.
He angled his head, desperate for a final glance, but she was already beyond his sight.
Chapter 10
