Her touch drifted down to his chest, overhis heart. “I kissed you because I’m happy to be alive.”
“I kissed you back because I’m happy you’re alive.”
She gazed at him. “And that’s enough for you?”
It wasn’t, not even close. “Of course,” he said easily. “I’m the Duke of Azthronos. I must already have everything, yes?”
After a moment, she nodded hesitantly. “Would it be all right if…”
He put his hand over hers, pressing it closer.“Yes?”
“Could you take me back to the suites?” She must’ve felt the sudden beat of his heart because she added hurriedly, “I don’t mean… Raz, I don’t want to sleep with you tonight. I just woke up after one alien caught me. I think I should take at least one night to myself before I fall for another one.”
Her words pierced him. Disappointment at her rejection, and worse, anger at the comparison.Carefully, he eased her upright, away from him. “I am not Blackworm,” he said stiffly. “I didn’t steal you from your closed world or keep you in stasis against your will. If you don’t wish to do more than kiss, you needn’t say more than that.”
“Raz…” She reached out for him but he stood, avoiding her touch. “This has nothing to do with you—”
But if only she knew—hewasstealing from her, notthat she or the other Earther females had any use for a space station. And he was definitely keeping her ignorant while he maneuvered to make use of her. Whatever Blackworm had wanted with the Black Hole Brides, Raz knew he himself had no right to feel superior to that criminal.
He cut her off. “Please don’t think you need to enlighten me or owe me anything at all. As a fellow sentient being,your reason and sentiments are sacrosanct and your own, beholden to none.”
Unlike dukes of failing solar systems, who were beholden to eleven billion souls and one credit-counting dowager.
She jumped to her feet when he stepped back and gestured toward the exit. “Raz. I didn’t mean you were like Blackworm.” Her mouth twisted in distress. “I can’t even tell you what it means to me that someone—you—were there to help us.” She lowered her gaze. “To save me.”
Considering her obvious discomfort at admitting she’d needed anyone, Raz realized he should’ve chosen the acquiescent little Trixie as his future duchess. “Answering such rescue calls is one of my many duties,” he said, squelching the bitterness she didn’t deserve. “And actually, I have other tasks yet to attend to tonight. But Iwill gladly escort you back to your rooms.”
His rooms, of course.
She bit her lip—the one he had so recently tasted. “That would be for the best.”
He nodded curtly. He too was doing what was for the best, for his people. And he wondered if she would appreciate that.
Because he certainly didn’t.
***
After returning Rayna to the suites and leaving her there once she stepped inside—she’dturned to say something to him but he’d closed the panel on her so as not to take any more blows to his already tenderized ego—Raz stalked off to the stateroom adjacent the bridge. He’d just have to sleep on the couch there.
The bridge was on night watch, so he was mildly horrified to find Captain Nor lingering at the center console. The dowager’s suggestion that he discuss seduction techniquesfor consummating an engagement rang humiliatingly in his head.
He could do without any more humiliations.
The captain glanced up at his arrival and nodded once but continued his low conversation with the engineering officer hovering at his elbow.
Raz nodded back and continued toward the stateroom. He glanced back as he slipped inside, noting that the engineering officer was a stunningly silver-hairedvrykoly. Female, judging by the sleek curves of the ships fatigues. He winced when Nor gave the eng-off a slow, wide, seductive smile.
That was not the smile of a commanding officer. Besides, everyone knew vrykoly weren’t responsive to emotional stimuli, including seduction. But the dowager had said Nor was previously a pirate. Obviously, the disreputable captain was also a glutton for rejection.
Just as well no one was seeking his advice.
Raz slammed the stateroom door. Or would have if the mechanism would’ve allowed for slamming. The quiet shush as it closed was more of a disapproving hiss. Once he got the finances for Azthronos in order, there would be no need to hire beguiling brigands.
Instead, the illustrious Duchy of Azthronos would only be championed by a thief, a liar, a failedlibertine.
Since he couldn’t slam doors, he threw himself onto the informal round couch across from the control center.
An inquiring chime from the door made him growl. “What?”
