“Yeah, I know you will.” He stood andstretched. “I’m gonna check this place one last time, then weshould get some sleep.”
“I need to shower. I’ll be quick though.”
“Take your time.” He pulled her up by herhands and gazed into her face. “It’ll be over soon, at least for afew weeks.”
“I’m fine, Rem.” She was tempted to kiss hischeek, but knew he was feeling a little under-loved, and she didn’twant to send the wrong message, so she just patted his arm instead,then went into the bedroom.
Like it would be so bad to give the guy akiss? He’s been killing himself at those practices, and tomorrowcould be a disaster. And it’s all on his shoulders. Meanwhile, hehas to watch Gannor sacking Maryak around every corner. How fair isthat?
She laughed at herself, admitting that beingsurrounded by Malaran porn had had its effect on her too.She missed flirting with Rem. Kissing him. Feeling his musculararms around her.
Opening the armoire where she stored herclothing, she eyed the stack of humongous nightgowns. It seemedcruel to subject Rem to such ugliness tonight of all nights. Butshe hadn’t brought any sexy garments with her, other thanunderwear, and that might be a little too exciting forRem.
On the bottom shelf, the Malaran housekeepingcrew had stacked fresh laundry for Rem—gray shorts and grayundershirts. Picking up one of the shirts, she noted that it wassofter than it looked. Just the perfect thing to sleep in on a warmMalaran night.
And given the military insignia, it actuallyseemed like the patriotic thing to do.
* * * *
Her body and hair were freshly washed anddried, and as she studied her reflection in the bathroom mirror,she decided she had made a brilliant choice. The shirt hung halfwaydown her thighs, making her legs look extra-long. It was looseenough to seem casual and cute, but the V-neck revealed a nice hintof cleavage without seeming slutty—always a good thing, andtonight, even more important, since she didn’t intend to doanything other than just remind him she was a girl.
He’ll go crazy anyway, she toldherself with a nervous smile. Maryak and Gannor have beenpriming him for days.
They were definitely going to need someground rules, she decided. And then there was the fact that theyhad to get up real, real early if they wanted to catch aride on the first battle cruiser. That fact alone would probably beenough to control him.
Fluffing her fingers through her loose hairone last time, she peeked into the bedroom and saw that Rem hadturned the lights down low. For a second, she thought he hadguessed what was going on and was trying to set a romantic mood.Then she spotted his cot, which was already barricading the door.And she spotted him in the cot, already asleep.
Disappointed, she moved across the room tostare down at him. He looked so handsome. And peaceful for thefirst time in a long while. She didn’t have the heart to wake himup, even though she knew he’d welcome it.
Maybe tomorrow night, if we’re still aliveand on Malara, she told him, turning the lights off completely.Leaning down, she kissed his cheek.
“Good night,” she whispered.
“Night,” he murmured, his thick tone tellingher he was already gone for the night.
He’s dreaming of mechs, she decided,shaking her head as she climbed into her own bed. She had a feelingher own dreams would be a little more amorous, but warned herselfto get out of that mood and concentrate instead on getting somerest.
Because in five hours, all hell is going tobreak loose out there. And for some stupid reason, they’re going tomake you watch.
Chapter13
The cruiser was scheduled to launch at dawn,so Rem had set his alarm for two hours ahead of that time, just tobe doubly sure. When it went off, the soft chiming brought himstraight to his feet with a jolt of anticipation that almostrivaled the one he’d felt when the suspension chamber had beenopened and adrenaline had been mainlined into his sleepingbody.
The mech challenge was only a few hours away,and Rem was going to witness it firsthand. He could barely controlhis excitement, but noticed with a laugh that Zia hadn’t stirred atall despite the alarm.
She just doesn’t get it, he toldhimself. And maybe that’s better. She never trained for this.Never wanted anything to do with it.
Unlike Rem, who had been prepping for thismoment his entire life.
He walked over to the bed and nudged herelbow. “Hey, sleepyhead. Time to get up.”
“Oh, no,” she murmured, flipping over to buryher face in the pillow. “Five more minutes. Please?”
His fingers touched her arm again, this timemore gently. Her skin was bare—tanned and warm and sexy. Where wasthat crazy nightgown she had worn all the other nights? What wasgoing on?
“Zia?”
“Five more minutes.”
“What are you wearing?”
“Hmmm? Oh!” She wriggled into a seatedposition. “Turn around.”
“You’re kidding, right? That’s the first skinI’ve seen in weeks that isn’t covered by hair.” He pulled thecomforter down a few feet, staring in amazement at her sexy outfit.“Man.”
Zia gave him an embarrassed smile. “I gottired of sleeping in a tent.”
His mouth felt dry, and his words soundedhoarse when he asked, “Did you kiss me good night last night? WhileI was sleeping?”
She nodded.
“And you were wearing this?” He feltincapable of coherent thought, and dared to stroke her bare armagain with his fingertips. “You feel amazing. You lookamazing.”
“Maybe we should just skip the challenge andspend the day here, right?” she said teasingly.
He drew back, chagrined by the fact that hehad almost forgotten the mech battle. Then he chuckled infrustration. “Nice one, riffhead. And yeah, we’ve got to get going.But first . . .” He cleared his throat. “Tell me why you’re dressedlike that.”
She smiled and reminded him, “You asked me tobe your date on Malara, remember? We never really did that—had adate, I mean. So I thought we could give it a try last night. Butyou fell asleep.”
“You should have woken me up.”
“And worn you out? What if you had overslept?I decided it could wait till tonight.”
“Good plan.”
When she started to get out of bed, he caughther by the shoulder. “How about one kiss? Just for
