Star Crossed (9 page)

She was almost thirty years old. She should know not to believe in fantasies. Stefan was one of the richest, most powerful men in the galaxy. He would never want her for anything other than a fling. And she couldn’t forget that for even a second.

“Dinner’s ready.”

She jerked in surprise and swung her head toward Stefan’s voice. He stood just inside the door, one hand on his hip, the other on the doorframe. He had changed into a pair of dry beige pants and what looked like a blue wool tunic. Slipping further into the water, she frowned at him. “Do you mind?”

“Not at all.”

He grinned and leaned his back against the corner of the jamb. He tilted his head to the side, studying her as he crossed his arms over his chest.

She growled and splashed water at him, hitting the floor by his feet.

“You missed.”

“You know, it just amazes me that some woman hasn’t had you shot yet.” Stefan chuckled. “You may very well be the first.” Reaching into a drawer, he pulled out a towel and laid it on the side of the tub.

She warily watched him as he stepped back into the bedroom, giving her some much-needed privacy. Standing, she quickly grabbed the towel—keeping her eye on the door the whole time—and dried herself. She realized she didn’t have any clothes and groaned.

Wrapping the towel around herself, she called out, “Stefan.”

“Yes?” He came to the door but kept his back to her. Silently, she commended him.

“I need a robe. Is there anything out there that would work?”

“How about this?” He held his hand up, a black robe dangling from his finger. “I must have left it the last time I stayed here.”

“That will work.” She snatched the robe from his hand and stepped back into the bathroom. She slipped her arms through the sleeves, then tied it tightly around her

waist. Looking at herself in the mirror, she wasn’t at all comfortable with the thin, revealing robe.

Krista could see her distended nipples through the silk and with her hair piled on her head, a few damp tendrils hanging down, it made her look sultry. Which was most definitely not what she had in mind. Maybe clothes would be a good idea.

“You better hurry or dinner’s going to get cold.” The amusement in his tone was obvious, and she scowled in the direction of his voice. When she heard her stomach growl from hunger she decided to just forget it and go eat.

She stepped into the bedroom and was struck speechless by the scene. He had moved the small table to the center of the room and covered it in food that smelled heavenly. Her stomach growled so loudly she was sure he could hear it.

There were candles everywhere. On the dresser, on the table and even scattered along the walls on little ledges created by the uneven rock. The candlelight reflected off the damp walls of the cave, creating a shimmering effect she found beautiful—and very romantic. She stared back at him, an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach.

“I wasn’t in there that long. How did you do all this?”

“You were in there longer than you think.” He grinned as he pulled her chair out for her.

“I fell asleep?”

She wasn’t sure she believed that, but now that she thought about it, maybe she had.

“You were snoring.”

Krista frowned. “I do not snore.”

Stefan just smiled in response.

“What’s for dinner?” she asked as she sat in the chair, changing the subject.

“It’s a Tilarian soup called mishowie.” He ladled the food into a bowl and handed it to her.

“It smells wonderful.” She lifted her spoon and took a small bite, then smiled. “It tastes similar to chicken soup.”

“There’s also fruit and bread,” he said as he lifted the cloth cover. “As well as chocolate cake.”

“Lord, if I eat all this I’ll gain twenty pounds.” He shrugged as his eyes roamed over her. “You could afford a couple of pounds here or there.”

She set her spoon down and eyed him. “Like your women a little chunky, do you?” He chuckled as he reached for a piece of bread. “I wouldn’t say chunky, since I don’t have a clue what that is. But I definitely don’t like overly skinny.”

“So you think I’m overly skinny?”

She tried her best to look offended without grinning but it was hard. Especially when she saw him redden slightly before tripping over himself trying to explain.

“You’re by no means overly skinny.”

“So you think I’m fat?” She crossed her arms over her chest and tapped a finger.

Leaning his forearms against the table, he leered. “I don’t know. Perhaps you should take off the robe and let me check for myself.” She rolled her eyes. Uncrossing her arms, she reached for a roll.

“Stefan one, Kris zip,” he said.

He was rewarded with a roll in the face, which caused them both to laugh.

“See, you’re laughing. And to think, earlier you wanted to shoot me. Now what would your life be like without me?” he asked.

“Peaceful?” She raised her eyebrow.

“Boring.”

“Maybe I like boring.” She took another spoonful of her soup.

Stefan snorted. “Yeah and maybe I like men.”

“Really? I would have never guessed,” she replied seriously and then giggled at the expression on his face.

Pointing his finger at her, he started to say something but shook his head with a grin. “You are something else.”

“And you are a very good cook.” She smiled as she took another sip.

“It doesn’t take a whole lot of talent to push a button.”

“Have you ever cooked real food?”

“I cook whenever I’m at my home on Tilarus. When I’m on Rhenari I usually don’t have the time and just use a replicator. I enjoy cooking. Does that surprise you?”

“Actually, yes.”

“Why?”

Krista shrugged. “Things are so advanced in your world it’s just hard to imagine anyone doing something as mundane as cooking.”

“My mother was from a farming community called Ricktoric. They had never even heard of replicators until she married my father. She was the one who taught me.” For a second she stared at him. “Your mother wasn’t a monarch like your father?” Stefan shook his head. “You didn’t know that?”

“No, I just assumed… I thought your royalty system worked like ours, royalty marries royalty.”

“In most cases, yes. But leave it to my father to do the unusual.” She watched him dip his bread in the soup. “You don’t approve of what your father did?”

Stefan drank some of his wine and gazed at her over the rim. Shaking his head, he set his glass back down on the table. “I don’t agree with arranged marriages—never

have.” Lifting the bottle, he filled her glass. “I think you should marry who you love, not who will enrich the family name.”

“That’s an unusual sentiment.”

“True, and I might have felt differently had my father not married a farmer’s daughter. I think the way you see things has to do with the way you were raised. I come from a very close family and I grew up seeing how happy and in love my parents were.

I want the same thing they have.” Krista couldn’t seem to move her gaze from his as he stared into her eyes. “I want my wife to love me for me, not what I can do for her.” Clearing her throat, she studied the bowl in front of her. They were alone in this incredible place, they were attracted to each other. It would be very easy for one thing to lead to another. Again.

“How did your father meet your mother?” Krista asked as she scooped some pineapple onto a small plate.

“He crashed his ship on their planet. On my grandfather’s property actually. My mother found him and they took care of him. When he regained consciousness he didn’t remember who he was. In time he regained his memory, but by then he had fallen in love with my mother.”

“What did your grandfather have to say about that?”

“Which one?” Stefan asked with a grin.

“Both.”

“They were furious, but for different reasons. My mother’s father thought he had used her, because she was pregnant with me at the time.” He leaned across the table and whispered, “But don’t tell my mother I know that.” She chuckled and whispered back, “Okay.”

“My father’s dad was angry because his son refused to come back to Tilarus and marry the girl they had picked out for him. Eventually everything worked out. But not

before my father had some serious amends to make with my mother. She had found out he had regained his memory but didn’t tell her.”

“Sounds like quite a mess.” Krista grinned and popped a grape into her mouth.

“Yeah.” Stefan reached for a piece of chocolate cake. “But love like that is worth fighting for, no matter the mess it’s in.” He smiled seductively. “Wouldn’t you agree?”

“I suppose.” She looked down and twirled her spoon in the soup. “But how will you know that she really loves you and isn’t just after your money?”

“She’ll look at me the way my mother looks at my father.” At that, she brought her gaze back to his. The color of his eyes had deepened somewhat and he searched hers as though trying to read her innermost thoughts. She quickly averted her gaze. “You can fake that.”

“No.” He shook his head. “You can fake many things, but not that.” He stood and walked to her side of the table. Taking her hand in his, he brought her to her feet. She followed in a daze as he led her to a clear spot in the floor and pulled her into his arms. Slowly they began to dance. What was he doing?

“You do realize there’s no music?” she asked.

He grinned and pulled her closer. “We don’t need any.” His hand rested at the small of her back, sending jolts of tingling warmth up her spine. He grazed his lips against her cheek, stopping just short of her mouth, and waves of desire swirled in her stomach.

Clearing her throat, she moved her head to the side, pulling away from him. “So back to this idea that you can’t fake it.”

One corner of his mouth twitched as though fighting a grin. “Someone who is very good might fool some people, but I’ve spent most of my adult life learning how to read reactions. The eyes are the easiest to read, I think.”

“For you, maybe. For me I don’t think it would be that easy.”

“Sure it would. You just have to pay attention. For example…”

She brought her gaze up to his and the corner of his lips lifted in a smile. “Your body tenses when it’s this close to mine.” He trailed the tip of his finger down the side of her neck, pausing to rest over her pulse point. “Your heart rate speeds up, I can feel it here.”

Krista’s face burned. Her skin tingled under his finger. Was she so easy to read?

He leaned down to kiss the throbbing spot with his lips and her mouth went dry.

When his teeth found the sensitive spot below her ear she closed her eyes and tried to swallow the mewling sound deep in her throat.

“I can hear your sighs.”

He ran his hand through her hair and removed the clip holding it on top of her head. As her hair cascaded down, he grabbed a handful and tugged her head back, exposing her throat.

He nibbled along her neck as he untied her sash. She gripped his shoulders, praying her knees didn’t give out. His hands slipped inside her robe, and she shuddered as his featherlight touches ran up her ribs and grazed along the sides of her breasts.

Taking her hand in his, he placed it over his heart. The pounding rhythm matched her own and she looked up into his eyes.

“You can’t fake this,” he whispered as he lowered his lips to hers.

Krista groaned as his lips covered hers. He kept them light and teasing, nibbling on her lower lip before pulling it into his mouth and sucking on it.

She opened her mouth, but he didn’t deepen the kiss. Instead he softly brushed his lips along hers—perfectly content to tease. With one hand at the small of her back, he raised his other and ran the back of his fingers along her cheek.

Her limbs felt heavy and her eyes drifted closed as she leaned into his hand. He planted soft butterfly kisses along her jaw.

She wanted him to kiss her, really kiss like he had the other night. He was so unhurried, so slow and deliberate. His hand roamed along her spine, making her tremble.

She slid her hands into his hair. It was thick and soft, like silk between her fingers.

“Don’t ever cut your hair,” she whispered as her hand continued to weave through its softness.

“Is that an order, blue eyes?”

She could hear the amusement in his soft husky voice as they continued to sway to an imaginary tune.

“No,” she whispered. “Just a request.”

He opened his eyes and gazed into hers. “What do I get in return?”

“What do you want?” Oh God, that was a bad choice of questions. She knew it the second she saw his grin.

“I want you.”

Those three little words made her heart trip. “You want me? Whatever for?”

He chuckled seductively. “For starters,” he leaned down and lightly kissed her, “I want to kiss you.” He placed another kiss on the corner of her lips. “And I want to touch every inch of you.”

She sighed as he nibbled his way to her neck.

“Kiss every inch of you.”

The way he seductively whispered those words sent tingles along her skin. His light kisses continued across her shoulder as he pushed her robe down her arms, leaving her completely naked. The cool air of the room hit her feverish flesh and she shivered. His thumb circled one taut nipple and she swallowed down a groan.

“I want to kiss you here,” he whispered against her lips.

She moaned into his kiss as he cupped her breast and gently squeezed before moving down her stomach and teasing her navel. “And here,” he murmured. “Around this adorable navel ring.”

His fingers moved further down and sifted through the hair at the juncture of her thighs. She sucked in a breath and held it, helpless against the sensations coursing through her.

“And here. I want to taste your cream as you come.” He was driving her crazy, she thought as she licked her suddenly dry lips. Why should she fight it anymore?

He watched with heavy-lidded eyes as she grabbed the bottom of his tunic and yanked it over his head. Her breath caught as she stared at him in wonder. She softly trailed her fingertips along his hard chest and swallowed. She recalled the day of the wedding, when she’d seen him without a shirt for the first time, and how much his muscular build had surprised her. He was hard and toned and oh so gorgeous.

Her fingers continued along his washboard stomach and he sucked in a breath, the muscles along his rib cage twitching. She swiped her thumb across his nipple and felt it harden beneath her touch. She peered up at him through her lashes and leaned forward

to flick her tongue across the hard peak. A groan rumbled through his chest as he grabbed her face in his hands, pulling it back to his.

“No,” he growled, nipping at her lower lip. “I barely have any control as it is. You start that and I won’t have any at all.”

Burying his hands in her hair, he captured her mouth with his. She moaned as his tongue slid past her parted lips to do battle with hers. It was a demanding kiss, one that stole her breath and left her weak. He pulled back and gazed at her, his finger running along her bottom lip.

“You are so beautiful,” he sighed.

He made her feel beautiful with the way he looked at her, the way he touched her.

He made her feel cherished and special. She could hardly breathe as he bent down and picked her up in his arms.

Putting one knee on the bed, he leaned over and placed her in the center of the mattress. The coolness of the sheets felt good against her hot flesh. She watched as Stefan stood and removed his pants, slowly revealing every inch of his glorious limbs, his skin glowing gold in the candlelight. Her eyes found his erection and her heart raced. It stood straight and thick, coming almost to his navel, and she remembered how good it had felt buried in her pussy.

The warmth of his hard body coming in contact with hers as he settled over her made her sigh. His lips took hers in hot urgency while his hands expertly explored every inch of her sensitive skin.

With featherlight touches they slowly moved down her stomach, then across her hip. She shifted as his fingers ran down the outside of her thigh, then slowly back up to tangle in the curls between her legs.

He drove her mad. Never in her life did she think sex could be like this. His touch was gentle yet passionate, soft yet demanding. She was completely out of control. She wanted him, but he was in no hurry as he continued with his slow seduction.

Sliding his hand between her thighs, Stefan moaned at how wet and hot she was.

Pushing a finger inside her, he almost lost his willpower to take it slow. She was so passionate. It took everything in him to not bury himself inside her—to lose himself in her velvety softness.

“Like this?” he whispered against her lips as he moved his finger in a slow, gentle rhythm.

“Mmmm…yes.”

His thumb lightly circled her sensitive clit, spreading her juices all around, teasing but never completely touching. He lowered his head and captured a nipple between his teeth, softly biting and then gently sucking.

“Stefan, please.” She buried her hands in his hair as she arched toward his mouth.

He left her breast and moved lower along her stomach. Heedless of her pleas, his tongue teased her navel and his teeth tugged at the belly button ring. “This thing is sexy as hell, whatever possessed you to get one?”

“It was an impulse thing,” she murmured.

“Good impulse.” Moving even lower, his lips brushed the hair between her thighs.

She gasped and spread her legs wider. Keeping his finger deep inside her, his tongue gently circled her swollen nub. He licked, nibbled and sucked, inhaling her sweet fragrance. “
Shetah
, you taste good, Kris.” The tip of his tongue grazed across her swollen clit and her hands gripped the sheets as sensation raced through her body like a speeding freight train. She wanted him inside her.

“Stefan,” she gasped.

He kept teasing her, kept pushing her ever closer to that elusive pinnacle.

“What,
kisary
?”

She moaned, unable to form words as his tongue and fingers continued to turn her to mush.

“This?” The tip of his tongue flicked across the right spot. Lifting her hips off the bed, she screamed as her release hit her full force. He continued until every last aftershock had passed before lifting his body above her and settling between her thighs.

His eyes were a deep black, his jaw clenched tight. He looked as though he held onto his control by a thin thread as his gaze locked with hers. Something passed across his expression, but just as quickly it was gone. Like a ghost. Had she only thought she’d seen it? Was it wishful thinking on her part?

Her questions were soon forgotten as he spread her thighs with his and thrust himself inside her. “Damn, Kris.”

In answer, she lifted her hips against his. He pulled back slightly then pushed further in, burying all of himself deeply. She closed her eyes and tilted her head back, lost in the sensations of him filling her, the perfection of how they fit together. A moan escaped her lips and he covered them with his. Her taste lingered on his lips and she swiped at her juices with her tongue, intrigued.

He made love to her with slow, deep strokes that fulfilled her like no one else ever had. His expert moves and thrusts once again ignited her passion, making her hunger for that release she knew instinctively only he could give her.

She felt so close, her body tense, her nerve endings screaming as she clung to him.

The more he gave, the more she wanted. She couldn’t get enough of him.

“Stefan. Ahhh…”

“I know,
kisary
.”

He gripped the back of her thigh, pulling it up around his hip. “Let it go. Come for me,” he whispered against her lips.

She gasped as he slid deeper, his thrusts becoming harder, more demanding. She closed her eyes as the sensations within her body built to a fever pitch.

Suddenly everything shattered as a release unlike anything she’d ever felt before took hold. She screamed his name, lifting her hips higher against his.

He moaned, slowing his thrusts, moving in a way that prolonged her pleasure. He could feel every contraction milking him, pulling at him, bringing him ever closer to his own release. Finally giving in, he buried himself deep inside her, his body trembling from the force of his own orgasm as he emptied his seed deep inside her.

Slowly their breathing returned to normal and he lifted himself up on his elbows.

He gazed down at her and brushed the back of his fingers across her cheek. Her eyes drifted closed and he softly kissed her temple, his body still weak and trembling. He’d never experienced anything like it. Or anything like her.

My God, when did I fall in love with her
?

She opened her eyes and stared up at him. She could still see the remnants of passion in his gaze, the tenderness she always associated with him.

He dropped his head and softly kissed her lips. “Kris, I…” She held her breath.
Oh God, don’t say it. Please don’t say it
.

He closed his eyes and laid his forehead against hers. A shaky sigh escaped his parted lips. She let out the breath she’d been holding, relieved that he hadn’t finished his thought. She knew if he said it, she would be lost.

She couldn’t love him. No matter what, she had to remember that.

* * * * *

The beep of his communicator woke Stefan from a sound sleep and he inwardly groaned. He reached to the floor and quickly grabbed it before it woke Krista. Looking at the screen, he saw the code for the
Vultair
.

Damn
.

He slipped out of bed and threw on his pants. Before leaving the room, he walked over to Krista’s side of the bed and stared down at her. His heart ached to tell her how he felt, but she had tensed up last night when he almost told her he loved her. He knew she wasn’t ready to hear it.

Leaning over, he pulled the cover up around her shoulders. He would wait until she was ready—or until she told him.

A sense of dread passed over him. Was she stubborn enough to keep it in and never tell him? He wouldn’t let that happen. He would confront her first, make her admit how she felt. Whether she realized it or not, he could see it in her eyes.

He placed a kiss against her temple and then left the room, quietly shutting the door behind him.

Once in the rec room, he sat at the desk and hit the switch to bring the computer to life. He punched in his access code to signal the
Vultair
and waited impatiently while it searched for the ship.

His feet were cold against the stone floor and he realized he should have grabbed his shoes. The signal was finally found and Taron answered after the second beep, his tired face appearing on screen.

“Do you have any idea what time it is?” Stefan scowled.

“No.” Taron raised an eyebrow and brought his hand up, pointing at a spot where his neck met his shoulder. “But I have a pretty good idea what you’ve been up to.” Stefan brought his hand up and touched the side of his neck with a frown. It quickly dawned on him what Taron indicated and he grinned. He remembered Krista had bitten him there, and he was sure he had a good-sized love bite to show for it.

“This better be good.” He looked pointedly at the screen and Taron chuckled.

“I’ll make it quick so you can get back to other things. I talked to the informant today and found out Carlone has a place on Shevalli. I’m heading there first thing in the morning.”

“Shevalli? Isn’t that a farming community?”

“Yes, apparently his grandfather owned a farm there and left it to him when he died.”

“That’s interesting.” He sat back in the chair, crossing his arms over his bare chest.

“How did Carlone end up in the militia coming from that background?”

“It’s a long story.”

Stefan nodded. “Keep me informed.”

“Will do. As soon as we’re done I’ll head to the camp.” Stefan grinned. “Take your time.”

“Lucky ass,” Taron grumbled before signing off.

* * * * *

Krista heard the door open and waited quietly for Stefan to climb back into bed.

Her eyes wandered his firm body appreciatively as he stripped his pants off and slipped under the covers. Earlier had been so incredible. He had been incredible. He met her gaze and smiled. “Did I wake you?”

“No. The beeper did.”

“I’m sorry.” He rested on his elbow and rubbed her cheek with the pad of his thumb.

She shrugged. “It’s okay. Was it anything important?” His fingers running along her neck and collarbone again inflamed her desire. Her skin heated, her heart raced, even the spot between her legs throbbed.
How can he do this
to me so easily
?

“It was just Taron. He’ll be here in a day or two.” She placed her palm against his bare chest and watched the slow rise and fall of his breathing. She felt the steady beat of his heart beneath her fingers, the warmth of his skin. Had she made a terrible mistake? Did she love him?