Standing in the belly of the Javelin, Rush studied Katrina’s face. But you didn’t say you’re upset. Rush wanted to smile. If she’s not upset he’s gone, possibly dead, and she won’t be handfasting him, then why did she agree to this in the first place?

His gaze landed on her lips as if of its own volition. “It seems you’re single for a bit.”

She nodded, her face sober. “Looks so.”

“Caayn and Smyrna won’t be back for a while either. They’re on what you would call a honeymoon. What we call N-O-S.”

“N-O-S?”

“Yes. Stands for Nights O’ Sweetness.” Was that a tinge of pink creeping into her cheeks?

She began to fiddle with the necklace again, the locket casting tiny reflective sparks in the Javelin’s lighting.

Rush leaned in, touched the golden object. It was a circle, smooth, but with intricate carvings. “Does this have pictures of loved ones?”

Eyes growing wide, she jerked away, snatching the locket from his fingertips. “No. Yes.” She exhaled raggedly. “Please, don’t touch it.”

Which is it? Yes or no? “My apologies.”

Her eyes were wild and panicked, her grip tight, white knuckled, and fierce. “It’s okay. I’m sorry.”

“You don’t seem very okay.”

“I’m fine. I truly am. I’m looking for… I need…” Another exhale. “I’m fine.” She leaned forward, her palm resting against the underside of the Javelin for support.

What was she looking for? He put his hand on hers. Her muscles tensed, but she didn’t flinch or move away.

Sadness filled her eyes, a sadness he’d never seen from this hellraising little spitfire of a woman. He wanted nothing more than to make the sadness leave her, to make it go away, but he didn’t know why it was there to begin with.

Did it have something to do with the locket? Maybe there weren’t pictures of her family in there, but rather a photo of a lost love. Or a lock of hair from someone in her heart. He wasn’t the sentimental type, at least, he’d never been before, but he knew some were, especially females.

She glanced down at his hand resting on hers against the Javelin’s underbelly, but she didn’t move hers. Then she turned her gaze upward, locking with his. Her hand was soft and warm beneath his, and a part of him felt more alive than he’d ever been.

There was something about this woman. A part of him wanted to make what he felt for her go away, but it had grown. From the first moment he caught a glimpse of her at the space station to now, he’d come to realize he wouldn’t want another woman. No other would do.

And I’m on hold while she waits to find out if her intended is alive or if the governor has other plans for her.

And Rush knew the governor would. He’d do his damnedest to make sure he kept relations between Janus, Zama, and Earth on an even keel and everyone happy.

Everyone but me. Because if everyone else was too happy to hand Katrina off to another man, that would be the lowest of the low for Rush.

Her gaze moved from his eyes to his lips, and lower to his chest Was this because she was interested in him or…?

No. He didn’t want to give himself false hope. Checking out his physique didn’t mean much. Any woman on the street could and would do that to a man.

He let his gaze travel down from her sparkling, lively eyes to a chest he’d been attracted to more than once.

He swallowed a lump in his throat as he forced his eyes away from the curves beckoning and tempting him. He made himself look up and found himself staring at plump perfect lips, just slightly parted, giving him a glimpse of what he wanted.

She was perfect for him. More perfect than any other. She was so perfect it was a cruel delivery of fate to take her from him when he’d just found her.

He ground his teeth together. Would he let it happen? He who’d rejected the things he didn’t believe in so he could pursue the thing he wanted? The things he did believe in? To be true to himself.

A small sound pulled him out of his contemplation, and he caught a fleeting expression of pain crossing Katrina’s face.

“You’re squeezing my hand.”

He pulled their hands up, still holding hers. “I’m sorry. I apologize.” But he didn’t let go. Instead, he loosened his hold a little.

When she didn’t pull free his hand either, Rush paused. He’d been expecting her to take her hand from his. Maybe the fact she hadn’t gave him a little shove. He leaned down until their lips were a breath apart, nostrils flaring, hearts pounding.