The ship was built on three levels. The large docking bay took up most of the central level, with the engine rooms situated on the lower, and the bridge and living quarters on the upper level. She headed up the ramp, Callum following close behind.
They didn’t speak on the way, but she was intensely conscious of him at her side and it was a relief to reach their destination. She pressed her hand to the panel, and the door slid open.
Lip curled in disdain, he stood and stared into the room. “Don’t you have somewhere bigger?”
“No, all the bigger cabins are taken.”
“Can’t you move someone?”
“Well, I’m sure Rico would be happy to discuss giving up his cabin for you, if you ask him nicely. On the other hand, maybe you won’t get the answer you’re looking for. So, I’m afraid it’s this or the docking bay.”
He frowned, but when she gestured at the open doorway, he stepped through. As she was about to leave, he turned and asked, “Would you come in for a moment?”
She didn’t want to. The room appeared very small with him inside, but she was going to have to get used to him, and now was as good a time as any. She stepped inside but left the door open.
This close, she could see the tracery of veins in the black, membranous wings. If she got the Meridian treatment, would she have wings like that one day?
“Does everyone get them?” The question was out before she could think about it.
He raised an eyebrow, but answered. “We think so, eventually. So far it’s just the oldest of us—the founder members—but they all have them.”
“Wow.”
“My feelings exactly. Unfortunately, it’s a sentiment not shared by the rest of my Council. Would you like to touch them?”
Shock hit her in the gut, but her feet moved her forward until she was near enough to breathe in the warm, masculine scent of him. It was closer than she had been to a man in a long time, and a little alarm buzzed in her head. But if she really wanted the Meridian treatment, she had a duty to find out as much as she could—this was research. Ignoring the buzz, she reached out and traced the tip of one black wing. The skin was silky soft under her fingertips, and a quiver ran through him.
Before she realized what he meant to do, his arms had clasped her shoulders and he dragged her to him, closing the small space between them.
“I’ve wanted to do this since the first time I saw you,” he murmured.
The words hardly registered. Tannis had gone rigid with shock. Her mind screamed at her to run, but her muscles locked solid.
As his head lowered toward her, she swallowed the whimper that rose in her throat. She was transported to that earlier time, that other life. She tried to tell herself that this was different. Here she had a choice, just pull free and go, but she froze in place, her mind numb. His body was hard against her, and when his lips touched hers, she opened her mouth to scream, and his hot, wet tongue thrust inside.
Then she did struggle. Biting down hard, her teeth sank into flesh, and she tasted blood. Her venom was poised for release, but he pulled away, and she wrenched out of his grasp and backed into the wall behind her.
Eyes narrowed, he raised one hand and wiped the blood from his lips.
“What the hell was that for?” He sounded more puzzled than angry. Maybe he was used to women falling over themselves for his kisses. He probably hadn’t been rejected since he’d become Leader of the Universe. Well, he’d better get used to it on this ship.
Like she’d always done in the research station, she blanked her face of all expression. But he must have seen something, because a small frown played across his face.
She licked her lips. “I just like to keep business and pleasure separate—you’re strictly business. And I don’t like being pawed by clients. From now on keep your hands, and any other appendages, to yourself.”
She whirled around and was through the door when he called out, “Could you get someone to bring me some food?”
Teeth gritted, Tannis answered, “We’re not your goddamn servants. You want to eat, you join us in the galley.”
Halfway to the bridge, she started to shake. Halting, she leaned a hand against the wall and rested her forehead against the cool metal. She’d forgotten the taste of fear. Now it was bitter on her tongue.
Pushing herself up straight, she forced herself to move and was pretty sure she had herself under control by the time she walked onto the bridge. While he still sat in the pilot’s seat, Rico had switched to autopilot and was relaxed, legs stretched out, as he watched something on the monitor.
His eyes narrowed at the sight of her. “What happened?”
“Nothing,” she said. “I’ve put him in Jon’s old cabin.”
Rico grinned. “I bet that’s a comedown.”
“Yeah, he wanted yours—I said he should ask you.” She was proud of how cool her voice sounded.
Rico patted the chair beside him. “Sit a moment. I want to talk to you.”
“What is it?” She crossed the room and sank into the seat.