Without Hesitation - Talia Jager (the mitten read aloud txt) 📗

videos. It blows my mind when I read about how our ancestors thought Earth was the only habitable planet. Out of all the planets in the universe, they thought theirs was the only one.”

“Right? What were they thinking?”

She took a sip of her drink. “Do you like watching movies?”

“When I’m in the mood. I like really old stuff from the early days on Earth and some of their first space exploration movies.”

“Ah, yes. Some of the classics are the best films. Every once in a while, I’ll watch one of the meaningless reality shows. I like to laugh.”

Her laugh was perfect. Maybe I should get something funny for us to watch so I could hear that laugh again.

After we ate, we wandered the station. I loved watching her eyes fill with fascination as passed store windows.

“Wow. There are so many different fashions. Nearly every store is different.”

“Let me guess. You have a seamstress, too.”

She nodded. “Yes, but she’s never made me anything like this.” She gestured to my clothes on her body. “This is…sexy. I never have sexy clothes.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. Biting my lip, I decided to let go and have a little fun. I grabbed her and pulled her into one of the clothing stores.

We rummaged through the racks holding out clothes to each other. She looked at one dress with a slight smile on her face.

“You like that one?” I asked.

“Yes.”

“Let’s gather a bunch of things to just try on.”

She looked at me like I was crazy. “Why?”

“Just because we can.” I picked up a bright red, one-piece outfit. “Can you see me in this?”

She giggled. “No.”

“Then it’s the perfect thing to try on.”

She chewed on her lip, but then nodded. “What the hell?” She started collecting random outfits from all over the store and then we headed toward the changing rooms.

“How about this one?” Akacia asked a few minutes later as she twirled around in a shiny fuchsia dress just outside the dressing room.

I burst out laughing. She looked like a giant flower.

“It’s nice to see you smile.”

Her remark caught me off guard and I ducked into my dressing room. I wondered if her skin tingled when we touched like mine did. I stepped into a pair of tiered gypsy pants and slipped on a romantic, bohemian shirt with beaded details and old lace.

We opened the doors at the same time and came face-to-face. She had also put on a vintage mauve and dusty pink bohemian dress. While I had a good laugh at how the style looked on me, she looked absolutely stunning in her dress.

Soon we were laughing like old friends. We both tried on things neither of us would be caught dead in and maybe a few that we really did like. She was in awe of the skin tight, one-piece outfits that turned different colors with a touch.

“Oh, bugger!” she muttered from her dressing room.

“What?”

“I’m stuck.” She giggled. “I’m going to find the sales lady to help.”

“No! I’ll help. Open your door.”

A few seconds passed before I heard the lock click. She opened the door and I walked in and locked it behind me.

“Zipper’s stuck.” She moved her hair so I could see.

I struggled with the zipper for a minute before working it loose. I pulled it down exposing the intricate tattoos down her back. “Wow…”

Pink flamed her cheeks. “Phases of our moon, Oro.”

I trailed my fingers down her back and she shuddered. It took everything in me not to lean in and kiss her. Our eyes met in the mirror. Her blue eyes were wide with curiosity and bright with anticipation. She tilted her head to the side just enough to expose the long line of her neck and that made my heart speed out of control. I closed the small space between us and let my lips touch her skin. Her breath hitched. She was so warm, so soft, and so perfect.

My lips trailed soft kisses up to her ear, she trembled and let out a low moan. I circled her waist with one arm to steady her. My heart felt like it was going to jump out of my body. Every inch of my skin warmed.

Akacia turned so that we were face to face and her hand came up to cup my cheek. I rested my hands on her waist. Her gaze darted from my eyes to my lips. She muttered something about hesitation and then her soft, supple lips were on mine. It was my turn to be surprised. Nobody had ever been so bold, but I was only startled for a beat before I seized her lips and deepened the kiss.

When Akacia pulled away the tiniest of moans escaped my mouth. A smile played on her lips that I swear tasted like honey. She tangled her hands in my hair at the back of my neck.

There was a knock on the door. “Do you need help?”

Akacia giggled and I answered, “No. Just another minute.”

God, I loved the sound of her laugh.

“I should get dressed.”

I nodded and went back to my dressing room to get back in my clothes. I stood quietly for a moment just thinking about the kiss that we just shared. She was so beautiful and I felt different when I was with her. So alive. I wanted to hold her and keep her safe. I wanted to get to know who she was and make her happy. Why did it have to be her? The Empress that Caspar wanted so badly. Why did I have to fall for her?

As we walked down the corridor, I asked, “What was that thing you said back in the dressing room?”

Her eyes narrowed for a minute before they widened. “Without hesitation. It’s a motto. To live life without hesitation.”

It was late into the night and I thought about staying in a room at the space station. My thoughts drifted to asking Kaci to stay with me, even if we did nothing but lay in bed together. Just being next to her made me feel a sort of contentment that I had never experienced before. Maybe I could take her to have her feet massaged and then I’d ask her if she’d like to stay in a room with me.

I ran the conversation over and over in my head. Distracted and still trying to come up with the most nonchalant tone I could muster to ask her this, I glanced up ahead and my eyes landed on Lorcan, one of Caspar’s men. Fear ripped through me.

“What?” Kaci asked when I came to an abrupt stop.

“You have to hide!” I said. I pushed her around the corner. Hoping that Lorcan hadn’t seen us yet. “Stay there.”

I stepped back out into the corridor and Lorcan’s eyes locked on me.

“Everleigh, I’m surprised to see you here.” Lorcan stood in front of me dressed in jeans and a black T-shirt. His gray-green eyes scrutinized me, causing an uneasiness to rise. “He’s getting impatient. Do you know what happens when he gets impatient?” He backed me up against the wall. “People die.”

I gripped my knife. “You better back up or you’ll find out what happens when I get mad.”

He pulled out his gun and pressed it into my side. “Keep the knife where it is. I’d kill you before you got it out anyway.”

“I’m pretty sure I could throw this dagger in your eye before you kill her. Is that a chance you want to take?” Kaci stepped out, holding the dagger in her hand.

Shit!

Lorcan’s eyes widened. He looked both surprised and pissed. He took a step backward and put the gun back in his holster. “No problem, pretty lady, I’m leaving. You know what Caspar wants. Deliver it before it’s too late.” He stalked off.

“What was that about?”

“You should have stayed hidden.” I growled.

“A simple thanks for saving your life would have been fine.”

“You don’t understand!” I yelled. “We need to get back on the Nirvana.” I paged everyone else back to the ship.

“What is it?” Zabe asked with a frown on his face when he reached the maintenance bay.

“Caspar’s people are here. One saw us.” I was so angry. Angry at myself for letting my guard down. Angry at Kaci for not staying hidden.

“Get her on the ship,” I ordered and turned to Jago. “Is she ready?”

“Almost. I need about twenty minutes.”

I pushed money into his hand. “Do it in ten.”

“You got it.”

I ran onto the ship and up to the bridge. Ignoring Akacia’s confused look and the stares of my crew, I got the ship ready. As soon as Jago’s call came that we were good to go, we took off and using the FTL drive, got far away from the space station.

“What is going on?” Akacia demanded.

Chewing on my lip, I tried to figure out what to say. “Caspar—the guy who wants us to deliver you to him—is that guy’s boss.”

Her face turned ashen. “Oh.”

“We’ll keep you safe,” I said. “It’s late. We should get some sleep. I’ll walk you to your room.”

I felt everyone’s eyes follow us as I ushered Kaci off the bridge.

Standing outside her room, she turned to me. “Thanks for today.”

I gave a nod.

I could tell she was waiting, maybe hoping for another kiss. When I didn’t come closer, she averted her eyes, and bit down on her lip.

“Goodnight,” I said softly.

As I turned and walked away, I felt lower than I ever have. I wanted to run back to her, take her in my arms, and bury my face in her hair, but I couldn’t do that. I had to figure out a way to either make all of us disappear or get her home.

The call came after I left Akacia in her room. I stood over the controls, my hand frozen in the air, not wanting to answer it.

“Ever…” Zabe said from behind.

I growled and then hit the button. Caspar’s ugly mug popped up on the screen. My stomach churned and I swallowed to keep the bile down.

“I was beginning to think you were going to double-cross me.”

Play it cool. Don’t give any indication you’re having second thoughts. “No, sir. We’ve had ship problems.”

“Do you not think I know your FTL drive was fixed today, yet you are not on your way here?”

My heart came to a halting stop. How did he know that?

“Lorcan contacted me, said your ship was at the space station, and there was a woman who looked like she should be wearing a crown with you.”

My heart fell through the floor. He had definitely recognized her.

“What are you going to do with her?” I asked.

“I just need information.”

“So you’re not going to kill her?”

“No. I need her alive. And come on, Everleigh, you know better. I don’t kill people. However, you do seem to need a reminder that the fate of your people rests in my hands.” He turned then and behind him was Archer, one of my cousins, gagged and tied up. One of Caspar’s men stepped forward, raised his gun, and, while I watched, without so much as a flinch, put a bullet in his head. I wanted to scream, but couldn’t. All I could do was watch as his body dropped to the ground. A bloody splatter marked the wall where Archer was standing just a moment ago. This sight would haunt me forever and I deserved that. Unshed tears burned my eyes and