Page 67 of On a Rogue Planet
Against the wall, there was a shimmer of the spectrum camouflage she favored, and she appeared.
Nera Darc, lethal treasure hunter with dubious morals.
The most beautiful, fascinating and frustrating woman Niklas had ever seen.
“Very good, Niklas. I see I’m beginning to become predictable.”
“Only to me.”
She tilted her head. “Yes, only to you.”
She usually favored light body armor but since she couldn’t wear that to a club, her long, lean body was covered by a black catsuit that slicked over every single one of her slim curves. The top of it was open a little, low enough to show the tops of her small, high breasts.
Her hair was short, and a pale platinum blonde like starlight. A long, slim neck that made him think of regal queens led upward to a perfect face dominated by those multi-colored eyes—a blend of pink, green, blue, and silver like a collection of gems scattered on black velvet.
“Predictable is never a word I’d use for you,” he said. “Where’s the invite?”
“I heard the Technomancer is throwing a ball to celebrate a fabulous new artifact he’s acquired. Something very, veryold. Something Terran and invaluable.” She shrugged her slim shoulders. “I couldn’t resist the opportunity to…remove it from his collection.”
“I need the invite, Nera. An entire planet’s safety is dependent on it.”
Her spectacular eyes narrowed. “Have I ever given you the impression that I’d care about a planet that has nothing to do with me?”
“I know you aren’t the superbitch you portray to the galaxy.”
Her face didn’t betray any emotion. “You don’t know me, Niklas.”
He knew she was smart, devious, and fascinating. And dammit to hell, he wanted to know more.
She turned away with a graceful move that drew his gaze down the leather hugging her body. Dammit, he felt his cock go hard and he cursed his weakness.
“I’m guessing the planet you’re referring to is Centax since I saw the cyborg with you.” Her eyelids lowered. “I think Centax and her cyborgs can look after themselves.” She shrugged. “Besides, I think I’m in the mood for a ball, so I don’t think I’ll be handing the invitation over.”
She sprang over the table and sprinted for the door.
With a curse, Nik chased after her. She ran down the corridor and into the club before he caught her.
Dammit to hell.He thundered into the club. The lights blinded him for a second. If anything, the place was more crowded than before, the dance floor packed to bursting.
Something tugged on his senses, and he glanced into the heart of the dancers. And saw her moving leisurely through the crowd, like she belonged there. Like she was just a woman out for a fun evening with her friends.
He followed. When a cute, curvy blonde snagged his arm, he scowled down at her and gently shook her off.
Ahead, Nera was smiling at a big square-jawed man who looked about twenty and was grinning at her like a fool. The man gripped her hips, starting to pull her closer.
Nik reached them and slid his arms around her.
“Back off, kid,” he grumbled at the boy.
The young man thought about arguing, but one good look at Nik’s face and he held his hands up and dissolved back into the crowd.
The music beat around them. Loud and hard and rhythmic, like the drum of a racing heart. Nik succumbed to the need he never let himself think about. He pulled Nera backward until her spine was pressed hard against the front of him. Her ass nestled into him, and he bit back a groan. She was almost as tall as him and her head pressed against his neck and shoulder.
“Niklas.” She whispered his name, but even over the music he heard it. He clamped one hand on her hip while his other slid over her flat belly.
The crowd around them moved, gyrated. They stayed still, pressed so close together their hearts were beating in sync.
He pressed his lips her ear. “There was a coup on Centax. The new dictator is enslaving the planet’s women. They aren’t allowed to work, get an education, they are completely dependent on the men. Some are being sent off planet as payment to the mercenaries.”
