Page 26 of Rogue Starfighter

“Why?”

“Because you don't want to talk about our Starfighter marks. You obviously don't want a bondmate. So don't tease me or act interested when you didn't take me up on the offer last night."

Vesh’s gaze dropped to my ass again. Lingered.

My nipples tightened beneath my uniform. I turned back to the Wraith before he noticed. Too late. Based on the low sound in his throat.

This pair-bond situation was going to become a problem. Especially since I'd blatantly invited him to share my bed last night and he'd declined the invitation. Now? He was going to have to plead. Grovel. Crawl to me on his hands and knees and beg forgiveness for making me feel like a complete idiot. Bondmate, my ass. General Aryk said Vesh needed two people to fly the Wraith. I just happened to be pilot number two. Which sucked. I had the dream life all set in my head. When Vesh showed up, part of believed that dream life was going to come true.

Instead I got a grumpy alien who barely smiled, didn't seem to know me at all—at least not the way I knew him—and, apparently, didn't find me attractive enough to have casual sex with.

The losses were piling up.

I walked along the Wraith’s port side and trailed my fingers over the hull. The surface was cool and smoother than metal, but it had a slight give beneath my hand. Maybe I could at least get a win out on a mission. Vesh said the game was based on real missions. Real flight controls. One thing I'd become very good at was flying this particular ship. “What is she made of?”

“A layered adaptive alloy. The outer surface absorbs scans and redistributes energy from weapons fire.”

“Like stealth coating?”

“If that comparison helps you.”

“It does.”

“Then yes.”

I stopped beneath the cockpit. “You said she was built for two scouts.”

“Pilot and copilot. The pilot controls navigation, engines, and primary weapons. The copilot manages sensors, communications, countermeasures, and threat analysis.”

“Which one are you?”

“Today? Copilot.”

“You’re letting me fly?”

“No.”

I frowned. Vesh walked past me toward the access ramp. “I am ordering you to fly. There is a difference.”

“Aren’t you charming this morning?”

“I allowed you to sleep six hours.”

“You allowed me?”

He paused at the ramp.

“Incorrect word choice,” he admitted.

“Smart alien.”

“Get in the ship, Priya.”

I grinned and followed him. The cockpit was smaller than the gaming simulation had suggested. Much smaller. Two seats sat side by side with a narrow console between them. Displays curved overhead and along both sides, filling nearly every available surface.

Velerion symbols appeared across the main screen. The implant adjusted them as I watched, the alien marks blurring and reforming into English.

“That is never going to stop being weird,” I said.