Chapter Six
What he'd done to relieve himself of his physical torment took the edge off his lust, but the effect only lasted until he found himself thinking about kissing Sheena in his office. There had never been another woman who generated that much desire in him merely by breathing. How she did it was now a century old mystery he'd never been able to solve and probably never would.
The quiet knock at his door surprised Nate. Crew members normally contacted him via com link first unless it was critical. He grabbed a shirt and pulled it on as he walked to answer. A freshly showered Sheena with wet hair stood on the other side. He stared at her as he pulled his shirt down into place. The urge to tug her into the room rolled over him like a wave.
"Hi. Can I come in?" she asked.
Nate swung the door wide to let her pass. A low growl from Darcone was followed by a resigned head shake as the alien walked off. After a hundred years of serving with Darcone, words between them weren't really necessary in most situations. That suited Darcone because he didn't like to talk anyway. It normally suited Nate too, but he no longer saw it as a positive for his character. Now it only made him feel emotionally shut off from just about everyone on his ship.
He closed the door and turned slowly. Sheena was dressed in comfort clothes, gray banded workout pants and a tight top that molded to every curve she owned. It wouldn't have been a seduction wear choice for most women. But it had always been Sheena's. Her relaxed clothes signaled the scientist was finally going off-duty.
"Did you come about the report?" he asked, testing his theory.
Sheena studied the floor as she sighed. "Not really. I've decided there's no use digging until I know what to ask. I'm sure you suspected I'd react that way."
"Are we being politely honest … or just honest?" Nate asked.
"Honest."
Nate felt one corner of his mouth lift over her utter lack of hesitation. "Yes. I suspected you'd be stumped by the information."
"But you're not willing to tell me more about why, are you?"
"Not at this time," Nate said wearily. He was surprised when Sheena nodded.
"Okay. Next issue. Can I stay the night?" she asked.
Nate stared, unsure he'd heard correctly. "Just like that?"
Hearing the echo of Bri's surprise in his question, Sheena decided she must have gotten more blunt over the years. A woman had needs, didn't she? She'd decided to let Nate take care of the ones she had for him-on her terms, of course.
"Yes. Just like that. I've gotten very realistic about sex in the last hundred years. I'm tired of being wound up. Aren't you?"
Nate frowned at the flat statement. Did Sheena really think all they had was a physical attraction? That had never been the case with them. It wouldn't be the case tonight either-if he let her stay. He studied her, looking for what, he didn't know. When he made no move, Sheena laughed at his hesitation.
Grabbing the bottom of her shirt, Sheena pulled it over her head in a one smooth motion, leaving her naked from the waist up. Her nipples beaded as Nate stared.
"Breathe, Nathaniel."
Nate looked away from a now half naked Sheena to save his sanity. His clothing felt like it was choking him. "Why are you doing this, Sheena? Tell me the real reason."
Sheena shrugged. "Do I really need to explain our mutual attraction to you? It was obvious to me this afternoon that we weren't done with each other. Maybe all divorced couples go through this second chance thing. I don't know."
"Well, I do. I've been divorced from five women. It's only been like this with you," Nate said sharply.
"Thank you, I think," Sheena said with a small chuckle and a shake of her head. "If that's the case, why aren't you over here taking advantage of my offer. Don't you want me?"
Nate hadn't felt himself move, but suddenly he was standing next to her. One hand cupped her naked breast while his mouth lowered and slid across hers as unerringly as ever.
Want her? This wasn't just about wanting her. This was madness … lust … need. He needed her. He needed her like he needed air.
Even through the blood pounding in his ears with his loud heartbeat, he heard the fasteners of his pants give way seconds before Sheena's hand plunged inside and closed around him. Stroking firmly, she groaned into his mouth, and he eagerly swallowed every tiny sound. Only this woman had ever brought him this sense of rightness and a pure, hot, all-encompassing desire to be inside her.
A flashing light above his door drew Nate's attention from her and had him muttering an epithet. He pulled his shirt off and roughly tugged it over a dazed Sheena's head as she stared in shock at the guards now coming inside. Nate used her hastily clothed body as a shield while he fastened his pants back. The uncomfortable tightness at least flattened his erection enough to make him presentable.