Beyond the Stars: INEO Read Free Page B

looked at me and sighed. He knew I wasn’t like him—the kind of person who could handle Space travel with finesse.
    “Sami, that’s a good thing. Do you know why we pass other ships all the time?”
    “No.”
    “Because there are easy ways and hard ways to travel through Space, and guess which way everybody chooses?” he said as though it was fundamental.
    “You make it sound so simple.”
    “Please, you need to relax. I know this will delay your returning to Earth, but we’ll fix this. Nia is out there, we’ll find her, and then, I promise, we will get you home.”
    He should have been a salesman. Being with him helped me to suppress my fears. He was such a great friend and knew exactly what I needed to hear. I was starting to question why I was worried at all. His confident, calm demeanor and optimistic belief that we would find the Dreons convinced me the Katarians could handle any dilemma we’d encounter.
    He gave me a modest grin. “I have something to confess.”
    “What?”
    “I really liked having you with me today. You looked incredibly beautiful. Couldn’t you feel me staring at you?”
    I shrugged.
    “Hey, that’s it. You can’t even take a compliment. Your misery must stop, now. Let me see if I can help,” Gaelan whispered, inclining his face next to my ear. He brushed my hair behind my shoulder so he could kiss down the side of my neck.
    “Must you—”
    He stopped me from speaking with an intense kiss before checking my reaction. I think he got pleasure in disorienting me. I looked into his deep blue eyes. They were filled with satisfaction. I couldn’t help but give in.
    “Ah, I’ve been waiting to do that all day,” Gaelan confessed.
    “Fine, ruin my bad mood,” I muttered.
    He seductively laid another soft kiss on my upper lip while he slid his hand around my lower back.
    “I must say, you have talent. You make an amazing distraction,” I said, breaking from his lips.
    He looked at my face and took my hand in his. “Sami, do you know how happy I am to be able to touch you right now. I can’t forget how grateful I am to be traveling with you. All day long, I have been trying to hide my happiness in regaining my flight privileges. Think of it. I could have been stuck on Kataria without you … for years. Then it would have been—how do you say?— hell for me. I would be filled with misery and look as glum as you did a few minutes ago,” he teased. “Instead, I can do this.”
    He leaned down and kissed me lightly on the lips before pulling me on top of him while he leaned his back against the sofa. I suddenly felt bad for taking his presence for granted. I would be an emotional cripple if I had to endure this trip without him. I studied his face closely. Not being able to see him every day wouldn’t just be lonely, it would be devastating. God, I thought. He looked even more handsome up close. I loved the way he stroked my back with his hand. His subtle touch made me want him more. When I was with him nothing else mattered.
    “What?” Gaelan said, giving me a huge smile after noticing my silence.
    “Thank goodness you’re here,” I said while I lightly ran my hand across his chest and down his stomach.
    “Mmm—understatement,” he agreed.
    Gaelan laid us flat on the sofa and cradled my neck with his arm. I turned to face him, leaning my body against his. He started to slide his hand up under my shirt.
    “Just hold me, Gaelan. I just want to feel you right now. I’m so exhausted.”
    “Me, too,” he said with a sigh before bringing his hand over my shirt and behind my back.
    “Tighter,” I said, squeezing my arm around him.
    He looked at me with soft, understanding eyes and pulled me in by the waist.
    “Better?” he asked.
    “Yes, much,” I said before I placed my face against his chest.
    Within minutes, Gaelan was asleep. Unable to sleep so easily, I turned, nestled my back against his body, and gazed out the study window. Before I shut my eyes, a white