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seasoned pilots. They raced through the streets, staying barely within the
speed limits. A short while later, they reached the outskirts of the city,
passing a field of wind turbines before turning off the highway and heading
into the desert. Only then did she reduce speed.
    The desert was still and beautiful at night. He liked it
that she didn’t feel the need to fill the silence with small talk. Through the
open windows of the Terra-pod, he could taste the desert air, sweet, dusty and
earthy. In a strange way it reminded him of home. They turned off the main
road, moving along a twisting incline until they reached the top of the hill.
When Tanith adjusted the controls, the roof of the Terra-pod opened. Jake
stared at the view in front of them. A million stars hung in a dark-blue velvet
sky. They looked so near that you could almost touch them.
    Tanith gazed at the sky and sighed. “This is one of my
favorite places. I envy you, Human. You’ve been there, up among the stars. What
is it like?”
    He was supposed to be seducing her, finding out everything
he could about Raoul. Instead, they sat side by side, counting shooting stars,
and she listened to him talk about what it was like to travel across the
galaxies. He couldn’t remember when he’d had such a good time. It was kind of
like a date and he was enjoying himself far too much with someone who was
supposed to be his enemy. Jake reached down and took her hand in his. “I don’t
suppose you want to talk about what happened earlier?”
    He was only half hopeful that she would tell him. Tanith
struck him as someone who was adept at getting into and out of trouble.
    She didn’t try to draw her hand away but her face betrayed a
fleeting expression of sadness. “Human, I don’t think you would believe me.”
    When Jake raised her hand to his lips and kissed the inside
of her wrist, he was rewarded with a smile. “You could try me.”
    She shook her head regretfully. “I wish that I could, but
thank you.”
    Tanith leaned across and kissed him lightly on the cheek. He
wasn’t giving up that easily. Jake turned his head and his lips caught the edge
of her mouth. Her palm brushed lightly against his chest and she pressed her
mouth against his in a gentle exploration. Her tongue darted tentatively inside
his mouth and then more eagerly, deepening the kiss. Jake slid his hands around
her waist, pulling her across his lap. He could feel the warmth of her skin
through the fine, silky fabric of her gown.
    Her mouth left his, nipping against his jaw before moving
slowly down his neck, her fingers unbuttoning his tunic as she explored. A soft
groan escaped his lips. He had never been so turned-on by a kiss and he wanted
more. Her attentions returned to his mouth, a languorous, teasing caress that
made him wish there was a backseat in the Terra-pod.
    She broke the embrace reluctantly. “That was nice, Human, I
wasn’t sure if we would be compatible.”
    “There’s one way to find out.” Jake drew her to him for
another kiss. Her mouth was soft and the hot, sweet taste of her was seductive.
Desire flared, hard and demanding. He wanted to take her into the night, to
press her body against the sands, to sheathe himself inside her while she cried
out for him. His hand slid from her waist and he cupped her breast, rubbing his
thumb gently across the tip until it peaked.
    Tanith moaned softly and removed his hand. “You tempt me,
Human. But it’s almost dawn and I have a meeting in two hours.”
    One of the suns was beginning to rise, casting orangey-pink shadows
on the desert sands. She slid off his lap and turned on the engine. “We should
go.”
    By the time they returned to the city, delivery-pods had
appeared on the streets and the city was beginning to stir. They pulled up
outside an apartment block on a tree-lined avenue. “This is where I leave you.
I’ve reengaged the auto-response unit. The Terra-pod will take you back to the
spaceport. Goodnight, Human.