Chapter 22

Chapter

Twenty-Two

Fiona

“ W here were you last night?”

I jerked my head up as I sat at my desk studying star charts, and my cheeks warmed instantly at Ariana’s question. How had I not heard her coming into my office in the School of Strategy? “What? Asleep in my quarters. Where else would I be?”

Her brows popped up high as she sat in the single chair across from me and leaned back. “Touchy, touchy. I only ask because you look like you slept in your clothes, and your hair could generously be described as windswept.”

I put a hand to my hair, cursing inwardly that I’d forgotten to brush my hair. I’d actually forgotten to do a lot of things, since I’d come directly to my office from Vyk’s quarters. There had been no point in going back to my quarters, not when I’d known full well I wouldn’t be able to fall asleep. Not after that dream. I could never sleep after dreaming about Jack.

It hadn’t helped that Vyk had walked in all sweaty, making me wonder where he’d been and even getting irate that he might have been with someone else. That, of course, was ridiculous. There were scant few females at the academy, and the only ones who weren’t taken were cadets. He would never go for a cadet, and I knew for a fact that every female cadet was too terrified of the imposing Drexian to even look straight at him, much less sleep with him.

So, why had my mind instantly gone to that? Did I truly believe that every male was incapable of loyalty? Did I think they were all like my dad, so weak that they would run off when things got tough? That was what my father had done after Jack had died. My mother had been consumed with grief, and my dad had been determined to move on, which he did with a younger woman who wasn’t always sad. He’d moved on from Jack, from my mom, and from me. And I had never forgiven him for any of it.

I dragged a hand through my hair as I gave my head a shake and tried to rid my mind of thoughts of the past that had been bombarding me since I’d woken. “I didn’t sleep well, so I came here early to work.” That much was true.

Ariana sat forward, her eyes pinching together. “Is everything okay?”

My friend’s genuine concern made my throat tighten. I might have a hard time trusting guys, but I had never been betrayed by one of my female friends. It had always been other women who had gotten me through rough patches, and I knew I could rely on Ariana no matter what. If only I could tell her about Vyk and our deal and the dark emotions it was stirring up.

But I’d made him promise not to breathe a word, and I owed him the same discretion. Besides, there was nothing happening between us, and nothing ever would.

When I didn’t answer right away, Ariana glanced over her shoulder to the open door, as if someone might be lingering outside the door and listening, which I seriously doubted. It was still early, and there were no classes and almost no cadets left to wander the halls. “Is it the visit from that inspector from Earth? The one you slept with and ditched?”

“I didn’t ditch him,” I protested, even though the words sounded hollow to my own ears. “It was a one-night deal. We were both clear on that. He never expected anything more.”

“Mmmhmm.” Ariana sat back again. “And it’s just a coincidence that he’s the one coming to check on the integration of humans at the academy.”

“It could be. Like I said, he was involved with the program.”

Ariana flicked her short, red fingernails through her hair. “And you’re sure there isn’t anything between you, any potential for something?”

I shook my head before giving her questions any real consideration. It didn’t matter if there was potential with Devon, or if he was exactly the kind of steady, successful guy I should be going after. I had zero interest in long-term relationships. I’d seen how they ended. I preferred my encounters to be fast and fun, with no chance of heartbreak .

Ariana held up her hands in mock surrender. “Okay, then I hope for your sake that this Devon guy feels the same way you do, and he’s not coming here expecting you two to pick up right where you left off. I hope he hasn’t been pining away for the best sex of his life since you snuck from his bedroom and hopped a transport to the Drexian Academy.”

I groaned. “Hardly. This guy is a captain who can get any woman he wants and often does. I wasn’t his first fling, and I can guarantee you I wasn’t his last. I’d be surprised if he’s thought about me at all since I left.”

“Yep,” Ariana deadpanned. “You are exactly the kind of woman that men forget—tall, blonde, drop-dead gorgeous, stacked and rocking a great ass.”

I grinned at her. “You think my ass is great? I’m touched.”

She rolled her eyes. “If I notice your ass, you can bet that every guy who walks by you does. I think you forget how hot you really are, Fi.”

“And I think you’ve very biased, but I appreciate it.”

She shook her head. “Think what you want, but I will eat of bowl of those slimy Drexian popping things if this inspector from Earth isn’t still into you.”

Considering my recent luck with wagers, I really should have known better, but my competitive nature made it possible for me not to bite, especially when I was just as certain that Devon would be all business when he arrived. “I’ll take that bet.”

“And if I’m right, and he’s still into you? ”

“I’ll eat a bowl of the slimy popping things.” Even as I said it, I shuddered. “But trust me, you’re going to be the one digging in.”

Ariana wrinkled her nose. “You’ll be honest, right? You won’t try to hide it if he’s still interested, will you? I really hate those jiggling poppers.”

“You know I would never lie to you.” I put a hand on my heart and met her gaze, meaning every word. “I might like to play hard, but I never cheat.”

Ariana released a breath. “I know.” Then her smile returned. “Do we know when he arrives? I hate having the possibility of eating that disgusting dish hanging over my head.”

I actually didn’t know, but I suspected it would be soon. “Don’t worry. I won’t make you eat a big bowl.”

She stood and walked to the door. “Trust me, Fi. It’s not going to be me, but I’ll go easy on you, too. I’ll ask the kitchen for ones that aren’t as jumpy.”

I swallowed, trying not to think of choking down the Drexian dish comprised of still-moving, snail-like creatures. I honestly wasn’t sure which was worse—the arriving captain wanting to resume some sort of relationship or having to eat the hoppers.

Once Ariana had left, I slumped into my chair and released a breath. I hadn’t been successful at focusing on my work, so maybe I should take my friend’s not so subtle hint and go shower. I might not want Devon to be into me, but I didn’t want to look like a hot mess when he arrived.

The heavy footsteps outside my still-open door made my pulse trip. They did not belong to Ariana, that much I knew for sure. Who had tracked me down to my office?