Enjoy the burn!

A look of unbearable sadness passed over Cor's face for a moment, then he shrugged. “What’s done is done, Tory. We thought we were in love but when it came down to it, we both ran away. Drop it, for God’s sake.”

The bluntness of his words tore into her. She looked down at the tips of her boots. Damn it all! He was right. She was acting like a fool. Why? Was it just that the warrior in her had always felt she’d suffered a defeat when he’d rejected her?

Well, there was an easy way to fix that. She was older, battle hardened. She’d take the war to the enemy and win it this time.

She lifted her head and faced him. “You’re right. And I’m glad to see you’ve landed on your feet, working as a space pilot. Piloting was all you ever wanted to do.”

“Yeah, it’s great.”

“Plus, your father’s made a great discovery, apparently.”

Cor barked out a laugh. “Still trying to pump some more information out of me?”

She forced a smile. “You can’t blame me for trying.”

He shook his head, apparently amused by her determination. A gust of wind blew his chestnut hair over his forehead, and he brushed it impatiently away while giving her his intent stare -- the same stare that had first caught her interest so long ago. They shared that intensity, that drive, and it had kindled a feverish attraction between them.

The effect hadn’t changed, especially now that she was finally starting to understand what had happened before. Heat stirred in her core and blazed outward. She could feel her skin flush and her nipples ache for his touch. Frick, her whole body was preparing itself, and she knew damned well for what.

She still wanted him. How ironic was that? Duty called, and this time duty would be a pleasure.
Acting before she could change her mind, she grabbed his hand and dragged him into the tent he’d just erected. At least it offered a modicum of privacy.

The interior was more spacious than she’d expected. She faced him, smiling at the surprised look on his face. “Nice digs. Thanks.” As she spoke, she reached for his belt.

He slapped her hand away. “Hey! What do you think you’re doing?”

“I’m trying to undress you so we can have sex.” She stared him straight in the eye while she unzipped her flight jacket and pulled it off. All she had on underneath was a T-shirt. Looking down, she saw her nipples tighten and begin to poke at the thin fabric. Just touching him was triggering all the old responses.

Cor saw them, too. He licked his lips, and for once she had the pleasure of seeing him look nonplussed. “You want to make love?”

She forced out a chuckle. She could feel the sexual tension throbbing between them. This wasn’t good. If she didn’t watch it, she was going to get hurt all over again. She needed to keep him distracted while Kumiko worked on Lucan, and just possibly a hot encounter would loosen his tongue, although she doubted it. Still, it was worth a try. She had to pry the information her father wanted out of Cor, and get the hell off this planet before whatever lay buried between them erupted.

In the meantime, she had to somehow keep it light. “Don’t get the idea it’s anything personal, big boy.” As she spoke she undid her own belt and let her pants drop to the ground. With one swift motion, she kicked them aside. Beneath, she wore only bikini briefs.

Sweat broke out on Cor’s brow. “If it’s nothing personal, why are you taking your clothes off?”

She shrugged. “I can see you never served on a navy ship during a war. It’s way worse than the Theocracy ever was. No sex with anyone you outrank. Double that for no sex with your fellow pilots. It’s too damned dangerous having a lover flying at your side when you’re out there shooting at the enemy. Your mind tends to wander. And as for my superior officers --” She made a face. “Superior assholes, we like to call them.”

His eyes examined her. Glancing down, she smiled at the growing bulge in his pants. He was responding to her half-nude state. Good.

“So you weren’t getting any.” His voice sounded a little strained.

“Not for months. Hell, I’m practically a virgin again, it’s been so long.”

His broad grin flashed at that. “If I remember right, Tory, you’re nothing like a virgin.”

She slipped her thumb under the waistband of her panties and pulled down. “Then let’s enjoy each other while we have the chance, Cor. Drop those pants and see if I’ve still got it, or are you afraid to stir up old memories?”
“Me? Afraid?” He planted his hands on his hips. “I just don’t think it’s wise to get involved again.”
“That’s just another way of saying you’re afraid.”

Golden sparks flared in the brown depths of his eyes. “Okay, pure sex, no strings attached.”

Tory wiped suddenly damp palms against her thighs. Trust Cor to be unable to refuse a dare. His hands undid his belt and his pants joined hers on the ground. He pulled down the jock strap he wore underneath and his erection sprang free, long and hard.

Frig! Her throat went dry. He was as big as she’d remembered. God, he’d felt so good inside her. Her knees grew weak. Moisture dampened her pussy. Another second and she was going to forget about her mission and get swept away by an unexpected wave of hot desire.

Acting without conscious thought, she leapt onto Cor, throwing her arms around his shoulders and wrapping her legs around his hips. She felt solid muscle under her.Instinctively, he grabbed her thighs, supporting her.