War Bride (Battle Born #7)(25)

“How are you doing this?”

His sharp tone jerked her back to the present and she released her hold on the dream.

Reality snapped back into focus and she found herself sprawled across the bed in her new cabin. The sheet was tangled around her hips and her nipples were tight and tingly. Quickly rolling to her side, she drew the sheet up around her shoulders, hiding the proof of her arousal. She was still breathing hard and a strange ache pulsed between her thighs. Shared dreams often resulted in physical manifestations, so she wasn’t alarmed by the feeling. Still, it emphasized what they’d just shared, how amazing it had felt to have Kryton deep inside her.

The cabin’s main door slid open and she held perfectly still. Had he come to confront her with his suspicion that she was controlling his dream? He walked to the bedroom, his stride purposeful yet quiet.

“Skyla?”

His voice held a note of alarm, so she sat up on the bed, sheet carefully tucked beneath her arms. Rubbing her eyes, she manufacturing a yawn. “What time is it?”

He narrowed his gaze, his lips pressing into a grim line. The diminished light hid the details of his expression, but there was no missing the frustration in his eyes. “It’s late. Why aren’t you asleep?”

“I was asleep until you called my name.” She finger-combed her hair back from her face then looked at him more closely. “Am I in trouble again? You look angry.”

He stared at her for a long time, then shook his head. “I just wanted to check on you before I turned in for the night.”

He wore his uniform pants, but she’d never seen the shirt before. He’d likely grabbed some random garment as he rushed out the door. “I’m fine. You may go.”

His eyes narrowed again as he heard her rude dismissal. “I’ve decided to spend the night.”

Every time she challenged him he became more aggressive. So why did she keep doing it?

He walked around to the side of the bed and slowly opened the front of his shirt.

“I’m not having sex with you.” At least not while they were awake.

“Who said anything about sex?” Despite the inference, his voice turned smoky and his smile promised carnality.

He shrugged out of the shirt, revealing his muscular chest and rippling abs. Her eyes widened and she clutched the sheet to her naked breasts. His body was every bit as impressive as it had been in his dream. If anything his dream image had been less toned than his true self. “Then why are you undressing?”

He lifted one broad shoulder in a halfhearted shrug. “I always sleep naked, and so will you.”

“I’ll sleep on the sofa.” She tugged the sheet free of the mattress, intending to take it with her, but he caught her wrist.

“The bedding stays here and you’re forbidden clothes until morning. So you can stay warm and comfortable in this bed or freeze over on the sofa. The choice is yours.”

“That’s not much of a choice.” She tugged against his hold, knowing she couldn’t free herself unless he allowed it.

“It’s the only one you’ll get, so decide.” He released her hand and reached for the waistband of his pants.

She rolled to her other side, refusing to be influenced by his spectacular body. “Are you always such a bully?” He was a bully at times, yet this scenario was entirely her own fault. He’d been ready to leave when her smart mouth changed his destination. She heard the rustle of clothing, then felt a subtle dip as he climbed onto the bed.

Panicked by her recent failure to resist him, she scrambled off the end of the bed and tried to escape. She’d only run three steps when his hands came down on her shoulder. She gasped and held perfectly still, not giving him a reason to touch her more intimately.

“Not staying?” His tone was hushed, yet filled with challenge.

“You said it was my choice.”

His arm suddenly banded her torso just below her breasts. “Can you control minds or just dreams?”

She froze, barely able to breathe. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Really.” His other hand cupped her mound then slipped between her thighs, lightly teasing her folds. “Then why are you soaking wet?”

She grabbed his wrist and tried to pull his hand away from the evidence of her arousal. “I was watching a sexy entertainment file.”

“Don’t make me check the surveillance feed.” His tone took on a warning sort of grumble. “I’ll have to punish you for lying to me.”

“This room is under surveillance?”

“This entire ship is under continual surveillance. It’s standard operating procedure for every ship in the Rodyte military.” He moved his hand to her belly, a nonverbal warning that the interrogation was far from over. “Now explain the extent of your powers.”

She still hesitated. The security feed would prove she hadn’t been watching a sexy entertainment file, but it wouldn’t prove she’d entered his dream. “Fine,” she huffed. “I was dreaming about you. That can’t be surprising. You’ve been arousing me since I woke up on this ship.”

His arms tightened slightly and she heard his ragged sigh. “You expect me to believe it was coincidental?”

If she denied her ability, she’d have to pretend she didn’t know the true reason he’d kidnapped her. He’d agreed to free her if she helped him rescue his son. It was a huge risk either way, but she’d rather gamble for a chance at freedom. “I certainly didn’t intend for it to end the way it did.”