Frozen. Morgan Q O'Reilly

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СКАЧАТЬ to leave their mugs out, then looked at the shower stall. There was no privacy for using the privy other than the half high wall. Was this a time for modesty? Could she slide the panel shut?

      The transport came to a stop, something made it jolt, and then it moved forward again, this time going up an incline. She turned to see what was happening.

      Gunnar spoke to her over his shoulder. “We’re moving into the empty trailer. Our weight will help keep it steady and it will give us more shelter.” He turned his attention back to driving the smaller transport into the space men in bright orange parkas indicated.

      She just nodded.

      “Nory?” His concerned tone made her look down at him as he pulled to a stop and turned off the main engine. The rear trailer door clanged behind them, immediately muffling the sounds of the storm and, from the corner of her eyes, she noted people running to connect cables to the transport now nestled in the cargo bay.

      “There’s a larger, more luxurious transport a few trailers up. We still have time to get there if you want to make a run…” his voice trailed off as she shook her head. “You want to stay here?”

      “Yes. I’ll be fine. Go ahead. There’s plenty here to keep me just fine.” She’d sleep in a camel stall before she stepped into a blowing storm like the one raging outside.

      “No, that’s not the point. If I go, you go. If you stay, I stay.” He turned and stood.

      “Oh,” she said, staring at him.

      “What’s wrong?” He took her hands in his warm ones.

      “Nothing.” Well, other than a little privacy. Her father’s final words. And really cold wind. Really strong, cold wind. She squeezed her eyes closed briefly as a gust shook the transport.

      “Really, Duke Nordenskiold, I’ll be fine here. You have your crew to take care of. I’m sure they need your leadership during this storm.” She pulled away from him and bent to look out the window. It appeared there were thick cables holding their little vehicle to the floor of the transport. And now the crew members were plugging in what looked like power cables.

      She felt Gunnar’s hands on her waist before he put his arms around her and pulled her to a standing position.

      “Nory, we’ll be fine here. A little close quarters, but warm and safe. We have plenty of power for heat and lights. We also have plenty of food, and water for washing. What we don’t have are luxury accommodations.”

      “I’ve lived in worse places.” She lifted shoulder. He hadn’t spent three weeks on a tramp cruiser. “At least this is designed for humanoid use.” She supposed her nearly suppressed shudder spoke for itself.

      “I’m guessing you have some stories to tell.”

      She felt laughter bubble up inside as he turned her around in his arms. “Stories? I could keep you up for three days or more with all the stories I have to tell.”

      “I’d rather you keep me up for three days another way, with stories in between,” he said, his voice shooting a spark of thrill through her body. “The One…” He sounded dazed as he lifted a lock of her hair and rubbed it between his fingers. “At last.”

      “Um, Gunnar.” She swallowed hard, her eyes on his as he moved closer.

      “Yes, Nory?”

      “We really need to talk.”

      “About?”

      His hands reached the overall clasps she’d reattached.

      “Gods, fathers, and prophesying old priests aside, I feel funny about this.” Her eyes searched his deep blue ones. Only a hint of silver flecks remained. Low lights glowing from near the ceiling made the color deeper, and cast an intimate glow in the small space.

      “About what?”

      “This… thing… everyone says is between us.”

      “You mean the destiny thing?”

      Her breath caught as the clasps were undone again. It didn’t take anything for the insulated pants to slide down her legs. The material was stiff enough they didn’t pool in a sexy manner at her feet. So unlike a soft, thin sarong. Before she could think, Gunnar’s lips brushed hers, his hands warm and firm on her back.

      “It’s okay, Nory. It’s meant to be. You and me. I have it on good authority.”

      “Gunnar—” her weak protest was cut off when he pulled her body tight against his, their tongues meeting in that oh-so-sexy dance. This time it was slow and heat-building as his tongue leisurely explored the inside of her mouth, stroking and tasting every surface. With a groan she sucked his tongue in and gently pulsed her mouth around it.

      His response was all she could have hoped for as he crushed her to him. She felt him, hard against the soft swell of her stomach. It reminded her of other pressing needs and she pulled away, breaking the kiss.

      “Gunnar,” she tried again only to catch her breath at the feel of his lips on her earlobe. “I need a minute,” she gasped.

      “For?”

      “Can I just have a minute? Please?”

      “What’s wrong?”

      She avoided his eyes when he stepped back to look at her.

      “Why don’t you go check the tires or something?” she suggested

      “We don’t have tires on this thing.”

      “Gunnar! Please. Just give me a few minutes, okay?”

      Understanding dawned in his eyes. “We’re not going to be able to avoid this the next few days.” The man had the nerve to laugh at her.

      “Don’t make me pull rank on you,” she growled.

      An odd light entered his eye. “Noreen, this can’t be avoided without great discomfort. Take care of business while I cover the windows. And don’t lower the bed until I go.”

      He pulled her close and kissed her nose. There was no getting around it. With as much dignity as she could muster, she pulled off her boots and overalls, then braved the half stall. At least the floor seemed warm. Probably from the engines. Thankfully he waited until he heard the flush before turning back.

      “We’re alone now,” he told her. “The crew is lining up the transports and we’re going to get a few more klicks behind us. Might even reach the nearest thermal pools.”

      “Great.” She busied herself by folding up her parka and overalls, trying not to listen as he washed up. How did she get here?

      “Would you like a shower first?”

      “Um, no, that’s okay. I washed up already.” It wasn’t a proper bidet, but a wet cloth worked just fine in a pinch.

      In a matter of a few minutes the panel was pulled down and the feather bed fluffed. Gunnar’s attention to the corners puzzled her for just СКАЧАТЬ