“How the hell do I know? Force doesn’t have to be obvious; it can be subtle. Like I did with those council members tonight.” He added wryly, “Like I do all the time.”

And he had wanted to make sure he’d not been unfair to her. “No force,” she said gently. “Obvious or subtle. If I was intimidated, it’s because you’re not like anyone else and very smart, and I admire you and even want to be like you in some ways. But only some ways. It would probably impede what I want to do myself. Your star burns very bright, and it could be distracting.”

“Distraction…” He raised his brows. “So I’m only a temporary fling?”

“In the end, we both know that’s what you’ll want it to be. After this is over at Jubaldar, you’ll become interested in something else and go off to create something intriguing and wonderful. It’s what you should do.” She concentrated on keeping her voice steady. “But as I told you, I wanted to have sex with you. I didn’t see why I shouldn’t, and I appreciate you accommodating me. It was everything I thought it would be. I promised you that there wouldn’t be even a hint of a commitment. I’ll keep my word.”

“What a courteous and completely reasonable little speech.” His expression was totally enigmatic. “There were a few things I liked very much about it. But there were others that showed a basic lack of understanding of who I am. It’s that cerebral-physical thing again, merged with the fact that I’m very possessive and tend to keep anything that really pleases me for an inordinately long time.” He added softly, “And you’ve pleased me since the first moment you walked into my study and disabled the XV-10, so I’m going to have trouble not getting obsessive.” He leaned closer and flipped the edge of the blanket open to reveal the nakedness of her lower body. “Do you suppose you could stave off tossing me out until I become accustomed to the idea? Since I was so ‘accommodating’?”

“It’s possible.” It was starting again. Her heart was beating hard; she was readying. It didn’t matter that Korgan’s attitude was a little inscrutable. Maybe that was natural. She’d worry about it later. “You were certainly that and more. I told you I wasn’t playing coy. You can probably have me whenever you want me. I only wanted everything to be clear and honest between us.”

“And it is.” She could feel his breath on her belly, then faint prickly stubble as he moved lower, rubbing his cheek back and forth against her. “Honest and clear and everything that I want…”

Chapter 15

Chapter
15

6:40 A.M.

Her phone was ringing…

Novak!

Alisa jerked up in bed, wide awake, as she picked it up. “How close are you, Novak?”