A Stellar Affair by Laurel Richards Read Free Book Online Page B

Roimiran welcoming party? She felt off-balance.
    “Can you believe this wonderful weather we’re having?” he asked. “You can really feel that summer is around the corner. I like the warmer months, don’t you, Rosemary?”
    Ardra nodded absently, but she was distracted by a familiar tinkling noise on the patio.
    Jack followed her gaze. “Those are my wind chimes. Do you like them?”
    “Yes,” she said. “My mother’s house used to be filled with the sound of them.”
    “That’s interesting. Where was that?” He asked the question casually, but she wasn’t fooled.
    She frowned, but the suspicious look she gave him didn’t seem to bother him. Instead, his expression turned sympathetic.
    “You look tired,” he told her. “I hope you didn’t have a bad night.”
    Ardra rubbed her eyes and stifled a yawn. After she and the other passengers of the Oberon had been taken aboard the Roimiran ship, they had been transported down to this planet and separated. She assumed the guards had thrown Tarrin and Slade into a holding room too, but she had no way to be sure. Then last night, the guard who had escorted her here had told her she would be taken to the precept for interrogation in the morning. Although she had nothing to hide, that announcement hadn’t helped her get to sleep. It had been a long night.
    Jack took a big sip of his iced tea, and she gulped in envy as she watched. The next thing she knew, she was lifting her own glass and allowing the cool liquid to flow into her mouth. He smiled at her.
    Maybe the tea would perk her up. She had to fight the dozing sensation that came over her.
    “Are you really a precept?” she asked, still thrown off by how normal Jack seemed.
    He looked a little surprised by the question. “Yes, I am. Not what you expected, huh?”
    She shook her head. God, why was she so lethargic all of a sudden?
    “I know,” he said. “Precepts are getting a reputation as the bogeymen of the galaxy, aren’t we? I promise you I’m not that bad.”
    “And you work here?” she asked.
    He laughed, and the sound was as pleasant as the tinkling of the wind chimes. “I’m a homebody. I live here, and I work out of the house. It’s convenient.”
    “And where is here? What planet is this?”
    She didn’t think he would answer, but he must have figured there was no harm in sharing.
    “You’re on Ryso,” he told her. “It’s one of our better kept secrets, a temperate planet not far outside of Tetch space.”
    She took another sip of her drink. Her hand shook so badly she nearly spilled. For some reason, it had become difficult to concentrate, but the more she fought it, the more her adrenaline surged. She felt like something was wrong, but she couldn’t put her finger on it.
    Jack sensed she was feeling threatened again. So far, he was happy with the way this was going, but he wanted her more relaxed before he pushed. Although she was talking to him and he was learning quite a bit from what she didn’t say too, she required a delicate touch. He tried to put her under a little deeper.
    “Rosemary,” he said, using his most soothing voice, “what would help you relax? If a loved one were trying to comfort you, what would you want them to do?”
    He waited for her response and was surprised when she didn’t answer him. Perhaps she didn’t understand?
    “If you’re frightened or upset, what helps? Do you like to be petted or have your hand held or your back stroked? Did your parents used to hug you as a child?” This was usually important to know if he was going to interpose himself into her personal memories later on.
    Once again, she remained silent, and he realized she was fighting against his influence. He reminded himself that this woman wasn’t a voluntary patient seeking his help. She was a captive—something he shouldn’t have forgotten for even a second. She looked so vulnerable right now that he wanted to jump in and make it all better, but he controlled