Under His Command by Annabel Wolfe Read Free Book Online Page A

sister’s
    but her eyes were tawny, not hazel. There was a slight mark on one
    smooth cheek that looked like a chemical burn and one of her hands
    was bandaged. She said tightly, “Don’t blame Will. He happens to
    have the capacity to actually feel gratitude for my sister’s courage, so

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    he offered to help. It probably stems from still being alive thanks to
    her.”
    The implied criticism was irritating. “Look, Ms. Valmont—”
    “ Dr . Valmont. I have advanced degrees in both physics and planet
    dynamics.” Her chin lifted a few degrees. She stood with her
    shoulders back, radiating militant outrage like a core mining blast
    furnace.
    “All right, Dr. Valmont, let me first disabuse you of the idea the
    lieutenant’s courage has gone unnoticed by this command.
    Commander Gallico however, has an obligation to keep discipline on
    this vessel. She broke the rules, however well the outcome turned out
    to be. Maybe as a civilian you don’t comprehend it, but I assure you,
    your sister understood the repercussions.”
    “How convenient this all is for you and Commander Gallico.”
    “There was nothing convenient at all about the situation on
    Epsilon.” His tone was clipped. “Not for any of us. I saw the
    commander struggle with his decision. Do you think he took it lightly
    to leave anyone there to die? If so, it proves you know nothing about
    him. The odds of rescue seemed very slim from this side, Doctor, and
    because it was so risky, he didn’t want to send more people to their
    deaths. And what did he do when she proved him wrong? He used the
    lightest sentence possible by dropping the charge concerning
    unauthorized appropriation of military property and gave her
    discretion in how the punishment was meted out.”
    For a moment she seemed silenced. Then she visibly swallowed,
    the muscles in her slender throat rippling. With quiet dignity, she
    asked, “Can I see her?”
    “No.” Jake softened the denial by adding, “But I’m almost off
    duty. If you have a message, I’d be happy to relay it for you.”

    Under His Command
    41

    Chapter 4
    Peyton sipped idly from her cup, the beverage reminiscent of the
    fruity earth wines she and Tara had enjoyed on their one journey to
    her mother’s home planet. She’d already used the cleansing facilities
    to wash, eaten the rations provided for both the morning meal and
    midday, and used the interactive gaming equipment for entertainment.
    From where she sat in the galley, she could see into the sleeping
    quarters. Colonel Naiad was sound asleep, his tall body sprawled
    carelessly across his bunk. One arm was curved over his head, his
    face averted and his broad chest lifted evenly with each measured
    breath.
    The man was stark naked.
    At some point he’d kicked off the sheet. Peyton worked in a maledominated part of Minoa’s forces and she’d seen her share of bare
    chests, but Colonel Naiad had a very nice build. He wasn’t as heavily
    muscled as Commander Gallico, but long and lean. Dark blond hair
    was tousled against the stark white bedding and the dusting of pubic
    hair across his groin was a slightly deeper shade. His cock was lax at
    the moment, but still looked impressively large nestled between his
    powerful thighs.
    The night before had been enlightening in many ways. Peyton
    wasn’t naïve about her lack of sexual experience, but she also hadn’t
    been prepared for the revelation of erotic pleasure either. It
    heightened her understanding of why the sexual service regulation
    existed in the first place.
    If what had happened between her and Kelton Gallico was an
    indication, no wonder males craved sexual release, Peyton thought.

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    The handsome commander had been surprisingly sensitive in contrast
    to his cold reputation and the experience had revised her previously
    lukewarm feelings about sex.
    However, the daunting fact remained she was still supposed to
    please both of them. While Commander Gallico was