Free Jordan by Susan Kearney

shoved Lyle with her foot and he
     groaned. Kneeling, she spoke quietly, her tone threaded with steel. “Lyle, you aren’t welcome on this bridge until I receive
     a public apology.”
    “Get him out of here,” Jordan ordered.
    Tennison dragged Lyle to his feet. Lyle wobbled and leaned against Tennison, and although his tone was strong, the fight was
     gone from his voice. “I’m sorry. I was out of line.” He raised his head, rubbed his brow. “And… I overreacted. I’m an engineer,
     not an explorer. I didn’t sign up for this kind of stress.”
    “Apology accepted.” Voice tight, Vivianne jerked her thumb. “But do me a favor and stay out of my way for a while.”
    Her demeanor was strong, feminine, sexy as hell. And like a switch had been turned on, Jordan’s blood was suddenly simmering
     with lust. He gaze caught Vivianne’s, and he could see twin pinpoints of light in her irises.
    She wanted him. At least, he prayed the answering gleam he’d seen there was real. Because he had to get them off the bridge
     fast. Like a vibration from loud music, tremors rocked him. Starting in his bones, echoing through his tendons, radiating
     outward through his muscles, the thrum of sensuality was a drumbeat he couldn’t ignore.
    Jordan approached the viewscreen. “How long until we orbit the dark world?”
    “About ten hours,” Gray said.
    “You and Sean have the first watch. Don’t hesitate to call me if anything unusual happens. Vivianne, you’re with me.”
    Jordan stalked from the bridge, not even waiting to see if she followed. He was in serious need of…
    Jordan halted in midthought. Ever since he and Vivianne had gone back to the engine room, he’d been riled. If Lyle hadn’t
     set him off, something else would have.
    His skin prickled. He had a hard-on the size of Jupiter, and no matter had much he tried to repress the need, he was close
     to losing control again.
    “You think us being together’s a… good… idea?” Vivianne came up next to him. Her tone was soft and raw. She might as well
     have caressed his flesh.
    He gritted his teeth. “It’s… happening… again.”
    “No. It is not.” Vivianne spoke as if she was in agony.
    It took every ounce of his control not to rip off her clothing and take her there right in the hallway. He swallowed hard,
     unable to keep the gruff need from his tone. “I’ll be in the captain’s quarters.”
    And if she didn’t follow, he was going to die. Not in his entire life had lust ever pounded him like this. It was as if some
     universal joker was playing cruel tricks. They were in danger. But it didn’t matter. They might die tomorrow. It didn’t matter.
     The crew would know exactly what they were up to. It didn’t matter.
    He had to have her now.
    He heard her first hurried steps behind him. And he began to run.
    Her matching sprint should have made him feel joyous. But he was in too much need for joy.
    Breath coming harsh in his throat, he opened the cabin door and spun around, snaked out an arm to grab her, and dragged her
     to him. She kicked the door shut behind her. He couldn’t wait one more second to kiss her. Thank the Universe, she lifted
     her head, grabbed his hair, and yanked his head down.
    Then he was tasting her. Holding her, crushing her against him.
    He had to force himself to ease back so she could breathe. “I hope to hell you want me,” he growled.
    “Like I have a choice.” She bit his neck.
    “I’ll take that for a yes.” He scooped her up and was in the process of carrying her to the bed when the
Draco’
s artificial gravity failed.
    They floated into midair. “Captain,” Gray said through the intercom. “We have a short. Sean says it’s going to take about
     an hour to fix the gravity.”
    He leaned over and hit the toggle. “Understood. Make certain the damn dog doesn’t break its neck.” He killed the intercom
     and eyed Vivianne.
    “Thanks for looking out for George.” She was already removing her