Free Dangerously Hers by A.M. Griffin Page B

matter?
    This isn’t so bad.
    Eva had been right. Rasha wouldn’t hurt her, he was harmless. She could do this.
    “Eva came from Earth, Michigan, America. Are you from there as well?”
    “Yes to Earth, no to Michigan. I’m from Santa Monica, California.” She took a hard swig from her cup. This time the drink made a slow burn down her throat to her stomach. It didn’t have the same kick as her ex-crewmate Kyle’s but it would do.
    As she raised her cup for another swig, Rasha tensed. She followed his gaze and spotted a woman making her way across the room toward them. She had blonde, flowing hair and blue eyes set against flawless tanned skin. Even through the traditional Sonis gown, the woman was curvy…and busty.
    Jess resisted the urge to glance down to her B-cups.
    The woman smiled at Rasha and reached out to stroke his hand. “Hi, Rasha. I haven’t seen you,” the woman cut her eyes toward Jess, “since leaving your apartment this morning.”
    Of course.
    Rasha straightened. “I’ve been busy.”
    “This must be the scratchy kitty cat,” Jess mumbled under her breath.
    The woman glared at Jess. The easygoing demeanor she held for Rasha was replaced with a scowl. “I’m Marcie, Rasha’s girlfriend, soon-to-be mother of his children.”
    Rasha choked.
    Jess didn’t take the bait. “And I’m sure that makes you very proud.” Jess picked up her cup and took another swig, ignoring how badly her throat was beginning to burn.
    Marcie narrowed her eyes and thinned her lips into a smile. “You’re the new personal assistant, right?”
    Jess didn’t answer. Her job didn’t include talking to bitches.
    “I suspect we’ll be spending a lot of time together,” Marcie added.
    “Really, now?”
    “You know, because Rasha and I are together.”
    All righty then.
    Marcie gleefully clapped her hands. “Rasha, does this mean she’ll work for me too?”
    “Marcie, that is not—”
    Work for her? “I quit.”
    Rasha’s mouth fell open as Jess picked up her cup, scraping it across the table, and stood. Without a backward glance, she went to JB’s table.
    “C’mon, I’m ready to go back to Laconia,” she said, poking him in the shoulder.
    JB squinted up at her, his face contorted. The women still hung on his arms, exchanging glances of confusion. “Go? Where? We just got here.”
    “Don’t care. I’ll meet you in the…the…transport bay.” She hiccupped. Which way is the transport bay? She pivoted on her heel and the room swayed.
    JB grabbed her arm. “Holy fuck. Are you drunk?”
    Jess tried to focus on her cup. Is this empty? Why was she still holding it? Maybe she was drunk. She could be. The internal debate made her head swim. “Does it matter?”
    JB shrugged off the females. “Wow, this is a first, getting pissy-ass drunk on your first night of work.”
    “I quit.” She shrugged. “Sorry, I tried, but I’m allergic to bitches and hoes. Californ-i-a…” She sang out the last part. She tried to form a “W” like they used to do in rap videos but her fingers tangled together. “Shit, I used to be able to do this,” she muttered.
    One of the females inhaled sharply. Jess didn’t care. Everything in her vision began to sway, making her wobble on her feet.
    “Not trying to make new friends, eh?”
    Jess raised a hand to hit him. “Like I care.” She stumbled forward. She reached for the table and used it to stabilize herself.
    Shit. I’m making a scene.
    “You aren’t going anywhere but home to sleep it off. Besides, I think I like it here. I might stay for a while.”
    Jess shook her head. “Uh-um, need to leave.” The movement caused her head to swim. The little bit of food she had eaten crept up the back of her throat. Just when she suppressed the need to vomit, her feet left the floor, making the room tilt on its axis. “Whoa!”
    “I’ll take it from here,” Rasha said.
    “Stop. I quit,” Jess said, her words slurring. “Put me down. I’m not working for that