Free Fallon's Fall by Jordan Summers Page A

himself. He stepped off the transport cylinder and all eyes latched onto him, confirming his suspicions.
    He ignored his crew’s curious expressions and stepped in front of the control panel. “Is the Anemone still searching for us?”
    Hawk nodded. “The ship has set up orbit around the asteroid,” he said. “It’s just waiting for us to move, so it can take another shot.”
    “Firing on us makes no sense,” Fallon said.
    “Their intention was to disable us,” Hawk said. “They nearly succeeded. Is our patient still doing okay?”
    “Mars will be fine,” Fallon said. “Echo is with him.”
    “I’m not referring to Mars.” Hawk stared at Fallon’s bandaged hand.
    Fallon grimaced. “I’ll live.”
    Hawk shifted in his command chair. “She must care a little or she wouldn’t have patched you up.”
    “She did her duty and made it clear she wants to go,” Fallon said. Hawk might well order him to do so. What would he do then? He wasn’t sure. He’d only had one day with her.
    “What do you want?” Hawk asked.
    “My wants are no longer important,” he said.
    Hawk blinked. “Since when?”
    “Since my actions endangered my crew,” Fallon said.
    All traces of amusement fled. “Understood,” Hawk said.
    Opal walked up beside the captain.
    Hawk grabbed her by the waist and pulled her into his arms. “We’re out of time,” he said. “I can only give you one more day to sort this all out. After that, I’ll have to hail the ship.”
    One more day with Dora wasn’t nearly enough time, but Hawk was right. For the sake of the ship and the crew, Fallon would have to figure out how to say goodbye to her. This time for good.
    “Aye, Captain,” Fallon said.
    “Lex, take over Fallon’s position. He is relieved of duty for the next twelve hours,” Hawk said.
    “Thank you,” Fallon said.
    “Don’t thank me yet,” Hawk said. “We’re far from out of this mess. Now go do what you need to do. I’ll let you know if you’re required on the bridge.”
    Fallon returned to the med area, only to find Dora missing. Mars was still inside the healing chamber, but his vitals had stabilized and he was sleeping peacefully. A puff of smoke appeared beside him.
    “Find her,” Reaper said. “I’ll stay with him.”
    Fallon nodded, then left. There was only one other place Dora might be. He headed to his cabin to confront her.
    Dora was sitting at his workstation, when he walked into the room. “I thought you were on duty,” she said.
    “Hawk gave me some time off,” Fallon said and closed the door behind him.
    “I’ve said all I plan to say to you,” she said.
    He leaned his back against the door. “You’re a coward,” Fallon said.
    Dora’s face scrunched. “What!”
    “You heard me.”
    “You are a Cornga backside,” she snapped.
    “That may be,” Fallon said. “But at least I’m not afraid to touch you.”
    “I’m not afraid to touch you,” Dora said, but couldn’t hold his gaze.
    Fallon watched at her for a moment, then said, “Prove it.”
    Dora crossed her arms over her chest and shifted nervously on her chair. “I don’t have to prove anything to you.”
    “Just as I thought,” Fallon said. “A coward.”
    “If I sleep with you, will you release me?” she asked.
    Fallon’s jaw locked, but he managed to say, "yes" through gritted teeth. It would kill him to hold her in his arms, then have to let her go. But what other choice did he have? He wanted Dora. Had always wanted her. This was his last chance to have her...if only for the night. Fallon wasn’t strong enough to pass up the opportunity, even if that did make him a Cornga backside.
    Was she really going to do this? Could she do this?
    Dora wasn’t sure. One thing she did know was that she could’ve turned Fallon’s offer down, but didn’t want to. He was right, she was afraid. Not of him, but the emotions Fallon dredged up inside of her. Emotions she thought long dead.
    She stared at him. His stern expression