Page 81 of Rogue Starfighter

Vesh glared at me from the medbay bed. I smiled. He was alive. He could glare for the rest of our lives and I would probably enjoy it. When the doctor finally released him, we went home to our quarters. The door between our rooms stood open. Vesh looked at it, then at me. “We should remove that.”

“The door?”

“Yes.”

“Seems dramatic.”

“Do you wish to close it?”

“Never again.”

“Then it is unnecessary.”

I walked into his room and sat on the edge of his bed. “You're so romantic.”

He stopped in front of me. One arm remained locked inside the regeneration brace. Burns along his ribs had been sealed beneath a layer of medical mesh. The rest of him looked very healthy. I let my gaze travel down his body. Vesh noticed.

“Medical inspection?” he asked.

“A very thorough inspection.”

“Do I meet your specifications?”

“Mostly.” My gaze lingered on the bulge in his pants.

“We have had this conversation.” He was smiling. I'd take that as a win.

“Your attitude still needs work.”

“You love my attitude.”

“I tolerate it because I like your ass.”

He laughed. Not the rough, surprised sound from the sim bay. A real laugh. Easy. Happy. I wanted to hear it every day. Vesh stepped between my knees and put his good hand beneath my chin. His expression changed. “Priya.”

“Don’t. We’re not going to argue about whether I should’ve come back for you.” I would fight to my last breath on this one. I'd already heard all the bullshit about all the rules the Earth girls had broken from a very disgruntled Captain Wroxxon while Vesh had been locked up in medical. The guy wasn't wrong, but he was still an asshole. And if he didn't stop calling me, Jamie, Mia and Lily 'the Earth girls', we were going to have more than words.

“No.” His thumb moved over my cheek. “I was going to say thank you.”

My throat tightened. “You’re welcome.”

“And I'm sorry.”

“You said that already.”

“I will keep saying it until you actually forgive me.”

“Then promise you'll never do something that stupid ever again.”

His eyes darkened. He would never make that promise. I knew it. I even understood. Didn't mean I had to like the idea.

I stood, put both hands on his chest, and pushed. Vesh sat on the bed. "Sit."

“Are you trying to give me orders in my own quarters?"

“Our quarters.” I opened the front of my uniform. His gaze dropped to my exposed cleavage.

“Better.”