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dangerously close to treason. When she looked at Ben this time, she noted that the man of the shadows was gone. The light showed a slightly harder edge to him. He was still the most handsome man she’d ever met. But for the first time she clearly saw his social mask, something she’d only guessed existed before.
    This was clearly the businessman, Mr. Hawthorn. She surprised herself when she realized she was more interested in seeing Ben.
    Oblivious to her revelation, Ben motioned to the building. “Would you like to go inside? I’d asked Matt to prepare a supper for us earlier. I was hoping we could spend some time talking.”
    “Of course, I’d love to,” she said, her heart racing.
    He guided her with his hand resting lightly on her hip. The constant contact kept her senses charged. Matt was already at the entrance holding the door open for them.
    As Jenna entered the building he smiled.
    “Have a wonderful time, Jenna.”
    “You’re not coming in?” She faked surprise.
    “No, I have the night off.”
    She smiled back at him. A small part of her was pleased she would have Ben all to herself. The other part was terrified.
    Jenna moved into the dark room as far as she dared and tried to make out some of the features. Ben was speaking softly to Matt, the content of their conversation not quite reaching her ears. Then Matt was gone and Ben made his way over.
    “I love Matt like a brother and I trust him with my life. But even I don’t want my bodyguard hanging around when I’m on a date. Computer, low lights.”
    High above her head, the lights clicked on and flooded everything with a soft glow.
    The hallway was refinished and modernized. Computer panels were built into the wall, 24

     
    creating a smooth surface. She couldn’t immediately see any doors, their smooth surfaces blending in magically with the wall. At the end of the hall stood a large sculpture of an angel with a sword. The angel’s eyes seemed to follow them as they walked.
    “Beautiful.”
    “She was a present from a friend. Someone to watch over me.”
    Jenna turned to face him. “I have friends like that. Always trying to keep me out of trouble.”
    He smiled. “Dinner is in the observation room. This way.”
    Ben held out his arm and Jenna instinctively took it. His body heat seeped through his jacket and was absorbed by her skin. He led her down the short hallway to another door. When he opened it, he paused for a moment to let her take in the details.
    The far wall was fitted with large windows, swallowing up most of where the outer wall should be. She could tell it was tinted with a one-way coating, preventing any prying eyes from peeking in. The view of the red sand of the planet’s surface and the orange sky was stunning. She almost forgot to look around the rest of the room.
    Her eyes were drawn next to a large fireplace. A shiver ran through her when she saw two chairs flanking a large table. Her stomach bottomed out on her. She’d forgotten that he would have read her fantasies. Shit, shit, shit. Why hadn’t she taken the time to read his?
    “I hope you like it,” Ben said next to her. He gave her hip a light squeeze before moving away.
    She tried to ignore the implication of the chair by the fire and instead focused on the window.
    “The view is amazing. I don’t think I’ve seen a better one without actually being outside the dome.”
    “Yes, a beautiful view indeed.”
    She turned to face him, but he had ducked behind a large bar that took up most of the side wall. Jenna took a deep breath to try to calm her nerves. She’d have to be an idiot to have missed his compliment. Or else she was an idiot for thinking he’d implied one. What the hell did she think she was doing here tonight?
    I can’t do this. Not with Ben.
    “Would you like a drink? I have some wine, or if you’re feeling adventurous, I have a bottle of twenty-five-year-old Scotch straight from Earth.”
    She was Jenna Marie Robins. Professor of