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reached Brigit’s quarters a short time later. She slipped the entry card into the lock and the door opened with a soft click. She took a step inside, tossed her tail onto the floor then turned, holding her hand out to prevent him from following.
    The warmth of her palm resting against his chest burned through the thin material of his spacesuit straight into Orion’s soul. His breath caught in his lungs. The touch wasn’t meant to be sexual, yet it was as effective as stroking his cock. Her innocent caress scalded his insides, igniting a fierce primal need deep within him.
    He wanted to possess this woman. That knowledge shook Orion to his antigravity boots. He curled his fingers into fists to keep from touching her and did something he never thought he’d do in front of a woman; he took a defensive step back. Her hand fell away and the instantaneous loss he felt crushed his insides. Something was wrong. There was something unnatural about this moment, this woman. The need was too great, almost overpowering. This was more than a simple urge to join.
    “I said you could walk me to my door, but you aren’t coming in. I don’t know you and I certainly don’t make a habit of inviting strange men into my room.”
    The thrill he felt over her admission shocked Orion. He shouldn’t be so pleased that she didn’t freely welcome men into her body, but he was. He fought to clear his head. He must stop these foolish thoughts. He was on a mission. “I am Orion from Zaron,” he repeated like a battle mantra more for himself than for her.
    “Yeah, yeah, so you’ve said, but that doesn’t make us friends.” She leaned closer, beckoning him with her finger. “I’ll let you in on a little secret,” she spoke in a low voice. “I’ve never heard of Zaron and neither has anyone else. You may want to try making the name more realistic sounding next time.”
    Just because this primitive planet never heard of Zaron, did not mean it didn’t exist. He struggled with his anger. A muscle ticked in his cheek as he spoke through clenched teeth. “We must talk.”
    “We can talk like this.” Her hands went to a silver clip on the front of her covering. It slid down with a hiss. The material surrounding her small frame fell open, exposing a black outfit that hugged her curves like a second skin and caressed her abundant thighs. A citrus scent filled the air. He realized the delicate fragrance emanated from Brigit.
    Orion’s mouth went dry as she stepped out of the material and stood before him with her hands resting at her sides. For a full second he couldn’t think, his mind spun, he couldn’t even breathe as his gaze swept her body. It was as if the Goddess herself struck him about the head. Perhaps he’d developed space sickness during his journey. Could that explain his symptoms? Finally Orion found his voice, “I bear messages from Jac and Queen Rachel.”
    Brigit’s mouth dropped open. For a moment she remained speechless. “Why didn’t you say so in the first place? Come inside.” She reached for the front of his spacesuit, sank her finger into the lightweight material and pulled him through the doorway.
    Orion didn’t argue. He took the opportunity offered and stepped into her quarters. The room seemed to shrink with the soft click of the door closing behind him. The beige walls pressed in from all sides. He battled the urge to wrench the door open and take a deep breath. His nostrils flared as he inhaled her sweet scent, the aroma intoxicating, reminiscent of ripe Zaronian fruit.
    He watched Brigit bend over and pick up her dragon outfit to lay it on the gold-covered sleep paddock located in the center of the room. Jac and Rachel called it a bed. Pillows fell in disarray, some lying on the richly carpeted floor, while others teetered on the paddock’s ledge. Part of the gold material had been peeled back, exposing twisted white sheets. Had she lain there with another? No! She’d told him none were welcome.