32
They cleaned up in silence, mainly because Jillian didn’t know what else to say and she was afraid if they started talking too much, she’d want to fall into Kalis’s arms again.
Be careful, she warned herself, as she tried to keep up her “professional chef” image, like a wall around herself. You’re falling for this guy and you’ve only known him a day or two. Remember how fast you fell for Brad and how badly it turned out.
But she couldn’t help thinking about how good it had felt to be held in Kalis’s warm, muscular arms and his scent was still all around her, mixing with the spicy aromas of the food they’d prepared together.
Still, Jillian managed to keep herself from doing anything she would regret and when they finished cleaning the kitchen, she was able to hold her head high and give Kalis her most professional smile.
“Thank you again and goodnight, Kalis—I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He grinned at her.
“Then I got the job?”
Jillian smiled back.
“You got it. And not just because you saved me from being attacked by a giant, horny butterfly. You’re a great cook and I think you’ll be an excellent addition to Pat-ar’s kitchen.”
He’d be an excellent addition to your bed, too, whispered a naughty little voice in her head. Jillian did her best to push it away. Slow—she needed to take things slow! There was no way she was going to repeat the headlong dash into love and romance that had gotten her in trouble with her ex, no matter how attracted she was to the big Kindred.
“Thank you, Chef,” Kalis murmured, looking down at her. “I’ll work hard for you.”
“I know you will. Well…” Jillian manufactured a yawn. “It’s been a long day. I need to get back to my suite.”
“Agreed. Can I walk you to the transport?” Kalis asked. “Just to be certain you’re safe—you have to walk right past the Unmated Males area on the way out of here,” he pointed out. “I don’t want you to have to go that way alone.”
“Oh, well…sure.” Jillian shrugged. She’d never had any trouble with walking past the area—which was forbidden for single females to enter—before, but it was nice that Kalis wanted to look out for her.
They walked through the parkland in the center of the Mother Ship, which was now flooded with artificial moonlight. The green sun at the center of the ship, which provided immense amounts of power, was powered down on “low”, making a soft silvery glow that looked beautiful on the grass and trees.
“I never knew the Mother Ship could be so beautiful,” Kalis rumbled, looking around as they walked.
“It really is nice,” Jillian admitted. “I never thought I could be happy living on a spaceship—I thought I would feel cooped up or claustrophobic—but the Mother Ship is so huge, I forget I’m inside a ship half the time.”
“It’s easy to forget,” Kalis agreed. “I heard about it all my life. Never thought I’d live here, though.”
“I, uh, hope you’ll be happy here,” Jillian offered, a bit awkwardly. “I know it’s probably a big change from living in the Buy-All-Sell-All.”
“Of course I’ll be happy here,” Kalis rumbled, looking down at her. “You’re here, little Mistress.”
Jillian’s heart started pounding but she tried to remain professional.
“Kalis, you really can’t say things like that,” she reproved him sternly. “I’m your boss now. And I know your, er, previous bosses—Mistresses—have expected you to do…a lot of things for them. But for me, you only have to show up on time and do a great job in the kitchen. Anything else would be inappropriate to, ah, say the least.”
“I see.” He nodded thoughtfully. “All right—I’ll be respectful of your wishes. Just know that I’m here if you need me…in any way,” he added.
They had reached the transport at this point—it was a tram that ran all around the vast Mother Ship, making it easier to get around the enormous space. Though there was a tram already waiting for passengers at the station, Jillian found she was reluctant to board it.
“Thank you,” she breathed, looking up at the big Kindred.
“You’re welcome,” Kalis rumbled, catching her eyes with his own.
For a long moment, they just gazed at each other. Jillian caught herself wishing he would cup her cheek again, and lean in to kiss her, as he almost had in the kitchen before Commander Sylvan had interrupted them. But she knew that would be inappropriate and taking things way too fast—which was a mistake she was determined not to repeat.
“Well…goodnight,” she said softly, unable to drag her eyes away from his silver-green gaze.
“Goodnight, Jillian,” he murmured in that deep, soft voice of his.
Jillian got the feeling that he wanted to touch her and she knew she wanted to touch him too…wanted to lean against his broad chest and feel him enfold her in those hard, muscular arms again and take her mouth with his…