Read Online Too Close to the Sun (The Sun 1) by Robin T. Popp - Free Book Online

to his three advisors.
    “Contact our emissaries. When she resurfaces, I want to be the first to know. She--” He fell into a coughing paroxysm. The young men moved closer to offer assistance, although they knew nothing could be done. The old man was dying. It was just a matter of time.
    When the spell subsided, the High Counsel raised his hand and the men stepped back. “Find her and see that she is brought back. Now leave me. I wish to be alone.”
    Behind his back, the men exchanged glances, but nothing on their faces revealed their thoughts. They bowed and walked from the room. None of them spoke before parting to go in different directions, presumably to carry out the High Counsel’s directives.
    As the three each walked away, one considered how best to execute the High Counsel’s orders, one fantasized about the young kitchen maid whose charms he plotted to enjoy in the very near future - and the last thought about plans to save his people and take over a planet.
    * * * * *
     
    Angel lost track of time as she stood directly under the shower’s spray and let the warmth seep into her pores and loosen tight muscles. Lulled into a dreamlike state, her thoughts wandered to Romanof.
    What kind of man was he? Dangerous, she decided, her mind conjuring an image of a darkly sensuous man, his face hidden in shadow. Moving with the grace of a panther, his sleek, powerful body moved close to hers. Rough hands caressed her, leaving highly sensitive skin tingling in the wake of his warm touch. When he whispered words of passion into her ear, it was Romanof’s full, masculine voice she heard. Oh yes, very dangerous.
    She’d been alone too long if she was starting to fantasize about a computer, she thought abruptly, shaking off the last remnants of the daydream. As for Romanof, he was probably an old man like Yanur, who just happened to have a great voice. Hell, it probably wasn't even his voice.
    She turned off the shower’s mist and stood for a few seconds letting the last drops of moisture evaporate, feeling disgusted with herself for letting a computer-generated voice arouse her imagination. Such daydreaming was absurd. Her number one concern at the moment should be getting back to Earth where she could enlist Dugan’s help to get safely to a location of her choosing.
    Slipping out of the shower, she went in search of clothes. Again, a pleasant musky scent filled her senses when she opened the closet door, reviving briefly the image of her dark dream-lover. Then a new thought occurred to her. These were Romanof’s clothes! Unable to stop herself, she leaned further into the closet, inhaling the musky scent and letting her hand trail lightly across the garments while she enjoyed the feel of well-worn cloth against her fingertips.
    Tightening the leash on her imagination, Angel pulled out a uni-fit jumpsuit and put it on. She found the comb and dragged it roughly through her hair, using the pain to help focus her concentration.
    She was back in control by the time all the tangles were out. After putting on her boots, she picked up the supplies she had discarded earlier and walked out of the room.
    She replaced the items in the closet where she’d found them and, as she shut the door, the sound of voices from the bridge caught her attention.
    “I’m sorry, Alex.”
    Angel detected an apologetic tone to Yanur’s voice. “What’s up?” She asked, walking onto the bridge to sit in the pilot’s chair. Her question met with silence, so she looked at Yanur, but found his expression unreadable.
    “Yanur has just informed me that he will be unable to assist me when we reach the Harvesters' planet,” Romanof said.
    “Because of his broken leg?” Angel asked.
    “Correct. Therefore, I require your assistance, Michels.”
    “What?” Angel asked at the same time that Yanur said, “No.”
    “Is there a problem?” Romanof asked.
    Angel looked at Yanur, curiosity momentarily distracting her from her objection. “I know