Read Online WOLF DAWN: Science Fiction Thriller/ Romance (Forsaken Worlds) by Susan Cartwright - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Susan Cartwright
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already had distinguished if premature gray in his brown hair. He was not vain, then, or he would have genetically modified that gray. Unless, of course, he was a Naturalist. She noticed the barest shadow on his face. Why hadn’t he had his beard permanently removed? Most men did, yet he chose to shave.
A Traditionalist, then? He looked as if he had seen and experienced all manner of life, yet it didn’t appear to have affected him. Neither cynical nor cruel, he was genuinely friendly, and his light brown eyes showed compassion and humor. But one couldn’t call Captain Forseth truly handsome — not with that ill-set broken nose and the unsightly scar that ran from his left ear to his chin. The scar appeared to be the result of a burn, the skin pink and waxy, melted across his cheek. These injuries must be recent, or surely he would have had cosmetic repair to eradicate such disfigurements. “Body Beautiful” was the accepted norm across the Freeworlds. She studied him, curious as to what could have made such a vicious wound. Laser?
Forseth looked up at her scrutiny.
Sartha’s heart jumped. Attempting to conceal her discomposure, she quickly looked away from his intense regard. She busied herself with the plates, feeling awkward, like a child caught trespassing on something private.
Sartha set her face determinedly. Friendly or not, Captain Forseth could still be a threat to her son, and she knew the best way to handle him. Through her gift she was aware that he felt ill at ease with attractive women, although she had been unable to determine why. Her manner of dress had intentionally been sexually alluring; her generous cleavage left little to the imagination. Sartha thought of Jarith, the love of her life. It felt wrong to dress this way, with him laying unburied on Delian, but it was necessary. She would put this Captain on the defensive. Soon he would be so uncomfortable that he would find it necessary to leave. Then she and Ash would continue their journey to Kalar.
Sartha sighed. She would like to confide in the man, but she simply couldn’t take the risk. She sat down with her guests, poured her own coffee and stirred in some cream.
“This is wonderful, Lady,” said Forseth. He raised his cup to his lips. “I must remember to stop
Assurance
whenever she undertakes a journey.”
Sartha laughed. “Certainly, Captain. You would be most welcome.” She leaned toward him provocatively, displaying her generous cleavage. “And tell me, sir, is it only the coffee you seek in this visit or,” she finished in a throaty, sensual voice, “is there something else you wish me to provide?”
Captain Forseth coughed as he almost choked on his coffee. All conversation stopped as everyone in the room looked at him in some surprise. He had spilled his beverage and the Lady Sartha was already wiping up the small spill.
He cleared his throat. “Ah, no, Lady. Routine stop only.” Forseth appeared to find an interest in his cup. “Ah, we are patrolling these lanes and are required to search any vessels for contraband, illegal passage — the, uh, usual things,” he finished lamely.
Sartha looked up at him through her lashes, her lips in a pout. It was a sensual invitation. “You are certainly most welcome to have as close a look as you like,” she added suggestively, “at anything aboard this vessel.”
Forseth actually squirmed, Sartha noted with satisfaction. She had taken him by surprise. No doubt he was already planning an escape back to the safety of his ship. He ran a nervous finger under the collar around his neck. What would he do now? she wondered. Now that he had an uncontrollable desire to flee, would he make an excuse and just go?
“Ah, Lady, duty requires that I ask you a few questions.” Forseth stood up and took a step backwards. His sudden clumsy movement jarred the table.
Sartha hid a smile. So. It seemed that when stressed he resorted to set police procedures. Throughout the visit the
A Traditionalist, then? He looked as if he had seen and experienced all manner of life, yet it didn’t appear to have affected him. Neither cynical nor cruel, he was genuinely friendly, and his light brown eyes showed compassion and humor. But one couldn’t call Captain Forseth truly handsome — not with that ill-set broken nose and the unsightly scar that ran from his left ear to his chin. The scar appeared to be the result of a burn, the skin pink and waxy, melted across his cheek. These injuries must be recent, or surely he would have had cosmetic repair to eradicate such disfigurements. “Body Beautiful” was the accepted norm across the Freeworlds. She studied him, curious as to what could have made such a vicious wound. Laser?
Forseth looked up at her scrutiny.
Sartha’s heart jumped. Attempting to conceal her discomposure, she quickly looked away from his intense regard. She busied herself with the plates, feeling awkward, like a child caught trespassing on something private.
Sartha set her face determinedly. Friendly or not, Captain Forseth could still be a threat to her son, and she knew the best way to handle him. Through her gift she was aware that he felt ill at ease with attractive women, although she had been unable to determine why. Her manner of dress had intentionally been sexually alluring; her generous cleavage left little to the imagination. Sartha thought of Jarith, the love of her life. It felt wrong to dress this way, with him laying unburied on Delian, but it was necessary. She would put this Captain on the defensive. Soon he would be so uncomfortable that he would find it necessary to leave. Then she and Ash would continue their journey to Kalar.
Sartha sighed. She would like to confide in the man, but she simply couldn’t take the risk. She sat down with her guests, poured her own coffee and stirred in some cream.
“This is wonderful, Lady,” said Forseth. He raised his cup to his lips. “I must remember to stop
Assurance
whenever she undertakes a journey.”
Sartha laughed. “Certainly, Captain. You would be most welcome.” She leaned toward him provocatively, displaying her generous cleavage. “And tell me, sir, is it only the coffee you seek in this visit or,” she finished in a throaty, sensual voice, “is there something else you wish me to provide?”
Captain Forseth coughed as he almost choked on his coffee. All conversation stopped as everyone in the room looked at him in some surprise. He had spilled his beverage and the Lady Sartha was already wiping up the small spill.
He cleared his throat. “Ah, no, Lady. Routine stop only.” Forseth appeared to find an interest in his cup. “Ah, we are patrolling these lanes and are required to search any vessels for contraband, illegal passage — the, uh, usual things,” he finished lamely.
Sartha looked up at him through her lashes, her lips in a pout. It was a sensual invitation. “You are certainly most welcome to have as close a look as you like,” she added suggestively, “at anything aboard this vessel.”
Forseth actually squirmed, Sartha noted with satisfaction. She had taken him by surprise. No doubt he was already planning an escape back to the safety of his ship. He ran a nervous finger under the collar around his neck. What would he do now? she wondered. Now that he had an uncontrollable desire to flee, would he make an excuse and just go?
“Ah, Lady, duty requires that I ask you a few questions.” Forseth stood up and took a step backwards. His sudden clumsy movement jarred the table.
Sartha hid a smile. So. It seemed that when stressed he resorted to set police procedures. Throughout the visit the
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