Chain Reaction Read Online Free PDF Page B

hands on her hips and directed her attention toward the Phantom.
    “Nervous?”
    “Hells, no. I just want to get this mission started.”
    Mara nudged her shoulder. “Can’t wait to be alone with Calder? It’s a cozy little ship. Room for two. Close quarters.”
    She snorted. “You’ve inhaled too much meteor dust, scavenger.”
    “We watched you two in SimCom on the vid feed. I’d seen you in action, so I know you could fight. But Calder…” Mara lowered her voice. “Holy gods, that was unexpected. I didn’t know NerdWorks threw down like that.”
    “Neither did I,” she admitted.
    “He looked incredibly hot doing so.”
    Her mouth curled. “Aren’t you Kell’s woman?”
    “Kell’s my man. But just between us…” She leaned closer. “Calder’s pretty sexy. The moves on that guy. Not to mention his ass. Nova-level.”
    “Didn’t notice. Too busy fighting off sentries.” Untrue. She had noticed, and in addition to being pretty damned impressed by Calder’s fighting skills, she hadn’t failed to appreciate that he had one fine body. She saw it now as he moved around the Phantom showing the admiral the modifications he had made to the ship.
    He was leaner than Kell, but no less potent, his 8 th Wing uniform hugging wide shoulders and clinging to tight, muscled arms. He’d moved with power in SimCom, his legs long and strong. And, yes, Celene had seen his ass. Taut and sculpted, it was the kind of behind a woman fantasized about digging her nails into.
    “Yeah, I can see how much you aren’t noticing,” Mara observed.
    “So my eyesight works. Doesn’t matter. All I need is for him to track the power signature and stay out of my way when I take Marek down.” The best she could ever hope for with any man was a quick tumble and an even quicker retreat, before his inevitable disappointment when it was revealed that, yes, she had the same emotional needs as any living being. It would never go that far with Calder. Especially not on a mission.
    She strode toward the Phantom. “We ready to go?”
    Calder closed a side panel on the ship and dusted off his hands. She tried not to stare at his thighs as he wiped his palms on them. “I ran one final diagnostic protocol. We’re good.”
    “All your gear’s aboard?”
    The lieutenant crossed his arms over his chest. “I’ve been on missions before, Lieutenant Jur.”
    “Good. Because this mission is too important to risk on a nebula newbie’s inexperience.” She didn’t like the sharpness of her tone, but this mission was crucial. Nothing could be left to fate.
    “No communication with base unless it’s an absolute emergency,” the admiral directed. “Stealth is essential—another reason why you need the Phantom. Since it can hold you both for longer journeys, there’s no need to compromise security by docking at any stations. It will be just you two on that ship, for as long as it takes.”
    “Understood.” As Calder spoke, his gaze flicked over to Celene, and a flush darkened his cheeks.
    She felt an answering heat in her own face. This was ridiculous. She’d been on long missions before, with other men, and felt nothing, only the need to complete the objective. This must be no different. She had to be Stainless Jur, invulnerable, an ace pilot—never a woman.
    “We’ll depart as soon as the last protocols are run,” she said.
    “I’ve run them all,” Calder answered. “We can leave immediately.”
    “Good luck, Lieutenants.” The admiral gave them a salute, which they returned. “You’ve got the 8 th Wing depending on you.”
    “I won’t fail, ma’am,” she said.
    “ We won’t,” Calder added.
    She glared at Kell and Mara when they both smirked. But every mission was dangerous, this more so than any other, so she shook hands with her friends, knowing that there was always the possibility that this could be the last time she ever saw them.
    Kell glanced over at Calder, who was speaking with the admiral. “You’ve