INNOCENCE MEETS HEDONISM:
He’s a father’s worst nightmare. Yet cargo pilot, Nick Banner, is Jonathan
Loring’s only hope of getting his daughter, Tressa, safely off-planet
and out of harm’s way.
EXCERPT: Banner's Bonus
Without so much
as turning to address her, Nick’s satin baritone calmly broke the silence.
"It’s a damned good thing we don’t have any more days left on this run.
With your lengthy showers everyday you’ve managed to put our
more-than-sufficient water supply into the red."
"I have not
been taking lengthy showers. For your information, I’ve been very
conservative."
Nick smiled.
"Yeah, well we’ve got a flashing indicator here that says
differently."
Tressa cast a
glance at the pulsing light on the console, then made her way to her seat.
"I can assure you that’s not my
fault."
"No of
course it’s not. It’s TiMar’s." Reaching overhead, he flipped a series of
switches and waited for a cluster of lights to turn green.
"It appears
to me," Tressa said as she settled into her chair, "that once again
your immaturity is at fault."
"Is that
right." He continued monitoring the controls.
"Yes. Did
you ever stop to think that the cause of the low water supply might be all
those cold showers you keep taking?" The instant the words were out Tressa
regretted them.
His head came
around with a slow grin, and she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that she was
about to be had for lunch.
"You think that’s what I’ve been doing in
there?"
With heat
scorching her cheeks, Tressa looked away, refusing to respond.
Taking a cold shower is probably the least of your
busy little activities behind a closed door. A silent voice added.
"Tressa? I
asked if that’s what you--"
"I really
don’t care what you do, Banner." Glancing down, she feigned sudden
interest in her fingernails.
"Ah, but
you’ve wondered, haven’t you?"
She ignored him.
There’s nothing to wonder about, flyboy.
"Haven’t
you, Tressa?" he taunted. "You had it all figured out."
She slid him a
retiring look.
He grinned.
"Besides, why the devil would I be taking cold showers?"
Refusing to rise
to the bait, Tressa began examining one particular fingernail with avid
interest. "I couldn’t care less why," she mumbled beneath her breath.
"What was
that? You say something?"
Without looking
up she replied, "The low water supply is just another classic
example."
"Of
what?"
"Your lack
of self-control, of course."
Silence.
You just can’t leave well enough alone, can you?
Tressa didn’t
dare look at him. He was spoiling for a fight and she had just delivered the
first punch.
And if you don’t stop, you’re going to find yourself
out-gunned on a subject you’ll wish to stars you hadn’t opened.
"Ya wanna
know what I was really doin’,
Irish?"
Feigning
boredom, she turned her sights to the small port window. "No thanks,
Banner, you can keep the details to yourself."
"Allow me
to satisfy your curiosity by enlightening you on several ways in which-"
"I’m not
interested."
"But I’d be
happy to educate you on some of the--"
"How much
longer before we get there, do you think?" she asked, releasing a heavy
sigh.
Satisfied and
grinning, Nick turned back to the control panel. "Never challenge me,
Irish--either directly or by insinuation--and particularly on a subject you
know so precious little about." With a wink he added, "You’ll lose
every time. I guarantee it."
Tressa didn’t
respond, at last heeding the silent voice of reason.
5 Stars--Naomi of Fallen Angel
Reviews
Banner's
Bonus totally blew me
away! I absolutely loved every page.
What a wild ride! Futuristic romance
fans will love the passion and adventure in Lee's Banner's Bonus. Nick Banner can swagger through the stars with the
best of them!
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