Subservience Read Online Free Page A

middle-aged man stepped out
from behind a large computer station. He was one of the few people who’d been
assigned to the Tempest even before she had. His continued presence was
a comfort to her—a reminder that some things didn’t change.
    “Security says there’s static on the long-range scanners.”
She went over to the imaging machines to see for herself. Sure enough, the screens
were practically unreadable.
    “We’ve been picking up some unusual frequencies lately. I’m
sure it’s just solar flares or some other natural phenomenon though. Nothing
suspicious.”
    “Have you checked the cables?”
    “No.” His voice was dry with sarcasm. “I’m only an
engineering specialist. Loose cables are way above my level of expertise.”
    “Okay. Okay. I get it. Sorry. I didn’t mean to question your
competence.” She took a deep breath and stared at the screen again. “Still, for
my peace of mind, run a level-seven diagnostic and send me the results. We’re
doing the Salaan run in two weeks. This ship has to be in perfect working
order.”
    “Understood, Captain.”
    “Good. Let’s get this resolved and pray for a smooth couple
of weeks.”
    “Will do.”
    She nodded encouragingly to Vance. He was damn good at his
job. If he said there was nothing worth worrying about, she believed him.

Chapter Three
     
    Parker stood and watched her walk away until he could no
longer see her in the rush of people walking through the corridors. He could
only imagine how ridiculous he looked as he stared off into space like a zombie
but he couldn’t seem to make himself care. She had been inside his head. He’d
felt her there the moment his hand touched her. And he’d liked her there.
    He shook his head and took a deep breath to steady himself.
He needed to go back to his quarters. That way no one would see him walking
around with an impressive hard-on his first day on the ship. He really didn’t
want to be known as “the woody guy”.
    His foot felt heavy with his first step. But the second was
easier. And by the third he was almost back to normal. Thankfully his head had
started to clear as well. Sure, he still remembered what it felt like to have
her in his mind but it was in an objective way.
    The metal walls blurred in his peripheral vision as he
continued down the passages. He couldn’t find his way to his quarters
blindfolded yet but the ship’s layout was fairly intuitive. Which was nice. It
allowed him to think about other things as he walked. And the only thing he
wanted to think about was Harlow.
    She’d seemed self-confident and distant when he’d spoken
with her in her quarters. She handled herself with poise and dignity when she’d
tossed Speck off her ship. So he hadn’t expected the gentle comfort that’d
accompanied her consciousness. Nor had he expected the soul-sucking loneliness.
He’d wanted to wrap her in his arms and tell her everything would be okay. It
was a position he’d never found himself in before. And after her lecture about
knights in shining armor he was pretty certain she wouldn’t be any more
comfortable with her role in that scenario than he was.
    When he came to his quarters he placed his badge on the
security panel and the door swooshed open. “Lights.” At his order the room was
illuminated in soft light. His quarters had been his first priority after
meeting with Harlow and now his stuff was all put away and his bed was neatly
made. Everything was in its place and exactly as he liked it.
    The door shut as he stepped over the threshold and cocooned
him in the comforting space. He needed to rest. Once he’d caught up on his
sleep he’d forget about the contact. Though it’d probably be hard to ever
forget about the tug of desire that accompanied Harlow’s loneliness.
    He sucked in a ragged breath at the memory of it. Her hunger
had been so sharp and hot that it’d swept through his blood like a roaring
inferno. He cursed softly as he crossed the room. No. There was