A part of her had wanted to, butno waywas she going to run around nude in front of everyone. “I guess I’m a little more self-conscious than the rest of you.”
They reached the door to her room and stopped.
“That’s too bad. It really is fun.”
“If I had a body like Kristi’s, maybe…” The words were out before Samantha could stop them.
Oh, God.
She had just bared her insecurities to him, which was a thousand times worse than being naked. She would have disappeared inside her room to wallow in humiliation, but he made no move to leave.
His gaze moved over her, a faint smile on those lips. “Kristi is pretty, but so are you. Trust me. From where I stand, Kristi doesn’t have anything on you.”
Samantha’s cheeks grew warm. She stood there for a moment, staring up at him, her brain going blank, some part of her wishing he would kiss her.
Your key.
She fished it out of her pocket. “It’s late.”
“I hope I didn’t make you uncomfortable just now.”
She looked away. “No, I did that to myself.”
He tucked a finger beneath her chin, lifted her gaze to his. “You’ve had a rough week, Samantha. Go easy on yourself.”
There was no judgment in his eyes, only concern.
Some of her embarrassment melted away. “Thanks.”
“What time should I meet you tomorrow?”
“I usually get breakfast at around seven. I try to get to the lab by eight.”
“I’ll meet you in the galley. And don’t forget your radio. It won’t do you a bit of good if you don’t keep it with you at all times.”
“Got it.” She unlocked her door. “Goodnight, Thor—and thanks.”
He gave her a smile that made her breath catch—and walked away.
She flicked on her light, locked her door behind her, and flopped onto her bed.
Good God.
How could she be so stupid?
She had a full-blown crush on Thor Isaksen.
* * *
Thor gotinto bed and closed his eyes, images of Samantha running through his mind. Samantha in tears at her friend’s memorial service. Samantha looking terrified on the flight back from the crash site. Samantha concentrating as she did calibrations on the SPT. Samantha’s face alight with passion when she talked about galaxy clusters. Samantha blushing like a teenage girl when he’d caught her checking out his cock.
She was a mass of contradictions. A razor-sharp mind and confident when it came to her field of study. Reserved and insecure when it came to her sense of herself as a woman. Was that the result of being bullied as a kid? Did she truly believe she wasn’t attractive? That’s not exactly what she’d said, to be sure, but she had implied it.
If I had a body like Kristi’s, maybe…
Thor had been serious when he’d said Kristi had nothing on her. He’d seen Kristi, and she was sexy—sweet face, dark hair, light brown skin, round ass, full breasts with dark nipples. But he didn’t need to see Samantha naked to know he’d find her sexy, too. Despite her layers and winter clothes, he could tell she was willowy like a dancer. Her breasts were small, and he loved the sweetness of small, delicate breasts.
Heat rushed to his groin.