“You’re telling me.” His feet hung over the bottom. “We should complain.”
That made her laugh, and she began to compose an imaginary letter. “Dear National Science Foundation: This letter is to inform you that the beds at Amundsen-Scott Station are too small to accommodate sexual intercourse and post-coital snuggling. Please address this problem soon.”
“I’m sure they’ll get right on that.”
“Malik and Kristi had sex in the greenhouse last night. They didn’t want to keep people awake.”
“The greenhouse?” Thor had thought Jones had spent the night in his room alone. “If Cobra’s owners were here, they’d kick his ass—and mine.”
“Then I’m glad they’re not here.” She pressed a kiss to his sternum. “With all this terrible stuff happening, you and my work with the telescope are the only things that make me feel safe and grounded. Geez. Sorry. That might be the nerdiest thing I’ve ever said to a man.”
“Hey, don’t feel bad.” He ran his fingers along her spine. “I’m honored to be mentioned in the same breath as the telescope—and I’m glad you feel safe with me.”
She might not feel that way if she knew you better.
That had been war. It was in the past.
Samantha sat bolt upright,her face alight with excitement. “I forgot to tell you the news. I think we might have discovered a rare elliptical double-ringed galaxy. They make up only about ten percent of the galaxies in the universe. I haven’t had time to analyze anything yet, but it looks a lot like Hoag’s Object with young stars in the outer ring and older stars in the inner core.”
Thor had no idea what a Hoag’s Object was. He propped himself up on his elbow. “How can you tell the age of the stars?”
“Younger stars are typically hotter and emit more blue light, while older stars are often cooler and emit more red light.” She shook her head. “Sorry, I don’t want to bore you or come across as a total nerd.”
“You’re not boring me.” He reached up, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Your whole face lights up when you talk about your work. Samantha Park, discoverer of galaxies. That’s pretty damned cool.”
Her lips curved in a hopeful smile, something vulnerable in her eyes. “You really believe that?”
“Hell, yeah.”
“Patty always said that men are intimidated by brainy women.”
“Only if they’re idiots.” He leaned in, kissed a rosy nipple. “Intelligence is sexy.”
A burst of static.
“Jones to Isaksen.”
For helvede. Damn it.
He reached for his radio, which sat on Samantha’s desk beside his pistol. “Jones, this is Isaksen. What do you need?”
“Uh, well, we’re waiting for you.”
Fuck.Right.
He’d lost track of time. He was supposed to meet Jones and Segal to remove Patty’s journal from the vacant room. Rather than spending tonight with Samantha, he was going to spend it reading the private thoughts of her murdered best friend.
“I’m on my way.” He sat up, caught Samantha’s chin. “I don’t want to go, but I must. Will you be okay alone here tonight?”
Her room had been broken into today. He wouldn’t blame her if she felt nervous about being alone in here.
“I’ll be fine. If I get freaked out, I have a few more Xanax.”
“Set that security camera after I leave and keep your radio handy. If you need me, call.” He got dressed, tucked his pistol and concealed holster inside his jeans, and grabbed his radio. “Sov godt, skat. Sleep well.”
It was almost painful to walk away.
* * *