The book is dedicated to Amanda’s sister:The lights in the night sky aren’t the only kind of star. Here on Earth, they don’t get much brighter than you. I love you.

I sat back in my captain’s chair and breathed, slow and deep, letting my body adjust to traveling at a normal speed again. It was risky to come here, but maybe we’d finally get a break. We needed one. So did the ship.Outside the bridge’s windows, stars winked back at me from the endless Dark. The view didn’t look much different from anywhere else we’d been to in the galaxy lately, but no one in their right mind would be here. I was counting on it.

I didn't want to get caught. But I also wouldn't stop doing what I needed to do just because I feared the possible consequences. Fear was something I could accept. Abandoning the galaxy to a group of despots was not.

I took his hand back, because I was a numbskull like that. “I don’t bite.” What seemed like a wry huff escaped him. “Actually, I kind of hope you do.

Never seen hot and dirty before?” he asked.

He spread his hands. “I’m a man of many talents.”“There’s no shortage of cockiness, in any case.”“Oh, there’s nothing short about my ---

I guess it all just boiled up a minute ago, like some messed-up accusation soup spiced with… I don’t know…” She shook her head, “Lust and rage?” “The rage is justified.” I slid her a slow smile. “I can work with lust.

I want to do this every day,” I said. “Baby, we can do this ten times a day, upside down, tangled up, and hanging from the ceiling if you want.

What’s more seditious than the imagination, Tess Bailey?

Don’t tell me you’re a pirate.”His mouth turned down. “Not a pirate, sugar. More like a space rogue.”“A space rogue?”He nodded. “A phenomenal one, at that.”My eyebrows shot up. “Space Rogue Phenom? Really? Maybe I should call you SRP.”His dark eyes glittered as though I’d just thrown down a gauntlet, and he was more than ready to pick it up. “Only if you want me to call you RLCA.”Don’t ask. Don’t ask. “And what’s that?”“Rosy Lips, Cute Ass.