debt to me, if I take you away from this place?”

Her mind blanked. “I don’t know. I have no idea where I’d be safe. I thought it was safe here, but I was wrong.”

Deviant watched her for a long moment.

“Please?” she pleaded. “All I ask, besides you taking me away from here, is that you be the only one to touch me. I’m not a whore.”

“You’re completely willing to give me your body?”

She let her gaze travel over him. “Yes. That’s not really a hardship, Deviant.” She saw his surprised look and smiled. “Are the women where you come from blind?”

“You’re lying to me. I’m not attractive.”

It was her turn to be surprised when total sincerity shone in his eyes. “They must be blind. You’re hot, Deviant.”

He frowned.

“You’ve got the best body I’ve ever seen and your eyes are so beautiful. Um, you’re built…all over.” She hesitated. “And you taste really good. On Earth, I’d have had to pay a month’s salary for that.”

He paled. “What?”

“You taste like maple syrup. It’s a very expensive, sweet treat on Earth.”

He was speechless.

“I prefer telling the truth. Maybe that was too much honesty.” She knew her cheeks were turning pink. “Forget I said that last part. Take me with you and you can keep me for as long as you want. Just promise that you’re the only man who touches me. I’m a good cook and easy to live with.” She forced a smile. “I know a lot of jokes. I won’t be a burden. I don’t even eat much.”

He took deep breaths and finally sighed. “Remove your skirt.”

“Um, okay.” She nodded, reaching behind her to unzip it. Her cheeks warmed more. “You want to get a look at what you’re bargaining for. I get it.” She pushed her skirt down and stood there in her panties and torn-open shirt. She hesitated but then shoved the damaged shirt away since, he could already see her breasts. Her gaze lifted and she took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. “Should I turn around?”

His brilliant blue eyes slowly traveled the length of her body. “Come here.” He pointed to the floor in front of him.

She kicked out of her skirt tangled at her ankles and approached him. Embarrassment at being studied that closely flared, but she fought it down. The guy had the right to see what he was risking his ass for. It probably wouldn’t be easy to get her off the station, what with Darbis’s men searching it. She stopped in front of him and he cupped her jaw with his hand, making her look up at him.

“You’re shy. It wasn’t an act, you being coy in bed, was it?” His voice had deepened and turned husky.

She didn’t know what to say but she held his gaze.

“You said it’s been four years since you had sex. How many males have you tested in your bed?”

“Tested?”

“How many have entered your body?”

“Three.”

His eyebrows rose. “Three?”

She blushed more. “I know that sounds bad but the first guy didn’t count. I wanted to get rid of my virginity. Everyone knows when you’re a virgin because of the detailed, full-body scans at work, to make certain you aren’t stealing anything. The guards always snickered when I passed through, and joked about it. I kind of slept with the first guy I could, just to get rid of it. The second guy I liked, but he lied to me. I don’t date pilots, and he was one, but he said he worked food services.” She paused. “The third guy…I was engaged to him before my accident. I looked him up when I was freed but he’d married someone else. I guess he’d thought I’d died and had moved on.”

“You said the first one didn’t count, so who are you not telling me about?”

“That’s it. I just meant it wasn’t like real sex. It was just to get rid of my virginity.”

“Then why would that sound bad? I’m confused.”

She hesitated. “I know that sounds like a lot of men.”

Eyebrows arched. “Three?”

She nodded.

He stared deeply into her eyes. “I will be the only one who touches you. You’ll belong to me until I feel your debt has been paid, but I’ll treat you well. Do you agree to my terms?”

“Yes. Just get me off this station. Please.”

He let her go. “Stand on the bed.”

Venice turned and wondered why he wanted her up there, but figured it might be a test to see if she’d follow his orders. She