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Enough heat still radiated from the colossal machine to prevent it from being taken apart. Pale teal light from the tree’s bioluminescent leaves revealed the undamaged metal panels. Another hour, maybe two, and it would have been loaded and flying off planet. The length of time it took to power down and safely disassemble the habitat regulator was the reason raiders never messed with it. Not unless they were stupid or came prepared with a large team, like this group had.

Too bad they hadn’t been prepared for Thrash. The corner of my mouth curled in admiration.

Heavy footsteps pounded on the ramp behind me. I spun to face whatever was coming. My thumbs brushed over the bio-triggers of my daggers. White-hot plasma flared along the blades. The momentary burst of light blurred out the enormous figure running toward the room. I crouched, ready to attack.

My muscles tightened but relaxed when I recognized the outline of Thrash’s horns and broad shoulders before his strong features came into view. Unspent adrenaline ping-ponged through my body. I again brushed my fingers over the blades’ triggers. The plasma along the edges went dark, and I holstered the weapons.

Thrash ran straight for me, invading my space. He laid his heavy hands on my shoulders. “You are safe?”

“I’m fine. No one was here.” Instinct pushed me to rebel against his protective nature, but I didn’t step away.

He lifted a hand to cup the back of my neck.

I swallowed. Maybe it was the surge of adrenaline with nowhere to go, but I was tired of fighting, tired of resisting his advances.

Suddenly, Thrash’s head came up and he turned to the entrance, trying to push me behind him.

I heard it too. The rush of feet on the ramp, the rustle of clothes. I scowled and stepped around Thrash, standing at his side.

Raiders gathered on the ramp—five, seven. I lost count.

“This is bad.” My focus shifted to the light already building beneath Thrash’s skin. It flared around his scales in intricate tattoo patterns and illuminated his horns. Panic fluttered in my chest. “You can’t use that down here. It’ll bring the cave down on top of us.”

“I am aware.” He huffed a breath. “There must have been another ship. I was too concerned with your safety to do a thorough sweep of the area.”

Sweet and spicy anger bubbled inside me. I was furious he hadn’t done his job, hadn’t trusted I could do mine, but weirdly touched my well-being meant that much to him.

Someone stepped forward from the group and tossed something in our direction. The object’s distinct rattle and thump echoed off the ramp walls.

A small round metallic orb rolled toward us. Neon red flashed around its bulbous center.

My sluggish brain recognized the concussion grenade at the same moment Thrash projected a pulse of light towards the weapon.

They collided, and the cave imploded.

chapterfive

pheromones gone wild

Consciousness came slowly,as if swimming through a luguwart slime swamp to reach the surface. My head throbbed with a dull ache. I groaned and snuggled deeper into the velvety heat surrounding me. My hand rested against a hard, hot surface that rose and fell beneath my touch.

The most delicious scent filtered into my nostrils; spicy and smooth, musky and sweet.Sex. It smelled like how mind-blowing sex should feel.

I knew that smell. My eyelids fluttered and snapped open.

“Pheromones,” I croaked and licked my dry lips.

“Shh.” Thrash gently brushed hair from my face, tucking it behind my ear. He drew his legs up, curling me against his chest. “It can’t be helped, but I won’t take advantage. We can take measures if it gets to be too much.”

Too much? How did that alien make it through life, inciting orgies everywhere he went? Apparently, he couldn’t go a full day before his blockers wore off. He hadn’t arrived with any form of preventatives when he joined the team. What had he done before?

I pushed upright in his lap, away from his wonderfully naked chest but froze when the room tilted.

“Careful, Tori. Blowback from the explosion caught you on the temple.” He shifted to sit behind me, bracketing my body with his legs and keeping his hands on my shoulders for support.

That explained the throbbing in my head and lack of helmet. Protocol indicated Thrash remove the gear and check for damage if I was unconscious. I leaned forward, away from his supporting form. Another wave of dizziness crashed over me, and I swayed.

His hands tightened, holding me steady. “Take it slow.”