Page 22 of The Alien Warrior's Heart

Neh.

She was shaking because of something else.

“What should I do, Si-Moon?” He rubbed her bottom lip the other way. Denizi. It was so soft. So unbelievably tempting. “To lift your tunic and pin you against this tree would mean binding you to me for life.” His hardness twitched, begging to walk out his words.

He gritted his teeth to keep from falling prey to his desires. Deliberation. Thought. He still needed to think this through.

“We cannot understand each other and thus you will not understand what such a mating would mean.” He sighed heavily. “And yet if I turn you over to Korben, you may face a fate much worse than binding your life unknowingly to me.”

Was there another option?

Perhaps he could deliver her to their allies. The Zahranians? Or…

Neh.

Zar knew not why he felt this way, but he needed this female close. His eyes needed to be on her, to ensure she was safe. To protect her with his life. To be her shield.

Would any other being have such an inclination? Would they gladly trade their lives for this female?

Neh.

It would be irresponsible to leave her behind.

It would be unthinkable to give herbackto the Heronas from whom they had just fled.

Mating was the only option.

“Zar…” Simone’s voice was a whisper.

His thumb paused on her lip.

The female leaned into him but before their lips could meet, her eyes darted over his shoulder and widened in terror. “Zar!”

He heard the bullet too late.

It flew past his head and hit the bark of the tree, so close to Si-Moon’s ear it might have burned her. She screamed and the sound dragged him into action.

His spine dagger unleashed in a second, tearing out of his neck in a sharp spike. Mouth open on a furious roar, Zar broke off the dagger and spun to face the bastards who would dare to endanger the female he had just vowed to protect.

She had distracted him.

Si-Moon.

With her tempting fragrance and those plump lips that begged for his touch. With those eyes that did not fear him and those smiles that could plunder his heart.

If he had not been so caught up in her, he would have heard his enemy’s approach. They were not quiet.

Zar’s temper ignited, not only at the bastards who dared to attack him, but at himself for losing his senses to the human female with the dark skin and darker hair.

He spun completely, expecting to see the Rulari in their hovercrafts. Shaggy creatures with metal manes and thick black armor met his eyes instead. His eyes widened and he felt a moment of hesitation. The Heronas had not come after him themselves.

They had sent the Rulari.

Nine

Simone

Simone didn’t knowwhat shocked her more—the fact that she almost kissed an alien or the fact that they were interrupted by lion aliens with sword-guns blazing.