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“Your sire said it so fondly.” His chest vibrated, making her nipples harden to little points.

“Oh.”

She didn’t have a response to that. Abby hoped making conversation would distract her from the awkward closeness, but the comment and the way Ash’s body flexed as he spoke only made things worse.

“I also find it amusing the way your nose scrunches up in agitation when I say it,” he chuckled.

She swiftly looked up at his face. She was close enough to see his impish smile, even though it was dark.

“Oh, now that’s just rotten,” she laughed at the alien’s ornery sense of humor.

His grin widened showing off his sharp canines. They were the kind of teeth you only found on predators. The sight of them should’ve scared the shit out of her but didn’t. Probably because Ash’s personality was so opposite to his savage appearance. Not to say he wasn’t savage, he was. The man single-handedly evaded Spec-ops with her acting like a weight around his neck. He could’ve ditched her to get away but didn’t.

“I’m sorry for the way my people have behaved,” she felt obligated to say. Her government’s fear was shameful and going to start some shit that everyone would end up paying for.

“I was warned to expect it. What I don’t understand is how your warriors located us so fast. I double-checked we were cloaked when I landed the cruiser. I also can’t figure out why I’m unable to contact Aculus or the others. I’m not even getting a read on Vintor’s tracker,” he growled in frustration.

“Well, you know what they say, no good deed goes unpunished.”

Ash huffed with a mix of amusement and disgust hearing the proverb.

“I wish I could help. I know where the Air Force base is and that’s about it. I don’t think it’s a good idea to go there, since it’s crawling with airmen.”

“Tonight, we rest. Then I will attempt to liberate my cruiser.”

They grew quiet. Only the sound of Ash’s heartbeat beneath her cheek and steady breath could be heard. Exhaustion finally caught up with her, and she lapsed into a fitful sleep.