Page 26 of Dark Survivor (The Qaldreth Warriors #2)

He didn’t draw near but stayed by the door.

His shifting gave her the impression he leaned against the wall, his arms folded.

She liked the imagery even though she couldn’t confirm whether her imagination had run away with itself.

Tingles rippled along the right side of her body; that sense that someone was watching her.

She angled her head to focus on the singular beep as tension built in her body.

Heat coiled, desire throbbed lower, her nipples puckered, and her breathing became shallow.

She squeezed her eyes shut, stuck in this situation.

Glancing at him would reveal nothing to her without her ability to see his expression.

Nor would she ask him what he was doing.

“You are beautiful,” he said.

She gasped, succumbing to the pointless urge to face him. “You didn’t just say that.” Her heart zinged in sweet joy at his unexpected compliment.

“Why not?” He approached, sending a bolt of anticipation through her.

“Um…” What could she say? They barely knew each other? It wasn’t normal behavior? That meant nothing to an alien. She dipped her chin, hoping to hide her confusion.

“Why does your face change color?” he asked as he stroked a cheek. “I like the heat, and it is a pretty pink.”

“Oh.” She whipped her head up, then closed her eyes at having to explain her embarrassment. “A blush forms during overwhelming emotion or exertion.”

“Emotion?” Warmth filled his voice. “Such as?”

She winced and swiveled the chair to break away from his magnetism. Who would’ve thought his touch could scatter her wits? She smothered a borderline hysterical giggle. “Shame, awareness, attraction, anger…”

“Attraction.” He hummed.

She huffed at him snagging on the truth. “It could be any of the others.”

“Shame when you do not concern yourself over your appearance? Anger carries different mannerisms and posture and is often accompanied by yelling. Awareness? Yes, that is possible.” He rested his hands on her shoulders and dug his fingers into the tense muscles, drawing a moan from her as he worked on the knots. “I would blush for you.”

She stilled, her body buzzing with pleasure. “Why are you charming me, Nenn? You cannot think I’ll have sex with you after knowing you for such a short time.”

His breath hitched. “You intrigue me, and I plan to discover everything about you on our return to Ivoy, when matters are settled here.” His fingers gentled. “As to sex…or mating, that is what I very much want to try with you.”

Her face burned. She opened and closed her mouth, unable to form words, never mind speak them. His honesty was brutal, but she had to admit, she appreciated it after crushing on Dieter and Office Parsons.

“Glad to see you two,” Vic said, striding onto the bridge. “We’re getting ready to take the facility.”

“I’m staying, of course,” Tiny said and didn’t glance at Nenn still grasping her shoulders.

“I will be heading moonside with you, Vic.” He slid his hands down to squeeze Tiny’s upper arms, captured a lock of her hair, then tucked it behind an ear.

Her pulse exploded into an erratic beat. She forced herself not to react. Perhaps some time apart would end this insanity.

“Good. I like knowing there’s someone I can trust on the Mula Pesada , Tiny. How’s Themba?” Vic asked.

“I administered a calming drug. It will knock him out for a while. The computer is monitoring his vital signs.” Tiny paused, turning the chair to ‘look’ at Vic.

In doing so, Nenn moved with her, his hand once more on her shoulder.

“Nenn said there was a vid playing of someone dying?” She frowned. “I’m sorry for his loss.”

“Thank you.” Vic exhaled like someone about to attempt something momentous. “Computer, ship-wide broadcast. Mula Pesada , this is the captain speaking. Report to the docking bay. The shuttle leaves in ten.”

Vic and Drafe left the room. Nenn didn’t.

Tiny waited, dread crushing her chest. He could die down there. As a doctor, she cared. She’d sworn to heal as many as she could. But for some odd reason, the thought of Nenn injured sent sheer panic through her. She bit her inner cheek, praying she didn’t reveal her anxiousness.

“Be careful,” was all she allowed herself to say.

“I will be.” Softness brushed across her temple. He lingered for another moment then marched out.

She touched her forehead, her breathing nonexistent. Did he kiss me?

She scoffed. No, she’d imagined it. But wow, what a wonderful fantasy. She grinned then remembered what awaited them moonside. “Computer, can you monitor the team heading to Europa?”

“In the shuttle, yes; on the surface, no, I do not have access.”

She slumped. So much for that. What she needed to do was keep busy. “Status of the crew?”

“Trent is pacing, his heart rate ramped. Grunt is working at his console. Themba is asleep. Various other crew suffer from malnutrition and minor injuries.”

“The other crew?” Her eyes widened. The prisoners. She leaped to her feet and hurried to the med bay for the multi-tool and the injection gun. Time to get to work.