Page 12 of Human Reclaimed (Cyborg Planet Alpha #2)

TWELVE

RUNE

The world had slowed to a crawl when I saw the blast hit Talia. One moment, she stood beside me, her eyes bright with admiration as she watched the drill. The next, she was crumpling to the ground, her shoulder smoking from the plasma burn.

I had scooped her into my arms. Her body felt impossibly light against my chest, her head lolling against my shoulder as consciousness slipped from her. The scorched fabric of her shirt revealed angry red skin beneath.

The young soldier who’d fired the shot—Merrit, barely seventeen—stood frozen, his face ashen. “Commander, I didn’t mean?—”

“Not now,” I snapped, already moving toward the colony center. I’d deal with him later. Right now, Talia was all that mattered.

I cradled her closer as I rushed through the settlement, hardly noticing the colonists who scattered from my path. My heart hammered, each beat a thunderous reminder of how fragile life could be—even hers. Especially hers.

How could a mere human have become so vital to me in just two days?

The question burned through my mind as I quickly punched in the code to the door of my quarters and rushed inside, laying her gently on my bed.

She’d gone pale, her breathing shallow but steady.

The wound looked worse in the light of my quarters—angry and blistering where the plasma had seared her shoulder.

“Damn it,” I muttered, tearing open my emergency kit. My hands shook as I retrieved the healing salve our medical staff had developed—a viscous blue gel that accelerated cellular regeneration.

What if the blast had hit her heart instead of her shoulder? What if I’d lost her? The thought sent a physical pain through my chest that I couldn’t rationalize away.

I cut away the charred fabric from her shoulder with practiced precision, trying not to think about how many times I’d performed similar field medicine during the war. But this was different. This was Talia.

“You’ll be okay,” I promised her unconscious form, my voice filled with emotion I once would have suppressed. “I’ve got you now.”

The salve felt cool on my fingertips as I spread it across her burned skin. Her body tensed slightly at the contact, a small whimper escaping her lips. That tiny sound of pain cut through me like a blade.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, working quickly to bandage the wound. “I should have anticipated this risk. Should have protected you better.”

The logical part of me recognized the drill had been necessary and that accidents happened in training. But another part—the part that had been awakening since Talia arrived—wanted to tear apart anyone who caused her harm.

With her shoulder wrapped, I sat beside her on the bed, watching the rise and fall of her chest. Relief flooded through me as her breathing steadied, her color slowly returning. The salve was working.

I stretched out beside her, unable to be apart from her even for a moment. Carefully, I gathered her against my chest, mindful of her injured shoulder. Her hair smelled like lavender and something uniquely Talia—a scent I’d already memorized.

“How did you do this to me?” I asked softly, tracing the delicate curve of her cheek with my thumb. “Two days ago, I was focused only on the colony’s survival. Now…”

Now my universe had shifted with Talia at its center. The realization terrified and exhilarated me in equal measure.

An hour passed before her eyelashes fluttered. I held my breath as consciousness returned to her, her blue eyes finding mine with sleepy confusion.

“Rune?” Her voice was groggy but stronger than I’d dared hope.

“I’m here.” The relief in my voice was palpable. “How do you feel?”

She shifted slightly, wincing as she tested her shoulder. “Like I got shot. But surprisingly, not as bad as I should.” A small smile curved her lips.

I nodded, drinking in the sight of her alive and alert. “Talia, I…” The words caught in my throat. “When I saw you fall, I thought… I couldn’t bear if something happened to you.”

Her expression softened. She reached up with her uninjured arm, her fingers brushing along my jaw. The simple touch sent electricity racing through me.

“Hey,” she murmured, “I’m fine. It takes more than a stray blast to keep me down.”

“I know you’re strong,” I said, covering her hand with mine where it rested against my face. “But the thought of losing you…”

Her eyes widened slightly at the raw emotion in my voice, and then, without warning, she leaned in and kissed me.

It wasn’t tentative or questioning. It was fierce, desperate, and full of everything she hadn’t said.

The moment our lips met, something in me snapped.

I poured all the worry, the relief, and the pent-up need I’d been stifling since our swim yesterday into that kiss.

My hands slid into her hair, pulling her closer as if I could merge her into me.

Her breath hitched, and she opened her mouth to me, our tongues tangling in a rhythm that felt like fighting and surrender all at once.

I kissed her like she was the oxygen I’d been denied, the answer to a question I hadn’t known to ask.

She matched me, her nails digging into my shoulders and her body arching into mine.

Every sound she made, every shudder of her breath, drove me wild.

I pulled back, my chest heaving. “Talia, you’re injured. We should probably stop.”

“No,” she said, her voice low but firm. Her blue eyes locked on to mine, burning with a fire that made my pulse spike. “I’ve wanted this since this morning in your office. I want you, Rune.”

I stared at her, my mind scrambling to process her words. “You’re sure?”

“Yes.” Her hands slid down my chest, leaving a trail of heat in their wake. “Don’t stop.”

That was all the permission I needed. I kissed her again, slower this time, savoring the taste of her as my hands moved to the hem of her white T-shirt.

I lifted it gently over her head, tossing it aside, and then unhooked her bra with a flick of my fingers.

She gasped as the cool air hit her skin, and I took a moment to drink her in.

Her breasts were perfect, full and inviting, her nipples already peaked.

I trailed kisses down her neck, nuzzling the hollow of her throat before moving lower.

“Rune,” she breathed, her hands tangling in my hair as I took one nipple into my mouth, licking and sucking until she moaned. Her back arched, pressing her closer to me, and I alternated between her breasts, lavishing attention on each until she was writhing beneath me.

I kissed my way down her stomach, my hands sliding to the waistband of her fitted beige tactical pants.

I undid the fastening and zipper, sliding them down her legs and tossing them aside, followed by her boots and white panties.

She was naked now, and I paused, just looking at her.

She was breathtaking—every curve and every line of her body was a masterpiece.

“You’re so beautiful,” I murmured, my voice rough with desire.

She reached for me, her eyes dark with need. “Don’t stop.”

I settled between her thighs, my hands spreading her legs wider.

I leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her inner thigh before letting my tongue trail up to her core.

She gasped, her hands grabbing the sheets as I teased her folds, licking and sucking with deliberate slowness.

Her moans were music to my ears, driving me to take her further and to draw out every ounce of pleasure I could.

“Rune,” she gasped, her hips lifting off the bed. “Don’t stop. Please.”

I added two fingers, curling them inside her as my tongue focused on her most sensitive spot. Her breath came in short, desperate gasps, her thighs trembling around my head. I could feel her tightening, her body coiling like a spring, and I didn’t let up, pushing her closer and closer to the edge.

When she finally came, her cry echoed through the room. Her body shook, her back arching off the bed as waves of pleasure rolled through her. I didn’t stop until she was spent, her breathing ragged and her legs falling open.

She looked at me, her eyes dazed but full of warmth. “I’ve… never felt this good before. You’re incredible.”

I kissed her thigh, a swell of pride and something deeper—something I couldn’t name yet—filling my chest. “No, you’re incredible, Talia.”

At that moment, I knew I was falling for her. Hard. And I didn’t fight it.

Talia sat up carefully, her movements slow and deliberate as she favored her injured shoulder.

Her bare skin glowed in the soft light of my quarters, and I couldn’t tear my eyes away from her.

She reached for me, her fingers brushing the hem of my fitted black T-shirt, and I felt a rush of anticipation that tightened my chest.

“Let me help you,” I said, my voice thick with need.

I pulled the shirt over my head in one swift motion, tossing it aside.

Her gaze lingered on my chest, tracing the scars that marked my body, and then drifted lower as I removed my boots, tactical pants, and boxer briefs.

Her eyes widened when she saw my large cock, hard and throbbing, and a flicker of pride coursed through me.

It wasn’t arrogance—just the simple, raw satisfaction of knowing she wanted me as much as I wanted her.

“You’re… perfect,” she breathed, her voice tinged with awe.

I moved over her, careful not to jostle her injured shoulder, and kissed her deeply. Her lips were soft and demanding, her tongue meeting mine with a hunger that matched my own. Her hands tangled in my hair, pulling me closer, and I groaned into her mouth, my control fraying at the edges.

She reached between us, her fingers wrapping around my length, and guided me to her entrance. “Please, Rune,” she whispered, her voice a mixture of need and impatience.

I pressed into her slowly, inch by inch, savoring the tight, wet heat of her. She gasped, and I paused, giving her time to adjust. “You feel incredible,” I muttered against her neck, my breath ragged. “So warm… so tight.”

“You feel so good. So perfect,” she whispered, her voice trembling.

Her words were like a spark to kindling, igniting a fire in me that I could barely contain.

I started to move, thrusting in and out of her with deliberate slowness, drawing out every moment of pleasure.

Her moans filled the room, soft at first but growing louder and more desperate.

She arched into me, her hips rising to meet mine, and I marveled at her strength and resilience.

Even injured, she matched me with every movement, her body responding to mine as though we were made for each other.

“Faster,” she urged, her voice breaking with need. “Please, Rune.”

I couldn’t hold back any longer. I quickened my pace, thrusting deeper and harder, the sound of our joining echoing in the quiet room.

Her nails raked down my back and I gritted my teeth, the mix of pleasure and pain driving me closer to the edge.

She was everything—warmth, passion, life itself—and I couldn’t remember ever feeling this connected to anyone before.

“I’m close,” she gasped, her voice strained. “Don’t stop.”

Her words urged me on, and I drove into her faster.

She soon cried out, her body convulsing around me as her orgasm tore through her.

Her inner walls clenched around my cock, pulling me deeper, and I couldn’t hold back any longer.

With a groan, I spilled myself inside her, my release flooding through me like a tidal wave.

We clung to each other, trembling, as the intensity of our lovemaking washed over us.

For a long moment, we lay there, our breaths mingling and our hearts pounding in unison. I brushed a strand of hair from her face, my fingers trembling slightly. “That was… intense,” I said, my voice hoarse.

She smiled at me, her eyes still hooded. “I’ve never felt anything like that before,” she admitted. “You’re so amazing.”

I kissed her forehead, my chest swelling with an emotion I couldn’t name. “You’re the amazing one,” I murmured. “I’ve never… I’ve never felt this way with anyone.”

She reached up, her fingers tracing the line of my jaw. “Neither have I. You’re not just any cyborg, Rune. You’re… you.”

Her words hit me like a punch to the chest. She truly saw me for me. I opened my mouth to respond, but the words wouldn’t come. Instead, I kissed her again, my lips conveying what I couldn’t say yet.