Page 51 of Salvation for the Alien Mercenary

A grin broke across his face, transforming him from merely handsome to devastating. "Is it working?"

"You'resupposedto be resting."

“I’m in bed," he pointed out, thumb tracing circles against the sensitive skin of her inner wrist. "Very restful."

"Covak and Jex would kill me if?—"

"They're not here." His other hand reached up, fingertips brushing her cheek with unexpected gentleness. "Just us."

"You scared me today," she admitted, her voice dropping to match his. "When you collapsed, I thought…”

“Fuck it.”

His growl warned her a split second before he surged into movement. Sliding his hand into her hair, he pulled her down until she sprawled across his chest, and his mouth captured hers in a hard, hungry kiss.

She should have protested. Should have pushed back, reminded him of his condition, and maintained some professional distance. But instead, she melted into him. His lips were hot and demanding. His hand tangled in her hair, tilting her head to deepen the kiss, tongue sweeping into her mouth with a possessiveness that made her whimper.

When they finally broke apart, both breathing heavily, she braced her hands on his chest, trying to regain her composure.

"This is a bad idea," she said. "You're still recovering, and I'm supposed to be monitoring you."

His hand slid down to cup her ass. Squeezed.

"You are monitoring me. Very closely."

She rolled her eyes but couldn't stop the smile tugging at her lips. "You know what I mean."

"I do," he agreed, his expression sobering slightly. "But I need this, Mira. Need you." His hand moved to cup her face, and his thumb traced her lower lip. "After today... I need to feel alive. To feel human.”

The vulnerability in his words struck her.

"You are human," she said softly. "No matter what's in your DNA."

He searched her face.

"You're not afraid of me? Of what I'm becoming?"

She didn’t even need to think about that. “No."

"Good."

His expression shifted, something fierce and hungry replacing the vulnerability. In the next moment, he surged up, flipping their positions with effortless strength until she was pinned to the mattress beneath him.

The move—his size, his strength, the wicked light in his eyes—should have frightened her. Instead, heat bloomed low in her belly, wetness gathering between her thighs.

Claiming her lips again, harder this time, he made it a demand rather than a request. She arched into him, her hands fisting in his shirt, pulling him closer. His tongue swept possessively into her mouth… tasting. Taking. She yielded willingly, opening to him.

He tore his lips from hers, trailing kisses down her throat. “Oh god. I need you," he growled against her skin. "Need to be inside you. Feel you around my cock.”

"You're supposed to be resting,” she gasped as his teeth grazed her pulse point.

He chuckled, the sound dark and promising.

"I hurt. Real bad."

She couldn't help herself. "Where?"

He grabbed her wrist, dragging her hand down between their bodies to cup the thick length straining against his pants. "Here."