Page 20 of Warrior (The Outlander Book Club… in Space! #2)

"I'm sorry," I said, and meant it. His sacrifice to protect Earth made me appreciate him even more. I tried to ignore that he clarified the statement by saying ' among my people,' but the words played in a loop in my brain.

“Why? It was my choice to make.” Daicon shifted, nudging my shoulder with his warmth sliding over my skin like a drizzle of warm honey.

Why?

Because he would make a wonderful mate. He would be loving and attentive, the kind of guy you fantasize about as a teen while rifling through Bride magazine with your daydreams. The kind of man who would make his mate feel safe and treasured every moment of their lives together.

“I just mean that you’re so good with the children." I offered to cover my schoolgirl daydreams, but then the truth of the statement hit me square in the chest. ,"You'd be a great dad.”

Daicon gave a low moan and chuckled. “I have spent little time with younglings before. I did not know it would be so….”

“Rewarding?

His laugh deepened. "I think aggravating might be a better term.”

"Stop it." I nudged him playfully with a poke of my elbow. "You love them.”

Any bit of teasing faded from Daicon's expression. The gold eyes settled on my face, holding pure, clear emotion. "I do care for them…." He swallowed hard. "…for everyone here.”

Everyone.

I was part of everyone.

His eyes centered on my face, and I felt hypnotized by the molten golden glow.

I’d read once that just before you’re struck by lightning, static energy fills the air, raising your hair on end and causing a tingling sensation throughout your body.

That's what this felt like. Sitting so close to him, noticing how his eyes flickered over my face, lingering for a moment on my lips, was intoxicating.

My shoulder pressed against his chest, and I felt the uptick of his heartbeat. My own heart skittered about in a happy dance. Surely, if I looked down, I could see the thud against my chest. I’m not sure who moved, but suddenly, our faces were closer, his warm, spicy breath fanning over my cheeks.

I wanted to kiss him more than I wanted my next breath.

I leaned closer, the tip of my tongue running along my lower lip. Daicon's eyes centered on my mouth—a deep groan rumbling from his throat.

Kiss me.

The thought screamed through me in a conflagration of need and want.

Daicon licked his lips. His tongue wasn't pink like mine, but a dark tan—long and rough.

I knew what it felt like stroking against my own.

My body reacted to the memory with a rush of moisture pooling between my thighs.

The tips of his ears gave a slight twitch as his nostrils flared, and he leaned closer. ...

Daicon surged to his feet with such force, a surprised yelp attempted to issue from my lips until the press of his palm silenced me.

His finger laid across his lips, the gesture for silence universal.

Moving so fast he was hard to follow, Daicon snatched his bag of tools in one hand and me in the other.

We backed away from the area as he swept his feet behind each step to camouflage any footprints.

I heard them moving closer, low voices ending in raucous laughter.

Two guards, maybe three, and if they found us here…

crap! We couldn’t get past them. There was only one tunnel leading to this area.

I didn’t doubt Daicon’s ability to defeat the guards easily, but how much trouble would more disappearances bring down on our heads.

Daicon carried me toward the far wall. Pressing against the dark gray stone would leave us vulnerable like sitting ducks.

Or maybe not. A long, dark shadow concealed a fissure in the rock, an area just large enough for us to wedge inside.

Daicon pushed me into the narrow passage, his body close behind.

"Why the fuck are we searching the tunnels?" an aggravated tone asked. My fingertip rubbed along my left temple, conscious of a slight puffiness. This translator thingie was amazing—it translated their speech in real time… even the curse words.

“The major said search, so we search.” The second voice was more indulgent.

"Like anything in these tunnels was as bad a Baelus?" the first voice snorted. "Do they really think those kids and that puny human overpowered him?"

Puny human? I rolled my eyes and glanced at Daicon. His lips quirked upward, finding more amusement in the situation than I did.

While the brunt of his attention was on the two guards standing just a few feet away, I paid more attention to how close we stood. The fissure was maybe three feet wide—if that—and I pressed fully against Daicon, chest to chest.

My hands rested on his biceps, his pelt like warm, crushed velvet.

He stood still as a marble statue, and I could feel the thrum of my heartbeat against his.

I'd worn a thin shift dress over a long-sleeved flannel-like shirt, but even so, Daicon must have sensed my nipples straining against the fabric. Even in the darkness, his eyes glowed down at me, a flicker of his gaze toward the tunnel reminding me we weren’t alone.

"What do you think happened to Baelus?" The friendlier-sounding guard asked. Baelus must be Scarface's name.

“Truthfully,” the other guard grunted. “I think whoever was on that skiff killed him.”

“Baelus?” The shock in the amiable guard’s voice throbbed. “He is our strongest. No one can beat him.”

“Major said the skiff was of Vaktaire origin,” the grumpier guard mused. “You know what is said about the Vaktaire?

“What?”

I glanced up at Daicon, getting a front-row seat to his expression.

"The Vaktaire are vicious. Some say they eat their kill."

Daicon’s eye roll was so exaggerated it must have made his head ache.

I pressed a hand over my mouth to stifle a giggle.

How would the guards feel knowing a puny human took down their strongest?

The thought didn’t impart the usual pang of guilt, only the vague sense of regret that I had to kill to protect the children.

Daicon did that.

Despite the nightmares I recognized as PTSD from the event itself, Daicon helped me accept while regret would always tinge the memory, the crippling remorse had morphed into a begrudging acceptance that my actions were justified… in some way, honorable.

The way he saw me was different from anyone else. He saw me as brave and strong, not the meek, dutiful minister’s wife. In his eyes, I was an Amazon warrior queen or a Roman goddess of war, and I liked it.

I liked him… a lot.

And I was tired of fighting it.

I’d never been brave. But maybe here on this moon, I could be braver. Instead of going along with what everyone wanted for me like I did my entire life on Earth, maybe here… in this new crazy existence, just once I could have what I want.

His eyes shone like gold nuggets in the near black of the alcove. Daicon dipped his head closer, thick tawny hair tickling my cheek. Despite the guards being just a few feet away, despite the danger or maybe because of it, I raised up on tiptoes and pressed my lips to his.

Daicon didn’t move, save for his hot breath teasing my mouth.

I wasn’t sure what I was doing. I’d never been this forward with anyone, and it was as enticing as it was nerve-wracking.

His hands hung at his sides, pressed into the rock as if to hold him in place.

His muscles were tensed for a fight, though I couldn't be sure whether it was with me or himself.

His lips were soft as velvet, and warmth began unfurling in my chest, rushing through my body like an electric current.

There was no way I could stop now.

I leaned into him, pressing my body against the hard planes of his chest. His arms, strong and warm, encompassed me in a whisper of movement. The rest of the world slipped away at that moment; the clanking of armor and voices of the guards milling nearby faded into a dull roar.

The salty taste of his skin teased my senses as I whisked my tongue against the seam of his full lips.

When I drew his bottom lip between my teeth and gently bit down, he shuddered in pleasure, and I felt it resonate through my body.

His hands settled on my waist as his thumbs brushed circles over my stomach.

He leaned in, pressing his lips more firmly to mine.

His mouth was warm and soft, eager as it explored my own.

A sweet sensation swept through me as our tongues danced together.

His lips tasted like a dark spice that warmed my mouth with each press of his tongue.

His kiss was a drug, stimulating my body to a fever pitch.

My nipples were tight and ached for his touch, and I could feel myself growing wet from need throbbing between my thighs.

I loved my husband, but his kisses never affected me like this. Sex with Gavin was comforting, a way to assuage ourselves, a port in the storm.

Daicon was the storm.

Wild, unrestrained, and a bit scary, drawing me toward the swirling center. His kisses were almost uncontrollable as if he had been hungry for me for so long that he would devour me whole.

His body eclipsed mine as if there were no air between us, and I raised my arms to place them around his neck.

His eyes danced with pleasure, and in one swift, silent movement, he lifted me, so our faces were even.

I clung onto him, arms around his neck and legs wrapped around his waist. Every inch of me wanted to be closer.

Outside, the guards discussed their inane theories. They didn't matter. Nothing mattered but this man in my arms.

Only the pressure of his lips against mine kept my moans of pleasure from escaping.

I ground myself against him, rubbing the swollen, needy bud between my thighs against where his cock lay hard against his stomach.

His fingers dug into my hips, encouraging me to rub harder and faster until I reached the point where it became too much to bear.

My body pulsed with need, screaming for release.

A thought bloomed in my lust-drugged mind—a truth that my heart had been screaming for a while now, that I was either too scared or stubborn to acknowledge.

What I felt for this man—this alien—was more than just a crush.

I wanted Daicon.

The moment the thought left my head, Daicon broke the kiss, his forehead propping against mine as we held each other, the rush of our heavy breathing echoing in the alcove.

"The guards are gone," Daicon murmured.

“Really?” I sounded as disappointed as I felt.

A regrettable sigh reverberated through Daicon’s body as his hands slid from my waist up my back, landing atop my shoulders. "You should head back to the common area while it's clear."

“Are you sure?” I asked when what I wanted to do was protest.

Daicon stepped out of the alcove, coolness assaulting my skin at the loss of his touch.

I followed, stumbling over my own feet. I didn’t feel rejected exactly, but it was close.

Beside me, he cocked his head, and I saw the tip of his ear twitch as he listened.

I heard nothing but the hammering of my own heart.

“The guards are moving further into the tunnels. Go now while it’s safe.”

"You don't want me to stay?" Now, I felt dejected.

As if reading my mind, Daicon slipped an arm around my waist, pulling me close.

“It doesn’t matter what I want.” He dipped his head, feathering his lips across mine. “I need you to be safe.” With that, he spun me, so I faced the tunnel and nudged me forward a few steps.

“O—okay.” My feet moved slowly, each step made with a wish that he’d tell me to stay.

Daicon didn’t speak again. When I glanced over my shoulder, just at the point where the tunnel curved, and shadows encroached on his handsome frame…I found him watching. His expression was a mix of concern, curiosity, and something I intended to pretend was lust… at least, I hoped it was lust.

Sweet fancy, Moses!

I’d never felt more discombobulated in my life, but I didn’t regret a thing.

Not one little bit.