Page 128 of Wrapped in Their Arms

We made it.

But even as his heart lifted, another weight pressed down hard behind his ribs.

It’s not over yet.Westill have to get out of here.

They scrambled aboard,Burnswiping the silver key through the console scanner.Aflash of green acknowledged the command and the door slid open with a hiss.

The interior was plush and opulent—too much so for a standard shuttle.Itsmelled of stale perfume and expensive lubricant.Thecouches were wide and low, upholstered in shimmering gold leather that stuck to bare skin.Thecontrol panel was dotted with oversized, gemlike buttons—each glowing softly in unnatural hues.

It was all too clean…too clinical.Andyet somehow stillfilthy.

Bright helpedNoelleclimb into one of the cushioned passenger seats.Herknees wobbled as she sank down, and her face looked ghost-pale beneath the overhead lighting.

She shouldn’t have had to do any of this.NeithershouldBurn.Butwe didn’t have a choice.Thunemade damned sure of that.

Bright fumbled for the harness straps and clicked them into place across her chest and hips.Shesighed and leaned her head back, eyes fluttering closed.

He stroked her arm once—gently.Shewas already half-asleep—the effects of the pink drink taking their toll.Brightcould feel it working on him as well…as soon as the adrenaline wore off, he was going to be damn-near unconscious.Still, he lingered a moment watchingNoellerest.

She deserves peace.Shedeserves better than us.

“Time to get the fuck out of here.”Burndropped into the pilot seat with a grunt, tapping at the glowing controls, butBrightcould see the tension in his broad shoulders.Hewas still wound tight.Stillcoiled with guilt and fury.

Bright settled besideNoelle, but his eyes stayed on his friend.Brother, really.They’dgrown as close as friends could get without theBondactually forming.Andnow…

Now everything between us has changed.

They hadn’t spoken of it yet—of whatThunehad forced them to do.

But it lingered between them—every glance…every breath.Brightcould still taste his best friend’s seed on the back of his tongue.

They would never be the same.

I’m sorry,Burn.Inever wanted it to happen.Iwould have stopped it ifIcould.

And yet, his trousers were still tight, even as regret swamped him.Thepink drink—whatever it was—was hitting him hard.Hisshaft ached, painfully stiff and throbbing behind the fabric of his trousers.Itfeltwrongto be aroused.Violentand violating and utterly out of place—and yet his body wasn’t giving him a choice.

Gods…it’s like my skin is too tight and my blood is too hot.

But the worst part was the draggingexhaustion waiting just beneath the surface—like he was running toward a cliff and about to fall off the edge.

“Need to move,” he muttered, swallowing against the sudden lump in his throat.“We’rerunning out of time.”

“I know,”Burngrowled.Hisfingers were flying over the controls, but his motions were jerky…sluggish.

“Let me help—what canIdo?”Brightasked.

“Nothing,”Burngrunted.Hedidn’t look up.

Then, as if reminded of something unpleasant, he stabbed one thick finger at a large glowing red button in the center of the console.

“But whatever you do—don’ttouch the red button.”

Bright blinked.

“Why—what is it?”

“Home…button,”Burnslurred.“Forwhen the driver’s drunk.Youpresh—Imean,pressit—and it brings the ship right backhere.”Heshook his head violently, as though trying to clear it.“Fuck.Thatpink shtuff is getting to me.”