“Supplies. Council meetings.” He turned the transport onto the final stretch of road toward the main cluster of buildings. “Not often.”
“Because you don’t like people?”
The question was direct.
“No. Because I don’t need people.”
She frowned. “Everyone needs people.”
“I have my uncle.”
“One person isn’t enough.”
His jaw clenched. She was wrong. One person was plenty. He’d commanded warriors once… given orders that males followed without question because lives depended on instant obedience. But that had been different…
The transport hit another rough patch, and she braced herself against the door. Her body tilted with the motion, shoulder pressing into the cold metal panel.
His hand moved before thought caught up and he reached across the space between them, palm settling on her thigh to steady her. She was warm. Soft. The thermal fabric of her pants were thin enough that he felt the muscle tense beneath his touch.
She froze.
So did he.
The contact burned through the layers of clothing. His hand looked massive against her leg, his fingers spanning from the inside of her thigh nearly to her hip. He felt her pulse through the fabric. Fast. Racing.
He should pull back and pretend this was just a practical gesture. Nothing more than keeping her from being thrown around by the rough road. His fingers tightened instead.
Her breath caught. That small sound shot straight through him, heating blood that had no business being heated.
Then the road smoothed out.
Removing his hand, he gripped the controls with both fists. Forced his attention forward. His jaw was so tight his teeth ached.
“Thanks.” Her voice was breathless. Shaky.
He grunted. Couldn’t manage actual words. Not when his palm still burned with the imprint of her warmth. Not when every instinct screamed at him to reach for her again.
The colony center sprawled ahead. Buildings clustered together, people moving between them. He could already see faces turning toward the transport. Recognizing his vehicle. Watching.
They rolled into the main square and he headed for an open space near the supply depot to park up. Other transports were already parked… all newer models, cleaner and newer than his battered vehicle.
Several colonists stood in clusters, talking. They all turned to watch as he pulled in.
His muscles tensed.
There. By the cantina entrance. Daax with his assigned female… She was laughing at something, comfortable and animated. Nearby, Thayn walked beside another of the humans, speaking quietly. His female looked relaxed.
The other matches settling in. Finding their rhythm.
While his female sat silent beside him, shivering in his jacket.
The transport settled with a mechanical hiss. He cut the engine and the sudden silence pressed in.
Juni reached for her door release but didn’t open it. She sat with her hand on the latch, staring out at the crowd through the view port. Her throat moved as she swallowed.
Nervous. She was nervous about facing them.
The protective instinct flared hot. He should drive away before anyone got close. Before they made her feel unwelcome.
