Dropped it? Mal looked around and spotted the priceless artifact on its side under the computer console.
Xander blinked slowly. “When Forge fired and you leaped, I didn’t even think about it.”
Her chest was caught in a vice. In such a short time, he’d melted everything inside her. How could she ever have thought what she’d felt before him had been anything close to love?
How would she survive when he walked away from her?
“I’ve got it.” Nik scooped it up. “Thank the stars for its protective casing.” He lifted it to eye level. “Extraordinary.”
Mal felt another wave of exhaustion flow over her. “Can we please go now?”
“Yes.” Xander helped her to her feet.
“What do you want to do about him?” Dathan motioned with the gun at Forge.
The man’s head stayed down, staring at the floor.
“Nothing,” Mal said. “I very much doubt after this fiasco anyone will accept any more invitations from the Technomancer.” And she’d pass the word around to make sure. “I say we leave him here. All alone.” She stepped closer, until he looked up at her. “You destroyed the one person I think truly cared about you. You want to be alone with only your metal creations as company, so be it.” She turned away, and grabbed Xander’s hand. “Let’s go. I’ve had enough of this rogue planet.” Then she motioned for Krypto to follow her and looked back over her shoulder. “Oh, and I’m taking the dog.”
Xander satin the medical alcove on theInfinitas,enjoying watching Malin fuss over him as she worked on reattaching a temporary mechanical arm she’d found aboard. She muttered to herself, grunted occasionally, apologized when she thought she’d hurt him. When she caught her tongue between her teeth as she concentrated, his cock had turned hard as space rock.
He could watch her forever.
He wanted her forever.
He had fallen in love.
Xander knew once they came off the Via Maris Bridge, he would be inundated with tasks and responsibilities. He had allies to contact, a planet to free, people to save, and his team and brother to rescue.
But when it was all over, he knew he wanted to be with Malin.
He didn’t know how. He knew plenty of people at Centax Security would fight him every step of the way, but he’d make it happen.
“Wiggle your fingers.”
He obeyed, and when she continued frowning, he lifted those fingers and brushed the crease between her eyes.
She smiled at him. She probably thought he couldn’t see the sadness buried in the depths of her eyes.
“Malin, when this is over?—”
She shot to her feet. “All done. Let me just tuck this wiring away.” She fiddled with the opening at the top of his bicep, then closed it. “There we go. Like new.” She waggled her eyebrows. “Goddess of all things mechanical, remember? It isn’t as fancy as your old arm, but it’ll do until you can get the CenSec experts to look at it when you get home.”
Whenhegot home. “Malin?—”
“Shut up, Xander. I don’t want to feel sad.” She slid onto his lap, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him.
The taste of her exploded in his mouth. He kissed her hard until her head bent back. Her short nails dug into his skin, and she squirmed against him, making low, sexy noises in her throat.
He pulled back. “Why don’t you want to hear me tell you that I love you?”
“I do. More than anything.” She pressed her forehead to his. “But after this is all over, okay?”
Maybe she was right. But for now, he could show her that love. He slid his hands under her bottom and stood. He strode down the corridor and entered her cabin.
After dumping her on the bed, it took him mere seconds to strip off her clothes.
“Hurry up, tough guy.” She writhed on the covers, heavy eyes watching him.
