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She nodded and was happy to stumble behind him to her room. Her desire for Striker was matched by a bone weary tiredness. Even being around someone so hot wasn’t wiping away her longing to sleep.
He turned and dipped his head to hers, capturing her mouth and firing heat through her as their tongues met.
Okay, maybe she could find some energy from somewhere. She wrapped her arms around him and sank against his chest.
“Hmmm, I see sleep is more attractive to you than sex with me.”
Her eyes flicked open, and her cheeks heated. “It’s not that. I wasn’t going to sleep. I mean, of course, I’m tired. I just—”
He pressed a finger against her lips. “I’m teasing. I didn’t bring you here to get you naked, although it’s definitely in the back of my mind for later. You need to rest.” He eased her down onto the bed and removed her boots.
“You don’t have to do that. I’ll just grab half an hour.”
“No, you won’t. You need a decent night of sleep if you’re going to come up with a genius way to get the Gente to hand over their cargo.”
She stifled a yawn behind her hand, grateful he wasn’t pushing. She sank down onto the bed. “Thanks, Striker.”
“Any time.” He wrapped his arms around her and lay next to her.
Wren snuggled against him. It was so comfortable being wrapped in his arms. She felt safe and warm and just a little horny.
But she couldn’t get distracted by Striker. They had a mission to focus on. She was determined to get those animals back, no matter what it took.
She’d have just a short nap then she’d be back on it.
***
He could get used to this. Although he’d dozed on and off for hours, Striker kept waking and smiling every time he saw Wren wrapped in his arms.
She’d fallen into a deep sleep. Her hair was messed up from where she tossed around and rolled away, but she’d always returned to his arms.
Since they’d started working together, his opinion of Wren had changed. At first, he’d be mildly amused by how earnest these cute little Humans were about their mission, then he’d grown intrigued, then he’d started spending more time with Wren, and her passion had grown on him.
He stroked a hand gently across her cheek. Maybe they could figure things out. He could withdraw his transfer request, and they could stay partners.
The trouble was, he wasn’t that kind of guy. He never let his feelings get involved when it came to relationships. It made him vulnerable. His heart had been slam-dunked when his squad was killed. He’d trusted everyone on that team, yet he’d been betrayed. Once you experienced that kind of bone jarring deceit, it was impossible to come back from it. You always had to be wary and keep half an eye on everyone, even if they promised they could be trusted.
It had been the same with his sister’s boyfriend. On the surface, he’d been the perfect guy. Then things changed in a heartbeat. His sister was beaten down and destroyed. When she died, another part of Striker’s heart hardened.
Wren shivered under his touch.
He breathed in her faint lavender scent. He wanted her so badly it hurt. But could he trust her enough to let her into his life? He just didn’t know.
She inhaled sharply, and her muscles tensed.
Striker wrapped his arm around her. All he should focus on was being here with Wren, just the two of them. When he didn’t think about anything else, it all seemed right.
She moaned gently, and her forehead furrowed.
“Hey, you’re fine. You’re in your room,” he said softly.
She squirmed in his arms, and he hardened as her thigh brushed across his cock.
“How long have I been asleep?” Her voice was low, but she remained snuggled against his chest.
“You got five hours.”
She groaned. “I only meant to take a power nap.”
