Page 32

“I am. With you.”

“I make you happy. I make you feel good?”

“You make me...” desperate with need. Full of longing. Just damn desperate for her.

“Yes?” She inched her face closer to his.

“You make me want to kiss you.” He closed the gap between them. The kiss was soft as he explored her pliable, full lips. His hand moved behind her head, tilting her as his tongue tasted her sweetness.

The touch of her tongue against his had him groaning. This wasn’t about his pleasure, but the swelling cock in his pants reminded him how long it had been since he’d had anyone in his bed. He’d never wanted anyone as much as he wanted Daisy.

The kiss deepened, spiking desire through him. Daisy’s moan had him sliding his hands down her body, taking in the soft curve of her waist.

The gentle sigh that slid from her lips as he broke the kiss left him with no choice but to capture her mouth again.

She leaned against him, the hardness of her nipples suggesting this arousal wasn’t one-sided.

If he was the stone-hearted bastard everyone thought he was, he’d have carried on. It would have been so simple to keep kissing, caressing, and making those small whimpers grow. But Daisy wasn’t an easy screw. She was special.

He eased back from the kiss. “You need to rest. It’s not fair, me taking advantage of you while you’re in this situation. It’s not like you can get away.”

The smile she shot him fired an arrow into his heart, and he had to resist pressing her down on the bed and kissing her until she was gasping. “You don’t hear me complaining. It’s kind of hot how you can dominate me. I’m all tied up and at the mercy of a gorgeous alien.”

Rexx grumbled a laugh as he studied the lust blurred gaze in her eyes. “We’ll try this another time, when you actually have a choice in the matter.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead.

Her smile faded. “Oh, that. I forgot for a second. I’m a prisoner.” A hardness entered her eyes.

Was this his Daisy talking, or was the implant affecting her? She’d behaved like this when they’d been on Asiram. There was no way in hell he’d carry on if she didn’t know what she was doing.

“I’ll stay with you while you get some sleep,” he said.

“I’ve done nothing but rest. I want out of here.”

“You will be soon enough.” He pulled up a chair and settled beside her bed. “You have nothing to worry about. I’m here. I’ll keep watch.”

“You’re going to save me from the monsters in my head?” Her fingers curled around his hand, her expression softening.

“I’ll slay any monster that comes your way.”

“You’re my hero.”

Neither of them spoke for several minutes.

This was the biggest battle Rexx had ever faced. He had to keep control of his emotions. As much as he wanted Daisy, more than air, he was a risk to her, just like the alien tech seeping through her, making her different. It was changing her, just like he’d been changed.

She wouldn’t want him if she knew just how damaged he was. And he wasn’t stable. Although... when they were together, he was calmer. Her trust in him always to get her out of danger, and the fact she never feared him, gave him a glimmer of hope.

Could she ever want him the way he desired her? Would she see past the mess left behind and help him remember the warrior he once was?

She gave him a sleepy smile before shutting her eyes. “I told you I wasn’t tired.”

“Sure you’re not.”

“Do me a favor.”

“Anything. Name it.”

“Make sure Helix, Quark, and Darwin are okay. They need a feed and their litter changed. You could let them hang out with Asshole. They’d be good company for him.”