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“Rexx, you’re an amazing warrior, but everyone has their limits. And you shouldn’t have shared your energy with me. If you’d been at full strength, you’d have taken them out without breaking a sweat.”

He shook his head and opened his eyes. Daisy wasn’t looking so good. She was overheating again, and there was that strange dark streak flickering beneath her skin. Whatever was inside her, it was coming back with a vengeance.

“It was worth it. You may not have survived if I hadn’t given you the energy. Whatever is inside you is strong,” he said.

Her hand went to her heart. “I know. I feel it moving around again. It’s coming back. I don’t know how much longer I’ve got.”

“Come closer.” Rexx gestured her to his side.

She slid over until her hip rested against his.

He placed a hand on her forehead and frowned. “You’re burning up. How long have you been like that?”

“Not long. I started getting warm and shaky about ten minutes ago.” She shuffled even nearer and rested her head on his shoulder. “Maybe I should just let the Gente do their experiments. Once they’ve run their tests, they may take it out and I’ll be better.”

Damn, he wished he had an ounce of her optimism. The world wouldn’t seem quite so bleak. “You really believe it’ll be that simple?”

“It’s an option.” She sighed. “But no, of course it won’t be. Even I’m not that naïve. They’ll use me until I’m dead.”

“That’s not happening. They’re not having you. You’re no one’s experiment.”

Daisy’s hand traced close to his injuries. It was a gentle touch. “It’s my fault you’re not healing so quickly. I wish I was stronger. I could have fought them without—”

“Without me?” He brushed across the soft skin of her lower lip with his thumb. “You don’t want me around?”

“Of course I want you around.”

“Then don’t wish I hadn’t helped you.” Rexx was captivated by her mouth.

He lowered his head until their breath mingled and brushed his lips against hers, feeling the shift in her breathing as they touched.

Daisy leaned closer, bringing them even nearer. Her tongue traced across his mouth, a sign she wanted more, but Rexx pulled back. He couldn’t forget what she’d told him. It was the sickness making her act out of character. This wasn’t who she really was. As much as he wanted her to desire him, this was a fantasy. When they figured out how to take the alien technology out of her, things would go back to normal.

But it would never be normal for him.

“You need to get some rest,” he said.

“I will, if you will.” There was a flicker of hurt in her eyes as her hungry gaze locked onto his mouth.

Rexx looked away. He had to distract her, or they’d end up naked and fucking. She already regretted what had happened between them. If he took it all the way, she’d never forgive him.

“I need sleep. Being shot by my partner has taken it out of me,” he said.

Daisy’s cheeks flushed, and she looked away.

It was a dick move to bring that up and jab at her guilt, but it would focus her thoughts on something else.

“Of course. And again, I’m really sorry about shooting you. That wasn’t me. It was this.” Daisy grimaced and tapped her neck.

“I know. Give me time to heal, then the Gente will pay for what they’ve done to you.” His physical injuries didn’t concern him. He’d had much worse. What gnawed away at him like a rabid rodent was what the hell he’d do with his lost, lovesick heart if they got through this.

Daisy snuggled next to him. “I’ll make it up to you. I’ll figure out how to make you forget I ever shot you.”

Her body heat soothed him. He’d take this. He’d take anything she gave him. And when this was done, he’d figure out how to cut his losses and leave without breaking apart.

Chapter 12

There was no way of knowing the time on board the ship or how long they’d been flying, but Daisy estimated it was at least five hours.