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Rexx tried not to stare at Daisy as they walked to the briefing room on the Apocalypse. It was more like they were speed marching. And Daisy was setting the pace.

The connection between them zinged through him. He’d thought about kissing her a thousand times, yet she’d been the one to almost make the move.

Why the hell had she done that? He had no idea. When she’d gotten close to him, everything had faded. He’d just seen her. And he’d sat there like a fucking statue, just staring at her face, hearing her soft breathing, and dazzled by the curve of her chest.

She glanced at him. “What is it?”

His gaze snapped away from her. “You in a hurry?”

“Cleo hates it when we’re late for the briefings.”

His fingers curled against his palms. He’d almost given in to temptation. He’d been so damn close to Daisy.

Rexx needed to focus on the mission. He couldn’t go there with her, no matter how great she smelled. He had to keep her safe. And that meant protecting her from him, as well as all the claws, fangs, and venom that came with this gig.

They entered the briefing mission room, and Daisy was quick to scoot around the table away from Rexx and take her usual seat next to her best friend Wren Tulloch.

Rexx settled opposite Daisy between Striker and Blaze.

Cleo Newman, who led the group, stood at the head of the table, her feet apart and her hands behind her back in a relaxed military stance. The rest of the team entered and took up their positions.

“Hey, you missed your mark on your mission yesterday.” Ash grinned at Rexx. “You getting slow?”

Rexx simply growled.

Striker patted his arm, mock sympathy on his face. “I expect you were distracted.”

“No teasing,” Wren said. “Rexx would never get distracted on the job. Daisy’s always saying he’s a professional.”

“Of course he is,” Daisy muttered, her gaze not meeting Rexx’s.

“When your partner’s that cute, you gotta take notice.” Blaze chuckled, only stopping when Rexx snarled at him.

“That’s enough,” Cleo said. “I have assignments for you all.”

Sloane and Eden both whooped.

“I’ve been too long in that lab. A woman can only take so much of bending over and looking at slides,” Sloane said.

“You don’t like my lab?” Dallin raised his serious gaze to Sloane.

“Sugar, the lab is adorable, as are you. But a girl needs some action in her life.”

Dallin shrugged. He was only relaxed when he was tucked away in his lab.

Rexx noticed Wren wink at Striker. If only it could be that easy for him and Daisy. Although it had taken Striker long enough to get his ass into gear when it came to Wren. After she’d been kidnapped by the Gente, he’d come to his senses and realized he couldn’t be without her.

Rexx’s gut clenched as the memory hit him. That had been the mission when Daisy had almost died. When he’d found her on the floor, covered in blood and unconscious... He pushed away the thought. She’d survived; he’d made sure of it. And she was here now. She was all good.

“It’s great to have you back, Rexx and Daisy,” Cleo said. “You’ll be pleased to hear Eden and Blaze made a successful capture and retrieval of the zinibar. Two adults and two infants are in our care.”

“You got them.” Daisy grinned and leaned forward. “We were so close to getting the male in the trap.”

“Close isn’t good enough,” Blaze said. “Don’t worry. We covered for you.”

“Daisy’s illness was my priority,” Rexx said.