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Daisy huffed out a breath. “And you’re not happy because they showed us kindness?”

“Daisy, go back to sleep.” Being so close to her and knowing she was out of reach was ripping his heart in two. He figured he’d be able to deal with this. He’d been around Daisy for a year and kept it together, but now everything was swaying, like his foundations were on sinking sand and someone was stirring it.

“I’m not tired. Aren’t you glad I’m back to my old self?” Her hand lowered, a shimmer of uncertainty in her eyes.

“Always. I’m glad. I’ve been thinking...” He turned to the door and reached for the access button. He may have been thinking, but none of it made any sense to him.

Daisy slammed a hand against the wall, blocking his escape with her arm. He could move her, but he felt like he had the strength of a newborn cub.

“Talk to me,” she said.

“I don’t do talking.”

“Then show me. Show me how you feel. Why are you unhappy?” She went to touch his face, but he shook his head.

“I want out.” The words blurted from him.

Daisy was silent for a heartbeat. “Of what?”

“The mission. I’m done.” He didn’t meet her gaze. She’d know he was lying.

The quiet almost killed him. Daisy took a step back then another. That was good, even though it felt like a mortal wound. If she wasn’t around him, he’d be able to get himself together.

“We’re partners,” she finally whispered.

All the emotions he’d battled since they’d met soared into his throat. He should tell her. Let her know how much he adored her. He’d always adored her. It would give her the perfect reason to end this partnership.

“I’m going. I’ll contact Cleo. High Command can do what they like with me. I’ll clear your name. You can go back to work. You—”

Daisy jumped and wrapped her arms and legs around him. He had no choice but to grab her so she didn’t fall.

She clung to him, her face buried against the side of his neck. “You’re mine. I choose you.”

He ached for Daisy to the depth of his twisted, messed up soul. He stroked his hand down her back. “You don’t want this. Not really.”

She pulled back, and the tears in her eyes made him grimace. “I do. It took a crap load of alien tech worming about in me to make me realize what we have. I hid from it because I was scared. Not of you, but of losing you. Losing our friendship. But we are way past friends. You’re mine. You always have been. I’ve just been too much of a coward to accept that.”

His heart pounded, and his throat constricted. “Let go of me.”

“No! You’ll leave.” Her nails dug into his shoulders.

Hope jittered inside Rexx. He had to be sure this was really happening. “I won’t. I’m right here.”

With a huff, Daisy untangled her limbs from Rexx, and he placed her gently on the floor.

Anger sparked in her eyes. “If you start making excuses about how this will never work, expect this to get physical.”

“I’d love nothing more than to get physical with you.” Rexx kneeled in front of Daisy. He sighed and pressed his face to her stomach. “How can you want me?”

Her hand tugged on his hair until he looked up. “How can I not want you? You didn’t flinch during any of this.”

He winced. “Not true. And if I’d been stronger, I’d have walked away a long time ago. You deserve so much more.”

Daisy hissed out air and lowered herself to his level. “I deserve you. You’re what I want.” She kissed his cheek, then his forehead, then his mouth. “You’re going to lose this battle. I won’t give up this fight.”

He’d already lost. Why had he even tried to fight her? She was a strong, magnificent warrior. He hoped that one day he’d feel worthy of her.

Her tongue teased across his mouth. “It’s time to get physical with me, big guy. That’s an order.”