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Chapter 8

Eden followed Blaze. She was stunned and speechless. No man had ever made her feel like that. Well, not in a good way. And this felt way more than just good.

That kiss had been fire. And Blaze’s hands on her skin had made her lightheaded and longing with need.

This was a new side to Blaze. He always held himself back. Everything with him was so contained and done in the right way. He never pushed anything with her.

Sure, they’d flirted and teased each other ever since they’d started working together, but it was nothing like this.

This was a different side to him. A side that had her hungry and desperate for more. Could there be a bad side to Blaze, after all? Did she still want the bad guy? The guy who took what he needed and didn’t give a damn about anyone else.

No, Blaze wasn’t bad. He was amazing. Too damn incredible for her.

Eden shook her head. Had that been the real Blaze when he’d been making her shake with desire and think about nothing but getting him naked?

It always felt like he had a mask in place and he was hiding something. Now she knew what it was, but it only made things more messed up between them. It made her fairy tale fantasy of the good guy, no, the good baron, wanting her for more than a hot fumble, seem even farther out of reach.

Eden couldn’t get tangled up with Blaze. She knew her own rule when it came to guys. If you didn’t learn from your mistakes, you were an idiot. Love wasn’t worth the risk. No matter how she felt when Blaze had pinned her against the wall and kissed the life out of her or when his fingers had slid inside her and made her moan.

She glanced at him, a tangle of emotions making her sweat. If there was one guy she’d consider breaking that rule for, it would be him. Did that make her a dumb ass? One hundred percent yes.

Blaze headed into the cargo bay of the ship. “We’ll do a quick check on the animals then let the crew in. You start at the other end.”

It was unlike him to bark out the orders, but she was still processing what had gone down between them, so she didn’t snap back.

Eden nodded and headed away from Blaze. This was good. She needed time away from him so she could get her thoughts in order. And she had to stop thinking about how much she wanted him to touch her again.

After ten minutes of checking the animals and making sure they were okay, Blaze headed to the docking ramp without a word.

Eden watched him go, then followed along behind him. Despite the mess going on between them, they still had a job to do.

He unlocked the clamps, and the ramp descended with a quiet hiss.

Six sanctuary workers stood outside, waiting to be let in.

Jendar was at the front of the group, an expectant smile on her pale blue face as she nodded at Blaze.

“It’s good to have you both back,” she said. “How are the animals doing?”

“They’re good.” Eden stuffed down her frustration as she glanced at Blaze again. His expression was blank. It pissed her off. How could he act so calmly, when her insides felt like they were on fire?

“Is there any news about the attack on our escort?” Blaze said.

“They’re on their way down. Our weapons are primed in case anyone tries to get through the atmosphere uninvited,” Jendar said.

“Any casualties?” Eden said.

Jendar nodded, her cheerful expression fading. “The ships all took fire. The Pecket really wanted that cargo.”

“The guys are okay, though?” Eden said.

“We’re not sure,” Jendar said. “We’re towing two of the ships back. The other one is coming in on its own steam.”

Eden chewed on her bottom lip. “It sounds serious. It was an intense fire fight. They were shooting to kill.”

“The Pecket are as lethal as the spines on their backs,” Blaze said. “They attacked without warning.”

Jendar bared her teeth in a tiny snarl.