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“You wanted to get the animals to safety. There was no way we could have left them in the hands of the Siblet.”

“I’ve messed everything up. The Siblet know we’re on to them.”

Hunter was quiet for a moment. “This is my fault. I spoke out against you in front of High Command. You thought I was siding with Commissioner Viewick.”

“That’s not it. Well, maybe it is a bit. I hate it when Commissioner Viewick talks down to me like I’m some dumb broad who forgot to take her night curlers out. I wanted to show him I can think for myself.”

“I lost some of that in translation, but I get the general meaning. Your intentions were good.”

“But the execution of my intentions sucked. I’m rusty in the field. I should stick to the paperwork and sucking up to the top brass so we keep getting proper funding.”

“Not true. We showed the Siblet who’s in charge,” Hunter said. “Maybe they’ll back off now they know we can find them anywhere. They can’t keep hiding. Not with humans and Apexians gunning for them.”

“But they must be close to finishing their plan,” Cleo said. “Otherwise they would have given up by now.”

“Which is why we had to do what we did. We took away the resources they needed.”

Cleo glanced at Hunter. “How do the Apexians handle insubordination?”

“Badly. But you weren’t insubordinate. You used your initiative. Don’t worry about Jagger. And High Command is so used to spending their time sitting behind a desk and barking orders, they’ve forgotten what it’s like to be in the field. And so had I. It was great to be back out there with you.”

Cleo tried to smile, but her gut ached. “I’ll make this right. Once High Command learn what the Siblet were working on, they’ll understand why we did this.”

“They will. You’ll make them understand. You’re good at getting them to see sense.” Hunter dropped his hold on her hand, and Cleo instantly missed the contact.

She opened her eyes when he cupped her face in his hand. Her pulse stuttered at how handsome he was.

“Hey, pretty eyes. The purple suits you.” His gaze dropped to her mouth.

Cleo shifted in her seat, her face growing warm as Hunter studied her, the desire in his gaze making her chest hitch. It felt so good to have someone taking care of her, instead of always being the one doing the caring.

He nudged her knees open and moved closer. He was bigger and stronger than her, but she felt no fear. She’d always liked her guys big, but Hunter was on a different scale. He radiated confidence, and he made her feel safe.

Before she realized what she was doing, one hand slid across his chest. She looked into those purple eyes and saw them full of longing.

Dammit! She couldn’t resist. She didn’t want to hold back from tasting this gorgeous alien any longer.

She met Hunter’s mouth as he lowered it to hers, snaking a hand into his hair and firing the kiss from sweet to raunchy in about five seconds as their tongues met.

Cleo leaned forward, and Hunter moved closer, taking care not to crush her healing ribs. Her heart sped up as his mouth delved into hers, and he feasted on her like he was starving.

She groaned, tugging on his hair as she moved even closer, not able to get enough of this alien.

“Cleo,” he whispered against her lips. “It would kill me to lose you.”

“I’m not going anywhere. Not while you’re here, to keep me safe.” She wrapped her legs around his thighs and pinned him to her, feeling the long, hard length of his cock press against her heat.

“You’re hurt. We shouldn’t.”

“We should. I insist.”

A groan slid from Hunter’s mouth before he claimed hers again.

All she wanted was the feel of his naked body against hers, filling an ache she’d had ever since they last tumbled into bed.

She pulled back before the last of her control faded, her breath shaky. “You know, I’m just doing this because of the energy transfer. It always makes me want to jump you.”

His low laugh shot straight to her core. “Yeah, right. You love me, you just don’t know it yet.”