by Anna Hackett
“Run for the door,” he said. “Get inside.”
Her green gaze met his. “I’m not weak or broken or useless, Tane. I don’t need your protection.”
The bugs overhead dived.
Suddenly, another shadow streaked through the sky.
Fluffy hit the lead bug hard, sending it crashing to the ground.
Selena raised her arms, her eyes closing. Tane stayed close to her, willing the squad to cross the field faster. Damn, he wished he had a carbine.
He heard the beating of wings, followed by wild squawks.
He frowned. That sound wasn’t coming from the bugs. Nearby, the bugs buzzed angrily.
He turned.
Another dark cloud was descending. This one aimed at the bug swarm.
He sucked in a breath. It was a flock of black cockatoos.
The birds hit the aliens hard. The sky turned into a frenzy of birds and bugs, beating wings and screeches. The cockatoos used their sharp beaks to tear into the wings of the alien bugs. Several of the alien creatures hit the ground with dull thuds.
He looked at Selena.
She lifted her slim hands and the cockatoos intensified their attack. She was incredible. Somehow, she was linked to these living creatures that would risk themselves to protect her.
The carbine fire got closer and his squad mates arrived, picking off the alien bugs one by one.
Selena’s skin was glowing. The grass at her feet started to grow before his very eyes.
She opened her eyes, and they were glowing an eerie green. “Raptors.”
Fuck.
Hemi appeared right beside Tane. “You guys okay?”
Tane nodded. “Need a weapon. Selena said raptors are incoming.”
Hemi slapped a laser pistol into Tane’s hand.
The raptors leaped out of the long grass ahead, their guttural roars filling the air.
Selena made an angry sound and looked at Tane. “Stay back, I’ll protect you this time.”
She walked toward the raptors. Closer to the aliens, the grass waved, and started growing wildly. It wrapped around the strong legs of the raptors.
“What did you do to piss off our cute little alien?” Hemi asked with a grin.
“I just wanted to protect her.”
His brother nodded. “Yeah, some women hate that. Especially if you haven’t asked their opinion on it first.”
The grass kept growing, covering the raptors even as they struggled and fought. Tane kept pace behind Selena, gripping his laser pistol tightly.
“Bro, my advice,” Hemi said. “You grab ahold of that woman and worship her. We might all be fucking dead, or growing scales, before we know it.”
Tane’s heart kicked against his ribs.
“You do it,” Hemi continued. “Not just for you, but for her. She deserves some damn happiness and pleasure.”
His squad converged, firing on the trapped raptors. Tane aimed and fired.
Then there was silence.
The raptors were dead and scorpion bug carcasses littered the ground.
Selena turned. She was covered in dirt and alien blood, her silver hair floating behind her like a breeze was blowing at her. Her skin glowed.
Fluffy swooped in and landed on her shoulder. She looked like some kind of fairy warrior goddess.
“Who’s weak now?” she asked.
Tane shoved the pistol into the waistband of his trousers. “I never said you were weak.”
“Poor, little Selena,” she said. “She needs protection from the big, bad berserker.”
Tane heard a snicker behind him and was pretty sure it was Levi.
“Selena—”
She walked toward him, Fluffy taking to the air. “I can take you on, Tane Rahia.”
Damn, his cock was hard. She was glaring at him, and all he wanted to do was kiss her.
He lowered his head. “You want to take me on?”
Her gaze was unwavering. “Yes, if you have the courage to let me.”
Then suddenly, the glow went out of her skin. Her lips parted and she crumpled.
He lunged and caught her before she hit the ground.
She turned her face against his chest. “I ruined my speech.”
He rose, sweeping her into his arms. She was burned out. “Don’t worry, you made your point.”
Chapter Nine
Selena was too tired to argue with Tane.
She closed her eyes and let him carry her. Again.
As they entered the Enclave, Fluffy streaked in behind them. The bird landed on Tane’s shoulder.
“You did good work, bird,” he said.
Fluffy ruffled his feathers, then nuzzled Tane’s cheek.
Selena blinked. Fluffy was only fond of her, Finn, and Lia.
Like she’d summoned them, the couple appeared, jogging down the corridor. Their faces were stamped with concern.
“I’m okay,” Selena said.
Finn frowned, looking at Tane.
“She’s just burned out,” Tane said. “Fought the Gizzida off until there wasn’t a single one left.”
His words sent a warm flush of pride inside her.
Fluffy flew to Finn, and Lia reached out, stroking the gyr’s wing.
“We’ll take care of him,” the Hawk pilot said. “You take care of Selena.”
“I can take care of myself,” she said.
Unsurprisingly, no one listened.
With a nod, Tane kept heading down the hall. It didn’t take him long to reach her room. He turned so she could press her palm to the electronic lock. When the door beeped, he strode inside.
She watched him flick on the lights and take in her space. She’d filled her quarters with plants—some large, some small. As many different ones that she could beg from Hamish, the grizzled, grumpy man who helped take care of the Garden—an open-air garden cut into the rocky escarpment above the Enclave. It was protected by a retractable roof and illusion system. It was one of her most favorite places in the Enclave.
Fluffy’s bed—a plump pillow with a collection of ratty, soft toys—was tucked into one corner of Selena’s quarters and there was a soothing green cover on her own bed. Claudia had given her a string of lights and helped her hang them. They twinkled prettily on the far wall.
“Nice,” Tane said.
Then he took her into the bathroom. He set her down and the tiles were cool under her feet. Then he started stripping her stained clothes off.
Her muscles locked. His liquid dark gaze met hers.
“Let me take care of you,” he said.
She managed a nod.
He stripped off her trousers and T-shirt, leaving her in her underwear. Then he turned on the shower and urged her inside.
Steam billowed, and as soon as the warm water hit her skin, she swallowed a moan. She washed her skin clean, then her hair, looking at his dark shape through the glass.
Once the glass fogged, she slipped her wet underwear off. Her energy was coming back, and she was so incredibly aware of him.
She turned the shower off and he reached over the top of the stall, handing her a towel.
Selena dried off and then wrapped the fluffy fabric around herself.
When she opened the door, he took her hand. “Bed.”
He was so careful and gentle with her. She was certain not many people saw this side of tough, dangerous Tane Rahia.
She climbed on the bed and settled against the pillows. When she looked at him, she noticed his gaze drop to her bare legs and she felt heat in her cheeks.
“Tea.” He spun to the kitchen, clunking around in the tiny area.
Moments later, he was back with a cup of the herbal tea that she liked.
Tane making her tea. It was all so surreal.
“I’m going to clean up,” he said. “If you need anything, just yell.”
He disappeared into the bathroom, and a second later, Selena heard the shower. She pressed a hand to her throat, feeling the heavy beat of her heart.
Tane was in her
shower.
Naked.
She imagined all that smooth, brown skin with water cascading over it. She shifted on the covers and felt a throb between her legs.
She was sipping her tea when he came out. He had his cargo pants back on, but his stained T-shirt was missing.
Oh, wow.
Her gaze traveled over his bare chest. He was perfect. His torso was all carved muscles, his abdomen rows of delineated ridges.
He had an incredible black-ink tattoo covering one of his shoulders. She couldn’t breathe, but this time it had nothing to do with overtaxing herself, and everything to do with her deep, hungry desire for Tane.
He sat beside her on the bed. “You need anything?”
Unable to talk, she just shook her head. The only thing she needed was him.
“How are you feeling?”
Like I’m going to jump you. She cleared her throat. “Better. I like your tattoo.”
“Thanks. It’s a Maori design. Hemi has a matching one.”
“A piece of your history on your body. I like that.” She had to physically stop herself from reaching out and touching it. Her fingers itched.
He eyed her for a second, then grabbed her hand. “You can touch it.”
She reached out and gently stroked the lines of ink, hyperaware of his warm skin. She felt dampness pool between her legs, and her breath hitched.
His dark gaze traveled over her body, then flicked up to her face. “You’re tired. You should nap.”
“I’m not tired anymore,” she said.
“I should leave.” His hand formed a fist resting on his thigh.
“I don’t want you to. And you don’t want to.”
Shadows shifted in his eyes. “I’m not that good-looking, easy-going guy you were with in the hall. I won’t make you laugh and smile.” He shook his head. “I’m not always a good man, Selena.”
“I don’t believe that for a second,” she said fiercely.
“In my past, I’ve done things, seen things, let things happen—”
She closed her hand around his fist. “None of us are perfect, Tane. We’re good and bad, an accumulation of right choices and wrong ones, but I’ve watched you for almost a year. You are a good man, even if you don’t believe it. And I want you. Just as you are.” She licked her lips.
Like a laser sight, his gaze zeroed in on her mouth.
He groaned. “I don’t think I’m strong enough to walk away again, Selena.”
“I don’t want you to walk away. We just survived the Gizzida. We won today, but we both know what we’re facing.”
She sensed the fight going on inside him. Why wouldn’t he let himself feel?
“Hemi told me to claim you, worship you, because we might not win the coming fight.”
“Your brother loves you.”
Tane still didn’t touch her, and she felt like she was bursting out of her skin.
Dark eyes met hers. “He told me to do it for you, not for me. For however long we’ve got.”
She stroked Tane’s tattoo and wondered what his skin tasted like. “When I look at you, I don’t even think of the Gizzida, only you.”
He made a sound, then lowered his head and kissed her. He smelled like soap and Tane.
She moved her hands up to his fascinating dreadlocks, touching the texture of his hair. She opened her mouth and he matched the movement, his lips moving on hers, his tongue plunging deep. The kiss turned harder.
Selena moaned. The kiss was a rough possession. She’d never been wanted like this before. Her body throbbed, sensation coursing through her. It felt so good, she felt so alive.
He lifted his head and she whimpered. “More.”
A streak of color filled his cheeks, his eyes glittering. “Have you been with a man before, Selena?”
She shook her head. “It’s not considered important on my planet. It’s more a chore than anything. On Florum, we don’t feel as deeply.”
He shuddered, his hands flexing on her arms.
“Um, Emerson’s done my medical checks.” Oh, this was harder than she’d guessed. “I have similar physiology to humans. Um, and all the bits in the same places.” She cocked her head. “It’s fascinating really, we must have a common ancestor—”
Tane pressed a finger to her mouth. She stopped talking.
“Can I see you, Selena?”
His words sent a jolt of desire running through her. Oh.
She nodded.
Big, luminous green eyes looked up at him.
God, she was beautiful. Tane drank in Selena’s almost-translucent skin and her pink lips. He was going to go to hell for touching her, but he couldn’t stop.
In his head, he saw her facing off with the Gizzida. Throwing attitude at him.
Hemi and others were right. Selena wasn’t lost or confused. She was a strong, sexy woman.
Gently, he pushed the towel aside.
Her breathing hitched and he took in her small, perfectly formed breasts.
“So pretty.” He cupped one. It was a perfect fit for his palm.
His skin was so dark compared to hers. He flicked a thumb over one pale, pink nipple.
She gasped, arching a little.
Her ribcage was small, and he slid his hands down her sides, then back up to those pretty breasts. He lowered his head, cupping and squeezing her silken flesh. He rolled one nipple between his fingers and she made a husky sound.
Shit. Need hammered at him.
Her short nails dug into his biceps. “Tane—”
He trailed his lips across her skin. His stubble scraped across her nipples, the nubs tightening even more.
Wild, possessive urges rocketed through him. He’d felt them for her for so long, fought them for so long.
Everything in him wanted to claim this unique woman as his.
Slowly, he licked one sweet nipple and she quivered. Then he sucked it into his mouth and she moaned, arching into him.
Tane rolled his tongue over the sensitive nub. “You like my mouth right here?”
Her eyes glittered. “Yes.”
He moved his mouth to the other breast, sucking as he kneaded her sweet curves. She made hungry, needy sounds.
She was so open, so pure. There were no lies or games from Selena. She showed him every bit of how much she liked what he was doing. She was incapable of lying to him.
He raised his head, desperate to see more, desperate to pleasure her.
He flicked the towel completely open. Naked, she shifted on the bed, and he stroked his hands down her flat belly.
There was no hair between her legs, just smooth, pale skin.
“Look at you,” he murmured.
He shifted down and kissed one slim thigh.
She let out a shaky breath.
He nipped at her skin, the scent of her filling him. All Selena—sweet honey and a floral undertone.
He pushed her legs apart. “Let me see you, Selena.”
Her muscles were tight, her body trembling. Between her legs she was all pretty folds and a luscious scent that made his mouth water.
He gripped her thigh and stroked his hand up. Then he touched her swollen folds.
“Oh.” Her hips lifted.
She was soft, wet, delicate. He stroked, finding her swollen clit, a little larger than a human woman’s. He caressed her, and her hips undulated.
“Does that feel good?” His voice held a gritty edge.
“Yes.”
He moved his fingers, circling her slick entrance. Tane’s cock throbbed painfully, but right now, he was all about Selena. Exploring her, giving her pleasure.
“I want to slide a finger inside you.” Fuck, just saying that had a sweat breaking out on his brow.
Her green eyes flashed. “I want that. I want you.”
He nudged her thighs wider. Her skin was flushed pink and she opened for him.
He slid a finger inside her. Shit, she was tight.
Her hands clenched on him. He stroked, then added a sec
ond finger, stretching her. She moaned his name, her eyes glazed, and her lips parted.
“More,” she panted. “Show me more.”
He wanted to cover her, free his hard cock and thrust inside her.
But he wanted her ready, wanted her incoherent with pleasure. He could still satisfy some of his hunger with a taste of her. He closed his mouth on her, licking her with slow laps.
She arched up and made an inarticulate sound.
He pressed his fingers deeper, sucking at the same time and drawing in the taste of her.
She cried out, her hand shifting to his hair, holding tight.
He found her clit, sucking, then flicking with his tongue. A moment later, her body stiffened.
“Tane.” A throaty, feminine cry.
He sucked harder and felt her shatter. Her thighs tightened and her body shook.
Tane growled against her skin, holding her as the aftershocks of pleasure rippled through her.
A sense of raw satisfaction hit him, but under it was something darker, something needier, something desperate to possess this woman.
Chapter Ten
Wow. Just wow.
Selena lay pressed against Tane, her face to his bare chest and her hand against his beating heart.
One of his hands lazily stroked up and down her spine.
Aftershocks of pleasure still simmered through her body. She wondered what was next. She wanted more.
She looked up at his dark, glittering eyes and her belly contracted.
It had been amazing. He’d made her feel so much. And those eyes promised more.
She reached up and kissed him. A hungry sound rumbled out of him.
Then a beeping noise broke through their intimate cocoon.
He muttered a curse. “My communicator.”
He rose and she watched the muscles in his back flex, covered by all that smooth, brown skin.
Selena swallowed. He turned, and her gaze was immediately drawn to the obvious bulge in the front of his cargo pants. A large one.
“Rahia.” He stiffened. “She’s okay. Yeah. All right, we’re on our way.”
His serious tone cut through her daze, and she dragged the sheet over her naked body.
“Get dressed, Butterfly.”
Butterfly? The name made her belly flutter, but she focused on him.
