Tiny shivered with bumps forming across her skin.“I don’t want to know how.”She dipped her chin.“And I do.”She glanced at Nenn.“Is that awful of me?”
“No, the female attacked you.It is right to be hurt and angry.”He inched closer, settling between her parted knees to share his body heat with her.
“Computer…who’s dead?”She held her breath, her concern in the paleness of her face.
“In order: Leah, Dieter, Nikko.”
A smile teased her lips.“Trent and Grunt are alive?”
“Yes.”
She kicked out her feet in a little wiggle, laughter tumbling from her.But her joy dwindled too quickly.“Things are messed up,” she said.“I was hopingMula Pesadawould be my home, but with my crewmates trying to kill Vic and keeping prisoners for whatever reason… I need off this ship.”She gestured to the corner of the room.“I’m almost packed.”
“Good, I would love to show you my home.”Nenn paused, caught her chin, and tipped her face to his.His chest expanded at the thought of showing her Erasril, sharing roast banaari, or a hot pool… “I have prepped a room for you onboard my ship.”
He ran the now-pink cloth over the blood staining her purple hair, marveling at her smooth skin and how small she seemed to him.
“Thanks, I think,” she said, offering him a tentative smile.
His strokes slowed.What he wanted to do was cup her cheeks, to lower his head, and press his lips to hers.He didn’t, though, despite the urge driving him.“May I scan your eyes?”
She stiffened, and against his thumb under her jaw, her pulse leaped.“With?”
“My med-dev.It encourages healing and records information.”
She angled her head, her brow furrowing in thought.“What do you hope it will find?”
“The extent of the damage.I would prefer to know upfront whether the Ivoyans can heal you.Giving you a false hope…angers me.”He growled the last two words, unable to calm the volatile emotion burning through his veins.To be this outraged over something so simple was illogical.
She touched his forearms then slid her hands to his elbows.His symbiotes exploded in a hive of activity, peeling away his armor to grant her access to his unprotected skin.
“Will you share your med-dev’s findings?”she asked, unaware of how much her caress shattered his control.
“Of course,” he managed through gritted teeth.
Her shoulders dropped an inch, and she released a long exhale.“Then, yes, you may.”She straightened her spine and waved her fingers at him.“If I can scan you?”
He chuckled.“With?”
“I have implants in my fingertips.”
He grabbed her hand and focused on the hexagonal pattern of scars across her skin.“This is…incredible.”He removed his med-dev and ran it over them, then gaped at sensors tinier than her pores.“I am most curious what they will reveal to you.I am, after all, unknown to your species.”
“True,” she said and splayed her fingers on his chest.
Again, without his instruction, his symbiotes retreated.His breath hitched when her touches summoned an unbearable heat in his core.He cleared his throat and raised the med-dev to her eyes.
“Were you born blind?”he asked.
“Oh, no,” she said, feathering her hands up his throat.She found the implant and circled it.“What’s this?”
“A language implant and communicator.It allows me to understand and speak your language, as well as reach my males within a short range.”
She tapped her palm.“Mine is here.I can call my parents or friends.”She ventured lower, trailing her fingers over his right pec.“Your…” She gasped and repeated the motion on his left pec.“Where are your nipples?”
He couldn’t help himself and glanced at her breasts filling her tunic.“Males do not nurse babes.”
She gaped.“Fascinating and true.I’m sad for you; it’s such an erogenous zone for humans.”
