Tinyblinkedinthedirection of the door.Just like that, she was alone on an alien spaceship heading to a planet no human had been to before.
She faced her temporary home.“Am I crazy?”
She’d fired off a quick message to Dad, skimming over the details.That she couldn’t share her plans said it all.They’d have her committed for sure.She stifled a giggle at the idea of being in the same rehab center as Jamie.They’d have to put a guard at his door.
That thought destroyed her good humor.
Dealing with her anger, resentment, and unforgiveness wasn’t on today’s agenda, so she shoved them down.A time would come when she’d be forced to face how she felt about him.The maturer Tiny understood that her parents couldn’t abandon him, no matter what he did.She also accepted that going off-world meant they’d once again focus on him since he was closer.Her relationship with her family…might never be her idea of normal.
She skimmed her hand over the wall to find her bag, then lugged it toward the hidden closets.This room was smaller than Celestial’s but not as miniscule as on theMula Pesada.And she had Nenn next door.
Her heartbeat scattered, fluttering butterflies in her chest, while it found its rhythm again.Everything had gone bat-shit crazy.From worrying about what to do to stave off boredom to people dying, healing prisoners, letting an alien man charm her, to ‘moving in’ with him.
“And you haven’t even slept with him yet.”She snorted at that.“Matter of time,” she muttered.She almost rolled her eyes at that bit of nonsense.Having had zero sex since her kidnapping incident, she’d give her left kidney for a little action.
Farg.Just to be held, if she was being honest with herself.Humans needed affection.She craved thatandsex.If Nenn cuddled afterward, she was keeping him.
It didn’t take her long to pack away her meager belongings.
She stripped and tested out the shower, towel-dried herself, then climbed into bed.Exhaustion sapped her energy, and she sank into the mattress with a moan.But sleep didn’t come.She lay there, her mind reeling.Alone.Blind.In space.She couldn’t be more vulnerable than that.
The only people she could lean on were Nenn and Vic, who was a little preoccupied.So, just Nenn then.She sat up, and sniffed, the tears falling without warning.“Computer,” she whispered, “Please play my beats.”Silence met her request.She laughed amid sobs.“Play the audiobook?”This time, she succumbed and let the weight of sorrow bow her shoulders and her tears dribble off her chin.
Warm arms engulfed her.Without questioning the sensation, she curled into the embrace.She’d cried over the loss of her eyesight, prospects, and a career so many times but hadn’t truly let herself grieve.She’d promised herself she’d do it tomorrow, or when she had a steady job, or found her place in the world… And when those moments had presented themselves, she hadn’t taken the opportunity.
A hand stroked her bare back, another splayed at the base of her spine, sending tingles outward.The cologne was sunlight and hot rock.She stiffened mid-sniffle.Her cheeks exploded with heat.Oh my word, I’m naked.
“Nenn?”she asked, her voice hoarse.Oh, Lord, let it not be a stranger.
“Yes,hirihadie?”He tightened his arms, crushing her against him.
She exhaled in a sigh.
Velvet skin, as bare as hers, was under her fingertips.Her breath hitched.Desire unfurled in her belly, but she didn’t pull away.Gathered against him allowed her to maintain her modesty, for now.
“Was I too loud?”she asked, clinging to his chest.
“I apologize.I could not bear your pain a moment longer.”When he unraveled his arms and stepped back, she squeaked, yanking the sheet up to her chin.
“Why are you shirtless?Did…” She winced.He might have been readying for bed or in the shower… “Did I disturb you?”
“Never, Tiny,” he said, his voice husky.“I am not naked.My symbiotes form an armor, even beneath my pants and boots.”
She frowned, throwing out a hand and smacking his chest.For a moment, she met a wall of solid muscle before hot velvet registered.“I felt it… You said your armor fades.”Wow.It coming and going had to be an awesome sight.
“At your touch, yes.”He layered his hot hand over hers, trapping her.
“I need my sleepshirt,” she said, nudging her chin at the hidden closet.
He released her and marched across, proving he wore boots.She hadn’t heard him enter.Grimacing at what he’d walked in on, she massaged her temple.Why do I insist on embarrassing myself?
“What is a sleepshirt?”he asked.
“A garment that covers my top half.”She smiled.“I don’t have symbiotes.”
The riffling stopped.His breathing turned ragged, then the closet panels popped open and shut.He returned to her and placed something on her lap.
She tested the texture of the fabric and grinned.“Please, turn around.”
