Avery bare-chested Kobrik carries me behind a large metal wall of a building to shield me from the fire that continues to rage. I guess he anticipates another explosion, though there doesn’t seem to be anything left of the ship.
“Did the grud get out before it exploded?”
His face tightens. “No. I’d left him there. Unconscious.”
“I’m sorry, Kobrik.”
He stares at the blaze. “We needed him alive. I’ve failed.”
“It’s not your fault. You were going back for him.” I lean my head against his warm chest, not sure how to console him.
Kobrik picks me up again and carries me the entire way to my apartment, a full two miles, without stopping to rest. He never once complains about how heavy I am or that he lost the grud he’d been searching for.
When we reach my apartment building, he sets me on my feet. I pat my jacket, looking for my keys, but Kobrik swings thedoor open, while he scans the street. That’s when I notice the lock is melted as if struck by lightning.
“When did that happen?” I ask aloud.
“I used my blaster to get in, to see if you were here.”
“Oh.”
We climb the stairs. I’m sore, tired, and possibly in shock. As a nurse I should know for sure, but this has been one hell of a day. I just want to sleep.
“And I broke into your apartment, too,” he adds after one flight.
“I’m glad you’re on my side.”
“I nearly got you killed.”
I stop on the stairs and turn to him. “How can you say that? You saved me!”
“You were in danger because of me.”
“Don’t you think for a damned minute that any of this was your fault. Yes, they took me to get to you, but that’s on them. And me.”
“You?” he asks, his face troubled.
“This is a dangerous city. There are basic precautions I need to keep in mind no matter where I am, including a friend’s house. I let my guard down.”
“You cannot deny you’re in greater danger because of me. I will stay with you until I can repair the building lock and your door.”
I step down to his level. “And then what? You plan to leave me? Forever?”
“I wish to stay. But your safety takes priority.”
“Which is why you should stay.” I grip his arms to balance myself on the steps as I push up to kiss him. His tongue takes control and before I realize it he’s exploring my mouth and pressing my back against the railing.
Hell, if I was in shock, that’s no longer the case. I’m acutely aware of every spot where his body touches mine. My nipples turn achingly hard and I’m hungry for more with him.
“I should not have done that,” he says as his lips ease away.
“Yes, you should.” A girlish giggle follows which is so unlike me. Something about Kobrik makes me all giddy inside, as if this is my first kiss. Pure, unbridled excitement strikes me each time I touch him.
I swipe back the hair falling in his face and immediately recognize the stickiness of blood. I turn him so I can see his arm where I’d been holding him.
“You’re injured!”
“It’s a small wound.”
