She placed her free hand on her stomach in a desperate attempt to quell the pangs of unease making her queasy.
“You okay?” He stopped, pulling them behind a boulder that had tumbled down on the path at some point in the distant past. It was some protection from the rising sun and anyone who might be looking for them.
There wasn’t time for her to be anything else. She shook her head. “I’m fine.”
The contradiction between her actions and words made him smile. The fine lines at the corners of his eyes crinkled. “You sure about that?”
“Yes.” She pulled her hand from his and wiped it over her face. To keep herself busy so she didn’t have to face him, she dug a water flask from her pack and took a sip. Neither one of them mentioned her hands were trembling. “Want some?”
He took the flask and drank before capping it. “It’s the adrenaline running through your body. Take a couple of deep breaths. It will help.”
Since he was the expert, she dragged one lungful of air in, held it briefly, and then released it in a whoosh. Then she did it again. By about the fifth time, she was steadier. He gave a nod and put the flask in her pack. He didn’t offer to carry it for her, and she didn’t expect him to. He had a half dozen laser rifles over his shoulders and more weapons strapped to him. It was best if he remained unencumbered in case he had to fight. She could fire a blaster, but wasn’t nearly as adept in close combat.
He squinted toward the sky. “Any idea how far away we are from the outcasts’ camp?”
“I’m really not sure. Best guess? A few hours.” It wouldn’t be long before reinforcements arrived. “What’s the plan?” Because he would have one. They might not have known each other long, but he always seemed to be prepared. Nothing seemed to throw him off or upset him.
She admired the trait even as she resented him for it, which made no sense. It was to their benefit that he was able to think and act quickly and without emotion. But a chink in his emotional armor might make him more approachable.
They should be hurrying down to the canyon, but she couldn’t seem to make herself care. She felt almost lightheaded, not quite anchored to her body. The shock and lack of sleep were catching up to her.
Zaxe ran his thumb down the curve of her jaw. Heat flashed through her, making her dizzy. “Are you sure you’re okay? Maybe you should sit and rest for a few minutes.”
“No.” She was stronger than that. Sitting in one spot was dangerous right now. “I’ll be fine once I eat something.”
His thumb continued to journey, sliding across her bottom lip. “You’re an exceptional woman.”
No, she wasn’t. She was a desperate one. Desperate to find her brother. Desperate to stay alive and find a better life for them both, but that wasn’t his business. She ignored the pang in her stomach. That was nothing more than hunger.
“Are we going?” Her voice was breathless. He had that effect on her.
“Yes.” But like her, he made no effort to leave.
“What are we doing?” Passion crackled in the air. The fine hairs on the back of her neck rose. Fear, primal and deep, struck her. I could fall in love with him. Danger! She took a step away, but the pack on her back hit the rock face. He wasn’t holding her captive, their only connection his thumb stroking her face.
“Damned if I know.” Confusion lurked in the depths of his black eyes. “Stop me if you don’t want this.” He leaned down and brushed his lips over hers. Heat roared up from the depths of her soul. She knew what to expect now. And a simple kiss was no longer enough. She wanted, no needed, more.
Grabbing the front of his shirt, she dragged him closer and kissed him, releasing every pent-up longing. She closed her eyes, losing herself in the kiss. It was carnal and hot. He took control almost immediately, thrusting his tongue into the depths of her mouth.
She couldn’t get enough. Logically, she knew the life-and-death situation, the stress of the long night was heightening both their reactions, driving them. It was only natural to seek life after so much death.
Illogical or not, she didn’t care. She wanted him to the very core of her being. Her breasts were heavy, her nipples taut. An ache built low in her belly. She hooked one leg around his thigh and rubbed her core against him. He was hard, the evidence of his arousal obvious.
His deep groan was thrilling and satisfying. He swept his hands down her arms and over her waist before heading back up. They barely covered her breasts before he thrust her away.
Panting, she stared at his back. What had happened? Why had he stopped? Her breathing was too heavy, the pulse of her heart too loud in her ears to allow her to hear anything. Unlike her, Zaxe was calm and centered, a blaster aimed at the path below.
Humiliation washed over her. While she’d been totally into what was happening between them, he’d been detached enough to hear someone coming. Good thing one of them was being smart. She rubbed the back of her hand over her mouth and steadied herself.
Baraj rounded a turn and stopped. He had his blaster up. “What’s taking so long?” He was smirking when he glanced in her direction. She glared back and raised her blaster. No way could he know what they’d been doing. Could he? He was guessing, the bastard, trying to put her off stride.
“It took as long as it took.” Totally unperturbed, Zaxe motioned to Baraj with the barrel of his blaster. “Let’s go.”
“I’m not walking with you at my back.”
“You should have thought of that before you came up here.”
She bit her bottom lip to keep from smiling. Both men were vying for dominance. She had no doubt which one would win.
Baraj growled, spun around, and hurried back the way he came. Zaxe didn’t immediately follow. “You okay?”
“You keep asking me that and my answer is always the same.” Straightening the strap on her shoulder, she shrugged to settle the pack. “I’m fine.” And she would be as long as she remembered to watch out for herself. Zaxe wanted her. There was no feigning the erection he’d had, but maybe it was more a result of adrenaline brought on by the fighting. “We’ll forget what happened here.” She brushed past him. “The aftermath of the battle heightened our physical reactions. Totally normal.” She prayed only she heard the quaver in her voice.
“Normal?” He was right beside her. She didn’t dare look at him. He was too perceptive not to see the unease in her eyes.
“Sure. We’re both healthy adults. It’s natural to seek to validate life after being surrounded by such death.”
“Good thing you were with me and not Baraj.”
She swung around, leading with her fist before she thought about what she was doing. She pulled back and dropped her arm. “Yeah, good thing.” If that was what he thought of her, she was better off without him.
He swore long and fluently. “That was uncalled for. I apologize. I know better. And I’m frustrated.”
He wasn’t the only one. Her core was throbbing and her skin itched.
“Forgive me.” When he touched her shoulder, all the fight went out of her.
They had to settle this before they went any further. The throbbing behind her eyes was getting worse. The day was already too warm for comfort and the sun had barely risen. “I’m sorry, too. That was as much my fault as yours.” She could have told him no instead of grabbing him.