get it yet. Before she spoke to him again, she needed to work out a strategy. She’d do some more research and maybe Dylan could help with that. Plus, she liked Dylan, maybe because she could relax more with him. He didn’t make her go all shivery and tongue-tied and…needy.
Dylan appeared in the doorway and tossed her a black duffel bag.
“What is it?” she asked.
“More food and clothes. I stole them from some woman’s cryotube on the Trakis Four. She looked to be about the same size as you.”
“But stealing is wrong.”
“So are a lot of other things, sweetheart, but needs must. You’re like a beacon wandering around the forest in that yellow outfit.”
“That thing we hid from in the forest—”
“The drone.”
She nodded. “Yes, the drone. Was it looking for me?”
“I can’t think of anyone else it could have been looking for.”
“And will the two of you be in trouble if they find out you were helping me?”
“Definitely. So best they don’t find out. Which means you stay out of trouble. Here, I’ve got something else for you.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a silver bracelet. “Put this on your arm,” he said, handing it to her. “It will flash and beep if there’s a drone anywhere within a mile of you. If that happens, you get under cover. Back here if you can. If not, just somewhere you’re out of sight.”
She slipped the bracelet on her wrist and raised her arm. It was pretty. “Thank you.”
Dylan propped himself against the console, crossed his arms over his chest, and studied her. So she studied him back. He was as handsome as Milo. They were both tall, with broad shoulders and lean hips. His hair was longer, and his eyes a beautiful dark gold.
“Like what you see?” he said, the amusement clear in his tone.
“Yes.”
“But not as much as you like our friend, Milo.”
“No.”
He laughed. “At least you’re honest. But unrequited love is tough, and you’ve picked a hard case to crack there. The man is clearly terrified of commitment.”
She sniffed. “I don’t love him. I have no intention of falling in love with anyone. I told him I just wanted him for sex.”
Dylan’s lips twitched. “Maybe he was offended.”
Had she been wrong? Every hint and indication had told her that Milo was one of those heroes who was scared of commitment. The ones with the serious trust issues. She had no clue why, and she really wanted to know, but somehow doubted he would share. But maybe she had read him all wrong. What did she know? Nothing apart from what she had read in what she suspected were some seriously trivial books.
“Don’t look so worried,” Dylan said. “I was joking.”
“I don’t really understand humor yet. But I thought all men wanted sex.”
“You should have picked me, darling. Then we’d be fucking hard and dirty right now.”
“Oh.” She considered the idea. Trying to imagine kissing Dylan. But it wasn’t going to happen. She wrinkled her nose. “I don’t think so.”
He laughed again. “I’d be hurt,” he said, “except I think Milo has it right. You are trouble.”
“I don’t mean to be.”
“Some women are just born that way. But persevere with him. I suspect he’s not too far from his breaking point.”
A smile tugged at her lips. “Really?” Though she didn’t want to actually break him.
“I have to head back,” Dylan said. “There are some people I need to see. But we’ll be back tomorrow. Are you going to sleep?”
“I might go for a walk first now that I have my bracelet. Or a run. Or a swim. I’ve always wanted to swim. I need some exercise and some fresh air.”
He studied her for a moment. Was he going to tell her to stay inside? Would she take any notice? But he just nodded to the bag. “Perhaps not the swim. Not alone. We don’t know what might be in the water. And get changed first and keep an eye on that alarm. Don’t be caught out.”
“I won’t.”
She waited until he disappeared and then emptied the bag onto the chair. There were blue jeans like Milo wore and a couple of dark, silky tank tops. She kicked off her boots and stripped off the jumpsuit and pulled on the new clothes. They fit perfectly.
She gave the red button a last look and then headed out. As she walked down the ramp, a dog barked somewhere close by and she stopped. She’d seen pictures and films of dogs, but