Big Bad Claws - Michele Mills Page 0,32

his room.

“Wait,” Rook whispered. He bent and scooped the little bot off the floor and placed it carefully on Lila’s chest, careful to not wake her. “Don’t forget Max.”

Zayzon gave a nod of thanks and went to their room. He gently placed her on the bed and slipped off her red shoes. He put Max back in the restroom. Then he stripped his own clothes off, leaving his gloves on, lay next to her and fell asleep with her scent lingering.

9

Lila woke up the next morning to the lively sounds of Illibrium miners readying for first shift. Cleansing units rumbled and feet stomped down the hallway.

The crew would be leaving for work soon and she was charged with cleaning and organizing their tragic compound.

This was going to be the biggest job of her life. Probably the biggest organizational job of all time. And she was doing it alone. Well, her and Max. And she could put the males to work, but she supposed getting them to help would be a chore unto itself.

She glanced over at Zayzon. Somehow, he was still asleep through all the loud noises. A gentle smile spread across her face. Should she wake him?

She stared at the awe-inspiring miner. He’d carried her back to bed last night. And in the middle of the night she’d woken and mumbled for Max, worried he’d been left out, but Zayzon had told her he’d brought Max back too.

A light snore escaped his lips. Two deadly fangs poked from his mouth. He might frighten other Xylan on the street with his size, his claws and booming voice, but she knew he had two softs hearts inside of that huge, scary exterior. His very presence lightened her heart and mind. He was so certain she was safe in his compound. He thought this was the best place she could be to hide from her enemies. She had to believe him. He looked almost sweet and innocent, lying there on his back with his enormous green-gloved claws resting on his bare chest.

She lay in bed while Zayzon slept and chewed her lip, worried for the people she cared about. This was her second morning away from home. Was everyone okay? It drove her crazy that she couldn’t contact anyone. She had no idea what Daniela was doing in retaliation for the fact that she’d disappeared.

Daniela…Tears welled in her eyes. They’d grown so close after Dad’s death—and it was all a lie. All of Daniela’s concern and understanding for Lila’s fears and boundaries. It was all a long con to gain control of the corporation and the Garabedian fortune. She placed a hand over her heart because the betrayal hurt so bad.

If only she could contact Gerard and Roberto too, so they could join forces. Gerard would know what to do. Basically, she needed to turn twenty-one, gain control of the corporation and go back home. But maybe afterwards she could return to Timbur? Maybe not.

Did Xylan like cats? Hmm.

She had so much responsibility. But she’d promised Zayzon that she’d clasp his hand when all of this settled. So she’d find a way to make this work. And while she was hiding out here for the next month, she was going to do her best to turn this into a comfortable home.

It was weird sharing a room with a male who wanted to marry her. A male who was constantly flaunting his naked body for her perusal. She’d never even had a boyfriend before. Never been on a date or been kissed. And her body was on fire, wanting to make up for lost time. She wasn’t sure she could hold out the entire moon cycle from reaching out to clasp his hand. All the reasons why she’d said she couldn’t test compatibility with him right now were valid. But could she really wait that long while spending every free moment with this man who was sex on a stick?

She’d always wanted to get past her fears of snatching so she could boldly go outside into the world and meet a man and fall in love and start a family. Like in those books she read. Although she’d never expected to start falling for—

Falling?

Eeek.

The attraction was hitting her hard. Her clit throbbed, her nipples were sensitive, and the heat between her thighs could only be extinguished by the touch of Zayzon.

His eyes blinked open. “You can’t stop staring at me, can you?”

Heat flashed across the back of her neck.

Zayzon chuckled and reached his