forced himself to shrug dismissively despite his warring emotions. Part of him roared with anger at the thought of anyone laying a hand on her; the other part wanted to take her for himself.
She gasped indignantly, but he forced himself to shrug and turn away. With surprising speed, she darted in front of him and laid her fingers on his arm. The feel of those small, soft fingers sent an unwanted surge of lust through his body. She had been staring up at him, and now she gasped.
“Your eyes—they changed to solid black.”
Fuck. He usually had more control, but it had been a long year, and he was tired. He preferred not to speculate on why her touch had been the one to break his disguise.
“Let go of me,” he growled, but despite the fact that he could have removed her fingers—literally—in less than a second, he didn’t force her away.
“Wait just a minute. Please. Where are you going?”
“Home. As soon as I get paid.”
“Is your home here? On this planet?”
“Gods, no.”
“Then will you take me with you?”
“With me?”
“Yes. I hate this place. It’s dirty, and it’s cold.” She shivered, and he realized that her lips were turning a shade of blue he suspected was not natural for her species. “I don’t trust anyone here. I trust you.”
“Me?” He couldn’t have been more shocked if she’d pulled out a blaster. She had no idea who she was dealing with. He opened his mouth but found himself curiously reluctant to disillusion her.
“Please? Take me with you. I’m a hard worker and a fast learner. Surely there’s something I can do.”
“I thought you didn’t want to prostitute yourself,” he said.
Her shoulders slumped, and he noticed for the first time that her hand was shaking. Instinctively, he covered it with his own.
“Is that your price?” she whispered through trembling lips.
“No. I prefer willing partners.” On the rare occasions he let himself indulge. He did his best to ignore the fact that under other circumstances, he would have definitely chosen her as a partner. As he looked down at her pleading face, he remembered something his grandfather had said—that by saving a life you took on the responsibility for that life. Of course, his grandfather had been talking about a bird he had rescued, not another person, but the sentiment was the same. He really couldn’t leave her here to fend for herself, but what was he going to do with her?
“There is a place that might suit you,” he said reluctantly. “It’s a planet called Sherae. Slavery is not permitted there, and it is my understanding that they are sympathetic to humans.” And it was on his way back to Pardor. It wouldn’t require more than a short additional delay.
“Is it like this?”
“No, it’s a water world, and the temperatures are very mild.”
“That sounds very nice.” She gave him a shy glance. “Will you be there?”
“No.”
She actually looked disappointed. Perhaps her survival instincts weren’t that strong after all. “I can’t come with you instead?”
He had the oddest desire to let her accompany him, but he shook his head. “No.”
“Why not?”
“It is not your concern. Do you want me to take you off this planet or not?”
“Yes, please. Thank you.” A shy smile broke out over her face, lovely despite the blue lips.
“Come. I wish to finish my business and leave before you freeze to death.” He started to turn away, then paused. “What’s your name?”
“My name is Hanna.”
“I am Aidon. Come with me, Hanna, and remember our deal.”
Chapter Two
Hanna stared after Aidon for a brief second, then gathered the oversize garments closer and hurried after him. She did her best to keep up with the big red alien even though the boots Maakin had begrudgingly given her were not designed for human feet. The icy ground made it even more difficult, and she shivered, trying to pull the assortment of ill-fitting clothing more tightly around her. She hated this planet—hated the cold, hated the aliens who either leered at her or treated her like a dumb animal, and hated Maakin most of all.
But she didn’t hate this alien. When their eyes had met, she had felt an almost physical warmth—as if he’d reached out and touched her. Despite his forbidding appearance, something about him made her feel safe. It was more than just the width of his shoulders and the muscled form apparent even in the ornate robes. Perhaps it was his confident bearing and his controlled response to Maakin’s offer. Whatever the