and they certainly fit.” And they’d certainly told her more than that.
Mist billowed in front of her, creating a dreamlike haze. “So how is Dr. E a doctor?”
“Well, for starters he earned a doctorate in annoying me.”
She giggled as she said, “Make that two doctorates. I really like X, but I want to find a way to get rid of Dr. E.”
Solo was the reason the being had been bothering her, but she threw no blame his way. He did not deserve this woman, but he wanted to. He wanted to do whatever was necessary to become the man she needed. “Are they with you now?”
“No. You?”
“No.” So where were they? “What else did they tell you? And you had better fess up. Otherwise I’ll be forced to utilize my world-famous interrogation technique.”
Another giggle. She assumed he was kidding. But at least she’d stopped blushing. Solo didn’t want her embarrassed with him. He wanted her comfortable enough to confess anything.
“Well, X said I’m supposed to stay with you.”
And that’s why I like him best. He waited. She remained silent.
“That’s all?” he insisted.
“That’s the gist of it, yes, and all I’m willing to admit at the moment. Interrogation or not.”
That wasn’t so bad.
Then, she added, “Dr. E suggested I leave you behind to rot.”
His hands fisted, and he could feel the drugs begin to drip into his bloodstream.
He wanted to talk to both creatures right there, right then. He wanted to ask how and why, what else had been said, and command they leave his woman alone. She wasn’t to be bothered with their antics.
“Let’s change the subject,” he said. Before the sedatives got the better of him.
He stretched out beside her and she immediately snuggled against him, angling her head to watch his lips and sighing with what seemed to be satisfaction. He toyed with the ends of her hair, content.
“You aren’t afraid of me, are you?” he asked.
“No. Why?” Golden light danced over her, making her look as if she’d just stepped from some ancient painting of a magical land with fairies and pixies and a happily-ever-after.
“I . . . hurt people today.”
“In an effort to help others. Trust me,” she said with a yawn. “I’m beginning to understand the difference.”
Thank the Lord. “Good.” He kissed her forehead. “Close your eyes now, sweetheart. You need to sleep.”
“But I’m not tired.”
She was, but she was fighting it. Too much adrenaline, perhaps. Too much concern for what the future held. “Want to play the question game again?”
Her features brightened. “Yes, please.”
“Good, because I’m wondering . . . what’s your favorite color?”
“Blue,” she’d said, and then admitted softly, “the exact shade of your eyes. I’ve never seen anything so lovely.”
He stilled, not even daring to breathe.
“What’s your favorite color?” she asked.
“Vika.”
“Yes?”
“No,” he said, fighting a grin, “that’s my favorite color.”
Her brow furrowed with confusion, the same way it had done in the cage when he’d said something she couldn’t quite figure out. “But I’m not a color.”
“Are you sure?”
A pause. A second later, a laugh bubbled from her. A laugh that heated him far more thoroughly than the fire.
“You know, that’s the most wonderful thing I’ve ever not heard,” she said, petting her fingers through his hair. “You’re the first man to ever truly compliment me, and I think I’m already addicted to it.”
“I’m truly the first?”
A beat of silence. “You will be,” she whispered, and they both knew she wasn’t just talking about the compliment.
Instantly the tide of need he’d experienced for her all these many days flooded him, his body reacting to her on a primal level. He’d known she was a virgin, but here, now, the knowledge caused a sense of possessiveness to rise up—one stronger than before.
This woman was to be his, and only his.
“Forget the game. I want to kiss you,” he croaked. They were alone. No one was watching them, no one was listening. There was no better time.
Her lips fell, the humor draining from her.
“But I won’t,” he forced himself to add. Clearly, she wasn’t ready.
Well, he would have to get her ready again.
“Why not?” she said. Then, “Oh. That’s right. It’s my turn to kiss you.” She leaned over and licked her way into his mouth.
Surprise hit him first, followed closely by intensified desire. Their tongues met, rolled together, and the sweetness of her taste arrested him. Heat blasted through his entire body, his cells coming alive, his nerve endings shooting out electric sparks, and he groaned as the absolute, utter devastation of his