The Outlaw Cyborg (Cyborgs on Mars #5) - Honey Phillips Page 0,25

silly. I don’t really want to sleep in my clothes.”

He reached over and handed her his discarded shirt. “Would you prefer this?”

“I… Yes, thank you.”

When he turned back, he wondered if she realized that she was even more delectable dressed in his clothing. The dark color set off her pale skin and the oversized shirt made her look even more delicate and desirable, but more than that, the sight of her wrapped in his shirt awakened a surge of possessive desire. My woman. Sternly suppressing his reaction, he handed her a thermal blanket, then shook his head as she started to move to the outer edge of the habitat.

“Lie down here, next to the heater. I’ll take the outside. I won’t disturb you,” he added when she hesitated. “But the cold won’t bother me and it would bother you. As soon as you’re settled, I’ll turn off the light.”

“Aren’t you going to eat?” Her face was still rigid, but the concern in her voice gave him hope.

“When you do.”

He could actually survive on very little but perhaps worrying about him would encourage her to eat. To his disappointment, she merely nodded and lay down with her back to him. With a muffled sigh, he dimmed the light then took his position against the outer wall. The habitat wasn’t quite large enough for him to stretch out fully, but he had been in far more uncomfortable positions—and with far less desirable company. His legs were cramped and his cock ached with frustrated desire, but he looked up at the stars though the clear ceiling of the habitat and smiled.

Chapter Eleven

Serena did her best to ignore John, but even though he wasn’t touching her, she could feel his warmth at her back, as steady and comforting as the heat from the small heater. What the hell was wrong with her? She had let their sexual encounter get completely out of hand, something that hadn’t happened to her in years.

She was always in control. Always.

But somehow his gentle, persistent touch had swept away her usual restraint, and she had let him lead their encounter. Not that she hadn’t enjoyed it—she had enjoyed it far too much. Crying because he gave her an orgasm? It was completely unacceptable.

Just endorphins, she tried to tell herself. And no wonder after such an upsetting day. But she didn’t believe her own argument.

She tossed restlessly and immediately brushed up against John’s body. Part of her wanted to snuggle into him, and the other part wanted to run as far away as possible. Her body tensed and she heard him sigh.

“Would you prefer I spent the night outside?”

“It’s freezing out there.”

“I’m a cyborg. I can handle it,” he said dryly.

The Serena she had been that morning wouldn’t have hesitated to order him out of the habitat—but that Serena had been shaken by the events of the day.

“No, I would rather you stayed,” she admitted.

“Then let me make you more comfortable.” He pulled her against his side, tucking her head against his chest.

For a moment, she froze, but he made no further moves. It really was more comfortable, and after a short debate with herself, she relaxed against him. He was looking up at the sky, and she tilted her head back to join him.

“I’ve never seen so many stars.” The lights of New Arcadia always dimmed their glow.

“We’ll see less every year as the atmosphere thickens. But I like knowing they’ll still be there.”

Together they watched the stars until she fell asleep.

That night, Serena didn’t dream, and when she woke, she found herself sprawled across John’s big body. His arms were wrapped around her, and she felt safe and warm in a way she had never experienced before. It made her want to snuggle closer, but it also made her feel vulnerable, especially with the memory of the night before still flashing through her head.

She started to ease away from him, and his arms tightened for a fraction of a second before they released her. She looked up to find him watching her. How does a man have such impossibly long eyelashes? she wondered. He smiled at her, dark eyes warm with what looked like affection.

When was the last time anyone had looked at her that way? Had anyone ever looked at her that way?

“Good morning, Serena,” he said softly.

She could feel the heat rising to her cheeks, as embarrassed as if she had still been that innocent girl so long ago. Time to regain control. Giving him her