The Outlaw Cyborg (Cyborgs on Mars #5) - Honey Phillips Page 0,43

them along the way than I cared to admit.”

“Maybe it’s easier to remember positive things when you’re happy.”

“Now who’s the philosopher?”

She laughed and looked back out over the desert. Even the plume of dust had disappeared. “I think it’s time to leave.”

“Where are we going?”

“I like your idea. Let’s go visit Addie and the Judge.”

Chapter Nineteen

Turning her back on the remains of the lab and her lost dream, Serena let John lift her onto Winston's back. He vaulted up after her, tucking her back against the warmth of his body. She could feel the iron bar of his erection against her buttocks and gave a teasing little wiggle.

He growled appreciatively and reached round to enclose her breast in his big hand, stroking his thumb across her nipple. Her body responded immediately to his touch, softening and dampening in expectation. After having come so close to losing him, to losing herself, she wanted to reaffirm that they were alive and that they were together.

Winston moved with an easy pace across the desert, heading back to what was left of the life she had known, but there was no rush. No urgency for anything except to be with John.

“Turn me around,” she suggested, her voice low and breathless.

“What?”

“I want to face you.”

With effortless strength, he complied and then her body was pressed tightly to his, his erection snug against the swollen heat of her needy pussy and his hard chest rubbing the aching peaks of her breasts.

“Now isn't this better?” She leaned back far enough so that she could smile up at him.

She could feel the tension in his body, the urgent throb of his cock against her, but despite his obvious arousal, his face was soft, his eyes warm and loving.

“As long as you're in my arms, I'm happy,” he said and she couldn’t doubt the sincerity in his voice.

An unexpected lump filled her throat. “What did I ever do to deserve you?”

“Love, you deserve everything. And I intend to make sure you have it all.” A shadow crossed his face as his hand came up to touch her cheek. “Or at least, anything that’s within my power to give you.”

“You’re all I want.” As she said the words, she recognized the truth of them. “So much of wanting to have a child was because I didn't want to be alone. I wanted something—someone—I could hold onto.”

“You can hold onto me. I promise you I have no intention of letting go.”

“I believe you.” She gave a startled laugh. “I really do believe you. I thought I would never believe in anyone ever again.”

He put his arms around her and pulled her close again. Even though she was aware of his arousal, aware of her own need, for the moment she was content just to let him hold her. The emptiness that had haunted her for so long had been filled, and in the end it wasn't even because he loved her but because she had let herself love him.

As she soaked in the warmth of his presence, she spared a thought to the uncertain future. Her time at GenCon had undoubtedly come to an end and she had an unexpected sense of regret at the knowledge. The corporation’s motives might have been nefarious, but they had also achieved a lot in the pursuit of those goals. She was proud of the part she had played in making the settlement on Mars possible. Her job had demanded that she use her intelligence and the skills she had acquired. She suspected she was going to miss it.

But that chapter of her life was behind her. Eventually she would have to decide on her next steps, but for right now, she was riding across the Martian desert with the man she loved holding her in his arms. His warmth surrounded her, keeping her protected from the icy breeze. With each step, his massive erection rubbed against the place where she needed him most and her lingering arousal flamed higher. Abandoning thoughts of the future—and the past—she concentrated on the present and the desire surging through her body.

Perhaps they should find a spot to assemble the habitat. Or perhaps…

Moving back just enough that she could reach between their bodies, she fumbled at the fastening of his pants.

“What are you doing— Oh.” His words stumbled to a halt as she freed his erection and wrapped her hands around the heated bar of flesh.

All of his muscles tightened as she lightly stroked the silky skin covering the