Trapped (The Condemned Series #1) - Alison Aimes Page 0,48

get going.” His tone, once again alert, cut into her thoughts. Like her, he’d been ignoring the fact that their time together was reaching its end. At least when it came to making plans for her to return to her crew’s camp. On the other hand, he’d been fucking her like he intended to make up for a lifetime of missed opportunities.

She wasn’t complaining. She felt equally as desperate for his touch.

She only wished he’d kissed her on the mouth just one of those times. But apparently, that was a line he was unwilling to cross. And, truly, she understood. Already, she could barely comprehend how she was going to leave him behind if she couldn’t come up with a solution, even knowing what it would cost her family and everyone back on Earth.

“We need to be back at the cave before dusk,” he reminded, though he made no move to get up.

“Agreed.” Thanks to its two suns, a Dragath25 day was five hours longer than an Earth day, but the night was far shorter, lasting only three hours. Unfortunately, nocturnal predators on the planet made up for the short hunting time with their ferocity, amassing six or seven kills a night before slinking back to their underground lairs. She’d heard enough horrific shrieks and clawing sounds from the safety of Caine’s cave to know she wanted to be inside by the time dusk arrived. “Just give me two more minutes to recover and we’ll get started.”

“We can always come back tomorrow.” He squeezed her hand. She squeezed back.

She knew what he was doing. Ignoring the inevitable. Still…another day with Caine alone?

Joy rippled through her. Followed by a wave of guilt. She had no right to take such a risk when she needed to be near Winthrop when the rescue shuttle arrived. No right either to be so content while her brother and sister were in such a precarious position, while the survival of the approaching rescue crew was still in question, while Ava and Winthrop continued to struggle with Pogue at the scientist campsite.

But she couldn’t help it. Couldn’t help wanting just one more day together. Just the two of them.

And it wasn’t as if they were shirking their main responsibilities.

They spent the majority of their day working on the jammer. It wasn’t functional yet, but what Caine had managed to do already was nothing short of miraculous. Only when a break was needed did they train or visit the Oasis or, her personal favorite, make love. They separated only long enough for him to check on Ava.

Was it so wrong then to take one more day while she still could? Truly, she’d never felt so comfortable or content with another living soul in her life. The freedom and joy she’d found living with him was something she could never have imagined.

Sure, there were still issues she would have pushed if things had been less uncertain. Still times Caine’s gaze grew shadowed, his mood distant. When the wonder and the need vanished from his stare and he felt a million metrals away. Plus, he hadn’t mentioned the name Gwen again. Nor revealed anything about the actions that had branded him a criminal and landed him on Dragath25.

But he had told her other things. Like the fact that he’d graduated from the Academy and served as a pilot and a soldier—which had not surprised her at all. Or the fact that his parents had died when he was a baby and he’d lived on one of the last remaining farms with his uncle and aunt until blight destroyed that, too.

Like her, he’d lost a lot in his life.

Which was only one of a thousand reasons she wasn’t leaving him behind when they got that jammer working. No matter what he’d done before. No matter what he said about being unable to go back to Earth. He deserved the same second chance he’d given her.

She just didn’t know yet how she was going to do it—or how to convince him to trust she would.

“Okay, sleepy head. That’s way more than two minutes.” Caine’s hand clamped around her wrist, and suddenly, she was upright, swaying on two legs.

More surprised than outraged, she jerked her wrist from his grasp. “Stop manhandling me.”

“Funny, you weren’t complaining a few minutes ago.”

How could she be mad when he was making actual jokes? More and more each day. Plus, his assertion was true. “You’re right.” She stepped close, running her palms up each sculpted muscle. “I love