throw him off or upset him.
She admired the trait even as she resented him for it, which made no sense. It was to their benefit that he was able to think and act quickly and without emotion. But a chink in his emotional armor might make him more approachable.
They should be hurrying down to the canyon, but she couldn’t seem to make herself care. She felt almost lightheaded, not quite anchored to her body. The shock and lack of sleep were catching up to her.
Zaxe ran his thumb down the curve of her jaw. Heat flashed through her, making her dizzy. “Are you sure you’re okay? Maybe you should sit and rest for a few minutes.”
“No.” She was stronger than that. Sitting in one spot was dangerous right now. “I’ll be fine once I eat something.”
His thumb continued to journey, sliding across her bottom lip. “You’re an exceptional woman.”
No, she wasn’t. She was a desperate one. Desperate to find her brother. Desperate to stay alive and find a better life for them both, but that wasn’t his business. She ignored the pang in her stomach. That was nothing more than hunger.
“Are we going?” Her voice was breathless. He had that effect on her.
“Yes.” But like her, he made no effort to leave.
“What are we doing?” Passion crackled in the air. The fine hairs on the back of her neck rose. Fear, primal and deep, struck her. I could fall in love with him. Danger! She took a step away, but the pack on her back hit the rock face. He wasn’t holding her captive, their only connection his thumb stroking her face.
“Damned if I know.” Confusion lurked in the depths of his black eyes. “Stop me if you don’t want this.” He leaned down and brushed his lips over hers. Heat roared up from the depths of her soul. She knew what to expect now. And a simple kiss was no longer enough. She wanted, no needed, more.
Grabbing the front of his shirt, she dragged him closer and kissed him, releasing every pent-up longing. She closed her eyes, losing herself in the kiss. It was carnal and hot. He took control almost immediately, thrusting his tongue into the depths of her mouth.
She couldn’t get enough. Logically, she knew the life-and-death situation, the stress of the long night was heightening both their reactions, driving them. It was only natural to seek life after so much death.
Illogical or not, she didn’t care. She wanted him to the very core of her being. Her breasts were heavy, her nipples taut. An ache built low in her belly. She hooked one leg around his thigh and rubbed her core against him. He was hard, the evidence of his arousal obvious.
His deep groan was thrilling and satisfying. He swept his hands down her arms and over her waist before heading back up. They barely covered her breasts before he thrust her away.
Panting, she stared at his back. What had happened? Why had he stopped? Her breathing was too heavy, the pulse of her heart too loud in her ears to allow her to hear anything. Unlike her, Zaxe was calm and centered, a blaster aimed at the path below.
Humiliation washed over her. While she’d been totally into what was happening between them, he’d been detached enough to hear someone coming. Good thing one of them was being smart. She rubbed the back of her hand over her mouth and steadied herself.
Baraj rounded a turn and stopped. He had his blaster up. “What’s taking so long?” He was smirking when he glanced in her direction. She glared back and raised her blaster. No way could he know what they’d been doing. Could he? He was guessing, the bastard, trying to put her off stride.
“It took as long as it took.” Totally unperturbed, Zaxe motioned to Baraj with the barrel of his blaster. “Let’s go.”
“I’m not walking with you at my back.”
“You should have thought of that before you came up here.”
She bit her bottom lip to keep from smiling. Both men were vying for dominance. She had no doubt which one would win.
Baraj growled, spun around, and hurried back the way he came. Zaxe didn’t immediately follow. “You okay?”
“You keep asking me that and my answer is always the same.” Straightening the strap on her shoulder, she shrugged to settle the pack. “I’m fine.” And she would be as long as she remembered to watch out for herself. Zaxe wanted her. There was no feigning the