HauntingBlackie (6 page)

“I’ve been so alone,” she admitted. “I never forgot you.” He
stared into her eyes. “Did you lose your heart to another?” The thought brought
tears to her eyes, ones that refused to be concealed. “Did one of those
upgraded cyborg models make you forget about me? Are you with her? Never mind.
I don’t want to know, even though this is just a dream.” She turned her head to
stare at a wall. It reminded her of the small sleeping quarters of a transport.
Storage lockers were built into the one she studied.

Handsome sat up, totally released her, and sounded furious
as he bellowed. “Computer! Summon the medic!”

Doors swished open immediately to admit a tall cyborg
wearing a black uniform. “She woke?”

“You waiting outside my door?” Handsome scowled.

“I stayed close. What is the problem?”

“She is confused. Scan her again. She must have head
injuries you missed.”

“I didn’t,” the male protested. He stepped to the side of
the bunk and peered down at her. “I’m Varion. Stare into my eyes and don’t look
away. I’m going to scan you again.”

It came as a shock when she noticed his pupils weren’t
round. They were square and dull red flashed for a split second inside them. It
happened again, rapidly, before he sighed, straightening. “She’s fine, Blackie.
No arterial bleeding, no cranial fractures and no swelling. The bruising to her
cheek is mending at a speed equal to our own abilities. It will be gone within
hours at this rate.”

“She believes she is hallucinating.”

The male backed away. “You mean having a nightmare? I would
assume that as well if I woke to find you perched at my bedside.”

“Show me respect,” Handsome demanded gruffly. “I am your
superior.”

“I haven’t forgotten what you did to Megan. You put her in
my care too. Does it make you feel a thrill when you strike smaller women? Why
don’t you stop hiding behind your council contacts and step out into the hallway
with me? Forget rank.” The cyborg wrapped his fingers around his other fisted
hand. “Hit someone your own size for once and see how that results for you. I’m
not preparing drugged food for this one or standing by while you wait for
council orders to kill her. Ice was right to stand up to you. I wish he was in
command now. He wouldn’t allow you near that woman. I can’t forcibly take her
out of here but know I’ll be right outside the door, prepared to protect her.”

Handsome quickly stood. “I didn’t ask anyone to kill Megan.
The council ordered it and I was doing my job.”

“One you enjoy too much.” The cyborg medic shoved at
Handsome. “You’re their favorite cyborg, aren’t you?”

Eve glanced between the two men, confused. Who was Megan and
why did the cyborgs obviously hate each other? It stunned her that her dream
had taken such odd twists but it just reaffirmed her suspicion that the pirate
she’d bitten had given her a bad case of something her enhanced immune system
couldn’t fight off.

“I owed them my total allegiance. They rescued me from
Earth.” Blackie pushed back.

“I was rescued as well but I know when they are wrong. Do
you ever think for yourself?” The medic pushed him again.

“You wish to provoke a physical altercation?”

“Yes,” the medic stated eagerly. “In the corridor so she isn’t
harmed. I know you have no regard for anyone besides yourself, but I do.”

“Let’s go,” her cyborg rasped.

Varion reached out and tapped the door panel. It opened and
he backed out. Handsome followed. Eve watched them leave the room. The cyborg
with the strange eyes didn’t wait to attack. His fist flew at Handsome’s face
and struck it before the door slid closed. Her cyborg staggered from the punch
before she lost sight of them.

He’s in danger.
It propelled her to sit and roll off
the bunk. The room spun a little from the fast motion but she stumbled toward
the door. Dream or not, she would go to his aid. Her hand shook when she
slapped her palm over the panel to gain access to the hallway. It refused to
open.

She glared at it and focused hard, pushing her thoughts at
it with force. The sensation caused by her mind linking to the computer made
her feel nauseous as she ordered an override on the lock. The security was low
priority and opening the door from the inside was a breeze to hack. The door
slid open and the sight of two big men engaged in battle in the confined
corridor would have shocked her if she hadn’t seen blood on Handsome’s face
near his nose and mouth.

The fresh scent of it made her react. Her fangs elongated
and her sharp claws slid out of her fingernails. She snarled, her vocal cords
switching from normal to deeper, menacing tones. The men broke apart at the
loud sound and she targeted the medic. He was the threat. She gripped the edges
of the open door, her knees bent and she launched toward him.

“NO!” Handsome spun around and jumped into the path of the
enemy.

She barely twisted her wrists inward to avoid slashing him
with her claws before slamming into the solid bulk of his body. Both his hands
captured her hips and he caught her in midair. The unexpected collision of
their torsos knocked the breath from her. He didn’t suffer the same effect
though as he turned and pressed her tightly against the bulkhead.

They were face level where he held her suspended above the floor.
Her heart raced, adrenaline pumped through her veins and her back ached from
the impact with the solid wall. Each breath made her aware of his heated skin
pressed to parts of her that her shirt didn’t cover from the waist up. It was
either the most realistic dream she’d ever experienced or Handsome really was
staring deeply into her eyes, his mouth just inches from hers.

“Eve?”

She turned her head to stare at Danica. She stood at the end
of the corridor in an ill-fitting black outfit similar to the medic’s. Her
sister grinned.

“Can you believe this shit? They survived and we found them!
We’re on one of their ships.” Another cyborg turned the corner behind her
sister and Danica glanced back at him when he halted. She faced forward to wink
at Eve. “They technically found us. Who cares about the details though?” She
mouthed “hot” and shielded her hand with her body to jerk a thumb at the one
behind her.

Eve’s head slowly turned to stare at Handsome. She was
grateful for his strength since she might have slid to the floor if he hadn’t
been holding her up when she seemed to lose control of her limbs. The feel of
her fangs retreating seemed apropos, considering everything else seemed to
shrink away but him.

“I’m not a hallucination,” he calmly stated. “You are on the
Bridden
and my name is Blackie. You rescued me on Earth. I rescued you
from the damaged freighter you were piloting.”

Her gaze dropped to his mouth. Blood smeared his lower face
from the punch he’d taken to his nose but he’d obviously attempted to wipe it
away at some point during the fight from the looks of it. It was
him
.
Really
him.
Her hands lifted to cup his face.

“You are safe,” he continued. “I won’t allow anyone to harm
you. I—”

She closed her eyes and her lips sealed over his as she jerked
his head forward. His entire body stiffened and he was unyielding at first. An
inner part of her wailed in distress over his rejection but then his lips
parted. The taste of his blood mingled with something sweet as his tongue swept
hers when he deepened the kiss. Elation hit her hard. So did arousal.

“I admit it,” Varion announced. “I missed something.
Obviously she’s suffering a brain injury of significance. She’d have to be to
kiss him.”

Blackie heard the other cyborg’s insult and dragged his mouth
away from Eve’s. It was hard to do. She was pure heaven and he reacted to her
as if he’d touched a live wire. The current shot to every region of his body
but especially to his dick. It grew hard fast enough to give him a head rush
from blood converging in his lower region. Anger and the knowledge that at
least three other individuals watched them cooled his desire to keep kissing
her.

He glowered at Varion as he snapped his head to the right. “What
did you say?”

“Carry her inside my quarters and I’ll scan her slower. I
missed something. She is acting irrational.”

The hands curved around his face tightened their hold as she
tugged at him. Blackie resisted the urge to lower her to the floor and resume
the physical violence with Varion. He allowed her to adjust his head until they
peered at each other. The tears in her eyes caused him alarm.

“Are you hurt? Did I bump you too hard against the wall when
I pinned you?” He shifted his stance to put some room between their chests. He
regretted stopping her from attacking the other cyborg but concern for her
safety when he’d seen her intention had been an impulse he couldn’t deny. He
had grabbed her before she had a chance to engage in a fight.

“You’re really here with me?”

The unshed tears that shimmered in her blue eyes caused him
to want to pull her closer again and hug her tightly. Protective instincts he
hadn’t known existed swelled inside him until he had to clear his throat of the
lump that formed. She appeared afraid yet hopeful at the same time.

“Yes.”

He expected her to bite him again when she threw her head
forward but instead she just nuzzled her face against his throat. The feel of
her nose and lips lightly brushing his skin made his erect cock twitch. She
sniffed at him, it tickled, and her limbs wrapped around him. Arms looped over
his shoulders and tightened around his neck as her thighs parted to hook around
his waist.

“Eve?”

He turned his body slightly and frowned at the other woman
who cautiously approached, worry evident on her features. The sniffing stopped
but the woman in his arms only tightened her hold, burying her face more snugly
against his throat. The soft growl from her was alarming but she didn’t bite.

“Eve? I know it’s been a while since we’ve seen good-looking
men and we’re both really happy to learn that cyborgs have thrived since
leaving Earth, but you might want to let that one go. He, uh, is taking your
joy that they are alive a bit personal.”

Blackie glared at the other woman who openly stared at his
groin, knew she referred to his aroused state. He didn’t mute his anger when
she lifted her gaze to meet his.

“Back off,” he ordered.

Danica halted. “Put her down.”

“Leave us alone,” Eve murmured against his skin. She sniffed
at him again and her fingers slid into his hair at the base of his neck to
cradle his head. “Go away, Danica.”

The other woman refused to retreat. “You’re acting like I do
when it’s been too long since I got laid and I’m in heat.” She wrinkled her
nose and inhaled sharply a few times. “Nope. You’re good. It’s not that time of
the month.”

Blackie accessed his knowledge of a canine going into heat
and it only made the desire to be alone with Eve grip him more. The concept of
her physically aching to have sex every month excited his libido. He would give
her whatever she needed. His cock twitched again, agreeing wholeheartedly with
that plan.

“What is she doing?” Gene stepped closer to stand behind
Danica.

“I don’t know but I see what he wants to do.” She glared at
Blackie. “She’s got a head injury and she’s not herself. Put her down and step
away.”

Eve slowly withdrew her face from his neck and another growl
rumbled from her parted lips when her head turned until she could see Danica.
Her chest vibrated from the low, dangerous sound. His hold on her tightened and
he adjusted her in his arms to keep her there in case she tried to attack the
other woman.

Danica took a step back, bumped into Gene and lifted her
hands, palms out. Worry lined the woman’s features. “Easy. What is wrong with
you? It’s me.”

“Eve?” Blackie tried to get her attention.

Another low, threatening snarl came from her as her limbs
tightened around him. He realized she was stronger than she looked when he felt
how powerfully her thighs clenched his waist. She untangled her fingers from
his hair and her hand released the back of his head. She adjusted her hold on
him by sliding her arm under his and hooking him from behind on his shoulder.
It was clear she wanted to stay exactly where she was. Her attention was
focused on the other woman.

“Mine,” Eve stated, her voice unusually deep for a woman.

Blackie liked hearing her claim that he was the thing she
felt so possessive of. He wanted her to look at him but she seemed intent on
not breaking eye contact with the other woman.

“Okay,” Danica pushed against Gene, forced him to retreat
farther down the corridor too. “He’s all yours. I’m not trying to take him.”
She glanced at Varion. “Um, do you have sedatives? Now would be a good time.
She’s in protective mode.”

“Has one of her chips been damaged? Is it a programming flaw
or malfunction?” Gene hooked an arm around the woman leaning against him, his
body tense, watching Eve in a way that Blackie didn’t appreciate, as though she
was dangerous and a threat. It was clear the other cyborg intended to throw
Danica out of the way if need be and step into position to fight instead. “She
appears to be threatening you.”

“Instinct.” Danica gripped his forearm, holding on to
prevent him from moving her. “We can get a bit scary when we feel protective of
something we think is ours. You should see the way she gets when you even look
at her chocolate, the rare times we are able to trade for it this far out.” She
took a ragged breath. “Eve? Talk to me, honey. Did that big cyborg ring your
bell a little hard when he punched you? I’m your littermate and you need to
come to me. I’ll take care of you until you’re feeling better. You know you don’t
like men. You never let them touch you.”

Disbelief and a sense of dread filled Blackie. “What do you
mean she doesn’t like men? Are you two a couple?” He didn’t like the idea of
anyone touching what was his as he glared at Danica. He’d fight the woman if
she tried to take Eve from his arms.