Page 22 of Alien Knight Teddy Bear Troubles

She grinned at his frown. “I don’t know what they call it where you’re from, but on Earth we call it an anxiety attack. I’ve never had it before, but when Greig said the Dark Ones’ ship is on the way here, I just panicked for a second. I’m fine now. I’ll be okay.”

“You should remain here. On my ship.”

He didn’t addwhere you’ll be safe,but she saw the intention in his eyes. “My crew. My mission. My responsibility. I’m going.”

“You are stubborn, female.”

Her grin morphed into a chuckle. “You are not the first person to tell me that.”

His gaze locked onto hers and the levity faded, leaving nothing but heat in its place.

In what felt like slow motion, Taeger lowered his lips to hers and for the first time the kiss was not full of need or lust or desperation. This was tender. Gentle.

Reverent.

And the pain she’d felt explode in her chest just moments ago came raging back like a grenade had been set off behind her rib cage. More tears. She felt them, but she did not stop kissing him. Instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck, stood on tiptoe and held on for dear life.

She knew what was really waiting for her down on Mora Five. And she also knew this might be the last kiss Taeger Norasair ever gave her once he discovered the truth.

Chapter Nine

Mora Five

The ship settledonto a rock ledge within a short walk of the place Taeger and the other Lumerians had called home for decades. Before that? Well, he’d lost count of how many worlds they’d lived on, none of them ever really feeling like home.

He’d been at war for a millennia, and only now, walking with Cassie next to him, watching Ion run into Marcano’s open arms, did he feel any peace.

Marcano was walking with a limp, and he looked a bit pale, but based on the injuries he would have had to sustain to allow Ion to leave his sight, it was a miracle he lived at all.

Another debt he owed to the beautiful female next to him.

She approached the hugging duo and Marcano looked up, recognized her, and moved with a Knight’s speed to pull her into an embrace.

“You saved my life and you kept Ion safe. I owe you a life debt.”

“No. You don’t owe me--” Cassie’s eyes grew round with shock as Marcano squeezed her into silence. She gently patted him on the back.

Taeger watched with a barely restrained growl. Marcano was his best friend and he trusted him with his life, but Marcano was touching his woman. Cassie did not melt into Marcano’s arms, not like she did with him, and that fact alone made his chest tighten with a possessive satisfaction he’d never felt before. When she stepped back, looking uncomfortable, the smile that escaped was a release of pure male satisfaction.

She didn’t want any of the other Knights to touch her. Onlyhim.

“Marcano, how many did we lose?”

Marcano straightened, still holding Ion in his arms. “I was the only one in town. They took a lot of townspeople, but we got lucky.”

The guilt that had been weighing him down like a heavy stone on his chest lifted and Taeger took his turn, pulling his oldest, most trusted friend into his arms for a quick embrace. “You’re alive. Ion’s alive. Most of the townspeople have been safely returned. Lucky indeed.”

“Indeed.” Marcano chuckled when Ion’s arms circled them both in a hug for three. A brotherhood.

“Not to spoil the mood, but the Dark Ones are on their way and I have to find my crew.” Cassie was watching Ion and Marcano with an amused expression on her face. When Ion turned to look for her, she held out Ion’s Kuvu bear, which she’d been keeping close, per Ion’s instructions. Her care for the boy made him appreciate her all the more.

Taeger released his friend and the boy and looked at Cassie, enchanted by the unguarded smile on her face as she spoke to the little boy.

“Ion, I think you better watch over BooBoo Bear while I go find my injured crewmen. He’ll be safer with you.”

“No. No. No. BooBoo Bear will protect you. Right Uncle Taegie? He’s a good bear.”

“Ion.” She looked...confused. Unsure. There was something in her eyes, something she wasn’t telling him, but Taeger had already known she was keeping secrets. He just hoped they weren’t so terrible he couldn’t live with his decision to keep her once he discovered what his female was really doing on Mora Five.

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