Page 24 of Alien Knight Teddy Bear Troubles

Taeger washers.

She trudged on for what felt like days but she knew was perhaps an hour. The Maju water in her pack was for Charlie, a gift from Greig when she’d been about to leave the ship. She had also found a small jar of Maju paste in the room where Ion slept. She’d stuffed that in her pack as well, after using a bit on a few cuts and scrapes, as well as slathering quite a bit to help the ache between her legs.

It had been a long time since she’d taken a lover. And taken. And taken.

The thought made her smile. She’d been a regular horny wench since meeting Taeger. He touched her and she melted, gave herself to him with a joyous abandon she’d never felt with another lover. Not that there had been many, but that was by choice and not because she had lacked opportunity.

A rock caught the tip of her boot and she stumbled, but he was there, catching her before she could fall.

“Thanks.”

She looked up when he did not release her arm to find him hovering, staring with an intensity that made her squirm.

“Be careful, Cassie.”

She straightened to her full height but he did not release her arm. Behind them on what passed for a trail through the alien foliage, his squadron of fighters stood as well. They also stared, but not at her, at Taeger. She glanced from the men back up to Taeger and knew she was flushing with embarrassment. “What are you doing?”

“Protecting my mate.”

Her breath caught in her throat. “I’m not--”

He cut her off with a kiss that made her forget everything but him. She clung, holding on to what might be the last time he touched her like this, held her like this. Wanted her. Because once they got to her ship, he would discover not only her crewmen, but the weapon. And if they tried to take it, she would be forced to fight to keep it. Earth’s survival was more important than her own selfish happiness.

And Taegerdidmake her happy. The realization washed through her when he lifted his head and rubbed his thumb over her bottom lip. He stepped back and held out his arm, indicating that she should lead the way once more.

Steeling herself to turn away from him, she moved forward and managed not to stumble the rest of the way. When she was close, she slowed down, not wanting Smith or Charlie--whom she hoped was still alive--to mistake her for someone else and shoot to kill.

“Hello? Charlie? Smith?” She called out loudly as she rounded the rocky corner that formed the edge of the ravine where her ship had gone down.

“Captain? That you?” Smith’s voice came back toward her with a slight echo. He was above the ship, on high ground, probably with his rifle aimed at the opening of the ravine.

“Smith, it’s me. Don’t shoot. I brought company.”

“Roger that.”

“Where is Charlie?” she asked.

Please don’t be dead. Please don’t be dead.

“Right here.” The hoarse voice came from the opposite side of the narrow ravine from a shadowed outcropping and Cassie settled her weapon across her back with its strap and rushed in that general direction, pulling the Maju water from her pack as SHE went.

She found him with his back propped up against the stone, the rest of his body hidden by a combination of shadows and boulders. His cheekbone, jaw and forehead were black and tan from healing bruises and he had more than a few crudely placed stitches visible. Still, she smiled when she saw him. “You look like Frankenstein’s monster, Charlie.”

“Sorry, didn’t have time to hit the salon.” His breathing was raspy and she worried that he had a collapsed lung, or worse.

Well, he still had his sense of humor. She knelt next to him and held the Maju water to his lips. “Drink this. It will help.” She hovered until she was satisfied that he’d had enough to begin his healing then looked over her shoulder, trying to find Smith’s hiding place on the opposite side of the ravine.

“Smith? Where the hell are you?”

“Right here.” The voice was close, too close. Taeger and his men had their weapons out and pointed at Smith as he emerged from a crease in the rocks two or three paces from their position.

“That is a good way to die,” Taeger informed him.

Smith actually chuckled but he wasn’t looking at Taeger, he was looking at Cassie. “Boy, you weren’t kidding. Where did you pick up the alien gangster squad?”

“Funny. Is the package secure?”

“Yes.”

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