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Neither of them knew what to say.

Doriena had clearly spoken to both of them while in the healing sleep of the tube, and they didn’t really know what to make of it. Several times, Bakac had thought to ask his father’s brother, Kiril, what that meant, but he had always backed down.

Mainly because he already knew the answer. The problem was what it meant for Alex and him.

He loved Alex like a brother, but he didn’t think he could actually have a sexual relationship with the man.

Sorry. Not his style.

Getting up, Bakac paced the room several times before stopping at the window. The view was breathtaking, even for a native of Gothe’mar. Nothing could compare to an average day at the Northling Valley, the northernmost city of Gothe’mar.

Winter kept the city in mostly darkness, but summer yielded the most beautiful auroras in the known galaxy. Stunning light displays arced the length of the horizon in a myriad of exotic colors.

And all he wanted to think about was how Doriena would look by the Crystal Lake in this same light. He wanted to see the lights reflected in her hair and to hear her cries of joy as he made love to her all evening.

He’d tried too hard to keep his interest in Doriena to himself. She was his best friend’s sister for crying out loud! He also knew how Alex felt about him pursuing a relationship with Doriena.

Hands off!

“What are we going to do?”

Bakac looked over his shoulder at Alex. He should have known the other man would have been smart enough to figure out what was going on between the three of them.

“I’m not sleeping with you.”

Alex snorted. “That’s okay. I’m not sleeping with you either.” Alex looked at him for a long minute. “And I don’t want you sleeping with my sister.”

“She’s not really your sister, you know.”

“Yeah, I know. But I still have to protect her. Quite frankly, I don’t want her doing witheitherof us what we do with other women. It’s a little unsettling.”

Bakac snorted. “It’s alotunsettling. You think I don’t feel this overwhelming need to protect her too? Why in the Universe do you think I agreed to act as bodyguard to her during the more vigorous exercises? Not because I likeyouthat much.”

There was silence between them for a moment. Alex opened his mouth to speak, but Dr. Mara Jenson entered the room. “Good evening, gentlemen.” She was always so bright and cheery. Almost too much so for Bakac’s taste. He cringed.

Mara stopped and looked at Bakac. “Something wrong?” Just like that, her demeanor changed. She still smiled, but Bakac could sense the warrior stretching her arms for battle.

Damn! No wonder Kiril loved her. She was a woman with a warrior’s heart.

Just like his Doriena.

“Nothing, Doctor.” He cleared his throat to keep from smiling. “I was just thinking how I couldn’t stand your bubbly personality. I think I prefer the warrior woman.”

Mara blinked a few times, as if trying to decide whether to be insulted or not. Then she chuckled. “Well, youareKiril’s nephew. I suppose that is to be expected.”

Alex stood to embrace the older woman. “It’s good to see you again, Mara.” When he let her go, he turned back to Doriena. “Will she be okay?”

“Oh, of course.” Mara waved off his concern. “She’s perfectly fine. She just needed a little more rest than normal.” She frowned slightly. “She didn’t rest well in the healing tube. Her body tried to, but it was like something kept waking her up.”

Bakac looked at Alex and the other man met his gaze squarely.

Mara looked from one of them to the other. “What?”

“Nothing,” Alex mumbled and paced to the other side of the room from Bakac.

“Well.” Mara continued to look at Alex. “She should be waking up shortly. I’ve contacted Kahn and Anna. They will be here soon.”

Alex groaned. “Damn.”

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