Page 46 of Guardian's Heart

"He kills people for a living," Nock threw in again.

"Criminals," Zaarek repeated stubbornly.

I was sure these two could do this all day.

"Stop, okay? Just stop."

"Why is this so important anyway?" Zaarek asked. "It doesn't matter what species I am or where I came from. I am a trained Space Guardian, and I work for the Ohrur. I will take these humans to Astrionis. The Ohrur will get paid, and I will move on to my next assignment."

He turned to leave, but I stopped him by putting my hand on his forearm, inadvertently touching his markings. A deep hiss escaped him, and a tingling sensation ran through my body.

"That's why," Nock mocked.

My heartbeat accelerated, and I was unable to lift my hand off his arm. Instinctively, my eyes moved up to meet Zaarek's, whose nostrils flared.

"Nova," he said hoarsely.

No sound escaped my lips, and I was sure, had we been alone, we would have collapsed on the next table and fucked in wild abandonment. As it was, the craving to do just that was strong enough to simply kick Nock out of the room.

I wasn't sure if he was simply not picking up on the sexual tension between Zaarek and me or if he wanted to diffuse the situation. But the sound of his voice broke the spell, and Zaarek pulled his arm back. "We should contact other Space Guardians and see—"

"No!" Zaarek sounded pissed.

I liked the idea, though. "Nock is right, we—"

"No!" Zaarek moved out into the hallway, stomping away from us.

"Well." Nock scratched his head. "I'll do some more digging into the Ohrurs as well. I've had an instinct about the Space Guardians all along, but maybe I was wrong. Maybe it's not them but the Ohrurs? What do you think? No—"

I didn't listen anymore. I knew it was wrong, but I ran after Zaarek. Pride be damned.

ZAAREK

I had no ideawhat this connection between Nova and me was, but it was strong. Even now, the urge to turn around was nearly unbearable as I forced my legs to take me away from her. My head was still hurting, and I inadvertently rubbed the back of my neck. I was happy with my life. Why did these two have to show up in it and turn it upside down? I didn't need to know what species I was. I really didn't. I was a frygging Space Guardian, and that was all that mattered to me.

Except…

Except when Nova touched me like that. Frygg, I rubbed my neck harder.

None of this would have happened if Possedion hadn't selected me for this mission. I kicked the wall, and because it felt good, I did it again.

I wish I could get back to days ago and decide not to buy the slaves, or at least not to go after Nova. I should have left her in the forest. Then I would have never gotten these stupid markings…

… or had sex with Nova….

Frygg, that female was getting under my skin. Truth be told, for the first time in my life, I wanted more than just doing my job, and… it felt good.

I liked wanting her. I liked how our bodies reacted to one another. I liked her. No matter how obstinate, how off-standish she was, I liked her. By the stars, what a mess.

I needed to think, and for that, I needed to be away from h—

The impact of her body against mine didn't exactly make me stumble, but I did falter for a moment.

"You don't get to walk away from me like that," she shouted after she straightened herself and stepped into my line of sight.

That was enough.

"Nova!" With a moan, I grabbed her waist and pulled her against me. Her head lifted, and I crushed my lips on hers. Hard, Demanding. Punishing.

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