Page 23 of The Cyborg Way
“He’s here, I know he is.”
“I think you’re right, but it doesn’t look like he wants to come out. We need to leave. Now. He’ll be safe in here,” he added when she started to object, and she gave a reluctant nod.
“I suppose you’re right.”
“I know I am, and you’ll be more comfortable at home.”
She sighed, but took his hand and followed him. As soon as they retraced their steps to the edge of the boulder concealing the entrance, he knew it was too late. The wind was already swirling, small particles of sand stinging his cheeks, and he quickly pushed her back into the shelter of the rock
“It looks like we’ll be spending the storm with Henry after all,” he said grimly.
The situation wasn’t critical—the rock would provide protection and they had supplies—but neither would it be comfortable for her. He only hoped it wasn’t one of the storms that lasted for days.
“I’m sorry. I should have listened to you.”
“I’m the one who should be apologizing. I should have done a better job of protecting you.”
She smiled up at him, her face soft.
“You listened to me instead. That’s just as important.”
Her words didn’t erase his guilt, but he gave her a quick kiss as he considered their options. The angle of the slit still allowedsome wind to penetrate, so he decided to go a little deeper into the rock before preparing a place for her to rest. Thankfully, all of the rangers were provided with survival equipment—not for themselves but for humans in need of aid—and he pulled a small lantern out of Blaze’s saddle bags. She breathed a sigh of relief when he turned it on.
“That’s better. The darkness is a little overwhelming.”
“But you rushed in here anyway.”
“Because of Henry. You can’t let fear stop you from going after someone you love.”
Her words echoed in his head as they traveled further along the passage until they found a larger and more protected space opening to one side of it. He retrieved the rest of his supplies from Blaze’s saddlebags, then the horse settled against the wall in a rest position while he prepared a temporary camp.
He set up a small portable heater where the heat would radiate back from the surrounding walls, then sat down on a rocky ledge and pulled her onto his lap, wrapping a thin thermal blanket around both of them. He directed his nanites to increase the temperature of his skin slightly and she sighed with pleasure as she nestled against him.
“This isn’t so bad. It’s like our picnic turned into a camping trip.” She smiled up at him. “Not that there was any opportunity to camp back on Earth, but I used to read about it and imagine what it would be like.”
“I doubt you dreamed you were in a cold Martian cave with a cyborg,” he said dryly.
“If I’d known about you then, I would have.”
“Do you really mean that?”
“Of course I do. All this time I was waiting for you—I just didn’t know it.”
Don’t let fear stop you.His nanites were helpless in the face of the torrent of emotions rocketing through his body.
“I love you, Ellie,” he blurted out. “I know it’s too soon, and I know I’m not much of a catch, but I want to stay with you.”
Her smile was as bright as the lantern.
“You don’t have to say anything,” he added quickly. “I just wanted to tell you.”
“But I want to say it. I love you too, Levi.”
He groaned and kissed her, overcome with emotion—and need.
“I want you,” he growled.
“Yes,” she whispered against his mouth, and reached between their bodies to free his erection.
