Page 23 of Human Reclaimed
This human woman had somehow destroyed all my careful logic and planning in less than two days. But I didn’t regret a single second of it.
I crossed the room to where Talia slept peacefully in my bed. I watched her for a moment longer—the gentle rise and fall of her breathing along with the way her lips parted slightly.
“Talia,” I said softly, placing my hand on her shoulder. “We need to go.”
Her eyes fluttered open, confusion giving way to recognition. As she sat up, the sheet fell away, revealing the white curve of her bra against her tanned skin. I immediately turned away, heat crawling up my neck.
“Sorry,” I muttered, my voice rougher than intended. “Your clothes are on the chair.”
I heard rustling behind me, the soft sounds of her dressing. “What’s wrong?” she asked.
“Someone noticed you weren’t in the medical bay.”
“Shit.” I heard a zipper sound as she fastened her pants. “I didn’t mean to get you in trouble.”
I turned back to find her pulling on her fitted white T-shirt, her hair tousled from sleep. “It’s not your fault. It’s mine. I’ll take the blame.”
“You don’t have to.”
“Yes, I do.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “I’m the one who brought you here unauthorized.”
She stepped closer, and before I could react, she leaned in and pressed her lips against my cheek. The contact sent electricity racing through my veins.
“Thank you for letting me sleep in your bed,” she said softly. “It was much more comfortable than the medical bay.”
My hands itched to pull her against me. Instead, I cleared my throat and gestured toward the door. “We should hurry.”
We walked briskly across the settlement, the morning light filtering through the massive canopy. Colony members nodded as we passed, their curious glances noted but ignored.
Commander Helix’s expression when we entered the medical bay could have frozen water. She stood with her arms crossed beside Aeon and Olivia.
“Commander,” I said, stepping forward. “The absence of Captain Reed from her assigned quarters was my decision. I believed more comfortable accommodations would be beneficial to her cooperation.”
Helix’s gray eyes narrowed. “You took it upon yourself to relocate our guest without authorization?”
“Yes, Commander. I felt it was appropriate given her security clearance and her willingness to help our colony.”
Helix studied me for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Finally, she sighed. “If you believe it’s a better arrangement, I’ll allow it. She is under your direct supervision after all.”
Relief washed through me. “Thank you, Commander. I appreciate your understanding. I promise any major decisions will go through you first.”
She nodded sharply and left the medical bay, the doors hissing shut behind her.
Aeon’s knowing look was almost worse than Helix’s disapproval. I recognized that expression—the same one I’d given him when he’d fallen for the human doctor, Olivia. His piercing blue eyes had that irritating gleam that said he understood exactly what was happening.
Olivia gave a gentle smile that matched her husband’s knowing look. She stepped forward, her white coat swishing around her petite frame.
“As someone who’s been a captive,” Olivia said, her voice warm with understanding, “I sympathize with wanting more comfortable accommodations.” She glanced at Talia with genuine empathy. “Being locked up like a prisoner doesn’t exactly inspire cooperation or trust.”
Talia’s shoulders relaxed slightly. I hadn’t noticed how tense she’d been until that tension eased from her body.
“Well, if Commander Helix isn’t going to throw me in the brig for letting you out,” I said, trying to sound casual despite the lingering heat in my face, “perhaps Aeon and Olivia could show you more of what we do here.”
Aeon nodded, his expression softening. “We’d be happy to. In fact, we have several new mothers who delivered just this week.”
“New mothers?” Talia’s eyebrows rose. “The pregnant cyborgs you mentioned before?”
My chest tightened at the genuine interest in her voice. She wasn’t feigning it. That much I could tell from the way her blue eyes had brightened.
