Page 23 of Star Defenders (My Alien Mates 2)

I paused, mouth open for a while, then shrugged. "I suppose I wouldn't know if she was, would I?"

"Exactly," he agreed. "The whole ship will know when she deems it necessary."

I thought he was about to add, 'If she does', but he gestured me out and closed the door behind us.

I caught a glimpse of J'avet hurrying down the corridor in front of us. He didn't slow or glance back. No doubt he was doing something important.

Or something hethoughtwas important, I added cynically. I should probably not think that way. He might be one of those who the captain assigned to look into the nanobots. He could be on his way to the infirmary right now to interrogate Danec. Part of me wanted to follow and stop him from being an asshole to my lover. Truthfully, if Zarex wasn't with me, I would have.

But if there was a chance Slek had some answers, I wanted to find out. Needed to find out. Danec was a big boy anyway, he could handle himself with J'avet. Well, as much as anyone could.

Why then, did my eyes follow his ass all the way to the corner? Why did I feel even a shred of disappointment when he disappeared from view? Okay, I knew why. Crazy, stupid lust. In spite of myself, I found him hot. Even with an equally hot and clearly interested guy right beside me and two more who seemed to feel the same way about me that I felt about them.

I shook my head to myself mentally and exhaled through my nose. I needed to focus on one thing right now: Danec and the nanobots. All right, that was two things, but they were intertwined.

"The IF boasts the resources of over a dozen worlds," Zarex said, as if he could read my mind. "We will draw on whatever is necessary to stop the bots."

That sounded so much like a political slogan I had to smother a laugh.

"I know we will," I said. "Danec just looked so…so vulnerable." For a big, muscly dude, he could still break.

"Then, we'll do all we can to ensure he doesn't need to feel that way," Zarex said smoothly. "Especially because you care about him."

"That doesn't bother you?" I asked carefully.

Zarex smiled like the cat who knew the cream was coming. "Quite the opposite. A woman like you has complex needs. I can't possibly meet them all. You need Danec and Slek to satisfy you in the ways I can't. Particularly when I'm busy working."

He stopped and lowered his voice. "A woman like you shouldn't spend a moment unsatisfied, mentally as well as physically."

I blushed so bright I swore my face would catch alight. "It sounds like you have it all figured out." I wasn't sure if I should be flattered, or cranky at him for being presumptuous. Maybe both.

"From the moment I saw you," he said. "I know you felt it too."

"And if I didn't?" I asked.

He smiled as though there was little possibility of that. "Then I would have to relentlessly pursue you until I changed your mind. Or," he added after a moment, "back off and respect your choices." He brushed stray hair off my cheek. "I won't pressure you. There's an attraction there. If you prefer not to explore it, then so be it."

My tongue darted over my lips. I wanted to see where this would go. I wanted to tell him that. Now, however, was not the time.

"I'm sorry," I said softly. When his face fell, I quickly added, "I can't think about this right now. We need to help Danec. After that—"

Zarex looked relieved and nodded. "Of course. He should be our priority.Isour priority. And the ship as well."

"Absolutely," I agreed. The nanobots were a risk to everyone on board, not just Danec. He knew that. I knew it too, deep down.

"Promise me something," I said, my tone firm, gaze locked on his.

"That depends on what it is," he said carefully, a smile on the corners of his mouth.

"Promise me you won't jettison Danec unless it's a last resort."

His lips dropped apart in surprise. "I wouldn't even consider it, unless there was no other way," he said. Something in his eyes made me wonder if he was being entirely honest. I realised ultimately it was the captain's call, not his. He could make me all the promises in the world, but they may come to nothing.

"Let's hope it doesn't come to that." He resumed walking and I had to trot a few steps to catch up.

"It better not," I growled. "Or you might have to jettison me with him."

Zarex snorted a laugh, but he said nothing, just hurried his steps.

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