Page 60 of Taming Chaos

“And what does that mean, to be in the First?”

“To answer that properly, I would need a lot more time. I promise you we will have that time together, Seph, but not now. My story is long, and perhaps a little boring.”

“You’re strong, Torin. Really, really strong, and I very much doubt your story is boring.” She nodded to herself, as if his answer somehow confirmed her all her suspicions.

And you’re driving me crazy, Persephone.

She took a step forward, and Torin swore the scent of her arousal grew just a little bit stronger, a little bit more intoxicating. If this continued, they wouldn’t even make it to the damn food dispensary.

He’d made a silent promise to refrain from claiming her until they were off this infernal Bartharran rust-bucket and out of harm’s way, but he feared he wouldn’t last the distance.

So close… Several times already, he’d come so close to losing control.

Seph unclasped her cloak and rolled it up. The garment folded up into a surprisingly compact ball, which she secured in a pouch at her waist. Strands of brilliant red hair escaped their fastening, falling around her pale face. Despite the obvious signs of her fatigue, she was so, so lovely.

Nothing could ever take that away from her. Not even fatigue.

“Back there, with Relahek and the guards…”

Torin stiffened. “I was angry. I told those guards not to challenge me anymore, but they fought me anyway, and now they’re dead.”

“You didn’t want to kill them.” Sorrow crept into her gaze.

“They were reluctant to fight me, but Relahek must have had something on them, because they died protecting him anyway, and for what?”

Torin thought he’d finally managed to talk some good sense into his opponents, only to have them fall beneath his sword at the last siv. They’d rushed him together, plasma guns drawn, knowing they would probably die. At the same time, Relahek had attempted to escape, heading in Seph’s direction.

Torin had been left with no choice but to kill his attackers. His hard-wired training had kicked in, and he’d moved without a second thought.

Protect her.

No-one got past him, ever.

“Forget about that now, Seph.” The anger was still there, simmering just below the surface; insidious, all-consuming, and powerful. So powerful he’d almost lost control and killed Relahek.

That had never happened before.

If not for Seph…

She of flame-haired, curvaceous temptation, standing before him with eyes wide and bright, lips slightly parted, a look of fascination playing across her face.

Stunning him.

Just a little taste…

And now they’d found a pocket of calm in the storm.

Outside, the Bartharran horde waited, ready to attack at the first sign of weakness. The Skalreg Va hurtled toward a planet steeped in destruction and chaos, and he was completely cut off from his team—his fault entirely.

Torin couldn’t have cared less.

I want to get to know you.

“Torin, I…”

Whatever she was about to say was stolen away as Torin caressed her cheek. He bared his fingertips, the nanites rippling and disappearing, causing a momentary flare of agony even as he savored the warm silk of her skin. Unable to help himself, he reached up and pulled away the stretchy thing securing her hair, releasing a soft tumble of crimson.

A gentle cloud of scent—sweet, woody, and utterly intoxicating—surrounded him, and Torin’s entire being flooded with need.

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