Chapter 10

Chapter 9

Banic slammed into the lab doors, bursting through them with a roar. He spun around, scanning the room for the threat to Beth, but all he saw was her. Face twisted with terror, she threw herself at him, slamming into his chest.

He caught her, his arms going around her as she buried her face in his chest. He could feel the thundering beat of her heart, the way she was panting in short, panicked gasps.

The guards burst in behind him, but before they could even think to intervene, Kal whirled on them, his eyes flashing with fury.

"Some draanthing guards you are!" the youngling snarled, his voice cracking with adolescent outrage. "She could have been hurt, and where the hell were you? Off polishing your boots and comparing scars?"

Banic tuned out the teenager's babbling and concentrated on Beth, rubbing her back and whispering comforting words. She burrowed into his arms, trembling like a tiny prey animal.

"Shh, kelarris," he crooned. "I've got you. You're safe now."

"The...the…it…it's a," she managed, her eyes wide and haunted. Her voice was little more than a whisper. "It was... oh god, it's horrible."

He followed her gaze to the far corner of the lab, where a krevasta lay on the floor next to a specimen bucket. Its mutated corpse lay in a steadily widening pool of its own viscous blood. The creature was clearly dead, its carapace badly damaged and its legs twisted at unnatural angles. But even in death, it was a thing of nightmares, its bulbous body the size of a small child and fangs as long as his spread hand gleaming in the overhead lights. No wonder Beth was terrified.

"Kal," he barked, his voice brooking no argument. "Get that thing out of here. Now."

The youngling jumped to obey, grabbing a nearby tarp and bundling the krevasta's remains back into the bucket before dragging it out of sight.

He turned his attention back to his little female, cupping her face in his hands and forcing her to meet his gaze. Her skin was clammy, her pupils blown wide with fear. She was shaking so hard he could hear her teeth chattering, and her pulse fluttered wildly beneath his fingertips.

"Breathe, little one," he urged, exaggerating his own breaths until she copied him. "That's it. Nice and slow. You're doing great."

The lab doors swung open again, and he tensed, ready to shield Beth with his own body if necessary. But it was only Isan, the healer's pale hair disheveled and his blue eyes sharp with concern.

"What in the seven hells is going on here?" he demanded, taking in the scene with a sweeping glance.

A growl built in the center of Banic's chest, his Rage rising to the surface like a dark tide. He gently shoved Beth behind him, glaring at Isan with murder in his eyes.

"You want to explain to me why there was a draanthing krevasta in the lab?" he snarled, getting right up in the other male's face. "Did you even think to warn Beth what she might be facing? The precautions that need to be taken with those things? Or do you just assume all humans are as tough as your precious Izaean warriors?"

Isan's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenching. "Watch yourself, feral. You forget your place."

"My place?" Banic laughed, the sound harsh and brittle. "My place is between Beth and anything that might hurt her. Including you, if you're too draanthing much of an asshole to realize that humans need a little more careful handling than we do."

He felt the Rage building, the need to lash out, to tear and rend and destroy. But then Beth made a soft, distressed sound behind him, and it was like a bucket of cold water dumped over the flames of his anger.

"Stand down," the voice murmured with uncharacteristic gentleness. A whisper in his mind rather than a demand or a temptation. "Our female needs us calm and in control. She might get hurt if this escalates."

He took a deep, shuddering breath, forcing his fists to unclench at his sides.

"They're delicate," he gritted out, holding Isan's gaze. "Precious. Not like us. You can't just throw them into the deep end and expect them to swim."

For a long, tense moment, the two males stared each other down, the air crackling with barely leashed aggression. Then Isan sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly as he reached up to run a hand over his face.

"You're right," he admitted in a rough voice. "I've been so focused on finding the missing shuttles, on getting our younglings back... I completely forgot to mention about the handling precautions for dealing with krevasta."

He looked past Banic to the human. "I'm sorry, Beth. Truly, I am."

She stepped forward, her hand finding Banic's and twining their fingers together. The simple contact grounded him, anchoring him in the here and now.

"It's okay," she whispered, offering Isan a wan smile. "It's just a stupid phobia from childhood. I really need to get it together and do my job."

Banic frowned, tipping her chin up with a gentle finger until she met his gaze. "It's not stupid if it bothers you," he rumbled. "When I was a youngling, I was terrified of zaargnics. Nasty little critters, all teeth and claws and a bad attitude. Couldn't even look at a picture of one without breaking out in a cold sweat."

Her eyes widened. "They sound terrifying."

Kal snorted. "They're tiny… like this big."

The youngster held his thumb and forefinger about two inches apart. "I mean… they do want to kill you, but they can't. Their teeth are blunt and they faint at loud noises. All you have to do is clap your hands.

Banic watched as a hint of a smile played at the corners of her mouth. "Really? The big, bad feral warrior, afraid of a little animal?"

He grinned, the expression feeling strange on his face. "Absolutely terrified. So believe me when I say there's no shame in fear. It keeps us alive."

She leaned into him, her slender body fitting against his like she was made to be there. All he wanted to do was wrap his arms around her and never let her go. To protect her from all the bad things in the universe, up to and including zaargnics.

"This feeling is different from the urge to mate. Why?" the voice asked, curiosity echoing in the words.

One of the guards cleared his throat, eyeing Banic warily. "Shouldn't we put him back in the cage now, sir? Just to be safe?"

But Isan just snorted, shaking his head. "He ran in here to protect her. I highly doubt he's going to harm her now." His gaze hardened as he looked at the guards. "You, on the other hand, are an entirely different matter."

The males blanched, suddenly finding the floor utterly fascinating. Isan turned back to Banic, his expression stern.

"You can stay out of the cage for now. But you sleep in there at night, no exceptions. And if you even think about trying to leave this lab or stopping Beth from coming and going as she pleases..." He let the threat hang in the air, unspoken but crystal clear.

Banic nodded, accepting the healer's decision even though he didn't like it. He'd put up with a lot worse than being confined to a room for Beth. He'd put up with anything as long as she was safe and with him. Because that was all that mattered. Not his pride, his freedom, or even his life…

She was the only thing that mattered.

?

Beth watched as Isan and the guards filed out of the lab, their footsteps echoing off the stone walls of the corridor beyond the door. Taking a shaky breath, she was suddenly aware of being held against Banic, his large, muscular frame radiating heat and something else… something primal and magnetic.

Risking a glance up, she found his gaze already fixed on her, his red eyes blazing with an intensity that stole the breath from her lungs.

She blinked.

He'd shaved, the harsh planes of his face now smooth and angular, and he'd slicked back his hair. The effect was devastating, transforming him from a wild, feral creature to something almost… civilized and way more handsome than a man of any species had a right to be.

Her thoughts scattered like leaves in a windstorm. They'd brought him in only days ago, broken and bleeding… yet now he looked like a different person entirely. Like a handsome prince who had stepped straight out of a fairy tale.

No. Not a prince. Banic wasn't and couldn't ever be anything so benign. So safe. He was dangerous, lethal through and through.

A hint of amusement softened the hard lines of his face.

"Kal," he said, the deep rumble of his voice sending shivers racing down her spine. "Go find somewhere else to be for a while. The doc and I need to... talk."

Kal hesitated, his eyes darting between them uncertainly. But then he nodded, heading toward the door with a last, concerned glance over his shoulder.

"Kal," he said again, his gaze never leaving hers. "Make sure you shower. You handled the krevasta."

The younger male mumbled an acknowledgment, his footsteps receding as he hurried to obey. She barely noticed him leave, all her attention focused on the man in front of her.

On the solid column of his throat, the corded muscles shifting beneath his skin with every breath. She wanted to press her lips to his pulse point and feel the beat of his heart against her mouth.

The thought sent a rush of heat through her veins, pooling low in her belly. It was madness, this sudden, intense attraction to a male who was more animal than man and who hosted another consciousness in his mind.

Right now, though, she didn't care. Not when he had his hands on her and his deep, alien scent wrapped around her. She'd never noticed a man's scent before, but she couldn't get enough of his.

Slowly, watching her all the time, he lowered his head. His lips brushed hers, a soft whisper of a touch that sent sparks dancing along her nerve endings. She hadn't realized she had so many.

The small gasp caught in the back of her throat, but she didn't pull away from him. Didn't try to escape.

With a soft growl of approval in the back of his throat, he kissed her again, harder this time, more demanding. His hand slid into her hair, his fingers twining through the curls as he angled her head to deepen the contact.

Her eyes fluttered closed, a small, needy sound escaping her as she melted into him. His lips were firm and warm, his taste an addictive blend of heat, spice, and something wild, untamed.

She'd been kissed before but never like this. Never with such intensity, such barely leashed passion. She knew she should stop this, knew that… But then his tongue swept into her mouth, sliding along hers in a sensual dance that left her weak in the knees, and she lost the ability to think.

A gasp escaped her as he turned her and pressed her against the work counter, his larger body pinning her in place in a solid wall of muscle and heat that made her feel tiny and delicate in comparison. She knew he could really hurt her. He could probably twist her into some freaky human pretzel if he wanted to without breaking a sweat.

But she knew he wouldn't. His touch was so gentle.

The hard planes of his chest and carved abdomen pressed against her, the power in his coiled muscles sending shivers of excitement through her.

His hands roamed over her, exploring every curve and hollow of her form. Each soft caress was a brand that seared her with its intensity, leaving her gasping for breath. Rough calluses dotted his palms, and the strength in his fingers as they traced the line of her jaw, the curve of her shoulder, and the swell of her breast made her bite her lip as she watched his expression. It was as if he was trying to map her, commit every inch of her to memory. His attention to detail sent a thrill of heat through her veins, pooling low in her belly.

His lips found hers again, and she melted into the kiss, her body responding to his touch with a hunger that shocked her. She could taste him on her tongue, a dark, spicy flavor that sent her senses reeling and left her aching for more.

The kiss deepened. Hunger in the way his hands gripped her hips, the way his body pressed against hers, and the way his teeth nipped at her lower lip sent jolts of pleasure-pain through her nerve endings.

Lifting her effortlessly, he settled her on the counter so he could step between her thighs. Her eyes widened as she felt him against her, hard and heavy as he nudged her chin up and kissed along her throat. The heat of his body seeped through the thin layers between them, and she felt like she was burning up as she wrapped her legs around his waist.

The sound of their breathing, harsh and ragged, filled the still air of the lab. Soft, needy sounds spilled from her lips as he kissed along her jaw and the soft spot just below her ear.

He found her lips again, his mouth hot and demanding on hers. Parting them for him, she surrendered immediately. His tongue slid against hers, coaxing a moan from deep in her throat. His hand slid beneath her shirt, his fingers brushing against the soft skin of her stomach and sending sparks of pleasure racing through her.

His touch was intoxicating, setting her body on fire. She wanted more, needed more. She arched against him, a silent plea for him to continue.

Without breaking the kiss, he undid the button of her pants, his fingers slipping beneath the waistband and sliding lower to explore the soft, warm skin beneath.

She gasped at the intimate touch, her body tensing for a moment before relaxing and opening for him. His fingers slid lower, finding her slick and ready. He stroked her gently, his touch sending waves of pleasure crashing through her. She moaned, her head falling back as her nails dug into his upper arms in silent demand.

He slid a long, thick finger inside her, and she gasped. Her body tightened around him instinctively, the friction wonderful. Adding a second finger, he stretched and filled her. Sparks of pleasure curled her toes as he found her g-spot and pressed.

Sensing her need, he added a third finger, stretching her even wider. Tension built, a coil of heat and pressure that grew tighter and tighter with every stroke of his fingers. Then his thumb brushed against her clit, sending jolts of pleasure through her nerve endings, and she couldn't do anything but cling to him.

His lips whispered along her neck, his teeth grazing her skin as he continued his relentless assault. Oh god… She was close, so close to the edge.

Just as she was about to tumble over, he pulled back. She whimpered, her body aching for release, but he just chuckled, his breath hot against her ear, "Not yet, kelarris. Not yet."

She wanted to protest, beg him to finish what he'd started, but before she could, his mouth was hot and demanding on hers. All thoughts of protest fled from her mind, replaced by the overwhelming need for more, more of him, more of this.

His fingers stroked again, gently at first but then harder, faster. His movements were different this time. Instead of trying to draw her pleasure out, he seemed hell bent in pushing her over the edge of the abyss as quickly as possible. She tried to hold on, but it was no good.

Stroking within her, he pressed his thumb against her clit, and she fell, her pussy tightening around his fingers as wave after wave of pleasure crashed over her. She cried out, her fingers digging into his shoulders as she rode out the storm, her body shaking with the force of her release.

When it was over, she slumped against him, nestled in his embrace all limp and sated.

Holding her gaze, he pulled his hand from her, brought his fingers to his mouth and licked them clean.

"Next time," he promised in a low, sensual rumble that sent shivers racing down her spine, "I'm tasting you at the source."

Her pussy clenched, a fresh wave of need pulsing through her. Already, she could feel the rasp of his stubble against her inner thighs, the heat of his breath on her slick folds...

A sound from outside the lab snapped her back to reality. Panic jolted through her, chasing away the haze of lust. They were in a public place. Anyone could walk in on them.

Pushing against his chest, she wriggled out from his embrace, her hands shaking as she tugged her clothes back into place.

"I need to get back to work," she managed, not quite able to meet his eyes as she tried to regain her composure.

"You sure about that, Doc?" he asked, his voice a sinful caress that made her toes curl in her boots. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you could use a little more... personal attention."

Heat burned her cheeks, but she lifted her chin and met his gaze head-on.

"I'm sure," she said firmly, grateful that her voice was firm when she felt like jelly inside. How was he doing this to her? "This... we shouldn't do this again. I'm here to do a job, not to..."

"Not to what?" he murmured, suddenly there, his thumb under her chin to lift her face up so he could look in her eyes. "Not to give in to this between us? Not to admit that you want me as much as I want you? Not to admit you're wondering how my cock will feel filling you up tight?"

"We can't." Her voice shook. "You're my patient, my test subject. You're not here of your own free will. It wouldn't be right."

"I'm a lot of things, Beth. But I'm not your patient, and I'm sure as hell not your test subject," he said quietly, reaching out to brush a strand of hair back from her face. His expression was deadly serious. "And as for not being here of my own free will… Do you think that pathetic little cage has ever been able to hold me?"

She blinked as she looked over his shoulder at the thick bars of the holding cage. He smiled as she looked up at him, but the hard-edged smile had a shed-load of hunger behind it.

"I'm a man, and you're a woman," he said, his voice a low growl that made her want to clench her thighs together again. "And this between us has nothing to do with your research or my... condition, and has everything to do with the fact that you're mine."