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  “Zut, yes.”

  Just like that, they were back at square one, with Liv pushed up against the tree. This time, she wrapped her legs around his waist. He rotated his hips, brushing his cock over the apex of her sex to find relief for the unbearable need centered in the lower half of his body, but it only fueled the fire. His desire burned hotter than before. She whimpered, more desperation slipping into their kiss. Supporting her ass with his hands, he ground against her, not only smelling but also feeling the wetness of her arousal through his pants.

  “Woman, you drive me mad.”

  She lifted his T-shirt, exposing his chest, while her other hand fumbled with the button of his waistband. It was as much as he could take. A tearing noise blended with the distant chirping of night insects. Her shirt fell to the ground. He barely suppressed a growl at the sight of her breasts. Full and round, they were covered by a modest white bra. He wanted those curves naked, but her hands were frantic, trying to undo his zipper without success. He only lowered her long enough to push both of their pants over their hips before he bent his knees, positioned his cock, and thrust into her wetness.

  A scream tore from her throat. She was wet, but so tight, tighter than he could’ve imagined. He grimaced with ecstatic pleasure, grinding his teeth and forcing himself to keep still.

  “Zavir.”

  His name sounded too much like a protest, and he when he got his eyes to focus again he was staring at Liv’s pale face, streaks of wetness coating her cheeks.

  He rested his forehead against hers, his thumbs brushing over her hips. “You’re so tight, kitten.”

  “I can’t,” she whispered.

  “Hush, little darling. Just let me be inside you.”

  “Zavir, it’s–”

  She moaned loudly as he slid in another inch. He had no choice but to cover her mouth if they didn’t want attention from the bar.

  “Shh. I’m going to make this good for you.”

  She shook her head meekly, as if she disagreed, but they were too far gone with the head of his cock shoved up her channel and a waterfall of ecstasy promising to crush down on both of them.

  “Zavir, please,” she mumbled into his hand. “What are we doing? I’m scared.”

  “You’re safe with me.”

  He held her gaze as his free hand moved between their bodies, reading her reaction as his thumb found her clit. Her eyes rolled back when he gently massaged the nub. More wetness coated his cock. He slipped another inch deeper, her muscles adjusting and letting him in. She panted into his palm, her moans telling him she didn’t feel pure pleasure.

  “Just a little more,” he coaxed. “It’ll soon be better.”

  She shook her head, but only got out another mewl when he claimed one more inch.

  Slowly, he took her, until he was halfway home. They had to consummate this. It was a driving act he felt in his bones. The last sprint was going to be the hardest, but after that there’d be release.

  “Bite into my hand,” he instructed.

  She blinked up at him in confusion, but he didn’t give her time to contemplate the request. It was either drag out the agony or get it over with so she could find pleasure. With a last thrust, he drove home.

  His hand muffled her scream. It wasn’t supposed to happen like this, but how could he help it? How could he stop the inevitable?

  She whimpered as he started moving, but she wasn’t pushing him away. She was clinging to him with both arms and legs.

  “That’s it, sweetheart. Let me make it better.”

  He took his time, letting her wetness coat them both before he increased his pace, matching the stroking of her clit to the rhythm. In a short while, her frown smoothed out, and her gasping turned to panting, enough so he could remove his hand from her mouth. He had to be careful of his strength. The force of his desire could easily hurt her. A few more thrusts and she tightened on him, her release drawing her whole body into a violent spasm. Her head fell back against the tree, and her legs were already starting to relax their grip around him. He held her up with one hand, chasing his own release. The pace was fast, the rhythm harsh. One more thrust and he came with a grunt, exploding inside of her. It was the most powerful climax of his life, and he’d had a long life. The only thing dampening his euphoria was that his tantalizing little human had endured more than just pleasure.

  “I’m sorry,” he murmured, cupping her face and kissing her with as much tenderness as he was capable.

  “We didn’t use protection.”

  “Relax. I can’t give you babies. Diseases, either.”

  “I know, but…”

  “But what?”

  “Nothing.” She pushed on his chest. “You better let me down before someone comes.”

  With regret, he obliged, even though he wanted to keep his cock inside her longer. She was right. Besides, as tight she was, she had to be sore. His regret intensified when she flinched as her feet hit the ground.

  “You’re hurting,” he said.

  “I’m fine.”

  When she reached for her jeans, he stopped her with his fingers locking around her wrist. She shot him a questioning look as he adjusted his pants before taking the nano-healer from his pocket.

  “Zavir, what are you doing?”

  He showed her the device. “This will take your discomfort away.”

  “No.” Her voice was shaky, but her tone firm. “I know what it is. It’ll plant a tracker in me.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “In the Resistance, we have access to certain information.”

  “Will shining you be a problem? You work for me, now.”

  “My brothers will know if I’ve been shined. We have devices at home that scans everyone who crosses the threshold.”

  He didn’t like the idea of letting her go like this, even less that he wouldn’t be able to track her. He preferred to keep tabs on her for reasons that went beyond professional, reasons he yet had to reveal to her.

  She freed her hand and pulled up her jeans, fastening them with another wince.

  “Liv…” he started, for the first time in his long life at a loss for words. “It’s not always like this.”

  “I know.” She avoided his eyes. “We got carried away.”

  He gripped her chin to turn her face back to him. “It’s more than that. You can’t deny there’s chemistry between us.”

  “Of course.” She smiled but looked a little sad. “Chemistry.” Escaping the cage of his arms, she pushed away from the tree. “I have to go before someone discovers I’m gone.” She picked up the shreds of her shirt. “I’ll need to borrow a shirt from somewhere.”

  “Give it here.” Putting the nano-healer away, he took a fabricator from his other pocket and fixed her shirt.

  “Wow.” She gaped at him. “How does it work?”

  “With nanotechnology. It’s called a fabricator.”

  The information was confidential, but it didn’t matter that she knew, not any longer.

  “Do you just happen to wander around with nano-healers and fabricators in your pockets?”

  He helped her into the shirt. “In my line of work, I always need a nano-healer.” He started buttoning it up. “I brought the fabricator to create a transport pod for later.”

  “That little thing can make a pod? What else can you make with it?”

  “Nothing too technical. It’s not advanced enough to make a ship.”

  “How did you get here?”

  “By pod, but I had to disintegrate it as I couldn’t simply park it on the town square. It would’ve attracted unwanted attention.”

  “You can make and take things apart with that little device.”

  “I wouldn’t advertise that too broadly. It’s information we still keep confidential.” Although, he guessed it wouldn’t be long before knowledge of the existence of the technology would leak out.

  “Does every K have one?”

  “No, only the ones who need it for work or th
e wealthier ones who can afford it.”

  “What exactly is your designation? I know you’re a fighter, like a soldier, but the Ks don’t have an army.”

  He smoothed his palms over her shoulders, adjusting the shirt. “I’m a guardian.”

  “What do guardians do, except take out Resistance cells?”

  “We maintain law and order.”

  “Are you based at Lenkarda?”

  “I’m based wherever I’m needed.”

  “I see.” She fiddled with the shirtsleeves. “I better go. Thanks for repairing my shirt.”

  His hands tightened on her shoulders. “You don’t have to go back to the cabin. I can arrange for you to stay in town while I execute the attack. You can tell your brothers you’re going to visit Anita.”

  “No,” she said quickly. “They’ll know something is up if I suddenly want to leave. Besides, I don’t want to implicate Anita. If my brothers find out she helped me–”

  “It won’t matter. We’re erasing that part of their memories, remember?”

  A shadow crossed her face. “How could I forget?”

  “Stop blaming yourself for doing the right thing.”

  She stared up at him, her eyes pleading. “I can’t bear for anything to happen to them.”

  “Trust me. I’m their only chance to make it out of this alive.”

  Her voice was a whisper. “You’re risking your life, aren’t you? You’re going up against a hundred men or more…”

  “I’m not a mere man.”

  “No, but still. They have weapons.”

  “I’ve done this before.”

  “From what Anita told me, you were very lucky.”

  Crossing his arms, he grinned. “That’s kind of an insult, insinuating I took down armies only because I got lucky.” He cocked an eyebrow. “Every time?”

  “Fine, you’re a good guardian, and you’re a K, but you can die.”

  “Indeed, which is why nothing of my plan can fall on the wrong ears.”

  “When are you coming for us?”

  “Next week, Friday.”

  “Next week?” she exclaimed.

  “The sooner the better. Is that a problem?”

  “I just thought…” She worked her bottom lip between her teeth. “I just thought we’d have a bit more time.”

  “Delaying it isn’t going to make it easier.”

  “I know.”

  “Hey.” He touched her shoulder. “It’s going to be all right. I’ll get you and your brothers out. Do you trust me?”

  For another moment longer, her shoulders remained tense, but then her body slackened. “Yes, I trust you.”

  “Good.” He dropped his hand to feel the outline of the computer drive in his pocket. “Is this all the information?”

  “Everything,” she agreed with a nod.

  “Including the location of the Resistance cell?”

  “Here as well as internationally. If you come for them here, the others around the globe will know. You can’t be everywhere at the same time.”

  “No, but with the proof you’re giving us, they’ll be removed from their positions and taken into custody. We’ll keep it quiet until my attack, so your leader doesn’t become suspicious. We can’t let him know someone is leaking information.”

  “They’ll be charged with treason.”

  “Each as he or she deserves. We’re not on a witch-hunt, Liv. It’s my job to wipe out movements that pose a threat to our conjoined safety. It’s not my job to roll the people who threaten us in cotton wool and make sure they suffer no inconvenience in jail. I pull out the trouble by the roots. What happens after is the ambassador’s job. I’m not here to offer peace negotiations. You knew that when you reached out to me.”

  “It’s just… I feel responsible.”

  “They’ll thank you later for their lives.”

  A deep sigh escaped her lips.

  “Be ready,” he said. “Don’t do anything, such as packing a bag, that’ll make your team suspicious. Go about your day as usual. I’ll take care of the rest.”

  Her delicate throat moved as she swallowed. “At what time will you attack?”

  “When is their guard down the most?”

  “At lunchtime. We’re short of staff, so there’ll be only two men watching the borders. They always rotate positions randomly, so I can’t tell you where they’ll be.”

  “Got it. Be ready at lunchtime, then. Where are you normally at that time?”

  “I’m helping to serve the food.”

  “Will your brothers be with you?”

  “Yes, and Hans, the leader. They take turns at the medicine depot at that hour.”

  “Armed?”

  “No, but some of the other men will be.”

  “What’s the afternoon routine?”

  “After lunch, there’s training. Dinner is at six. The men usually hit the sack around eight.”

  “Make sure you keep your brothers at the depot, and all will be well. You can’t share this with anyone, not even the people you love and think you trust. Do you understand?”

  She gave a nervous nod. “I do.”

  “We’ve taken too much time, already,” he said with regret, not ready to leave her. “I’ll walk you back.”

  “No. It’s safer if you don’t. I’ll be fine.”

  Unable to resist a last touch, he gripped her fingers. “I’ll see you soon.”

  She straightened her back, looking brave and vulnerable at the same time. “I’ll be ready.”

  “Go.”

  Giving her permission to return to the miserable shack in which she lived went against everything inside him, but he didn’t have a choice. She was right. It would raise an alarm if she disappeared or left. Anyway, he’d be following in her tracks, ensuring nothing happened to her on the way.

  A few steps away, she glanced back at him from over her shoulder. “Thank you, Zavir, for saving us.”

  He couldn’t even reply to that. He deserved none of her thanks. He only hoped she’d eventually forgive him.

  Chapter Five

  The K had followed her home again. Liv wasn’t stupid. He’d been quiet, but the jungle had been quieter, telling her even the hairy insects and giant bats were aware of the alien’s imposing presence. Despite his cocky attitude and scary roughness, it was a sweet gesture, and what had sold her on trusting him. He didn’t have to do it. It was gentlemanly behavior and in direct contrast with what they’d done against the tree. Her cheeks flamed in shame. What had she done? What had come over her?

  The ache between her legs reminded her exactly of what she’d done. It was nearly impossible to resist the obnoxious K, and she didn’t even like him that much. Maybe just a little, when he wasn’t sarcastic and rude. When he brought her food that tasted like fried chicken and saw her home safely, it was hard to remember he was a jerk. A jerk who’d had his erection buried in her so deep she still felt it in her womb.

  Covering her face with her hands, she took a deep breath. She couldn’t let the men see her in this state. They’d immediately know something had happened. She just had to pretend sex with the alien never occurred. She scoffed at herself. Yeah, right. Like the throbbing in her neck didn’t return every time she got aroused, which was every time she thought about Zavir.

  Stop it, Liv.

  The cabin was already in sight. Taking a few drags of the humid night air, she squared her shoulders and opened the door as quietly as she could. She’d oiled the hinges that morning, so it didn’t make a squeak as she closed it behind her. Letting out the breath she was holding, she leaned against the door to find her balance. The men had to be sleeping, because the cabin was quiet. She longed for a shower to wash away the remains of sex and soothe the sting between her legs, but there was only the outdoor shower, which made too much noise. She didn’t want to risk waking up someone. The bucket of water, washcloth, and bar of soap in her room would have to do.

  About to slip to her room, a creaking floorboard drew
her attention. A shadow appearing in the doorway that led to the hall made her jump. Karl’s features became visible in the moonlight that filtered through the window.

  She pressed a palm on her chest. “Oh, my God, Karl. You gave me a fright.”

  “Get your jacket,” he said grimly. “We have to go.”

  Her heart slammed between her ribs. “Where?”

  “The camp. I’ll bring the Jeep around.”

  “The camp? Now? Why? What happened?”

  “We’ll explain when we’re there,” he said, already on his way to the door.

  “Where are Hans and Erik?”

  “They’re already there.”

  His figure disappeared through the doorway. He didn’t turn to see if she was following but made straight for the camouflaged awning where they kept the Jeep. Something momentous had to have happened. Maybe there was an attack somewhere, or one of their presidential supporters had pulled out.

  Not bothering with a jacket, she locked the door and rushed after him. She was barely seated before he took off with screeching tires. The road was bumpy, and he drove too fast. She had to hold on with both hands to not bump her head on the roof of the vehicle. With the open windows, it was too noisy to interrogate him further. She waited until they parked in a cloud of dust in front of the compound they called the camp. To the left was the bunker where the ninety-something men slept. The open area in the center served as kitchen and dining space. It had long, makeshift tables and a shade awning to protect them from the sun and rain. The jungle was dense enough to hide them from an aerial view. The wooden building on the right, where they held meetings and trained, was a distance away from the others. That was the direction in which Karl headed. Marching out in front of her, he threw open the door and stood aside for her to enter. Expecting to see ten or more of the most senior men at the camp, she stopped in surprise when there were only Hans, Erik, two Resistance fighters who stood a distance aside, and a third man who had his back turned to her. From the dirty vest and torn jeans, she knew he wasn’t with the Resistance. Hans was a military man to his bones. He demanded nothing but the cleanest of uniforms ironed to the last crease.

  What was going on? She was about to ask when the visitor turned his head to look at her from over his shoulder. Her heart stopped beating. The blood iced over in her veins. It was the oily haired man from the bar.