I cupped Reaper’s cheek, waiting for him to pull away but surprise filled me when he allowed it. “It’s not an excuse for what Dax has done and he will need to face the consequences. He needs to be brought home but don’t hunt him fueled only by anger. Try to remember all the things he has done for you. How tirelessly he worked to put you back together, how he gave you more time with Theo, how he gave you a lifetime with Aria.” My eyes filled with tears. “PleaseReaper, I’m asking you, no I’mbeggingyou, at least give him achance.”
Chapter Thirteen
*Poe*
Astream of sunlightpoured through the window, dragging me from sleep. I tried to roll over so I could snuggle under the covers to hide from the light, but something solid next to me stopped my body mid-roll.
Ugh. I don’t have the energy for this. All I want is was a few more minutes of sleep!I slapped my hand down on top of it, trying to figure out what it was. Something hard and warm met my palm.
Ohh, I must be dreaming and it’s my favorite one. It’s the one where Dax is next to me in bed and I have all the time in the world to explore. Forget the sunlight or snuggling, I have someone better to do.
I scooted my body closer as I sought the edge of his shirt so I could wiggle my hand underneath it. I traced the dips and swells with my fingertips, enjoying the sensation of his frame when a sharp gasp of breath had my eyes snapping open. Dax’s hazy face came into view. I wasn’t dreaming. Yesterday’s events came rushing back to me.
The escape.
The kiss.
Then held safely against his chest, Dax had carried me to the bedroom as if he held something precious within his arms. In those few blissful moments I forgot all the worry and fear, lost in the illusion of a future where the world wouldn’t tear us apart.
I knew that sneaking into the cyborg rebellion headquarters and kidnapping their Science Model wasn’t going to win me any friends within the rebellion. The cyborgs might have allowed me the chance to explain myself but now it would be shoot first, ask questions later. And bullets tended to destroy happily ever after.
More like a battle axe,my brain clarified.Don’t think about it. Whatever happens, Dax is worth it.I couldn’t change what was coming so I pushed aside the worries, what-ifs, and second guessing.
I gave Dax a soft smile. “Do you want me to stop?”
Even without my glasses I could make out the furious shake of his head. “Okay, but this would be better if I could see you.” I held out the hand that wasn’t currently plastered against his abs, “Glasses, please?” I didn’t want to miss a single thing.
Dax dropped the glasses into my waiting hand and I slipped them on. With my glasses Dax’s face came into focus and I sucked in a breath at the sight. His emerald eyes were blown wide, his cheeks had flushed to a sexy shade of dark green and I had barely touched him. “You enjoy me touching you?”
Dax shook his head enthusiastically. “Yes.”
That one word was all I needed. If he enjoyed my touch then I would touch as much of him as I could. I glanced down at his chest and noticed he was still wearing the clothes I had given him. That was going to seriously get in the way of my new mission. With a sudden streak of courage I said, “Touching you would be better with your shirt off.”
He wasted no time, his fingers ripping the shirt free from his frame to expose the very muscled green skin of his incredible chest.
The air rushed from my lungs in a whoosh, my fingers halting their exploration.I want to lick him. Every glorious exposed inch. This is only his chest, can you imagine the rest of him?My mind flashed back to the moment I had seen him in the bathroom and I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly dry.
Yes. Yes, I can imagine the rest of him.I ordered my wayward brain to focus. Less imagining, more touching. Dax tipped his head to the side catching my attention and drawing my eyes up to his face.
His face was a mix of worry and desire. “You stopped.”
I flashed him a shy smile. “Sorry, momentarily distracted by how gorgeous you are.”
“Gor..gorgeous?” The breathless way he stammered slid past the sexy Dax fog clouding up my brain and realization struck.