“Than..thank you,” Axios stammered, his cheeks turning a darker shade of blue. “I’m glad you find me attractive.”
Dax let out a low growl. “Mine,” he snarled as he stormed forward, his hands catching the female around her waist and dragging her back to him.
My mouth dropped open. My sweet Dax had never snarled in his whole life. Well, up until this moment he hadn’t. I stared at a version of my son I didn’t recognize. “Dax, you were only gone for a day.” I turned my attention on the female named Poe, narrowing my eyes as I frowned. “Tell me young lady, just what did you do to my Dax?”
Chapter Eighteen
*Poe*
Shitsnacks. I was in trouble. Dr. Shaw was going to have me for breakfast. Lunch? Dinner? Honestly, I didn’t know what time it was. Reaper had given me an hour to gather the things I wanted to take with me and send a message to the owner of the cabin. I had thanked him and let him know that after my month was up, I would not be renewing our agreement.
I had never packed so fast in my whole life. Dax had tried to help but he had been mostly concerned about grabbing every can of whipped cream in my stash and making sure we didn’t leave any of it behind. Reaper and Viper had both raised an eyebrow at the cans of whipped cream Dax had been stuffing into one of the bags, but wisely they had kept their mouths shut.
Both of them had also been on edge wanting to go `as soon as possible. I couldn’t fault them for that. Every second away from headquarters was a second they were exposed to the threat of being discovered by the Global Allegiance.
As quick as I could, I had gathered every file and bit of research I had brought with me, shoving it in a bag along with clothes and my untraceable communications tablet. I had Oz’s skill with technology to that thank for that little upgrade. I felt bad I wouldn’t be able to tell her thank you and let her know I was okay for a while, but I figured once I had proved myself to the cyborg rebellion, they would allow me to reach out to her. I hoped it happened sooner rather than later because Oz had the habit of taking matters into her own hands if she felt the situation required it.
I had often wished when I was growing up that I had been more like Oz. Tough, smart, and brave, she never backed down when things got rough. Oz wouldn’t let Dr. Shaw have her for breakfast.Be like Oz. Don’t let her intimidate you. You can do this.
I pinned her with my gaze. “I did nothing to Dax,” I stated confidently. Oh, there was plenty I wanted to do, but not with his mom in the room. I patted the arm wrapped around my middle. “You can relax, gorgeous. You’re the only cyborg for me. I might be fascinated by the others, but a Science Model is the only model that I waited my whole life to meet.” Tension left his frame as he relaxed against me.
I twisted in his grasp.“You really think another cyborg could catch my eye?”
He lowered his gaze. “No. Maybe. I don’t know. Back at the cabin you only had me, but now you have other options.”
I brushed my fingers over his cheek and he raised his eyes to examine my face. “The only option I see isyou. Being here doesn’t change that.”
He cheeks flushed darker. It happened whenever I complimented him. Had no one around here ever given Dax compliments? He almost seemed starved for them. No more. I was here now and I planned to shower him in them until his ego was bigger than a Military Model’s.
He made a move to capture my lips but stopped when Dr. Shaw cleared her throat.
“Dax, maybe you and Poe would like to find some quarters to call your own? I’m sure the both of you could use a bit of a break after all the excitement you experienced today. There is going to be a lot of questions for you to answer Dax, but we won’t worry about that today. We have lots of time now that you are back home.”
I wiggled myself out of Dax’s arms to stand beside him, taking his hand. Had I really been about to make out with Dax in front of his mom?Get it together, Poe. No playing kissy face when the creator of your cyborg is standing a foot away.
Dr. Shaw’s eyes took in the sight of our entwined hands and a smile graced her lips. “From what I can see it appears my son has indeed found what he has been searching for. I don’t know you yet Poe, but after hearing what you told my Dax I know that I would like to. Please forgive me for my irritation, I am a bit overprotective when it comes to Dax.”
I gripped Dax’s hand tighter, happiness exploding within my chest. Dr. Shaw wanted to get to know me. That was a definite win in my book. She also seemed to not mind the fact that I was attached to Dax at the hip.
Team Dax and Poe for the win!
“I’m surprised all I got was irritation. I would understand if you were angry at me. Reaper was. Boy, can that Military Model scare the pants off somebody. You did good. He’s got ‘don’t screw with me’ stamped all over his impressive battle axe.”
Dr. Shaw laughed. “He does, doesn’t he? I find it amusing you don’t say that like it’s a bad thing. Not everyone can appreciate a Military Model.”