But everything about what I was feeling for Brone was different. It was as if the Tank Class had slipped past all my defenses and awoken all my dormant hopes and dreams with one flash of his smile.
Brilliant and blinding, I was sure I could never go back to the dull world I had known before.
My pulse skyrocketed, and I willed my body to calm down. I shoved another forkful of eggs into my mouth and, chewing slowly, I contemplated this newfound awareness.
The warmth of Brone’s frame seeped into my side. Every point of contact registered in my brain, goosebumps breaking out across my skin.
Ion frowned at me. “You okay?” His nostrils twitched and I dropped the fork.
A gray hand cupped my cheek. Turning my head, Brone peered at me. “What is the matter?” I watched in horror as his nostrils twitched.
“Fine.” The word came out breathless. I cleared my throat. “I’m fine.” I tugged out of his hold and set the tray of food on his lap. “Care to finish this for me? I really need a shower.” Scooting off the bed, I flashed Ion a grateful smile. “Thanks again for breakfast.”
“You’re welcome.” He turned to Brone. “Bring the tray out when you are done.” He walked to the door, tossing me a quick glance over his shoulder before exiting.
Well, that proved I could never quit my day job and become an actress. Ion had spent the past two weeks with me, and the look he gave me told me he knew I wasn’t fine. Thank goodness he had decided not to press the issue.
Brone, on the other hand, cocked his head and stared at me like I had become a puzzle he needed to solve.
It was…hot.The scientist in me shivered as my body practically screamed out‘Solve me!’I was in trouble. Big. Big. Trouble. I stumbled towards the bathroom, resisting the urge to fan myself. Badass Brone was intimidating, sweet Brone made me want to hand him my heart, and curious, logical minded Brone made me want to fling my panties at his quizzical face.
What the hell was wrong with me?I fled to the safety of the bathroom, slamming the door behind me. Gripping the edge of the sink, I stared at myself in the mirror. The dark circles under my eyes were a bit lighter, the dullness in my eyes replaced by dilated pupils, the black nearly eating up the green.
I pushed the hair out of my face, letting out a breath. Where was this sudden rush of desire coming from? I had never been the girl to throw caution to the wind, or to give in to my emotions and see what happened.
I needed facts. Figures. Data charts and tablets filled with research. Staring at my reflection, I almost don’t recognize myself. The girl looking back at me wanted to explore Brone and this new feeling without the need to fixate on if I should or all the ways I could mess it up.
Aren’t you a scientist first, Nara?The only way to truly learn something was bydoing.Experimenting to discover the outcomes and verifying the results.
“Nara? Are you sure you are okay?” Brone’s deep voice filtered into the small bathroom from the other side of the door. The worry in his voice tugged at my heat.
Opening the door revealed a distraught looking Tank Class. He gazed down at me, his frame tense as he waited for me to answer.
“I’m okay. I promise.” I smiled and he relaxed, the lines easing from around his mouth. “I am not used to feeling this way about anyone and…” I hesitated. I wanted to put it all on the line. To tell him how sexy I found him. My fingers itched to reach out and touch him, to map all the gray skin he hid under his clothes.
I knew he’d be big. Part of me suspected he worried about his size the same wayIworried about how I felt uncomfortable with my height, freckles, and hair. All those things made me stand out when, growing up, all I wanted to do was fit in.
Being the largest model cyborg, had he ever felt the same? Brone would always stand out. Even among the cyborgs he never blended in.
“I like you. Really like you.” My heart picked up speed inside my chest, my pulse racing. “And I don’t think I have told you how incredible I find you.” I moved closer, my feet eating up the few inches between us. Standing on my tiptoes, I flung my arms around his neck, tugging his face down to mine. I pressed my forehead against his, breathing him in. Those cracks around my heart had already become craters after last night, but in this moment, they shattered.
He smelled of wood smoke with a hint of something sweet. Closing my eyes, I drew in another breath, letting the feel and scent of him calm my racing heart. “I pushed you away, Brone. At first it was because your attention intimidated me, then I worried my secrets would make you hate me.”
He released a low growl. Okay, so he really disliked the fact I thought he might hate me. That knowledge emboldened me as I pressed my mouth to his, stealing the growl from lips and turning it into a groan as I swiped my tongue over his bottom lip.
He opened to me as if I had given him a command. My tongue slipped inside to tangle with his. My new found boldness allowed me to relax, and I selfishly gave in to my need to explore every inch of his mouth, catching a hint of smoke and metal on his tongue.
The combination should not have had me moaning, but it did. The unique flavor was utterly delicious.
His hand slid into my hair as he took over control. Brone dominated the kiss with tender, sweet sweeps of his tongue against mine before pulling back to gently nip at my lower lip.
Not willing to be done kissing him but needing to catch my breath, I peppered kisses along his jawline and down his neck. His skin was hot beneath my lips, the smell and taste of him making me dizzy.Wait, does he taste like a hint of chocolate, too? Lick him and find out,my brain whispered.For science,it added.
A quick flick of my tongue against his neck and the complex flavor that was Brone exploded in my mouth. Wood smoke, metal, and…chocolate.I blinked.It couldn’t be.What the heck?Do all cyborgs taste the same?The scientist in me lit up at the thought.
Not that I planned to run around and lick random cyborgs. But mine had plenty of surface area to test the theory. “I want to see you. All of you.” As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I knew they were true.
Brone froze.