Fusion (Crimson Romance) by Candace Sams Page A

it about the proprietor of the Venus that wasn’t right, even as he’d been prompted by his superiors to trust her?
    Back at the cave he’d promised Lyra a quick, painless end. Whatever happened, he’d see it done before letting those savages get their hands on her. That was the least he could do for having taken away her last round, her only means of a quick, humane end.
    • • •
    He rolled up the sleeves of his tunic, leaving the front of it untied. The heated breeze was almost cloying now. At least his armor had been insulated for this environment. The dark pants and high boots were attractive, but they protected nothing.
    The wind lifted strands of his hair and thrust them into his face. He quickly tied the mass out of his way with a strip of cloth torn from other clothing. The boots he’d been given fit even if the rest of the clothing was skin tight.
    He turned when he heard Lyra approach. He opened his mouth to relay another command, but the utterance faded away. The creature now approaching didn’t resemble the battle-hardened warrior he’d trudged alongside. She’d neatly belted an oversized, light-colored shirt in such a way that it flowed over her curves in a very closefitting tunic style. She’d chosen to wear the dark male tights he’d thrown at her without any pants. The length of her legs overpowered the size of the shirt so that the effect was very enticing. She was hiding what was underneath, but not so much that any man with a beating heart wouldn’t take a second look. Even down to the oversized sandals she seemed perfectly attired, a woman to notice. With her body armor removed, she was trimmer than he’d imagined. The way she moved spoke of a tight, athletic, and graceful body.
    Once again, he found his body inappropriately responding. This time, the urge to touch her was almost impossible to deny. In fact, he lifted his hand to run it across her drying hair, and then quickly lowered it again. Her tresses looked as though they might be reddish brown in the hazy light. Strands now curled just under her chin, where she’d tucked it behind her ears. A soft fringe of bangs fell sweetly over her forehead. Without the excess dirt, she was as lovely as a Craetorian summer day. He’d have given ten years off his life to have known her before this horrible place. The scent of her fresh skin, so recently cleansed, was heady. It had been so very long since he’d been near anything so feminine. The idea of them becoming lovers now appealed in countless ways.
    They may not have long to live, but he’d have a lovely little Earth goddess near him when the Creator delivered his last breath. And oh, what a way to go! If only they’d met before the war. If only … if only …
    She gazed at him but whatever her response was, it was inscrutable. He curled his fingers into fists and forced himself to act professionally, not let any of his sudden ardor show.
    “Some blankets were in the trunk. I’ve picked out a protected spot to lie on. We need to get some rest,” he gruffly instructed.
    “Is that wise, sir? Shouldn’t one of us remain on watch?”
    “With what? Two volleys of laser fire?” He shook his head in denial. “No. We’ll hear the enemy approaching long before they get to this spot. The rock on all sides is too loose for them to sneak up … assuming they know we’re here. And all I’d need is a moment to fire on you.”
    “Thank you for remembering,” she softly said.
    He simply nodded. “It’s best to get some sleep. Aigean said she’d offer the Condorian guards some incentive to stay near the vessel and away from our locale. That should work since they’ll be watching for their own ground troops. All we do now is wait for her. If she can’t safely pick us up, she’ll try to get us more food and water. This was the same thing she’d have done for my men if they’d made it this far.”
    There were a few moments of silence as they each straightened their clothing and tried