his life. He’d mentioned a home world. That meant a planet that Earth wouldn’t know about, so it had to be far from the solar system she’d been born in. Otherwise Earth would have tried to colonize it. She made herself comfortable by dropping one of his pillows over her legs to keep them warm as she sat cross-legged on the bed. The plan of convincing Deviant to keep her for good played through her mind over and over. She liked it a lot. He could be an ass but she doubted it. They had time to get to know each other better. Don’t fall in love , she warned, afraid he might not return the feeling. That would be a bad scenario if she lost her heart to him, and he only saw her as a way to get some sexual experience. She wasn’t even certain he could fall in love. Did cyborgs feel those kinds of emotions? * * * * * Deviant stood in line with a tray. The crew had taken a break right before he’d entered the food services area and most of them seemed to be there. He linked with the onboard computer while he waited his turn, to leave a message for his father. “I’m in my quarters. I need to privately speak to you when you return. Hail me but don’t go there.” He cut the connection as the male in front of him walked away with his meal. He quickly filled one plate to capacity. The male behind him raised his eyebrows. “Hungry?” “It was too difficult to eat when I visited the station.” “The head coverings.” Maze nodded. “I can relate.” He spun away and left before anyone else could question him about the amount of food he’d taken. His father would smooth over the rules he’d broken by bringing Venice onboard the ship without permission. He knew it was procedure to contact the council first to get approval. She would have been located by the station owner before the council even answered, in that were the case. And more than likely, the council would have said no. Deviant wasn’t willing to take that chance. It was done now, Venice already aboard the cyborg shuttle, and he’d face whatever consequences were meted out to him as punishment. Venice had been a temptation he couldn’t resist. A real female had asked for his help, offered herself to him, and they’d made a verbal agreement that she’d belong to him. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity he refused to pass up. She was on the small side, her skin tone pale enough to appear striking against his own. His logic could have been impaired by his physical urges. His pride hated to admit it but it didn’t make it less true. His dick hardened just at the memory of her mouth wrapped around it. It had been the best feeling he’d ever experienced—right up until the moment she’d straddled his lap and he’d known how it felt to be inside a female. A new lesson had been learned. Males not only joined family units to be a thriving part of their social community, or to breed and have a child they could help raise. It was to gain regular access to a female’s body and the pleasures that came with it. He paused outside his door to conceal his smile. He had his own female, one that no other males could enjoy. He wouldn’t have to share Venice. She didn’t want other males. He accessed his room only after assuring the corridor was clear, to avoid her being seen. The door slid open with his access code. She sat on his bed with damp hair and a pillow over her lap. The smile she gave him only heightened the nice sensation at seeing her awaiting his arrival. He studied her expression closely, deciding the happiness was real. She was glad to see him. “I brought you food.” “I’m starving. Thank you.” The reality of their situation slammed into his mind. She was completely dependent upon him for everything. He had taken on a role he’d never considered before. She’d need clothing, food, and protection. Pride was an emotion he rarely experienced, but it flooded him as he sat on the bed next to her. She was truly his. “You