Chapter 5

Nothing wrong with the human's vocal cords, but her obedience needed work. No wonder her kind weren't valued in the universe. Prone to pessimism, shrillness, too many questions, and being all-around annoying.

Which meant he shouldn't have had a qualm about carving the cog out of her head. Yes, it would hurt and leave her disfigured, but what did he care of a measly human?

Apparently, he cared enough that he leaped from his seat, grabbed her screaming frame, slammed himself back into the chair, and buckled himself in, and used his arms to hold her tight, before the countdown finished.

Just in time. The ship launched, the force of it enough to smush him, and her into him.

Aggie traded screaming for chanting. "Ohmygod. Ohmygod."

She also clung to him, face buried in the crook of his neck, her hot panicked breath moist on his skin. Did this mean she thought him a god?

Mildly flattering. Then again, he could understand. With his greatness, he must seem so far above her.

The ship rattled as it hit the atmosphere, breaking through the barrier between this planet and space.

The pressure eased once they popped clear. It did nothing to relax the human. She shivered and moaned.

Unsure what to do, he patted her back. "Rejoice, human. You are not dead."

She raised her head to eye him. "I have a chunk of metal stuck in my face."

"Which we will have removed." No need to mention the disfigurement part yet.

"How? When?"

"As soon as we reach a planet with a proper medical facility." Again, a better answer than as soon as he found a sharp enough knife.

"Planet?" She said the word slowly before turning her head. Saw the vastness of space all around them. The dome, a material practically indestructible and clear, showcased the splendor.

Only she didn't gape in awe or thank him for dragging her from the dregs of her backwards world.

She popped up from his lap with a moan and paced, waving her hands frantically. "Oh no. This is happening. How can this be happening? Aliens don't exist. Cyborgs don't exist." She cast him a glance. Shook her head. "No. This isn't real. I must be dreaming. I have to wake up." She pinched herself. "Wakey, wakey, Aggie. You are in bed. Probably drunk because you had a few at the ball. Darn that Rebecca." She hyperventilated, not making any attempt to control her breathing.

"Are you suffering from space sickness already?" he asked, interrupting her monologue.

"Don't talk to me!" She whirled and shook a finger. "My dreams were perfectly normal until you appeared in them."

"You are not dreaming."

"Says you!"

He shoved himself out of the seat and stalked toward her, paying no mind to the fact she retreated until her back hit the dome. He bracketed her with his arms and leaned close. "You are awake. This is happening."

"No."

"Yes."

"Prove it!"

A defiant demand that could have had many replies, including a slap. Which was what he'd have to done to any one of his crew. But he was loath to raise his hand. He used his lips instead.

It worked once before, back on her planet. He'd silenced her with his mouth. Enjoyed it quite a bit, too.

The touch of his lips quieted her immediately. The soft plushness of hers inviting. The taste of her unique.

He cupped her face to draw her close and touched the cog in her cheek. A reminder of what he'd have to do.

It proved enough to draw him away, to do his best and ignore her closed eyes and soft expression.

"Does that feel like a dream?"

Her lashes fluttered, and she offered him a crooked smile. "Now it feels like a dirty one." She flung her arms around his neck and took him by surprise when she plastered her mouth once more to his.

The fierce passion of it. Raw. Hot. Drawing a response in him. Making him feel more organic than he'd felt in a long time.

It jolted him more than an electric prod in the buttock. He shoved away from her and glared. "This is real."

"So you keep saying. But it can't be. I mean look at this place." She twirled and held out her hands. "This is not a spaceship."

He glanced out the dome then back at her. "I can assure you this craft is capable of galactic travel."

"Everyone knows spaceships have to be fancier than this. Not to mention they have more parts. And fins. Pretty sure they have Jaws-like appendages." She held a hand to her head and hummed a strong tune.

"Protuberances are not recommended for space travel. The less friction, the better the energy consumption."

"You travel the galaxy and worry about your gas mileage?" For some reason, this caused her to snicker.

"You appear delusional. Perhaps you should indulge in some sleep."

"Sleep?" She snorted. "Already happening, buddy. I must have fallen asleep instead of going back downstairs. And then, because of all those panels today, I am having the dream of all dreams."

"I thought we'd clarified this was no hallucination."

"No, we clarified you are a great kisser. Which I guess means I'm a great kisser since I'm imagining it." She beamed.

"You cannot judge your own embrace." He couldn't help being a tad insulted that she thought herself better than him.

"Then you judge it. Kiss me again, my cyborg abductor."

A demand she made and yet she was the one to fling her arms around his neck. To smash her mouth against his. This time she pressed herself firmly against him, and the tip of her tongue teased the seam of his lips. She sought to muddy his thoughts. To distract him from his course.

He had to stop her. Stop the strange temptation she posed. But how, when she clung to him so passionately?

Before he could think twice, he adjusted his weapon arm and zapped her. Her eyes rolled back in her head, and she slumped.

Had he given her too much? Did she die?

A soft breath escaped her.

Not dead. So what should he do with her? His cock pulsed, a living thing in his pants that ignored all command to stand down.

It would be so easy to take care of it. It was her fault he found himself unwillingly aroused.

He eyed his bed. Then, before he could change his mind, he placed her on the mattress before getting down to business.