For two years, Ares Gallo has been ransacking the galaxy for the woman who meant everything to him. They trained together, killed together, loved together, but now, Anicka Dekker doesn't even know who he is. All she knows every time she meets the enigmatic, scarred stranger is that a part of her trusts him. An even larger part desires him. In any and every way she can have him. Ares wants his wife back. Despite the scars that have changed his appearance and the chronic pain that destroyed his career, he follows Anicka from planet to planet, finding her in seedy bars, stately palaces, and everywhere in between. Every time they have a few moments of pure bliss, his hope blooms that this time…things will be different. Then, STRIKE, the organization that wanted them dead, tears them apart, erasing Anicka's memories, and Ares has to start all over again. But even if she can't remember him, he's certain she'll recognize their bond. Sooner or later.

Across the Universe

“Anything specifically you want me to get for you?” she asked when she emerged.


“No. I’m fine with anything you like. Just make sure you hurry back.”


“That’s the plan.” On a whim, she crossed the room and leaned down, sealing her mouth over his. It was only meant to be a quick kiss, but at the very first contact, he opened to her, his hand coming to the back of her neck to hold her in place. Anicka moaned at the softer swipe of his tongue over hers, a slow search that was nothing like the assault on her body from before. She imagined it was like the caress along her birthmark, and wondered what kind of man could contain such divergent impulses within the same body.


She finally pulled back, panting lightly. “You make it very hard to go, you know.”


“Maybe that’s part of my plan. Make it so you never want to leave.”


An alluring idea, to say the least. Too bad she couldn’t seriously consider it.


Chapter 8