Born of Fire

She loved him. This man, this stranger, had infiltrated not only her heart, but her very soul. The more she learned of him, the more she cared. The more she wanted to soothe him . . .

Life had dealt him the worst possible hand and still he’d survived without losing his decency. She didn’t know how he’d managed to keep what so many others, including herself, had lost.

But then, he was one of a kind and that was what she loved most.

Not since childhood had she ever allowed herself to think of the future, to hope for someone to call her own. She’d given up all hope of ever loving someone outside her siblings. Of caring so much about them that she’d lay down her life to keep them safe.

Now she did.

She wanted Syn. She wanted to spend every single moment with him and him alone. There was no way to change his past, but she could make sure that he’d have no more lonely holidays. That his future included someone he could talk to, someone he could trust.

And that person would be her.

He deserves better than you. It was so true, but those better than her didn’t see the beauty that was his battered heart. They didn’t appreciate what a rarity he was.

Most of all, they couldn’t protect him from a world that was hostile and cold. But she could make sure no one hurt him anymore.

Ever.

You have an oath to uphold. He’s a wanted criminal. Even without Merjack’s and Zamir’s warrants, he was still under indictment from thirty-five other systems.

Being with him would cost her everything.

No, that wasn’t true. Not everything, because being without him would cost her her heart.

Doing something she’d never done before, she threw her common sense aside and kissed him. To hell with her oath of office. None of that mattered to her, anymore.

Only he did. And she would see to it that no one ever hurt him again.

Syn’s mind whirled at the unexpected contact. Her lips were as light as a feather as they tugged against his. Instinctively, he held her against him, pulling her closer until her breasts were pressed flat against him.

She tasted so good, felt even better. All he wanted was to spend the rest of his life holding her like this. But that could never be. Fate had conspired against him from the moment of his conception and, the way things were going, it wasn’t about to give him a break for anything.

Still, he had this one moment. This instant to call his own. How could he turn away?

He pulled back from her lips and stared into her passion-darkened eyes. Her hungry look took his breath away. There was no accusation there. No restraint.

It was open and inviting.

How could she want him after she’d learned so much about him? It was amazing. Never in his life had he made love to a woman who knew much of anything about him. And none of them had ever known his past, his true identity.

But Shahara did. She knew the horrors and the scars that had been left behind. It made him feel vulnerable and afraid.

She ran her hands over his bare skin. Chills spread down his back and arms as she gently rubbed the muscles of his chest.

With a wicked smile, she leaned forward and suckled the hollow of his throat.

Growling with pleasure, he tensed as his body erupted in flames. Gone were all thoughts of anything except the pure joy of her hot lips on his throat—of her hands soothing him.

Shahara felt a moment of shyness as he removed her top, but it vanished the moment he kissed her. His hands gave her pleasure everywhere they touched, her arms, her breasts, and the throbbing ache between her legs.

She pulled at his towel, needing to feel him inside her again. It fell in a puddle at their feet.

With her own insatiable hunger, she tugged at his lips with her teeth, wanting to devour him.

“I need you, Syn,” she whispered softly. She wanted to tell him that she loved him, but he wouldn’t accept that from her. He was too jaded to believe in something as easy and paltry as words. It was something she’d have to show to a man like him.

He sank to the floor with her before he removed the rest of her clothes. Shahara bit her lip, amazed that she still had no fear of him. Amazed that she welcomed his touch when she’d never been so easy with anyone else.

Syn soothed her. He silenced her doubts and her insecurities. With him, she was finally whole. She was the woman she’d always wanted to be. One who could be touched without fear. Most of all, she could rely on him. When everything was falling apart, when enemies had her cornered, he stood by her side to protect and help her.

Her eyes misting, she touched his newest wound on his shoulder. A wound he’d taken for her . . .

He was all she’d ever wanted, wrapped up in a package that should offend her to the core of her being.

But that was Syn. Ever full of surprises. Ever full of strength and integrity.

Most of all, loyalty.

Reaching up, she pulled his lips back to hers.

Syn trembled at the wave of emotions her simple kiss evoked. Gods, how he wanted to believe in her, but how could he? He’d been wounded so many times by those he trusted.