Born of Ice

Devyn didn’t hear the question at first. He was too busy noticing the way her pantsuit plunged down between her breasts. Not indecently, but just enough to be enticing. For days now, images of her had haunted him. Not because she was doing anything to attract him. Far from it. Even though they’d made love until he was . . .

Well, he still wasn’t sated, but she was completely skittish around him. Yet he couldn’t keep his eyes from going to her every time she looked away.

There was something about her that compelled him. She was a beguiling combination of tough innocence. And all he wanted to do was bury his face in the curve of her neck and breathe her in.

To have her lean against him while he ran his hands over her body and made her purr . . .

She glanced about nervously. “Um . . . where are we eating?”

He blinked and forced his thoughts to stay on their conversation and not on having sex with her. “The Runner’s Den.”

Alix shook her head. Now she understood his lack of secrecy. No doubt everyone in that establishment was a criminal. It was one place his crew wouldn’t stand out.

“Why doesn’t that surprise me?”

Devyn didn’t comment. Instead, he extended his arm to her. “Shall we? I’m hungry enough to eat Sway’s foul-smelling boots.”

Against her will, her heart pounded in response to his gesture. Before she could stop herself, she tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow where she could feel his muscles flex. She swallowed at the contact, her body warming.

Oblivious to the effect he had on her, Devyn led her out of the ship and into the landing bay, where Sway and Vik stood at one end talking to a group of men.

The men she didn’t know tensed visibly when they saw Devyn approach. It was obvious they were on their best behavior—as if they were terrified of him. Unlike Vik and Sway, who never seemed to take him too seriously.

Devyn headed toward them. The fact that he didn’t release her arm surprised her. No one had ever publicly claimed her before.

He paused and introduced her to the group of runners who were just leaving. Then he turned to Sway. “Is Taryn here?”

“Beat us here by about half an hour.”

“That figures. Competitive little bastard.” Devyn inclined his head toward the exit. “Let’s go find him and take care of business.”

They’d barely taken three steps when a deep voice rang out. “Dad!”

Alix started to ignore it until she saw the look on Devyn’s face. A wide grin broke before he opened his arms and someone almost equal to his height ran into them.

Devyn laughed as they embraced, and a huge dog came running up to bark and circle them.

Sway gestured at the two of them and mouthed the word Omari to her.

She shook her head and laughed. “I figured as much.”

The dog ran at her and looked up, then barked. He had one black ear and the black covered his eyes like a mask, leaving the rest of his coat snow white. He also had a pair of golden eyes that seemed to glow.

She patted his head as she studied Omari. In his late teens, he was absolutely gorgeous with dark brown skin and a riot of curls that hung in perfect chaos to his strong jawline.

Dressed in a long dark green coat that was embellished with heavy embroidery, he had the sleeves shoved back to his elbows. Even so, his right hand was covered with a thick black glove that went all the way up to meet the pushed-back sleeve. His weapons seemed to be knives and daggers that were strapped to various parts of his body.

Definitely not what she’d expected as Devyn’s son. Aside from the obvious, there wasn’t that big a gap in their ages.

Devyn clapped him on the back and released him. “It’s so good to see you, kid. I’ve missed you.”

Omari wiped at his nose. “Yeah, I know. I missed you, too, but I learned a lot of cool things.”

Sway snorted. “Such as new ways to annoy me, I’m sure.”

Omari let out an evil laugh. “You know it.” He sobered as he saw Alix petting his dog. “You must be the new engineer.” He held his hand out to her.

“I’m Alix.” She hesitated as she touched his gloved hand. It was a lot harder than she’d expected. Stronger.

Omari blushed before he retreated. “Sorry if I accidentally hurt you. I’ve got a cybernetic arm and leg. Sometimes it’s hard to tell how much pressure I’m applying on something.”

“You didn’t hurt me at all.”

The dog ran back to Omari. “This is Manashe. Manny, say hi to the nice lady.”

The dog barked, then held up one paw.

Impressed, she shook the dog’s “hand.” “Nice meeting you, Manashe.” He jumped up and licked her cheek.

As she stroked his ears, she looked back and forth between Devyn and Omari, trying to see any resemblance. While they were both extremely handsome, they really had nothing in common.

Omari rubbed his neck as if uncomfortable by her attention. “I’m adopted.”