“How rude!” a female soldier tsked. “It’s a good thing he’s on the other side of the Nine Systems, otherwise, I’d have to hunt him down and hurt him.”
The man who stood beside Nykyrian let out an evil laugh. “Yes, but not rude on his part.” He held up his wrist computer. “I killed the feed. Five more seconds of looking at him and I’d have puked.” He turned his attention to Darling. “Remind me later that we really need to send you to anger management therapy.”
Darling widened his eyes innocently at the man as he pulled Zarya against him. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Rit. I’m all good.”
“Yeah, but we’re not,” another insanely tall man said. “We just got busted.”
One of the Tavali soldiers draped an arm around his shoulders. “We’re not busted, brother. Only the morons who showed their faces.” He passed a pointed stare to Nykyrian, Darling and Caillen.
Caillen shrugged. “What the hell? I never liked feeling safe, anyway. That’s for old women.”
The female who’d spoken came down the stairs, holding another man against her. Darling rushed toward them. “What happened?”
“He protected me and got shot.”
“I’ll be fine,” the man said with a grimace.
“Thought you weren’t psychic?” Darling asked.
“I’m not. But I know my body and right now, my head really hates you, Dar.” He winced in pain as he met Zarya’s gaze. “Don’t worry. You’re both fine.”
Bursting into tears, she rushed to hug him. “Thank you! I’ve been so scared.”
Ture frowned at her reaction.
The man patted her on the back then stepped away. “Darling? You really should show her those papers you found.”
Darling sighed. “I hate it when you do that, Nero.”
“I know. Now I need to lie down.”
Ture felt the same way.
The tallest soldier among them went to take the man from the woman’s grasp. “Let’s all get out of here before reinforcements come. Kyr may be on the other side of the universe, but not all of his army is with him.”
Maris nodded before he picked Ture up and carried him out of the prison and into their waiting transport.
Just outside the door, Maris turned toward another soldier who was walking past. “Hey, Drake? Can you tow my ship out of here for me?”
Drake, who was completely covered by his battlesuit, launched himself up the ramp to stand beside them. “Are you hurt too badly to fly?” There was no missing the concern in his tone as he scanned Maris’s body and touched several of the injuries to inspect them. For some reason, Ture felt a vicious stab of jealousy. Drake must be Maris’s boyfriend.
“I’m fine, baby. I just have someone more important to take care of.”
“Okay.” Drake patted Maris on the shoulder. “Let me know if you need anything else.”
Ture stared at the hand that lingered on Maris’s body. And he wondered if Drake knew how lucky he was to have someone like Maris in his life.
All Ture had ever found were selfish dickheads who never hesitated to verbally stab him.
As Drake left, Maris carried Ture into the ship, to a small room where he could lay him down on a small bed in the infirmary. He moved to get a blanket.
“I hope I didn’t get you in trouble with your boyfriend.”
Maris froze as he tucked the blanket around his body. “Huh?”
“Drake...outside. I hope he’s not the jealous type.”
He burst out laughing. “Trust me, Drake is not my boyfriend. I’d have to murder myself if he were. He’s more like a kid brother I’ve known for most of his irritating life.” Stepping back from the bed, Maris hit the release for his helmet then pulled it off.
For a full minute, Ture couldn’t breathe as the full impact of Maris’s looks overwhelmed him. His face finely boned and well chiseled, Maris was male beauty personified. Deep, dark eyes held him captive as they betrayed the depth of Maris’s intelligence and zest for life. The sweat from battle had left his short dark hair plastered to his head, but it didn’t detract from his handsomeness at all. Rather, it made him even more appealing, more masculine. Yet it was those plump full lips that made Ture’s throat go dry. Lips he wanted to taste so badly that for a moment, it drove away all thoughts of pain.
Damn...
He should have let Zarya introduce him to Maris a long time ago. What had been his problem?
Obviously it was something called stupidity.
Maris hesitated as a fierce wave of nervousness tackled him to the ground. I should have left my helmet on. Because right now, for reasons he couldn’t fathom, he felt naked and exposed.
Vulnerable.
And he had no idea why.
Worse, he was sure he looked like crap, and he was lucky Ture wasn’t cringing in distaste of his sweating grotesqueness. Please don’t let me smell as bad as I fear I do... Though it would serve him right given how many times he’d mocked Darling for his stench whenever his friend had returned from missions.
Suddenly self-conscious, he ran his gloved hand over his hair, hoping to smooth it down and not make it stand up worse.