Page 29 of Zinnia and the Zombie
Disappointment flickered in her eyes, but then she nodded, his practical little female reappearing.
“You’re right,” she agreed, though her body remained molded to his, her fingers still tangled in his hair.
Reluctantly, he eased her down, setting her feet gently on the floor. His hands lingered at her waist, unwilling to break contact completely.
“I didn’t intend…” he began, uncertain how to continue.
Her fingers pressed against his lips, silencing him. “Don’t apologize,” she said. “Not for that.”
“Never,” he agreed, turning his head to kiss her palm. “But the timing and location could have been better.”
A smile curved her lips. “Always the tactician.”
“In matters of your safety, always.” He stepped back slightly, allowing cooler air to flow between them. It helped clear his head, though the scent of her lingered, tempting him to forget his concerns and pull her back into his arms.
Instead he crossed back to the drone, crouching beside the shattered machine to examine it more closely. The distraction was welcome, giving his body time to cool and his mind space to regain control.
“Definitely a security unit,” he said, lifting one of the articulated legs. “Older model, though. The design is… familiar somehow.”
She knelt beside him, her shoulder brushing his as she peered at the machine. The casual contact sent a fresh wave of warmth through him, but he maintained his focus on the task at hand.
“You mean you recognize it?” she asked.
“Not precisely.” He frowned, turning the drone’s central processing unit in his hands. “But the configuration suggests standardized military technology. Many civilizations develop along similar technological pathways.”
“So not alien tech? I mean, not alien to you?”
“The specific implementation is unique to this world, but it follows patterns I recognize.” He set the processor down, wipinghis hands on his thighs. “More importantly, its activation suggests there may be a central control system still operating.”
“Which means there could be more of these things.”
“Yes.” He stood, offering her his hand. “But it also means we might find areas with functioning technology. Perhaps even communication equipment.”
She didn’t look as delighted as he expected, giving him a thoughtful look as she accepted his hand and rose to her feet. “You think we could call for help?”
“It’s a possibility.” He didn’t add that the chances were slim—that even if they found a communications array, the likelihood of anyone being within range or using compatible frequencies was negligible, but perhaps she understood because she only nodded.
He retained her hand in his as they moved cautiously through the corridor, his senses alert for any sign of additional security measures. Her fingers intertwined with his felt right in ways he couldn’t articulate, even to himself.
“We should find secure quarters first,” he said. “Establish a defensible position before exploring further.”
“Maybe something with a door that closes? And possibly locks?” There was a teasing lilt to her voice that made his skin warm again.
He glanced at her, finding a mixture of humor and heat in her expression. “That would be… tactically advantageous.”
Her laugh was soft and knowing. “Is that what we’re calling it now?”
Despite the potential dangers surrounding them, he felt his lips curve into a smile. “Among other things. Let’s try the next floor.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Zinnia couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so gloriously alive. Every nerve ending tingled, her body warm and aching in the most delicious way as she followed Jaxx back to the stairwell. His touch had awakened something in her, something she’d kept carefully locked away for so long she’d almost forgotten it existed.
They hurried up the stairs, his hand tight around hers. Each touch of their bodies, each quick glance, stoked the building tension between them. Even the drone attack seemed distant now, eclipsed by this new, overwhelming need.
When they reached the next landing, he stepped protectively in front of her. She followed him, unable to tear her eyes from the powerful lines of his body as he moved ahead of her. How had she ever mistaken him for a statue? He was life embodied, raw energy contained in physical form.
The landing opened onto a wide hallway lined with doors. Many of them were open, revealing a series of rooms in various states of disrepair. He moved systematically from one to the next, checking each space before allowing her to follow.
