Page 13 of The Lone Cyborg
“I… I should see what that was,” she said, her voice unsteady.
She pulled away from him and hurried over to the window to peer out into the darkness, tugging her shirt down as she went.
He knew he should apologize for letting things get so out of hand, but the words stuck in his throat. How could he be sorry for something that felt so right? For something he had wanted for so long without even realizing it?
No, he couldn’t apologize. Not when every fiber of his being ached to pull her back into his arms and forget the world outside existed. Not when kissing her felt like finally coming home.
She turned back to face him, a shy smile playing at the corners of her mouth.
“I can’t see anything.”
“Probably just the wind.” His voice sounded hoarse and he cleared his throat. “Probably just dislodged a rock.”
She nodded then busied herself at the tiny stove, not quite meeting his gaze.
“I hope you’re hungry. Dinner will be ready soon.”
As she worked, he took the opportunity to look more closely at the shelter’s interior. He’d expected it to be as utilitarian as it appeared outside, designed for practicality above all else, but instead it was unexpectedly warm and welcoming.
The walls had been painted a pale shade of pink and filmy white curtains hung on either side of the large window. More curtains framed the bed alcove built into one wall and his cock jerked at the sight of the narrow bed, covered with a bright quilt and a ridiculous number of pillows. A large rug woven from brightly colored strips of cloth softened the floor and he could easily imagine her spending hours working on it. A collection of rocks lined one shelf, each one unique and clearly carefully chosen.
Everywhere he looked, he saw evidence of her presence, her personality. She had taken this cold, impersonal space and transformed it into something warm and inviting. Cozy. Safe.
Like a home.
The realization hit him with a profound sense of longing. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had a real home. Not just a place to rest his head, but somewhere to belong. Somewhere that felt like his.
“This needs to simmer for a few minutes,” she said, still not looking at him. “I’m just going to take a quick shower.”
He bit back a groan at the thought of her wet and naked, and managed a nod.
“I’ll keep an eye on dinner.”
“Thank you.”
She flashed him a quick smile and this time their eyes met briefly before she hurried into the attached bathroom.
He forced his attention to the bubbling pot on the stove and the tantalizing smell coming from it. Whatever she was making, it smelled incredible. He was stirring the stew when she returned, her brown curls damp and her skin scrubbed free of dust.
She was dressed simply, in loose-fitting pants and a matching tunic, but the outfit showed off her slender form and his mouth went dry at the sight of her.
“It smells good,” he said, his voice barely above a croak.
“I hope it tastes good.” She gave him another shy smile, then hesitated. “Would you like to take a shower as well? You have time.”
He nodded and grabbed a clean outfit from Trojan’s saddlebags before going to take his turn. The bathroom was still filled with steam, her sweet scent perfuming the air. He breathed deeply, his still rampant cock stirring as his imagination took over. He could almost picture her, stepping out of the shower, her small body wet and glistening…
Fuck.
Gritting his teeth, he stripped out of his dusty clothes and climbed into the shower. The water was just short of scalding, the way he usually liked it, but he changed the setting, replacing it with an icy blast, hoping it would cool his ardor. It did not. His cock refused to subside and he finally wrapped his hand around it, bracing his forearm on the shower wall as he stroked himself, hard and fast.
Thoughts of her filled his mind. The feel of her lips against his, the heat of her body as she’d melted against him, the surprisingly soft curves he’d touched so briefly. The need to claim her threatened to overwhelm him as he imagined her beneath him, smiling up at him as he sank into her sweet, tight little body…
The climax tore through his body, leaving him shuddering and breathless. He rested his head against the shower wall as theaftershocks wracked his body, his cock finally beginning to soften.
It’s my duty to protect her, not to ravish her, he reminded himself sternly as he dressed again. He would just have to keep his distance. Surely that would be easier now that he’d taken care of his physical needs.
But when he walked out of the bathroom and she looked up and smiled at him, arousal immediately flooded his body again and he knew that there was only one cure for his desire—a cure he could not indulge in.
