Embrace the Romance

by S. E. Smith

  “Guy!” Solia gasped. “How did you get here? Are you all right? I’m so sorry! I’m sorry!”

  “I’m fine. No harm done.” His prosthetic limb had absorbed the blow without serious injury. The same wouldn’t have been true of his head. Fortunately, cyber-reflexes had thrown up the hand not gripping the photon blaster, or the weapon might have discharged. Solia had a heck of a swing. “Come on! Let’s get out before they notice the ship has been disabled.” He pulled the seat from her hands. It clattered as it hit the floor.

  She touched her throat. “They took my necklace. How did you find me?”

  “Mittzi.” He grabbed the kitten. “She has a subdermal ID tracking chip. The signal was weak, but I was able to pick it up. With my wireless implant, I hacked into Cyber-4’s computer, slowed the ship, opened the emergency bay doors, and docked a shuttle pod.”

  “You got in without their noticing? Aren’t there warning indicators?”

  “I disabled those as well and reprogrammed the computer to display a normal gauge reading. But I couldn’t disguise the sound of the engine slowing.”

  “I noticed that! I thought it was my imagination.”

  “That’s why we need to hustle. If one of them catches on, they’ll investigate.” He passed her the kitten. “Hang onto Mittzi.” He gripped the blaster in his right hand, cupped her elbow with his left, and ushered her out of the brig.

  “Stay close behind me,” he advised. “If we get involved in a firefight, drop to the ground and stay low. If anything happens to me, run for the escape pod launch bay. It’s portside aft. I programmed the pod to respond to your voice commands. It will take you to my shuttle.”

  He wished he’d brought a weapon for her in case something happened to him. His scan of Cyber-4 had identified six men on board. One, possibly two, would be on the bridge—the others could be anywhere.

  With Solia following, he scooted down the passage.

  Guy checked the corridor. “It’s clear. You first,” he whispered and motioned for her to go around him. The emergency pod launch was located at the terminus of the portside corridor, which contained several staterooms and the galley. Someone could be inside any of those cabins. He wanted his body between them and Solia.

  She squeezed by. Mittzi meowed.

  Whoosh.

  A door behind him opened.

  Guy whipped around, raising his weapon. An armed man emerged, spotted him, and slapped his comm link. “Intruders!” he shouted as he aimed. Guy fired at the same time the man discharged his weapon, the blast singeing Guy’s ear before it hit the wall, showering the passage with sparks. The man fell over dead with a smoking hole in his chest.

  “Go! Go! Go!” Guy sprinted around the corner. “They’re coming!” The man’s communication to his co-conspirators had gone through—cyberhearing detected several men approaching. He herded Solia toward the bay. Activating his wireless, he accessed Cyber-4’s computer.

  He sealed the entry and then jammed the bridge’s controls to prevent the traffickers from opening the large external panel and sucking them into the space or locking them inside the launch bay. Solia scrambled into the pod with Mittzi, and Guy followed. While she buckled in, he transmitted an electronic signal. As the panels to space opened, he fired up the pod. Thrusters ignited, and they shot into the black.

  Solia’s eyes were wide. “We made it!”

  “We made it!” He squeezed her hand.

  She peered through the viewing window. “I don’t see your shuttle.”

  “It’s cloaked,” he said. Cyber-4 had been cloaked, too, until he’d hacked in and lowered the shields.

  “What will happen to Quasar?”

  “A Cyber Operations fighter is on the way. Quasar will be given an opportunity to surrender or Cy-Ops will destroy the ship.” Though the Cyber-4 was low-level in terms of technology, the equipment and tech it did have couldn’t be allowed to fall into enemy hands. Via wireless, he messaged the arriving fighter Solia was off the ship.

  The computer guided the pod to his shuttle and docked it. After the bay sealed and pressurized, Guy helped Solia out and led her to the bridge.

  “What happens now?” she asked.

  “Now, we scram.” If Cy-Ops blew up Cyber-4, they needed to be out of range.

  “Would it be okay if I cleaned up?” Solia asked.

  “That’s a good idea,” he said. “I mean, not that you need to, but—” He was botching this. Hair mussed, feathers ruffled, clothing wrinkled, she’d never looked more appealing to him. He had her back safe and sound.

  “I understand.” She smiled and laid a hand on his arm. Her simple touch ricocheted through his body. How could he have considered walking away from her? How badly had he screwed things up? They needed to talk, but first things first.

  “You can use the captain’s stateroom,” he said. “It’s starboard, midship. I’ll come find you when I’m done here?”

  She nodded and left the bridge.

  Guy opened up the throttle. When he’d put enough distance between them and the action, he set a course for Cy-Ops headquarters, reduced to cruise speed, and switched to computer-pilot.

  He pinged Carter. We’re headed to HQ.

  She still wants to work for Cy-Ops, then?

  Haven’t asked her yet, but we’re headed that way. They could always change course if she wanted to return to Faria.

  I received notification the hijackers have surrendered. They’ll be interrogated. We might get some good intel. With Solia’s assistance, we stand to make some headway toward resolving the Katnia problem. However, after what happened, she may decide she doesn’t want to work for Cy-Ops.

  She might. I’m not going to push her. It has to be her decision. Roarke out.

  Guy spun around in his chair and rubbed his forearm where Solia had struck him with the toilet seat. He grinned. His little Faria had a lot of fight in her.

  But she wasn’t his. Not yet. He’d rejected her; would she give him another chance?

  He pushed off from his chair.

  Outside the captain’s stateroom—his cabin—Guy halted, stomach in knots. Please let me make it right. He knocked.

  The door opened, and Solia stood there. She’d bathed and smoothed her hair and feathers, and had donned his robe—backward, to accommodate her wings. The garment was so large on her, it puddled on the floor. His mouth dried. He cleared his throat. “Can I come in?”

  She stepped aside.

  “Where’s Mittzi?” he asked.

  “I dropped her off in the galley. Found some reconstituted fish and gave her water.”

  “Oh, good. Are you hungry?”

  “No.” She tightened the belt. “I, uh, hope you don’t mind my borrowing a robe.”

  “It’s fine.” He liked seeing her in his robe. Even worn backward. Especially backward.

  She took a breath, and her breasts swelled. “Thank you for saving me—again.”

  “I’ll always be there to save you, Solia.”

  “It doesn’t need to be a habit.” A small smile curved her lips, but then she moved away. “Are we headed to Cy-Ops HQ?”

  He nodded. “Unless you’ve changed your mind about signing on. We can change course.” He wanted to change course, turn back the clock to the moment on the Cybermed dock, and change his answer. Give her the right one, this time. “If you want to go home, I’ll take you there.”

  “No. I want to help more than ever now.”

  Guy swallowed. Tension thickened the air. “About what I said before…about being friends…”

  She waved her hands. “It’s all right. I understand. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

  “I don’t want to be your friend,” he growled.

  She flinched, and her eyes clouded with silver tears.

  Could he mess this up any more? “No, that’s not what I meant. I do want to be your friend—but also your lover, if you’ll have me, if you’ll give me another chance—not that I deserve one.”

  Her jaw dr
opped.

  “I’m not good at relationships. I have…issues. I screw up, a lot. I don’t know if I’ll ever fix all my mistakes. And I’m gone for months at a time—”

  Solia leaped, and he caught her waist. Her legs wrapped around his hips, and her wings enveloped them both. “You really aren’t good at this,” she said with a giggle, and kissed him.

  Her lips mated with his. Her touch and scent filled his head and imprinted on his heart. He was a wanderer who couldn’t settle, but, in Solia, he’d found a home. He explored her mouth, the textures and taste, stirring urges to know all of her. Against her tummy, he hardened, and when she squeezed her legs to tighten the embrace, he groaned at the hot pleasure coursing through his veins.

  Soft breasts pressed against his chest. They kissed: long slow ones, frantic fast ones, teasing and light, hard and deep, all manner of kissing. He’d swear the room tilted.

  Breathless, they broke apart. Holding her with one hand, he stroked her silvery, gleaming hair with the other. She gasped and arched her neck. He planted kisses against her throat while threading his fingers through the lustrous, silken strands. She moaned and grabbed his hand, stilling it. She panted. “You’re going to end this before we start if you keep doing that.”

  His jaw dropped. “Are you saying your hair…”

  “Is sensitive…sexually sensitive.”

  He couldn’t prevent a grin from creasing his face.

  Solia silvered.

  He wound a strand of hair around an index finger. Desire sparked in her eyes. She wiggled out of his embrace and let the robe fall to the floor.

  Perfection revealed.

  “Are you just going to stare at me?” She motioned to his uniform.

  “I-uh figured we should, uh—I don’t know. Talk. Work things out.” He tried to be strong, to say what he needed to say.

  “Knowing you want me is enough for now.”

  “I wanted you the moment I saw you.”

  Her entire body glowed. She motioned again for him to disrobe.

  How could he deny her? He unfastened and shrugged out of his clothing. She flew into his arms. “Do, uh, Faria do it in flight?” He held her tight against him. The head of his manhood nudged her entrance.

  She giggled. “Sometimes. We can do it the Terran way, if that’s your pleasure.”

  He collapsed onto the berth. They caressed and kissed each other to the peak of desire, teasing and tempting. She kneaded and stroked his nano-infused muscles. He was fascinated by her hair and the smoothness of her curves and skin. When they joined, ecstasy quickly claimed them both.

  She pillowed her head on his shoulder, and her wings covered them, keeping them warm. He touched her hair. She sighed with a contentment echoing through him. She was better than he deserved, and he’d spend every day of his life, proving himself worthy of her.

  The cabin door whooshed open. They sprang up in bed.

  “Meow?” Mittzi sauntered in.

  Guy laughed. “We need to put a bell on that cat.” Or seal the door.

  “Good idea,” she agreed. “Later.” She kissed him. Desire swirled.

  Later. Definitely later.

  Note to readers

  I believe in heroic romance heroes. The Cy-Ops Sci-fi Romance series features a dedicated band of cyborgs willing to risk their lives for the women they love. The series tagline is “saving the girl and galaxy one mission at a time.” There are five books in the series, plus a Cy-Ops extra. If you enjoy Rescued by the Cyborg, you may download Married to the Cyborg for free.

  Acknowledgments

  What thrill to be a part of Pets in Space again! I’d like to thank Pauline Jones and Veronica Scott for inviting me back. Embrace the Romance is such a great project. I also owe a big thank you to copy editor Kate Richards, line editor Nan Sipe, and proofreader Celeste Jones. To my amazing co-authors, readers, fans, and my awesome street team, thank you for all your support.

  Also by Cara Bristol

  Stranded with the Cyborg (Cy-Ops Sci-fi Romance 1)

  Mated with the Cyborg (Cy-Ops Sci-fi Romance 2)

  Captured by the Cyborg (Cy-Ops Sci-fi Romance 3)

  Trapped by the Cyborg (Cy-Ops Sci-fi Romance 4)

  Claimed by the Cyborg (Cy-Ops Sci-fi Romance 5)

  Alien Mate

  About the Author

  USA Today bestselling author Cara Bristol writes steamy science fiction romance with an emphasis on the characters and their romance, with a little humor, heat, and danger added for fun. She is the author of three science fiction romance series: sexy cyborg Cy-Ops Scifi Romance series, the dark erotic Breeder series, and the new humorous Alien Mate series. She likes to say that she writes science fiction for readers who don’t like sci-fi. Cara lives in Missouri with her alpha hero, her husband, and Hannah, her cat and writing supervisor. Subscribe to Cara’s newsletter.

  www.carabristol.com

  Star Cruise: Songbird

  By

  Veronica Scott

  About Star Cruise: Songbird

  Grant Barton, a Security Officer on the Nebula Zephyr, is less than thrilled with his current assignment to guard an Interstellar singing sensation while she’s on board the ship. It doesn’t help that he and his military war bird Valkyr are dealing with their recent separation from the Sectors Special Forces and uncertainty over their future, with their own planet in ruins.

  Karissa Dawnstar is on top of the charts and seemingly has it all – talent, fame, fortune and devoted fans, but behind her brave smile and upbeat lyrics she hides an aching heart. When a publicity stunt goes wrong, Karissa finds herself in the arms of the security officer assigned to protect her – and discovers a mutual attraction she can’t ignore.

  Trouble continues to plague the pair, driving a wedge between them and leaving Grant certain that Karissa is in more danger than she realizes, from overzealous fans and her own management. Grant is determined to protect Karissa whether she wants his help or not. Can he discover the truth behind what’s going on before he loses Karissa or is there someone else plotting to keep them apart – permanently?

  To my daughters, Valerie and Elizabeth; my brother, David and my best friend, Daniel, for all their encouragement and support!

  One

  “Do you need more pain meds?” Dr. Emily Shane asked the question while she was making her notes about the exam she’d just concluded.

  Grant Barton, newly arrived member of the Nebula Zephyr’s security team shook his head immediately. “Never touch them.”

  “I’m not sure the aversion is in your best interests.” Eyebrows raised, the doctor assessed him. “The scan shows extensive nerve damage from an old wound. Why didn’t the military specialists run you through the rejuve resonator and repair everything?”

  Grant pulled on his shirt and slid off the examining table. “You know the rules, doc, a guy can’t go through the procedure more than three times and I’d already had my trifecta. Are we done? I’m due on duty.” He respected the doctor, given all her own military experience, but he wasn’t about to start down the pain meds route. He’d tough it out like he always did.

  Without waiting for her to do more than nod, he was out the door and exiting the sickbay, into the crowded corridors of Level A.

  The ship’s AI spoke in his ear. “All Security Officers, I have a situation in the casino observatory level.”

  Grant hastened his pace. “I’m right there, responding now. What’s up?”

  “There’s an unruly crowd gathering. Passenger Karissa Dawnstar was doing an autograph signing and apparently word has spread.”

  “There’s no such event on the calendar for today.” Jake Dilon, head of the ship’s security detail spoke up on the private com.

  He sure sounds pissed. Grant paused at the entrance to the casino. The crowd was huge and growing, jostling for position in the line to reach the observatory. The queue snaked between the gaming tables.

  “Our passenger and her entourage are alarmed,” the AI said.
<
br />   “Listen, there must be a couple hundred people here,” Grant said. “I’m going in the back way and extract the lady. Then the rest of you can do crowd control and disperse these fans. It’ll be easier to persuade them to leave when Karissa isn’t here anymore.”

  “Go for it,” Jake said.

  Grant backed out of the casino and ran to the nearest crew-only gravlift. Once inside the system he transferred to the small tube giving access to the observatory. Emerging from the concealed door at the far end, he found himself behind the singer and her entourage, who were backed against the bulkhead by a clamoring crowd, only a small table separating them from the fans. The singer herself was easy to identify, clad in a sparkling, short blue and green dress, lavender boots to the knees and her towering pink hair ornamented with silver braids. He shouldered his way through the crowd and touched her arm. Startled, she turned to him, her blue eyes wide with fear.

  “Ship’s security, Miss Dawnstar, here to get you out.” Grant took her elbow in a firm grip and towed her sideways, away from her entourage.

  A cry went up from the front row of fans. A stocky individual Grant recognized from the briefing earlier in the day as Karissa’s manager, glared at him. “What the seven hells do you think you’re doing, pal?”

  “Removing this lady from a bad situation before anyone gets hurt,” Grant said. “You’ll be hearing from my boss later about this unauthorized event.”

  “It’s fine, Ted,” Karissa said, keeping pace with Grant. “This is out of control, we’ve got kids here and someone might get trampled. I’ll catch up with you later.”

  Surprised but relieved she was so sensible; Grant got them both into the gravlift and sealed the portal in the other man’s face.