“I think we got off on the wrong foot.” He held out his hand to her.
“I’m Rage.”
This female was too used to hiding, Rage decided. Well no more. He liked her. She triggered emotions in him that he had turned off long ago. She was so tiny, yet fearless. She reminded him of lost images of the fabled pixies of Old Earth. Only she had the underlying smell of metal, electronics, and grease, along with that all female scent so uniquely hers. Rage breathed in unable not too. His sensors lit up. To his surprise and shock. She aroused him. Suddenly his focus narrowed on her. Her scent lingered in the air. He caught her desire for him. He hadn’t expected that either. So tantalizing. Intriguing. Unbidden, he felt his cock harden. In all his years, that had never happened and not with his emotions turned off. They’d be no hiding her desire from him. His body hummed. It called to him.
Kim automatically took the hand and gave it a firm shake her dad would have been proud of. Rage continued to hold it and Kim felt slightly uncomfortable. He appeared to be weighing something up. Kim didn’t like it. Going for a slight tug to get it back, didn’t appear to help.
“Could I have my hand back?” She asked annoyed. Man, she’d had to ask! It grated.
“No, not yet.” He told her.
Kim grinned, getting pissed. “Not yet? Why not?”
Rage continued to stare at her. It was bordering on uncomfortable. “I like it.”
Ok, thought Kim, this was getting weird.
“Let go of my hand Rage.” She gave him a pointed stare. He brushed his thumb across the back of her hand and goose bumps sprang out over her body. Shit! Her breath caught. She tried to hold in the shiver. Rage grinned at her. He knew! Damn it. She slapped his hand with her other one quick and fast and he let go.
Kim pulled in several calming breaths. Giving him the evil eye, her mother would be proud of. “If we’ve had enough of the patty cake,” Mack interrupted concern and amusement in his voice, “I have new cargo to load.”
Rage looked over at him. “How long before you leave?”
“Week at most.”
“I’d like to buy the female.” Kim had just taken a large slug of her alcohol substitute when Rage spoke. Choking on it, she sprayed it out again all over the table.
Rage jumped up and started slapping her on the back and rubbing it. Kim’s eyes watered and streamed down her face, as she tried for some composure and failed miserably. Mack’s shocked face not helping. To her surprise, Rage’s hands were surprisingly gentle. Kim was lost between encouraging his touch and punching him.
“I’m,” she wheezed, “not for sale arsehole.”
Rage re-took his seat, he looked confused. “You are not his property?”
“Fuck no.” Kim shook her head and looked at Mack. “No offense,” she wheezed some more. He laughed. Kim found her voice. “You find this funny Mack? Cos I can go work elsewhere.” She was pissed and was misdirecting her fire, but she couldn’t help it. Fucking property?
Mack paled. “No need for that Kim. It was just funny that he could think any male owned you.” Kim gave him her beady eye. He was flattering her and they both knew it. She let it go. Rage started speaking again and Kim thought she’d punch him after all.
“If you have no male protector you need to come with us.” And the hits kept coming! Kim put her hands up in an old-world way and hit them together.
“Time out.” She told him.
“What does that mean?” Rage asked the female confused by the shape she was making with her hands and the words.
“It means you stop being an ass and listen to what I have to say.” He smiled at that, raising an eyebrow. Kim thought it looked cute on him.
“And if I don’t?” He challenged. He’d lost all that cuteness. Two could play at that game, thought Kim and raised her left hand and the gun in it.
“You get another introduction to Mr Sparky.”
Rage chuckled. He didn’t know why he’d told her she needed to come with them. It held no logic. He did not know her or was obligated to her and yet, he really liked this female. Wanted her with him. She pushed all his buttons and he knew he was being an ass, but he couldn’t help it. He liked her riled up.
“Ok,” he told her holding his hands up and sat back. “How about you come and see our engines on the Marauder. Tell us how we can improve them. No strings attached and we will pay you a consultation fee for doing so. Then, if they need upgrading we will pay you for that too. I hear you have done this for others, yes?” He asked her. Already knowing this to be true.
Kim stared at Rage like he was nuts. “Do I look stupid to you? Once I’m on there, how do I know, you’ll let me off again?” Rage suddenly looked every inch his name. So did his friend.
“That would be dishonorable, and we would log the job with the consortium to keep things above board.” He told her with some disgust in his voice. She believed him. Kim thought about it. It was clear they weren’t going to leave unless she agreed to something.
She nodded. “Send me your current engine specs and I’ll look at them. Only if I find I can do something, will I come on board. Deal?”
Rage nodded to Dark. He lifted his comm device and Kim’s data pad pinged. “You have the details. I’ll be in touch.” He watched her pick up the pad. She didn’t acknowledge him, already engrossed in her work. Rage hoped she’d look up. He wanted to take in those eyes again before he left her. The thought of leaving her harder than he’d thought possible. She didn’t and to stay longer would invite inquiry he wasn’t ready to deal with. He turned to go.
“Just one more thing. You owe me for two head injuries, a broken rib, and a sprained wrist. I’ll take payment now.” She told him without looking at him.
“You were injured?” Rage took a step forward, wanted to punch something hard. She didn’t answer him but kept working. He gripped his fists in an effort not to grab her and check her over himself. He turned and gave a nod to Mack and walked off the ship. Damn he wanted that woman and had plenty to make up for. He’d be having words with Pain.
“Did you send her the original specs?” Rage asked Dark as they walked off the ramp heading towards their ship.
“No. Too obvious. Gave her the second remodel.” Rage nodded.
“Good. I need a drink.” Rage a hand over his face, suddenly hating to leave the female. He didn’t understand the emotion and feared she would convince Mack to up and leave. “Send Mack a bonus for waiting on us and the money to cover her injuries. Double for when she’s finished. If they leave he gets nothing.”
Dark snorted. “You have it bad man.” He told him using Old Earth language. They all knew it from the war years. Not that their relevance held much these days. Rage grinned and strode out for the nearest bar.
“Yeah. She won’t know what’s hit her.”
Rage – Galactic Cyborg Heat Series Book 1 – On Sale Now….
Her Pride His Prejudice Page 13