Haunting Blackie Read online

  Frustration flashed across his striking features. “This is real. You are aboard the Bridden with me. I struck you hard enough to knock you out after you bit into my shoulder.” He glanced at it.

  The bandage was taped to his enticing gray-toned skin. She wanted to lick him. She couldn’t though because he kept her hands pinned next to her head and she couldn’t reach far enough. Broad shoulders curved down into thick, muscular biceps that were bigger around than her thighs. Handsome was a big one, designed to make most women take notice and feel all feminine compared to his tremendous masculinity. Men were intimidated if they were smart. Handsome was a badass.

  “I just knew you were the one. Call it instinct or maybe it’s because of the bond we had before we met. I could feel your pain and it became mine. A part of me belonged to you and it just snapped into place when I first looked into your eyes.” She inhaled his scent. “Life sucks sometimes, doesn’t it?”

  “What do you mean?” His fingers loosened.

  “We should have been given a chance. I think I could have made you want me back.”

  “It wouldn’t have been difficult,” he muttered, glancing at her chest. “Things would have been vastly different.”

  “I’ve been so alone,” she admitted. “I never forgot you.” He stared into her eyes. “Did you lose your heart to another?” The thought brought tears to her eyes, ones that refused to be concealed. “Did one of those upgraded cyborg models make you forget about me? Are you with her? Never mind. I don’t want to know, even though this is just a dream.” She turned her head to stare at a wall. It reminded her of the small sleeping quarters of a transport. Storage lockers were built into the one she studied.

  Handsome sat up, totally released her, and sounded furious as he bellowed. “Computer! Summon the medic!”

  Doors swished open immediately to admit a tall cyborg wearing a black uniform. “She woke?”

  “You waiting outside my door?” Handsome scowled.

  “I stayed close. What is the problem?”

  “She is confused. Scan her again. She must have head injuries you missed.”

  “I didn’t,” the male protested. He stepped to the side of the bunk and peered down at her. “I’m Varion. Stare into my eyes and don’t look away. I’m going to scan you again.”

  It came as a shock when she noticed his pupils weren’t round. They were square and dull red flashed for a split second inside them. It happened again, rapidly, before he sighed, straightening. “She’s fine, Blackie. No arterial bleeding, no cranial fractures and no swelling. The bruising to her cheek is mending at a speed equal to our own abilities. It will be gone within hours at this rate.”

  “She believes she is hallucinating.”

  The male backed away. “You mean having a nightmare? I would assume that as well if I woke to find you perched at my bedside.”

  “Show me respect,” Handsome demanded gruffly. “I am your superior.”

  “I haven’t forgotten what you did to Megan. You put her in my care too. Does it make you feel a thrill when you strike smaller women? Why don’t you stop hiding behind your council contacts and step out into the hallway with me? Forget rank.” The cyborg wrapped his fingers around his other fisted hand. “Hit someone your own size for once and see how that results for you. I’m not preparing drugged food for this one or standing by while you wait for council orders to kill her. Ice was right to stand up to you. I wish he was in command now. He wouldn’t allow you near that woman. I can’t forcibly take her out of here but know I’ll be right outside the door, prepared to protect her.”

  Handsome quickly stood. “I didn’t ask anyone to kill Megan. The council ordered it and I was doing my job.”

  “One you enjoy too much.” The cyborg medic shoved at Handsome. “You’re their favorite cyborg, aren’t you?”

  Eve glanced between the two men, confused. Who was Megan and why did the cyborgs obviously hate each other? It stunned her that her dream had taken such odd twists but it just reaffirmed her suspicion that the pirate she’d bitten had given her a bad case of something her enhanced immune system couldn’t fight off.

  “I owed them my total allegiance. They rescued me from Earth.” Blackie pushed back.

  “I was rescued as well but I know when they are wrong. Do you ever think for yourself?” The medic pushed him again.

  “You wish to provoke a physical altercation?”

  “Yes,” the medic stated eagerly. “In the corridor so she isn’t harmed. I know you have no regard for anyone besides yourself, but I do.”

  “Let’s go,” her cyborg rasped.

  Varion reached out and tapped the door panel. It opened and he backed out. Handsome followed. Eve watched them leave the room. The cyborg with the strange eyes didn’t wait to attack. His fist flew at Handsome’s face and struck it before the door slid closed. Her cyborg staggered from the punch before she lost sight of them.

  He’s in danger. It propelled her to sit and roll off the bunk. The room spun a little from the fast motion but she stumbled toward the door. Dream or not, she would go to his aid. Her hand shook when she slapped her palm over the panel to gain access to the hallway. It refused to open.

  She glared at it and focused hard, pushing her thoughts at it with force. The sensation caused by her mind linking to the computer made her feel nauseous as she ordered an override on the lock. The security was low priority and opening the door from the inside was a breeze to hack. The door slid open and the sight of two big men engaged in battle in the confined corridor would have shocked her if she hadn’t seen blood on Handsome’s face near his nose and mouth.

  The fresh scent of it made her react. Her fangs elongated and her sharp claws slid out of her fingernails. She snarled, her vocal cords switching from normal to deeper, menacing tones. The men broke apart at the loud sound and she targeted the medic. He was the threat. She gripped the edges of the open door, her knees bent and she launched toward him.

  “NO!” Handsome spun around and jumped into the path of the enemy.

  She barely twisted her wrists inward to avoid slashing him with her claws before slamming into the solid bulk of his body. Both his hands captured her hips and he caught her in midair. The unexpected collision of their torsos knocked the breath from her. He didn’t suffer the same effect though as he turned and pressed her tightly against the bulkhead.

  They were face level where he held her suspended above the floor. Her heart raced, adrenaline pumped through her veins and her back ached from the impact with the solid wall. Each breath made her aware of his heated skin pressed to parts of her that her shirt didn’t cover from the waist up. It was either the most realistic dream she’d ever experienced or Handsome really was staring deeply into her eyes, his mouth just inches from hers.

  “Eve?”

  She turned her head to stare at Danica. She stood at the end of the corridor in an ill-fitting black outfit similar to the medic’s. Her sister grinned.

  “Can you believe this shit? They survived and we found them! We’re on one of their ships.” Another cyborg turned the corner behind her sister and Danica glanced back at him when he halted. She faced forward to wink at Eve. “They technically found us. Who cares about the details though?” She mouthed “hot” and shielded her hand with her body to jerk a thumb at the one behind her.

  Eve’s head slowly turned to stare at Handsome. She was grateful for his strength since she might have slid to the floor if he hadn’t been holding her up when she seemed to lose control of her limbs. The feel of her fangs retreating seemed apropos, considering everything else seemed to shrink away but him.

  “I’m not a hallucination,” he calmly stated. “You are on the Bridden and my name is Blackie. You rescued me on Earth. I rescued you from the damaged freighter you were piloting.”

  Her gaze dropped to his mouth. Blood smeared his lower face from the punch he’d taken to his nose but he’d obviously attempted to wipe it away at some point during the fight from the looks of