Taken by the Cyborg (Galactic Pirate Brides Book 4) by Tamsin Ley (best ereader under 100 TXT) 📕

“How is that supposed to keep me from worrying? You said they’re dangerous.”

Twerp interjected, “I believe he may be referring to their mating practices, Attie. Human are not compatible mates without the nanites.”

Attie frowned and looked to Doug for clarification. How had Marlis mated one if they weren’t compatible? Then a chill settled into her. “Marlis has the nanites?”

Doug shook his head. “Not anymore. And humans no longer need the nanites for mating. The Denaidans are free to choose who they wish.”

Twerp emitted a cheerful beep. “That is excellent news. The Denaidans will all have mates in no time.”

He glared at the AI. “I don’t want Attie mating a Denaidan.”

Realization dawned on Attie. “You don’t want me to stay away because they’re dangerous. You want me to stay away because you’re jealous.”

Color rose to his face, and he didn’t meet her gaze.

Attie stepped forward, enjoying the momentary power she felt over him. Looking up coyly, she licked her lips with purposeful allure.

A low growl rose from his chest and he lifted a hand to the back of her neck, pulling her within millimeters of his face. “I would make you mine if I could.”

Her heart wanted to thud out of her chest at the intensity in his eyes. She slid her free hand around his waist. “What if I told you I’m already yours?”

Doug’s forehead furrowed and his lips pulled into a frown.

Not the reaction I expected. But his hold on the back of her neck remained firm, so she didn’t move. The moment stretched, and her earlier triumph transformed to embarrassment.

Then she realized he wasn’t focused on her at all, but turned inward. It was an odd time to be lost in thought.

Sudden terror filled her. Could this be his nanites exploding?

“Hello?” She reached up and touched his cheek. “Doug?”

As if coming out of a dream, he shook his head and released her. “Someone has entered the lab. I’d hoped to stay longer, but I must go now.”

She clutched the coverlet over her heart. “Oh, thank heavens you’re not dead.” But she wasn’t ready for him to leave. Wasn’t ready to give up on freeing him. “Are you positive you can’t escape with me?”

His features softened. “I must stay here. But I’ll help you reach Marlis if that’s what you truly want.”

“I do,” she said softly. Once she joined the rebels, she would come up with a plan to free him. They’d tried to before, so she had to believe they’d help her try again.

He ran the knuckles of his human hand along her cheek. “I’ll never forget our time together. You allowed me to feel again, and I love… that.”

She almost thought he was going to say he loved her. But that would be silly. They’d only met yesterday. Even so, she couldn’t deny there was a special bond between them. Of course we do. They had a shared cause. And then there were the aftereffects of their earlier passion. Hormones made people do and think crazy things. It couldn’t be more than that. Could it?

Forcing a smile that wanted to melt into tears, she said, “I’ll always remember our time, too. Thank you for watching out for me.”

“Pack your things and head to the shuttle bay. The vessel marked SNS Dendrite is programmed to respond to your voice commands. I have it scheduled to depart with an outgoing science vessel tomorrow.”

She nodded, her chest feeling hollow as she realized this would be the last time she ever saw him. He seemed to share her emotion, because he swooped forward to claim her mouth in a deep kiss. She wrapped both arms around his neck and let her feet lift off the ground, cocooned in his embrace. He was the most dangerous man she’d ever met.

Yet somehow, he made her feel safe.

When he finally broke away, she clung to his neck, pressing her forehead to his. “Take care of yourself. And join us if you can.”

He put his hands on her shoulders and pushed her gently away. “You won’t see me again. Farewell, Attie.”

Turning, he strode from her quarters.

The door whooshed closed, leaving Attie clutching the coverlet around her, feeling more alone than she had in a very long time. With a heavy sigh, she turned to her closet. Now what was one was supposed to pack when planning to join a rebel cause?

Chapter 16

Doug strode down the corridor from Attie’s quarters with his cybernetic hand in his pocket and his head down. He hated leaving her in such a rush, but he’d received an alert that a tech had entered the lab. The tech had retrieved a polycom and left again without checking on the cyborgs, but it had reminded Doug that it was only a matter of time before someone else did.

At the end of the corridor ahead of him, a small group of people waited for the lift car to arrive. Doug had again turned off his cybernetic eye so the light didn’t draw undue attention, but he still felt nervous about blending in, so he hung back for the next car. Directing the lift to ignore any more pickups, he brought the empty car back, but a woman rushed forward and joined him before the doors could close.

She looked at him from the corner of her eye and quickly away again, releasing a shaky sigh.

Even without his enhanced vision, he could sense her racing heartbeat. Fuck, does she recognize me somehow?

Then she turned to him full on, a slight flush to her cheeks as she smiled and batted her lids. “I haven’t bumped into you before. Are you new?”

She was flirting. He blinked, at a loss for a response, then stiffly attempted to smile back.

Her smile grew wider.

Dammit, don’t encourage her. The adrenaline flooding his system was making him nauseous.

The doors opened, and the woman raised her eyebrows hopefully. “I have lunch in the forward mess hall every day. Maybe I’ll