Page 3

“It’s not that. They’ve been distracted by the Siblet. Anything that’s not a top priority to them, gets lost in the weeds. And it doesn’t help that the Apexians are monitoring their every move.”

“We need to. Otherwise, a solution to the Siblet problem would still be at the committee meeting stage a year from now. High Command needs a boot up the butt to end this.”

“I don’t disagree. And I’m working on a solution to get our new team, reminding them about staffing needs, and shoving increased productivity numbers under their nose. It’s wearing them down. Then we’ll all have more free time.”

“And what do you plan to do with your free time?” Cleo didn’t have down days. It was like she didn’t want a reason to chill.

“Oh, you know, work on my tan, get out the bikini I’ve been meaning to wear and flake out on a beach with a huge drink in my hand.”

His cock surged up as the image of Cleo almost naked stretched out on some warm, sandy beach filled his thoughts.

Hunter had held back for so long from making another move on her that the slightest touch or suggestion aroused him. He was like a horny teen who’d yet to get laid.

He’d pushed a few times when they’d gotten paired up on the Apocalypse, but Cleo made it clear work came first.

She wasn’t ready for him, and Hunter wouldn’t push his desires on her. But the barrier he kept in place to stop from claiming her as his mate was failing. It was no longer enough to work alongside Cleo every day and believe that breathing in her sweet scent would sate his need. He wanted her in his life in every way.

“Hey, I’m getting a signal from the planet we’re passing.” Cleo’s fingers moved across the screen as she enhanced a small red dot on the scanner.

“It could be a system blip,” Hunter said. “That planet’s no longer populated. It’s too unstable.”

“Or it could be a signal from one of the fifty animals programed in the system. Is the ship’s tracking working?”

Hunter ran a quick system check. “Everything is online.”

Cleo stared at the screen for another second, then shook her head. “You’re right, it’s probably a malfunction. And we need to get back to the Apocalypse. There’s so much I need to do.”

Hunter glanced at the screen again, then at Cleo. Excitement shone in her eyes, but there was also a hint of resignation and defeat, as if she’d just had her favorite doll snatched away by the school bully.

Without waiting for her permission, he altered the ship’s course, heading toward Avalrod, where the signal was coming from.

“What are you doing?” Cleo grabbed the arm rests.

“The signal could be important. We need to check it out.”

“I’ve got two missions coming back in the next three hours.”

“And they know the protocol once they come back from a mission.”

“I should still be there. I need to make sure everything went okay.”

“Cleo, relax. I know the crew love it when you’re around to greet them. It makes them feel all warm and fuzzy that you give a damn and want to make sure everything worked out fine, but they can handle themselves. You’re making us all too soft. And Apexian warriors aren’t used to being checked up on all the time. You don’t need to mother hen them.”

“I don’t... okay, maybe I do mother a bit. But they’re my crew. My responsibility.”

Hunter chuckled at the worried expression on her face. “No one complains. Even Rexx looks for you when he comes back from a mission to get a pat on the head and a glass of milk.”

She scowled at him. “I’m not that bad, am I?”

“You’re perfect. Don’t change a thing you do.” He studied the scanner as they drew closer to Avalrod. The signal was most likely nothing, but Cleo deserved a break, and what could be more fun than tracking an animal? This was a time out she desperately needed.

“Let’s continue back home.” Cleo leaned toward the controls.

“There could be an animal down there that needs our help.” It was a jerk move, tugging on her heartstrings, but Cleo could never help herself when she found a wounded animal. Her mothering behavior went into overdrive.

Hunter’s mouth twisted to the side. Cleo would make an amazing mom. He’d be the luckiest Apexian in the entire star system if he was ever blessed with a child from this incredible woman. But to get her pregnant, he had to convince her he was the Apexian for her. And that seemed like an impossible dream. But it was one he clung to.

Cleo tapped her fingers on the screen. “I’ll send a message to the Apocalypse and let them know we’re making a detour. But we need to make this quick. We can’t waste time if this is a system malfunction.”