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“Hunter is grade A Apexian choice meat,” Georgia said. “And that alien only has eyes for you. Most women would jump into that saddle and ride as hard as they could, but not you.”

“Cleo keeps things professional,” Sloane said. “Apart from that one time...”

“We don’t talk about that one time,” Cleo said. “It was before all this happened. And it was a mistake. I didn’t know I’d be working with Hunter every single day.”

“It must be torture to have him so close and not feel like you can touch him.” Georgia’s grin was sharp.

“Was it really a mistake being with Hunter?” Sloane said. “It seemed like a great plan to me. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile so much after the night you had with him. Did you ride him all night?”

“Stop! I don’t remember what we did together. It was a long time ago.” Cleo absolutely remembered that night in minute detail. She remembered every touch of Hunter’s fingers, his hard embrace as his sweat dampened skin glided over her naked body, his expert tongue, and how he’d held her afterward until she’d fallen asleep in his arms.

Georgia nudged Sloane, who giggled and fanned her face.

Cleo glowered at them. “Neither of you are helping me figure out what I can do to fix this. Hunter can’t leave the Apocalypse.”

“Tell him you want to marry him, hump him every day, and have his babies,” Sloane said. “That’ll light a fire under him. He’ll do anything he can to stay if he knows he’s got you for keeps.”

“That’s your fantasy for Dallin,” Georgia said. “We don’t all want rug rats.”

Sloane sighed. “Dallin’s babies would be so cute. They’d have my sass and his purple eyes.”

Cleo waved away the comment. She couldn’t think about a future with Hunter. “No babies or happily ever after talk, but I have put in a request to meet with Commissioner Viewick alone. I’ll get him to see sense. And if not, I’ll go higher and address the whole of High Command.”

Georgia winced and shook her head, while Sloane tilted her head and bit her lip.

“You think that’s a bad idea?”

“Yep,” Georgia said. “Stay away from High Command. You’ve already annoyed them. Give them time to forget that, or they’ll get rid of you, too.”

“Apexians are stubborn,” Georgia said. “It’s a pride thing. Hunter’s behavior reflects on the others. And Apexians hate to look bad.”

“He didn’t do anything other than follow my stupid orders,” Cleo said.

“Orders that messed with the Siblet and rescued some animals we thought were extinct,” Sloane said. “I call those two big wins. Even though they were off plan wins.”

“Their actions were the opposite of the mission brief.” Georgia arched a brow as Sloane thumped her. “I’m just saying, if I was in charge, I’d be pissed at Cleo’s behavior.”

Cleo sighed and tipped her head back. “Commissioner Viewick has no backbone to fight my corner. He’ll do anything the Apexians tell him. But I have to find a way to keep Hunter here.”

“You sure are fighting hard for someone you claim not to care about,” Sloane said.

Cleo squeezed her eyes shut for a second. “I do care about Hunter, but I’ve been here before, and it ended badly.”

“What happened?” Sloane said. “Did some hunk of an alien pound you silly all night and then run off with your car keys and leave you with the hotel bill?”

“Worse. Much worse. A one-night stand with a little fall out I can handle.”

“So...” Sloane pinched Cleo’s arm. “Out with it. What’s got you so cautious around Hunter?”

“Has he done something to make you wary of him? Is he a secret sex pest?” Georgia leaned forward. “I can ask Ash to have a word if he’s bothering you. No, screw that. I’ll have a word, and I’ll say them while I’m twisting Hunter’s balls in my hand.”

“You’ll probably need both hands to do that,” Cleo said.

Sloane snort laughed. “You totally remember your night together.”

“I... yeah, I do. It was amazing. And Hunter’s not a sex pest. But he’s persistent. He keeps saying he wants us to be together, and he’s sure we’re right for each other.”

“And you’re not sure?” Georgia shrugged. “There’s nothing wrong with putting yourself first. If you’re only interested in your career, maybe Hunter leaving is a good thing.”