He grabbed her hand and pulled her forward as if she hadn't already been hurrying to keep up with the pace he set. A brisk wind blew through her thin nightgown until her skin chilled. Joni hid her shiver as Kyele dragged her until the sight of the hover-car met her weary gaze.

He directed her straight toward the parked vehicle. Joni didn't resist and dropped into the front passenger seat the minute he opened the door. He rounded the front and got in on the driver's side.

Kyele pushed several buttons and heat blasted down from the blowers in the ceiling. Joni curled her arms about her waist, huddled against the seat and faced Kyele. His brows lowered and he gripped the guiding wheel tight enough to have the knuckles of his fingers redden.

"Kye-"

"I owe you an apology."

They spoke over one another. Joni grinned, adrenaline leaving her with an off-kilter dopey feeling. "You saved me. I don't think you should apologize for that."

He glanced at her. Stark. Intense. Then he faced forward again. "I'm sorry I pushed you away."

Joni swallowed. She knew exactly what he was referring to. "We don't have to talk about it."

In fact, she preferred they didn't.

"You gave me a gift. A beautiful part of yourself." His hands dropped from the wheel but he kept his head bowed and didn't reach for her. "Now I've shown you an ugly side of me and it frightened you."

With every fiber, Joni wished he'd reach for her. She'd already pushed herself on him the night he dropped her off. Rejection didn't sit well and at the risk of poking her finger in an open wound, she remained in her seat.

Still, she could offer something if it pushed him toward her. "I'm not afraid of you, Kyele."

He looked up at last and angled his head in her direction. She let him see the truth of her words. His green eyes glinted with determination and Joni caught her breath. "You should be, Joni. You should be very afraid of me."

The current between them shimmered with unspoken demands. It was almost a relief when he gripped the steering device and drove.

Chapter 17.

As soon as they entered the Jutak facility, Jaron greeted them, crossing the lobby in short strides. His blond hair stuck up in skewed waves. "What happened?"

Joni stepped away from his side and Kyele reacted by catching her forearm to hold her in place as he answered his friend. "A Chamele broke into Joni's residence. She contacted me on the communicator and was able to escape through the vents."

A crease formed between Jaron's brows. "You mentioned assassins."

The memory of the attack ripped into him. Kyele batted down the emotions bubbling to the surface. "There were three others waiting to take her when I arrived. It was a coordinated attack."

Jaron's gaze shifted to Joni, the cut lip and bruise on her face. "Are you alright?"

"I've had better days." Joni rolled her eyes.

Jaron's tense posture eased as his gaze moved over her. Kyele stiffened and tugged until Joni's side bumped against his. Having the Team One Leader see her in the wet garment disturbed him on a level he didn't want to contemplate too closely. "I need to get Joni settled. In the morning we must speak with Torkel to discover what's going on."

"I'll give him an update now. Take care of Joni." Jaron stepped back and let them pass.

Kyele directed Joni straight for the elevator, his only goal to see to her safety for the night.

"I should stay with Sylvie." Joni spoke as soon as they reached his floor.

She followed Kyele as he let her into his place. For a brief moment, he considered the ramifications of Joni alone in his home. One look at her shivering frame and Kyele knew his answer before he shook his head. "It's late and they're probably resting."

He closed and locked the door behind them.

"Maybe I could ask Torkel about my old room." The words left her lips as a whisper.

Kyele's gaze snapped back to her face. Was she concerned about being alone with him after what she'd witnessed? Perhaps she finally understood his reasons for staying away from her. But the driving need to see to her comfort wouldn't allow him to let her leave. "You are staying here until we can figure out what's going on, Joni."

As if to underscore the point, she shivered again and clamped her arms around her waist. Kyele cursed. "We need to get you warmed up and out of your wet clothes."

Joni screeched as Kyele crossed to her side and lifted her into his arms. He didn't let himself think about how good it felt to hold her again.

Her arms went about his shoulders as she glared. "Put me down!"

Ignoring her threats to do him bodily harm, Kyele didn't stop until he reached the cleansing room. He set her on her feet only long enough to get the water sprays started then reached for her before she could move away and yanked the bronze gown over her head.

"Kyele!" Joni's cheeks flamed as she tried to cover her nude body. One arm went over her chest and the other stretched down to plant a palm over the apex of her thighs.

It didn't help. Kyele's lips parted and his eyes widened. "You're not wearing undergarments."

Joni dropped her arms on an exhale. Kyele made no attempt to hide his absorption. Her body was full of sensuous curves appropriate for her slender frame. Arms lightly muscled and a torso with taut abs were a feast to his senses. Aside from a small patch of red hair, the rest of her mound was bare. The slow burn of arousal tightened his belly as she shifted her legs. His gaze followed the minute movement, nostrils flaring slightly.

"I have it on good authority that you Jutaks aren't fond of wearing anything under your uniform pants either," Joni said, tipping her chin up.

"Your information is correct." He didn't question how she knew that as he slid a black disc from his ear then placed his weapons on the floor.

Joni inhaled. "What are you doing?"

Without fanfare, he unbuttoned his soaked shirt and let it land on the floor with a splat. He turned back to the enclosure and hit a button on the door to the shower. The glass retracted as he stepped back. "I'll return with something for you to wear when you are done."

There was no way he could stay in the same room with a nude Joni as she cleaned herself.

"Kyele, wait." The words burst forth from her before he could leave.

He stopped at the door, hands gripping the frame. Muscles quivered at the note of fear in her tone.

"Don't leave me, Kyele." Her voice sweet and low rolled over him.

Kyele refused to turn. If he did, his control would crack. He closed his eyes and sought the power to resist. "I won't go far, Joni. I'll be close enough to hear if you need me."

"Stay." Light steps pattered behind him as she drew close.

"I can't," he ground out even as the throbbing of his cock protested his words.

Before he could list the many reasons he needed to stay far away from her, Joni pressed her body along his. He could feel every delicious inch of her. The softness of her round breasts cushioned his back, the pebbled tips stabbed his flesh and the heat of her mound with the enticing aroma of arousal filled his nostrils. Kyele began to shake and told himself to move away. Fast.

But he didn't.

Joni curved her arms around his waist. Her fingers inched up. His senses tuned in to the delicate touch with hyper-focus. Slowly she stroked until she reached her destination. His heart pounded against the hand she flattened on his chest. The violent thud matched the rhythm beating against his spine.

"Stay with me." Joni whispered, her breath teasing his sensitive back. "Shower with me. I don't want to be alone right now, Kyele. Please."

Her admission broke him. Kyele turned within her embrace and faced her glittering gold stare. He cupped her cheek and nudged her chin up. He'd rushed Joni to the cleansing room to warm her up and get her out of her wet clothes. Wet clothes which had done nothing to hide her figure. Sex sharing was not a part of his wish to help her but her gold eyes pleaded so prettily.

Sweet, sweet Earthling. She was everything he'd ever wanted for himself but never dared dream. "I will stay but not to share sex."

He let his gaze travel over her sleek curves again. Her full breasts were perfectly formed, the mounds plump and tipped with pale nipples which crinkled as the steam in the room built. Her waist gently flared at the hips and her legs...Joni's legs looked as if they went on forever.

Kyele's hands went to the snap of his damp uniform pants. He would be strong. He would clean off the blood and grime on his body all without touching her.

Joni wasn't sure what she expected when Kyele lowered his pants and stepped toward her. His cock sprang free, confirming the question about underwear. Long and thick, it curved to the left, the rounded head tanned and pulsing. He might have said he didn't want sex but his body was sending another message.

Joni reached for him and gasped at the solid feel of him in her hands. The skin was as soft as silk, the fluid from the glands adding to the ease of her strokes as she caressed him.

Kyele let out a hoarse groan. "What are you doing, Joni?"

She ran her hand up and down his shaft, stroking his hard length in even measures. "You really have to ask?"

"Joni." His brows lowered in warning. Then he clamped his hand over her wrist. "That's not why I brought you in here. The attack has you upset."

Joni suffered a lot of mixed feelings after what she'd been through but her desire for Kyele wasn't one of them. "I'm fine."

Kyele eased her hand away and stepped back. "No. We will shower only."

Once the glass enclosed them, he put action to words and adjusted the multiple sprayers to include a cleansing agent. Ignoring the running water, Joni couldn't stop staring. Bubbles formed on his wet skin and glistening trails of soap slid over him to run in rivulets to the tiled drain in the floor.

When Joni shivered this time, it wasn't because of the cold. Seeing Kyele naked was a sight to behold. His body was one coiled muscle layered over another. A thin line of hair trailed from his waist to his groin and the erection he sported was worthy of a second and third look.

His shaft swelled further as if sensing her attention. Green eyes burned bright while he used his hands to cup water over his chest. Joni felt the gaze like a physical caress. Hard abs rippled as he twisted about cleaning himself. A dark purple bruise marred one side of his torso from armpit to waist.

"What happened?" She extended her hand without thought.

"The Chamele at your place." Kyele backed away from her. There wasn't much room for him to go anywhere. "I will have Dr. Maku check on it later."

Joni inched closer, touching the mark on his wet skin. He flinched, brows furrowing. "Joni."

"Kyele," she mocked, her hand continue to glide over the hurt he'd received on her behalf.

Groaning, he turned his back toward her and focused on cleaning the dots of blood from his body. Joni released a breath and followed suit. The water on the floor held tints of red as she rinsed the visible evidence of the men's brutal death away from her arms and shoulders.

Her hands caressed and stroked as she washed, never taking her gaze off the beautiful picture Kyele made beneath the water. His head tipped back, placing his face in profile. The hard angles of his features and grim expression warned a person to trespass with care. Her gaze snagged on the jagged scar running down the side of his face and throat. Clearly old, the injury reflected barely hidden violence beneath the indifferent mask he wore.

Joni swallowed. Kyele didn't care about his looks. He should. He was quite handsome despite the mark that spoke of a dangerous past. Her gaze lowered. Water streamed down his taut shoulder blades, playing down his spine in fat droplets, then running down his legs.

His round butt flexed as he shifted his stance. The pull of muscle brought to mind visual sexual images. Kyele crouched over her, all of his blazing intensity focused on her. Vivid green eyes pulling her into their depths. Her breasts swelled. Joni's hands slowed as she remembered what he looked like from the front. The thrusting shaft, swollen head and heavy sac gave her reason to believe he wanted her as much as she wanted him.

Unfortunately, Kyele finished before Joni could act and stepped out of the shower, giving her no opportunity to touch him again. "I'll leave you one of my shirts to wear until you can get something from Faye or Sylvie in the morning."

He fled, leaving Joni alone.

Chapter 18.

Joni hurried through rinsing off and stood under the heat blower in the ceiling, waiting until her hair dried in waves about her shoulders. When she opened the door a black long sleeve shirt slid to the floor. She lifted the material to her nose and inhaled. It smelled like Kyele and she wondered if he'd worn it recently. The thought provided her a bit of strength as she slid her arms in the overlong sleeves. She rolled them to her elbow, the hem brushing her thighs as she walked toward his bedroom.

The opened door beckoned and Joni walked through with trepidation. Kyele stood in the middle of the bedroom, drawstring black pants hanging low about his hips. The front bulged as it cupped the heavy weight of him, not hiding his aroused state. Pleasure jolted through her system at the obvious evidence of his physical prowess.

He'd been staring at the data pad in his hand but set it down on the table at her entrance. His gaze locked on her. Joni tugged on the edge of the shirt which barely covered her lower half. She'd worn less in his presence before.

"Are you alright?" His question lacked the intensity of desire from earlier. His ever present control was back much to her frustration.

Letting her emotions get the best of her, Joni snapped, "I'm tired of being asked that tonight."

He remained aloof. "Then I'll leave you to rest. You can sleep in my bed and I'll stay in the other room on the sofa."

She didn't want him in the other room. She wanted him with her. Frustration bubbled and the unabated need he'd created burst forth. "Damn it, I want you, Kyele!"

The green of his eyes glowed. Danger stirred in their depths and the promise of something more awakened. "Little Earthling, you are playing a perilous game."

Menace laced his statement but all the threat did was make Joni hungry for his touch. She worked hard to calm her pounding heart but her breath rasped in her throat. Now was not the time to wimp out. Her brow arched in challenge as she walked a complete circle around him until she came to a stop in front of him once more. "Am I? What if it's not a game?"

Silence.

When he said nothing, her emotions tumbled about. Past and present collided. She could have died tonight. Joni blinked back the sudden burn of tears. "Is it me? What's wrong with me that you don't want this?"

"Nothing," he grated and curled his fingers at his sides.

Joni wanted to push. None of his behavior made sense. "It's something. Something has you afraid."

"Why would I be afraid?" he countered and quirked his lips. He rocked back on his heels and folded his arms across his bare chest. "You should fear me, Earthling."

Joni studied him, looking deeper. He wanted her. His body provided visible proof, his green eyes smoldered and the defensive posture showed the effort of his restraint.

"I'm not afraid of you." She repeated her claim of earlier. Not once had she ever been afraid of this man. If anything, his presence gave her strength and hope. With Kyele she felt safe. Protected.

Kyele approached in slow measuring steps. The air shifted to one of sexual energy with something deadly entwined. Her stomach flip-flopped. Joni shifted slightly but kept her breathing steady. When he reached her, he ran his hand over the back of the shirt she wore. Heat licked up her spine, his fingers trailing in its wake.