“Did the same thing on Vardon.” Swirling the ale in his glass with slow circles of one big hand, Alerio gazed broodingly into its depths. “I was only five when they invaded, but I remember the killing. I was almost one of their victims more than once, even before I became a compcracker.” He threw back a swallow of the ale as if it were water. “They didn’t much like Warkin children. And we didn’t much like them.”
Dona stared at him, feeling a sudden kinship with Alerio she’d never suspected. He stared back until she cleared her throat and looked away. “That kind of thing does tend to stick with you. Especially if you’re a child.”
Alerio picked up the bottle of ale and held it out toward her in offering. When she nodded, he topped off her glass. “So. The Xerans will try to convert the worlds of the Galactic Union if they can. And they’ll get really pissy with anyone who says no.”
“A lot of people will end up dead. There’s way too much riding on this, Chief. We’ve got to stop the bastards, or it’s all going to hell.” She frowned and took a burning sip. “What about the government? They could . . .”
“Yeah, they could. But they won’t. I’ve been exchanging courier bots with Colonel Ceres for months. They seem to think if they ignore the Victor long enough, he’ll go away.”
“Yeah, ‘Gutless’ is basically their mission statement. Meanwhile, Ivar’s running around butchering innocents with psychotic abandon.” Dona plunked her chin on her palm and brooded as the woods went dark beyond the window. “Bastards. Stupid, stupid bastards. Nothing ever changes. Ever.”
Alerio frowned, looking into her eyes.
So I’m drunk, she thought rebelliously. And depressed. I’ve got plenty of reason to be both.
After a moment’s hesitation, he rose from his seat and walked around the table. Extending a hand to her, he said, “Come on, Dona. Join me.”
Somewhat to her own surprise, she put her hand in his and let him pull her to her feet. She followed him to the couch knowing very well she was making a mistake. Probably the ale, she decided, as the floor dipped under her boots. A smart woman would leave. She sat down anyway. What the hell. I’ve never been particularly smart.
Sliding an arm around her shoulders, Alerio drew her against his side. “Fuck Ivar.”
She laughed, and heard more than a little boozy bitterness in the sound. “I did. That’s the problem.”
“Look, Ivar is an arrogant little prick. But he’s also sloppy, and he’s definitely not as smart as he thinks he is. Sooner or later, he’s going to screw up. And I promise you this: before we throw his cyborg ass in the nearest penal colony, I will personally beat the shit out of him. Just on general principles.”
Dona found herself settling into his warm hold. “That works—as long as you let me get a couple of shots in. I owe that bastard for blindsiding me.”
Alerio smiled down at her. “It’s a deal.” His arm felt entirely too strong and warm around her shoulders, his big body hard with tight muscle and redolent with the scent of aroused male. Her head buzzed pleasantly. Gods, how Ivar would rage to see me cuddling with Alerio Dyami.
And who gives a fuck what Ivar would think? He’s history, and you can’t change history. Alerio is now.
Okay, definitely drunk. But fuck it, Dona decided with a sudden euphoric recklessness. I’m tired of tiptoeing around my fears. Alerio is not Kavel, and he’s sure as shit not Ivar. I want him—I’ve always wanted him. If I’d had the guts to go after him to start with, I wouldn’t have gotten screwed by Ivar. In the worst possible sense of the word.
She’d spent two years giving in to her fears, and that wasn’t like her. It’s time I act like a warrior instead of a victim.
Turning to face Alerio, Dona rose to her knees on the couch. He glanced up, surprised, and she took his mouth with greedy heat.
Gods, he’s delicious. Tasting of Vardonese ale and masculine heat, his lips felt incredibly soft as they parted under the pressure of hers. His tongue met hers in a spiraling mutual stroke. One big palm cupped her face, fingers brushing back and forth over her cheek as they kissed. Deep, lazy. She heard herself moan.
Suddenly greedy, Dona flung a leg across his lap and settled astride him. He instantly went hard under her ass, and she purred into his mouth. The hand stroking her face sank into her hair and fisted, drawing her even deeper into the kiss.
By the time they broke apart to breathe, Alerio’s eyes burned in full Warlord blaze. “Sweet Goddess, I want you,” he said in a hoarse rumble. “I’ve wanted you for two empty years. I’d watch you endure that psychotic bastard, watch him treat you like shit, and it drove me insane.”
“I know,” Dona told him, aching for the loneliness she could almost feel in him. A yearning so strong she could see it even through the glow. “I’m sorry.” I should have been braver.
“Why did you put up with Ivar’s crap? You could have filed a complaint. I would have stopped him. I itched to stop him.”
“I was afraid.” Shame heated her cheeks, but she didn’t let her gaze drop. Didn’t let herself take the easy way out. “I didn’t think I deserved any better. And he was so subtle—all those stinging little barbs. I wondered if I was being oversensitive.”
“You weren’t,” Alerio growled. “Ivar was a prick. I’m just glad we finally got the treasonous asshole out of your life.” Stroking her jawline with his thumb, he stared into her face, his expression brooding. “And I’m going to make him pay for everything he’s done. To you. To that poor guide he raped and murdered. To Jessica Arvid.” Galar’s wife had survived Ivar’s murder attempt only by using Sela psychic powers she hadn’t even known she had. The chief’s glowing eyes narrowed as his face hardened. “That bastard is going to wish he’d never drawn breath. On my honor as a Warlord.”
“You don’t have to swear an oath to me. I know you.” Dona sighed. “I just wish things were different. Wish I didn’t have the shitty history I have . . .”
“History’s the one thing you can’t change, Dona. It doesn’t have to keep us apart if you don’t want it to.” Alerio cupped one breast through her uniform top. His thumb flicked back and forth over one nipple. The sensation was so hot, so delicious, she sucked in a breath. “Do you want things to be different? Between you and me, if nothing else.”
“Gods, yes. I want you. That I do know.”
He smiled in one of those heart-stopping grins. “And I want you naked. Now.”
Hot arousal flooded her sex as she grinned back in delight. “All right.”
They undressed each other with impatient hands, stripping off duty pants, shirts, jerking down briefs, and tossing aside socks and boots.
When Alerio settled back on the couch again, he was extravagantly naked, his chest wide and brawny, his legs long, muscle working along them. His cock stood thick and proud above the furry weight of his balls.
Dona was just as bare, laughing as she climbed back into his lap, trapping his shaft beneath her butt. “Gods, your cock feels incredible.” So hard, yet covered in skin like hot velvet. She gasped, and let her eyes close. Enjoying the warmth of his skin against hers, all that hard strength contrasting with soft body hair.