“Yeah. But it isn’t the harsh, rocky place Diablo is. It’s all giant sand dunes, palm-fringed oases and an inland sea that glimmers like a jewel. My brothers and I grew up sledding down the dunes, exploring the old ruins that are scattered over the planet. Skinny dipping in the sea.”

  Her chest tightened. She could imagine Zayn as a boy, racing after his older brothers. “Sounds idyllic.”

  He was silent for a moment. “Then my mom left and everything changed.”

  “Why’d she leave?”

  “Decided a washed-up treasure hunter didn’t make a good husband and three rowdy boys were too much hard work.”

  She had no idea what it was like to have a mother or to lose her, but Ria knew from his tone that it hurt. “I’m sorry, Zayn.”

  “I had Nik and Dathan.”

  “And your father?”

  A stony silence. Then Zayn spoke. “Dad turned…bitter. Started to drink.” She felt Zayn shake his head. “Shit, you don’t want to hear this.”

  She swiveled as far as she could. His face was all shadows and she felt the tension in his muscles. She gripped one hard forearm, felt his muscles flex. “I do. Tell me.”

  “He started knocking us around. Dathan worst of all. Dad made us work in his junk-yard, but he was never happy.” A whispered curse. “God, some nights we’d have to scour the streets to find what gutter he’d passed out in and drag him home. It was about that time I dreamed of getting away. I used to race my beat-up, old desert speeder as fast as I could. I wanted to fly off at interstellar speed and never come back.”

  Ria’s chest tightened. She pictured a small boy with big blue eyes full of suffering. “And a career was born?”

  “A passion was born. I had a driving need to fly. I wanted to explore every inch of the galaxy and do it as fast as I could. Nik left for the Galactic Institute of Historical Preservation, and the day I turned fifteen, I was accepted into the Strike Wing Academy.”

  One brother lost himself in books, the other in speed. But she heard the sorrow in Zayn’s voice. “It didn’t make you happy?”

  “Oh, it made me deliriously happy. And for a while, I forgot that we’d left Dathan all alone to deal with our father.”

  “Looks to me like Dathan’s done just fine for himself.”

  “Yeah. Now. Finding Eos soothed something ragged in him. Dad had done a number on him, but for a while he wasn’t okay and I won’t ever forget that Nik and I left him there.”

  “Maybe being in the Guild wasn’t that much worse than family life.”

  Zayn fiddled with her hair. “Families can be a challenge but my brothers…they’re always there for me. No matter what. I wouldn’t trade that for anything.”

  Now siblings were something Ria didn’t know anything about. Her fellow Guild assassins were just as likely to assassinate her if ordered. “I always thought that at least the Guild gave me a sense of belonging. But the level of trust and loyalty I see you have with your brothers…I’ve never experienced that.”

  “Yeah, but family can drive you crazy as well.” His voice sounded lighter now. “Belonging is good, too. I had that with the Strike Wing.”

  “You miss it?”

  “The ships, yeah. The camaraderie, sometimes. But Nik, Dath and Malin and now Eos, they give me that and more. But the Wing, we weren’t the same as family. Vik used to say we were family…but it always came down to the chain of command and the rules. She and I…we never explored our connection because it was against the rules. And the more I think about it, I’m not sure I would have trusted Vik to pick me over her damned precious rules.”

  They both fell into silence and Ria stared hard at the trees. Then she noticed the trees were getting taller. A twinkle of light off the side of the track caught her eye. “Zayn, look.”

  He peered over her shoulder. “Hot damn.” He directed the horse off the track and they stopped at the edge of a waterhole.

  It glimmered under the light of the twin moons. It wasn’t large and was fed by what looked like an underground spring that bubbled at one end. A small cave was carved back into the cliff face.

  Zayn slid off the horse. Ria was pleased to see his pain was under control because he moved with his usual sleek movements. He gripped her waist and set her down. Then he was striding to the edge of the water. He slipped off his shirt as he went.

  Ria’s mouth went dry. There was enough light for her to make out the hard ridges of muscle in his back. He squatted at the edge, scooped up a handful of water and splashed it over his face. It ran down his bare chest and she watched a trickle arrow down toward the waistband of his jeans.

  She managed to get her brain functioning. “Don’t drink it. We don’t know if it’s contaminated.” She pulled the scanner from her boot and strode forward. She swung it over the pool.

  His eyes had narrowed. “I thought I told you no technology.”

  The scanner beeped. “Water’s drinkable.” She slipped the device back in her boot. “Lucky I’m not so hung up on rules.”

  He pushed to his feet. “Lucky no one found it. I’ll scout around, collect some wood for a fire and if we’re lucky, I might find us something to eat.”

  “Okay.” She tried not to let her gaze linger on that sculpted chest.

  He touched a gentle finger to her temple. “You should give this a good wash. Don’t want it to get infected before we get back to the ship.”

  She managed a nod. How could one small touch turn her insides to mush?

  Then he was striding away and even after the darkness had swallowed him up, she still stared after him.

  ***

  With an armload of small branches, Zayn made his way back to the waterhole. Attached to his belt was a large lizard-type creature. He admitted to himself that he was glad Ria had brought the scanner. It could tell them if the ugly reptile was edible. His stomach chose that moment to grumble loudly. He really hoped it was. It had given Zayn a merry chase before he’d managed to catch the damn thing.

  Stepping out of the trees, he instantly scanned for Ria.

  He didn’t see her anywhere.

  His heart gave a hard thump. He moved closer to the pool.

  And spotted a pile of discarded clothes. Then he heard a splash of water.

  He froze.

  As she rose out of the water, the branches dropped from Zayn’s arms and smacked against his boots. Her wet skin glistened in the moonslight and maybe he should have thought of poetic descriptions of goddesses but he was no poet and instead he thought she looked like a she-devil. Come to tempt him and bring all the dark fantasies stewing in his head to life.

  Her breasts were round and high, her nipples tightened to hard points. As she flowed out of the water, he noted the way her waist nipped inward before it flared out again to full hips. Her legs were long and toned, all of her firm muscle. And lord help him, there was no hair between her legs, just bare, bare skin.

  His mouth was dry and he couldn’t move. Didn’t want to move. Except maybe to storm into the water and yank her into his arms.

  Suddenly, she lifted her gaze and stilled.

  She didn’t hurry to cover herself or drop back into the water. She just watched him. After a long humming minute, she made her way out of the water. As she got closer, Zayn reckoned she couldn’t miss the raging erection straining against the zipper of his jeans.

  “I started washing my wound and decided I may as well wash all over.”

  He swallowed, not letting his gaze drop from her eyes. “Isn’t it cold?”

  “No. It’s not hot but also not cold. The spring must retain some heat from wherever it comes from underground.”

  He needed to touch her. Might die if he didn’t. He touched her temple and studied the now-clean wound. “Not as bad as it looked now the blood’s gone.”

  “It’s fine.”

  He brushed a finger through the damp strands of her hair now plastered to her head. “It’ll scar if it isn’t healed soon.”

  “Not my first scar and probably not my last.”

  As she said it, his gaze now drifted down. He saw a thick ridge of scar tissue on her shoulder. He let his fingers drift over it.

  “A Crossfire gambler on Vegas III stabbed me with a shard of broken glass.”

  Zayn spied another scar on her toned bicep. A starburst that could only have come from a projectile weapon. He remembered Vik had a similar one on her arm from a mission into the Wolff Nebula. Even though scars could be removed, she’d kept it as a badge of honor. “And this one?”

  Ria’s brow wrinkled. “I’m not sure. I don’t remember. I have so many I lose track.”

  “You could get them removed.”

  Her chin lowered. “That’s not the assassin way. And besides, they don’t bother me. They’re a reminder of what I’ve survived.”

  He tipped her chin up. “They don’t bother me either. I like a woman whose life shows on her skin. You’re a beautiful woman, Ria.”

  “No one’s called me beautiful before.”

  Unable to stop himself, he let his hand drift lower and cup the full weight of her breast. Her lips parted and he felt the slight tremor through her body. “There’s more to beauty than the rail-thin actresses on the holovids. There’s strength and determination. A body honed to perfect fitness. The way a woman moves that body.” He flicked a thumb over one taut nipple. “The way a woman trembles under a man’s touch. That’s true beauty.”

  Her eyelids fluttered. “I wouldn’t have guessed a flyboy would have such pretty words.”

  “I just say things how I see them.” He slid both his hands over her shoulders, tugging her close until those glorious breasts pressed against his chest. She felt like heaven and her small gasp shuddered through him. Desire was a hot, insistent fire in his gut.

  He’d been lost for so long, coasting, running from the past. Now Ria had blazed into his life, making him think of the now, and maybe even of the future, for the first time in two years.

  Zayn speared his hands into her hair. Then he ran his fingers down her intriguing ridges. She shivered. “They’re sensitive?”

  “Yes.”

  He traced them up and down again before he let his hands slid down her sides, following the curves and indents of her body. She moved under his touch, a sinuous undulation. She wanted this too and he saw no reason to keep denying them.

  He cupped her buttocks, his fingers kneading flesh. “I want you, Ria. You. I want to touch you. Taste you. I want to sink my cock inside you and drive us both crazy until you come all over me.”

  Her breath hitched. “Are you sure?”

  He knew what she was asking. One hand slid back and gripped her chin, forcing her to look at him. “You, Ria.” With his other hand, he dipped between her muscled thighs, touched the heated damp flesh that begged for his touch. She jerked against his hand, but her gaze stayed on his.

  He parted the petals of her sex, forcing himself to go slow, to not throw her on the ground, tear his clothes off and take her. He slid one finger inside her heat.

  “Zayn!”

  Using his thumb, he flicked at her swollen clit. “Just you and me, Ria. No one else. Do you understand?”

  She nodded frantically. He eased another finger inside her, stretching the delicate tissues and this time she moaned aloud.

  Now he kissed her. He took her mouth in a hard, firm kiss and she instantly lit up. Her tongue was on his, her arms wrapping around him.

  He needed more. So much more.

  Like she read his mind, her hands were at his belt, fumbling with the catches. Seconds later, he helped her shuck down his jeans and tear off his shirt. Both naked, he cupped her bottom again and urged her up.

  She wrapped her long legs around his hips, his cock brushing against the hot skin at her entrance. She moved against him, teasing him, her teeth white in the dark of the night. He liked seeing her happy, seeing her smile. He wondered what else he could do to make her smile.

  She moved again and the head of his cock lodged between her lips. They stilled.

  “Zayn.” His name was a violent whisper.

  His fingers dug into her hip bones. “Take me, Ria. I’m yours.”

  She lifted her hips and in one solid move, thrust down on his cock. He slid inside her in one perfect move. She was hot and tight, and a curse slipped from his lips.

  “Not such pretty words now,” she managed with a laugh.

  “My brains cells are drowning in pleasure. Can’t manage pretty sentences.”

  “I don’t need them. I only need you.”

  He supported her as she lifted herself up and down, a tantalizing slide that wound the tension higher in both of them. There was nothing in his head—no ghosts, no past, no present or future. Just Ria.

  It was a long, slow ride. Desire curled like a hot fire at the base of his spine.

  They moved together, straining against one another. Then Ria stiffened and her head fell forward. Her body trembled as orgasm crashed through her. Her teeth bit into his shoulder, her scream muffled against his skin.

  Nope, he’d never get enough of her. Zayn slammed into her one more time and then his own release took over, taking them both into oblivion.

  Chapter Twelve

  It was the cool night air on her bare skin that woke Ria.

  She blinked in the darkness. Her back was cozy warm but her front was chilly. She realized Zayn was curled around her, one palm pressed possessively to her lower belly. His fingers lay just above the juncture of her thighs. She remembered now their fiery, intense loving. They’d collapsed on their pile of discarded clothes, exhausted from the adventures of the day and their own very private adventure. He’d been stroking her as they fell asleep. Which hadn’t made it easy for either of them to sleep.

  But they had. And now the deepest part of night had fallen and the desert air was damned cold.

  “Okay?” He moved behind her, pressing a kiss to her shoulder.

  “Cold.”

  He moved, standing and before she could speak, he scooped her into his arms.

  Ria slipped her arms around his neck. No assassin or modern woman would ever admit it, but she really liked the way he carried her. So strong and self-assured.

  When he stepped into the water and it lapped at her bottom, she squeaked.

  He strode in waist deep, then sank into the warmth. The water wasn’t hot but it was warmer than the outside air.

  “How’s that?” he asked.

  “Better.” She shifted, wrapping her legs around his waist and letting go of her arms. She drifted on her back, the warm water lapping at her skin. She watched him, watching her.

  His gaze was like hot coals, skating over her breasts. Their peaks bobbed above the water and hardened to points from the cold air and his gaze. Except Ria definitely wasn’t feeling cold anymore.

  “You are so damned delectable.” His fingers dug into her hips. He unhooked her legs but held her thighs in a tight grip as he floated her out on the water.

  He shoved her legs apart and Ria felt her stomach tighten. He looked wild, intent on devouring.

  Leaning forward, he lowered his head and pressed a kiss to her belly. Oh, God. Ria let her head fall back in the water, felt her hair drifting out around her. His tongue dipped into her navel, lapping at the water pooled there. Then his mouth travelled down her body, his teeth scraping over her hipbone.

  He pressed a hot kiss to her mound, right between her thighs but a whisper away from where she really wanted it.

  “Do you remove your hair to drive men crazy?”

  She shook her head, the water rippling. She licked her lips. “My race doesn’t have hair there.”

  With a groan, he lowered his mouth again, shoving her thighs farther apart. This time there was no gentle exploration. His hot, hard mouth was a shock to her system. He sucked on her clit, then lapped at her with his tongue.

  Ria’s hands flailed in the water. The sensations rocking through her were stronger than anything she’d experienced before. When had she ever trusted a man enough to give up her control and just enjoy the pleasure? When had she ever just let herself go?

  She stared blindly above. The stars in the sky became a blur, like she was traveling at interstellar speed, hurtling higher and higher.

  Then there was no room for thoughts, only space for all the raging emotions inside her to coalesce before they exploded. She cried out, a strangled sound.

  Zayn grabbed her, yanking her body into his. He thrust inside her and she felt her body grip him, her spasms milking him. He hammered into her in a frenzy.

  “Can’t. Get. Enough. Of. You.” His words came through gritted teeth. Another thrust and his body juddered. He buried his face in her hair and they both hurtled over the dark edge of pleasure together.

  Ria didn’t know how much time had passed before she could think again. They were both tangled together, floating in the water, her head resting on his strong shoulder. “We’re lucky we didn’t drown.”

  “Would have been worth it.”

  His deep voice rumbled through her and she smiled. It’d be nice if they could just stay here, the two of them. No Guild, no ghosts, no dangerous missions. She pressed a kiss to his skin. “Maybe we could find a little mountain cabin and live here on Diablo.”

  He chuckled. “You want to turn permanent cowgirl?”

  No. She wanted to have this man by her side, in her bed, in her life. She forced herself to laugh. “Of course not. We have a Guild to outsmart and then the galaxy is my oyster.”

  He didn’t say anything, but one of his hands clenched in her hair. “After that, you can do whatever you want.” A beat of silence. “We both need some sleep. Oh, and I did bring a lizard home for dinner. Might have to be a midnight snack.”

  “We’ll need to dig a fire pit, it helps hide the flames,” Ria said. “Old assassin trick to avoid detection.”

  “I look forward to learning more of your tricks.”

  They dug the pit, started a fire and dined on roasted lizard. Then they made love in the firelight, Ria moving above him, watching every flicker of pleasure on his face.