“My name is Colm.”
“Colm. It’s an intriguing offer, but it isn’t why I’m here. We have to work together…”
“I am asking for one night. That is all.”
That honest comment soured the flames flicking in her belly. She was tired of being a one-night pleasure, an oddity for any man looking for something different.
“No.” She pushed at his shoulders, but he only budged an inch. “Besides, I’ve sworn off men.”
“Why?”
“They’ve proven…problematic. You have problem written all over you.” She waved at his chest.
“And you have independent, opinionated skyflyer written all over you. It will not dull my enjoyment of sliding my cock between your legs.”
Images exploded in her mind. She groaned. “Don’t say that.”
He tilted his head, a devious smile appearing. “Do you like dirty words, Honor?”
Hell, she didn’t know. She’d never been with a man who spoke dirty to her. She’d imagined barbarian warriors to be strong silent types…not dirty-talk types.
He leaned closer, his breath on her ear. “I would love to take that bland uniform off you. I would stroke you all over, learn where you are strong and where you are soft. I am sure between your thighs you are very, very soft.”
“Colm.” She tried to inject some strength into her voice.
“I would lie back and pull you over me, until you straddled my face. I would feast on your flesh and make you writhe on my tongue.”
She trembled. It was so easy to imagine them together.
“I would put you on your knees between my legs and watch my cock slide into your mouth.”
For a second, she saw it. Her hands on hard thighs, his large cock on her lips. Then the vision morphed, and all she saw was Engineer Dickhead with his cute little nurse.
Honor straightened and shoved at Colm’s chest. “I’m sure it would be memorable, Colm. But no.”
“Just one night, Honor.”
That just firmed her resolve. She was good enough for one night but nothing more? Screw that. “No.”
He stepped back, his nostrils flaring. “I can scent your arousal. You want me.”
“My body wants you.” She could also smell the earthy scent of his desire and it was like oil on the fire inside her. “I am not ruled by my body.”
His eyes narrowed. “I am a warrior, Honor, and a hunter.”
She eyed him warily.
“I always capture my prey,” he said silkily.
“I am not prey.” She stalked around him and toward the door.
As she walked inside, she forced herself not to look back.
Chapter Four
Honor strode out of the building, her team behind her, and breathed in the fresh Markarian air. She’d slept like crap, but she wasn’t going to let that interfere with their trip today. She could hear the archeologists arguing about the day’s plans.
She looked over at Derek. “You’ve got a strong signal?”
The younger man looked down at the Sync communicator attached to his wrist. “Yes, Agent Brandall. Loud and clear.”
“Good.” She looked around the empty courtyard. “Now we just have to wait for our escort.” Honor wasn’t sure how she felt about waiting for a certain barbarian warrior. The damn man and his hard body and bone-melting kisses had starred in all her dreams.
She heard the clatter of hooves on stone, followed by a snort. She spun.
From around a corner, several large beasts appeared.
“Holy stars,” Derek breathed.
Honor heard gasps from the archeologists and other security agents.
At first glance, they looked like horses—just bigger and more muscular, with black, leather-like skin, horns, and a wicked row of spikes down the back of their necks.
“We can’t be traveling on those,” one of the archeologists said in a panicked voice.
“No way,” a security officer said.
Colm appeared from the other side of the lead beast. He smiled at Honor. “Are you and your team ready, Agent Brandall?”
The way he drawled her name set her on edge. “Of course, Warrior Mal Kor.”
When the beast he was holding snorted, she saw flames shoot out of its nostrils. Each member of her team collectively gasped.
“They are well-trained,” Colm added.
Steadying herself, Honor stepped forward and reached out to pat the neck of the closest beast. She’d always liked animals.
Its skin was tough, but she felt an intense warmth radiating off it. When the fearsome-looking beast nuzzled against her, surprise jolted through her.
She glanced up and saw that Colm looked impressed.
“It is time to mount up.” Colm looked at her team. “Anyone who is uncomfortable with riding the hargon beasts, let me know. I will have a warrior ride with you.”