Free On a Rogue Planet by Anna Hackett

touch me. Earlier you wanted to kiss me.”
    Her eyes narrowed. “Are you completely clueless?”
    “No. I have very high intelligence coupled with advanced implants that—”
    “Xander. Shut up.” She was shaking her head. “Kissing. Touching. That’s not going to happen.”
    It really was better that they didn’t indulge this need. He had to focus on his mission.
    But with her standing there, all smooth, creamy skin and smoky eyes…he was unable to stop himself. “I want to kiss you.”
    She hissed in a breath. “Listen, tough guy, earlier you told everyone you don’t feel anything for me. That isn’t conducive to making a woman interested in kissing.”
    Xander processed that. “I’m sorry. I have no experience with dealing with women in a…personal way.”
    “Wait, what?” Her eyes widened. “Are you a virgin?”
    “No.”
    “But you said—”
    “As part of my CenSec training, I was required to have sexual intercourse with a female CenSec. To experience the act and catalogue the experience.”
    Malin’s mouth dropped open. “They make you have sex?”
    “Yes.”
    “Did you…did you enjoy it?”
    “That was not the purpose of the exercise. But parts of it were stimulating.”
    “Jesus.” Malin ran a hand through her hair. “Answer a question for me. Do you feel anything when you’re with me?”
    Xander told himself not to answer. To keep quiet. Not expose a weakness.
    But her purple eyes were irresistible.
    “I feel, Malin.” He reached out and touched her hair. Felt the silkiness of it. “I shouldn’t. I have a mission, I’m not supposed to feel anything, I—”
    “Shut up, Xander.” She pressed her hand to his chest, her fingers tracing the black designs that circled his implants.
    Her touch felt like a laser searing his skin.
    She reached up, her lips brushing against his jaw. “Lower your head,” she whispered. “I’ve decided it’s time for that kiss.”
    Xander felt a tremor rock through his body. Instead of leaning down, he swept an arm around her and pulled her firmly against his chest, holding her off the ground.
    They were face-to-face.
    “That works.” Her hands cupped his cheeks. She nipped at his lips.
    Xander got the tiniest hint of her taste. Cherry. She tasted like cherries.
    Then her mouth pressed to his.
    Xander stayed still, absorbing the sensations, as her lips moved against his. As her tongue traced the seam of his mouth.
    “Open your mouth, Xander.” A ragged whisper against his lips.
    For once, the CenSec used to giving orders, enthusiastically followed one given to him.
    Her tongue slipped inside his mouth, stroking, exploring. Sensation was a roar along his nerve endings. Amazing. He absorbed every move of her lips and tongue. Catalogued. Learned. Experienced.
    Then he kissed her back.
    She gave a low moan, her hands clutching at his shoulders. Xander drove his tongue into her mouth, wanting to discover every part of her.
    Conscious thought slipped away. Xander heard a groan, and was shocked to realize the sound came from him. He hauled her closer, felt her legs were wrap around his thigh, and he slid one hand down to cup her bottom and hold her in place. Her small, compact body felt…perfect.
    Voices echoed down the corridor. Coming closer.
    Slowly, Malin pulled her head back. Reluctance was written all over her face. She licked her lips and Xander felt another pulse through his body.
    Desire. It was an extraordinary feeling. Exciting, exhilarating, frustrating.
    He wanted more.
    “I want to experience more.”
    Malin gave a laugh. “Really, tough guy?”
    “I shouldn’t. I cannot allow it to interfere with my—”
    “Your mission. I got it.” She wiggled and he let her feet hit the ground. “Centax is your number one priority.”
    He thought he heard bitterness in her tone. He gripped her chin and lifted her eyes to his. “When we get back from Rhage, I want more than a kiss.” He paused. “If it pleases you to show me more.”
    The