Free Hearts Akilter by Catherine E. McLean Page A

floor, his heart almost stopped beating. It was JJ’s hysterical screams from the pain of her burnt hand that sent his heart racing anew. JJ had looked at him and, with enough presence of mind, pulled out another rodgun. Still screaming, more in rage than pain, she aimed the weapon at Marlee’s back.
    Deacon had lunged at JJ and sent a roundhouse blow, which dislocated her jaw and knocked her out.
    He’d gone to Marlee, praying she wasn’t dead, and realized in that moment how much he cared. He almost chuckled. He was unquestionably a little in love with the woman—Marlee, so quirky and capable—but could brave, honest Marlee learn to love him back? Did the woman even like him?
    She drew in a deep breath and let it out in a soft whoosh.
    When she didn’t open her eyes, Deacon said in a low voice, “Marlee— Wakey, wakey .”
    Her eyelids opened, shut, then opened. The lovely black lenses spun wide, not quite in sync with each other until two blinks later.
    The swollen right eyelid didn’t open fully, but he was sure she recognized him.
    She softly moaned.
    Okay, so no smile. What did he expect?
    He smiled at her, unashamed to let his feelings for her show. “Hello, sweetheart.”
    “I’m not your sweetheart.”
    Ah, the grumpy heroine. Considering what she’d been through, it was to be expected. He flashed her a bright grin. “I beg to differ, but we’ll talk about that another time.”
    She growled low in her throat and turned her head, wincing from the movement. Her gaze took in the surroundings. “Skom, I’m in sickbay. My head is pounding. How badly am I crippled this time?”
    “Not crippled. No concussion—just a bump to the forehead when it collided with the corner of the treatment table. You’ll have quite the shiner, but no cut, no stitches, no damage to the ocular implants.”
    By the paling and flushing of her face, she had to be recalling why she fell.
    He took her cool hand in his and marveled at how soft her skin was. “Thank you for taking the hypo meant for me.”
    She again growled in her throat, but she didn’t pull her hand free. “You’re officially unwelcome.”
    He chuckled.
    “So, what about the tranquilizer. My body doesn’t feel like lead at a hundred-thousand g’s.”
    “Henry gave you an antidote.”
    “What about Woodridge? Did I stop her?”
    “Yes. She has some ugly burns on her hand and wrist from the explosion of the rodgun pellet, but she’ll recover the use of the hand.”
    “What about the guy in the bed? I take it he was the target?”
    “Yes, and I’ll tell you about him when you’re feeling better.”
    “Why not now?”
    “Because you need to rest and recover.”
    Her scowl at him was short-lived. “How’s Henry?”
    “He’s fine. Better than fine. Nick, that is, Commander Asuka, called in the techs, who rebooted Henry to insure no commands remain from JJ’s tampering with him.”
    In a whisper she said, “And the bomb, the explosive?”
    “It’s out of him. JJ never got a chance to detonate it.”
    Marlee closed her eyes. “So all’s right with the world?” She smiled.
    Such a beautiful smile…
    This was the woman for him, but how to convince her? Ah, yes…
    “Marlee, sweetheart , don’t panic.”
    Her eyes remained closed. “Why would I panic?”
    He released her hand, bent forward, and placed his hands on either side of her. Putting his feelings for her into his sexiest, deepest voice, he quietly warned her, “I’m going to kiss you.”
    Before she could blink or utter a protest, he lowered himself, putting his lips to hers. As he deepened the kiss, her surprise abated, and she relaxed. Her lips softened beneath his.
    He felt the tightness in his groin, then the quick rise of arousal.
    He was vaguely aware Marlee reached for his shoulder, took a handful of his robe, and pulled him toward her.
    Chest met chest.
    A profound and ecstatic joy raced through him.
    Behind him came the loud squelch of treads. Henry’s voice boomed,