by
Can Gratch save his friends and keep his heart safe before the space pirates destroy everything?
Commander Gratch is stressed. He needs peace after almost losing his friends twice to the space pirates. With the crew of the Padua taking time to rehabilitate and relax on the Asyran Moon, Gratch hopes that all will be well; however, a tiny niggle of suspicion rears its ugly head and all Gratch knows is paranoia. Not everything can be this perfect. All hell will break loose if Gratch isn’t ready. But a nighttime flirtation on the beach with Tyr, a mysterious man, distracts him from his worries and fear.
Until all hell breaks loose and allies become enemies.
Separated from his friends and with deadly robots intent on experimenting on him, Gratch fights to escape. His only chance at surviving is with Tyr who just happened to be at the right place at the right time, ready to rescue him.
Tyr’s knowledge of the land and his sneaky ways worry Gratch. What if this man with his sly humour and his pretty eyes is only helping Gratch to further the Siwu’s agenda? What if Gratch falls for him only to discover how dangerous Tyr is to his family? Is love worth the cost of an alliance?
Featuring a stoic hero and his sexy spy, Temerity will take you on a ride of nights lost in a jungle, killer robots and love built on trust.
Editors:
Cover Artists:
Genres:
Pairings: M-M
Heat Level: 3
Romantic Content: 2
Ending: Click here to reveal
Character Identities: Gay
Protagonist 1 Age: 36-45
Protagonist 2 Age: 26-35
Word Count: 58000
Setting: Asyra's Moon
Languages Available: English
Series Type: Same Universe / Various Characters
He sighed dramatically and stared up at the ceiling as though I was the one in the wrong. He was the one who'd stormed my bedroom. He was the one who was a fucking liar. I crossed my arms and waited for him to explain.
“Tyr. Of the Third Regalia. Officially, I track down missing ship’s hearts and offer them a better choice. A lot of them want to serve, but some just want to be left alone. So we leave them alone. Cases like Stultus piss us off. I, ah, noticed a distinct lack of curiosity toward Stultus, so I’m going to assume it’s still--”
“Commander Trest is receiving help from the trauma. He’s a good man. We don’t want to jeopardize his recovery,” I spoke stiffly.
READ MORETyr immediately lifted his hands, backing off from the topic. “Anyway, have this. It’s a tracker-communicator. I was serious when I said you’re going to be in trouble. For some reason, everyone’s eyes are on you. I don’t want you to get separated or lost in the shuffle. You put this on the roof of your mouth and I’ll be able to locate you and talk to you if need be.”
“Why?” His insistence I take his tracker unsettled me. I kept my hands close to my side and refused.
“Why what?”
“Why are you making this a big deal? I don’t know you. This thing you keep harping on? It’s attraction, sure, but nothing else. I don’t understand why you’ve chosen me. There are more important people to give a tracker to, like Captain Sartris or Commander Trest. Even the Admiral deserves this more than me,” I insisted loudly. His attraction to me was a lie. It had to be a lie. I wasn’t… no one like him would ever admit to being captivated by me. I was a homebody with a need to protect. He was the opposite, and whatever he thought we could have was impossible. No way in fucking hell was I going to allow him to take advantage of the situation. I didn’t trust him. Not yet. StarGods, why me?
“But you’re the one that’s been targeted. I told you that. You’re the one they’re curious about. You’re the one the Meister approached.” Tyr placed one knee on the bed, still offering me the small disc. I scooted to the far side, away. I was not going to give in.
“He approached the admiral, not me,” I interjected.
The look Tyr levelled on me was priceless, but I wasn’t going to give up my position. Why I needed to be tracked by a Paternai hadn’t been explained to my satisfaction. I waited patiently for an answer, but Tyr just shook his head.
“You said earlier that I talk a lot. Where did that come from?” I asked curiously. Was I inadvertently spitting out classified things? I was pretty sure I had kept myself away from those conversations, so I wouldn’t blab out secrets.
Tyr opened his mouth and then closed it as thoughts raced across his face. “I know I heard you say shit. You were bitching to the blond one about the ship.”
“How long have you been spying on me?” I asked, outraged.
“Your crew is unusual. You have two people who have bonded with one ship’s heart, which should be impossible, and then one, Terran no less, bonded with another ship’s heart,” Tyr began.
“He didn’t do that willingly. It was an assault. It wasn’t-- he didn’t--“I still had a hard time with what happened to Trest. To have Tyr call it bonding was disgusting. He didn’t know the truth. He didn’t understand our hell. My breath stuttered, and I inhaled slowly, trying to remain calm and not tear Tyr’s head off.
“Apologies.” Tyr scooted closer to me on the bed. His hand touched my knee gently. “I didn’t mean to make light of Commander Trest’s attack. I was trying to be tactful and ended up not.”
“Anyway, going back to the matter at hand, why me?” I brought the conversation around to the beginning while he moved nearer. I slid away.
“No offense, but you seem amenable. You talk a lot of shit about your crew. And I realize it’s with love, but some of the unsavoury types might think you can be turned.”
“Siwu can go fuck themselves. They’re utter shit.”
“I realize that. Hence me giving you a tracker-communicator.” He handed me the small disc and waited for me to put it in. He wasn’t going to give up, and his reasoning why I should have it was sound. He smiled crookedly as though he knew he'd won. The ass. “Do you need some help?”
“What? No. Go away.” I winced as I pressed the metallic tracker on the roof of my mouth. The taste made me gag, but soon it moulded itself.
“Let me see.” Tyr leaned into my space, and I was treated to the scent of warm male and salty air. His hand was soft as he tipped my head back. Why was I letting him do this? “Open, Gratch. Please?”
I opened my mouth and allowed him to look. His breath touched my cheeks, and his thumb pressed on my lower lip. I shifted awkwardly on the bed.
“What your crew did is amazing. For what people call a ragtag group, you have remarkable loyalty and love for one another. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it even among the Paternai, and we’re bred to be loyal like that. You’re...” He struggled with the words as he tapped my chin closed and pulled away. He didn’t move too far. His legs were still touching mine, and he could easily overtake me if he wanted. Knowing that actually settled me. It was nice to have someone else be the fighter. I relaxed and rested my leg fully upon his.
COLLAPSE
