Stealing Coal (Cyborg Seduction, Book Five)

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An Excerpt From: STEALING COAL

Copyright © LAURANN DOHNER, 2011

All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.

“Hi. I’m Jill.” She paused, not sure what exactly to say to the cyborg since she hadn’t planned to steal him in the first place. “In three days we’re going to reach Hixton Station in the Gambit system. When we get there I’ll set you free and give you enough money to shuttle you wherever you want to go.”

The cyborg had really beautiful but frightening dark eyes. He gave her a chilly stare but said nothing though his full lips pressed tightly together. He took a deep breath but didn’t speak as seconds ticked by.

“Okay, I guess you don’t want to share your name. That’s all right. You’re aboard my shuttle. I’m a trader, and against my better judgment I couldn’t leave you behind after I heard what they were planning to do to you.”

He still didn’t respond but instead watched her until it made her nervous. She knew he could speak and that he understood English since she’d heard him make threats. The silence grew uncomfortable. Jill backed away a few steps since she could practically feel the angry vibes coming off the big gray guy. She shifted her gaze to Arm.

“I’m going to send Roid in here to babysit our guest. Do not release him.”

“Understood.”

“I thought you stated I’d be freed.” The cyborg’s raspy voice startled her.

Jill met his cold gaze. “I said I’d free you when we reached Hixton Station.”

He fought the chains, his body tensing when he strained, but the restraints held. Pure rage narrowed his glare.

“I’m not breeding with you.”

She took another step back, reeling from his staggering announcement, and skimmed her gaze over his gray skin. His words sank in and unless he spoke a different version of English, which she highly doubted, his words implied sex. She openly gawked at his powerfully built chest and ran her gaze down his long, massive body. She shivered with fear at the mere concept. He was the biggest male she’d ever seen, besides her bulky androids.

“No worries there. I’m not suicidal and you aren’t my type. I didn’t steal you for sex.”

“That’s why females keep males tied down and restrained. If you aren’t going to force breed me then release me now.”

“I don’t know you and I enjoy having the ability to keep breathing. You’re going to stay restrained until I know that you won’t hurt me.” She paused. “That will be when I have Arm push you onto Hixton and release you after you’re off my shuttle.”

He literally growled at her. It was a deep, scary sound that reminded her of a vicious dog she’d once found trapped in a ditch. She’d rescued it and the thing had promptly bitten her once she pulled it to higher ground. She subconsciously rubbed the scar on her upper arm. No good deed goes unpunished. She could still remember her aunt’s voice telling her that as she’d tended Jill’s wound twenty years earlier.

Jill backed up, putting more distance between them. “Okay then. You stay here and growl. I’m going to go pilot the shuttle but one of my androids will make sure you’re fed if you’re hungry. I’m well stocked so you’ll have plenty to eat as my guest.” Her gaze flicked over his body once more. He didn’t look as if they’d starved him. She turned away. “Just tell one of them you’re hungry when you want to eat.”

“What is it?”

She froze, and then frowned over her shoulder. The cyborg stared up at Arm, studying him with a perplexed expression. Arm watched him too. She took a deep breath.

“He’s a military android I found and salvaged. Earth Government had tossed him into a trash heap on a dump planet. His name is Arm and he’s not an ‘it’. I have two more of them, Roid and Fray. Please don’t call them anything but their names. I’m very fond of my guys. They won’t hurt you but they won’t take orders from you either. Their first priority is protecting me. They are loyal and it’s a rare trait these days that I appreciate.”

The cyborg frowned at her. “I’m going to break free and take control of your ship. I may show you mercy for saving me by not killing you.”