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up and brushed a drop of juice from her lips. Mesmerized, she watched him draw his finger in between his lips and suck. Suddenly it seemed like a crime she and Neichon had done nothing more than kiss the night before. She could certainly think of a few things she’d like to suck.
    As if he sensed her train of thought, Neichon’s lips twisted into a grin. He bent and picked up two of the fruits, taking a nibble from one. “Come,” he said, lifting a brow. “We’ve much walking to do.” With that, he strode from the clearing.
    Her mind fogged with sexual need, Inara watched as Valeron stalked toward her and then bent down to pick up several fruits. Rising, he winked and gave her a quick peck on the forehead before following Neichon out.
    Operating on autopilot, she bent to snatch a second piece of fruit. Her thighs quivered with desire, almost sending her tumbling to the ground. Scowling, Inara straightened and started after the Spygians.
    She could already tell. It was going to be a long day.
    * * * * *
     
    By the time the sun started to lower in the sky, Inara and the Spygians had trekked for miles, and her feet ached from the journey. They’d spoken along the way, and she’d learned much about Neichon and Valeron. That they’d been friends growing up. That Neichon carried a tune very well, and Valeron liked to tend the indoor garden on their ship.
    The pain they’d felt when their mothers and sisters had succumbed to the plague that had taken all the women of their planet.
    All in all, she’d discovered that she truly liked them. If things had been different…well, if that had been the case, it probably wouldn’t have taken much convincing for her to join their pod. But there was no use in dwelling on things that could never be.
    Several times they had tried to get her to open up about her past, but she’d deflected their questions, instead asking them something else about Spygia or their upbringings. Neither of the men commented on it, though Neichon had thrown her a curious glance or two.
    Just when she was about to suggest they find a camp for the night, she heard a soft plopping sound. She stopped, ears perking.
    “Listen. Sounds like water!”
    She took off in the direction of the sound. With the exception of the juice from the fruits they’d consumed, Inara hadn’t had anything to drink since she’d crash-landed, and her throat was dry and parched, her skin starting to crackle.
    “Wait, Inara,” Neichon’s voice called from behind her.
    Inara brushed past a copse of trees and came to a stop right in front of a small pond. Small branches and leaves from overhead trees periodically dropped into the water, creating the little plops she’d heard.
    “Oh, thank the gods!”
    The glistening blue water beckoned to her. Praying it would be fresh, she dropped to her knees on the sandy bank and cupped her hands, bending to take a sip.
    Oh thank you. Thank you, yes.
    Neichon and Valeron came barreling through the forest. She lifted her head to grin at them. “It’s delicious.”
    She caught a glimpse of relief on their faces before she turned back to the water, lapping up more. Fresna had always been known for its fresh-tasting water. Good to know that wasn’t somehow destroyed by the Malucons as they’d destroyed the planet’s people.
    Only when she’d drunk her fill did she look back up. Neichon and Valeron knelt beside her, also drinking from the pond. Now that her energy was renewed from the liquid she’d just taken in, her libido was back in full force. Heavens, but these men looked amazing, the tendons in their muscular legs straining from the effort of their movement. Their dark, silky hair brushed over their shoulders, so long the tips were suspended in the water.
    I want them , her greedy body said. Oh yes, she wanted every bit of them.
    As if he sensed her staring at him, Neichon sat back, the glorious muscles of his back bunching and flexing. “I think I saw a spot nearby that would make