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stubble that had begun to show
    was now just a memory.
    “The freighter isn’t following us and I doubt it will be able to travel for a very long
    time.”
    “Good.” The last thing she needed would be another run-in with them. “What are
    you going to do with me and my droids?”
    He cocked his head slightly, watching her for a long moment. “I’ve set a course to
    take us to the last location where I know my people’s ships were. I don’t want to risk
    communications. We are closer to Earth than I wish and the probability is high that they
    might overhear my transmission.”
    Cyborgs had ships, which meant there were more of them. She digested that
    information. “What are you going to do with us if you find your friends?”
    “I’ll release you and your shuttle.”
    Relief swept through her. “Thank you.” She wanted to believe him but part of her
    remained leery. “Do you promise?”
    “I’ll tell you what you told me. You’re my prisoner, I am in control, and I have no
    reason to give you false hope. I could do anything to you that I wish but I don’t want to
    harm you.”
    “I didn’t say it that coldly.”
    An eyebrow arched. “I am not you.”
    “How are my droids?”
    “Fine.” He paused, his features relaxing. “You have a lot of spare parts stored in
    your cargo hold. Why didn’t you fix them? Most of the supplies are there if you’d only
    inventoried what you possessed.”
    “I don’t know how. I had to teach myself to pilot and I did replace their damaged
    eye sensors. I just couldn’t find matching ones. They aren’t blind. I’m kind of proud of
    that.”
    41

    Laurann Dohner
    “I wouldn’t be. You did a bad job. The color is adjustable. They have fully
    functioning vision now, matching colored lenses, and no more short circuits.”
    She relaxed. “You really fixed them?”
    “I enjoy working while I think.”
    “Thank you.” She meant it, knowing he hadn’t had to do it.
    He shrugged. “It needed to be done. Your entire shuttle is in bad shape. It will take
    us days to reach our destination and in the meantime I have made a list of repairs to
    tackle.”
    “Really?” A rush of appreciation filled her. “Thank you. That’s so nice.”
    His posture straightened even more. “You saved my life and didn’t mistreat me. I
    checked your computer logs and you were headed for Hixton Station just the way you
    stated. I also talked with the droids while I worked on them. You had no reason to
    deceive them and they were certain you meant to release me upon arrival. They state
    that you are honest and do not tell them lies. I decided, after reviewing the facts, that
    you need to be rewarded. You admitted to losing a financial opportunity by removing
    me from the freighter. While I don’t have money to pay you, I do have expertise.” He
    paused. “I’ve decided to repair your ship, your droids, and you.”
    She felt gratitude right up until that last word. “Me? I’m not hurt.”
    “You’re afraid of males and believe sex is one-sided. That’s a flaw on your part.
    Your male harmed you.”
    “My ex-male and I’m fine. I don’t want to hear a lecture on it again. I also don’t
    want to date anyone in the future. It’s not a defect if it’s not a problem.”
    “I am not going to talk to you.” He reached for the front of his pants. “I am going to
    show you pleasure.”
    Jill gaped at him, her mind trying to make sense of his words while dread rolled
    through her. Coal tore open his pants to reveal―
    Her gaze jerked upward and she locked her full attention on his face, refusing to
    glance down at the dusky, hairless skin he’d revealed under his navel. “You’re not
    wearing underwear.”
    “I was fortunate to find pants that barely fit. The males who discarded the clothing I
    found were much smaller than I.” He bent, stepping out of the pants. “Do not fear me.”
    “Stop,” Jill ordered. “I’m not flawed or damaged. Put the pants back on.” Her