Read Online The Bond That Consumes Us by Christine D'Abo - Free Book Online

to be acting this way. They would have their little conversation and get to the matter at hand. This was the way of the humans and Fallon was no different.
    Except she was.
    “Not at all. But I’d hate to have you removed from the ship for missing a physical.
    But I don’t think our friends here want to hear about this.”
    “Thank you, Doc.” Sean nodded. “What can you tell us?”
    “Not much more than I knew last night, unfortunately. Nate was killed by a single laser blast to the heart.” Doc moved around the table, rolling Nate’s lifeless body onto his side. “See here? The wound on the back is black, the skin collapsing inward.”
    “He was shot from behind,” Taber said, his voice its normal even treble.
    Fallon wrapped her hands around her waist, staring at Nate. “Oh god.”
    “He wouldn’t have felt a thing, Ms. Reist.” Sean moved beside Doc. “Anything else?”
    “It looks like someone had gone through his pockets. I couldn’t find anything in his clothing, but that doesn’t mean there wasn’t anything there. I also noticed something odd about the color of his skin.”
    Sean raised an eyebrow. “What?”
    “He had a tan.”
    “How is that odd?” Sean said, frowning.
    “Because,” Taber said, taking a step forward. “He’s been on a ship in the middle of space for the past several years.”
    “And he never used the tanning beds,” Fallon added, keeping her gaze off Taber.
    “I think it may be related to the cause of death. I’m running an analysis through the computer but it will take several hours, possibly longer to complete.”
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    “Thank you, Doctor. Please inform us when you have the results,” Taber nodded and began to leave.
    “Where are you going?” Sean called, walking over to him. Once he reached Taber’s side, he looked at Fallon and lowered his voice to a whisper. “Are you okay? You’re tense, even for you.”
    “There isn’t a problem. I’ll be in my quarters. You should take some time to explore the ship. If they feel you are enjoying the amenities rather than investigating the murder, there is a chance we will draw the killer out, possibly attack us instead.”
    Sean stared hard at him for a few minutes before shaking his head. “God damn you’re stubborn. Even for a Briel.”
    “I don’t believe you are one to criticize.”
    “Maybe not, but I don’t have the attention of a beautiful woman either.”
    Taber knew the second Fallon had started looking at him. The lust inside could sense her attentions, craved it. The warrior in him though was in control. He pushed his shoulders back and cocked his head to the side.
    “You know the males of my people don’t engage in casual relationships. We could meet our mates at any time. Now if you’ll excuse me.” Turning to face Fallon and the doctor, he gave them a little bow. “I’ll be in my quarters if you need me.”
    He walked away, choosing to use the transportation tube at the far end of the corridor.
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Chapter Four
    Fallon pounded her fists into the heavy punching bag at the gym, hoping the shooting pain up her arms would distract her from the fact she was beyond horny. So far, it wasn’t helping. Damn, stupid, arrogant…Taber. Her right hook sent the bag swinging in the air, forcing her to stop and catch it. She’d tried just about every activity available to her at the gym, but nothing was helping. You’d think a couple of hours of exercise would kill her arousal.
    “Remind me never to get in a fight with you.”
    She turned to see Sean standing in the doorway, his hands on his hips. The black shirt had a rounded neckline that showed off the lean muscles of his neck. Sean had pushed his sleeves up and she caught a glimpse of the well-defined muscles there as well. He was obviously a man accustomed to hard work.
    “Hi there. I just needed to…vent.”
    “I see that. Want a hand?”
    The last thing she wanted was to talk to anyone about what she was feeling. Then again, this