Niko: Scifi Alien Invasion Romance (Hell Squad Book 9) by Anna Hackett

“Really bad.”
    Cam came closer and slid an arm across Mac’s shoulders. “Well, based on Niko’s previous employment, and on how in shape that guy is, Doc Emerson will have him patched up in no time.”
    Mac nodded, but if that was the case, why was there still no word?
    Sienna flanked Mac from the other side and patted her arm. Then she peered forward. “Is that paint?”
    Cam leaned closer as well. “And here on your shoulder, too?” She grinned. “Did your artist man make you his own private canvas?”
    Aw, hell. Luckily, Mac was saved from having to answer when the infirmary door opened.
    Dr. Emerson Green stood there in her lab coat. Her blonde hair was mussed and she looked tired, but then she smiled.
    Mac shifted her weight from foot to foot. That had to be good, right?
    “Devlin’s fine. I’ve set his arm and put a regen patch on it. He’ll be as good as new tomorrow.” Emerson’s gaze found Mac. “Mac, Niko’s asking for you.”
    “He’s okay?”
    “He is now. The nanomeds have done their work. We did have to perform some surgery to stop the internal bleeding, but he’s going to be fine.” The doctor’s brow scrunched. “I have no idea how he walked several kilometers in his condition. It was a miracle he was conscious at all.”
    Mac nodded and stepped into the infirmary. Inside, it had the typical clean and clinical feel of any medical establishment—white tile floor, rows of beds down one side, and on the other, glassed-in examination rooms. The surgeries and labs were at the back. Members of the medical team were bustling around. It was far larger and better equipped than what they’d had at Blue Mountain Base.
    “He’s back there.” Emerson pointed.
    Mac spotted him at the end of the row of beds. He was sitting up, his shirt on but open.
    His green gaze fell on her, intense. “Mackenna.”
    She walked toward him slowly. She didn’t know what to do or say. She was filled with a confusing rush of emotions, and she fought to choke them down.
    A soft look crossed over his face. “It’s okay to tell me how you feel.”
    Mac just shook her head. Then, before she thought about it, she climbed onto the bed with him. She wrapped her arms around him and buried her head against his chest.
    With a quiet murmur, Niko leaned back against the pillows and pulled her closer.
    Mac rubbed her cheek against the warm strength of his chest. She breathed in the scent of him, tinged now with the faint smell of antiseptic.
    He lifted a hand and stroked her hair.
    “This,” he said quietly. “This is what got me back here. If not for you…”
    She gripped him harder.
    “Doc says my nanomeds are almost finished. And then I believe you promised me a few things.”
    Mac lifted her head. “Did I?” He had to be feeling better if he was thinking about sex.
    His hands tightened on her skin. “You can’t back out now.”
    No, she couldn’t, and she certainly didn’t want to. “I’m not.”
    “Good. I want you to go to my room and wait for me there.”
    That forceful tone of his, his leader voice, left even more confusing emotions in her. One part annoyance, and one part breathless desire. “Oh?”
    “I’ll come as soon as I’m finished here.” He reached out and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. “I want you on my bed, Mackenna. Naked.”
    Her heart had started a rapid staccato in her chest. “You’re using your bossy-leader voice again.”
    He gripped her hair and gave it a little tug. Then his hand slipped down and traced along her cheekbone. “It’s not bossy if we both want it.”
    “Hello, again.” Doc Emerson bustled over, an indulgent look on her face. “Now I see why your heart rate spiked, Nikolai.”
    Mac bit her lip. “Sorry.”
    “I’m not,” Niko added.
    Emerson checked the monitor beside the bed. “It looks like our hero is almost done with these nanomeds.”
    Mac watched Niko scowl.
    “I’m not a hero. Mac and the other squads are the heroes around