Kate kicked the training dummy again, sending it rocking on its heavy base. She spun and kicked again, following that blow with several hard punches.

She stepped back and looked at her team members watching her. The eyes of several were wide.

“Okay, pair up and get to work,” she ordered.

She heard a few groans, but her people moved across the mats and started following her training moves. She folded her arms over her chest and watched. They’d been at it in the gym for several hours, and damp hair was stuck to foreheads and sweaty shirts clung to skin.

None of them had dared ask her for a break. Which was fine with Kate. She wanted to stay busy. And keep avoiding a certain former berserker.

Oh, God, what they’d done…

“Captain?”

Brandon’s voice made her jolt. He was eyeing her strangely. She cleared her throat. “What?”

“How’s this?” He kicked the dummy and followed with the punch combination.

“You’re dropping your elbow.”

The young man nodded, and tried it again, correcting the move.

She nodded. “Better. But you need to twist a little more into the kick. Come over here.” She motioned him over.

She moved in close, demonstrating the kick in slow motion. Her foot ended up at his neck. “Twist more here, and you’ll get more power. Then keep that elbow up as you come in for the cross.”

His brow knitted as he concentrated. “Okay.”

This time she moved quickly—kick, hit, hit. Her last punch slammed into his chest and he staggered back.

“Sorry,” Kate said.

“Probably time for us to move onto something else,” Miles called out. “You’ve worn these kids out.”

There were groans and protests.

“We’re due to go down to the firing range for weapons practice, right?” Kendra said.

Kate pasted on a smile. “Sure. Let’s move.” She watched Kendra grin. The young woman seemed to have recovered from her head injury just fine.

Her team shuffled over to grab their things. Kate tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. This was one part of the training she’d been avoiding.

As they headed down the ramp to the firing range, everyone was talking about the landmines. The search they’d conducted turned up more. Now, there were ten of the things that needed defusing. At the moment, they were all cordoned off, and she knew that Manu had defused another two today. But defusing them correctly wasn’t a quick process.

“Any news on the alien octagon?” Miles asked.

Kate shook her head. “The squads are working overtime to find it.”

Quiet rumbles answered her reply. The device had everyone on edge, and the situation with the landmines wasn’t helping.

When they entered the firing range, Kate scanned the space. No sign of a tall, bronze-skinned man. She blew out a relieved breath.

“All right,” she called out. “Grab your hearing protection and weapons. I want you guys to practice with the crossbows too. Until we sort out how the raptors are disrupting our lasers, we can’t rely on them.”

They all set up in their lanes and started firing. Kate walked along the line, correcting form where necessary, and giving praise to those who were doing well and improving. She noted that Kendra was a decent shot. With a little bit of practice, she’d be very good. Kate made a mental note to give the young woman some one-on-one training.

“Hey, Captain,” Brandon called out. “Why don’t you show us your stuff?”

This was followed by hoots and whistles. She was going to refuse, but when she saw everyone grinning and looking happy, she didn’t want to disappoint them. With a mock-scowl, she took the carbine from Rob and stepped up to the firing plate.

An electronic target flashed to life at the end of the alley. Releasing a breath, she raised her weapon and fired.

Kate let herself fall into the haze that always engulfed her when she was firing a weapon. The rest of the world melted away, and there was only her and her target.

“Woohoo, boss.” Applause and cheers followed her display.

She lowered the carbine and smiled. She’d scored perfectly.

“You should try this.”

Manu’s deep voice made her spin. He stood right behind her, in his usual uniform of fitted, black T-shirt, and khaki-green cargo pants. He was holding some sort of upgraded carbine with several attachments on it.

She forced herself to look at him. He was just the man who’d given her a screaming orgasm with his fingers, and then she’d returned the favor. “What is it?”

“I call it an elite carbine. It’s been enhanced.” He stepped closer, and instantly every cell in Kate’s body flared to life. “Better targeting and faster firing. It can also be switched to projectile mode.”

Which was perfect when they were facing alien landmines that could kill their laser weapons. She set her carbine down and took the weapon. Turning it over in her hands, she got a feel for it and held it up to look through the scope. “It’s a little heavier.”

He nodded. “It’s loaded with thermo bullets, but still a perfect weight for you. You need a slightly looser and wider grip.” He reached around her, adjusting her fingers on the weapon. Kate breathed him in. Pure Manu.

“You smell good, too,” he murmured against her ear.

Kate jerked, but forced herself to contain her reaction. No one else would be able to hear him.

“You smell like Kate plus recently-fired weapon,” he drawled. “Sexy.”

He stepped back and she dragged in a breath, trying to focus on the target.

“Let’s see it, Captain,” Brandon called out.

She tightened her hold on the elite and fired. Her first shot went wild. As one, her team groaned.

She fired a few more times, adjusting to the feel of the weapon, and ignoring the throb of Manu’s presence at her back. Finally, she found her groove and started firing well. She switched to projectile mode. The electronic laser target at the end of the lane slid away, and a paper target appeared. Kate smiled, firing bullets into the raptor-shaped outline.

It was a formidable weapon. Well-balanced and with better targeting. She finally lowered it.

“It’s really good.” She handed it back to Manu, and watched long, blunt fingers wrap around the metal. Fingers that had stroked her, touched her, brought her to orgasm. Shit. “How’s the landmine defusing going?” The words came out in a rush.

“We got another two done.” He frowned. “Wish I could move faster.”

She thought he looked tired. “I’d prefer you didn’t blow yourself up trying to go faster.”

A faint smile. “Really?”

Aware that her team was watching them, she turned to the group. “Okay, you slackers, show’s over. Get back to work.”

They moved back into their lanes. Manu turned to watch them, nodding his head. “They look good, Captain.”

“Thanks.”

He stopped by Brandon, giving the man a few pointers. He continued down the line, taking his time to talk with each one. He had good advice and he shared it well. He wasn’t condescending or too critical. She watched him, admiring his skill.

“Okay, dismissed,” Kate called out.

“Finally.” There were murmurs and laughter as her team gathered their gear.

“Thanks, Captain.” Rob gave her a nod. The rest of the team hurried out after him.

Kate turned to leave as well, but strong fingers grabbed her arm. “Leaving so soon?”

She stilled. “Manu.” Hell, she had no idea what to say to him. She’d acted like a sex-starved maniac with him.

“Have you eaten?”

She jerked her gaze up to his. “We grabbed a snack during training.” Not that she’d eaten much.

“Come sit with me while I eat.” He pulled her into his office.

Be an adult, Kate. God, they were both single, consenting adults. Some people around here had sex all the time with different partners. Views on sex had changed after the invasion. It was a way to connect with others, a way to escape the constant pressure of knowing they were all in a vicious fight for survival.

Manu’s office was messy. Huh. For some reason, she’d imagined he’d keep everything like the firing range—neat and tidy. But in here, there were piles of paper, books, and manuals.

“You’re messy.”

He cocked his head, and she thought she saw faint color along his cheekbones. “I know where everything is.”

There was a tray of food resting on the edge of his desk. He’d obviously had it delivered from the kitchen. He dropped into a beaten chair and nodded for her to sit in the other chair.

He picked up some buttered bread from the tray and offered it to her. Realizing she was starving, she took it. He grabbed another hunk of bread and popped it in his mouth.

“You’ve been avoiding me today,” he said.

She shrugged. “It seemed like the best thing to do.”

His gaze was unwavering. “Why?”

“I was embarrassed.”

“About a hot, sexy moment between two consenting adults who want each other?”

“I…lost control.”

He leaned closer. “And it was fucking hot. I want more.”

She shook her head, panic flaring inside her. This was too crazy. She wanted her sedate, controlled life back. “I’m not like this!”

“Just relax and enjoy it.” His sexy smile made tingles start in her belly. “You lit up for me, Kate. It was hot as hell. You were so hungry, like you couldn’t get enough, and I know you want more.”

Her belly clenched. “God, you make me sound desperate—”

“I never said that.” He reached out, playing with strands of her hair. He was so close that they were breathing the same air. She felt the glorious heat pumping off his big body.

“I’m not like this,” she said.

“You are with me.” His finger traced over her lips. “I want to be deep inside you. I want to fuck you hard and drive you wild.”

Flames licked in her belly and she made a growling sound. Then, without thinking, Kate jumped on him.

* * *

As Kate landed on him, Manu grunted. She straddled his hips and he put his hands on her ass, pulling her closer. She slammed her mouth down on his.

Damn, she felt good. Solid curves and the sweet smell of woman and carbine.

He deepened the kiss, sliding one hand into her hair so he could get more of her.

Suddenly, a wolf whistle pierced the air.

Fuck. He pulled back and saw Kate suck in a shocked breath.

He looked over his shoulder, and saw his damn brothers standing in the doorway. Hemi was grinning like a fool and Tane’s lips were curved in a faint smile.

Kate jumped off Manu’s lap, but he yanked her back into her chair. Then he slid her chair right up to his. He wasn’t letting her run off again. She shot him a look and huffed out a breath.

“Jesus.” She reached over and grabbed his soda, taking a long gulp.

“Well, that was not what I thought you were doing down here,” Hemi said.

“Can it, brother.” Manu’s voice was one step above a growl.

His brother laughed.

“Hi, Kate,” Tane said.

“Hi.” She shifted in her seat. Manu slid his arm across the back of her chair and earned himself a glare. He kind of liked her glares.

“We came down to check on the landmine situation,” Tane said.

“It’s going fine,” Manu answered. “Slower than we’d like, but it’s going.” He reached over and pushed more food toward Kate.

She pushed the plate back at him. “Look, I need to go. I have patrol with Kendra and Rob.”

Manu stood. “Actually, I’m coming with you. I swapped out with Rob. I want to defuse a few more landmines.”

Her eyes narrowed, and Manu fought back a smile.

“Should be a fun night,” he said.

Hemi laughed again. “You two together…now I see it, it’s perfect. Can’t wait to tell Cam.”

“We are not together,” Kate bit out.

“We are,” Manu said.

He heard her growl and glanced at his brothers. “Anything on the octagon?”

Smiles morphed into scowls.

“All we know is that the alien bastards moved it from the dome,” Tane said.

“The dome you blew up,” Kate added.

Hemi grinned. “Yep.”

“We have no idea where they’ve taken it,” Tane continued. “Drones have found no sign of it, or any increased alien activity.”

Kate frowned, her fingers tapping against her thigh. “They never stop.”

“But they’ve never seen determination like ours,” Manu said. “Or ingenuity.”

“And they don’t understand why we keep fighting, despite the odds,” Tane added.

“And they sure as fuck don’t understand love,” Hemi said. “Speaking of which, I have a sexy woman to get back to.” He winked at Kate.

“Be careful out there.” Tane’s intense gaze moved from Kate to Manu. “Let me know if you need us.”

His brothers left, and when he turned to Kate, he knew she was getting ready to bolt. She wasn’t looking at him, probably thinking she could go back to ignoring him.

She had so many damn defenses. But Manu was good at sneaking behind enemy lines. Or blowing through them, if needed.

“Can I interest you in a pre-patrol quickie?” he said.

Her head snapped up and she glared at him.

“You’re right,” Manu said. “We need way more time than that. Hours. Lots of hours.”

“Manu—”

“Not letting you ignore me or hide from me anymore, Kate.”

Her jaw tightened and she headed for the door. “I need to get ready for patrol.”

So damn stubborn. “Kate?”

She paused in the doorway, but didn’t look back.

“I have something for you.” He grabbed the elite carbine off his desk and walked over to her. He held it out.

She looked up. “Manu—”

“It’s yours. I designed it for you. I’ve watched you down here in the range for so long, and I knew you needed a faster weapon. I know you’ll put it to good use.”

She took it and he watched her stroke the butt. She looked like women in the past had looked when he’d given them flowers.

“Thank you.”

He watched her fingers and wished she was touching him instead. “My pleasure.”

“I’ll see you for patrol.” She shot him one last look before she left.

Manu grinned, watching her perfectly toned ass as she strode away. Yep, her defenses were going down.