She frowned at Thia. “Is Hauk good to do this? I’m thinking if he goes down, none of us can carry him.”

“He won’t go down.”

She arched a brow at the certainty in Thia’s voice.

“I’ve seen Uncle Hauk spar with my father and his brother. Trust me. Our TAM is stronger than a fortified League cruiser.”

Sumi wasn’t so sure about that. “Yeah, but that’s practice.”

Thia scoffed. “Not the way they do it.”

Okay then. She would rely on Hauk’s knowledge of his own tolerance and limitations. Her senses alert, she dutifully pulled up the rear.

It was almost dawn before they came to the oasis. Yawning, Hauk waited until Thia had pulled out a sleeping bag and unfolded it before he put Darice down and tucked him into it.

When the young woman stumbled away, he swung her up in his arms and carried her to where Sumi had opened Thia’s bag. Identical to Darice, Thia snuggled against him like an infant as he carried her.

Her father might be skittish with her, but Hauk wasn’t. He treated her just like she was his own as he gently kissed her head and tucked her in. Thia snuggled in just like a contented child.

He rose into that sexy predator pose with all his weight on one leg, while he scanned the landscape around them, and made sure that they were adequately shielded by the clump of shrubs. Without a word, he pulled out his bag and placed it near Thia.

Then he held his hand out for his blaster. Sumi returned it to him, and moved to stretch out to sleep. She’d barely moved before he picked her up and took her to his bag.

Apprehensive and yet strangely excited and aroused, she arched a brow at him. “What are you doing?”

“Putting you to bed.”

That made her heart pound faster and sent a wave of frightening heat through her. “Your bed?”

He tucked her into his bag… then, to her disappointment, stepped back. “I’m not going to sleep tonight.”

She gaped at him. But for the circles under his eyes, there was no sign of fatigue. Even so… “When was the last time you rested?”

He didn’t answer as he called the lorina over to him and had it lie down between her and Thia.

“Hauk?” she chided. “You’re not invincible.”

He scratched at his jaw in a boyish gesture that made her smile. “I don’t need to sleep yet. I’m fine.” When he started to withdraw, Sumi caught his arm and gently tugged him closer to her.

Hauk dropped his gaze down to where she held on to his wrist. The heat in his eyes was searing. His breathing turned ragged.

Unable to put into words how grateful she was to him, she leaned in to kiss him for all he’d done for them.