Stone Cold Cyborg Read online

  He couldn’t keep a kitten.

  Guy dropped to all fours and peered under the berth. “Here, kitty kitty.”

  The kitten arched in the corner, the fur on her back standing straight up.

  “It’s okay, Mittzi. It’s okay.”

  She hissed.

  “Nobody’s going to hurt you,” he said in a soothing voice and reached for her.

  Mittzi took another swipe, but he latched onto her and hauled her out. Guy got to his feet again, and, holding the growling kitten against his chest, stroked her fur. She was a fierce little thing. A fighter. What was Jessamine thinking to put her in a box?

  A pretty little cat with huge green eyes and long white whiskers, Mittzi’s fluffy kitten fur would turn sleek and shiny when she matured. Guy estimated her age at two months. Old enough to be away from mama kitty, but barely. She did indeed sport mittens—four white paws, the front right a little higher than the other three, making it look like the other three had slipped down her legs.

  Guy sat on the bunk and held her, speaking in a low voice, all the while petting her. Gradually her racing heart slowed and her body relaxed. Mittzi began to purr. She was adorable. To humor his niece, he’d peeked at the frolicking kittens and said, “Yeah, they’re cute,” but truly hadn’t paid much attention.

  “Which one is your favorite, Uncle Guy?” she had asked.

  “The one with the white socks.” He’d randomly pointed to this one, not realizing the significance of the question.

  Guy held up Mittzi. “We’re going to have to find you a permanent home. I’m not around enough to own a pet.”

  The kitten highlighted his unsuitability for long-term relationships. If he couldn’t keep a cat—why had he thought he could handle marriage? Perhaps Mariah had a legitimate gripe. He’d missed every single wedding-planning session—even the vid-con ones. He’d been undercover and incommunicado, unable to tell her he couldn’t attend. No wonder she’d gotten fed up and left him.

  Still, the way she had done it…

  Keeping Mittzi was out of the question.

  “As soon as I finish this assignment, we’ll head to the Alpha Nine Seven,” he told the kitten. “You’re so cute, somebody on the space station will take you. In the meantime, I’ll rustle up some rations. Hope you like reconstituted fish. I hope the 3-D replicator can come up with a litter box.”

  * * * *

  A cyborg with haunted past, a woman with a clouded future…

  Battered and broken, hostage and sole survivor Solia waits for death at the hands of vicious predatory aliens when Cyber Operations agent Guy Roarke disobeys orders, charges in, and rescues her. A former medic, he initiates emergency medical procedures before rushing her to Cybermed, in hopes of saving her wings so she can fly again. He’s taken with the delicate, brave Faria, but his best intentions result in unfortunate consequences that place her in greater jeopardy. Can he overcome the guilt of past mistakes in time to save her life?

  * * * *

  Cyborg Rescuer is a standalone read in the Men of Mettle series. It was originally titled “Rescued by the Cyborg” and published in Pets in Space 2: Embrace the Romance.

  Cyborg Rescuer is available as single title download and in the seven-book Men of Mettle Cyborg Romance Collection boxed set.

  Single Title: https://books2read.com/u/3k0d8g

  Boxed Set: https://books2read.com/u/bWdoLD

  Download your FREE copy of KRASH: http://carabristol.com/get-your-free-book/

  Titles by Cara Bristol

  Men of Mettle Cyborg Romance series

  Cyborg Protector (Book1)

  Cyborg Husband (Book 1.5)

  Cyborg Rogue (Book 2)

  Cyborg Boss (Book 3)

  Cyborg Heat (Book 4)

  Cyborg Mate (Book 5)

  Cyborg Rescuer (Book 6)

  Cyborg Commander (Book 7)

  Men of Mettle Cyborg Romance Collection

  Alien Mate series

  Alien Mate (Book 1)

  Alien Attraction (Book 2)

  Alien Intention (Book 3)

  Alien Mischief (Book 4)

  Alien Mate Complete Series Boxed Set

  Dakonian Alien Mail-Order Brides

  (Intergalactic Dating Agency)

  Darak

  Aton

  Caid

  Sixx

  Kord

  Braxx

  Krash

  Dakonian Alien Mail Order Brides Boxed Set Vol 1

  Dakonian Alien Mail Order Brides Boxed Set Vol. 2

  Alien Castaways

  (Intergalactic Dating Agency)

  Chameleon

  Wingman

  Psy

  Shadow

  Inferno

  Tigre

  Breeder sci-fi romance series

  Breeder (Book 1)

  Terran (Book 2)

  Warrior (Book 3)

  Breeder Boxed Set

  Alien Dragon Shifters

  Under Fyre

  Line of Fyre

  Playing with Fyre

  Other titles

  Destiny’s Chance

  Warrior’s Curse

  Longing, a vampire romance

  You’re Not Ugly To Look At, Conversations With My Husband

  Naughty Words for Nice Writers, A Romance Novel Thesaurus

  Audiobooks

  Stranded with the Cyborg (Cyborg Protector)

  Mated with the Cyborg (Cyborg Rogue)

  Books in Print

  Alien Mate

  Captured by the Cyborg (Cyborg Boss)

  Claimed by the Cyborg (Cyborg Mate)

  Naughty Words for Nice Writers, A Romance Novel Thesaurus

  You’re Not Ugly To Look At

  About Cara Bristol

  USA Today Bestselling Author Cara Bristol writes character driven science fiction romance with humor, heart, and heat. She loves introducing new readers to science fiction romance, and likes to say she writes sci-fi for readers who don’t like sci-fi. When she’s not writing (ha ha ha –she’s almost always writing) she enjoys traveling to exotic destinations and chillaxin’ with her favorite TV shows. Cara lives in Missouri with her husband.

  Reader Newsletter: http://carabristol.com/get-your-free-book/

  Free Cara Bristol reading guide: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/utjlospxku

  BookBub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/cara-bristol

  Cara’s Website: http://carabristol.com/

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cara.bristol.3

  Bristol’s Book Babes (Reader Facebook group):

  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1761424733891183/

  Instagram (@authorcarabristol): https://www.instagram.com/authorcarabristol/

  Acknowledgements

  I have so many people to thank for their contributions to this story. First, a big thank you to Pauline Jones who invited me to participate in the Pets in Space anthology. Beta readers Lisa Medley, Jessica Subject, and Vivien Jackson provided very helpful feedback. William Harrison of Wham Bam Editing edited the original story, and Celeste Jones edited my revision to make sure I didn’t screw anything up. Athena Grayson and Courtney Biggs Rutherford helped me come up with the name Dante Stone. My husband nudged me to write about a dog (as opposed to the pet I originally was considering). Jaycee DeLorenzo of Sweet ‘N Spicy Designs did the cover. Lastly, I’d like to recognize “Kirk,” a friend’s foster dog who served as the inspiration for Sparky. Thank you, all!

 

 

 
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