No Way Back Read Online Free Page A

legs out in front of him, across Drum’s path. The toe of his boot tapped the opposite wall. After a brief examination of the pale aqua liquid in his drinking container, he swirled the contents and sipped. “Aah. Good water.” His raised his bottle in a salute.
    Once again Drum stared, mesmerized, watching Jake’s throat work as he guzzled down his drink. Mm. Bring those wet lips over here. I’ve got something for you to suck down . His loincloth tented over an erection which seemed to build and retreat in a maddening cycle.
    “I guess we have to share?” Jake held up the empty bottle.
    “Yes.” Were humans germophobes? He couldn’t remember. “I am sorry. The zones were designed for one.”
    Jake wiped the mouth of the empty bottle on his athletic shirt before passing it over. “No problem.” For the briefest moment, his gaze dropped to Drum’s crotch.
    Drum used the distraction to brush his fingertips over Jake’s hand when he handed off the bottle. Did Jake notice?
    His face stoic, Jake leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes. He raised one knee and rested his forearm on it, effectively hiding any telltale signs of his attraction to Drum. If Jake had any evidence to hide. His roommate ran so hot and cold, he wasn’t sure what was going through his mind or how it was affecting his body.
    He couldn’t press Jake too hard, too fast. But he wanted to. Stars above, he wanted to. If he could just figure out a way -A high-pitched squeal and thumping came from the pit. Drum sprang to his hands and knees.
    “What the --” Jake scrambled to a crouched position at the same time, blocking Drum. He tore through his sack, probably looking for his laser pistol.
    Drum lunged for the door, trying to shove Jake out of the way. A small Tygess twisted off its back and onto six paws right outside the door. Shaken by its fall, the creature lunged inside the safety zone, its forest green fur raised over its spine and the three horns on its head aimed straight at Jake’s thigh. It was a baby, but its sharp teeth could strip a large chunk out of a man’s flesh.
    Jake cried out in surprise, then shock when it leapt at him. The tips of the horns grazed his stomach as he jerked back. He kicked out at it and its claws scraped down his bare legs. It screamed in a high-pitched cry and charged again, this time baring its pointy teeth.
    Drum slammed Jake back against the air control panel out of harm’s way, but not fast enough. The creature snapped its jaws at Jake’s ankle. Blood spurted across the dirt floor.
    Enraged, Drum grabbed the jagged horns and twisted. A loud pop resonated in the small space and the Tygess lay dead at his feet, its neck twisted at an unnatural angle.
    Jake struggled for air.
    “Are you all right?” Drum gaped at the blood seeping around Jake’s fingers where he held his ankle.
    “The boot took the brunt of the bite.” He lifted his hand to show the chunk missing from the top of his boot and the raw carnage beneath.
    “Shut the damn door,” he hissed.
    Drum climbed over him, slammed the hatch shut and locked it. From the slender pouch hanging from his thigh, he withdrew a combination anesthesia and antibiotic strip. “Take off your boot.”
    Jake already had the buckles unsnapped. He grunted as he pulled the heavy boot away from his ankle. Before he’d pulled it completely off, Drum slapped the wide med strip over the mauled skin. His heart pounded in his chest. “My fault… my fault.” He shook his head in self-loathing as he wiped another pad over the deep scratches on Jake’s legs. Blood stained his shirt, too. With his fingertips on the hem, he looked up at Jake for permission to lift his shirt up. Jake slid the white fabric up over his hard belly. Three small gouges oozed dark red blood. Anguish stabbed Drum in the gut. “Sorry, Jake.” His hands shook while he dabbed at the puncture wounds. Blood seemed to be smearing everywhere.
    Jake grabbed his hands and turned his palms