The Indy darted forward, nimble with Nanu at the controls, despite her size.
“One more shot, Jannike. Make it good. I want them disabled and unable to follow us.”
The ship returned fire before she complied. The Indy shuddered.
“Report,” Ry ordered.
“Nothing serious.” Nanu glanced at his instruments. “The hull is still intact.”
“Ready to fire,” Jannike said.
“Fire!” Ry ordered.
“Got them.” Nanu’s voice rang with satisfaction. “Ripped off their talons.”
“Good shot,” Lynx said.
“Where the phrull did you learn to fly like that?” Shiloh asked.
“We used to run black market goods, back when I had a price on my head,” Ry said. “We had a lot of practice at evading bounty hunters. Any other ships in the vicinity?”
“Nothing showing on the instruments,” Nanu replied calmly.
“I want to check on Camryn. I’ll send Kaya to help.”
“I’ll stay on the bridge for a while,” Jannike offered.
“We can,” Lynx said. “If we’re five cycles from Viros, we’ll be able to help Nanu plot a course. I can’t believe you managed the journey so fast.”
“If you’re sure.” Ry stood. “Nanu, I’ll send Kaya to spell you in two cycle segments. Jannike, I’ll be back in three to spell you.”
“Aye, Captain,” she said.
“Do you have charts?” Shiloh asked.
Nanu brought up a different screen showing a star map. “We do, although I’m not confident they’re up to date. I’ve noticed a few errors.”
Did you see the way our mate handled herself? Shiloh asked.
Yes. We’ve been treating her like a helpless female since we rescued her. She’s just as capable as us. Phrull, I think she’s a better shot. She didn’t panic and held her nerve even when the other ship attacked.
We have to step back and let her be herself, Shiloh said.
Lynx made a scoffing sound.
“Something wrong?” Jannike asked.
“No,” Shiloh said. “Private joke.”
“This is the most recent chart. Anything look familiar?”
Shiloh studied the star groupings and grinned.
“That’s the Rembrandt system,” Lynx said. “You’re right. Four or five cycles depending upon the conditions of the Stavis storms around the moons Camret and Marcion.”
“Nanu is a natural when it comes to locating gates. He’s tried to show me but I don’t have the same instincts.”
“Yep was even better,” Nanu said.
“He was,” Jannike agreed. “Yep was Nanu’s brother. He died during an attack when we were hunting for a hell-horse to race.”
“Hell-horse racing?” Lynx asked.
“We kidnapped Camryn to ride our hell-horse,” Jannike explained.
Nanu’s beads clacked as he silently laughed. “Our lives aren’t boring. We never know what is coming next.”
Shiloh glanced at Lynx. “We might be able to comm Ellard again, once we get past the moons. We haven’t been home for almost a full rotation.”
“It’s best if you skirt the Stavis storm clouds. It adds another cycle to the journey time, but the storms are unpredictable,” Lynx said. “I’d suggest taking a wide trajectory because I’ve seen bolts of electrical charges zap out and damage ships where the captain hasn’t taken a conservative enough path.”
Nanu studied the charts, nodded at Lynx’s and Shiloh’s comments. “This is the course I plotted.”
Kaya sashayed onto the bridge. “I saw that damn mouse. Blasted thing ran over my foot. I thought you felines had a good sense of smell.”
“It would help if we knew what we were looking for,” Shiloh said. “I’ve never heard of a mouse before.”
“I’ll draw you a picture.” Kaya tucked a blue lock behind one pointed ear. “Ugly little creatures with beady eyes.”
If they’re so little why are the females getting so upset about them? Shiloh asked. They could just stomp on them if the creatures attacked.
I have no idea. When do you think Ry will arrive? Seeing Jannike in action has made me desperate to show my private appreciation.
“Here’s Ry.” Shiloh stood and tugged unobtrusively at his trews. “Is Jannike finished for this eve?”
Ry clapped Jannike on the back, and Shiloh had to rein in his urge to growl. Mine.
Steady. They’re friends. Ry has a mate and only feels friendship for Jannike. Lynx’s explanation didn’t ease any of the angst twisting Shiloh’s gut.
I want to end this.
You don’t want Jannike?
Easy to hear the shock in Lynx’s voice. No, I mean we need to finish the mating. Each cycle it’s harder to hold back. Even though you and I are mates, I don’t feel the same relief I felt after we marked each other. I—we—need to complete the mating with Jannike before I lose control.
We agreed not to rush her.
I know. I know. But try telling my feline. Even shifting this afternoon and searching for the mouse creature didn’t stop the craving for Jannike. My feline tried to take over. Shiloh’s thoughts held grimness. It was difficult shifting to humanoid form.
“Do you want to go to the rec room?” Jannike asked.
“No,” Shiloh barked. Bull crap. That wasn’t holding things together.
Lynx moved to his side and slung his arm around Shiloh’s waist, which made Shiloh feel worse. Lynx was a prince. It was his job to mind Lynx. Not happening at present. Shiloh sucked in a deep Jannike-tinged breath and forced himself to let it ease out in fractions. His feline rose, fighting him for control.
“I need to return to our cabin,” he said, his voice deeper than usual and holding a rumble of feline.
“Is something wrong?” Jannike asked.
“Yes,” Ry said. “Go with him. He needs you.”
Jannike moved to Shiloh’s other side and slipped her arm around his waist, mirroring Lynx’s action. The smell of her, bearing a hint of Lynx and his own scent, the warmth coming from her body pleased him. A purr rumbled free. She pleased his soul.
“What is that noise?” Jannike demanded.
“Shiloh is purring,” Ry said. “You’ve heard me purr.”
Jannike wrinkled her nose. “I try not to think about your sex life. My own is frustrating enough.”
“What’s frustrating about it?” Lynx asked in a silky voice.
Shiloh lost his urge to purr and growled instead. “That’s what I want to know.”
“You’re on your own,” Ry said with the smirk that made Shiloh want to apply his fists to wipe it away. “Go. Kaya and I intend to go over Nanu’s chart plotting. I’d like to do it in peace.”
Jannike and Lynx led him away. Shiloh heard Kaya enquire about the mouse and Ry’s curt reply about sneaky creatures, that they’d get the animal soon.
Lynx opened Jannike’s cabin.
Jannike hesitated in the doorway. “I wanted to talk to you both. We could do that now.”
Lynx stiffened, and Shiloh felt the same tension slide through his own muscles. He studied her warily. Talking wasn’t his favorite thing. Action came easier. “What do you want to talk about?”
He must have sounded guarded because Lynx scowled. Try to look interested. Don’t scare her away with your glare.
Jannike scanned their faces and started pacing. Phrull, not a good sign.
“What is it, Jannike?” Lynx asked.
“It’s you, both of you. You can’t follow me around, tell me what to do and how to behave.” She whirled and nailed them with a steely stare. “If you don’t start letting me have some freedom, let me have my independence, then I’ll have to walk away from this relationship. No matter the cost. I can’t—” She broke off, shook her head. “I can’t let you take over. I can’t lose myself, not after fighting so hard for freedom.”
Shiloh’s heart slammed his ribs, and his feline rippled beneath his skin.
�
��Shiloh is the bossy one.” Lynx broke the tense silence. “Bossiness is in his nature. He used to be a bodyguard. Please, you have to give us a chance.”
“You’re just as bad.” Jannike’s brows rose. “Whose body did he guard?”
“Mine,” Lynx said. “I’m a prince.”
“You both possess egos the size of a large planet,” Jannike snapped. “This isn’t a joke. I need you to listen.”
“But it’s true,” Shiloh said. “I still guard his body. It was his fault we got captured in the first place.”
“How many times do I have to apologize,” Lynx grumbled. “It wasn’t my finest moment.”
“I wonder what happened to the big dude with the cyberbeest,” Jannike mused.
Shiloh wasn’t sure where Lynx’s and Jannike’s thoughts wandered, but he recalled the moment when he knew they weren’t going to slide from the neatly set trap, his helplessness at his failure to keep his charge safe. For a fleeting sec he’d wished he’d been responsible for the staid, conservative Jarlath instead of the rebel Lynx. Now, he thought of all he’d gained. Lynx’s love. Jannike.
For once the restless nature that kept him on the go and willing to travel wherever Lynx led felt…satisfied. Happy.
“Jannike.” His burst of speech made her start. He stood and went to her, taking one of her hands in his. Her fingers were callused, her hands capable. Her appearance—she was more striking than beautiful, yet he knew there was softness in her heart, her huge heart. She was strong—strong enough to wrap both of them into knots.
How could she not know this?
“I want you so much it hurts. My feline wants you, and I know Lynx feels the same. I can’t promise not to be bossy. I’m a feline male. It’s in our nature. But I can promise to love and protect you. I can promise to respect you and your capabilities. You’re a strong woman, Jannike. You have the strength to knock sense into both our stupid male heads if we step out of line. Sweetheart, if you weren’t the special person you are, neither of us would be attracted to you. Please, give us a chance. The urge to take you, to finalize the mating bonds is making us more irritable than usual.”
“Speak for yourself.”
“It’s making me grumpy.” Shiloh indulged his feline by running his fingers across the softness of Jannike’s cheek. Her eyes slid shut, and she inched closer when his hand wandered down her neck and across her shoulder. Even through her tunic, the heat of her skin was evident. A purr vibrated from his throat while his mind cried, mine.
“Shiloh is right. We know we’re pushing you. We’re trying not to, but our felines are—”
“Leading you around by your cocks,” Jannike said without opening her eyes.
Shiloh shot a glance at Lynx and met his friend’s wicked grin.
“That’s my point,” Shiloh said. “You’re telling us to back off. You’re telling us we’re bossy. You’re standing up for yourself.”
Lynx slid his arms around Jannike’s waist, tugged her back against his chest, and Shiloh caught her frisson of pleasure. “You see Ry and Camryn every day, the way they interact.”
“Ry is bossy,” Jannike said.
“But Camryn handles him. My second point.” What else? he asked Lynx.
You’re doing great. I’m impressed.
“Camryn has a secret weapon,” Jannike said, and she did open her eyes this time. Her eyes were a dark gray and so, so beautiful.
“What?” Lynx asked.
“It wouldn’t be a secret if I told you.”
“Could you use the same weapon?” Shiloh asked.
“Already deployed.” No mistaking her smugness.
“Then why are you talking about walking away?” Shiloh demanded.
“There are two of you. I worry about losing myself.”
Your turn, Shiloh said, not bothering to hide his exasperation and desperation with Lynx.
“We’re yours,” Lynx said simply. “We can’t promise to change, but we can try. We care deeply for you. We admire you.”
“We love you,” Shiloh gritted out.
Lynx nodded. “That too. Once we arrive on Viros and make some decisions—joint decisions—about what we want to do in the future I think it will be better. You’ll spend time with your friends while you check out Viros. We’ll spend time with our families. Here on the ship, it’s difficult to find privacy, and that’s making the situation worse. Our felines are pushing us to complete the mating.”
“Give us a chance, Jannike. Please,” Shiloh said.
Jannike listened to everything the two felines said and thought about Camryn and Ry. Ry behaved in the same manner as Shiloh and Lynx, yet she’d never seen him so happy. Camryn listened to Ry, but the petite Earthwoman never backed down if she thought Ry was wrong. Their relationship contained give and take, compromise. She considered walking away, thought about how she would feel.
Her stomach dipped and dived like the roller coaster they’d ridden during their vacation. Nerves stuttered to life, jumping up and down while her heart began a faster dance.
“I considered walking away, but every time I think of this, I feel ill. So if I can’t walk away, the alternative is to turn around and walk toward you. Goddess help me, we haven’t known each other for long and part of me is terrified, but yes. Let’s do this.”
“Are you sure, sweetheart? Are you ready to take us?” Shiloh asked.
For an instant she was back in that prison cell, chained and helpless. She shoved the thought away, determined not to let the widow sully this moment. “I’m sure.”
“It might cure the itching,” Lynx said.
Jannike nodded. “A side benefit.”
“Enough talk.” Shiloh pushed gently away from her and yanked at his clothes. Lynx did the same while she watched.
Of the two, Lynx was the pretty one. Shiloh was more like her with strong features. His body was big and powerful, yet she’d seen his gentleness too. And when he smiled…
“What?” Shiloh asked and gifted her with one of his special smiles.
“Just feasting my eyes.”
Lynx cocked a hip. “Like what you see?”
“The beginnings of a pot belly,” Jannike said with a wink at Shiloh. “Ha! Made you look.”
Shiloh chuckled aloud.
“Wench.” Lynx swept her off her feet. Secs later the gel-bed was at her back, and Shiloh was tugging off her boots. Soon she was as naked as them, and the atmosphere took a more solemn tone.
Shiloh slid onto her right side, Lynx her left. They rolled toward her, and her heartbeat tripped before taking off in a jerky dance. Part apprehension. Part pleasure.
“Your eyes have gone feline,” she whispered to Shiloh.
“Mine too, I think,” Lynx said. “Do we scare you?”
“No.” Jannike kissed one and then the other, at peace with her decision.
Her men took her kisses as a signal. Their hands wandered her breasts, her shoulders, her flat stomach. Fingers tweaked her nipples in twin sensations that bounced beneath her skin and commed pleasure.
Shiloh nipped her earlobe. Lynx laved the base of a breast, his tongue abrasive yet pushing enjoyment through her too. The two men played her body until she gasped and groaned.
“You first,” Lynx said.
The two males shared a look, then Shiloh nodded. He moved down her body, parted her legs, but didn’t rush. Instead he stroked and kissed her thighs, strummed his fingers across her pussy, giving her shards of sensation instead of constant pleasure. “Do you like this?”
“Yes.”
Lynx kissed her, slow and deep, until she existed in a world of blissful sensation. Her body cried out for more, but still Shiloh waited.
She ripped her mouth from Lynx’s. “Please. Please. I need…I need more.”
“Shush.” Lynx pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth then turned his head to glance down her body.
She felt rather than saw Shiloh position his cock and lever his body over hers.
“Open those
eyes, sweetheart,” Lynx whispered. “Know who is loving you.”
Jannike forced her eyes open, unaware she’d closed them in the first place. He was right though, she thought as her gaze connected with Shiloh’s. His green eyes glowed, the pupils slits rather than rounds. He moved without haste, flexing his hips and taking his time to embed his cock in her flesh.
Lynx kissed her—a lazy kiss that exploded need in every direction. He parted their lips and lifted his head to kiss Shiloh. They kissed differently, she thought, watching them—harder yet the act held sensuality and love.
When their lips parted, Shiloh smiled at her. “My turn for a kiss.”
His kiss was forceful and urgent, and his cock thrust deeper while their lips mated.
She’d thought Shiloh would hurry and seize his pleasure. She was wrong. His strokes remained slow and even. Thrust and withdraw. Thrust and withdraw.
“Shiloh,” she whispered.
Lynx silenced her with a kiss, his tongue duplicating the pace of Shiloh’s measured thrusts. She groaned against his mouth, her climax rolling over her in a liquid swell. Lynx nuzzled her throat, laved back and forth on the fleshy spot where neck and shoulder met. He gave her teeth and bit down.
Pain shot through her along with the desperate urge to bite in return. A renewed wave of pleasure rolled over her and when Shiloh lifted his head, she gasped. Lynx lapped at the spot and the craving to bite in return overcame her. Shiloh’s neck and shoulder were in the perfect position. She bit down before the thought firmed. Shiloh groaned, and she felt the jerk of his cock within her channel.
She tasted coppery blood yet it didn’t make her want to stop. She cleaned the wound, and Shiloh trembled. A growl slipped from him, feline in its intensity. She glanced up to meet Lynx’s smile.
Shiloh pulled free, his confident manner absent. Instead, he appeared shocked, a tad shaky.
“Shiloh?” Lynx had noticed too.
“I’m fine. More than fine.” Shiloh settled beside her and kissed her as Lynx caressed her thighs. Lynx repositioned himself and twirled his tongue around her clit. Jannike groaned against Shiloh’s mouth. Then she sighed as she felt Lynx enter her with one seamless thrust.
“He’s feeling paradise,” Shiloh whispered. “Tight silken pleasure.”
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