Finn swallowed.
Shane figured Finn knew something was amiss but wanted to spell it out. “They’re not pierced for pleasure.”
“Nay?”
With the look on Finn’s face, maybe Shane shouldn’t tell him the rest. But in all fairness, Finn deserved the information. If it truly put him off, he could fight the urge to wed her and move forward with his life. It’d hurt, but sticking with Zoe might damage him worse.
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“Nay. The pieces of metal were used to torture. To get control of them.”
“Shat!”
“The piercings—they can’t be taken out either. The torture was long ago and the decorations stay as a reminder of such. It doesn’t hurt them in a physical way now. It’s the memory that keeps them in line. You wonder why Zoe’s afraid. You have the answer. Can she come past this pain for you? Only she knows if she’s able to forgive what was done. Maybe she won’t be able to trust again. Not ever. Nay man.”
“Who would do such to them? They’re lifeblood—gifted! I’ve never seen such splendid gals and we’ve been to many worlds.”
“Aye.” Shane thought the same. “You remember Ma telling stories when we were children?”
“Children?”
Shane laughed. “We’ve been saying it wrong. Children are more than one child.”
“Got it. Now about the stories—you mean the ones she told us about angels?”
“Aye.”
“Course, I remember. As a matter of fact, when I saw your Jess, Ma’s stories came right to mind. Then Jess was stripped and I didn’t think more about it. Ma said naught about what lay under the fine, white cloaks an angel wears except wings. I didn’t see any on Jess.”
Shane regretted all his men getting a good look at her. At the time, he’d no idea his feelings for her would run this deep. Damn it, he could’ve ordered his men to turn their backs. They’d treat her with nothing but respect, but if she ever wound up as his wife, she might feel uncomfortable.
Finn interrupted his thoughts. “She’s right fine in looks. She’s smart too, getting us tools to set us free. And then the way she took you into her mouth and—”
“That’s enough. You all saw what she did to get us out. You’ll forget now and never speak of it again. You follow me?”
“But she—”
“Do you understand!”
“What’s the problem? Why are you yelling at me?”
“She’s not a gal of comfort.” The thought of her being used in that way made Shane’s blood boil.
“I didn’t say she was. We were talking about angels.”
“Don’t ever speak of what she did in the prison. And if any of the others do, you straighten them out about it. No one will so much as look sideways at that gal!”
“You’re too touchy. What the hell!”
“Let’s talk about Meg.” Shane didn’t want to hurt Finn and make him relive the death of the gal he was to marry, but it was the only way he could think to make his point.
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“What of her?”
“If Meg had to take you into her mouth in front of brethren, you’d be proud of her for having done it?” Ach, Finn started to catch on. Shane lowered his voice and calmly said, “Jess did what she had to.”
“I never meant to insult either her or you, Shane.”
“I know.”
“Really, I’m sorry. You likened her to Meg. Are you thinking of taking Jess as a wife?”
“Aye, if she’ll have me.”
Finn stared.
After thirty seconds, Shane practically yelled, “What!”
“You’d be the first of us to wed,” he quietly replied.
The sudden anger rapidly dwindled. “I’m sorry you won’t beat me to it.”
Meg had been a fine gal and Finn was downright taken with her. With Finn’s interest in Zoe, he hoped his brother would eventually forget Meg. He was too young to be heartbroken forever.
“Da will shat,” Finn said with a sudden smile. “He thought we’d never come home alive. Then Ma will shat, her brave son Shane, alive and wed to an angel. Then the tribe will shat when you tell of Gov patrol over Braugh. The whole damn planet will be covered in shat!”
“Dumbass.”
“I’m a pain, but you have to put up with me.”
Shane slapped the back of Finn’s head playfully before grasping his shoulder so they could get back to quarters.
Finn smiled. “I don’t think I’ll hold Zoe. She’s smart. If she doesn’t come to see I won’t hurt her, she wasn’t meant for me.”
“Sounds like a decent plan.”
“I’m glad Da let me fight and train with you. I’m proud to be your second. I’d be truly proud to be a brother to Jess too. She needs to be treated good.”
“You think Ma will take to her?”
“Jess is a good match for you. And it’s not like you really have a choice unless Jess refuses. Ma would be happy with whoever you bring home.”
“Aye, she’s a good gal herself, our Ma.”
“Da thinks so.”
“He best. He has many a son to remind him if he ever forgets his manners again.”
The door to Finn’s cabin slid away. Zoe stood within the room. Smaller than Jess, she was just as broughen and angelic. Shane feared for Finn after studying her for a moment. Finn’s angel had broken wings. She looked too fragile to suffer such brutality 69
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and come past it. For his brother’s sake, he hoped Finn’s subconscious didn’t demand Zoe for a companion.
“Zoe,” Shane said in greeting, gauging her reaction.
“Sir,” she replied.
He and Finn laughed and she crossed her arms at her stomach. Her fingers grew white from squeezing her arms. He didn’t mean to scare her.
Shane said, “The title, wee Zoe, is kind indeed but not necessary. You should call me Shane.”
He welcomed her smile. Jess never smiled and he wished it could be otherwise.
Maybe Zoe wasn’t too timid after all.
“You’re a shiny gal, Zoe.”
The smile left before she asked, “Why would you say that?”
“You’re smart enough to see neither of us are a threat.”
She looked from him to Finn and back. “Thank you,” she said.
He raised his brows, questioning her.
“For not being a threat,” she added.
“My pleasure, gal. We’ll see to your safety. Nothing will happen to you with Braughmen about.”
Before Shane could leave, Finn asked, “You’ll meet us in the training center later?”
“Aye. Two morns separate us from a tight spot. And we sat too long in the Doxyn prison. Best we ready ourselves. You’ll spread the word to the others?”
“Aye.”
“And Finn?”
“Aye?”
“Pick three more to stay with Reilly.”
“Why?”
“To make me feel right about leaving a single being aboard Bragg’s ship while we’re not here. Ryker’s of import but what we leave behind is most precious.”
“Agreed. I’ll pick three.”
“Good man.”
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Chapter Six
Shane entered the cabin and looked at the bed, expecting to find Jess. With her gone, his heart pumped double time from the rush of adrenaline before he realized she was in the second room. He strode to the table and looked beneath lids to find more enticing food. He wondered how long ago Jess woke. She should’ve eaten already. He wouldn’t tolerate her waiting for him before she took a meal.
Music came to him as he sat down and got comfortable. The melody drifted softly at first, but as he sat, the sound grew. What did she listen to? The perfect notes had to be made by tech. Listening closer, he tried to decipher what made the music and couldn’t. Words drifted to him next and he instantly recognized the
song. His Ma sung it to his young brothers in the eve so they’d sleep. It was a lullaby.
He smiled and closed his eyes, enjoying memories of home. Bumps rose on his arms as the words resonated from a perfect voice in his native tongue. It’d been too long since language sounded fluent. At times it downright hurt his brain to search for the right word to fit his meaning. They’d all agreed to speak only Gov until the words and phrases came more naturally. He managed but it wasn’t always easy.
Could Jess be trying to learn a bit about him? Is that why she listened to such? The intricate words and almost impossible last verse drifted through the closed door. His stomach tightened, waiting for the slaughtered notes that happened every single time someone attempted them. The composer didn’t take into account a being would need to sing the notes with the words.
The door slid away and his Jess stood inside, placing things into a cabinet. In all her naked glory, she drew a breath and finished singing the last verse. He came to his feet, drawn upward by her perfectly pitched voice. She smoothly finished the lullaby with ease. As she held the last note, she turned and found him standing there staring. Her voice dried up before her gaze dropped. The hair on his arms stood on end as emotions churned within his gut. Unable to move, stunned, he saw Jessica Storm clearly for the first time.
White hair hung around her face, against her upper chest and shoulders. The gold of her eyes shone brightly, making little else exist against her pale skin. Knowing her piercings once brought her pain, she looked every bit like a bound angel, captured and denied freedom to fly as she might amongst the heavens.
Her gaze slowly drifted up to meet his while he remained silently staring.
“Tiernan?”
Words came to him but he couldn’t utter a single one. His lips moved to tell her things but nothing came out. How could she bear his touch? A gal like her deserved better than a common tribesman.
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She walked to him with concern plainly on her face. When she stroked his cheek, he savored the softness and the peace she brought. He told Finn he wanted to wed her. The instinct besieged him now that he was again in her presence. His heart told him she didn’t belong to an ordinary man. Deeper than his heart, he knew they’d match each other in every way, on every level.
He dropped to his knees and hesitated before taking her hips into his hands. He shouldn’t touch her because with each intimacy, the feelings to claim her would grow.
He couldn’t help himself. He needed her. And he needed her to want him in return. As he kissed her belly, her soft fingers smoothed through his hair. She was his other half and he prayed some part of her understood that too. They’d been placed in each other’s paths for a reason.
Contrary musings left his mind as he took in her scent. She overwhelmed him. The sanitizing mist could sterilize but didn’t take the true fragrance from her. A trace of warmth, desire and wholly feminine perfume came from her skin.
“Beser me tae hedonar ye, broughen gal.” Allow me to honor you, beautiful woman.
“Tiernan?” she asked as he eased her down in front of him.
He’d show her what he’d said. After kissing and tasting her, he laid her onto her back. Against her lips, he whispered, “Welcome me, Jess. Open yourself and let me have you as I need.”
She answered with a kiss that burned him clear through. He didn’t need provoking but appreciated the gesture. She told him without speaking that he could have his want.
She tasted so good! He kissed his way to her neck and nibbled on her pulse. He tried very hard not to suck the flesh just above the artery. He failed. Her face turned, giving him access and permission to keep bruising her silken skin. Pulling away and viewing the redness, he thought to mark other areas as well. Probably wrong in doing so, he wanted physical signs of his claim to remain on her skin long after he finished taking her. If she agreed, she’d soon belong only to him.
He stripped the shirt from his back because the room got downright hot all of a sudden. He braced himself above her and gently kissed a breast. Her fingernails sank into his shoulders as her back arched. She liked having her breast kissed even though the jewelry made her most sensitive. He worked one nipple, beginning with light touches, nibbles and soft licks. After much patience, wee Jess panted and pushed her nails further into his skin, moaning for more.
He carefully sucked and she said, “A little more, Shane. A little harder please.”
He answered her polite request and obediently obliged. The front of his pants strained as he played with her nipple. Much blood rushed to his cock in response to the firmness growing around her piercing. He’d nay doubt she liked what she felt. She’d have burns on her firm, soft ass though from scooting around so much against the textured floor. He needed to hold her still.
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When he’d given her other nipple the same care, he straightened to undo his pants.
His cock stretched the limits of confinement and he thought to ease the discomfort. She saw what he did and lifted her pussy.
“You need something, sweet?”
“Mmm, you.” She sounded happy about the prospect of having him inside her again.
He was keen on it too but first had other plans. He held her knees and spread them wide. The silver piercing sat high between the lips of her pussy and begged to be touched and wiggled. He lay on his belly, got comfortable and moved straightaway to the good stuff. He’d play with the rest of her later. With her wet and needful, he didn’t even try to resist the urge to push his tongue deep into her heat. Her amazing taste was like the rest of her. Addictive and sweet.
“Shane!”
I like the way that came out.
“By the heavens! Oh damn!”
His tongue remained busy until Jess started rhythmically squeezing the muscles in her pussy. When at last she tightened and stayed that way, he didn’t push into her again. She breathed hard, wanting her prize, but he figured she needed to wait. Maybe if he teased her a bit and kept her nice and tight, she’d eventually forget to hold back and finally come for him.
Her clit grew thick and hard beneath the piercing. He carefully rubbed his tongue over the nub. She planted her feet on the floor and lifted to his mouth. Sensitive or not, she seemed to like what she felt. She rubbed against him, increasing the pressure. He barely had to move because she stroked her wet pussy up and down.
She’d grown ripe and obviously wanted to come. He made her wait as he sampled the rest of what lay open. He took his time and bathed her entire crease with his tongue.
Tonguing from her clit to the opening, he never let her know what would follow. He recalled her doing something similar to him in the prison. He remembered it feeling nice too.
She began twitching and jumping, trying to get more pressure than he’d give. He’d never done such to a gal, making her whine to get more. He decided he liked it. He remembered how hard he came when she finally let him. He hoped it worked the same on her.
When he gave her a break and kissed her belly, she quickly sat up. Grabbing his cheeks between her hands, she drew him close for a kiss. She wasn’t shy about tasting herself. He started breathing harder as she licked her juice from his lips. It drove him crazy to have her take her own desire so greedily. She grabbed the waist of his pants and shoved it down. After gaining his wits, he started to undress but she wouldn’t wait.
She tried pulling him atop her flushed, warm body.
“Jess, slow down.”
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“No, now. Right now.” She twisted against him, brushing his chest with her breasts.
That did it. He’d waited long enough. The head of his cock barely got lined up before he steadily slid the whole way into her heat. He drew out in a slow manner so she could feel every inch of his cock leaving. He kept at her like that, in a slow, balanced motion in time with her breaths. He liked hard, fast, rough focking but this pace agreed with her.
She knew when to expect him full inside and she’d bunch up to hold him tight before he’d slip away. Each time he thrust deep, she’d strain harder and hold on longer.
“Ah, Jess, come for me.”
She quivered inside when he bottomed out. It lessened as he withdrew. He’d likely come before long because of how she felt, all tight and trembling around him. The constant motion of his cock felt too good and the long strokes into her soft, wet center were irresistible. “I’m close to letting go. I’m sorry, can’t help it.”
“Like yestereve, come in me again.”
He kissed her harshly. “Truly, hon, I’m trying to hold on but how you squeeze makes me wild.”
“Don’t hold back. I love how you feel. I love your cum in me.”
The word love coming from her did strange things to him. He’d explode very soon.
“Damn it, sweet, I need to fock you hard.” He grunted as he lost control. “I’m sorry, Jess.”
He came to his knees, grabbed her hips, pulled her ass from the floor and sought relief from the burning. She felt too fine and the harder he drove into her, the tighter she squeezed and contracted around him.
“Oh, Shane!” she screamed. She got tighter and tighter!
He growled as he came, filling her with his cock and seed. Letting her ass rest on the floor, he came over her to finish. Her slick, wee body was heated and heavenly against his moist skin. She shuddered beneath him then trembled as her sheath jerked with spasms. God, she’s coming for me!
Jessica became crazed as the climax formed and built. She imagined how magnificent it would be and concentrated on the tremors saturating her clit. A solid, heavy, brain-numbing throb of pleasure ripped through her pussy and expanded outward to tighten her stomach and stiffen her nipples. As the wave cascaded through her ass—everything inside became as silent as death.
“No!” she cried, having pleasure stolen just as she’d gotten a taste.
The air rushing harshly in and out of them filled the quiet room. After all the touching the eve before, she’d woke with a wet pussy and hard nipples. She’d paced most the morning waiting for Tiernan to return. When he finally did and kissed her between the legs, she thought for sure she’d burn and come for him. Hell, she’d barely gotten warm, let alone singed!
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