Unable to disobey, Lieutenant Baruch Tirana revealed not only the truth about Jana and Varian but also his bargain with Ryker Triloni.
“That bastard! So, I can trust him no more than he can trust me. Listen to me carefully, Baruch. Whenever Ryker questions you, you will swear you believe this romance with Jana Greyson is a charade to dupe him. Tell Ryker you think Varian is using Jana to spite him in some way. Convince Ryker that Varian doesn’t truly love or desire Jana. Remember this when you awaken and do not disobey my orders. Do you understand me?”
“Yes,” came Baruch’s reply.
“What did Ryker offer you as a reward for betraying me?”
Baruch repeated Ryker’s offer. “He said I could have you, but I told him I didn’t want you.”
“Is that true, Baruch? You no longer desire me?” she taunted.
The ship’s system officer of the Wanderlust had no choice but to answer, “I hate you and want to resist you, but I crave your body.”
“Remove your clothes,” she commanded. When he had obeyed, she ordered, “Remove mine.” Again, he complied. “Now, my traitorous lover, give me great pleasure. You will sate my desires.” Canissia laughed wildly as the man did her bidding. Later, she would study Ryker’s actions and motives.
On the planetoid Darkar, Ryker was sitting at his desk staring at Jana’s pictures and reading Moloch’s last report. Jana was very beautiful, but was she unique enough to captivate his brother? More than that, earn Varian’s love? Perhaps Varian had selected this female for another reason. Something about this situation didn’t seem right.
“What’s wrong, my love?” his mistress inquired moodily.
“He is up to something, Precious. If he really loved this alien enchantress, it would be the best-kept secret in the Universe. He isn’t fooling me; the question is why.”
“What about Canissia? She’s deceiving you.”
“I know, I have spies everywhere. I know about her little dealings with Jurad and Prince Taemin. I know she’ll question Baruch. When she does, he’ll let it slip that he is working for me. She’ll know I’m on to her. That should worry her plenty.”
“What if she tries to betray you?”
“Aren’t you forgetting I’m the only source for her little excesses? Little Canissia thinks she’s so clever. She has few secrets. Right about now, she should be working Baruch over. I plan to have Varian and this Jana watched closely. Unless something changes, he won’t incite any public interest in her.
As a matter of fact, I plan to look around and discover why he wants me off Darkar.”
“You think it’s all a charade? You think there’s nothing between them?”
“Knowing my half brother, I would be shocked if it was true.”
Chapter Eleven
As she tried to jerk free, Jana scoffed, “Please don’t degrade yourself to placate a lowly captive. You’re right, Commander, this is sheer madness.”
To avoid a struggle, Varian released her and yelled, “Door, secure lock!” The voice-operated mechanism responded instantly. There was no need to deny themselves this time together, for he would possess her. Martella’s suggestion about a fake sale to Draco was brilliant. He would remove the fears which Moloch had instilled in her about sex. He could no longer resist Jana. Surely they were matched by fate, so why fight their destinies?
After pressing the release switch several times, Jana turned and shouted at him, “Open this door, Varian Saar! The wager’s off!”
He refused. “Sorry, moonbeam, but it’s too late. I’ve ached for you since before your capture. After I seized you, every time we touched or kissed, the aching increased. I would enjoy nothing more than making love to you. Believe it or not, I denied myself to protect you. However, I will not agree to one night’s training; it’s two weeks or nothing.”
“No other women during my time period?” She added the stipulation.
“None, moonbeam. We can’t expect to keep our affair a secret from my crew or the public. People gossip. Do you understand and agree?”
“Yes,” she asserted bravely, then moistened her dry lips.
Varian realized she wanted him as much as he wanted her. “Then we’ll just have to face any consequences and rumors as they come up.”
“I expect you to make it worth my while.”
“Then so be it. Go inside and relax.” Varian tenderly caressed her rosy cheek. “I’ll come to you in fifteen minutes. Be clothed and ready to flee, or undressed and waiting in my bed. This is your last chance to escape, Jana.”
“I want this time with you, Varian Saar, no matter what.” She entered his bedroom and closed the door.
Varian issued an order to prevent any interruptions. He pressed the intercom button to alert security control. “Ferris, log in Jana Greyson’s location as my quarters for the next two weeks. I’ll see to her schedule from now on.”
“Yes, sir,” Ferris responded happily. He couldn’t wait to tell Kathy this good news. He would always be grateful to Varian for Kathy.
Ferris beamed with joy and excitement. If Varian Saar fell in love with Jana, surely he would want to marry her. In that case, his commander would throw all of his energy, power, and wealth behind the fight to abolish the practice which separated Varian from Jana just as it separated him from Kathy. Ferris chuckled and remarked to the man who had brought him a snack, “How about that, Baruch? From where I stand, Varian and Jana are perfect together. I know that will rub Ryker Triloni the wrong way, but Varian can protect her.”
Baruch Tirana sighed heavily. He was worried and afraid; he could remember nothing after that glass of champagne with Canissia. Kahala, help them all.
Jana showered, then slipped into Varian’s bed. She pulled the silky sheet to her neck, shivering in apprehension and suspense. How she wished she weren’t so naive and scared! She feared Varian would be disappointed with her. Jana waited, and waited, and waited. Surely an hour had passed…
Varian stared out the transascreen in his office area. If only he was sure this was the right thing. He wanted her and needed her, but this was so dangerous, more so than his ruse of bewitchment by her.
Varian knew what must be done to protect her. He had to deny her importance to him before enemies, coldly and cruelly pretend he had seduced her, and now that he was sated, was casting her aside. Until it was safe to expose his feelings and claim on her…He grimaced, then shuddered with foreboding. Was history repeating itself? An alien enchantress was lying in his bed waiting for him. He was entrapping himself. He thought of his father and Shara on another ship, in another time…
Jana slipped out of the bed and stood in the doorway, clad in Varian’s maroon wrapper. She observed him, as he wrestled with dark ghosts from his past. Who and what had hurt him so deeply, made him so mistrusting and cynical? He looked plagued by anguish, confusion, and bitterness. Why was he so afraid of her, of possessing her, of surrendering to her? She dared not pry, but she knew some awesome battle was being waged inside his heart and head. Had he changed his mind? Should she allow him to escape?
Jana approached him and slipped between his towering frame and the transascreen. She placed her hands on his chest. “Please don’t refuse me now. I need you, Varian. I want you. I swear, no strings or battles or demands before or after my auction. I swear, I’ll let you go when the time comes.”
Varian’s troubled gaze lowered to meet her entreating one. She untied the sash and allowed the robe to flutter to the floor. Jana went up on her tiptoes and kissed him hungrily. She clasped her arms around his neck and clung fiercely to him. Intense longing glittered in her eyes as she huskily coaxed, “Love me, Varian. Please, if only once.”
That was Varian’s undoing. He groaned with rising desire. He seized her tawny head between his large hands and feverishly pressed his lips to hers. Varian gathered her naked body in his arms and carried her to his bed. He gazed down at the scene which had haunted his mind: Jana lying naked and willing in his bed. He stepped to his control pan
el and pressed several buttons. Dreamy music and very soft lighting came on. A heady fragrance which reminded her of countless tropical flowers filled the air. Varian stripped off his clothes and stood naked before her, a work of desire and power. He was about to join her, when her voice halted him.
“Wait a moment,” she requested softly as her gaze boldly roamed his body. Jana began at his sable head, then moved her eyes over his face very slowly. He was so handsome. His features implied the same strengths his body did. His arms bulged with muscles, firm and smooth ones. His chest and back rippled with his movements. His chest was covered with a wispy black mat which narrowed like his waist to drift past a flat stomach and into a dense mat which surrounded his manhood, an area which her gaze hurriedly skipped over for now. His thighs and calves were supple and sleek. Not an ounce of extra fat could be seen. His flesh was bronzed, slick and firm to the touch. He was breathtaking. When she found the courage to focus on his loins, she noticed the manly shaft was growing larger. It stood away from his body.
Varian laughed when Jana blushed and jerked her eyes from the intimidating sight. “I want you, Jana Greyson, and I need you. This moment should have come weeks ago,” he admitted.
Varian eased into bed. He read her panic and tension. She was gripping the edge of the sheet so tightly that her knuckles blanched white. He gently pushed aside a straying lock of golden hair. He softly caressed her rosy cheek, then grasped her icy hands with his warm ones. She trembled and stiffened. He caught her chin and lifted it until their eyes met.
“Don’t be afraid, moonbeam. I won’t hurt you more than necessary. You’ve got to relax, Jana. I’m not an evil monster come to devour you,” he teased, eliciting a tiny smile.
“I feel so insecure, Varian. I don’t know much about…this kind of thing. What am I supposed to do?” she asked seriously, timidly.
He placed her arms on the pillow to halo her head. He smiled tenderly and responded, “Tonight, nothing but experience and enjoy. Close those beautiful eyes and lie still. Just relax and let me love you, Jana.”
Varian smiled before his mouth claimed hers very gently. Jana obeyed, closing her eyes and opening her senses. As much as she wanted to embrace him, she remained as he had placed her. He worked carefully and leisurely to arouse her, to dispel her anxieties. His tongue darted in and out of her mouth and across her lips. He playfully and stirringly teased both earlobes, his hot breath enlivening her senses. His mouth slipped down her throat, halting at her throbbing pulse. His lips brushed over her collarbone, then moved down her cleft to encircle the base of each firm mound. With tantalizing slowness, he traveled up one breast to moisten and arouse the brown peak, then shifted to the other point before darting from one taut nipple to the other. When his mouth relinquished, his forefinger and thumb would deftly caress the protruding tip and refuse to allow it any release from its blissful attack. One hand worked its way down her stomach, gently fondling every inch along the way.
His fingertips stroked up and down her inner thighs, moving closer to her womanhood. Jana quivered with suspense, anticipation, and pleasure. His ardent mouth left her breasts to capture her lips and to savor her tasty nectar as his hand made its final trip to her thigh. This time his hand covered the furry area and heightened its warmth with his palm. With calculated speed and pressure, his fingers began the next steps along the path toward rapture. He skillfully intoxicated her until she moaned and writhed in need. His mouth and hands continued their heady and patient assault. At last, he eased on top of her and settled his fiery shaft against the last barrier of his possession of her innocence.
“Look at me, Jana,” his rich and husky voice softly commanded.
When her gaze locked on the intense blue of his, she prayed he wouldn’t withdraw, not now. His eyes were glazing with passion and hunger. Jana’s fingertips grazed over his sensual lips. When he offered her one last chance to change her mind, she whispered raggedly, “Please don’t stop now. I want you and I need you, Varian.”
He smiled and sighed heavily in relief. His mouth claimed hers again. When she trembled, he knew it wasn’t from fear, but tension and yearning. “You shall have me, moonbeam,” he murmured in her ear.
Jana was ecstatically tormented with fiery desire. For the first time, he would not pull away from her and leave her hanging in frustration. He would belong to her for thirteen nights. Her arms lifted to encircle his neck. She abandoned her mind and body to her rising passion and his blissful possession. Senses whirling madly and lost in the dreamy aura of his touch and skills, she was yanked alert by the burning pain which shot through her as his blazing torch drove into her dark recess. She hadn’t meant to cry out, but she did from surprise and discomfort.
Varian captured her face between his hands and fused their gazes. He tenderly advised, “Relax, love; the pain will fade quickly.” As his lips covered her face with kisses, he confessed, “I’ve craved this moment night after night. It was so hard to deny such hungers and pleasures with you. I tried to resist this temptation, Jana. You have driven me wild and crazy with longing. You’re mine now. Mine, moonbeam.” Varian prayed he was telling her the truth that the pain would subside rapidly. He hoped he had been gentle and patient with his foreplay. He was distressed at hurting her. Despite his numerous sexual encounters, he had never taken a virgin before, intentionally. Jana was his now, his…He dared fate to take her from him!
Jana shifted her head to seal their lips. Her arms about him tightened. Her hands started to explore his back and to draw him closer. She surrendered to the pleasures which surely awaited her. As Varian began to move gingerly inside her, she sighed and smiled. The searing pain had vanished. The stimulating sensations were wonderful, overpowering. All tautness and hesitation left her. Her body began to respond to his instinctively and voluntarily. Engulfed by fiery passion, her mouth almost savagely meshed against his; her tongue flittered a provocative dance with his. Her body arched upward and seductively wriggled against his smoldering frame, as if urging his manhood deeper into her snug and moist casing.
Wanting him even closer to her, Jana bent her knees and draped her supple legs over his firm ones, then clutched him possessively. No matter her innocence, Jana’s inflamed body artfully and naturally matched Varian’s rhythm. Her hunger was tremendous and fierce. Her body, words, and movements begged for release from this all- consuming furnace of passion.
Varian perceived her high level of arousal. He slightly increased his pace and force. He expertly guided her up passion’s spiral until the summit was attained. He was gentle and patient; he was passionate and tender; he was taking and giving; he was pushing his control to the limits.
Jana briefly fluttered on the verge of conquest, her liquid green eyes opened and melted into his limpid blue ones. His lips rested on hers and their noses touched lightly. As they seemingly shared respiration, their igneous gazes remained locked. Varian masterfully drove in and out of her receptive body until her expression and reaction exposed her release.
Jana caught her breath sharply and blinked her eyes; her stomach and groin tightened momentarily, then ravenously endured the quivers of sheer bliss which raced along the sensitive nerves he was stroking. He rotated his hips side to side and painlessly ground his groin against hers as if to make certain he left no spot unsated. Jana’s mind was spinning; yet she kept her gaze fused with his. Her cheeks were flushed brightly and her eyes were darkened by raging desire. Simultaneously her senses were bombarded. She was aware of the contact between their damp bodies. Several odors teased her nose: his sweat and after-shave, her perspiration and perfume, and the musky scent of lovemaking. Her tongue teased over his lips as she shamelessly watched him. She wanted to observe his pleasure and hunger, to witness the moment of his conquest which came before her climactic spasms ceased.
The instant Jana began her downward spiral, Varian dashed aside his control and swiftly pursued her toward a valley of blissful satisfaction. “You’re mine now,” he vowed once more, then sei
zed her lips as he rode out the turbulent waves of passion.
When his needs were sated for a time, he was breathing heavily. Moisture glistened over his face and torso. He didn’t want to break their intimate contact, but he didn’t want to relax his exhausted body on hers. He clasped her securely against him and rolled onto his back, carrying her along without slipping from within her. With fingers buried in her thick hair, he continued to savor her kisses and touch. Gradually his respiration and pounding heart slowed to normal.
Jana didn’t mind the dampness on his chest as she laid her face and hair against it. She cuddled peacefully into his lingering embrace. At last, she knew who and what she had waited for. She understood love and passion, for she had experienced both. She realized what she had sensed that first time she had gazed up into his sapphire eyes, or when she heard his voice and confronted his awesome presence: this was the man who held her fate within his grasp and could hold her heart if she weakened for an instant. She had weakened. She loved this man and wanted him for a lifetime. She would never regret this decision or forget this night. After knowing him fully, whatever happened now, it would be worth any price she must pay.
Jana closed her eyes as tears slipped from them to mingle with his sweat. So many emotions assailed her. Joy and resignation flooded her. The next two weeks must create enough memories to last her a lifetime. But she would trade nothing to have her innocence returned. Some bittersweet madness had engulfed her, for she fiercely loved and desired her captor.
Varian felt the hot tears slip to his chest and run off his shoulder. Dread and panic chewed at him. “I’m sorry, Jana. I honestly tried not to hurt you more than necessary. Is there anything I can do?”
Jana lifted her head and looked down at him. She smiled. “You were extremely gentle, Varian. Like you said, the pain lasted only an instant.”
He was confused. “Why are you crying? Are you sorry for yielding?”
Moondust And Madness Page 23