“I am famished, but not for breakfast.” Jana could refuse him no longer and she witnessed the astonishment on his face as she released the straps and allowed her gown to slide to the floor and cover their bare feet. “Well? Does the slave feed the master? Or will the master generously feed his starving slave? It’s your move.”
Varian lifted one brow devilishly and chuckled. “It seems to me I’ve heard that statement before. Perhaps the day you beat me in Laius? I must confess, Jana Greyson, you do make life exciting. Heavens around me, it’s good to have you back. Yes, I made the right move again.”
“So, you did lose that game intentionally. I suspected as much. You led me right into our cunning trap while playing the innocent prey. Alas, Sir Demon,” she drawled sexily, “I shall never be a match for your wiles.”
“Are you kidding me, moonbeam? We’re perfectly matched in many ways.”
“I hope you believe that and remember it a long, long time.”
They were standing only inches apart, close enough to touch without moving. Fires danced in blue eyes; flames sparked in beryl ones. He smiled; she returned it. As if magically transformed into hands, their gazes roamed each other with stirring caresses. As if by cue, both closed the distance between them, her hands going to his chest and his to her shoulders. Their faces touched and nuzzled for a minute or two, reveling in their first contact and drawing out the moment. His lips brushed over her face, hair, and throat as she swayed her nude body against him.
Varian’s mouth gradually made its way to Jana’s, then hungrily claimed it. His darting tongue was met and joined by hers. Her arms lifted and encircled his neck as he drew her tighter against him. He lifted her and placed her on the bed, then quickly pulled off his swim trunks and joined her. As lips and bodies fused, an urgency consumed them to make love wildly and savagely. Weeks of hunger and anguish needed rapid appeasement.
Afterward, they lay entwined without speaking, only touching and feeling. They kissed, caressed, and aroused fiery desires again. This time they relished every instant and movement, prolonging their pleasures until passion’s blaze engulfed and consumed them. The agonizing weeks of denial and loneliness vanished. They were together again, and nothing else mattered.
As Jana lay curled against Varian, her fingers toyed with the damp hair on his muscled chest. It was always so tranquil in his arms after making love.
For the next two hours, at Varian’s suggestion, Jana related her days on Karnak. When she encouraged him to talk about himself and his lengthy absence, he grinned ruefully and told her he couldn’t, not on this furlough. Jana teased, “I see, you want to remain a deep and dark mystery.” When he laughed, she asserted gravely, “I know so little about you, Varian Saar.”
“Then why didn’t you bombard Draco with questions about me?” he jested.
Jana rolled onto her back, then to the side of the bed, and started to rise. “I’ll take a bath, then join you downstairs.”
“Jana?” he called to her, gently capturing her wrist.
“Please, Varian, not right now,” she entreated raggedly. “I’ll be down soon.”
Varian released his grip without forcing her to turn around or explain her sudden sadness. He wondered if it was her lack of knowledge about him and his reluctance to enlighten her which had inspired her mood change, or was it something she had learned about him during his absence…
“Hear me well, Captain Koch,” Prince Taemin warned, “I want Jana Greyson. Get her any way you can, and without witnesses. If Commander Saar interferes, bring him to me if you can take him alive. If not…” He shrugged indifferently. “Just make certain you do not mention me or lead any Alliance officer here. Jana is not to be touched, understand?”
Captain Koch grinned and nodded. “You have nothing to worry about, Prince Taemin. I will seize her for you. I almost hope Saar does try to stop us because we have an old score to settle. He’s confiscated several of my ships, and he’s been after my skin for years.”
“If you can bring me Saar alive and without anyone’s knowledge, I’ll double my offer of payment and you can have him after he answers a few questions for me.” Taemin wanted to know about those Star Fleet covert voyages before he made his false alliance with Ryker Triloni. Canissia should be reporting to him very soon about those curious assignments, just as soon as she could risk a trip in this direction. Then again, Jana should have all the facts he needed. That little creature was an excellent deceiver; she had fooled him completely that day on Lynrac. Clearly she and Saar were a team, an intimate and clever team! Saar had returned for her, just as he had suspected.
Ryker was staring into Moloch Shira’s eyes as the hireling delivered his news. Varian was alive and back! Had something gone wrong, or had Varian discovered the chemicals were tainted before using them? No matter, Varian could not prove any charges against him. But it would alert his half brother to his daring attempt on his life. Varian would be more alert and suspicious than ever. Rages of fate! He must resort to patience and caution again. Why had Varian purchased Jana Greyson immediately after his unexpected return?
Moloch related his observation and conclusions. “I’ll tell you now, Ryker, something crazy is going on between those two. Varian arrived grinning and swaggering around, then headed to speak privately with Councilman Procyon. In less than an hour, Draco appeared acting tense and looking sad. Then Varian hung around for a couple of hours trying to behave as if he had just won the greatest prize of all time, even though he seemed angry about something. Rumor said Varian paid Draco ten million for Jana. We both know money means nothing to either of them. Varian actually bought her as his mate! I think he more than craves her in his bed. I think he’s in love with this alien beauty.”
“Then why did he sell her to another man?” Ryker said, probing for more clues.
“I’m not so sure he did, not to become Draco’s mate anyway. I think Draco purchased Jana to hold for Varian. I wouldn’t even be surprised if Varian put up the money. If I had to venture a guess on Jana’s return to Varian the other night, I would surmise that Draco and Jana were getting too close to suit Varian. He’s taken her to his grandfather’s home on Eire.” “What about Jana Greyson? How did she behave?” “That’s another strange part; she never showed up that night. If I had to make another guess, I’d say she didn’t like being returned to Varian. I’ve been keeping up with her closely, and I think she hates him. This woman is different, Ryker. She’s smart and spunky. Varian might have been using her against you for some reason, but he overlooked a few angles. She’s not a woman to take betrayal and degradation, and nothing would be more degrading to you than being sold by the man who pretended to love you. I doubt he planned to fall in love with a captive mate, and I doubt he realized just how perfect she is for you. You should have bought her, Ryker.”
After Moloch departed, Ryker gave this staggering turn of events deep thought. True, he would need a mate and heirs. True, Jana Greyson would have been perfect for that role, if she hadn’t become Varian’s whore! Now he had no use for Jana, unless it was to lure Varian into a death trap. But first there was another path to try, a path which would grant him a weapon to hold over Taemin’s head. Like Canissia, that smug prince could not be trusted.
Canissia paced the elegant quarters on her ship, Moonwind. Her rage had been building for days. She had refused to see anyone, including the anxious Zan. Varian had taken a mate, putting him out of her reach as long as his mate lived! How dare he humiliate her by choosing an alien slut over the daughter of a supreme councilman! He would pay heavily for spurning her! And that alien bitch would pay dearly for bewitching Varian Saar!
She realized the other Council members and Varian were suspicious of her. That explained why her father had been kept in the dark on so many matters lately. If they were trying to entrap her, she could not trust any of the information given to her father to be accurate! No doubt they had passed along crafty lies to bait their snare for her. She would fool them all and take n
o risks! Right after she related all she knew about Varian’s covert missions to the Milky Way Galaxy; first to Ryker, and then to Prince Taemin. One of them must acquire the Maffei Alliance and marry her!
Chapter Eighteen
By the third day, Jana realized she was sharing the existence of a very different Varian Saar. Their relationship was so fulfilling that it frightened her. He revealed no reservations about their new arrangement. His spirits were high and genial, most of the time. He joked with her or Tirol or the servants. He seemed at home here. The bond between Varian and the Kadim was strong, and it warmed Jana to see that he could display such deep affection. Jana was pleased by the changes in his personality.
Varian was playfully possessive, teasing her and keeping her with him day and night. He was gentle and thoughtful, never speaking crossly or lording his power over her; as if he were her slave, he would help her dress or bathe or would fetch her refreshments. And he was highly passionate, acting as if he couldn’t get enough of her company and lovemaking. On a rare and brief occasion, he did appear slightly distracted or worried, but never appeared bored with her or anxious to depart. He was careful not to mention Draco, which would have refreshed the memory of that terrifying and humiliating auction, and spoiled their passionate reunion. He didn’t want her thinking he had the power and rank to change the charl laws at this dangerous time, so he continued to be silent about his relationship to Tirol Trygue. And he made sure no one dropped a clue.
Jana found herself loving him and submitting to him with wild and uninhibited abandon. She experienced glimmers of hope for a lasting relationship. When she appeared to relax totally with him, he seemed to do the same. Jana recklessly decided she would live day to day, and ignore the cloudy future. She reminded herself that he hadn’t sold her on Rigel. She wondered if he ever could do such a horrible thing. For now, Varian Saar was her passion, her love, her very existence.
As for Varian, he savored these days of peace and pleasure. Life with Jana offered many glittering facets. She was like the sunshine: warm, radiant, vital, and life-sustaining. She was like the moonlight: mysterious, bewitching, and intoxicating. He had dared to yield to the emotions called love and commitment. The wanderlust in his blood was wearing thin. For the present, he was satisfied to remain with Jana. Jana was the embodiment of everything a man could desire in a woman; and she was his, almost…
On the third afternoon, Varian was called to his orbiting ship about a vital matter. When he didn’t return by midnight, Jana went to bed without him. She awakened near one and went to see if he had returned. As she descended the stairs, she saw Varian sitting in a chair by a fish pond in the solarium. He balled one fist and slammed it into the open palm of his other hand. He was swearing in a muffled voice.
When he said loudly enough for her to hear, “Damn that son of a bitch! I’d better go and find him myself,” Jana felt a surge of anguish. Was it time for him to leave her? She reminded herrself, No pressures, no demands, no tears, no pleas, no arguments! Be only what he needs, Jana.
Jana poured Varian a brandy and entered the glassed room. She pressed it into his hand and smiled. She stepped behind him and began to massage his stiff neck and shoulders. As she gently kneaded the muscles, she hummed very softly. She halted briefly while he downed the brandy in one gulp. She watched him close his eyes and slowly relax, the tension and anger subsiding. She continued her ministrations until he was breathing normally and leaning his head against her.
“Would you like another brandy, Varian?” she asked, ceasing her massage. He shook his head. “Are you all right? I was beginning to worry about you.”
His hands covered hers on his chest; he squeezed them lightly. “You are a wonder, Jana Greyson, a sheer delight. The smartest thing I’ve done in my life was to come after you on Karnak; the dumbest was to leave you there.” He lifted her hands and placed a kiss in each palm. “I want you, Jana, now.”
“Good, because I want you,” she replied. “Need some help, old man?”
Varian twisted in the chair to send her a grin. “I could use a little strenuous exercise to loosen up stiff muscles. What about you, moonbeam?”
Jana walked before him and collapsed into his lap. “Not me, I’m rag-limp.”
Varian nuzzled her neck and nibbled her right ear. He buried his nose and right hand in her silky hair. He fingered the luxuriant mane as he inhaled its stirring fragrance. Varian pulled Jana closer against his body and possessively wrapped his strong arms around her torso. When she laid her head near the hollow of his shoulder, he rested his jawline against her temple. He closed his blue eyes and mentally drank in this heady nectar called love and serenity.
Jana closed her eyes. She felt so happy. Never had she experienced such sheer delight and total relaxation in a man’s company. Life with Varian gave her a feeling of completeness, utter fulfillment.
Varian, too, savored this blissful episode. How strange to find rapture in nothing more than a touch, a smile, a voice, a quiet moment like this one. He shuddered to think he might never have discovered or experienced this if Jana hadn’t entered his life, if they hadn’t yielded to the chemistry between them, if he hadn’t purchased her at the auction. From now on, Jana would be under his guard and protection, or under Tirol’s. Still, he wouldn’t rest easy until his foes were conquered and Jana was his wife.
“Varian, is something bothering you?” Jana inquired.
“Why would you think that, moonbeam?” he asked.
“You’re stiffening up again,” she remarked.
Varian’s grip on her had tightened; his jawline was twitching as he clenched and unclenched his teeth. If only he could have answers to his questions about Baruch, Canissia, and Moloch. Didn’t any of them realize how dangerous and traitorous the Tabrizes and Trilonis were! “I might have to leave a day early,” he murmured sullenly.
“When? How long will you be away?” she questioned.
“I’ll know tomorrow afternoon, late. Jana, if anything—” Varian halted.
Jana struggled to prevent herself from coaxing him to complete that alarming half statement. Varian was changing, becoming more open about his thoughts, and she realized it must be difficult for him. She had to avoid pressuring him. He wasn’t accustomed to sharing his plans; no doubt that unfamiliar behavior still shocked him. He was like a wild stallion who desperately wanted to remain free and fearless and unbreakable.
“I’ll miss you, Varian. Please be careful,” she murmured against his neck.
Varian’s arms squeezed her appreciatively. “Behave yourself while I’m gone,” he teased to lighten the sudden gloom which encased them.
“With you away, it will be simple,” she playfully retorted.
“Is that a fact, Dr. Greyson?” he taunted, then tickled her.
Between bursts of laughter, Jana pleaded, “Stop, Varian. We’ll wake Tirol.”
The two lovers didn’t know Tirol had been observing them since Jana had come downstairs. How he wished Galen and Amaya were here to share in their son’s happiness. Tirol wished he could roll back time and change history. He wished he could make peace between Galen Saar’s two sons, for Varian’s and Jana’s lives were at stake.
When Jana awakened the next morning, Varian wasn’t beside her. She hurriedly bathed and dressed and almost raced downstairs to find him. Time was short before his departure, and his last assignment had separated them many weeks! Jana couldn’t locate either Varian or Tirol. She questioned a servant to learn that Tirol had left for a meeting on Rigel and Varian had gone to a secluded spot two miles down the beach, his favorite location during visits here, the servant confided. Should she wait for his return? Or dare she join him? Damn, how she hated this light-stepping!
Jana wandered around the house for twenty minutes as she tried to figure out what to do. Things had been progressing so well between them to risk spoiling them. What if Varian wanted privacy? What if he wasn’t alone?
Jana boldly entered Tirol’s private study and
went to stand before the painting of Amaya Trygue, who appeared around twenty. She had been exquisitely beautiful. Thick sable curls tumbled down the back of the feminine figure with her shapely body half turned in the portrait. The face which was almost mischievously peeking over a silky shoulder was unmarred. Ice-blue eyes seemed alive with energy and joy. Her smile was radiant. Jana couldn’t find a single flaw in the ravishing female. If there was such a thing as a perfect woman, in looks and personality and advantages, it had to be Amaya.
No wonder Varian had suffered so deeply and painfully at her loss. Amaya appeared to be a woman who elicited love and loyalty. If Varian had become involved with Shara Triloni, it couldn’t have been willingly. What man could hurt or reject the sable-haired, blue-eyed goddess in this painting? No doubt the vain and selfish Shara had craved Varian, tried to lure him from Amaya, failed, and took her lethal revenge on those Varian loved. Why murder Varian, when leaving him alive to suffer anguish and guilt offered a better vengeance? Tears smarted Jana’s eyes, for she felt she could never compete with this ghostly beauty.
Jana went upstairs and pulled on her swimsuit and a short pool robe. She headed down the beach of pinkish-beige sand. Jana was intrigued by the color of the water, a curious purplish-blue whose cresting waves flickered with hues of periwinkle beneath the sun. The shoreline was ruggedly landscaped. She weaved her way around huge rocks which jutted from the towering cliff seemingly soaring as high as the eye could see. Here and there, a contrasting and contradictory burst of greenery sprouted: stubby trees with fat trunks and large leaves, clumps of bluish-green grass, and lacy vines which hugged and decorated anything nearby.
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