Jarrett sat down next to him and wiped them away with the pad of his thumb. “I wondered if your kind cried. I’m sad to find out like this as I much rather would have seen you with tears of joy.”
“Me, too.” Ranic placed his head on Jarrett’s shoulder. “You were so brave.”
“I was foolish.”
“No.” Ranic kissed his shoulder then snuggled closer. “You stepped up to that monster to try to protect me. I don’t think anyone has ever done anything so heroic. Not for me.”
“I wish I could have convinced him to let us go.”
“That would be nice, but we both know that wouldn’t have been likely.” Ranic stroked his hand up Jarrett’s thigh. “What did he mean about us having enough time?”
“I think he was being very kind.”
“He’ll let us go?”
“Not that kind.” Jarrett eased onto the bed and found it was surprisingly hard. It was massive but had the texture of three-day-old bread. “We have enough time to be together one more time. Possibly twice.”
“Oh.” Ranic considered the door, the bed, then looked around the room.
“We don’t have to do anything.” It was obvious Ranic was uncomfortable with the idea that the Krase might be watching them. For some reason, it didn’t bother Jarrett in the slightest, but he figured that was the effect of death being so close.
Ranic met his gaze, and the fear that was there softened. “If you can be brave, so can I.”
To lessen his concerns, they turned off the light, undressed, and slipped under the covers. For some insane reason, Jarrett felt like he was sneaking at his parents’ house while everyone was out. It made him feel slightly giddy, and then he was honestly grateful that he’d impressed their captor enough to gain one last night with his mate.
Ranic’s hands were cold against his chest, but when Jarrett eased him onto his back and then covered him with gentle, passionate kisses, he warmed up and his trembling ceased. Murmuring words of love and praise for his beautiful body, Jarrett kept kissing him as he worked his way under the blankets. When he reached his cock, he sucked lightly, hardening him, but then he backed off because he didn’t want things to be over too soon.
Parting his legs, he slipped between them and then gently tongued Ranic’s hole. Ranic made a curious sound and clutched at Jarrett’s head through the blankets. Unsure if he was trying to stop him or encourage him, Jarrett lifted up. When Ranic made a frustrated whimper, Jarrett had his answer. He returned to teasing his mate’s hole with his tongue. Each teasing swipe seemed to make Ranic more wild. Each plunge caused him to flick his hips as if he were silently asking to be filled. Jarrett teased him until he simply couldn’t resist anymore. He fumbled for his discarded jacket and took the lube from his pocket. Jarrett had put it there hoping for an encounter on the bridge, but he was glad he had it now.
Rising up, settling his body over Ranic’s, Jarrett gently eased his way inside. In the dark, he couldn’t see Ranic’s face, but he felt his mouth part as he pressed his face against his shoulder. His breath was hot and moist, tickling his skin. Ranic licked Jarrett’s neck and then kissed his way up to his mouth.
Lost in the feel of his love, Jarrett kept his pace gentle. He didn’t want to rush. If he had his way, this moment would never end. He would just go on and on, making love to his mate until the entire universe split apart. Below him, Ranic was murmuring as he kissed up one side of Jarrett’s neck and then across his face to the other side of his shoulders. It was like his weaving of their fingers—soothing and arousing at the same time.
When Ranic lifted his legs higher, tightening them across Jarrett’s buttocks, he lost his easy pace and thrust deeper, harder, determined to fill his mate one last time. At the crest of his release, Ranic bit his neck hungrily. It was so unexpected, so wickedly rough, that Jarrett drilled just a bit deeper and then held steady.
“You animal.”
“Did I hurt you?”
“No. It was just surprising.”
“I had this urge to bite you, and I have no idea why.” Ranic traced his fingers over the spot he had bitten.
It was on the tip of Jarrett’s tongue to tell him he should always follow his instincts and bite him whenever he wanted, but then he remembered where they were and why that would only lead to sadness if he said it, so he didn’t.
“I want something else, too.”
“What?” Jarrett would give him anything he could in their last few hours together.
“I want to make love to you.”
“We just did.”
“No.” Ranic teased his fingers through Jarrett’s hair, making him shiver. “I want to be on top.”
Chapter 12
Jarrett went very still, and then he moved to his side, taking Ranic with him. Ranic knew it was a lot to ask, but since their time together was so short, he felt compelled to request exactly what he wanted.
“I know you said you’d done it and didn’t like it, but I wonder if that was because it wasn’t the right man or the right time.” Ranic didn’t want to push. When Jarrett remained quiet beside him he opened his mouth to take it all back. He certainly didn’t want their last few hours to be filled with pain or regret.
“I would like to try.”
“Truly?” Ranic was touched that Jarrett trusted him enough to give him a chance to show him that it might be good between the two of them.
“But if I don’t enjoy it, will you stop?”
“Of course I would stop if you were uncomfortable.” Ranic felt a rush of fluttery anticipation. He wasn’t so sure why this mattered to him, but it did. Now that he had permission, he was overthinking everything. And then he simply thought of how beautiful Jarrett was and how much he wanted to see him happy. In a way, this was more for Jarrett than it was for himself. Ranic wanted to fill him, to feel the tight heat of his body around his cock, but he also wanted to give Jarrett the same sublime pleasure he’d given him. He wanted to rewrite his terrible first time with something wonderful.
Following his mate’s lead, Ranic didn’t rush. He rolled him to his back and kissed everywhere on his body. There was something about his nipples that caused his cock to twitch, almost as if they were connected in some way. As he licked and sucked at his tender nipples, he slid his hand down between his legs and teased his hole.
Jarrett drew a deep breath and held it, almost as if he anticipated pain, but Ranic didn’t ease his finger inside. Not yet. Jarrett had teased him endlessly until he was almost frantic to feel him and then he’d wanted to get married before he completed the act. Ranic wouldn’t go quite that far, but he wouldn’t hurry, either. Slowly, gently, he teased the amazingly soft flesh that puckered around his opening.
Eventually, Jarrett realized Ranic wasn’t just going to pounce, and he relaxed. Ranic knew he was ready for more when Jarrett bent his knees and lifted his legs, giving Ranic greater access.
“I need something to ease my way.”
Jarrett handed him the small bottle of lube they’d gotten at the resort. Ranic coated his fingers and then continued to kiss his mate while teasing him. Before long, he penetrated one finger inside, only to feel Jarrett tense. Ranic withdrew and then distracted him with more passionate kisses. Eventually, he tried again, and this time Jarrett moaned into his mouth as Ranic’s finger slid inside.
Heady with success, he cautioned himself that he still had a long way to go. But at least Jarrett wasn’t stopping him or making sounds of discomfort. If anything, he was squirming and rocking his hips for more. In the back of Ranic’s mind he worried that the Krase might come and put an end to everything before he could fill his mate, but he couldn’t allow that to rush him. Not when the slower he went, the more trust Jarrett would have.
“You’re making me crazy.”
“Good. That is what you did to me.” Ranic slid another finger within the gripping heat of his mate, and his reward was a moan of encouragement. He kept up with his teasing and then added another finger only to hear
his mate make a sound that was so aggressively sexy he almost came against his thrusting hip.
Certain that the time had come, Ranic parted his legs and slipped between. Since it was completely dark, he couldn’t see Jarrett’s face, but he felt the need in his body. Below him, Jarrett squirmed deliciously, rubbing his whole being against Ranic’s. Each increment he lowered himself caused a corresponding welcoming openness in his mate.
Pressing the tip of his cock against his mate’s hot, slick hole made Ranic shiver. He felt powerful and strong, but tempered his need to be inside by his desire to hear his mate’s pleasure.
“Are you ready?”
“God, yes. I’m going a little crazy here, I think.” Jarrett cupped his hands to Ranic’s shoulders. “I’m really glad I was wrong.”
“Wrong?” Ranic held perfectly still.
“About liking anal sex.” Jarrett lifted up and kissed Ranic’s lips hungrily. “I have never been so wrong in my life.”
Ranic was pleased he was able to help Jarrett enjoy something he thought he didn’t like. As happy as he was, he also felt sad because this would be the last thing they would ever do together.
“You must tell me straightaway if you are in pain.”
“I will, but I don’t think that’s going to be an issue. You’ve teased me into total willing submission.”
Ranic flicked his hips forward, marveling at the feel of his mate’s flesh parting around his invading cock. Each forward movement was halted by Jarrett’s indrawn breath. When he released the air, it blew across Ranic’s shoulders and encouraged him to go a little deeper. It was a slow progression that held him utterly enthralled. To Ranic, it was almost as if he was two places at once. He felt the incredible power of Jarrett filling him yet also the heady command of filling Jarrett. Each time he went deeper he felt more in control, but it wasn’t a brutal kind of authority he held. This was the right to give great pleasure to a man he loved, and replace an ugly part of his past with something beautiful.
By the time he was fully deep, Jarrett was rocking his hips, begging for more without saying a word. In tandem they worked their bodies until the tension grew too great and release simmered right at the edge of torment.
“Now. God, now, Ranic. Fill me all the way and come.”
Ranic lowered his hands to Jarrett’s buttocks, gripping them tightly as he thrust as hard as he could. Jarrett parted his legs wide, digging his heels into Ranic’s ass. A powerful climax pulled at his body, encouraging him to go just a bit deeper. At the height of his release, Ranic lowered his head and bit Jarrett’s neck.
With a cry of surrender, Jarrett arched up and spilled between their bellies. He gripped up on Ranic with his arms and legs, holding him so tightly he was unable to move and hardly able to breathe. And then Jarrett went limp, releasing Ranic from his fierce hold.
Balancing his weight on his elbows, Ranic gave himself a moment to enjoy his triumph, and then he moved to his side, carefully draping Jarrett’s leg over his hip so they could stay joined together.
“Thank you.” Jarrett’s voice was very soft in the dark.
“It was good?”
“Good? No. It was fucking fantastic.” Jarrett chuckled and then squeezed him. “I really thought that I was destined to die hating—” Jarrett stopped speaking abruptly when he realized what he was saying.
“Let’s not think about that.” Although his impending demise was now the only thing in Ranic’s mind.
“Right. I’d much rather think about the sparkles in my butt.”
Ranic laughed. “You are very funny, my husband.”
“I know. Let’s see if this place has a shower or something.”
“To get the sparkles out? But I worked so hard to get them in there.”
“Now who’s funny?” Jarrett nipped his neck. “And no, I just want to wash up. I want to keep the sparkles right where they are.”
“I’m sure our room will undoubtedly have a cleaning station.” Just as Ranic suspected, the facilities were discreetly tucked away under the floor. To use them, they simply activated the pressure plates and the units rose.
“This sucks. We can’t shower together.” Jarrett frowned at the cleaning machine. “But I really want to clean up before bed.”
“You go first.”
“Right.” Jarrett considered the unit for a long time. “How do I do this?”
Ranic assisted him and then took his turn. Clean and tucked under the covers, they were quiet, but Ranic didn’t think either one of them was going to get any sleep.
“What will you miss most?” Ranic had no idea why he would ask such a thoughtless question. “Forgive me. I don’t know why I asked you that.”
“Because it’s on both our minds and the more we try not to think about it, the more it’s going to sit on our heads like a giant gorilla. Or a Krase warrior.”
They laughed together, and then Jarrett rolled close, snuggling his head onto Ranic’s chest. So far, it had always been Jarrett who was the strong one, but it was clear that tonight, his last night, he needed to be comforted. Ranic held him close, kissed his head, and then made soothing circles on his back.
“I know I will miss you the most. But it’s not just all the sex we were going to have, but all the strange and wonderful things we would have discovered, like your ability to breathe underwater.”
“I will miss that, too.” Ranic tried to picture himself in the water with another lover, but he simply couldn’t.
“If they let you go, and I think they will since technically you didn’t do anything wrong, I want you to find someone else.”
“Please let’s not talk about that. Not now.”
“Just promise me that you will try again.”
Ranic said nothing because he didn’t want to be dishonest, but Jarrett kept pushing.
“I don’t want to go off to the big beyond thinking of you being alone for the rest of your life. Not after all the sacrifices you’ve made and how far you’ve come to get where you are now. Just promise me.”
“I promise.” But Ranic knew it was a lie. Without Jarrett by his side, he had no idea what he was going to do. Since he’d sold his suit, he couldn’t go home. In a way, that was a good thing because he would only be miserable there. Besides, if he returned to Finoc, he’d be executed for what he’d done with Jarrett, not to mention the fact he’d shown his face to outsiders. Ironically, since no creature in the universe had ever seen a Finoc, Ranic could claim to be of another species altogether and no one would be the wiser. As long as he stayed away from other Finocs, he’d be safe. But he wondered if one of his own kind would try to drag him home to make him stand for his crimes. Since Finocs rarely went anywhere, he figured he’d be safe, and he’d spot them in their massive suits long before they saw him.
“You know what else I’m going to miss? Ice cream.”
“What is that?” Ranic traced lightly over Jarrett’s skin as he described several curious food items he was going to miss. And then he talked about the music he loved. Ranic didn’t know what Southern-fried rock was, but Jarrett certainly seemed to like it. He hummed some for Ranic, which he enjoyed, but he had a feeling he more enjoyed Jarrett’s joyful sounds rather than the music itself.
All night, or at least what had become night because of their trip back to Krase, they stayed snuggled together talking of things they loved, things they hated, and the wild and crazy dreams that they’d never put into motion.
By the time the lights flickered, indicating they would soon have company, they were ready to meet their fate with resolve. Ranic did not want to let go, and neither did Jarrett, but they both made a reluctant kind of peace with the situation.
“You know, I remember hearing that it was better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all, and I thought that was just the dumbest saying in the world. I told myself I’d rather never love at all because then I wouldn’t know what I was missing.” Jarrett pulled on his blue pants. “But now, I’m glad I had some time
with you. It was worth the pain of knowing I have to leave. It’s like having time with you is going to make what’s coming bearable.”
Ranic wanted to agree, but he couldn’t lie. He turned slightly away as he pulled on his purple wedding suit. Maybe he could find something else to wear to his mate’s demise other than this. It seemed wrong to have to wear the suit from his happiest moment to his most miserable one. But it was unlikely he’d be granted such a minor request, not if the Krase were running things.
“Hey.” Jarrett turned him so they were facing one another.
“I don’t want you to go!” Ranic flung himself into Jarrett’s arms.
“Everything is going to be okay.”
“It’s not! And how dare you say it’s better that we had time together when you’re leaving and I’m the one left standing here alone!”
Jarrett met his furious outburst with commiseration. “I’m sorry. You’re right. It’s easier for me.”
“No, that’s not what—I’m just—I will miss you more than—” Ranic was abruptly cut off when their door opened without warning. He lunged for the golden cloth and pulled it over his face. Since the weave was somewhat open, he was able to see out, but he didn’t think people could see him, not clearly, especially since his skin was almost the same color as the cloth.
“It’s time.” The officer who had brought them here was leading them out.
“Where are we going?” Jarrett asked as he took Ranic’s arm.
“Down to the surface of Krase, but that is all I know. My job was to get you and bring you here.” He stopped midstride in the hallway, forcing Jarrett and Ranic to stop several paces behind him. Lifting his finger, he held perfectly still for so long Ranic feared he was going to be given orders to kill them here. But then he lowered his finger and turned. “You two were running away together?”
“Yes.” It was Jarrett who answered with a simple affirmative. “Why?”
“I have never heard of Earthlings until I was sent on this mission. Your kind is fascinating. Brave, foolish, and yet there is something elusively compelling that makes me admire you.” The Krase warrior did not meet his gaze. Perhaps he found it easier to make his odd confession without having to look them in the eye. “And I have heard of the Finocs, but I’ve never seen one outside of a trooper suit.”
Enslaved by a Rebel [Sold! 2] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic ManLove) Page 9