He lowered his head more, his lips brushing hers. He heard her sharp intake of air. “I do. It’s just that I’ve never kissed a woman before. Or been kissed.” He raised a brow. “Well, until the day you first came to the House of Rone.”
She gasped. “Never been kissed. I stole your first kiss—”
“I’m not complaining.”
She eyed him. “I…are you…um, so you’ve never had sex?”
“I didn’t say that. It’s a pleasant pastime.” He shrugged. “I have just never had any interest in kissing.”
She moved to step back, but he gripped her arm.
“I’m interested now, Quinn. Very. And I made the wager. I always keep my promises.”
“Why am I not surprised to hear that?”
He tugged her back toward him, reeling her in. He pulled her onto her toes, and lowered his head again. “Hands.”
She frowned. “What?”
“Back in my hair.”
She obeyed, her fingers tangling in his hair.
“I want to kiss you, Quinn. Badly. I want you to show me how.”
Her breath hitched, then her mouth met his.
Her lips moved over his, urging his lips apart. Her tongue slipped inside his mouth, stroking his tongue. It wasn’t fast, more a very feminine exploration. She was taking her time. No one had ever taken their time with him. He mimicked her movements, pulling in her taste.
An inferno roared to life inside Jax’s body. His cock was as hard as steel. The husky sounds Quinn made into his mouth just inflamed him more.
Just a kiss with Quinn was hotter than all the sexual encounters he’d ever had.
“I think we’re interrupting,” a deep voice rumbled.
“You think?” a second voice said.
“Perhaps we should return later?” The third voice was crisp and cool.
Drak. Jax lifted his head and swallowed his groan of frustration.
Chapter Nine
Quinn pulled away from Jax, her blood humming.
She tried to get her brain working. He said he’d never kissed a woman? And yet, he’d just managed to turn her to mush.
She turned and saw a wall of cyborg muscle. Instantly, she recognized two of the men. They’d been with Jax at the trading post.
“You have very bad timing.” Jax scowled at the cyborgs.
The biggest of the three grunted. “We just wanted to use the gym…for its intended purpose.”
Jax made a choked sound. “Quinn, I’d like to introduce you to the other cyborgs in Magnus’ elite group. This is Mace.” He pointed at the big man.
Quinn couldn’t spot any metal or enhancements. All she saw was impressive muscle, a tough-looking face, and faded ink up his left arm. She thought the design might be wild beasts of some kind. Then she did see the wink of metal—Mace had a piercing through one nipple.
“This is Toren,” Jax continued.
Toren was leaner than the others, but no less muscled. His silky fall of blond hair was tied at the back of his neck. He had metal across both shoulders and piercing green eyes.
“Hello,” the cyborg said.
“Hi.” Something about Toren shouted “predator” and made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. Like he was assessing the best way to take her down.
Jax waved his hand. “And you might remember Acton.”
“I attempted to aid you in the training arena when you were disoriented.” Acton’s voice was cold and emotionless.
Quinn tried not to stare at the metal half of Acton’s face. His hair was a deep brown and cut short. His two cybernetic arms rested by his sides, and she tried to see the man in him, but he was very cool and aloof.
“Hi to all of you.” While the three men didn’t give much away, she got the distinct impression they weren’t happy she was here. “I’m very grateful to be here at the House of Rone.”
Mace grunted. “You’ll be trouble.”
“Mace,” Jax growled.
“She already has you worked up,” Mace said.
Quinn bit her lip. Apparently grumpy cyborgs didn’t like their routine disrupted.
“Quinn was a security chief for an exploration ship,” Jax added. “She’ll be a valuable addition to the house.”
Acton blinked slowly. “She’s human. Weak and fragile.”
Now Quinn made a sound. “Excuse me?”
Jax shot her an apologetic look. “Acton has…no filter.”
“I’m not weak,” she said.
“Physically, you are much weaker than me,” Acton said.
Hot challenge punched through her. “That doesn’t mean I can’t find ways to outwit you, tin man.”
Acton turned to Jax. “Did she just insult me?”
“Yes,” Jax said.
Mace and Toren nodded.
“She just successfully ran the circuit, on her second attempt,” Jax said.
Acton blinked. “Impossible.”
“She might even beat your record.”
Quinn swiveled. “He holds the record?”
Jax nodded.
Quinn’s smile was sharp and a little feral. “Then I am going to beat it and make him eat his words.”
Acton’s brow creased. “How can I eat my words?”
She sighed. “It’s an Earth saying, anyway, I’m going to beat you.”
“The statistical likelihood of that is very low.”
“I’ll make you eat your statistics as well.”
Acton looked well and truly confused right now.
“I think you should take your training out into the arena,” Jax suggested.
With a sigh, Mace nodded. The three cyborgs headed out.
“They are extremely loyal and very good fighters,” Jax said.
“You don’t have to defend them, Jax. I’ll get to know them.” She tilted her head. “You feel way more emotion than they do.”
“Yes, but I have to admit, since I met you, I’m feeling things I’ve never felt before.”
Her breath hitched. She stared into his blue eyes as he moved closer. Jax told her the bald truth, and dammit, she liked that.
His body pressed against hers. “Where were we before we were interrupted?” His head lowered.
“Oops, sorry!” a young female voice said. “Not that I blame you for wanting to kiss that totally delish cyborg.”
Jax stilled and released a sharp breath. “Drak.”
Smiling, Quinn turned her head. A young girl on the cusp of her teens stood in the doorway, a slim hip cocked. She wore loose-fitting, desert clothes, and her dark hair was pulled back in two braids. She oozed bravado.
“Hi, I’m Duna.”
Jax stepped forward. “From Varus’ stables.”
The girl nodded. “Yep.”
Quinn had no idea who Varus was, or what he kept in his stables. She eyed the girl again. Hopefully, it wasn’t young girls.
“What can we do for you, Duna?” Jax asked.
“Varus sent me. He heard that the House of Rone was looking for information on the Edull.”
Quinn stiffened. “You know something?”
A nod. “One arrived in the city today. He’s keeping his tarnid at our stables. He’s gone to the metal market.”
An Edull. Right here in the city. Quinn turned to Jax. “He could know something.”
“We’ll check it out.” Jax looked at the girl. “Thanks, Duna. Tell Varus I owe him.”
The girl flicked her fingers in the air. “Liquid. A marker from a cyborg.” Then she was gone.
“Liquid?” Quinn asked.
“Liquid is prized in the desert, so it’s become a saying to show your pleasure.”
Jax led Quinn into the weapons room adjacent to the gym. He grabbed a House of Rone cloak from a rack. He fastened it around her neck, and watched her swish the blue fabric around her body. He slipped a sword onto his belt.
Soon, they were both striding out of the House of Rone. Jax sent a message to Magnus to tell him where they were going. Then, Ja
x moved through the twisting tunnels before leading her out of the arena and into the streets of Kor Magna.
She paused for a second, studying the tall spires of the District. Even in the daytime, the casinos winked with bright lights.
“That’s the District,” he told her. “The entertainment center of Kor Magna. Many travel here daily to indulge in their vices or escape from their lives.”
Her gaze swept over the tall towers. “Seems out of place compared to the old, stone buildings that make up the rest of the city.”
Jax turned her in the opposite direction. Varus’ stables were near the edge of the city, easily accessible to travelers coming in and out of the desert. As they walked past the two-story stone buildings, he watched Quinn absorb it all.
“The District is newer.” The stone walls of the arena, and the city’s older buildings had stood for centuries. “I believe the pleasures and vices on offer were always there. The businesses have merely become more valuable and flashier over the years.”
It wasn’t long before he pointed to a large stone archway.
“That’s Varus’ stables.”
Her nose wrinkled. “I can smell the tarnids.”
“The metal market isn’t too far from here.” He indicated a cobblestone street. “A lot of scavengers bring scrap in from the desert. Some traders in the city run a brisk trade.”
Quinn pressed a palm to her belly.
“Are you all right?”
She lifted her chin. “Just thinking of Sleeja. He steered clear of the city, stuck to the trading posts.” She lifted a shoulder. “I just feel a bit sick at the thought of running into any of the scavengers I’d seen in the desert.”
People who’d seen her as a slave, treated worse than an animal.
He gripped her arm, felt the firm muscle of her bicep. “You’re free now. They can’t hurt you. I won’t let them.”
She released a breath. “I know. I’m just worried I’ll want to beat the crap out of them.”
He smiled. “I’ll help you.”
Her gaze warmed and dropped to his lips. “That’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me.”
Drak, need twisted inside him. He cleared his throat. “Let’s keep moving.”
They soon passed under an archway, made of rusted, metal scrap, all pieced together.
Beyond it, the Kor Magna Metal Market was a chaotic jumble of stalls. Piles of scrap parts littered tables, lay overflowing in large crates, or were just piled on the ground.
Quinn stiffened, pulling in some deep breaths.
“Quinn?”
“Reminds me of the larger trading posts.”
It reminded her of Sleeja. Jax stepped closer. “The sandsucker is dead.”
She lifted her head, met his gaze. “I know.”
Jax touched her hair, rubbing the silky strands between his fingers. “Your strength and determination got you here.”
“Thank you.” A nod. “I’m ready.”
They circled around the market. Several people glanced at them. Most people ignored Quinn, their gazes lingering on Jax. Everyone wanted the chance to do business with the House of Rone.
“I don’t see any Edull,” she murmured.
Jax didn’t, either. He stopped at one of the stalls. The man behind the table was rotund, with long, drooping facial hair.
“We have some questions,” Jax said.
“Good day! I am Darcel. What answers can I give you?”
“We’re looking for an Edull who’s here trading.”
The man’s eyes lit with curiosity. He eyed Jax and Quinn. “Yes, an Edull man was here, earlier. His name is Gaarl.”
A name. Excellent. “Where is he now?”
Darcel spread his hands. “I’m not sure, but he had business to conduct.”
“What business? Have you seen him before?”
The trader shrugged. “He comes in occasionally. He trades, but always wants too much money for inferior goods.” Darcel sniffed.
“You know where he comes in from?” Jax asked.
“He had a base somewhere in the desert. That’s all I know. Has he crossed the House of Rone?”
Jax nodded.
“Not surprised. He has that air about him. Wait, he did mention something.”
Beside Jax, Quinn tensed.
“He said he has a slave. Female with wild, curly hair. Said she’s too broken, so he was asking where he could sell her.”
Quinn hissed and took a step forward. Darcel’s eyes widened. Jax held out his arm and her chest pressed against it.
“What did you tell him?” Quinn asked silkily.
Jax watched the dangerous tone register with the trader. Perspiration beaded on his brow.
“Uh, I told him that I am no slaver.” He glanced at Jax. “I didn’t tell him anything.”
Jax gripped Quinn’s wrist. He felt her pulse racing beneath his fingers, and he brushed his thumb back and forth against her skin. She pulled in a shaky breath.
“Thank you, Darcel,” Jax said.
The trader beamed. “Any time the House of Rone needs scrap, please come and see me.”
Jax tugged Quinn away from the trader’s stall.
“That has to be Jayna,” Quinn said.
“Maybe.”
She growled. “Broken.”
He turned to face her. “We don’t know anything for certain, yet.”
“Where is she, Jax? We have to find her.”
“I have a name to follow now. Gaarl. I’ll ask our allies to search for this man and his hideout.”
She nodded. “Then we’ll flush him out like the rat he is.”
“I don’t know what a rat is.”
“A nasty, germ-infested rodent.”
Jax’s lips twitched. “An apt description.”
They strode out of the metal market and turned into a quiet alley flanked by stone buildings. It was time to return to the House of Rone, and start running the searches. He’d touch base with Zhim and Ryan. They’d be able to track down this Gaarl.
Suddenly, there was a whoosh of noise from above. Jax jerked Quinn to a halt.
A giant robot leaped from the roof and landed in front of them with a clank of metal, blocking their way.
Jax and Quinn took a quick step back.
“What the hell?” she muttered.
Jax’s eyes narrowed, his systems doing a scan of the robotic humanoid. It towered over both of them.
Then the robot straightened and charged.
Chapter Ten
Jax kicked the robot. It swung two large fists and he ducked. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Quinn step backward, eyeing their attacker.
Then suddenly, the robot moved. It was faster than Jax had anticipated, slamming into him, and lifting him off his feet. It took several steps and slammed Jax into the wall of a nearby house.
Pain burst through his back and he grunted. He lifted his fist and hammered the robot’s back.
Quinn leaped onto the machine’s back. She landed a vicious hit to the side of the robot’s head, making it rock.
It dropped Jax and spun again. Quinn jumped and jammed something in its smooth eyepiece across the front of its head.
Sparks flew. A piece of wire was sticking out of it.
Quinn leaped off the machine and backed up. Suddenly, knives slashed out of its hands like claws. It started advancing on Quinn.
No. Jax rushed forward. He tackled the robot around its legs and it stumbled, but didn’t go down.
Its focus was still locked on Quinn.
His heart pounding, Jax slammed his fists into the robot’s back. He lifted his cybernetic leg and aimed a side kick.
His boot connected with the robot’s lower back, the dull-gray metal denting under the impact.
The machine’s upper body swiveled, its legs staying in place. Its knife-tipped arms swung out. Jax was already moving, but the blades caught his shirt and pants, tearing them up.
“Hey, metal head!”
At Q
uinn’s shout, the robot turned again.
She sprinted forward. She held her staff up like a lance. She slammed it into the robot’s face.
More sparks. She pulled back and slammed it in again.
Jax circled the machine. When Quinn pulled back the third time, he moved up beside her, closing his hands over hers. Together, they both drove the staff forward.
It crashed into the robot’s face, metal tearing. Sparks showered over them.
Jax lit up his tattoo. He felt the electricity generating in his arm, energy flowing through him as the ink glowed blue.
“Back,” he warned Quinn.
He rammed his hand against the robot’s chest.
Electricity hit the construct. The robot shuddered, and then it collapsed in a pile of metal.
Chest heaving, Jax stepped back, keeping his gaze on it. He waited to see if the thing could resurrect itself. The metal didn’t move. He kicked it a couple of times.
Satisfied, he let the energy in his arm die. Then, he crouched, studying the robot’s remains.
He didn’t see any identifying marks. Drak.
“Well, that was fun,” Quinn said.
Jax looked up at her and then stilled. As it had with him, the machine had managed to slash Quinn’s shirt in three places. Through the rips, he glimpsed golden-colored skin.
“You okay?” He rose.
She nodded.
But then he saw the blood on her shirt. The claws had hit skin.
“You’re hurt.” A strange feeling hit him, like his insides were jerking. He stepped forward and touched the fabric of her shirt.
She shrugged. “It’s just a scratch.”
Jax needed to see for himself. He shoved her shirt off her shoulder, studying her skin.
“Hey!”
He gripped her wrist with his other hand while he examined her wound. It didn’t look too deep. His fingers brushed her skin.
She gasped.
Jax froze, lifting his gaze. Had he hurt her?
Her cheeks were flushed and her lips parted. He detected the spike in her pulse rate. Deliberately, he stroked her skin again. She sucked in a breath.
“Jax—” She tried to pull her hand away.
The scent of her arousal hit him, hanging in the air around them. He was shocked to feel his own desire roar to the surface, burning through his dampeners. He knew he should stay away from her and fight this pull.
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