In a flash Noah was next to him, sliding into navigation, his blue eyes watching his screens.
“Whoever it is, they’ve blanketed their engine signature,” he muttered. “Let’s get out of here.”
That was more than enough encouragement for Ronan. With a flick of his wrist, his ship rumbled to life. A second later, they were soaring from the moon.
Chapter Two
Ronan crossed his arms as he stared down at the sleeping woman. There was something about her that drew him, even though he couldn’t see what she looked like. He’d found himself down here in the cargo bay many times just staring at her. Maybe it was her hair, the color blazing like a rising sun, reds and golds all intertwined together. Maybe it was the delicate curve of her jaw, the perfect shell of her ear, or the flawless sheen of her skin.
Who was she? Someone important, of noble birth, he’d wager. Freezing was expensive now, so he could only assume the fee was astronomical thirty years ago. But what really was perplexing was how she ended up in the Cold Lands, on an outdated ship even for that time period.
He didn’t know if she had any cognitive senses still functioning through the deep comatose, but he didn’t want to do anything to disturb her slumber. What was it like to be frozen? Senses completely numb, thoughts and ideas suspended in time, the body never aging while the world continued to spin. It must be like dying. This woman had been lost for years, alone in space, time slowly erasing her from memory.
He thought that was, perhaps, the saddest thing he could imagine.
“Isn’t she amazing?” Noah said softly behind him.
“What’s amazing is that she survived for so long.”
“How long?”
“Ship’s log says she’s been out there thirty-one years and two months. Her coffin has been kept alive through a regenerating generator not powered by the ship. It’s really an elaborate and sophisticated system.”
“Translation expensive,” Noah murmured. “I contacted Valin. He’s now on Outpost Four and he says he knows how to wake her up.”
Ronan shot him a surprised look. “Outpost Four is on the other side of the Cold Lands.”
“With our engine we can get there in two days.”
“I was hoping to get out of this section as quickly as possible. The longer we stay the more we push our luck.”
“Then what do you suggest we do?” Noah asked. “We can’t very well take her to a hospital somewhere.”
“I know that. But, Noah, anything connected to her may not be in our best interest.”
“You want to leave her like this?”
Ronan sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Truthfully, I don’t know. She’s dangerous.”
“You don’t know anything about her.”
“Everything I need to know is right here.” He spread out his hands, gesturing to the expensive life support system.
Noah folded his arms and tilted his head, studying him. “What’s going on, Ronan?”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ve been on edge ever since I brought up the map on the Cold Lands.”
“I’m cautious.”
“Overly cautious, if you ask me.”
“What are you implying, Noah?”
“We always play it safe. Hell, I’m surprised you allowed us to even find her!”
“That’s right. We found her and now let’s get the hell out of here.”
Noah’s eyes narrowed, as if a thought had just occurred to him. “What connection do you have to the Cold Lands?”
Ronan felt his mouth go dry. “There’s no connection.”
Noah’s eyes flashed. “Don’t you dare shut me out! I’m your partner as well as your friend! Just answer my damn question.”
Noah had taken a step forward, trapping Ronan between his body and the ice coffin. Ronan felt his heartbeat race out of control and it had nothing to do with the topic of conversation. He cupped Noah’s face, pulling him into the cradle of his body.
“I was out here for many years, Noah, and you don’t survive without avoiding the danger signs.” He looked down at Noah’s mouth. All he wanted to do was push the younger man back and cover his body with his own, to kiss those pouting lips, and fuck until they both collapsed in bliss.
As he bent his head, Noah met his halfway, standing on his toes to press his lips against Ronan’s. Ronan wrapped his arms around Noah’s body and pulled him in tight. He opened his mouth and thrust his tongue into Noah’s mouth, kissing the man with every pent-up emotion he had, trying to convey without words how much he wanted him. And when Noah pushed back into him, Ronan’s heart soared.
For a moment he let his passion rule. His arms became unbreakable bands around the younger man as his body hardened into steel. He thrust his pelvis into Noah’s, feeling Noah’s cock eagerly rising to meet his own. All he wanted to do in that moment was turn Noah around, yank his pants down and bury inside that delectable little body.
Noah moaned. “Fuck me, Ronan.”
All reason fled at that moment. It didn’t matter that they were pressed against an ice coffin with an unknown woman lying inside. It didn’t matter that they were speeding deeper into the dangerous world of the Cold Lands. It didn’t matter that someone might be looking for them. Noah’s body was supple and hard at the same time, fitting perfectly against his, and all he wanted to do was breathe him in.
“You want my cock up this tight little ass?” Ronan murmured into Noah’s ear as he slid his hand around the younger man’s waist to grab his backside.
In answer, Noah just whimpered.
Ronan was just about to unzip Noah’s pants when the perimeter alarm rang through the ship. They jumped apart, looked at each other before rushing from the cargo bay back to the front of the ship. Both were breathing heavily and it wasn’t from the run to the cockpit.
Ronan jumped into his seat. His console flashed a yellow light and he touched it, bringing up the vidscreen. He saw a ship, cruising fast, and he punched in a few commands trying to identify it. He swore under his breath.
“Our friend from the moon is following us,” he reported.
“Are you sure?”
He nodded. “Same blanket signature. Fire us up and let’s get the hell out of here.”
Noah buckled himself into his seat.
The ship wasn’t a typical space-faring ship. Most ships relied on a hyperdrive system that allowed really fast speeds for a short period of time, which was great for getting away quickly. But hyperdrive wasn’t good for long term because of the potential to run into something, like a star or a gravitational pull into a black hole. Plus it didn’t allow for outside communication.
So Ronan bypassed hyperdrive by building a powerful modified engine that could outrun anything, which was why they could be on the other side of an entire system in two days when it usually took double that. In seconds, they were off, racing through the Cold Lands, putting distance between them and the hunter.
“Keep your eyes peeled for any other visitors who might be following us,” Ronan ordered.
He set a course that would set them on the outskirts, still on the way to Outpost Four but far enough away from the hubbub of the Cold Lands. This path would take them just a little over two days to traverse the section of space, but for his peace of mind, it was worth it.
They remained vigilant and alert for the next hour. Noah listened attentively through the earplugs and Ronan knew the younger man would be able to immediately pick up any sounds of approaching vessels before the sensors would.
Ronan let his mind wander for a moment, back to the time right after he’d found Noah. The man had been wrecked from the noxious fumes of Isaren. He might have lived but several organs hadn’t fared very well. Ronan had to make a decision and now, years later, he was glad he’d used the savings he’d had to put Noah back together.
Finally, Noah leaned back in his chair and pulled his earplugs out before rubbing the back of his neck as he stretched out his muscles. He glan
ced over and their gazes clashed.
“What ‘cha thinking about?”
“I was remembering when we met,” Ronan replied.
Noah grimaced. “I don’t like remembering those days.”
“No,” Ronan said softly. “I don’t suppose you do.”
He knew some of Noah’s past and sympathy surged through Ronan. The last thing he wanted to do was bring up bad memories.
Noah stood. “I’m hungry. Wanna get some lunch?”
“Sure.”
Ronan set the autopilot and followed Noah to the galley. Any piece of furniture was bolted to the floor and the cabinets had sliding bolts in place to keep everything from sliding out in case they were on the run and had to do some tricky maneuvers. It didn’t happen often but other salvagers as well as scavengers were out there who didn’t have any qualms about fighting over cargo.
They each picked out a can of soup to eat and went about heating it up. Fresh food was reserved for when they hit port somewhere. Most of the time they either ate from canned soups or dehydrated meal packages.
They slid into the booth and ate for a few minutes in silence.
“Your birthday is next week,” Noah murmured.
“So?”
“You’ll be thirty.”
“Again, so?”
“We should celebrate somehow.”
“Why?”
“It’s a decade milestone,” Noah said. “That deserves a party. I know I’ll want a party for my thirtieth birthday.”
“You have awhile for that.”
“Only five years. Sometimes, Ronan, you make it sound like you’re ancient.”
“I am ancient,” Ronan replied wearily. “Not many people who come from where I’m from make it to thirty.”
He saw Noah bite his lip and knew the younger man wanted to ask about Ronan’s past. But he couldn’t do it, not yet. He didn’t have the courage yet to open that can of worms. He wouldn’t be able to tolerate it if Noah turned away from him in disgust. He bowed his head, concentrating on his near-tasteless soup, letting his body language shut down any hope of further conversation.
After lunch he wandered back to the cargo bay to take another look at their sleeping beauty. Noah had gone back to the cockpit to continue listening for space chatter. Why was he feeling so restless all of a sudden? Was it because he was turning thirty next week? He’d never really contemplated the future all that much, simply because he knew that at any time things could go to hell quickly. And damned if he’d ever feel sorrow or regret about something he’d missed out on. He never planned for the future.
But Noah did. Noah constantly talked about “one day”. One day they’d have a home. One day they’d find the motherload of cargo. One day they’d do this or do that. And it spooked Ronan. Planning meant expectations and if there was one thing Ronan had learned growing up it was that expectations always disappointed.
“You’re lucky you’re sleeping,” he whispered down at the sleeping woman. “Maybe you won’t think so, but this world is fucking cruel sometimes. It gives you shit to digest and just when you think it’s gourmet it changes the recipe.”
He ran his fingers over the top of the chamber.
“Who are you? Who did this to you? When you wake up are you going to be some rich bitch or a long-lost princess? Are you going to be the death of us?”
He leaned over and laid his forehead on the cool surface.
* * * *
Noah watched Ronan on the cargo bay vid cam and listened in as he talked to the sleeping girl. As much as he knew about Ronan Hark, there was still much that remained a mystery.
Not that he’d really opened up about his own background. Sure, Noah knew the particulars, the details that were the most important. But the personal stuff, what Noah had done to survive…well, they were scars too deeply imbedded in his soul to wash away. And Ronan didn’t need to be tainted by that.
Ronan had his secrets and Noah had his.
And pasts were best left buried.
Chapter Three
Ronan pushed the upward thrusters hard while easing down on the throttle. The landing gears made a sharp click sound as they struck the tarmac. Ronan locked them in place and fired down the engines before unbuckling himself from the seat. Noah did the same and they headed toward the hatch door.
As they opened the sealed side and slid the door back, Dr. Valin Dennington waited for them. He was a tall man with graying black hair and friendly blue eyes. Ronan had first met him years ago, when he’d first signed on to the salvage ship under its old captain, Tatum Hark. When Tatum had fallen sick he’d gone to Valin for help, only nothing could be done for the aging, withered man. Valin had made sure Tatum remained pain free and when the old man had died, Ronan had felt part of his heart die as well. Tatum had been more than just his mentor. He’d been the father he’d never had.
So when Noah had come along, half-dead, Valin had been the only one Ronan could trust. Ronan held out his hand and Valin shook it firmly.
“Good to see you again, Ronan,” Valin said.
“You, too. When did you come to Outpost Four?”
“Moved here about a year ago,” he replied as he gave Noah a quick hug. He gestured to his home, which was a very small cottage-like structure that housed a very large laboratory in the back. “Research to see if the local flora has medicinal properties. It’s good to see you doing well, Noah. How are the ears?”
“Great.”
“And the lungs?”
Noah took a deep breath. “Like I’d been born with them.”
Valin smiled. “Good. I heard you two have a new conundrum for me.”
Ronan nodded and waved him to follow. He led the doctor back into the ship. When they entered the cargo bay Valin gave a low whistle.
“That is one beautiful ice coffin,” he said, walking around it and inspecting it. He paid particular attention to the med box on the front. “All her vitals are steady. And whoever preserved her used tynilium, which is fortunate.”
“What’s tynilium?” Ronan asked.
“Well, freezing living tissue is an exact science because of potential injury to cells during the freezing and thawing process. It’s all related to the physicochemical and biophysical changes that occur during the cryopreservation process,” Valin informed them as he examined the other readouts on the chamber. “Heat, mass transfer limitation in the bulk systems, intrinsic difference between isolated and cultured cells, plus adding in the mechanisms of freezing tissue systems have to be addressed. Tynilium is a man-made chemical that’s pumped through the circulatory system, coating each cell in a protective layer. It feeds all the cells the necessary components to survive in suspended animation for unlimited time.”
Ronan only understood about half of what Valin said. He looked at Noah, who had the same blank expression.
“I take it tynilium is expensive,” Ronan replied dryly.
Valin nodded. “Very. How long has she been like this?”
“A little over thirty years.”
“Thirty years ago there was only one place that used tynilium,” Valin told them. “Jurdin Prime. See the bluish tint to her skin? They even took pains to protect her extremities from freezer burn.”
“Can you wake her up?” Noah asked.
“Yes, but I’ll need some things, first and foremost being blood since we’ll have to give her a transfusion as we siphon out the tynilium. We’ll need a crash cart, obviously, since we have to jump-start her heart. Heating blankets. I have the meds so that should be fine…”
“Valin,” Ronan interrupted him. “Where are we gonna get these things? I’m assuming you don’t have a market around here.”
Valin’s mouth pursed. “Ah, no. There’s a trading post two days’ ride from here. We can get most of it there.”
“Most?”
Valin shrugged. “If not all. I don’t know what the traders have. I guess we’ll find out in two days. In the meantime, how the hell are we going to get this coffin in
my laboratory?”
* * * *
Later that night Ronan stepped from the shower and grabbed his towel. It felt glorious to be clean with real water. On the ship, he and Noah used the antibacterial shower gel to keep clean since water was a precious resource in space. He had to admit, there were certain advantages to having a permanent home.
He wrapped the towel around his hips and walked into the bedroom Valin had given to him and Noah. Noah was lying on the bed and ran his gaze up and down Ronan’s barely clad body.
“Nice,” Noah murmured.
Ronan halted and placed his hands on his hips. “Nothing beats a real shower.”
Noah rose from the bed and headed over to him. Ronan loved Noah’s hands on him, loved when he placed his hands on his pecs and gently ran his fingers down the hard planes of his body.
“Do you want to take a shower?” Ronan asked a bit breathlessly. His cock rose to attention.
“I want you.”
Those three little words made Ronan excited beyond anything else.
He pulled Noah into him, melding his lips against the younger man’s gently, starting out the kiss slowly, letting the magic build. Already his heart pounded heavily in his chest and his hands were a little unsteady as he pulled Noah’s hips into his. Hard against hard, Ronan ran a hand upward, grabbing Noah’s shirt and easing it up his chest. Ronan’s knuckles glided over Noah’s stomach and he felt the muscles contract against the ticklish caress.
Their tongues met, danced, twining together. He loved kissing Noah. Noah’s hands clutched his shoulders as if clinging to Ronan for dear life, and Ronan liked it. Dear lord, did he ever like it.
Slowly, Ronan undressed him, first easing off his shirt and then untying the drawstring. Ronan slid his hands inside the pants to grab his ass. He pulled Noah more firmly into him, into his groin, moaning as he felt Noah’s hardness against his own.
Wild need surged through him, and for a second he was tempted to forego the foreplay, just rip off all Noah’s clothing, turn him around and sink his cock deep inside the younger man. The image was so sharp and clear in his mind that lust temporarily blinded him. He grabbed at his towel, yanking it off. But as his hand settled on Noah’s arm to spin him, he looked into Noah’s sky-blue eyes and saw happiness. It made the frantic fervor cool enough for him to get a handle on his animal instinct.
Sleeping Beauty (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Page 2