by Nina Pierce
“Lilly, I don’t want to do this,” he said. “Just tell us everything and this will all be over.” And Christ, Dallas wanted it to be over. If he cut that skirt off, leaving her bound in the chair with nothing but the tiniest slip of a thong covering her body, he was sure he wouldn’t be able to control the lust he felt for this human. She had touched a part of him tonight that he thought had died months ago on Canus Delta. But maybe Thaegan was right and even the synthetic blood wasn’t making him immune to whatever power she held over males.
“Why did you pick that particular Znedu tonight at the tavern?” Dallas asked nonchalantly as he brought the knife to the bottom edge of her skirt.
“He looked wealthy.” Her gaze trailed over his face, but neither of them were giving away any hint of what they were feeling. “Besides, Znedus are amazing lovers. And business was less than stellar earlier so I thought I deserved to treat myself to hot round of sex tonight.”
Thaegan growled at her words, but the insult didn’t bother Dallas. Regardless of what they found, the woman before him had been just as turned on in the alley as him. No female body could fake that kind of arousal. There had been nothing about their sexual romp that had left either of them dissatisfied.
“So, you didn’t cull that Znedu from the crowd for any other reason?” Dallas asked.
She leaned forward, the heat of her breasts pressing against the back of his hands, her face a breath from his. “Why don’t you tell me why you care?”
“Let me remind you, human,” Thaegan’s voice, low and menacing, came from behind Dallas, “you are not in a position to ask the questions.”
She sat back in a huff, the motion bouncing her breasts in front of him.
“I thought you realized I’m just another working woman. What more reason do I need?”
Ignoring the pull of her body, Dallas lifted a brow and shot a look at the knife, offering another chance to stop this craziness.
“Do what you have to do, human. You’re not going to find anything.” Lilly smiled, but it didn’t reach the dark depths of her eyes. “In the end, you’re just going to have a mouth full of crow as you shovel out thousands of credits to replace my wardrobe.”
Laying his palm on the inside curve of her thigh, Dallas worked his fingers beneath the supple leather and lifted it away from her leg. Her skin was flushed and warm under his fingers, and he worked to ignore the sensation. The razor edge of the blade cut through the material like soft butter. He curved it carefully around the side of her ass and tugged a little harder to cut through the waistband. He repeated the motion again along the side of the other leg, but it caught on the elastic of her thong and she squirmed a little as it pulled taut a second before snapping the lacey material under the sharp blade of the dagger.
His breath shook as he released a heavy sigh. Dallas really had no desire to remove the leather and expose the velvet flesh that lay beneath. But he had no choice. With trembling hands he slid his fingers down the warm skin of her belly, hooked them under the leather fabric at the waist and lifted it away.
With all that naked flesh exposed to him, Dallas couldn’t help but drink in her breathtaking beauty. The soft roundness of her breasts and belly begged to be caressed. But it was the satin flesh at the apex of her thighs where Dallas would really like to press his kisses and his tongue, exploring lower into her satin folds.
“See? Nothing.” Lilly didn’t quite pull off the breezy indifference. “So, why don’t you untie me, find me something to wear and I’ll be out of your hair?”
“Separate her thighs.” Thaegan’s command caught them both by surprise.
“Really, I think you two Neanderthals have taken this—”
Thaegan’s impatience didn’t allow her to finish. “You can do it gently, Dallas, or I can do it…” His last words hung in the air with deadly intent.
Dallas looked over his shoulder at his partner. The large Ka’al trembled, his fists clenching and unclenching at his side, his thighs bouncing with unspent energy.
“But I can’t guarantee her safety if I’m forced to move closer,” Thaegan said evenly.
“I’ll do it.” Dallas turned back to Lilly. She shrugged and the corner of her mouth trembled with the hint of a disinterested smile that made her look more nervous than cavalier. But he noticed Lilly didn’t shift to open her legs wider for them either.
Dallas laid his palms on the alabaster skin of her inner thighs, her body trembling beneath his palms. Having a woman quivering at his touch usually thrilled him, but he suspected this had more to do with fear than sexual arousal. Praying there would be nothing, suspecting there was, he pushed her thighs apart until the chair hindered anything more than a cursory inspection.
“Scooch forward,” Dallas said quietly as he curved his hands around Lilly’s sexy ass and forced her butt to the edge of the chair. Though she didn’t fight him, her reticence was obvious. With one side of it cut, the thong slipped under her as she slid forward. The heat of her body and her nakedness slammed into him, forcing the air from his lungs.
“Lilly, I refuse to pry your legs open,” Dallas said quietly. “But Thaegan will if you don’t.” Unable to bear being near her without touching her more intimately, Dallas stood and stepped back.
Her gaze flitted nervously to Thaegan but stayed only a moment before skittering back to Dallas. She inhaled deeply and closed her eyes, her legs parting in slow increments until she was completely open to them. Her pink folds glistened enticingly, beckoning his cock to slide into her slick channel. But her silky slit didn’t hold his attention for long. A scarlet mark the size and shape of a ripe summer strawberry drew his gaze to her left inner thigh.
The heavy aroma of her arousal increased tenfold, the smell warm and inviting. His mouth watered to bury his tongue in that heat and taste her honeyed flesh. But Dallas had only seconds to enjoy the earthy scent before Thaegan lunged for Lilly. For a second time the feral cry of frustration accentuated his partner’s movement.
Dallas reacted immediately. Slamming his body into the Ka’al, he managed to do nothing more than send the alien off course and crashing into the dining table.
Thaegan turned back slowly, growling low, the primal look of sexual hunger darkening his eyes.
“You will not touch her, Thaegan,” said Dallas.
“Who will stop me?” His partner roared the words as he ran at Dallas.
But Dallas anticipated the move and used the alien’s own momentum to roll him over his back. Thaegan crashed to the floor. “Thaegan. You don’t need to touch her. We’ve proven she’s a Seraphelium. Now—”
“Now she satisfies my needs.” Thaegan charged again. This time when Dallas tried to dodge him, Thaegan anticipated the move and slammed his shoulder into Dallas’ gut, knocking him into the small couch under the front window. His partner stormed over to him and hauled him up by his shirt. In quick succession he landed punches to Dallas’ jaw and eye. The pain rang through his skull and the metallic taste of blood filled his mouth. Whatever had taken hold of his partner had doubled the Ka’al’s incredible strength.
With all the power he could muster, Dallas brought his knee into Thaegan’s groin. It was enough to loosen his grip and Dallas balled both hands together and brought them down hard to the side of Thaegan’s head. His partner released him and stumbled back but didn’t fall. Thaegan’s dazed expression gave Dallas some hope. He charged the Ka’al, hoping to knock him on his ass and maybe knock some sense into his head. But Thaegan was quicker. He dodged at the last second and rammed a heavy fist into Dallas’ side. He heard the crack of bone and the piercing pain of broken ribs forced a scream from Dallas’ lips. He went down hard, his head slamming into the stone hearth of the fireplace, completely crumpling his battered body.
The thud of Thaegan’s heavy feet vibrated the floor. Dallas rolled to see him moving toward Lilly. He wasn’t sure what his partner intended, but had no doubt that whatever had taken hold of Thaegan had robbed his partner of rational thoug
ht. As the world warbled in front of him, Dallas forced his swollen lips to move. “Schrak nal tine kres. Rebk nesht bekin na’al.” Brother of mine blood. Not of birth but of war.
Thaegan stopped as if he’d hit a wall.
Despite the slur, Dallas forced the words through his swollen lips. “Riecks lackt tral dein Ze’alkr.” I lay thee at the feet of thou most Holy. Dallas had never intended to utter the words out loud—ever. Words he’d heard Thaegan repeat in a nonsensical mantra for hours at his bedside on Canus Delta. The musical notes had penetrated the haze of his coma and carried Dallas from death’s door back to life. “Esch nar lemrl sesche.” And beg for your life’s soul.
But when the Ka’al turned, Dallas could see the prayer cutting through the madness that had engulfed his partner and dared to continue. “Riecks kre’ick tine lemrl barkt laewsherl irk tine schrak qai’id.” I promise my life in servitude for mine brother’s health. It had taken him months to translate the words from the Ka’al dictionary to English. And when he realized the power of what Thaegan had offered him, Dallas promised himself never to use it against the one man who had given him everything. “Unt tine nerst tane fa’ulk.” If mine prayer but be granted me this day.
But desperation trumped all personal promises.
Dallas felt his body healing, the pain ebbing from his face where Thaegan had pummeled his flesh. Dallas forced himself to sit up.
“You heard?” Thaegan asked.
“Every word,” Dallas groaned as agony stabbed through him.
“And you invoke this promise I made?”
“If it means you’ll leave Lilly to me, then yes.”
“You know what you ask?” Thaegan’s gravelly voice was low and even.
“You don’t want to force yourself on her, Thaegan.” With his arm supporting the knitting ribs, Dallas forced himself to his feet, his head swimming with the effort.
“The witch brings it upon herself with her powers.”
“It’s not right to take without permission. Despite whatever has taken hold of you, you wouldn’t be happy if you did.”
Thaegan shot a look of pure hatred over his shoulder. “But she begs for it when she uses her magic.” He turned back to Dallas. “But you don’t believe that.”
“I know you believe it.” Dallas inhaled a shaky breath, the throb in his side already easing and his swollen lip returning to normal, his words no longer slurred. “I’m asking you to leave her alone. Regardless of what she’s done, the woman deserves to be safe while she’s in our custody.”
“Now that we know what she is and how she controlled the Znedu, she deserves only one thing,” Thaegan’s yellow eyes were hard and cold as a luna crystal, “and you know what that is.”
“I understand. And we’ll get to that. But you have to promise me you aren’t going to act,” Dallas waved his hand up and down, pointing to the madness that thrummed through his partner, “on whatever the fuck’s come over you.”
“She’s come over me,” Thaegan roared, pointing a shaking finger at Lilly. “You. Are. Just. Not. Understanding.” He looked at Lilly again, the ridges of his nose deepening as he scented the air. “Even now she works her powers.” Thaegan turned and stalked toward the door. “I’ll have to leave her to you. If I stay she will surely push me to the edge of delirium. And if I don’t release this sexual energy, I will surely lose my mind.” He put his hand on the old-fashioned doorknob, but didn’t turn it. “I’m just wondering who’s going to protect you when I’m gone.”
“I think I can take care of myself against a human female. It’s not like I haven’t had practice in that arena.” Dallas forced a laugh.
“But she’s not human.” Thaegan pulled the door open. “I’m not giving you any more time than it takes me to release this sexual itch and when I return, you better have her ready.” He started to leave, then turned back to throw one last dig. “Just be sure she isn’t controlling you, brother.”
The Ka’al slammed the door behind him, the explosive sound nearly obliterating the mournful note of Lilly’s quiet sobs.
Chapter Six
She couldn’t stop. The despair came hot and hard, burning her throat and sending tears running down her cheeks. She hated to be so weak. Lilly should’ve expected their resentment. The minute the Ka’al had said the word Seraphelium Lilly understood history had reared its ugly head to begin her worst nightmare all over again.
Despite the pity in Dallas’ eyes, she feared there wasn’t anything she could do to alter her future and that scared the living shit right out of her. Lilly had learned from experience human males were ruthless creatures when they felt backed into a corner.
“P-please…” The word stumbled out on shattered breaths and she inhaled, working to control the terror threatening to choke her.
Dallas ignored her plea, stalking out of sight behind her. Water ran from the faucet at the sink and she heard the man sputter as it splashed.
“That’s not the usual Thaegan. You don’t need to worry about him,” Dallas said quietly.
“Anything. I’ll give you anything. Just don’t…” Lilly couldn’t bring herself to say the words. She’d fought the good fight on Earth only to find herself alone and trapped on a Drikspa frigate bound for Krystallos Three. But this was deep space. It wasn’t as if there would be docking stations with aliens to seduce. One quick shuttle hop and she’d be imprisoned forever so deep in the bowels of a whore house there would be no chance of escape. The hopelessness burned her throat and the backs of her eyes, bringing on a fresh wave of tears.
Dallas stepped into view, water dripping from the caramel curls of his hair, all remnants of blood washed from his face and head. “I’m not going to hurt you,” he said. “And despite what just happened—neither is Thaegan.”
She’d seen the beating the Ka’al had given him, yet the man’s split lip and swollen eye seemed to have disappeared. Lilly wanted to ask what the hell was going on with that, but convincing Dallas not to ship her into sexual slavery trumped whatever secret the human kept from her.
Swallowing her trepidation, Lilly found her indignation, allowing it room to give her strength and shield her in bravery. She didn’t deserve to be condemned for genetics. It’s not as if she could help who she was. Lilly had never asked to be given this power over men. Moments like this just proved once again what a shitty course her life had taken.
“You’ve got me trussed up like a pig and now the Ka’al is ready to send me to slaughter.” Swallowing her tears, Lilly pulled in a shaky breath, resolved to get herself free. She would not go into slavery without a fight. She threw back her shoulders, trying to portray confidence and a cavalier attitude, but only managed to put her boobs—with their traitorous hard nipples—on display.
Dallas dragged his eyes down her body, lust darkening the irises until they were rich as finely aged whiskey and just as smooth. Slow and needy, his gaze trailed down her naked flesh, leaving gooseflesh in its wake. Lilly shifted and another wave of her scent filled the air. Dallas’ nostrils flared. Good. A chink in that shiny armor of his. She’d managed to seduce him once tonight. She could do it again. As much as she hated being condemned for who she was, Lilly wasn’t beyond using her gift to save her life.
“I’m not sure what you did to him, but Thaegan isn’t himself right now.” The muscles in Dallas’ jaw ticked as he stepped closer, slowly unbuttoning his shirt.
“But Thaegan’s not here right now. There’s only you and me—alone.”
Dallas said nothing. He simply shucked off his shirt, the tribal tattoo on his forearm flexing with the movement. The dusting of hair on his well-defined chest narrowed to a line that circled his bellybutton and disappeared into his jeans. She hadn’t had time in the dark alley to admire the man. He’d felt solid and warm against her, but their encounter had been about the sex, not learning the fine details of his body.
And as much as she admired his torso, the one detail that seemed to be screaming at her was how remarkably unblemished i
t was for the pummeling it had just endured. “Dallas, how is it you’re even moving? I heard bones break and your face was raw when you got up from the floor. I mean…what the hell?”
“Suffice it to say I’m a wonder of alien medicine.”
She didn’t understand the cryptic statement, but as Dallas continued taking slow, measured steps toward her, his eyes locked on hers, she didn’t really care what he meant. All curiosity over his healed injuries evaporated as the man’s primal need flared his nostrils and tented his fly. Refocused, she sent a flux of energy crackling over her nerves.
Everything was fair in love and war—and survival.
The current hummed through her body, tightening her nipples and filling the air with the musk of her arousal. She needed to use Dallas’ desire as a means to her escape. And she had to do it before Thaegan returned. Now that the Ka’al had confirmation of what she was, Lilly had no doubt he wouldn’t get close enough to allow her to take him down again.
“Perhaps you can untie me and we can replay our little adventure in the alley,” Lilly suggested.
Dallas stepped between her legs, his jaw flexing as he scrutinized her face. “Thaegan advised against it.” With great care he laid his shirt over her torso, tucking it under her chin and behind her shoulders. It was warm and soft and smelled like the man bent at the waist, his breath feathering hot across her lips. “And until you tell me exactly what you did to my partner, and why you targeted the Znedu, you’re not moving from this chair.”
His eyes sparked with the jagged edge of danger. She swallowed hard against the panic percolating just below her calm exterior. “What makes you think I did anything?”
“Because Thaegan told me you did.” Cradling her face in his palms, Dallas swept his thumbs over her cheeks, removing the last remnants of the tears. “Now start talking.”
“I’d rather talk about us.” If she could just touch him, freedom would be hers. “Really, it will be so much more satisfying for both of us if you release me.”