by Karen Kelley
Had she only imagined the woman had seen past the camouflage? Another Nerakian might have been able to, but only if she had strong powers. A warrior would. The woman hadn’t looked like a warrior, though. A healer? She would be sensitive to her surroundings and might have sensed a presence. She wasn’t sure.
Lyraka stepped farther into the dense woods before turning and going back the way she’d come.
The woman had been gathering plants. What reason would she have to come to Earth unless something was terribly wrong on Nerak?
There were still too many unanswered questions. Aasera was not going to like the lack of information she’d gathered.
She stopped at the fence, then sat on the ground and rested her head upon her drawn-up knees. She knew her mother still felt the pull of her old home. Sometimes, she blamed herself for her mother’s fall from grace. If Aasera hadn’t been pregnant, she would’ve returned to Nerak.
What had her mother gone through, being all alone in a strange land and pregnant?
Anger swept through her. Her father hadn’t cared enough to stick around. Not after Aasera told him she was going to have a baby. He’d wanted no part of fatherhood. Lyraka had suspected there was more to it, but Aasera had refused to talk about him.
She took a deep breath, raising her head. Aasera had given up everything for her. She’d faced the wrath of the Coalition of Elders and refused to eliminate her child.
As Lyraka stood, she knew she would do anything for her mother. She could give back no less.
She crossed the fence, then looked back.
Something tugged inside her. But sometimes, she wanted more. She wanted to be free to explore and see what else was out there.
She was caught in a web as much as her mother. Caught between Nerak and Earth, even though she’d never been to her mother’s home.
Nerak held her in its tightfisted grip and refused to release her.
Chapter 10
S am had given her part of the kitchen so she could do her research. He’d even fixed shelves so she could place the small glass plates all in a row and have plenty of room.
Just a couple of long boards against one wall with cans to hold them up. Not as nice as what she would have had on Nerak, but it would do for now.
It was a nice gesture. He might not be so bad, Lara thought as she placed the plant stem on a glass disk, then added the chemical that would tell her if she might have the right combination for a cure.
Actually, Sam wasn’t bad at all. He was quite good at copulating. No, he’d called it making love. And he was right—there had been a difference.
She looked at the specimen plate. The chemical would need to merge before she could take a reading. That wouldn’t happen until the next day.
As she straightened, there was a pain in her back, as if a Hypotrond was sitting on it. She groaned, reaching behind her and pressing, but the ache didn’t ease.
“What’s the matter?”
“My back feels as if it’s breaking in two,” she told him. The pain was almost unbearable.
“You’ve been working all afternoon,” he said. “It’s no wonder you’re hurting.”
“I have never had discomfort in my life. I don’t think I like it.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Never?”
She shook her head.
“What about exercising? Aren’t you sore afterward?” he asked.
“What’s exercising?” She didn’t recognize this word.
“Exerting yourself physically,” he explained.
Exerting herself. On purpose. “Why would I do that?”
“You know, to feel good.”
He was talking in circles again. “Why should I feel good about pain?”
“It’s hard to explain.”
She frowned. “I’m discovering there are a lot of things that are hard to explain on Earth. It’s as I told you—Nerak is far superior.”
“Yeah, kind of like living in a coffin,” he muttered.
“What’s a coffin?”
“Never mind. Here, let me see if I can make it better.” He moved behind her, kneading the overworked muscles, pressing with his thumbs and moving them in a circular fashion.
She closed her eyes, liking the way he massaged. He was almost as good as a healer. His hands didn’t produce the heat that hers did, but still, it was nice.
“Feeling better?”
She nodded. “You’re almost as good as I am.”
His hands stilled. She sighed. He was just beginning to ease the ache. She opened her eyes and glanced over her shoulder. And now, his mouth was set in a grim line, and there were many wrinkles on his forehead.
“Almost as good as you?” he asked.
No, he wasn’t happy at all. She didn’t see what the problem was. “I’m a healer. I’ve been trained. Of course I’m better than you.”
“You’ve been trained in giving massages? I thought you were some kind of doctor.”
“There are many facets to a healer. That’s why we hold a high position in our society. The body is very complex. A healer learns much by touch.”
“Like what?”
She shrugged. “I can feel something as simple as tension or more serious like an illness.”
“I didn’t think you had illness on Nerak. I thought it was perfect.”
“True, it is. But if someone should need my services, I’m highly trained.”
“And you’re better at this than me?” His expression said he didn’t believe her.
“Yes.”
He snorted.
Earthmen were very stubborn. She stood and motioned for him to sit. No one snorted when she offered a healing massage. That was very rude. She was a healer and should be given the proper respect.
She continued to stare.
“Okay, I’ll let you show me how much better you are,” he finally said, giving in.
She’d known she would win. Hers was the superior race, after all. But he was more intelligent than she’d first thought. When he started to sit, she shook her head. “No, turn the chair around and straddle it,” she said.
He complied with her request. “Okay, do your worst.”
Worst? Oh, no, she didn’t think so. Sam Jones was about to grovel. “Take off your shirt.”
Their gazes locked as he slowly began to unbutton his shirt. Her body began to awaken and respond to his heated look. The ache inside her began to build. If she wasn’t careful, he would have her groveling.
He slipped his arms out of the shirt and tossed it onto the back of one of the other chairs. Her mouth went dry as she stared at all the naked male flesh. Sinewy muscles that flexed when he moved. Very nice.
She drew in a ragged breath and met his gaze again, seeing the knowing look in his eyes. He knew exactly what he was doing to her.
Amazing.
She was that obvious? Apparently. She had a feeling he was just as horny as she was, but the way he sat, it was difficult to tell.
It might be worth exploring later, but right now, she wanted to prove she was right. “Put your hands on the back of the chair and rest your head on them.”
&n
bsp; When she had him in the position she wanted, she began to rub her hands together. The heat started to build. When her fingers tingled, she knew she was ready.
“I hate to tell you this, but I don’t feel a thing,” he mumbled against his arms.
“Shh, don’t talk.”
He sucked in a breath when she first laid hands on him.
“They’re warm.”
“I’m a healer. Shh. Don’t talk. Close your eyes and feel. Think of what you’d like to be doing right now.”
She worked from his neck, feeling the tension leave his body as she moved downward. Touching Sam was an experience in itself. His arms were well muscled, his back firm. Tingles of pleasure shot down her body.
She manipulated his flesh, letting her thoughts join with his. The pictures in his mind were fuzzy at first, but when they began to clear, she sucked in a deep breath, her body exploding with desire. She wasn’t as good at connecting with the emotions as her cousin Mala, but Sam’s desire was strong enough that the visions came easily.
Her hands moved without her having to think about what she was doing as her eyes drifted closed and she lost herself in his sensuous thoughts.
She stood before him without clothes between them. Her gaze moved over him: the wide expanse of his chest, past the sprinkling of hairs, then over his abdomen, and down to his erection.
She stepped closer, brushing her fingers over the tip, sliding her hands down its length. He jerked, sucking in a deep breath.
“You like this?”
“Yes.”
She continued to massage his back, but she knew their thoughts had melded and he felt her touch in other places. She knew healers could do this, but she’d never had a chance to explore this side of her training. Something about a complication that went along with deep meditative massages. She just couldn’t remember what.
And right now, she didn’t care.
This was good. Very good.
She slid the foreskin down, excited that she could explore him at will. The tip was soft, pliable. She cupped his heavy sacks, lightly kneading. His muscles clenched. A surge of energy shot through her.
For the first time in her life, she was giving someone pleasure. She studied his face and knew it was true. He did get enjoyment from her touch. Would he get the same amount from her mouth as she had from his?
She leaned forward, running her tongue over the tip of his erection. He grasped the back of her head lightly and began to massage. Encouraged, she sucked him inside her mouth. He tasted salty, and not unpleasant.
Her body reacted to his gratification at her touch. Her nipples tightened, and she became damp between her legs.
As if he sensed her need for his touch, he reached beneath her arms and pulled her up. His eyes were glassy and full of desire.
“What are you doing?” he groaned. “It’s like you’re inside my head.”
“Does it matter?”
“No.” He lowered his head and captured a nipple, sucking it into his mouth. She gasped, arching her back for more.
He massaged the other breast, tweaking the nipple between his thumb and finger, rolling it around. He moved back, massaging with both his hands.
“Do you like this?” he asked.
She nodded. “Yes,” she moaned. He was making her body feel things it had never felt before. The heat. The incredible heat that burned through her body, threatening to engulf her in flames.
She braced her hands on his chest. Naked, raw strength. She touched and caressed. Leaned forward and flicked her tongue across first one nipple, then the other. His hands moved to her back, pressing her closer.
“Am I dreaming?” he asked, his breath whispering across her bare skin.
“We’re sharing thoughts and images.” She scraped her fingernails lightly down his back. He trembled in the wake of her touch.
“I want you,” he said. “I want to bury myself inside you.”
He lifted her. She wrapped her legs around his waist as he sank inside her moist heat.
“Ah, God, this is so damn good.”
He sank deeper; she moved to his rhythm. Each thrust seemed to go a little deeper, brought her a little closer. She gritted her teeth, leaning back. He lowered his head, running his tongue down her neck, sucking on first one breast, then the other.
She held tightly to his arms, letting the sensation wash over her in waves. Faster and faster, he increased his moves. Her orgasm hit her so hard she let go of him, could feel herself start to fall, then he was catching her, bringing her back to him, his lips meeting hers in a searing kiss as his body jerked.
Sam gasped, fighting for air. He sucked in deep gulps like a baby taking its first breath.
What the hell had just happened? He was still sitting in the chair, his head resting on his arms.
He dragged his gaze to the floor. Lara was in an exhausted heap beside his chair, her breathing just as ragged as his.
“Okay,” he finally managed to get out. “You win hands down at massages.”
“I’ve never done that before.”
“Done what?” He was still confused about what the hell had happened. A mindblowing wet dream? Nah, he’d never had a wet dream that good. He’d actually touched her, felt Lara’s mouth on him. Man, talk about safe sex.
“I’ve never gone that deeply into anyone’s thoughts.” She lay on the floor, rolling to her back. “I didn’t realize it would take so much out of me. I feel as if I’ve been running for a very long time.”
He came to his feet, grabbing the table to catch his balance. Man, he felt as if he’d run a marathon himself. Sweat covered his body. Lara looked a little worse for wear, too. He stuck his hand out, and she let him help her to her feet.
“I need a shower.”
“Me, too,” she said.
“You first.” He was afraid to take a shower with her. Damn, he wondered if too much sex would make him go blind. His vision seemed a little blurred. He needed food. Sustenance to regain his strength.
She went to the bathroom and closed the door while he made his way to the kitchen. He turned on the water and stuck his head beneath it. When he came up for air, he slung water across the room, but he didn’t care as he grabbed a towel and dried his head.
Damn, he’d never felt this alive. Making love with Lara was like a jolt of electricity going through him. As soon as the initial shock wore off, there was this incredible surge of energy.
He reached into the cabinet and grabbed a bag of chocolate bars.
Maybe this was why Nick had begged him to take Lara to the cabin. He had known what his friend would experience.
He shook his head as he unwrapped a candy and took a bite. This was good. He hadn’t realized how hungry he was. He tossed the bag to the table and walked outside, inhaling the aroma of pine trees.
Lara had turned his world upside down. Not good. She wouldn’t hang around like Kia and Mala. She’d leave as soon as she found her cure.
A win-win situation. Right? No commitments. No recriminations.
The shower stopped. A few minutes later, he heard the door open and close. He went inside and made his way to the bathroom.
Man, he’d miss the massages though. She’d definitely beat his idea of working the kinks out.
Chapter 11
“T hey were gathering plants,” Lyraka said.
Aasera moved to the kitchen counter and poured another cup of coffee. Awful stuff. She’d almost gagged the first time she drank it. She didn’t mind it so much if she added plenty of cream and sugar. The caffeine kick was good.
Temptations. Just as the Elders had warned.
She slowly stirred, then set the spoon in the sink.
“Could she be a chemist? A chemist might gather plants.” She went to the table, sitting in the chair across from her daughter.
Lyraka shrugged. “She has long blond hair—more like you described healers. She wore clothes like someone from this planet, but there’s something different about her.”
“How so?” She took a drink, then closed her eyes, savoring the taste. Funny how she’d adapted to the ways of Earth over the years, easily accepted all they had to offer.
“It’s nothing that I can put my finger on. Everything about her says she’s lived here all her life. But I sense there’s more to her than meets the eye.”
“And the man she’s with? Is it the same one who comes every year?”
“His name is Sam.”
“I know.”
Lyraka let out an exasperated sigh. “He’s not my father. Not all men are like him.”
Aasera knew this was the only real contention between them—the male species. On that, she thought the Elders were right—men were destructive. Sex was good, she’d admit to that, but the explosive anger, the fights. It wasn’t worth it. Nothing was.
The tenseness suddenly eased. There was one good thing about the man she’d coupled with—the child he’d given her.
She reached across the table and squeezed Lyraka’s hand. Never in her life would she have thought she could feel this much love for another person. If anyone ever harmed her child, she would make sure he regretted it for the rest of his life.
“You haven’t been around that many men,” she said. Lyraka didn’t know what they were capable of doing.