“Don’t cheat, Janaya. We both know you’re stronger.” Humor lit up his gorgeous brown eyes. “Be gentle with me.”
“Humph.” Janaya fought the impulse to throw the smug male on his back, straddle his hips and tease him until he whimpered. She expelled a haughty sniff. “Cheating is against the bodyguard’s code.”
“I’ll have to read this code of yours,” Luke said with a chuckle.
“Really?”
His soft laugh filled the clearing. “I’ve discovered I’m curious about aliens.”
Luke’s interest delighted her because he sounded genuine. It made her think of the future. If she had one, she amended with sick dread. She’d have no way of knowing the charges laid against her until she faced her superiors. With a tremulous sigh, Janaya subsided onto the blanket and tried not to worry.
“You ready for this?”
“Give it your best shot.” Janaya couldn’t help but smile as she lay with her head pillowed on her hands. Her mood lightened into anticipation.
Impatience.
Taut expectation.
Prickles danced across her skin as she waited, imagined what he’d do next. Every sense worked overtime, clamoring to give her clues. His muscular thighs slid either side of her back. The blanket rustled as he settled in place. A small brown bird, perched in a tree on the other side of the clearing, warbled a joyous song. The coconut scent of the lotion drove her crazy.
Please do something. The Earthman was an evil tyrant.
Janaya sensed his intent to start a fraction before his thigh muscles flexed against her hips. A groan of pure relief escaped when his hands finally connected with her back and slid down, slippery with lotion. A sigh wrenched from her when his fingers kneaded and stroked the muscles of her back.
Gradually he worked his way across her shoulders and waist, alternating feathering strokes with more pressure, and then kneading his way down her spine. Janaya moaned and relaxed into the blanket. Luke chuckled and moved down her body. She sensed him looking at her buttocks and trembled, need making her twitch.
The plastic bottle wheezed a protest when he squeezed out more lotion. His hands rolled and plucked, massaged and kneaded her ass. Arousal replaced relaxation. Each caress shot anticipation to her clitoris. Janaya tried to widen her legs in a silent plea for him to fill her pulsing emptiness. She wriggled and ached for fulfillment. Another smug masculine laugh filled the air. He knew of her desperation yet he continued to taunt her with erotic forays closer and closer to her weeping channel.
Instead of giving her fulfillment, he moved down her thighs, massaged her calves and feet until she relaxed into a puddle again. She didn’t think she’d ever forget the smell of coconut. It would always remind her of Luke and picnics.
Finally, Luke smacked her lightly on the butt. “Time to do your front.”
Janaya turned lethargically and relaxed on her back to stare up at him. Dark, stormy eyes—aroused eyes—met her gaze and it was difficult to miss the erection that rubbed her belly when he straddled her legs. Smugness filled her then. Soon, she’d prod him into losing his patience. He’d catch fire instead of stoking the inferno that ignited in her with each touch. She scrutinized him with lust and yearning on her mind. Soon, they’d both burn and the flames of passion would consume them.
Luke tilted the bottle up and squeezed a stream of white lotion in a crisscross pattern on her breasts. “I think I’m gonna enjoy this. It’s hard to decide where to start.” He licked his lips in a rapacious manner but evaded her pouting, needy nipples and breasts to massage a blob of lotion into her right shoulder, his hands tracing the dips and hollows along her collarbone.
Her breath escaped in a disappointed rush. “You know what you said about cheating.”
“Yeah.”
“I’m thinking seriously about doing it.”
“Doing it?” His brows waggled. “Or cheating?”
A reluctant smile tugged her lips. “I think they’re the same thing.”
“Hmmm.” Luke stilled then bent to snatch a kiss. A hit-and-run kiss that left her wanting. “And what does cheating consist of? What would happen to me?”
Janaya licked her lips while she considered the question. The tormenting ache low in her belly ratcheted upward to a sharp, spiky awareness. “Well…first I’d have to overpower you. And maybe I’d lay you out on the blanket spread-eagle, ready for my dining pleasure.”
The hand resting on her right shoulder tensed, relaxed and then lowered to absently toy with a nipple. A groan built and her mind fogged. All she needed to do was move a fraction…yes…just like that. Luke’s palm curved around her breast and squeezed with exactly the right amount of pressure.
“Janaya?”
“Yes.”
“I quite like the sound of that.” Luke smiled and her heart went pitter-patter. “Maybe we’ll try that another time?”
“Whatever you want,” she murmured. “Luke?”
“Yes, sweetheart.”
“Please don’t tease me anymore.”
“Not even a bit?”
Janaya’s heart twisted with a sharp pang. She wanted a snapshot of this moment—the exact second when she’d realized she cared deeply for this teasing Earthman. His brown eyes darkened as if he sensed her inner turmoil but his mouth softened into a gentle smile.
“I’ll let you cheat another day,” he said, erotic promise in his eyes. “But I’m enjoying the teasing, sweetheart, so we’ll have to compromise.” As he spoke, one hand trailed past her breast and over her stomach. Janaya tensed, her breath coming in pants. But instead of touching her intimately, his hands came to rest on her upper thighs. She lowered her lashes to screen acute disappointment but then Luke tugged on her legs in a silent request for her to stretch them wide apart.
“That’s perfect,” he said, his gaze on her moist folds.
Janaya’s pulse spiked, excitement building to fever pitch at the intent look in his dark eyes. She swallowed, acute expectation making her mouth as dry as the hills that surrounded the Dalcon steppes.
He parted her folds and lapped her juices, passing close enough to her clit to give her a buzz but not near enough to push her over the edge into climax. Janaya lifted her hips in insistent invitation. Luke blew softly. Warm air tickled before he circled her clit with his tongue. Now she had his attention where she needed it, frustration battled with a contrary wish to make her arousal last. He nibbled her clit and covered the sensitive nub with his warm mouth. A sharp current of pleasure shot to her toes. The warm sweep of his tongue finished her off, sending a mind-blowing, heartrending pleasure surging through her body, her mind, her soul. A series of smaller quakes shimmered through her before she relaxed, her body humming with satisfaction.
Luke pressed a lazy kiss on her clit then shifted his position until they were face-to-face. When he moved his lips over hers in a slow, drugging kiss, she tasted herself. His kiss and his taste, sent new spirals of ecstasy swirling through her. When she felt the nudge of his cock against her leg, Janaya reached down to guide him inside her body.
They both groaned when he slid to the hilt.
Fully seated, Luke paused to brush the hair off her face. The tenderness on his face brought a hot ache to her throat. He withdrew almost out of her before surging home, in a measured pace, never taking his eyes off her. He felt impossibly hard, each stroke into her heat stoking her passion, making her ignite and flame. Luke kissed her, their tongues mating in a sensual dance.
The renewal of pleasure stole her breath. She tensed as bliss claimed her yet again. Luke groaned his own enjoyment and she felt the spurt of his seed deep inside. They held each other, riding the passionate storm until it passed into repletion.
Luke held her tight. “You make me feel so good,” he murmured, low and gruff.
In answer, Janaya kissed him, trying to communicate her feelings with touch, taste and cuddles. One thing was certain. This wasn’t a game anymore. This was something more, something profound and life alteri
ng and she was suddenly afraid.
* * * * *
They walked hand in hand down the leaf-strewn track, Janaya savoring the closeness between them and the warmth of his hand.
“I had a great day.” Luke stopped and kissed her lips, lingering over the job.
“Me too,” she said.
Luke helped her over the stile that straddled the fence and they ambled to the back door. He produced a key from his pocket and unlocked the door. The phone rang the minute they stepped indoors.
Luke frowned. “Pity the real world has to intrude. I’d better answer in case it’s Tony.”
Janaya watched him prowl across the kitchen with approval and a tinge of pride. Her man. Until she left for Dalcon.
Luke barked a hello then listened to the caller on the other end. “No comment,” he snarled.
Janaya winced at the crash of the phone. “Something wrong?”
Luke didn’t answer but stomped through the house. Seconds later, he returned with a newspaper.
“A special edition,” he said and thrust a wad of rumpled paper at her.
Janaya unfolded the paper. Shock froze her in place. “That’s me.”
“The bastards obviously followed us,” Luke snarled. His gut twisted in fury, anger at the violation of their privacy making him want to lash out.
Kissing Cousins.
The headline wasn’t so bad but the topless photo of Janaya really pissed him off. Janaya was out of bounds—for his eyes only and not for publication on the front page of the Sloan Gazette.
The phone rang again.
“Leave it,” Luke ordered. “I’m going to the station. Damage control.”
“I’ll come too,” Janaya said.
Luke hesitated, knowing from experience how bad things could get.
“We’ll do it together.”
Luke’s heart leapt. Together. What had he done to deserve a woman like Janaya?
Chapter Twelve
“Mrs. Bates, you are free to complain to the censorship board,” Luke said through his teeth. His hand gripped the telephone hard enough that his knuckles whitened. “Yes, I am still investigating the UFO matter. No, I am not attending the next meeting. No, there have been no further developments. Yes, I will let you know if I learn anything new. Goodbye, Mrs. Bates.”
Luke managed to place the phone down gently before he kicked his desk. The roar of pain that shot up his leg concentrated his fury. “Goddamned bloody woman!” he howled.
Janaya leaned back in Luke’s swivel chair. “Do you want me to hurt her for you? Maybe rearrange her body parts?”
“Good idea,” Luke growled. “Visit Marcie Montgomery while you’re at it. You’ll find them both at the bloody town meeting—yet another one—organized by the UFO hunters.” He checked his watch. “Starts in exactly five minutes.”
Janaya stood and stepped toward the door.
Luke felt his eyes bug. “Where are you going?”
“To punish Mrs. Bates,” Janaya said.
His mouth opened then closed. Then he caught the glint of humor in her eyes and sank onto the corner of his desk. “You’re kidding.”
“Yeah.” Janaya wrinkled her nose. “Though personally, I’d like to do something nasty to Mrs. Bates. Between her, the reporters and the UFO hunters—” Janaya broke off abruptly.
“What is it?”
“Torgon. I can hear their clicks as they communicate.”
“Holy shit,” Luke breathed. That was the last thing they needed. Visible proof for the people of Sloan that aliens existed and were alive and well, walking amongst them. “We have to find them before they’re seen, before someone gets hurt.”
Janaya listened carefully but didn’t hear any further communications. “I’m sorry, I can’t fix the position.”
“I have a Torgon weapon,” Luke said. His stomach went cold when he recalled the finality of the piles of purple ashes on the ground. “I think we should split up and search.”
Luke saw the worry clouding Janaya’s eyes. “We don’t have any other option. The people of Sloan are in danger, along with my sanity. I don’t think I can take much more of the alien paranoia.”
She stared at him, feeling helpless but unable to think of an alternative. “I’ll take the area where I heard them,” she said. And hopefully, they were still there.
“Any hints?”
Janaya attempted a smile. “Shoot first and ask questions later.” Keep safe. I don’t want to lose you. The knowledge that she would leave soon and lose him anyway followed close on the heels of her first sobering thought. “Take care.”
After checking in with Luke’s second-in-command, they hurried out the rear exit. Luke drove out of town the long way that took them in the opposite direction to the town hall. Once out of town, he slowed.
“Which way?”
“Let me out here,” Janaya said. “I haven’t heard any further communications but this is the area.”
Luke’s face held no expression but she sensed his concern. She squeezed his shoulder, trying to communicate her feelings, and leaned in to kiss him hard. She climbed from the Land Cruiser and watched Luke drive away.
The sound of the vehicle faded. The buzz and click of insects filled the air along with the rustle of leaves in the nearby trees and the lowing of a cow. No Torgon. She sniffed and smelled nothing more than nature’s aromas—rich soil, green foliage and wildflowers. Worry still tinged her mind and burned her gut. Instinct told her they shouldn’t have split up, but what alternative did they have?
She checked the surrounding area for signs of life—Earthman or Torgon. Nothing. She drew a sharp breath and bounded off the ground to land on a rocky outcrop. Still nothing. Janaya drifted back to ground and decided to wander in the direction Luke had left to search.
She rounded a corner and came to an abrupt halt.
“Hello, Janaya.”
“Santana.” The Dalcon male stood before her with typical arrogance. His black shoulder-length hair was confined in the elegant coils of the noble caste. The purple fabric of his suit was so dark it was almost black and another sign of the ruling caste. The male was the stuff of a Dalcon female’s dreams.
A multitude of emotions assaulted Janaya. Dismay. Shock. Regret. And guilt. Shame filled her as she studied the familiar face of the man she intended to join with. She felt nothing for him. Not after loving Luke. The most shocking thought to bombard her was that she no longer wanted to complete the ceremonial joining.
She loved Luke.
He was the one who made her feel worthy, as if she mattered.
“What are you doing here?”
The Dalcon male refused to meet her gaze. “Where’s Hinekiri? I wish to speak with her.”
“Hinekiri is not here,” she said.
“You lie.”
Alarm sounded in Janaya as she studied Santana’s expression. Why would he travel to this distant outpost to find them? How had he known where to find her?
“I want the charts,” Santana snarled. “And I intend to have them.”
Ah, now the truth emerged. “I don’t think so.” She folded her arms across her chest. “The charts belong to Hinekiri.”
Fury and distaste chased across his face with starling clarity. “Bah! You’re a peasant—a worthless nobody. And now a criminal.” His dark eyes flashed with triumph. “You’ve been announced AWOL. They’re hunting you like the common criminal you are.”
The venom in his voice took her by surprise. She’d known of his indifference but the hate and sheer fury toward her was new.
“You will hand over those charts,” he stated in a hard voice. “I intend to take them with me.”
A tight band formed around her chest and she had trouble drawing a full breath. Thoughts bounded through her head like startled rabbits. Had he ever intended to complete the joining? “Is that why you agreed to join with me? Because of the charts?”
A scornful laugh battered at her pride. “Join with you? Your father was so desperate t
o rid himself of you he paid me. I needed money so I took it. Stupid bitch. He gave me directions to find you.”
Pain struck her hard and deep. Proof of her father’s indifference. He’d sold her and Hinekiri out—his own family.
* * * * *
Luke didn’t see a single Torgon, not so much as a shiny purple flash of their god-awful suits. He should have felt relief but he had a bad, sinking feeling in his gut. Cop instinct kicked in big time.
A black tui burst out of a clump of flax bushes, flying low and barely clearing his head. Luke started then let loose a low, blistering curse. Oh, yeah. Something stunk to high heavens in the town of Sloan.
He prowled down the narrow, twisting path that ran through the native bush bordering the road, taking care with each his foot placement. That bird had acted startled. And it hadn’t been him doing the scaring.
Voices.
Luke eased to a halt behind the thick trunk of a totara tree.
Janaya. That was Janaya’s voice. But he didn’t recognize the male. He decided to wait, knowing his woman could handle herself in any situation.
His woman.
Luke turned the words over in his mind and grinned. Damn right, she was his woman.
Janaya’s voice rose. The male spoke with a smooth drawl that some women would find sexy. Luke thought he sounded sly.
“My father wouldn’t do that,” Janaya insisted.
“Believe it. He sold you out. He doesn’t give a fodo shit for you.” The male clicked his fingers in illustration.
Anger burned inside Luke when Janaya slouched like a whipped puppy. Her voice held pain and disillusion. Devastation. He ached to hold her, to comfort and tell her how much he cared.
“If I had time,” the male drawled, all smug and self-satisfied, “I’d take you back to Dalcon myself and claim the AWOL reward.”
Luke tensed at the smarmy threat. That wouldn’t happen. Not while he had breath in his body. He waited for the right moment to help or intervene should the need arise.
Janaya Page 13