“But, I’m not...um, I don’t have anything on underneath.”
“Good. Less to remove and sooner for the healing to begin.” His arm beneath her shoulder lifted her to a seated position. He grasped the hem of her top and eased it up. She grabbed his wrists.
“Turn around.”
“I’ve seen you naked. No more delays.” He pulled it up a few more inches before she jerked away. The sudden jarring movement had her hissing in pain. Jaylin frowned, quite ferociously. “You’re shy, I understand that, but I won’t have you injuring yourself further. Off with this now, and no more fussing.”
When she lifted her arms as high as she could without causing more discomfort, he had her tunic over her head and off in a blink.
Malik came back holding one of the larger blankets. “Help her lie flat.”
Now she had both men standing over her near-naked body. “Can I cover up with the blanket first?”
He looked down, understanding dawning. “This isn’t a blanket, Dani. It’s a healing accelerator. For it to work effectively, I need you to lie on your back, be very still, and you must be completely unclothed.” He looked at his captain and told him, “The leggings need to go, too.”
“Why?” she squealed. “You’re healing my ribs.”
“Jaylin said you have bruises on your hips, too.”
She shot her silver-eyed rescuer an accusing glare. Apparently, he’d been talking to Malik about the extended eyeful he’d gotten.
“You’re being silly, Dani,” Jaylin muttered while he eased her back. “I’ve seen you, and, as a medic, Malik has treated hundreds of naked women. We aren’t going to think anything of this. You’re hurt, our priority is to see you better.” His fingers curled into her waistband, next. Carefully, he lowered her leggings, pulling them over her hips and down to her ankles. “Lay it on her, doc.”
Dani’s eyes cut to Jaylin, who winked. It did nothing to calm her nerves.
“Hands by your sides,” was the next humiliation.
Closing her eyes, she put her arms down, feeling cool air blow lightly across her breasts. Her nipples hardened, and she almost leaped from the table. Malik moved swiftly before she could, and spread the device on top of her, covering her from her neck to her knees. Beneath its weight she relaxed a bit, not only because it concealed her nudity, but from being toasty warm against her skin.
“There now,” he said, while leaning over her, his dark wavy hair falling forward and framing his face. The remote and distant man had disappeared, replaced by a healer with a comforting bedside manner. “That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
“No,” she admitted, embarrassed for making such a fuss. “Will this mending, hurt?”
“Most patients find the experience relaxing. You’ll experience a tingling in a moment, which means it’s working. There should be no pain. Lying still will help us achieve the best result, all right?”
She nodded, wanting to get it over with.
As he moved away, Jaylin took his place at the head of the table, except on the opposite side. Smiling down at her, his big hand smoothed her hair away from her face. “I know a lot of this is new to you, but you have to trust us.”
“I’m sorry, this is my first time away from home, and it’s been one awful experience after another. I keep waiting for the next shoe to drop.”
“Which is understandable,” he murmured, bending to touch his lips to her forehead in a light kiss. “You don’t need to apologize for being afraid, but neither will I when I step in for your own good.”
She gave him a small smile. What was one more time being naked in front of him? And they had both been acting out of concern, nothing else.
“No more talking,” Malik said. “I’m starting the healing cycle.”
Dani held her breath, waiting for the tingling he spoke of. The blanket began vibrating. It started out slow. After a few seconds, the pace quickened. It tickled in spots, yet felt good in others, like her nipples, which contracted into hard buds. And the buzzing made the place between her thighs come alive. She pressed her legs together to keep from getting too turned on and embarrassing herself further.
“Lie very still, Dani,” Malik urged.
“Sorry,” she whispered. Attempting to change her focus to anything else, she concentrated on her sore ribs, which had started to prickle, not painfully so, but more intense. And it seemed to be increasing. “How strong will this get?” she asked, a little alarmed.
“Are you hurting somewhere?” He leaned in, his face over hers and alongside Jaylin’s. Both handsome men gazed down at her with twin looks of concern.
“It’s my sore ribs. The tingles seem focused there. Not hurting, exactly. It’s more like hundreds of tiny hammers tapping against my skin. Though if it becomes any more intense it will become uncomfortable.”
“It’s more concentrated there because of your injury. Breathe and relax. Being tense can amplify the prickling sensation.”
“Deep breaths, Dani,” Jaylin murmured, and bent closer, his hand coming to rest on the top of her head. “Close your eyes and concentrate on breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth. Pursing your lips will help. I’ll do it with you,” he said. “Breathe in, one, two, three, and blow out three, two, one. Try it with me.” The warmth of his breath caressed her cheek while he counted and did the exercise along with her. “Concentrate and breathe in...and relax when you blow out... Good girl,” he praised. “And again.”
Malik was right. Her focus on something else made the hammering decrease, and, thanks to Jaylin’s guidance, the focused breathing dialed it back to a not-unpleasant tingle once again.
“It’s better,” she whispered.
“A few more minutes to make sure,” Malik urged as he moved to the foot of the exam table. When he removed her shoes, and pulled off her leggings the rest of the way, her eyes popped open. He was quick to explain. “I’m going to wrap your ankle. The shackle abraded your skin, in addition to leaving a ring of bruises.”
“They used iron,” Jaylin muttered under his breath. “Fucking bastards had her chained to the wall. I’d gladly kill them all again if I could.”
“If I had to do it over, I’d toy with them longer before I blew them to bits,” Malik growled with equal intensity.
His touch was gentle, as he used long strips of the same material draping her body on her ankle. It tingled just like the larger accelerator, thankfully, not reaching close to the intensity of her ribs. Soon, the discomfort disappeared, and the sensation penetrated further, like a deep tissue full-body massage. Her eyes drifted shut again while she continued to breathe slowly in and out in the rhythm Jaylin had taught her. Soon, she didn’t even need that because she was floating, completely relaxed, and pain-free.
“Dani,” a low voice nudged, trying to rouse her. She ignored it, not ready to wake yet.
“We’re all finished, sweetheart.” Malik’s announcement coincided with a waft of cool air as the warm blanket disappeared. Her lashes fluttered open. Jaylin was there, and without missing a beat, wrapped her up in something soft.
“I fell asleep,” she stated, coming more fully awake.
“You did. Not surprising after three days without any.” His strong arms slid beneath her thighs and upper back, and he lifted her from the medical table. “Let’s get you into your bed.”
This sounded like a fine idea to her, so she didn’t object. “I’m all better?” Her voice came out muffled where she lay curled into Jaylin’s chest, her face pressed to his shirt.
“Malik says you’re good as new.”
“Thank you, Malik,” she called in a sleepy voice.
“You are more than welcome, Dani. Get some rest.”
She moved, or at least the captain did, carrying her swiftly. In wasn’t long until he stopped and lowered her, his warm, safe arms releasing her body. She almost asked him to stay, but the softness of a bed beneath her and the blankets being pulled up to her chin drew her back into a drowsy lethargy.
/> “You’re a very nice man,” she murmured as he tucked the comforter snug around her shoulders.
“I have my moments.” He pressed his lips to her forehead. “It’s easy to be nice to a down on her luck girl who’s had a rough go of it lately. Sweet dreams, beautiful.”
Those lovely words were the last she heard as sleep overtook her.
Chapter Five
Ghostly blue fingers reached for her while others, filthy with grime, held her arms down, legs spread wide. The sound of cloth ripping muffled a maniacal laugh in the distance. She looked down and saw Ivar kneeling between her legs. He gripped his cock, a deathly blue shade like his fingers.
“You’re mine, bitch, at last. To fuck and breed at will.”
But the crude voice didn’t belong to Ivar. It had morphed into Nestor’s, and he leaned over her naked body, his foul breath wafting over her face. He poked between her legs with his dirty fingers, and she realized he now knelt between her open thighs.
“No!” she cried out in panic, becoming breathless from her struggles.
“Yes, and there’s no one here to stop me this time.” His harsh, caustic laughter chilled her blood. “Spread her nice and wide, boys. I’m gonna make the cunt pay for what she’s done.”
Harsh hands pulled her legs apart, pushed her knees to her chest, rendering her completely vulnerable to Nestor’s cruelty. His gaze dropped between her thighs while he licked his lips. As he moved closer, she watched in terror as he stroked his cock. It was huge, and she knew it would tear her apart. She went wild, thrashing against the hold on her wrists and legs as she screamed.
“Dani—”
“Please, don’t hurt me.”
“No one’s going to hurt you, baby. Wake up.”
Coming from far away, the voice seemed oddly familiar. Too far to help her when Nestor and his oversized cock were looming, his horrible, ugly face leering down at her. The maniacal laughter continued, settling heavy over her, surrounding her with evil.
“Stop!” She pleaded raggedly, twisting against the hands on her shoulders. She covered her ears, trying to block out the awful laughter. “Make it stop!”
“Daniella,” a stern voice called, low and insistent. “Open your eyes and look at me.”
They flew wide, and instead of the bulging yellow leer that haunted her, she saw Jaylin’s silver gaze narrowed with worry.
“It was a nightmare,” he assured her. “You’re safe.”
She broke down, sobs pouring out along with her tears. His strong arms encompassed her, pulling her against his warm, bare chest and held her tight.
“Shh,” he whispered, his mouth pressed to her hair. “Everything’s all right. It was only a bad dream.”
Except the tears wouldn’t stop, coming in a deluge while she clung to him, soaking his skin.
“A sedative.” This came from Malik half suggestion, half question. She hadn’t heard him enter the room. How could she with all the blubbering she was doing?
“Bring it,” Jaylin ordered.
She didn’t protest. Drugged, she could rest and not worry about Nestor, or Ivar, or hearing her father, because it had been his maniacal laugh. She shuddered as she felt her clothing adjusted and cool air waft over her back and bare bottom. Next came the hiss of an injection gun diffusing the welcome medicine beneath her skin.
“It will take effect in a moment.” A hand gently cupped the back of her head. It had to be Malik’s because Jaylin’s arms hadn’t relinquished his grip.
She wanted to sink into blessed oblivion. At the same time, she fought it, trying to linger in his embrace, relax into the wonderful glide of fingers through her hair, and listen to their whispered words of reassurance. Sounds and sensations soon faded, and with them, her consciousness.
***
Groggy and heavy-headed, she awakened, unsure of her surroundings. She stared at the gray tiled ceiling above her, cast in shadow from the dim floor-level lights it didn’t clue her in on where she was. Neither did the soft, wide bed beneath her, or the wall of heat inundating her on one side.
The thick blanket was warm, though nowhere near the furnace behind her. She snuggled into it. As she did, arms came around her. Her lashes fluttered open, her vision filled with golden-hued skin and a smattering of dark-blond chest hair. She tilted her head back and looked into sleepy silver eyes framed by fans of long silky black lashes.
“Am I still dreaming?”
His lips kicked up into a sleepy smile. “If you are, I am, too. And I don’t want to wake up.”
His words sent a wave of warmth sweeping through her.
Twin vertical lines appeared between his brows. “You had a bad night, Dani. How are you feeling this morning?”
“Much better, but...” Pausing as the nightmarish images returned, she bit her lip.
He shifted, his hand coming up to sweep over her cheek. When he cupped her face, his thumb slid along her lower lip until her teeth released it. “But what, baby?”
“Do you think the nightmares will haunt me long?”
“Not if I can help it,” he murmured. One strong arm flexed to pull her closer. “I plan to sleep right here every night and ward them away.”
The thought of him beside her, holding her while she slept, battling her demons, and keeping her safe made her already-heated skin grow hotter. She tingled all over, the idea of Jaylin in her bed, half-dressed aroused her despite the horror of the night before. It occurred to her half-dressed might not be true, except she didn’t have the nerve to explore whether he was as bare below the waist as above. Her nipples stood up hard and tight in reaction, and liquid desire drenched the pulsing place between her thighs.
He couldn’t be real. No man she’d ever met had come close to being this wonderful. Both caring and sweet, but also brave, determined, and smoking hot.
An idea popped in her head, something more daring than she’d ever done, and rather naughty. Since she didn’t plan to wed Ivar, or anyone else her father chose, why not go for it with Jaylin? He stirred her, and she could tell by the hard press of his erection against her thigh she had a similar effect on him.
“I’d like that,” she whispered. “Falling asleep safe in your arms will keep the bad memories and dreams away.”
“If not my arms, sweetness, then my kisses should wipe out the bad thoughts and leave only good.” He demonstrated their power by dipping his head and claiming her mouth with a soft touch of lips and tongue. She’d had dry pecks and a few sloppy lip-locks in college, none of which had been pleasant. But this...? Pure heaven. And she wanted more, much more.
He must have sensed her eagerness because he took it a step farther, tracing his tongue along the seam until she opened for him. When she did, he swooped in, searching, tasting, and tangling with hers. His fingers slid into her hair, his big palm cradling the back of her head, angling it just so while he rolled her onto her back. Heavy, but not overpowering, his chest pressed her down into the plush mattress as he devoured her—there was simply no other way to describe it. Not sloppy, too hard, or the least bit unpleasant.
It was sublime, and she loved every moment of it.
A clearing throat broke through to them. Jaylin raised his head, though only a fraction, staying close enough for his breath to graze her wet lips lightly. Neither looked away from the other, however.
Malik’s voice cut through the fog of desire created by Jaylin’s potent kisses. “The morning meal is ready. If you two can drag yourselves out of bed, we can eat while it’s hot.”
***
Breakfast confused Dani. Not the bacon, pancakes, and warm maple syrup, like back on Earth, but the way Malik was acting.
After inquiring if she’d slept well and had no lingering effects from the sedative, he hadn’t joined them to eat. Instead, he moved around the small galley kitchen, cleaning up, doing so noisily by slamming drawers and banging cupboards. She thought he might be angry, although his face didn’t show it. In fact, it revealed no emotion at all, as if he wor
e a mask.
This didn’t go on long before Jaylin had enough. “Are you planning to show your ass all through breakfast, or are you going to tell me what has crawled up it?”
He stiffened, his back to them, but he didn’t stop wiping the food prep area. “I don’t know what you mean. All is well. We had a successful rescue, and soon, Miss Alltryp will be back home, safe and sound, and unharmed—the same as when she left.” Although his voice came out flat, beside her, Jaylin flinched like he’d shouted.
“If all is well,” he growled, “quit slamming things. Dani jumps every time you do. I think she’s had enough commotion in the last few days, don’t you?”
Posture rigid and jaw held tight, he turned, his golden eyes dull, without the glimmer from the day before. He surprised her by bowing formally. “My apologies, Miss Alltryp. I never meant to add to your distress.”
“Oh, but you didn’t,” she hastened to say, not wanting to make him feel bad when he had been so helpful.
“Don’t excuse his rudeness,” Jaylin snapped, his temper flaring in contrast to Malik who remained unemotional.
“I don’t recall saying anything which could be construed as rude, captain, sir.”
Dani’s gaze darted his way when she thought she heard sarcasm in his “sir,” so subtle she’d almost missed it. Jaylin had no such oversight. With a crash, his fist came down on the table, making the plates and silverware dance. Dani had to make a grab for her juice glass to keep it from toppling over.
“Captain, you’re startling Miss Alltryp with your commotion.”
So much for subtle. He’d leapt from barely detectible sarcasm to deliberate baiting yet did so with the same flat tone and inexpressive face. Jaylin surged to his feet, sending his chair skidding across the floor.
“Either say what you must, or find something productive to do.”
“Since I have nothing new of import, I’ll go above and check our course.”
“Good idea.”
For another tense moment, their eyes clashed, Jaylin’s narrowing while a muscle flexed in his cheek. Then, without any reaction at all, Malik stepped aside, nodded to Dani, and walked with a stiff, measured stride to the lift.
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