by Averi Hope
He leaped on her again. Sat on her chest. “Open your mouth,” he commanded, grabbing his erection.
Screaming, she struck out with her hand, hitting his dick as hard as she could.
He swore again, punching her hard in the face. For a moment, she saw stars.
“You’re going to love this,” he grunted, turning her onto her stomach. A hand pulled down the small pair of leather underwear she wore, and her insides crawled. “I always did regret killing you.”
“Get off!” she screamed, trying desperately to buck the huge alien off her, but he barely moved.
Panic set in.
I knew I wasn’t prepared to Dream Jump. I knew this was a bad idea. Why didn’t I learn my lesson the last time?
“W-h-a-t,” he sputtered.
He grabbed her hair and yanked her head back. And suddenly, she was staring into his terrifying face. “Who the hell are you?”
And that’s when she knew. In her terror, she’d let her dream image fade. He was staring at her real face, at Erin Stowe. Never before had she done something so dangerous.
His mouth turned into a dangerous smile. “Whoever you are, I’m going to enjoy every second of this, and then, I’m going to end your miserable life.”
She coughed, spitting out cold water. Her entire body trembled as the freezing liquid hit her. How did she end up in the bath?
“Are you okay?”
Suddenly, Caleb’s worried face leaned into view.
She stared. There had never been a more welcome sight in her life. Even though his face was bruised and battered, and one cheek was bandaged, she felt a rush of gratitude. This Keltair male had saved her from something horrible. Everything she felt in the dream, her body felt. And if the creature had killed her in his dream, she’d be left brain-dead.
“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice hoarse.
And then to her horror, she felt tears well in her eyes.
Closing them, she tried to push away the terrible images that filled her mind, but she couldn’t. It wasn’t just this Dream Jump. It was all of them. Being sent into the dreams of some of the most dangerous men and women in the universe filled her memories with things she could never unsee.
Things she could never forget.
“Are you all right?” Caleb asked, stroking the hair back from her face.
Her teeth chattered. “Yes.”
Eyes still closed, she leaned into his touch. How was such a large man so gentle? And why did she trust him so much?
Her father had always liked to be there when she Dream Jumped, just in case she ran into trouble. But he never greeted her with a gentle touch. He simply avoided her gaze, so she couldn’t see the guilt in his eyes.
Even though she knew it was there.
“Computer, try Erin’s bath setting number four.” Caleb shifted her in his arms as he gave the command.
Warm water rushed over her flesh, and she gasped in pleasure. She relaxed against Caleb’s chest, her senses were entirely overwhelmed. A soft melody played, and she felt the water rising around her.
“How did you know?” she mumbled, with a slight sigh.
He nuzzled the top of her head. “I knew one of your settings would be a good one.”
She took a deep breath, steeling herself as her face gave a painful throb. Ignore it. Focusing on it won’t help. Think of Caleb instead. His scent washed over her, his pleasant earthy smell, mixed with her own sweeter one.
He smells like me.
The thought pleased her for reasons she couldn’t understand. Of course he smelled like her, just hours ago she’d bathed him. And shortly thereafter, she’d gently made love to him.
“I’ve never seen anything like that before,” he whispered, his arms tightening around her.
And suddenly, she remembered why they lay tangled together in a slowly filling tub. The dream. Her responsibility. As much as she wanted to tell him the truth, it was classified. Only her mother, her father, and the president knew what she could do. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t tell him half the truth.
Opening her eyes, she stared into his dark ones. “This happens sometimes.”
He brushed a soft kiss across her nose, which sent a shiver right down her spine. “Why?”
It took her a second to find her voice. “I was born with a rare deformity in my brain. My parents tried everything to save my life before they finally found an experimental surgery. It saved my life…but it had consequences.”
There were so many of the surgeries she didn’t remember, but that one she did. She’d been six, and running out of time, according to her doctors. The man her parents had brought her to was unlike anyone she’d met before. Dr. Kent lived in an underground base on a strange planet. And the way he looked at her terrified her. He’d told her that if she lived, she’d be cursed.
He hadn’t lied.
She’d woken from the surgery screaming. And screaming. And screaming. Her parents were nowhere to be found, and the surgeon had glared at her, yelling right back in her face. She’d never felt pain like that before, even after everything she’d been through.
That was the day she lost faith in her parents.
“So,” Caleb said, his voice breaking through the darkness of her memories, “these consequences include terrible nightmares you can’t be woken from?”
She swallowed the lump in her throat. “Among other things.”
Her thoughts tried to go back to the dream, to the Vuret male who’d hurt her. She sat up, drawing her knees to her chest. Caleb’s legs lay on either side of her. His jeans and dark shirt were soaked, along with her red-and-white striped pajamas.
“Caleb?”
“Yes.”
She didn’t know what to say.
He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her back against him. “It’s okay. I’ve got you.”
Goosebumps erupted on her arms, and she snuggled into his touch. She was okay, wasn’t she? Now that the adrenaline was starting to fade, her face ached. It more than ached, it hurt like hell. And the rest of her body…she definitely felt like she got into a fight with a Turongan Ice Bear and lost.
She often felt like this after a dream, which usually resulted in hours of lying beneath a shower streaming cold water, trying to forget what she had seen. What she had been through. This time was so different. Even though she hurt, the dream felt less like reality and more like a nightmare.
And it was all because of the huge Keltair male holding her as if she was the most fragile thing in the world. She could get used to this.
No, you can’t. How can you hope to focus on your classes with your heart slowly being pulled from your chest? Yet, in that moment, she found it hard to care.
“Bed?” she whispered.
He nodded, his chin rubbing the top of her head.
Wrapping his arms around her, he started to struggle to his feet.
“No!” she said, pushing free and standing on shaking legs. ”You’re going to tear open your stitches.”
His dark eyes flashed. “I’m a male. I can carry a tiny human female. How do you think you got here?”
He rose completely, towering over her.
She took a step back. “I can walk.” I think.
His lips pulled into a thin line. “Come here. Stop being stubborn.”
To her surprise, she laughed. Pressing a hand against his sopping wet shirt, she stood up on her tiptoes.
His gaze zeroed in on her lips as he leaned forward.
At the last second, she ducked past him, having to step over the edge of the tub. When had he changed her shower to the tub setting? She grinned. He could do it anytime he liked.
“Computer. Exit Erin’s bath setting four.” Caleb barked behind her.
The sound of the running water stopped.
She gingerly peeled off her wet clothes, suppressing a groan as her shirt slid against her aching face, then tossed it into a pile on the floor. Gritting her teeth, she grabbed a huge white towel and wrapped it a
round herself. Be strong. He can’t suspect it was more than a nightmare. With a forced smirk, she turned back to him.
Her jaw dropped as she stared at him. His wet clothes clung to every hard muscle. He’s like a god. Flawless. Untouchable. A creature of fantasy and desire.
For a minute, she allowed herself to ogle the beautiful alien. There will be time for that later. She nodded to herself, then crossed the room and began peeling off his wet shirt, trying to be matter-of-fact about it. That plan fell away as his shirt fell to the floor. Her gaze slid over his hard muscles, but froze at the sight of the bandages. Her thoughts went to the electrified metal claws that had to be dug out of his flesh.
“What are you doing here? You should be sleeping,” she whispered, her heart aching as he brushed the waterproof bandages clinging to his bruised flesh.
An unreadable look flashed across his face, then was gone. “I needed to see you.”
And aren’t you glad he did? She shivered. Don’t think of what could’ve happened, just think of how you can help this stubborn man.
She put her hands on her hips, wincing at the ache in her stomach. Damn Vuret. “We need to get you to bed. You’re hurt.”
“I’m fine.”
She raised a brow and reached over to slowly pull the zipper down on his jeans.
His hardened manhood flexed against her touch through the thin layer of cloth. He groaned, and heat blossomed between her legs.
Later! He’s hurt. You’re hurt.
“Let’s get these off,” she said, trying to ignore the huskiness in her voice.
Kneeling cautiously, she slid his pants slowly down his hips, legs, and around his ankles.
He stepped out of them.
Glancing up, she stared at his erect manhood.
It looks even bigger now, if that’s possible.
Her insides tightened, and she felt herself growing wet.
With deliberate movements, she crossed the room and got him a towel, and then began to dry him.
“Enough,” he growled, stealing the towel and tossing it carelessly on the floor with their clothing. His eyes burned with desire.
She stood. “Fine. Time for bed.”
He grinned, and she swore there had never been a sexier sight than this powerful man, naked and grinning at her. Focus, damn it.
She led him to her bed, dropped her own towel, and climbed in. He followed her more slowly, his face twisting in pain as he sat on the edge of the bed. Slowly, clenching his jaw muscles, he moved his legs onto the bed.
Covering them up, she moved closer to him. He wrapped an arm behind her.
“Lie down,” she commanded him.
He did, brows raised. “Where I’m from the male is the one in charge.”
She gave him her sweetest smile. “Well, you’re on Turonga now, big guy. Why don’t you try it? You might like it.”
He scowled. “Fine, but next time, I’m in charge.”
“Agreed,” she said, crossing her fingers behind her back. Maybe. She lay down and brought him with her. “Now, go to sleep.” She caressed his face gently.
He caught her hand. “To sleep?” he asked with incredulity. “You can’t honestly expect that after rubbing me down, undressing in front of me, and leading me to bed, you’re going to get two seconds of shut-eye.”
She kissed his stubbled chin. “That’s exactly what I expect, my big Keltair male. Now, quit whining. If you’re good, maybe we can have a little fun before class in… well, a few hours.”
He groaned in frustration, but she could see the tired circles beneath his eyes. “I’m never going to be able to sleep.”
Hiding her smile, she closed her eyes. Even though she had everything but sleep on her mind, she knew both of them desperately needed it.
A few minutes later, he was snoring.
She eased out of bed and grabbed her computer off her bed. Pulling on a robe in Starfire Academy blue, she returned to the bathroom and sat on the floor. Taking a deep breath, she called her father.
He answered instantly. “Erin, is it done?”
“Yes, Father.”
The relief on his face was almost comical. Almost. His silver hair was rumpled to the point of being a complete and utter shock. The man slept? He was actually human? But then she caught sight of his dark, cotton pajamas, they looked perfectly pressed. Only my father would have his pajamas ironed. Just the sight of something so like her father eased her tension.
“Gabrielle is on The Magic Spicery.” She kept her voice level.
He leaned back in his chair, throwing his head back. “Thank God. The president has been contacting me hourly since it happened.” Then, he frowned. “Do you know where she is on the ship?”
Vivid memories of her dream threatened to pull her back under. She gasped in a breath, trying to shake away the images.
“Erin…” her father said, his voice soft.
She stiffened. “If you remove the panels on the freezer protecting their rare meats, you’ll find the girls within the crystals. They can’t move, but they’re aware of everything.” She swallowed as sickness bubbled inside her. “And they’re naked.”
He was quiet for a very long time, his eyes studying her intently. “Did that bastard Ahmed hurt you?”
She looked away to avoid his gaze. “You’ll need to get to the girls as soon as possible. He might suspect something was off—“
“What happened?” But the question was no longer that of a concerned father, but that of Fleet Admiral Stowe.
A man I know better.
“I almost lost consciousness. When I did, I changed back into myself in the dream.” She swallowed, preparing herself for the anger that was about to come. “He saw my real face.”
“You’ve got to be…Erin, have you any idea how dangerous this is?” His eyes blazed. He reached for something, and suddenly he was pouring a glass of scotch.
She glared at him. “Do you think I wanted this to happen?”
His voice was like ice as he spoke. “If he ever recognizes you, both of us are in trouble beyond anything you can possibly understand. Ahmed Zhou is one of the most powerful criminals I’ve ever come across. One of the few who no one can prove has done anything.” He took a huge swallow of his scotch and let the glass hit his oak table with a clatter. “I knew letting you go to the academy was mistake. You can’t possibly study and do your job without screwing something up.”
Rage slammed into her. “The hell I can’t.”
“Watch your mouth,” he shot back.
Her pulse raced as she tried to control the volume of her voice. “I didn’t choose this curse, Father. You did. And I’ve done as you asked with it, no matter how awful, without complaint. But you listen to me, this academy is what I want, and no one is going to take it from me. Not even you.”
He leaned forward, his pale green eyes flashing with rage. “Young lady, if I hadn’t made that choice for you, you’d be dead. And what you owe the people of Earth is your complete dedication. Your skill has saved thousands of lives, and I’m not about to let you throw it all away. And for what? A dream? Yes, you’d make a fine captain one day. But you know what? I don’t think you’ll ever be able to balance the two responsibilities. So if you think you’re honestly going to be able to command a Level 10 spacecraft when—“
“Shut up!” her voice shook as she spoke, and she realized her entire body shook, too. “If I can’t do both, then I won’t Dream Jump anymore.”
“Erin…” The word held all the warning of a snake about to strike.
She held his gaze. “It’s your choice, Father. Keep pushing me and see what you get.”
Her finger trembled as she clicked the screen, and it went blank.
Sitting in the bathroom, she gathered her legs to her chest, overwhelmed by it all. She was so tired. She hadn’t wanted to say those things to her father, but he left her no other choice. Because the secret truth, the dark one she hid in the back of her mind, is that she didn’t want to Dream Jump. Sh
e never had.
Her hand slid to the back of her hair, the sensitive nerves on her fingertips stroking the two tiny scars that were all that was left of her experimental surgery. A tiny cry escaped her lips, and she jerked her hand back. The scars were sore and a little swollen.
This is all too much. I just want to live a normal life. I don’t want to be a freak. I don’t want to see the things I’ve seen. Can’t I just feel safe and happy? Just for a little while?
Pain radiated from the scars down the back of her neck as if to say, “Never. You’ll never be free of us.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Caleb stood behind the many students gathered at the end of the Hawks’ penthouse floor. Shimmering screens flashed the scores of the first tests of the year. A few students swore. Some yelled, “Yes!” and moved out of the way.
With a slight growl, Caleb’s patience evaporated. Shoving the tiny cadets out of the way, he stood in front of the screens, surprised when his face gave a throb of protest. Pain means nothing! He would not acknowledge it.
“Combat—Erin Clark first, Caleb Fallow second.” Erin’s voice slid down his spine, awakening all kinds of things he preferred not to feel when they were surrounded by others.
He ignored the raging hormones and focused on the smugness in her voice, his gaze going back to the scores. “Battle strategy—Caleb Fallow first, Erin Clark second.”
Her brilliant green eyes flashed with rage. “Communications—Erin Clark first, Caleb Fallow third.”
“Bah!” he shouted, sending a few of the cadets scattering from him. “Communications is for females.”
She raised a cocky brow. “The whole, ‘anything we can do you can’t do better thing’, huh?”
It took him a second to process her insult. “I could have done better, if I’d wanted to.”
Her false pout was obnoxious. “Sure, sweetheart.”
Rage and desire flashed through him. He knew exactly how to put her in her place.
Not yet, his mind chided.
“Weapons—Caleb Fallow first, Erin Clark second.”
She stood up a little straighter, drawing his gaze to the swell of her breasts visible thanks to the two open buttons on her blue uniform shirt. “You just wait until next time. Then, we’ll see.”