“When I blurted that I was a no-go for sex it was because when I’m around you, that’s all I can think of. Me. This need that I have for you is so strong that I wouldn’t have really even stuck to my guns if you’d really wanted to…you know. Even if I did—er… do hurt.” Juniper felt her face turn red. “I just assumed that you were feeling it too…”
“Don’t do that,” K’hor snapped. Grabbing her face, he held her still so she couldn’t look away. “Do not ever doubt how I feel about you. You want to be on top of me every moment for the rest of our lives?” He dropped a kiss on her lips, the action lightening the seriousness of his tone. “I have no problem with that, although I won’t be able to work in the mines with my men any longer. It would be too dangerous for you and I find that unacceptable. Sparx and ‘Trix stopped making shuttle runs long ago, and I can do the same. I want to be near you just as much as you want to be near me. It’s as it should be.” K’hor paused to brush the hair on Juniper’s forehead back. His expression somber once again. “Do not ever allow me to cause you any type of pain, Tiny. Physical or emotional. Even if it is a minor, I would know rather than hurting you. Your pain is my own.”
“Okay,” she whispered, unable to do anything else than agree. She couldn’t ignore the truth in his eyes.
“Promise?” K’hor asked, searching her face.
Juniper nodded.
“I’m your mate, Tiny. You mean more to me than anything else.” Wrapping his arms around her, K’hor hugged her tight.
The embrace lasted for a few minutes before Juniper realized how uncomfortable she was. Her already chafed parts were pressed up against the engravings on his leather tunic. It felt like they were battling sandpaper. Wincing at the burn, she leaned back to give herself a little breathing room. Her poor nubs were an irritated red with whisker burn from K’hor’s beard all around them.
They looked almost as bad as they felt. Allowing the cool air to soothe the angry tips of her breasts, Juniper patted his chest.
“So now that we have that cleared up, what was in the message you received?”
Chapter Twenty-Two
“What?” Juniper asked. Running her hand over her mouth, she wiped the corners. “Is there something on my face?”
“What? No.” K’hor blinked. His mind had drifted for a moment. “I was just thinking.”
Juniper placed her palms on his shoulders and leaned in to look into his eyes. “Are you okay? I mentioned the message and you got the strangest look on your face.”
He nodded. “I’m fine. I was thinking about everything that had happened since I left earlier.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Everything’s fine—err, will be fine.” K’hor flexed under her touch. “Rub right there.”
“Dear lord, you’re so hard.” Juniper froze where she was digging her knuckles into the muscle on the back of his shoulder. “Ummm…you know what I mean.”
K’hor snorted, trying to hold back a laugh at the look of embarrassment on her face.
Juniper smacked his shoulder with a laugh of her own. “Stop trying to distract me.”
K’hor held up his hands in surrender. “The transmission came through clear. A small Phaeton ship is holding position and waiting for the storms to clear,” K’hor repeated what he’d heard over comms. The first part of the message had been boring. A simple agreement of everything they’d already been told. “Their radar confirmed the time frame we warned them of and they agree it’s best to wait. We’ve been given instructions on how to proceed until they arrive.”
“That’s it?” Juniper frowned, wrinkling the skin between her brows.
“No, that’s not all.” K’hor touched her forehead, running his fingers over the skin to soothe the tension he could see. “The Phaetons may not have sent a council member, but they did send a message with their men.”
Juniper pushed his hands away from her face. “What did it say?”
K’hor, unable to stop touching her, moved his hands back around her hips. “If we are unable to guarantee the safety and security of every bride rescued it would be considered an act of war,” he said, kneading her curves. “It seems as though we were wrong, Tiny.”
“What do you mean we were wrong?” Juniper placed her hands over his own. Her eyes searched his face. “What the fuck’s going on, K’hor?”
“There are matches.” K’hor shook off her hands to wrap his arms around her. Pulling her close, he concentrated on where they were plastered together. One thing he’d become addicted to was feeling her heart beat against him, whether it be when his head was nestled on her breast or up against him like this. “Our refusal to comply would be an act of war because the brides we rescued have matches among the Phaetons. You—and every other female here—are under their protection.”
Juniper leaned back. Her mouth open in shock.
Unable to stop himself, K’hor ran a finger over her parted lips. He knew exactly what she was feeling.
When K’hor had first heard the news, it had shocked him as well. He’d been stunned. After the shock had worn off, he’d began to understand what this new information meant—not only for him, but for the people he’d sworn to protect. The reality of the situation had taken the high he was on and stomped it to the ground.
Then he got over it. There was no way he would let anyone take his mate. Regardless of what their papers said, Juniper was his without question.
“Wait—what?” Juniper shook her head, obviously confused. Blowing out a huff of air, her bangs fluttered over anxious eyes. “You said—”
“I know. Honestly, I’m not sure how they’ve come up with those matches. Every single piece of intel we received showed the brides were unattached. I wouldn’t lie to you about something like that, Tiny.” K’hor pushed back her hair and held it at the back of her head. Cupping her skull, he looked down into her eyes. “There is no need to worry, though. All they have is a piece of paper.” Dropping a kiss on her parted lips, he made sure she understood what he was saying before letting her go.
Her mouth opened and closed a few times as if she had something she wanted to say.
Dropping her head to hide against his tunic, she let out a long sigh. “Never get a break—” she mumbled into the leather before raising her face to him. “What’s the plan?”
“Matrix and Sparx will officially offer sanctuary to all of the brides. It’s open to every female we rescued and not just the ones that have already found their mate. By the way, there have actually been a few more pairings since last count.”
Juniper’s eyes lit up. “Really? How many?”
“The total is up to thirteen,” he answered, his smile huge. “A few men from the other cities found their mates once they were able to make it to the dining hall. The females that have been claimed have all said they plan on staying.”
“That doesn’t surprise me,” Juniper gave him a knowing smile before her face turned serious. Holding his face, she looked into his eyes. “The Phaetons will be pissed, but they can’t make us leave, right? I mean, are we putting everyone in danger if we stay?”
Juniper scratched her nails over his jawline as she waited for his answer, causing K’hor to shiver at the contact. “Even if they thought they could take you, I wouldn’t let that happen. You’re mine.”
“And you’re mine.” Juniper smiled, her teeth flashing. “But seriously. I’m worried.”
K’hor cupped her face, dropping a kiss on her nose. He couldn’t hold back a chuckle when she followed his lips and ended up crossing her eyes. “You’re adorable.”
Juniper grabbed his wrist, her grip firm. “I’m being serious here. ‘Act of war’ is a scary term to hear. Will they try to drop bombs or something? Are we safe?”
K’hor shook his head. Turning his wrist, he held her hand in his own. “Every single one of my people, you included, will always be safe. The relationship we have with the Phaetons is a solid one. There’s never been mistrust before, and we’ve always been m
et with compromise.”
“Good.” Juniper nodded in relief, the movement causing her still bare nipples to jiggle.
“It’s very good,” K’hor said, trying his hardest to focus on their conversation instead of the cherry red nubs.
There was no way her body had managed to recoup in the time it took to have their conversation. In fact, the longer he looked at her form, the more sensual injuries he was beginning to notice. She was covered in love bites and small bruises.
K’hor dropped back on the mattress and crossed his arms underneath his head. It was the best way to keep his hands away from her curves. He knew she couldn’t handle another round of fucking and right now his touch would be anything but soothing. Lacing his finger together he tightened them. “What now?” he asked gruffly.
“What do you mean ‘what now?’” Juniper crossed her arms below her breasts, raising the peaks up.
K’hor pointedly ignored the temptation.
“We have to wait for the storms to clear before we deal with the Phaetons, and it’s early still. How did you want to spend the day? Do you want to take a nap and relax a bit more?” Giving her a stern look, he made sure their eyes met before he spoke again. “And by nap, I mean just that. You sleep. I sleep. We sleep wrapped up in each other until we either need to eat or my men bother us.”
“Option two?” she asked, biting her lip.
“We could check in with the others.” K’hor moved one arm from under his head, unable to keep from touching her. Squeezing the curve of her hip, he gritted his teeth at the feel of perfection in his palm.
“The others?”
“The other mated pairs,” K’hor explained. “We could go and meet with them in the dining hall. Most of them are gathered now, discussing what may be needed to keep the women happy in the tunnels. When I walked past, they were curious when they’d have another chance to see you. I believe one of the women said you were all now ‘sis-tahs’ or something like that.”
“Ohmygod. Ohmygod. Ohmygod.” Juniper held her hands over her cheeks.
“What’s wrong, Tiny?” K’hor asked when he saw the moisture gathering in her eyes.
“Nothing.” One tiny hand waved him away while the other fanned her eyes. She dropped back down to lay against him, propping her chin up on her hand. “Sorry. I’ve never had—”
K’hor frowned at her abrupt silence but kept quiet. Something he’d said had triggered this reaction from her. He wasn’t sure what it was, but he knew that him talking wasn’t what she needed right now. She needed him to listen.
“I’m sorry. It’s just that I’ve never had anyone, K’hor,” she finally said, her eyes filling up with tears. Juniper blinked a few times, sending wet trails down her cheeks. “It’s so lonely being alone, and I don’t want to go back to that.”
“You’re no longer alone,” he said firmly. The utter sadness in her voice made his heart ache. “You’ll never be alone again.”
“Good.” Juniper nipped the leather over his pec. “Do you think they’ll like me?”
K’hor frowned. “Who? The other brides?”
“No, the other men.” Juniper let out a wistful sigh. “I’m bored with you already.”
K’hor popped his hand against the cheek of her ass as she laughed.
“Of course the other brides, you dork,” Juniper drawled sarcastically, rubbing the area he’d hit.
“They’ll love you too. I promise,” he answered truthfully. “How could they not, Tiny? You’re perfect.”
“I love you too, DHT,” she mumbled against his shirt.
“DHT?” K’hor pushed her up a bit so he could see her face. “What’s DHT.”
“Dark-haired Thor. That’s who you reminded me of when I first saw you,” Juniper answered with a cheeky grin. “In mythology he’s a Norse god, but in the movies he’s Australian. You look like a dark-haired version of him…minus the Aussie accent.”
“I don’t like it.” K’hor shook his head. It annoyed him that she’d given him a nickname based on another male in her life.
“What? The nickname?” she asked. At his nod, Juniper rolled her eyes. “All right. You pick one. What do you like?”
“I can’t pick out my own endearment!” K’hor lowered his brows in a mock glare. “What kind of mate are you?”
Juniper snorted. “Apparently a sane one,” she muttered. “Let me think on it and I’ll come up with a couple to try out.”
“That sounds better.” K’hor figured he’d teased her enough. “Are you ready to meet the others?”
“Absolutely. First, though, I need to get dressed.” She shifted and winced. “Ouch. Is there any possible way we can rethink all the leather you guys wear?”
“Why?” K’hor asked, confused.
“Cuz I’m totally stuck to your pants.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
“You’re absolutely certain you haven’t been brainwashed?” Indigo asked, her voice meant for Juniper alone in the crowded dining hall. “What about hypnotized?”
“I’m sure.” Juniper spoke through the frozen smile she had pasted on her face as she stood next to K’hor.
Time had flown by as everyone had settled into a version of their new normal. It was their last evening before the Phaetons landed and everyone was on edge. Days ago, Djaromir had sent a transmission to the Phaetons waiting in orbit. They were diplomatic, but clear that the brides that were mated were staying.
Although the Djaromir had offered sanctuary to all of the women, only the ones with mates had taken them up on it. The number was lower than the Phaetons had planned on, but they’d be leaving with the twelve remaining single females.
The men around him were going over the latest communication they’d received, and she wanted to hear what they’d found out. She’d spent the last few minutes trying to listen in without looking like she was listening in.
That was—until Indigo showed up.
Now, she was trying to pretend her friend didn’t exist. It was either that or strangle her.
“You’re sure you have been? Or you’re sure you haven’t been?” Indigo whispered loudly.
“I’m sure I haven’t been,” Juniper repeated, struggling to maintain a straight face.
Indy was making it harder and harder for Juniper to focus, but she didn’t want to give up yet.
K’hor may have been completely calm since they’d sent the message, but Juniper had been a complete basket-case. She couldn’t help but worry over the situation. Every time she’d mentioned it; her mate had firmly reminded her that she wasn’t going anywhere.
It doesn’t matter what they do or say, Tiny. You’re mine.
You’re Djaromir now, Juniper. We protect our own.
It wasn’t until this evening when Sparx had said they’d received a reply that she’d seen K’hor’s composure slip slightly. The flash of concern on his face was proof that he wasn’t as calm and cool as he’d been projecting. Her sneaky mate had been just as worried as she was. He’d just been better at hiding it.
And if she could just get Indy to go the hell away, she’d finally be able to find out what they’d found out.
Juniper tried to shoo Indigo away again.
Indigo jerked her chin, gesturing for Juniper to follow her.
Juniper shook her head.
“Yes,” Indigo mouthed silently.
“No,” Juniper mouthed back just as quietly.
Indigo glared at her before crossing her eyes and sticking out her tongue.
Juniper crossed her arms.
Indigo moved a little until she was partially hidden behind Sparx’s back.
Juniper frowned wondering what she was up to when Indigo began making faces.
Using his body as a shield, the normally gorgeous woman made truly hideous faces. At one point she even had drool streaming out of her mouth when she slackened her face and acted zombie-like.
She managed to keep this up for about two minutes without anyone noticing. Each time one of the men
would move as if to see what she was doing, Indigo instantly stopped and acted normal.
Juniper was trying so hard not to laugh that her chest was starting to hurt a little. She was going to miss Indy like crazy.
Nothing she did surprised Juniper anymore. She was the type of friend that made you feel normal just because she was so fucking weird. For someone that normally had trouble making friends, Juniper had been shocked when they’d become instant buddies. The connection between the two was as strong as if they’d been friends for years and it had been that way from day one.
Juniper’s social awkwardness and Indigo’s general craziness meshed together like peanut butter and jelly.
“What if he’s fed you some type of…psychedelic or injected you with something that’s made you compliant like a robot—” Indigo clutched her chest and made a horrified face. “Is that even you anymore, Junie? Am I looking at a pod person or worse…a Stepford wife?”
Sparx shot a startled look over his shoulder at Indigo’s dramatic performance. K’hor and Matrix looked at them as well, all conversation stopping as they gave varying looks of amusement.
“Sorry,” Indigo said with a wave. “Don’t mind me.”
Juniper snorted at her friend. That was the end of that. There was no use trying to spy any longer. The men were talking too quietly for her to get anything good and Indigo was...
Well, Indigo was being Indigo.
Juniper was only hearing every other word at best and with how low their voices were, none of it made any sense.
K’hor would tell her everything in a little bit anyways.
“Excuse me,” Juniper said to the miners around her. Reaching for Indigo’s arm, she grabbed it blindly and pulled the woman behind her. “I can’t believe you called me a Stepford wife.” She shivered. “Just the thought of those weird vapid smiles and perfectly pressed aprons gives me chills.”
Miners of Djaromir: K'hor Page 16