by K. D. Jones
He collapsed on his side so he wouldn’t crush her. “That was … “
She turned her head to look at him with heavy lidded eyes. “The best by far.”
He lifted a hand gently tracing her plump lips. No female had lips as tempting as his Lucy’s lips.
“Are you hungry?” he asked, realizing that all three of them had missed the Evening Meal.
Her stomach rumbled in answer. They both laughed. She turned to her side and rubbed her stomach.
“I’ll call the Meal Room staff and have something delivered for all of us.”
“Is TorEL still sleeping?”
ConEL nodded his head. “Yes, he’s had a long day.”
Lucy looked at his perfectly sculpted skin and could not resist the temptation. She reached over to run her fingertips lightly over his six-pack abs and almost hairless chest. She paid particular attention to the scars that had faded a little but were still visible. She loved the feel of him. He was soft and hard at the same time all over.
He covered her hand with his larger one, making her pause over one of the deeper wounds.
“Do my scars disgust you?”
She looked up into his face that shown with concern. “No. I love the way you look.” Did she actually just tell him that?
“I love the way you look as well.”
They stared at one another touching and caressing. They could have done that all night.
“I’m hungry!” TorEL pounded on ConEL’s door interrupting what would have been another round of hot sex.
*****
The next morning, ConEL met with Prime Leader KadEN again while Lucy and TorEL went to Morning Meal. They said their goodbyes to Lindsey and the Kiljorn Leader as they loaded back onto the shuttle.
Lucy kept yawning. She didn’t sleep much last night. A smile played on her lips as she remembered what happened after they had ordered a meal to be delivered to ConEL’s suite. TorEL had loaded up on the food. She didn’t know how such a small boy could eat so much.
As soon as TorEL was full, he went back to bed. So did her and ConEL. However, sleep was the furthest from either of their minds. There were moments they just held each other. Other moments they couldn’t get close enough. It was the single best night of her entire existence.
She peeked at ConEL who was sitting in between her and TorEL. He too yawned. Lucy couldn’t help but laugh.
“What’s so funny?” ConEL asked her curiously.
“We both could use a nap, especially after last night.”
He smiled down at her. “Don’t forget about early this morning.”
She blushed, “Who could forget that?”
She was surprised when ConEL reached over to hold her hand. She held her breath, afraid to make the wrong move and scare him off. It was a tender display of affection. For Katierans, it was also a sign of intimacy. He squeezed her fingers comfortingly.
“Once we get to the transport you’ll have a little time to rest.”
She frowned thinking about having to be in a different sleeping quarters than ConEL, but the quarters consisted of one room with usually two or three beds in it and no walls separating the beds. They wouldn’t have any privacy if she stayed with them. Which meant that she was going to have to go back to her quarters that she shared with Dr. Garrett.
“What’s wrong?” ConEL was in tune with Lucy’s every emotion. He sensed her sadness and wanted to do everything that he could to erase it.
“I hate that we won’t be able to spend time together on the transport like we did last night,” she leaned over to whisper in his ear.
He turned to look into her eyes. “We’ll find the time to be together. I swear it.” There was no way he was finished with her. He had to have her over and over. He would take her right then on the shuttle if they were alone. He would do everything he could to make sure that they continued to share the intimacy with one another.
She nodded her head in agreement. She wanted that more than anything. “Okay.”
*****
It only took less than twenty minutes to get to the waiting Kiljorn Transport. They unloaded and went to their previous quarters. Since TorEL wanted to come on this trip, he had to promise to do homework that was assigned to him on the digital tablet. ConEL took him back to their quarters to give his son the quiet needed to do his work. He complained the whole time.
“I don’t see why I have to do this now. I can get it all done as soon as we return to Katiera.”
ConEL sighed. “If you do a little each day you won’t have anything to get caught up on when we finally return. Besides, you gave your word you would do this.”
“Fine.” TorEL plopped down in the center of his bed with the digital tablet in his lap and began to do his work.
“I’ll be here if you need something.” ConEL laid down on his own bed and closed his eyes. He might as well get some rest. He planned to find time to be alone with Lucy for a little bit and he wanted to have his energy back. The female could tire him out like crazy.
*****
Lucy went to her quarters hoping to get some sleep. Unfortunately, Dr. Garrett was there and she had a million questions.
“What was Kiljor like?”
“Similar to Katiera.”
“Was the damage bad?”
“Yes, it was. They are rebuilding but it is taking a long time.”
“Were the other two therapists excited to be there?”
“They are. Already they have met a few males that are interested in them.”
Dr. Garrett snorted, “I bet they are ready to help in any way they can.”
Lucy actually laughed. She had no idea that Dr. Garrett could be funny. “They did seem very enthusiastic.”
Dr. Garrett rolled her eyes, which made Lucy laugh even harder. Then her laughter turned into a huge yawn.
“I am exhausted. I think I’ll take a nap before the Midday Meal.”
“Okay. I am on my way out to meet with a few of the medics to discuss what I do. I’ll meet you in the Meal Room.”
“Okay. See you later.”
* * *
Chapter Seventeen
“Leader Krosis, we have a read on another viable planet,” the lieutenant called out.
“How far away is it?” Leader Krosis asked. He rubbed his bald head. His skin was feeling colder and colder each day. Those were the signs that he would eventually become sterile like so many of his people. He needed to find viable females and males to help repopulate his people who were close to extinction.
“It will take a day or two. We have to travel on the outskirts to avoid detection.”
“Do it!”
“Yes, Leader.”
*****
The Colony looked like a cross between Kiljor and Katiera. There was a mixture of colors throughout the planet. What was different from what Lucy had seen before was an area that Commander TylOR and his brother, AshOR, told her was the desert land. Neither Katiera nor Kiljor had anything like that.
“Excited?” ConEL asked from beside her. TorEL was sitting between Dr. Garrett and Dr. Connell.
She nodded her head. “How about you?”
“This will be the first time I have ever been to the Colony. It is a shame that it has taken this long for the three nations to finally come back together,” ConEL commented.
“Sometimes it takes a crisis for people to overcome their disagreements and come together as one force.” Lucy agreed looking up at the viewing screen of the Colony.
She looked over and smiled at TorEL telling Dr. Garrett stories about the Colonists.
“I heard the leader of the Colony can read people’s minds. Do they have mind readers like that on Earth?” TorEL asked Dr. Garrett.
Dr. Garrett smiled. “If we do, I have never met one. I look forward to meeting this mind reader.”
Lucy couldn’t hold back what she knew. “It is true, but Leader LarIS can do more than just read a person’s mind, he can also communicate mind to mind.”
&nb
sp; “Get out!” TorEL almost came out of his seat.
AshOR chuckled from the co-pilot’s seat. “It is true.”
“That is how I found all of you on the Morin ship. Leader LarIS helped direct me because he could sense your thoughts and he was able to connect directly to me mind to mind.”
ConEL frowned. He had not heard any of this because he was not in his right mind at the time. All he remembered was Lucy, beautiful and strong. She led them to safety. Now that he could think more clearly, there were times when she had seemed to be having conversations aloud with herself. It had been very strange at the time. It had been Leader LarIS communicating in a very intimate way with her. He did not like that at all.
Lucy jumped in her seat when a familiar voice popped into her head. One she hadn’t heard in months.
‘Are you telling them all my secrets?’ LarIS asked.
‘That would be impossible. I don’t know all your secrets.’
Everyone on the shuttle looked at Lucy strangely because she had answered Leader LarIS aloud.
“He’s speaking to me now.”
“What is he saying? Can he talk to me?” TorEL was excited.
“He says that he would rather meet you in person first, since it is the polite thing to do.”
“Yet, he speaks to you without first getting your permission,” ConEL commented with anger in his voice.
‘Careful, Lieutenant Daniels. Your Prime does not share well. He is not pleased that another male has a connection to you,’ Leader LarIS sent his warning to her.
Lucy reached over to clasp ConEL’s hand in hers. “If not for LarIS we would still be on the Morin ship or possibly dead. I gave him free access to my mind so he could communicate with me.”
ConEL nodded his head but still looked angry. He pulled his hand away from hers and folded his arms across his chest. Lucy turned back to the viewing screen feeling unsure. He was pulling away from her, but she didn’t know what to do about it.
‘He will come around,’ LarIS’s voice echoed in her head.
‘Stop talking to me.’ She sent the thought back to him. She heard the Leader’s laugh. He had a nice voice. Even his laugh was somewhat sexy. Oh crap, did he hear that?
‘Hello? Are you still there?’ She felt like an idiot when there was no response. She looked at ConEL and he was still looking mad as hell. This was going to be fun.
*****
The buildings were a mixture of metal and brick buildings. The trees were tall, with huge trunks bigger than several people put together. The buildings weren’t what had her fascinated though.
A group of strangers stood at the landing field as their shuttle landed. There were four men wearing brown uniforms and a woman holding a baby. The man that approached them first had shoulder-length dark red hair. It had to be Leader LarIS. She knew she had guessed right when he gave her a wink. He was still reading her thoughts. Jerk.
“Welcome to the Colony. I hope your trip was pleasant.” Leader LarIS extended his forearm first to Commander TylOR, his brother, AshOR, and then to ConEL. It was ConEL’s responsibility to introduce his group.
“Leader LarIS, this is my son, TorEL, Dr. Garrett, Dr. Connell, and Lieutenant Daniels.”
LarIS smiled at TorEL and clasped forearms. “Yes, I can read your thoughts.”
“That is so cool!” TorEL exclaimed.
“What do you mean by cool? The temperature is rather warm,” ConEL said.
Lucy and Dr. Garrett both laughed at his misunderstanding. “Cool also means impressive,” she explained.
LarIS greeted Dr. Garrett and Dr. Connell. “I appreciate you both coming. The young woman I contacted you about is still traumatized. She has not spoken but a few times since she was saved from the Morin ship.”
“What about your mental abilities? Have you been able to reach her that way?”
He shook his head with frustration. “She has a very strong mind and keeps blocking my every attempt.” He didn’t tell them that most of the time he could only get through while the female was sleeping. He looked at the linguist. “You can speak the silent language?”
Lizzie smiled. “Yes. I was on the transport that she was on when she was taken. I spoke with her quite a few times using sign language, which is what those who are deaf use to communicate.”
“I appreciate you coming. Perhaps you can teach me and some of my people this sign language so we can communicate with Lola.”
“Of course.”
LarIS finally turned toward Lucy. He gave her an assessing look from top to bottom. He slowly smiled a huge smile at her. He walked closer to her.
“You look even more beautiful than the images I have seen in others’ minds.”
She reached out to clasp his forearm. She took in how attractive the man was. Wow, just wow. “I finally have a face to go with the voice.”
“I hope I meet with your approval,” he said but there was a gleam in his eyes letting her know that he knew that she had approved already.
“You know the answer to that without me saying a word, but it isn’t polite to just listen in without permission.”
He chuckled still holding onto her arm. “I cannot help myself. Once I am able to make such a strong mental connection, I naturally seek out that person’s thoughts. You will have to forgive me and I will do my best to resist the pull. Also, I find your mind to be very pleasant to be inside of.”
His voice had thickened a little making little goose bumps form all over her body. His speaking voice matched his sexy telepathic voice exactly. He was a danger to any woman around. A growl caught both their attentions. She turned to see that ConEL was glaring at LarIS. Oh, shit.
“Let the female go,” ConEL told him.
LarIS smiled as he released his grip on Lucy. He didn’t address ConEL’s possessiveness. “Come with me and I will have someone show you to your suites.”
ConEL pulled Lucy back and they allowed the others to go ahead of them. Then he spoke to her with a growling voice, “Do not let another male touch you, especially Leader LarIS.”
Lucy was flabbergasted. ConEL was jealous. Did this mean that he wanted her for more than the occasional night of sex? Question is—did she want more from him? The answer came to her quickly was they made their way to the Colonial main building. Yes, she wanted him.
* * *
Chapter Eighteen
LarIS was pulled away and another Lieutenant showed them to their suites. Dr. Garrett and Dr. Connell were sharing one suite, TylOR and his brother, AshOR, shared another one. The strange thing was that Lucy was assigned the same suite as ConEL and TorEL. She didn’t mind so she didn’t say anything. Besides, the suite had three bedrooms. She hoped that only two of those bedrooms would be used.
“Leader LarIS has a matter he must attend but he will arrange to meet with you, Prime ConEL, and Commander TylOR in a few hours. Would you like to request something to eat from the Meal Room staff?”
He looked at Lucy and TylOR. “Are you hungry?”
They both shook their heads no. TylOR yawned. “I’m tired more than I am hungry.”
ConEL dismissed the Lieutenant, “Thank you but I think we will take this time to rest.”
TorEL headed to one of the bedrooms leaving Lucy alone with ConEL. Why was she suddenly nervous? They had already spent a whole night together. She didn’t know why it felt like this was different. She nibbled her bottom lip and watched ConEL walk toward one of the other bedroom doors. Maybe he was finished with her and going to sleep without her, but then he stopped at the entrance of the bedroom and looked back at her.
“Are you coming?” he asked.
She nodded her head and walked past him into the room. No sooner had he slid the door closed and locked it, he gripped her from behind. He spun her around and pulled her flush against his hard body.
“You flirted with Leader LarIS,” he accused.
She used her hands to push at his chest. However, she couldn’t free herself from his tight embrace. “I
did not flirt with him.”
“He spoke to your mind and you welcomed it.”
“I have no control over him connecting that way to my mind.”
“Do you want him?” He lowered his mouth to a fraction of an inch. His breath fanned her face.
She shook her head and whispered, “No.”
“I will be the only male that you let touch you. Do you understand?” His hands were unhooking her shirt and pants in angry, jerking motions.
“Yes, only you.” Lucy moaned as soon as his large warm hands met her exposed flesh.
ConEL bent forward taking her lips in a brutal, claiming kiss. He would not allow another male to take what was his. Never again.
Lucy struggled to get ConEL’s clothes off, too. She wanted to feel him skin to skin. She finally managed to get his shirt off in between their desperate kisses. She hadn’t noticed that he had been backing them up toward the bed until she felt the edge of the bed hit the back of her knees.
They pulled apart long enough for ConEL to get his shoes and pants off. When he looked back at her, his eyes were dark but the center yellow pupils seemed to glow with desire. He pushed her gently back onto the bed and followed her down.
She loved his aggressiveness and possessiveness. She loved the way he growled as their bodies slid together soft against hard. She just…loved him.
She didn’t have time to linger on the realization. She was consumed with burning desire on the inside. Only he could alleviate the fire. Only he could satisfy her need. Only ConEL.
He used one hand to grasp hold of her hair and position her head where he wanted. His teeth scraped the sensitive skin of her neck down to her collarbone. His other hand slipped between their bodies and his thumb brushed across the tightened bud of her nipple. Lucy gasped as the touch shot straight down to her core. She moaned with need. What she felt was primal. She had to have him inside of her.
“ConEL, please.”
“You drive me insane with your dark Goddess beauty. The smell of your arousal makes me almost lose control. And the way you respond to me leaves me feeling more of a male than I have in years. No female does this to me. Or ever will.”