She smiled against his lips, soothed by his explanation as well as his touch. “That’s good news for me, but do you honestly think you can keep these hunks in line once Las Vegas gets a look at them?”
“Don’t you mean once they get a look at Las Vegas?”
“No. All they need to do is walk down the Strip and they’ll have females throwing themselves at them. Don’t you remember how heads turned when you and Allenton where in the casino?”
“I’ll keep them out of the casinos.”
“Good luck with that, Commander dar Aune.” She knew Lor meant well and he honestly believed his men would abide by the rules. She, however, knew how easily the bright lights and festive atmosphere of Las Vegas could erode good intentions.
Chapter Nine
“You’ve had a few days to settle in now,” Sevrin strolled toward Allenton, her appreciative gaze taking in his handsome face and muscular body. Nazerel was more dangerous, and danger excited her, but he was also more arrogant and harder to control. All in all, she’d decided Allenton would make a better mate, even if she only kept him around long enough to share his abilities with her. “What do you think of my operation?”
“Your locations are infinitely preferable to the Shadow Maze, or the City of Tears, for that matter.” He sprawled on a patio lounger beside her pool, wearing only a pair of swim trunks. He was still damp from his recent swim and she wanted to lick the lingering drops from his gold-tinted skin.
“How are your men adjusting to their new circumstances?” She let the front of her cover-up part as she neared and watched his gaze run the length of her body. She’d yet to slip so much as a toe in the water, but she now owned fourteen swim suits, each designed to showcase her figure to perfection.
“They’re hurrying through the required training so they can plan their hunts.”
“They realize that only one hunt from each house can be active at any given time, correct?”
“Yes. We all know the rules. You’ve made damn sure of it.” He reached up and caught her wrist. “If you summoned me here to pleasure you, I would rather talk after.”
Lust cascaded through her body, beading her nipples and melting her core. “Then let’s talk after.”
Nazerel knew she wanted him. He frequently followed her with his gaze, but he’d never dared to touch her. At least she liked to pretend it was respect rather than indifference that kept his hands at bay. Allenton had made his willingness obvious from the start, but she hadn’t wanted to seem too eager so she made him wait. Well, the waiting was over for both of them.
Allenton pulled the cover-up off her shoulders and gravity did the rest. She kicked off her sandals as he drew her down onto the lounger. She straddled his lap, one knee on either side of his hips. She’d leased this house in part because of the privacy fence surrounding the property. The chances of being seen were slim, but she wasn’t sure she’d have cared if half of Nevada watched.
The neckline of her swim suit plunged almost to her navel and he pulled the straps down, baring her breasts yet trapping her arms against her sides. “I’m not sure how good I can make this for you.” His voice sounded harsh and urgent. He leaned down and sucked her nipple before he added. “It has been four solar cycles since I last had a female.”
Four years was a long time to go without sex. “You pour baby,” she murmured as he sucked on her other breast. He used strong, rhythmic pulls that sent sensations zinging to her clit. “If you come too soon, we’ll just have to do it again.”
He laughed, clearly liking the idea. Suddenly a lust-swollen reservoir burst and inundated Allenton. He growled then moaned then pushed her over onto her back and tore off her swimsuit. He pulled down his trunks and thrust inside her so fast she cried out.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” He punctuated each thrust with an apology, totally ruining the mood.
She found it all so funny she had to bite his shoulder to keep from laughing out loud. The bite only excited him more and he doubled the speed of his hips. Luckily she’d been wet enough to accommodate his aggression or she wouldn’t have allowed him to continue.
He grabbed her hips and raised her up as he drove deep, shuddering violently as he climaxed. The entire fiasco couldn’t have lasted more than a minute. He slowly released her and pulled out.
“Oh gods, Sevrin, I’m so sorry.” He looked genuinely horrified.
She finally let the laughter win, which only compounded his humiliation. He crawled off the side of the lounger and rushed into the house.
“Allenton.” She grabbed the cover-up off the patio and slipped it on as she went in after him. “Don’t be like that.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed her breasts against his back. “Four years is an extremely long time to be without a partner.”
“I understand if you prefer one of the others in your bed.”
She reached down and fondled his sticky cock. “I’ll decide after I’ve had you in my bed.”
He turned around, relaxing enough to smile. “You’ll give me another chance?”
“What just happened is forgotten. It never happened. Shall we finish our conversation now or after you show me the benefits of Shadow Assassin training?”
“I’d rather talk while I regain my composure.”
“Fair enough. Would you like a towel or can I enjoy the view? You have a spectacular body.”
“Thank you, and contrary to my performance, I do know how to use it.”
“What performance?” She smiled. “Remember, it’s forgotten.” She motioned toward the sofa and he sat, keeping his legs apart so she had an unobstructed view of his assets. She sat in the armchair facing him and let her gaze wander at will. “You told me you had questions.”
“I do, as do the others, but you’ve done so much for us already, we are loath to voice our concerns.”
He was all business now, which was ironic being that he was stark naked. “I’m not like the elders. I don’t want to control you. Feel free to ask me anything.” She reserved the right to make shit up or evade this issue entirely, but he didn’t need to know that.
His cock was already hardening again. Oh, that was encouraging. She liked a man who could recover quickly. Of course she liked a man who could last more than a minute too.
“How many of the females in the dossiers have Ontarian blood?”
She wondered how long it would take the hunters to figure that out. “I think they all do, but I’ve only been able to confirm about sixty percent.”
“You believe this will improve our chances of success?”
“I do.” It had taken her network of spies eight years to compile the information outlined in those dossiers. She’d only been on Earth for a couple of months, but this project had been launched long before her arrival.
“If the first attempt is not successful, will you allow us to continue trying?”
“Of course.” What an odd question.
“Even if the female is harmed by the process?”
She thought these men were ruthless. Had a few weeks on the day moon turned them into squeamish little girls? “I have done everything in my power to make sure this project runs smoothly, but this is an untried procedure. There are bound to be bumps in the road.”
His smile was slow and predatory. “You misunderstand my meaning, mistress. We all realize sacrifices must be made in the name of progress. It is a reality we’ve lived with our entire lives. We were afraid you would slam the door in our faces if we lost even one female.”
She snorted, insulted by the possibility. “I’m my father’s daughter. You don’t need to worry about my dedication to this project.”
His interest intensified at her slip. Damn it. She’d been distracted by his nakedness and hadn’t guarded her words. “It’s true, isn’t it? You are Princess Sevrin Keire? Stirate Pern was your father.” The last wasn’t even a question.
“Who I am is not important. You need only believe that I can do what I say I can do.”
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He stood and stalked toward her, eyes gleaming with sensual menace, erection thickening with each step he took. “I bet I can convince you to trust me with this secret. I know just how to prove I’m worthy of trust.”
Kneeling before her, he grabbed her knees and opened her legs. He hooked her ankles over the chair’s arms then bent to her waiting sex. Sevrin closed her eyes and concentrated on the skillful slide of his lips and tongue. It only took a moment for her to realize he was going to win the bet.
* * * * *
Two weeks. Two agonizing weeks had passed as the Mystic Militia chased their tails.
“They’re fucking with us,” Odintar snapped, and each man in the galley nodded in agreement.
Lor had called the impromptu meeting when Kris and Dekker returned from a long, intense wild goose chase.
“The only way they could know we’ve returned is if we were spotted,” Lor muttered, no longer sure he believed it himself. “Has anyone sensed that they’re being followed?”
“We’ve all been followed. Odintar is right. They’re yanking our collective chain.” Blayne stood near the doorway, looking as frustrated as Lor felt. He’d bound his hair at the nape of his neck and donned jeans and a T-shirt, but he still radiated an unmistakable mystique.
Tori fidgeted as if she had something to say.
“What is it, Tori?”
“Nazerel knows I’m not Angie, but if I go back to my house, maybe he’ll—”
“Not a chance,” Lor cut her off. “That strategy worked out so well last time we tried it.”
“The outcome was tainted by Allenton’s treachery,” Blayne pointed out. “If she’s willing to bait another trap, I say we let her.”
“It’s not up to you.”
“You’re right. It’s up to me,” Tori stressed.
“Give us the room.” Lor didn’t even look at her until everyone else had left. “It is my sacred obligation to protect you. I cannot do that if you keep running headlong into danger.”
Even seated she appeared resolute. “It is my sacred obligation to protect Angie and I can’t do that if you hamper me at every turn.”
Her belligerent tone should have infuriated him. Instead he felt a smile tugging at his lips. Why couldn’t he stay angry with her? “There has to be a way to move forward that doesn’t put you in harm’s way.”
“That’s what we’ve been trying for the past two weeks. There is no more time for subtleties.”
“What ‘we’ve’ been trying? When did you join my crew?”
She laughed. “They sort of adopted me when you wouldn’t let me go home.” She scooted out of the booth and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I’ll let you come with me, if you’re a really good boy.”
“You’re incorrigible.” He grabbed her ass with both hands and lifted her off the floor. Rather than hang suspended from his hands as he’d intended, she wrapped her legs around his waist. “I’m supposed to lead this team. How can I remain in command while I’m playing house with you?”
“I guess one of your men will have to pose as my lover. Can it be Blayne?” She flashed a cheeky grin so he pinched her ass cheek hard. She yelped and tugged on his hair. “That hurt.”
“You know damn well Blayne wants you. Don’t joke about things like that.”
“Fine. I’m sorry about the Blayne crack, but going home isn’t a bad idea. If the hunters see me hanging out with one of the other guys, they’ll wonder what the hell happened to you. They might even think you died, which would give us an advantage.”
He hesitated, hating the idea of anyone even pretending to be intimate with Tori. “I guess I could spare one of the soldiers.”
The door slid open and Odintar filled the opening. “It needs to be me. I’m the only one who can sense them coming.”
Lor looked beyond the Mystic and found the entire crew cluttering up the corridor. “Who’s flying the ship?”
“We’re in a holding pattern,” Sid reminded him. “No hands required.”
Blayne was grinning like a fool, obviously having heard Tori’s comments. Lor sat her on the table and she unhooked her feet. He moved out from between her legs, but rested his hand possessively on one of her knees.
“Why can you sense the Shadow Assassins?” she asked Odintar. “I thought it took a Shadow Assassin to find a Shadow Assassin.”
“A patrol team cornered one of the hunters last winter. The coward slit his own throat rather than being captured, but we salvaged his nanites.”
“And you were injected with them in preparation for your undercover assignment.”
“Beautiful and smart. No wonder we chose you.” Odintar grinned at Lor “She clearly has a thing for Mystics. I promise to be very convincing.”
Lor pulled back his fist, but Tori grabbed his arm. His momentum dragged her off the table, yet she prevented the punch from breaking Odintar’s nose.
“Enough! They all know I’ve made my choice and this is more important than your pride.”
A collective “Ooh” echoed down the hallway.
Lor took a deep breath and collected what little was left of his decorum. “Odintar will pose as your new love interest. He has been assigned to protect you and he desires you, but you are too upset about my death to take him seriously.”
Odintar chuckled. “Quite the melodrama you’ve concocted, Commander. We can have Dekker record it and post it to the interlink. We’ll make a fortune charging for access.”
“Internet,” Tori corrected. “And we’d have to get naked for it to sell.”
Lor just growled at her.
“I’m just kidding,” she stressed. “Lighten up already.”
“We can patrol the perimeter in shifts to ensure continual coverage,” Dekker suggested.
“If we land, we only need one person on board to guard the ship,” Sid pointed out.
“That would make things similar,” Lor agreed.
Tori nodded, clearly liking the idea. “Put down out in the desert. As long as the ship isn’t visible, no one will even know it’s there.”
“As long as the concealment shields remain active even after the engines are powered down,” Kris clarified. “We definitely don’t need the US military racing in to investigate a UFO.”
“Even if you are a UFO.” Tori chuckled. “I am so ready to be anywhere but on this ship.”
The soldiers chuckled and Sid said, “Our average mission lasts three months and most of that is spent in space.”
“Well, I wouldn’t make a good soldier. I’m way too claustrophobic.”
“Does everyone understand their role?” Lor tried to bring the conversation back on track. “Blayne and I can maintain invisibility shields, so we’ll rotate as inside guard. You three rotate between the ship and perimeter sweeps.”
“And I get to play house with Tori,” Odintar bragged. Everyone laughed and Lor just shook his head, refusing to take the bait a second time.
* * * * *
“That’s almost as lame as ‘my dog ate my homework’.” Jillian’s naturally melodious voice was edging every closer to shrill as Tori tried to explain why she hadn’t returned any of Jillian’s calls, texts or emails for the past four days.
Tori shifted her phone to her other ear, easily picturing Jillian’s exasperated expression. “The reason I didn’t realize my phone needed charging was because it was locked in the trunk of my car.” Lies always worked best when they twisted the truth as opposed to being complete fabrications. She’d realized her car was still at Angie’s apartment complex shortly after Lor flashed them into Tori’s backyard.
“I’ll bite,” Jillian muttered. “Why’d you lock your purse in the trunk of your car?”
“Because I went to Angie’s apartment to check things out. I wasn’t sure what I’d find when I started snooping, so I took my keys and my pepper spray but left my purse in the trunk so the bad guys couldn’t ID me after they knocked me out.”
Jillian laughed, finally calming down. “You’v
e been to too many self-defense classes.”
“I’ve only been to three, but that’s not the point. Angie wasn’t there, but her cell phone was.”
“Which is why she hasn’t been returning anyone’s calls?”
“Exactly. It was obvious that she’d packed a bag and took off as opposed to having been kidnapped, so I got creative.”
“Impress me, Sherlock. What’d you do?”
Now it was time for some shady elaboration. “I had a friend of mine use the GPS chip in the phone to tell me where the dirtbag was. Then being the rational, responsible person I am, I jumped in the car and headed there. Unfortunately, I neglected to bring along a charger for my phone.”
“Don’t you have one that works off your cigarette lighter?”
Shit. Jillian knew her too well. “Angie borrowed it and I haven’t bought another one yet. Anyway, long story short, I found the dirtbag, but Angie wasn’t with him.”
“Well, I guess I forgive you. That story is too stupid to be a lie.”
Tori chuckled. “I didn’t mean to worry you. Contrary to recent events, I am not like my sister.”
“Well, get some sleep. If you’ve been driving all over creation for the past four days, I’m sure you’re beat.”
If only she knew… “I’ll call you tomorrow. I promise.”
“You better.”
Tori ended the call and slipped the phone back into her pocket. She returned to the kitchen, where she’d left Odintar a few minutes ago. He stood with his back to the corner created by the cupboards, a large enameled mug in his hand.
“This is delicious. What is it called?” A light coating of foam made his upper lip look fuzzy.
“Cappuccino.” Tori tried not to laugh, but he looked ridiculous. “Lick your lip, sweetheart. You have a cappuccino mustache.”
“Why don’t you lick it for me?” He purred the question then raised one of his brows in silent challenge to Lor who was watching but unable to react.
She wasn’t even sure Lor was in the room. He was cloaked in some sort of invisibility shield and had been since they arrived at her house about an hour ago.
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