Life on Zortou was about to undergo a dramatic change. In the meeting he’d learned that all citizens of the planet were to be given the option to relocate to Belton and gain citizenship, and that all remaining Rosabelles would be given immediate freedom from their owners.
His throat tightened and nausea gathered inside him. Talia deserved her freedom. Though it would nearly kill him to have to let her go, she deserved the same chance as the other women to start a new life.
“Ryder? Are you well?” Krystal grasped his hand and stepped closer to him.
“I am fine,” he muttered and shook his head. “I must go.”
“Oh…how did I not see it?” His sister drew in a quick breath, her eyes widening. “Do you love her, Ryder?”
He pulled his hand free, before she could notice the slight tremble in it.
“Oh, Ryder.” Krystal gave a soft sigh. “What do you intend to do?”
“I will do what needs to be done. What Talia deserves.” He drew in an unsteady breath and then set off to find her.
Talia drew in a slow breath, watching her breast rise against the gentle fingers of the nurse who spread ointment over the shallow cut.
“Does it hurt?” the woman, who’d introduced herself as Jammie, asked. She turned away to pick up a small bandage.
“No.” Talia shook her head and closed her eyes as the nurse pressed the thin gauze over the wound. “There has been far too much going on for me to notice such a trifle of an injury.”
Jammie made a small cluck of sympathy with her tongue. “Indeed it has. The infirmary has been quite busy all day tending to the wounded. Though many couldn’t be saved…”
Talia’s stomach rolled and she bit back a wave of regret and guilt. She whispered a soft, “I feel terrible.”
The nurse raised her gaze, surprise in her eyes. “For what, Talia? From what I understand, the situation could have been so much worse had you not warned the Colonel.”
Ryder. Warmth stirred through her at the mention of her lover’s name. Was he still with his superiors? Would he be returning to her shortly?
“There, the cut should heal in no time and I’d wager there will be no scar.” Jammie winked and stood up, handing her a plain cream-colored gown. “Put this on so you don’t get a chill.”
The sudden knock had both of their gazes darting to the door of the small room.
“Perhaps that is your handsome Colonel now?” Jammie murmured with a wink.
Talia thrust her arms into the gown and tugged it closed over her chest, her pulse pounding and her mouth going dry.
The nurse hurried to the door and pressed the code to open it. The man in the doorway was not Ryder, but he still managed to rip a startled gasp of pleasure from her chest.
Standing from the examination table, tears prickling the back of her eyes, she choked out, “Dane?”
Her assistant from Zortou rushed through the door, the hesitant expression on his face fading into relief.
“Oh my gods, Talia, I’ve been worried sick about you!”
For the first time in the years he’d worked with her, Dane grabbed her and pulled her into a tight hug.
“I’ve wanted to do this forever,” he muttered and squeezed her extra tight. “You were miserable on that awful planet. I knew it and wished I could help ease your desolation, but my hands were tied. I could not even offer you a hug; those Council bastards would have had my head.”
Her lips twitched and a tear spilled down her cheek. “But you can now. You were always so good to me, Dane.”
Dane pulled back, his gaze searching hers. “How are you? Have you been treated awful here?”
“No!” Her head shook in rapid denial. “Truly, I have not. And I know it seems insane, but being taken prisoner was likely the best thing that could have happened to me.”
Dane’s brows shot sky high. “Truly?”
She bit her lip and nodded.
“So, uh, just how attractive was this guy who abducted you?”
Talia’s cheeks flamed with color and she lowered her gaze.
“Oh! Well, I see then.”
She cleared her throat and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “What of you, Dane? How did you fair with the battle? And—oh, no! The soldier you were seeing? Thomas? Did he…”
“We faired well. I did not fight in the battle, but was brought along on one of the ships as an extra servant.” He hesitated, a dark shadow crossing his face. “As a soldier of Zortou, Thomas had no choice but to fight. I was so damn worried about him. Rightfully so. He was injured, but, thank gods, not critically.”
“Oh, Dane.” She clasped his hand and squeezed, seeing the sheen of tears in his gaze. She could completely empathize with her friend. “I’m sorry.”
“We’re okay, though.” Dane blinked rapidly, dispelling the tears. “I had just paid him a visit in the infirmary here, when I learned of your presence. Thomas is well. Though of course worried what will happen to him now that his army has been defeated.”
“Belton is a just planet,” she murmured confidently. “You will both be treated fairly.”
“Yes. I have gained that impression.” Dane’s gaze moved around the room, past the nurse busy in the corner, before returning to Talia. “Where is this soldier of yours?”
“In a meeting. He should return shortly.”
Dane lifted one eyebrow. “And what are his intentions toward you?”
“Dane!”
He rolled his eyes. “I was your servant for how many years? Surely you can not expect me to suddenly drop my tendency to worry?”
She gave him a slight smile. “I suppose not. Ryder and I have not discussed the future as of yet, but he should be arriving soon.”
“Hmm.” Dane’s gaze narrowed and glanced over her body. “Unfortunately, I must leave shortly, but I must say this battle-worn image you have going on does not work for a romantic reunion with your soldier.” He turned to the nurse. “Perhaps she could help you?”
The nurse scurried across the room, obviously having had one ear open to their conversation.
“Say nothing more,” she murmured and fluffed Talia’s hair. “I’m due off work, but will stay late. We’ll do something with this hair and I’ll have a lovely dress sent in. We’ll have you pretty as can be for his arrival.”
“Are you certain? Surely I don’t—” But the nurse had already left the room, and so Talia turned to Dane with a watery smile. “Thank you, Dane. It relieves me to no end that you are well, and that you sought me out.”
“I had to.” He touched her cheek. “Be happy, Talia. For once in your life, be happy. You deserve it.”
“I will certainly try. And you, as well, deserve happiness.”
Dane’s gaze warmed and he looked toward the door. “I have found my own happiness, and he is recovering in a room down the hall.”
“Then go be with him.”
“I shall. Keep in touch, my lovely Talia.” Dane drew her into another quick hug.
Talia closed her eyes. “Of course. You do the same.”
A moment later he was gone and her stomach jumped in anticipation of Ryder’s return. When Jammie came back to help pretty her up, she put herself in the nurse’s hands gratefully.
The walk over to the medical unit was agony. Each step Ryder
took brought him closer to their good-bye.
A nurse was leaving her room as he entered. She dipped her head and smiled, her eyes twinkling.
Ryder took a deep breath and opened the door.
Talia sat near the window, her back to him as she stared outside. Her hair fell in a shiny red wave down the curve of her back. The globes of her buttocks were outlined through the thin dress she wore.
She turned her head suddenly and saw him, her blue eyes locking on him. Her lips were glossy and parted, her cheeks pinker than usual.
“Ryder.” The word was but a breath on her lips.
The air in his lungs stuck and he forced himself to swallow. Gods, she was so beautiful .
She stood from her seat near the window and walked toward him. The dress clung to her every curve in a river of gold silk. Her hips swung lightly, her unbound breasts moved with her steps.
Her mouth curved into a smile and she lifted her hands toward him. He took them automatically, his fingers curling around her soft hands.
“You look beautiful, Natalia.”
She flinched and the smile faded. Her gaze turned wary. “Why did you do that?”
“Do what?”
“Call me Natalia?”
Gods, had he? His nerves on edge, he released her hand and fisted his hands at his side. If he kept touching her he would never get through this.
“Ryder? Is something wrong?”
“Yes.” Damn it. He hadn’t meant to admit that. He shook his head and forced a smile. “No. Nothing is wrong. I come with good news for you, actually.”
“Oh?” She lifted an eyebrow and he saw a flicker of excitement in her gaze.
She wanted to leave. She wanted to hear that she would be set free.
“You are free, Talia.” He forced the initial words out, and then plunged on. “We release you as a prisoner of Belton. A pod is leaving in one hour and I have arranged a ticket for you to be on it.”
He may as well have plunged a dagger into her chest. Her heart twisted painfully and she could not draw in a breath. The burn of tears pricked behind her eyes.
“Talia?”
“Why?” she choked out.
Gods. If she weren’t in such emotional pain, she might actually have been humiliated. She had gone through so much trouble to look pretty for him, had begged the nurse to help her. And they’d giggled, discussing how pleased he would be. Only to find out he did not even want her anymore.
“Why? Because you are free, Talia. Did you not hear me?” His words sounded harsh. “You should never have been a prisoner on Belton. I should never have taken you.”
“Should you have made love to me?” she shot back, drawing in a shaky breath.
He flinched and for a moment she saw a flash of vulnerability in his gaze, and then it was once again hard. Confusion took the edge off the pain that ate away inside her.
“I will help you pack.”
She shook her head and drew in a painful breath, her mouth tightening. “I brought nothing with me. I will take nothing when I leave.”
He stared at her for a moment and then nodded. After a moment’s hesitation, he turned away and headed back toward the door.
Knowing it was a gamble, but desperate to keep him from leaving, she blurted, “What do you want?”
He froze, nearly to the door. He didn’t answer right away, his entire body grew rigid.
“Talia…”
“Answer me, Ryder.”
“I want…you to be happy.”
Hope sparked in her heart and she swallowed the thickness in her throat. Her pulse began to pound faster. She licked her lips.
“That is not what you want, that is what you want for me .” Closing the distance that separated them, she placed a hand on his shoulder. “What do you want, Ryder?”
He spun around and gripped her wrist. The torment in his eyes must have mirrored her own.
“I want you to stay, Talia,” he ground out, drawing her into his arms. “I want you to stay with me and let me love you like you have always deserved to be loved.”
Her eyes filled with tears. Relief spread warmth through her. “Ryder—”
“But I will not ask that of you. I cannot ask that of you.” His jaw hardened and raw anguish flashed again in his gaze. “It wouldn’t be fair of me to ask that you stay with me now that you finally have the freedom to do what you wish.”
“And what if I wish to stay with you?” She shook her head and pressed two fingers against his trembling lips. “Are you really such a presumptuous fool to assume that leaving you would make me happy?”
“Sweet Talia…” His voice cracked and he kissed her fingers, tilting his head and pressing his cheek into her palm. “Are you sure?”
“Leaving you would condemn me to a fate worse than being a Rosabelle,” she whispered, bringing her other hand up so she could cradle his face in both her hands. “I love you, Ryder. And I have never loved anyone. Do not make me leave the only man, the only place, that has made me feel like I am worth something—”
“You are worth everything , princess.” His mouth closed over hers, cutting off her choked reply.
Talia slid her arms around his neck with a sob and kissed him back, thrusting her tongue into his mouth to find his.
He lifted his head, his breathing uneven as he palmed one of her breasts. “I love you, Talia. Are you certain this is what you wish?”
“More than anything.” She drew in her own ragged breath and felt her nipple bead against his hand.
He swept her up into his arms and carried her to the couch off to the side of the small recovery room.
He laid her down against the soft cushions and her heart beat like crazy. His gaze ran over her with relief and hunger.
He untied the knot at the top of her dress and the silky fabric fell to her waist, exposing her chest to the cool air.
Her nipples puckered and stretched toward his lips, which were already descending toward them. When his mouth closed hot and wet over one tip she cried out, her legs scissoring on the couch and heat gathered heavy at her center.
The weight of Ryder’s body covered hers, delicious and heavy. She moaned softly as his mouth nuzzled the bandage that covered the top curve of her breast.
“I am so sorry she hurt you,” he muttered.
“It is nothing.” She caught his chin, pulling his head up and seeking his lips with her own. Brushing a fervent kiss against them. “Nothing, Ryder. The only pain I feel is when I think of losing you.”
“Never, my love.” He gathered her gown in his fists, tugging it up to her waist and positioning himself between her thighs. “You are mine.” His cock nudged the damp folds between her legs. “And I am yours.”
He plunged into her fast and hard, with no preliminaries. But she didn’t need them; she was more than ready, gripping his shoulders as her body welcomed the man who held her heart.
Always when he was inside her, when he held her, she felt so complete. Everything inside of her was at peace. And now, the weight of his body on hers was a tangible reminder that they both had survived today. Survived to love each other.
Tears of relief flooded her e
yes and her throat tightened with emotion as Ryder began to move steadily inside her.
She kissed his shoulder, lifting her hips to meet each full thrust. “Ryder…you were the unknown hope in my heart that kept me sane these past few years.”
He paused, drawing in an unsteady breath as his gaze sought hers. “And now you will always be mine.”
He plunged deeper into her still, stretching her, filling her.
Her heart swelled with love and the tears in her eyes spilled hot down her cheek.
“Always,” she whispered.
“Always.” He kissed each tear away, before he took her mouth once again.
Turn the page for a sneak peek of “His to Reclaim,”
Shelli Stevens’s novella in SEXY BEAST VII,
available September 2009!
1
“G emma!” The shrill scream pierced through the woods, filtering past the aged walls of the log cabin. “Oh my God! I can’t believe this. Gemma!”
The sound of feet pounding down the path mingled with the alarmed whimpers and short breaths of the approaching woman.
Gemma’s fingers clenched around the brush in her hand, her pulse quickening as she turned to face the door. Was it too much to hope that it was nothing more than the caterer having encountered a problem?
The door flung open, smashing into the wall. Her younger cousin Megan stepped into the room, eyes wild with panic.
“He’s really coming.”
They were just three words, but they were enough. The brush dropped from Gemma’s hand and her body went numb with shock.
This was really happening…. No! The room spun, and she gripped the vanity table to keep from falling to her knees. No . Was he insane ?
Take Me Page 23