Enforcer (Battle Born Book 11)

by Cyndi Friberg

“All the water on Lunar Nine is recycled, but there’s still a limited supply.”

  She hadn’t really thought about it, but water had to be a challenge on the moon as well as on spaceships. “Does that mean you don’t use that amazing tub?”

  “I don’t, but you’re welcome to, anytime you like.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “I’ll wash your back for you.”

  “I bet you would. I was half afraid you’d come in while I was showering. There’s no lock on that door.”

  All playfulness vanished in an instant. He scooted to the edge of the couch and rested his forearms on his knees. “You have no need for a lock. I would never be so dishonorable.”

  “I know. This just feels strange.” She crossed her arms over her chest, feeling vulnerable. “I live alone and work with computers. Socializing has always been awkward for me.”

  “You didn’t seem awkward in the observatory,” he pointed out with a lazy smile.

  “No, the awkwardness came later, when I remembered how I’d behaved.”

  He stood and stalked toward her, gaze locked with hers. “You behaved like a genetically compatible female alone with a potential mate. There is no shame in what we’re feeling.”

  “I don’t feel ashamed. I feel overwhelmed and confused.”

  Holding out both hands, he smiled down at her. “Come on.”

  “Where are we going?” She didn’t wait for his answer to place her hands on his. He closed his warm fingers around her hands and gently pulled her to her feet.

  “I’m putting you to bed. You’re obviously exhausted.”

  She couldn’t argue with that. Despite the tantalizing temptation of being alone in his quarters, she could barely keep her eyes open. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders as he guided her across the room. A little flutter of anticipation tickled her belly as she wondered if he intended to join her. He had to be as tired as she was. She started to ask, then cut herself off, afraid it would sound like an invitation.

  Lights came on in the bedroom as they crossed the threshold. She’d only glanced at the room earlier on her way to the adjacent bathroom, so she took a moment to look around. Like the outer room, the bedroom was spacious and elegant. The rounded furniture gave the room a semi-retro feel.

  He pulled down the covers, then motioned her toward the large bed.

  She was naked beneath the robe, so she crawled into bed with the oversized garment still covering her from neck to knees. “Are you—” She bit off the words and closed her eyes.

  “Am I what?” A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, but he was obviously fighting the impulse.

  “Are you going to sleep here with me? You’ll never fit on the couch and you look even more tired than I feel.” She hated the uncertainty in her voice. She was a mature woman. If she wanted to spend the night in Dakar’s arms, it was no one’s business but his. The problem was, she wanted to do a lot more than sleep.

  He chuckled at her inadvertent insult. “It has been a long day.”

  “Then join me.” She patted the mattress beside her, suddenly feeling bold.

  “You trust me more than I trust myself.” She took that to mean he wasn’t going to join her, then he sat on the edge of the bed and pulled off his boots. “Lights twenty-five percent.”

  The overhead glow diminished as he stood and pulled his T-shirt off over his head. The dimness did nothing to disguise the sculpted perfection of his torso and arms. She couldn’t look away, could barely blink. He turned his back as he took off the jeans, and she finally averted her gaze. She didn’t know if Rodytes wore underwear or not, but she wasn’t brave enough to find out.

  The bed dipped as he crawled in beside her, then he stroked her cheek with the backs of his fingers. “This was your idea, sweetheart. I can still sleep in the living room.”

  “Please don’t.” She rolled toward him and snuggled against his side.

  He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and brushed her hair back from her face. His gaze searched hers, purple rings softly glowing. Then he pressed a kiss to her forehead with a sigh. “Go to sleep, love. My days start early.”

  His selflessness shattered what little remained of her professional detachment. She wanted Dakar and didn’t care who she’d disappoint by surrendering to him. Her father cared only for his own aspirations. He’d never taken her wellbeing into consideration, but he was more than willing to exploit her skills. And she had a horrible feeling Solar Warden was involved in the explosion. Her horrible feelings were seldom wrong.

  She was finished! No more trying to please her father and no more lying to herself.

  She wasn’t sure when this had become real to her, but she was well and truly snared. She longed for Dakar and not just for one night. She wanted it all, the life bond, the transformation, and a lifetime at his side. As she finger-combed her slightly damp hair back from her face, she only had one concern. Would she endanger Kelsey by switching sides?

  Staring into the dimness, she debated what to do. Should she confess now or… Did she need to confess at all? She could talk to Kelsey in the morning, explain that she’d fallen in love with Dakar and refused to betray him or his people. Kelsey would be pissed, but she could resign without incident and return to Earth.

  No one needed to know their original plans.

  She would know.

  She sighed and rolled onto her back. She had to tell him. What sort of life would they have if they started out with secrets? But it made more sense to wait until Kelsey left the outpost to reveal their connection to Solar Warden. Then if there were ramifications, she alone would deal with them.

  “What’s the matter?” He rolled to his side and slipped his arm under her neck, propping himself up on his elbow. “No one sighs that loud unless they want someone else to notice.”

  She couldn’t help but smile. Was she really that transparent? “I don’t want to sleep,” she whispered.

  “You need sleep.” He ran his index finger from her temple to her chin.

  “I don’t care.” She nipped his finger, then turned her head and looked at him. “I don’t want you to mark me.”

  He tensed, expression suddenly cautious. “Why the change of heart?”

  “I want you to make love to me instead.”

  For a long time, he just stared at her, fingers lightly stroking the underside of her jaw. “I want to believe you, love, but I’m not sure why—”

  She wrapped her arm around his neck and silenced him with her mouth. They could work out the details later. She was tired of carefully analyzing every element of her life. For once, she wanted to be spontaneous, reckless. She wanted Dakar, he wanted her, and the rest of the world—make that worlds—could go to hell.

  It took all of a millisecond for him to respond to her kiss. His lips parted and slid as their mouths meshed and their bodies struggled to get closer. He pushed his fingers into her hair and quickly took control. She inwardly smiled. He was alpha to the marrow of his bones.

  Echoing her thought, he rolled her beneath him and urged her legs apart with his knees. She made room for him between her thighs as he took the kiss deeper. Heat and excitement rushed through her system, making her giddy and hot. She arched, damning the material separating them as she rubbed herself against him.

  He guided her hands to the bed on either side of her head and eased back so he could see her. “Last chance, love. If you have any reservations, tell me now.”

  “I want this. I want you.”

  His fingers tightened around her wrists and his gaze narrowed. “You want me as lover or mate?”

  Her heart slammed against her chest. According to Indigo the mating bond gave the couple access to each other’s minds. She couldn’t risk such a connection until she’d told him everything. “Can we start with lover? This is all happening incredibly fast.”

  “Of course.” He lowered his head and kissed her, the exchange slow and gentle.

  She tried not to think, tried to stay in the moment and revel in their mutual n
eed. But there were so many complications, so many people affected by what was about to take place. “What about Sedrik?” she whispered when he came up for air. “I haven’t really given him a chance.”

  “He’s not ready for a mate right now. He’s obsessed with his new command.”

  His lips drifted onto her jaw then lower, teasing a path down her neck. She shivered as he paused to explore the silken hollow at the base of her throat. He couldn’t get her pregnant until after they formed the bond and Rodyte medicine had obliterated most diseases. Each female volunteer had been given a series of inoculations to make sure they remained healthy.

  He unfastened her belt, then rocked back onto his knees so he could open her robe. Thank God Dakar had turned the lights down before he crawled into bed. Unlike her soon-to-be lover, she didn’t have a perfect body. Her belly was rounded, as were her thighs, and her butt would never fit in skinny jeans. His gaze swept from her neck to her knees, lingering in all the predictable places. Then he focused on her bruised abdomen and his expression changed, intensified. The discoloration was obvious even in the dim light. Her skin was too white and the bruises too pronounced for the injury to go unnoticed.

  “I’d forgotten you’re hurt.” He touched the marks with featherlight touches. “Why didn’t the doctor regenerate your abdomen while you were on the Intrepid.”

  “He said on any other night he would have, but the crisis made it impossible.”

  He nodded, though he still seemed upset by the discovery. “I guess it’s not surprising that all the regen bays were full. Did he give you medi-bots at least?”

  She nodded. “And a pain reliever. It really does look worse than it feels.”

  “Even so, we will find a position that doesn’t cause you pain.”

  At least he hadn’t refused to touch her. That would have been worse than her injury. “I’m not in pain right now, or at least I wasn’t while you were kissing me.” In fact, she felt wonderful. Secure and cherished. In a word, happy.

  He arched over her, carefully keeping his weight balanced on his knees and forearms. “I should have been there. It’s my job to protect you.”

  “No one could have known about the bombs. Well, no one but the bastards who put them there.”

  “I will find them,” he vowed. “Such senseless loss of life must be avenged.”

  Fear flared through her contentment “With more loss of life?” Her father’s life? The more she thought about it, the more it made sense that Solar Warden was behind the attack. They had a reason for resenting the battle born, and they’d made it clear that violence was a likely outcome if their ultimatum was ignored.

  “Enough of destruction and death,” he said firmly. “This night is for pleasure, not worry.”

  “But worry is more natural to me,” she admitted, feeling uneasy with him hovering over her. He was like a great bird of prey circling his victim, waiting for the perfect opportunity to swoop down and make the kill.

  “Then we need to do something about that, don’t we?” He didn’t swoop. He lowered his head slowly and kissed her with such gentleness it made her heart ache. This was Dakar, loving, patient Dakar. He smiled more than he scowled, yet he was strong enough to make her feel safe.

  She returned the kiss, following the leisurely pace he’d set as her hands moved over his back, shoulders and arms. She’d never imagined making love with a man so well-built. Her friends all had similar interests to hers, which meant they spent more time crunching code and playing video games than working out. Dakar didn’t have an ounce of fat on his entire body. His back was broad, sides lean, and his arms were works of art. She let her hands wander at will, wanting to enjoy every curve and indentation of his amazing physique.

  Her hand slid up to the nape of his neck and encountered the thick bundle of his hair. The dark strands were nearly as long as her pale blonde ones. Suddenly, she wanted to feel the silken mass caressing her arms and breasts as he made love to her. Following the crisscrossing cord to the end, she quickly untied the binding, then unwound the cord. His hair slid between her fingers and over her hands, every bit as soft as she’d expected.

  His mouth continued to move over hers, growing more possessive by degrees. At first his tongue teased, lightly touching, as if announcing his presence before easing inside. She moaned, opening to him, wanting to know his taste as intimately as he would know hers.

  This was her mate, the man who would complete her and spend the rest of his life at her side. The concept was nearly too perfect to be believed. Few on Earth aspired to forever anymore.

  She reached his lean hips and felt the clingy material covering him. So Rodytes did wear underwear. At least this one did. Rather than trying to remove them, she squeezed his firm butt through the silky material. With her robe open, this thin garment was the only thing keeping his body from hers. The realization sent heat curling up through her core.

  She wasn’t quite ready for their joining, but she hungered for more skin-to-skin contact. Holding on to him with one hand, she lifted her other arm from the sleeve of her robe, baring her right side completely. She switched hands and freed her left arm as well. Then she pressed her breasts against his chest and undulated her hips. He was still holding back from her, unwilling for his weight to cause her pain.

  “I don’t care if you crush me,” she spoke the words against his kiss-moistened lips. “I need to feel you on top of me, inside me.”

  He closed his eyes and groaned so loudly it made her smile. “Soon,” he promised. “Very soon.”

  Which meant he had other things planned before he gave her what she wanted most.

  His mouth left hers with obvious reluctance, but he returned to her sensitive neck. He pressed her hands back into the mattress on either side of her head and held them there with a firm yet careful grip. He brushed his lips against her skin and scraped her with his teeth, even occasionally nipping. She gasped and shivered, restless and ready, but unable to do anything other than accept what he gave her. He alternated sensations at random intervals, keeping her off balance and needy.

  He reached her collar bone and lingered, tracing the gentle protrusion with the tip of his tongue. Her nipples tightened and tingled, anticipating similar attention. She’d imagined being with him so many times. His image hadn’t left her mind since she saw him on the Fearless, yet she’d fought their attraction for as long as she could. Now she wanted this so badly it didn’t seem quite real. She felt as if she floated through a sensual dream, and she was terrified she’d wake up.

  Shifting her wrists into one hand above her head, he pressed the other to the side of his face. “You are so precious to me, so unique and wonderful.”

  She blinked back tears, unused to hearing such glowing praise. Flattery was common when a couple was about to have sex, but he sounded so earnest and his gaze was so warm. “I still can’t believe you’re real.”

  His grin turned wicked as his head dipped and he caught one of her nipples between his lips. His unbound hair tickled her sides, adding to rather than distracting from the tantalizing heat of his mouth. “Feels real to me.” He sucked hard enough to make her gasp, then went right on sucking.

  Human men were obsessed with breasts, and apparently Rodytes were no different. He caressed one of her breasts with his hand while his mouth explored the other. He took his time, experimenting with various sensations to see what pleased her most. She cried out when his teeth pressed down too hard, yet slow, deep suction made her moan.

  She grew restless for more intimate touches, aching to be filled. She arched her back, pressing her mound against his flat abdomen. The proof of his virility had rubbed against her while they were kissing and she grew anxious to see it, touch it, maybe even taste. If his cock was as amazing as the rest of him, she was in for quite a treat.

  But he ignored her wiggling and worked his way lower with torturous slowness. “Keep your hands just where they are. You do not have permission to touch me.”

  She tense
d at the silken command. “Why do I need permission to touch you?”

  He raised his head and looked at her. His hair streamed over his shoulders, barely touching her breasts. “I want you too badly, love. If you touch me anymore, I’ll lose control.”

  She smiled. “Would that be such a bad thing?”

  “We’re not going to find out.” He lowered his head again and kissed his way from hipbone to hipbone and then to the middle of her belly. He paused for a long, tender kiss then looked into her eyes. His gaze burned into hers, promising hours of pleasure. Another kiss. Another searing glance. Alternating between potent looks and possessive kisses, he worked his way ever lower.

  She tensed when he reached her pubic hair. She always kept herself neatly groomed. He seemed pleased by the discovery. His thumb stroked over her well-trimmed curls, teasing without invading.

  He caught the backs of her knees and pushed her legs up then out, opening her completely. “Oh stars, you’re beautiful.”

  His gaze was fixed on her sex, so the hushed words made her blush and shiver. She felt worshiped, adored. This was unlike anything she’d ever experienced before, and they had barely begun.

  He bent between her thighs, lips brushing over her cleft. She wanted him there, deep inside her, stretching her, making her his. She wasn’t a virgin, but she might as well have been. Nothing in her past compared to this, nothing even came close.

  He isn’t my first, but he’ll be my last. Finally, her inner voice sounded like her. The realization was liberating.

  His tongue tip sank between her folds and found her clit. All rational thought scattered. She clutched the bedding above her head and helplessly moaned. He lavished her with attention, using his tongue, lips and teeth. He was bold and relentless, taking her close to climax only to back off and let her simmer. She rode the waves and accepted the intensity, trusting him not to leave her wanting.

  He released one of her knees and her leg sank to the mattress, angled out, still open for his pleasure. Easing his mouth away for a moment, he carefully pushed two fingers into her needy core.

  “Yes, oh God, yes.” Her chest heaved and her senses burned, desperate for the release he’d denied her.