“I know women who would kill to have hair like yours,” she whispered against his lips. “It’s really beautiful.”
“They’re welcome to it. Mostly, it’s a pain in the ass. It grows so damn fast. I just stopped fighting and let it have its way.”
“I’m glad.” She buried one of her hands in the loose strands and let them sift through her fingers. “I love the way it feels sliding over my skin.”
He chuckled and set her down beside the bed. “Then let’s get these clothes off so you can really enjoy it.”
“I missed you terribly.”
The emotion-thickened sound of her voice sent desire spiraling through his body. “I missed you too.”
He reached for the buttons on the front of her blouse, but she caught his wrists, stopping him. “Then why didn’t you let me know? I thought you’d given up on me.”
“Never.” He framed her face with his hands and kissed her forehead. “I just needed a couple of days to process what had happened and to let my temper cool. Then negotiations started with Sedrik and Raylon. They both agreed that you couldn’t just walk away, but neither could decide how best to capitalize on the opportunity.” He paused, dreading what he needed to tell her, knowing she’d be upset. “There’s one last thing you need to understand before we do this.”
She smiled. “It can’t be worse than the secret I kept from you.”
He wasn’t so sure, but he wanted to build their future on trust and mutual respect, not half-truths and excuses. “They have an ulterior motive for wanting me to claim you.”
She looked at him with wide, guileless eyes. “These sorts of things are never as simple as they appear on the surface.”
Her calm acceptance made his job even harder. “Once I form the soul bond, I’ll have access to your thoughts and emotions. They want to make damn sure they can trust you before they set us loose in a Phantom.”
“I know. Indigo explained how it works during orientation.”
He was shocked by her nonchalance. He’d expected anger and fear.
“I’ll have access to your mind and emotions too,” she reminded. “It’s an even exchange.”
“And you’re still okay with this?”
She stretched to her toes and kissed his mouth. “I don’t care what Raylon or Sedrik think of me, but I welcome the opportunity to prove myself to you. The timing couldn’t have been worse, but my feelings are real and they have nothing to do with a mission, yours or mine.”
Staring deeply into her eyes as he bent his head, he waited until the very last moment to lower his lids. Then their lips touched and tenderness swelled in his heart. His mate wanted him, wanted their joining and the intimacy it would bring. It was the fulfilment of his wildest dreams. They kissed and kissed, utterly engrossed in the warm slide of lips and tongues.
She grew restless first, kicking off her shoes then tugging at the front of his uniform. It was obvious she didn’t know how it came off. Without lifting his mouth from hers, he reached beneath the neckband and triggered the seam release. The fabric parted and she did the rest, pulling the top down his arms and tossing it aside. Then her warm hands stroked his chest and arms, as hungry for his body as he was for hers.
He quickly unbuttoned her blouse and rid her of the garment. She reached back and unfastened her bra so he could do away with the last barrier between his hands and her breasts. He filled his hands with the soft mounds and they moaned together. His thumbs found her nipples and teased them into tight little points while their tongues continued their sensual duel.
Finally, panting harshly, she sank to the edge of the bed. “You make me dizzy.”
He grinned down at her, pleased by the confession. “That’s a good start.” He tugged off his boots and ripped off his socks, wanting to devour her. Her body offered so many pleasures he was unsure where to start.
She lowered the zipper at the side of her skirt then stopped and arched her brows. “You first.”
Happy to oblige, he unfastened his pants and pushed the garment, along with his underwear, past his hips. Gravity did the rest. “Now you.”
Her gaze moved over his form with hungry fascination, traveling from his face downward. The slow descent touched his shoulders, chest and hips, caressing him. Then her eyes widened and her lips parted as she sucked in a deep breath. Need tightened his muscles and made his cock buck. Her gaze lingered, scorching him with intensity.
Provoked beyond patience, he lunged for her, scooting her back to the middle of the bed as he joined her on the mattress. She gasped then laughed, her momentary uncertainty melting beneath the heat of their mutual desire. He parted her legs and knelt between them. Her skirt was now up around her hips and her panties peeked out from beneath the bunched material. It wasn’t good enough. He wanted her naked, refused to have anything between her flesh and his. Fisting the skirt with both hands, he tugged. She lifted her hips then unbent her knees and the skirt went sailing across the room.
She laughed again, the sound warm and welcoming. “In a hurry?”
He didn’t reply with words. Instead he ripped her panties off without assistance then covered her body with his. Her breasts pressed against his chest and her silky legs wrapped around his hips as their mouths meshed in another series of frantic kisses.
His heart pounded so hard he could hear the wild rhythm in his ears. Her smell surrounded him and her taste filled his mouth, but neither satisfied. He wanted more. He wanted all of her. Tearing his mouth from hers, he kissed his way down her neck, then lower. Her hands pushed into his hair, spreading the long strands over her skin as he worked his way down her body.
He captured one tight nipple between his lips as he teased the other with his fingers. She moaned and arched, pressing herself deeper into his mouth. Her skin was soft, the tip pebble hard against his tongue. He sucked, deepening the pressure until she rewarded him with another sensual moan. Each sound she made, each tangible response fueled his fire. She wanted him as badly as he wanted her and the realization drove him crazy.
His hair covered her torso, finally devoid of bruises, as he shifted his focus even lower. He caught the backs of her knees and pushed her legs up and out, opening her secrets for his ravenous attention. He slid his body down, lying on his belly as he positioned his mouth over her sex. He inhaled deeply, saturating his senses with the warm musk of her arousal.
“Mine.” The word growled from his throat as he traced her moist slit with the tip of his tongue.
She trembled beneath him, heels settling against his shoulder blades. “Dakar, please. I can’t take this right now. I need—”
He lifted her hips and pushed his tongue deep inside her, staking his claim and ending her protest. She would know pleasure as never before, but not until he was ready to give it to her. The claiming only happened once. He would not be rushed.
Reaching blindly for her hands, he entwined their fingers, then anchored her arms against the bed. She murmured and shifted restlessly, but he simply slid up to her clit and lashed her with his tongue. Her protest became a cry and she tugged against his hold, though there was no real urgency in her struggle. He licked and gently sucked, exploring every fold and crevasse while intentionally avoiding the place where she craved his attention.
Her hips began to rock, lifting whenever he ventured near her clit. She grew wetter and more desperate, moaning and whispering, “Please.”
His shaft ached and his balls tightened as his own desire escalated. Finally, needing to be inside her more than he needed her desperation, he closed his lips around her swollen clit and carefully sucked. She cried out, arching violently as her orgasm finally released. He prolonged the shuddering spasms with his tongue, dragging every last shiver from her body before he surged upward and found her entrance with his cock. He pushed just barely inside her, then stopped.
“Look at me.”
Her lashes fluttered then she opened her eyes, gaze dazed and passion bright.
“Do you accept my claim?”
She nodded and her legs wrapped around his waist.
“You must speak the words. Will you be my mate and bind your soul to mine.”
“Yes. I do. I will. Claim me, please.”
He thrust into her and Alyssa cried out, shocked by the utter fullness. He stretched her so tightly she trembled, but his ruthless teasing had made her so wet the sensation stopped well short of pain.
Pausing to kiss her, he gave her time to adjust to the new sensations, to relax and accept his body inside hers. This was really happening. She was about to bind her soul to an alien, a wonderful, amazing alien, but still someone from an entirely different star system. The realization sent a shiver down her spine.
“Where’d you go?” He whispered the question against her damp lips.
“I want this. I haven’t changed my mind, but it’s overwhelming.”
He soothed her with an achingly tender kiss. “Relax, love. I won’t hurt you and I’ll do my damnedest not to let anyone else hurt you either.”
More slow, deep kisses helped her obey. She gradually relaxed and focused on the man kissing her, touching her, and filling her. This was her mate, a nearly perfect match. What more could she want?
“Ready?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
He slowly pulled his hips back, sliding his shaft almost out of her. She gazed into his eyes, surrounding herself with the need and affection she found there. Then he pushed back in, just as slowly, accenting each tantalizing inch. Hot tingles spiraled up through her core and her clit twitched. He did it again, and then again, filling her completely before withdrawing by mesmerizing degrees.
The universe narrowed to his eyes and the sensations he was creating. She unhooked her ankles and pulled her legs up higher, opening herself wider, offering him everything. He groaned in response and thrust faster, the impact forcing pleasure deeper into her body. Tension gathered and her inner muscles tightened around him, clinging greedily as he slid outward.
“Don’t fight me, love. Let it happen.”
What did he mean? She wasn’t fighting him. She was—
The purple rings in his eyes ignited and his being seared into her mind. She screamed, shocked and confused by the unexpected pain. Her befuddled mind barely comprehended what was happening, but that didn’t lessen the sensations.
Almost there. You’re doing wonderfully.
His voice was inside her mind now and another shiver dropped down her spine. Linked, soul bonded, they were just words until this moment. Emotions rolled over her like a tsunami, inundating her senses with intensity. Lust, consuming need, and a soul-deep tenderness that left her shaken.
She raised both hands to his face and pulled him down to her. His lips parted and he accepted her kiss for several long moments before taking control. She didn’t fight him, willingly surrendered to his aggressive nature. She opened her mind, offering her emotions as freely as she was giving him her body.
He moved faster between her thighs, surging into her mind and her body at the same time. The dual penetration made her shiver and moan. Growing bolder as the shock receded, she pushed her emotions into his mind. He groaned into her mouth and grasped her hips, lifting her into each forceful thrust.
She hovered on the edge, inner muscles fluttering around him. Squeezing her eyes shut, she stubbornly fought off the pleasure.
“Let go,” he urged. “Come for me, now!” He slammed into her, grinding his pelvic bone against her clit.
A startled cry tore from her throat as her body obeyed. She came in deep, shuddering spasms, her pleasure pouring into his mind. He threw back his head and pounded into her, unable to hold back. His entire length filled her, and he arched, shaking with the force of his climax. The hot surge of his seed deep inside her triggered tingling aftershocks. Emotions flowed into her mind, making her moan and shiver all over again.
He rolled them to their sides and gathered her more snuggly to his chest. They kissed and caressed, slowly drifting down from the staggering peak. She felt content and drowsy, yet infinitely aware of his presence in her mind. When Indigo described what it meant to soul bond, Alyssa thought she understood. But this melding of mind, spirit and body was impossible to accurately imagine.
His lips brushed over hers, more of a caress than a kiss. Are you okay?
The question whispered through her mind and she shivered. “That’s going to take some getting used to.”
He sealed his mouth over hers. Say something with your mind.
I’m not sure I can.
He chuckled without separating their lips. You just did.
She opened her eyes and found him looking at her. The purple rings were barely glowing now, but the contrast was still beautiful. What makes your eyes brighten? They were burning like searchlights before.
Emotion. The stronger the emotion, the brighter my phitons become.
Phitons. She tried out the new word, but rapidly lost interest in conversation as he slipped one of his hands between their bodies and gently circled her clit. The embers of her desire flamed back to life and she whimpered.
I’ve barely begun to sate my hunger for you, mate.
As if to prove his claim, his cock hardened inside her. His clever finger soon had her wiggling and her inner muscles tightened around him. She gasped when he suddenly pulled out and flipped her onto her belly. Then he pulled her hips up until she folded her knees beneath her. She kept her shoulders down, resting on her knees and forearms.
Carnal hunger flowed into her mind, feeding her desire. He urged her knees farther apart and then slid between her legs, easily finding the entrance to her body. He filled her with one firm thrust and the rest of the world was consumed by their mutual hunger.
* * * * *
Royce Marsden stood on the command deck of the Elena Marie, glaring at the slowly changing scene framed by the ship’s main display. They were in a geosynchronous orbit around the moon and had been for the past two days. Shadow Leader had been less impressed by the deal Royce made with Chelsea than Royce had hoped, and still insisted on doing nothing. That wasn’t exactly true. Shadow Leader attacked the battle born with a variety of videos and interviews. The internet exploded with chatter, but just as many people defended the battle born as believed the new propaganda. If anything the plan had backfired. As any popstar knew, there was no such thing as bad publicity. Not in this day and age.
A flash erupted in the corner of Royce’s eyes and he whipped around, pulling his sidearm as he turned. The rest of his bridge crew jumped to their feet and also drew their weapons. Kage Razel stood near the door to the bridge, arms crossed over his brawny chest.
“We need to talk,” Kage’s deep tone matched his bored expression.
Who the hell did he think he was? Chest heaving, Royce returned his weapon to its holster and motioned for his officers to do the same. “A little warning might keep you from getting shot.”
“Your primitive weapons are a hazard. Projectiles are foolish on any spacecraft.”
Rather than responding to the insult, Royce strode past the Outcast and led him to the small office-storage room down the narrow hallway from the bridge. The Elena Marie was large compared to the other ships in the Solar Warden fleet, but it was tiny compared to the Relentless. A fact Kage brought to his attention at every opportunity.
“Are you enjoying your battle of words?” Kage put sarcastic emphasis on the phrase, then smirked as he sprawled in one of the room’s two chairs.
Royce balled his hands into fists, never wanting to punch someone as badly as he did right now. “It wouldn’t have been my choice, but the decision wasn’t mine.”
A chuckle rumbled through the Outcast’s chest, the sound almost as annoying as his smirk. “Must be frustrating, but I wouldn’t know. Overlords answer to no one.”
Overlord. The title made Royce inwardly roll his eyes. What a self-absorbed asshole. “Was there a reason for your uninvited visit? I have a full agenda today.”
Kage shrugg
ed. “One of my men stumbled across some old vidfiles. I thought they might be useful to you. If you’re not interested, I’ll be on my way.”
Intrigued despite his irritation, Royce took his hostility down a notch or two. “What sort of vidfiles?”
Kage waved his hand in the general direction of the desktop computer. “Take a look.”
Royce narrowed his gaze, but moved behind the desk and brought the computer out of hibernation. An unfamiliar icon now rested on his desktop. He looked at Kage with reluctant respect. Kage was a technomage, so Royce knew it was some sort of technology that put the file on his computer. Still, it was impressive. He tapped the screen directly over the icon, launching the media player. How had a Rodyte created a file in a human format? The detail became irrelevant as the images came to life.
A young woman writhed on a hospital bed, obviously in agony. Her expression twisted, then transformed into a grotesque mask of misshapen features.
“Damn it. Why does this keep happening,” a female said from somewhere off screen. Her mild annoyance seemed obscene given the tragedy she was witnessing.
“We’re not sure, mistress, but we will figure it out.” A male answered, his English heavily accented.
“Was the result the same in the male?” the woman wanted to know.
“His mutation was faster and even more severe. We’ll keep trying. Each failure brings us a bit closer to success.”
The camera focused on the test subject’s distorted features, then froze. “Where did you—forget that, I don’t care. Who is the woman? When was this recorded?”
Kage grinned as he pushed to his feet. “We altered the time stamp for you, as well as all the metadata. Any human technology will verify that the recording was made within the past two months.”
“But when was it really created? Who ran these experiments?”
“Sevrin Keire.” He offered no other information. “There are three other recordings, all equally disgusting. Are you interested or not?”
“Of course I’m interested.” He wasn’t foolish enough to think the Outcast was offering to give them to him. “What do you want for them?”
Enforcer (Battle Born Book 11) Page 14