by Kiersten Fay
“No!” Darius' outburst hushed the renewed laughter of the crew. “No one touches her!”
“Okay.” Especially not you, you bastard, you'll never touch her again. Sebastian was going to cut off Darius' hands and shove them down his throat. Along with any other appendage that might have touched his Anya. “No one touches the wee criminal.” He'd used up the last of his patience and control to keep the venom out of his voice.
As soon as the transmission was cut, he lunged for Anya. His chest squeezed with fear at finding her unconscious.
* * *
Anya awoke feeling like she'd been tossed into outer space, reeled back in, and tossed out again. Her brain was pounding in her skull. Her body felt shaky and weak. Her eyes felt strained, and her lungs hurt. She sensed Sebastian at her back, holding her close to his chest and sought deeper contact, rubbing herself against him. As if he knew what she needed, his arms tightened around her.
“How are you feeling?” His voice rumbled softly next to her ear.
“Mmmm.”
He was warm and smelled like a purely intoxicating man.
How did she feel? She was here, in his arms. He loved her. That was all that mattered. He must have forgiven her after their argument, but for the life of her she couldn't remember making up with him. How did she get in his bed?
Her eyes shot open as clarity sparked through her. “Oh, gods!”
Darius is here!
“It's okay, Anya. I have everything under control.”
“Oh, gods. Oh, gods,” she chanted in a panicked whisper. Her throat was scratchy and tight. “We have to go!” She studied her surroundings. It looked like she'd been lying peacefully in his room as though nothing were wrong, as though evil incarnate wasn't lurking close by. Had she imagined it all?
No. He's here.
She could sense the familiar hum of Extarga.
Then she made the mistake of looking out the great domed window. The Hell Ship was leering down at her, like a malicious hideous beast, skulking in the darkness of space, a maleficent hunter who had found its prey and was about to strike with deadly accuracy.
Feeling exposed, her body jerked to get out of sight. Bastian held her before she could fling herself out of bed.
“Stop it! He'll see me!”
Sebastian's big body pinned her. “No, he won't. You can't see in from the outside. It's like a one-way mirror, reflective on the outside.”
That was a relief, if only a small one. “Bastian, why are we still here? We have to go! Now! He'll destroy you!”
“I've bought us some time. I might be able to convince him you're not here at all. He'll move on if I can.”
“What?” Her struggles stilled.
“He said he had many ships to search.”
“Did he tell you he's looking for his slave?”
“No. You've become a notorious lady killer.”
“A what?”
“A dangerous con artist who he seeks to rid the universe of. He's playing the honorable vigilante.”
“You're joking with me.”
“Nope. And if it's true that he has other ships to search, then that means he's not sure where to find you. The day you escaped, had many ships been scheduled?”
She took a breath, braving a glance past Sebastian at the Hell Ship. “Only a few, but I disabled the security system, changed the codes, and erased two weeks of recorded data.”
He raised an eyebrow. “You did?”
She nodded a little sheepish. “How did you buy time?”
Sebastian repeated the conversation between Darius and himself. His plan was to go down in half an hour, inform Darius that their search came up empty, and hope he was desperate enough to get to his next target and to get out of the warring zones.
“He won't buy it. He'll attack. He won't take no for an answer.”
His brows drew together thoughtfully. “He's wasted a massive amount of resources to follow us here. All to get you back. It doesn't make sense, unless…” Sebastian trailed off, eyes going dark. “Has he mated you in some way?”
“I don't think so.”
Sebastian exhaled a harsh breath. “Does he want to?”
“I don't know.”
“There's got to be a reason he's gone to these lengths to find you, something more than just a bruised ego over losing a slave. Anyone who'd lost a slave would spend a day, maybe a week, looking to recover lost property. After that, they would cut their losses and buy a new one. Darius is hunting you. Why? Is it because of your gifts?”
Oh, gods, he's guessed it.
“I can see from your face that's it.”
She couldn't answer, couldn't tell him. Not yet. She wanted to hold on to her fantasy a little longer. Would he look at her differently if he knew? But if Darius did attack, Bastian would find out what she was. She would have no choice but to show him. She would save these people no matter what, even if the cost was her life. She would give them a chance to escape, to hide.
“Promise me something.” Anya knew her eyes must look stark. They felt like they were glued in perpetual shock. She had to struggle to keep her lip from quivering.
“Anything.”
“Promise me if you…if we get away from Darius, you won't seek him out. You'll take your crew and hide. Keep them safe…okay? And if you see him coming, you'll run as fast and as far as you can. Push the ship as hard as you can to get away.”
He shook his head. “I've vowed to kill him…and I will. And stop talking like you're going away. You're not going anywhere. My crew is strong. They will fight for you.”
“No. Please just keep your ship, your crew, your family safe. Please. I've put everyone in danger, and I have to make it right.”
Eying her warily, he replied, “What do you mean? How do you plan to make it right?”
In a small voice, “I'll think of something.”
Actually, a plan had already formed. It had been in the works since she'd been at leisure to study more closely the workings of the ship, its complicated engines, and the unused warp drive. Sebastian hadn't stocked enough power supply to use it because it had never worked, but what they didn't know was she had all the power they would need, and she would give it all if she had to.
“The look on your face is making me uneasy.”
A strong sense of determination had come over her. This may be her final night with Bastian. “Then kiss me and make it go away,” she cooed.
It was selfish to want him at a time like this, but there were two outcomes for her future. One, she would be captured by Darius, her friends and loved ones killed. Two, she would reveal herself for what she was and cause Sebastian to see her differently. Either way she wanted this last moment of happiness with him, even if she didn't deserve it.
There was a third outcome, a happily-ever-after outcome, one where she would be free to love and cherish Bastian for the rest of her life. But that outcome seemed unlikely at this point. She wouldn't let herself dwell on it.
* * *
——
* * *
Sebastian couldn't stand that look on her face any longer. She was both defeated and determined at the same time. In her mind, she had already lost. It seemed as though she didn't believe they would get out of this alive. It pained him that she had so little faith in him to keep her safe.
He would just have to prove it to her.
In the meantime, she had asked him for something, and he would not deny her. He would have to make it quick, instead of pleasuring her at his leisure. For hours, he could explore her body, find what made her quiver with delight and exploit it until she screamed his name. Next time.
Immersing himself in the feel of her soft warm body beneath him, he leaned down and claimed her mouth, more forcefully than he intended. Rewarding him, she gave a small sound of approval and kissed him back with what could be described as desperation. Her arms came around his neck to lock him in place, as if he'd go anywhere when he had her right where he wanted her.
He took a moment to caress her tongue with his before trailing his lips down her jaw to her neck. He gave a small bite, testing the waters. Her body came alive, her breath hitched, and she shuddered. With that, she raised an eyebrow at him, and he gave her a wicked grin. Maybe she wasn't ready to be claimed by him, but her body sure was.
When he covered her breast with one hand, her eyes rolled and her head fell back, body arching to his touch.
Ready indeed.
As quickly as possible, he eased off her and removed her shirt. In the next instant, her hard little nipple was in his mouth. He twirled his tongue over the first peak, then the other. His hands flowed over her body, cupping the tightest, most luscious ass that was ever captured by five fingers. She moaned softly for him, and he took her mouth with his as she pressed her core against his painfully hard shaft.
Driving him mad with lust, she continued rubbing herself against him, but he wouldn't let it be that quick.
Without a doubt, he felt the presence of another male threatening what was his. Not mine yet, he reminded himself. It worried him that she could yet be claimed by another. Leaving her free of his mark went against his every instinct. Time was what she needed. And until now he'd been more than willing to give it to her. Now he felt an urgency deep in his soul, an urgency to finally take her as his mate and an urgency to protect her with his life.
Gripping her thighs, he opened her legs to him, and with his hand, found her warm and slick. He groaned while she sucked in a sharp breath. He loved her reactions. He watched her face as he rubbed her swollen clitoris. Her eyes closed in ecstasy, and then, with a gasp they opened wide as though surprised by the intense pleasure.
The sight of it had him growing harder still.
He inserted one finger, then another, as he sucked one tight nipple into his mouth, pinching it lightly between his teeth then making slow circles with his tongue.
Growing still, a curious expression crossed her face as if she were grappling with a decision. Her gaze flickered to his engorged cock, looking as though she wanted to…Sebastian held his breath when she licked her lips.
“Bastian, could I—”
“Anything you want,” he bit out.
Giving him a tentative smile, she moved from under him, guiding him to the head of the bed with his back against the headboard. Then, in a studying manner, her attention was on his shaft. Her head tilted this way and that, as if she didn't know where to begin. He clenched the bed sheets, determined to let her explore him at her leisure. With a slowness that was maddening, she leaned down until her mouth hovered over his shaft.
His grip on the sheets tightened.
Testing, her tongue flicked out to lick the tip of him. He let free an involuntary groan. She looked up at him and smiled, as if pleased with his reaction. He watched her intensely, eager to see what she would do next.
The pleasure of her sucking him into her mouth was more than he'd ever experienced. He had to fight to keep from bucking his hips. The sound of something tearing registered with his mind, and he loosened his grip on the bed.
Though it was obvious she was new to this, it didn't make it any less sweet. In fact, it made it all the more that he knew she'd never done it for another. It made him feel even more possessive of her than he already was.
She was relentless, sucking and licking and pumping him into her hot mouth. Her soft little moans reverberated through him.
He was tempted to let her have her fill, but he felt he could come any second with her stroking him with her mouth like that, and he wanted to be inside her when he came. As much as it pained him, he pulled her away from his throbbing cock. “You're going to make me come if you keep doing that.”
The smile she gave him was nothing short of wicked.
Oh, I am in trouble.
Still resting against the headboard, he grabbed her around the waist and pulled her on top of him, working her down his length. As he penetrated, she threw her head back with a cry of pure satisfaction.
With his hands gripping her waist, he showed her how to move, slow at first, then she took over. Her appetite for pleasure matched his own, and soon both their hips were undulating in unison, their breaths mingling. The sounds she made seemed to be like a drug to him, making him mindless for more of her, for every bit of her.
Vaguely, he realized his fangs were elongating.
Her breasts rubbed against his chest as she moved up and down. Maddening. He gripped her hips, fingers on her ass, and forced her hard into him. Her cries were encouraging. Faster and harder he thrust her upon him. When her head fell back once more, her soft neck presented to him, he put his lips to her, his fangs sliding over her tender flesh.
* * *
Anya gasped and pulled away. He'd been about to bite her. Emotions ran through her as he continued to give her the most mind-blowing pleasure she'd ever experienced. It didn't surprise her that he would attempt to claim her in the heat of their passion. No, that was almost expected. What surprised her was that she…wanted him to.
But the threat bearing down on them was too great. If he claimed her, and she was taken away from him…the idea horrified her. He would never be able to take another as his mate. And though the image of him with another woman hurt, she wanted him to find happiness, even if it wasn't with her.
Bastian's voice was a low rumble. “Anya,” he pleaded. “Give yourself to me. I'll be good to you, I swear. You already have me wrapped around your wee finger.” He managed a smile.
Slowly, she shook her head.
His features grew pained.
“Not yet. Please understand. I can't. Not when he's out there.” She paused. “What if I…if you'd done it, and I…” She couldn't finish her sentence.
In a swift move, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to him. “So it's only out of concern for me that you refuse?” When she nodded, he said, “That's silly.” At her raised eyebrow, he quickly added, “But I'll allow it. As soon as I have you to safety, you're mine.” To make his point he thrust hard into her, and they resumed their frenzy.
As their joining became more frantic, she felt his hot seed shoot into her and was instantly overcome with a blinding release that took her breath. With both of them panting, she let her body rest against his muscled chest, absently fingering the metal around his neck.
She felt his body go still.
His reaction reminded her of their first morning together. She could tell something was wrong and it had to do with his necklace. Backing away she, studied him. The moment he looked at her, he relaxed again, as if everything were fine, but—
“Tell me about your necklace.”
He tensed once more. When he didn't answer, she moved to get off him, but he stayed her with his hands on her waist.
“It was a gift from my mother, just before she betrayed us.”
“Why do you keep it?”
“I use it as a reminder. To…protect myself from…” He paused, obviously debating continuing. “You,” he finally said.
She tilted her head at that.
“I thought that finding my mate would be like a death sentence. After what happened to Cale, I thought I should avoid the whole thing altogether.”
A sadness came over her like nothing she'd felt before. He hadn't wanted to find her, had loathed the idea of her. Yet here she was.
“But I was wrong,” he bit out. “I couldn't have been more wrong about anything in my life. I know you would never betray me like that.”
Anya was silent for a moment. “The time I've spent on this ship has taught me that there are people out there who are good, and kind. You've shown me that." She paused. "I spend all my time trying to forget my past, when you wish only to hold on to yours.”
“You make it seem so easy.”
“It's not easy. A lot of the time I'm pretending to be okay. But it helps when you meet someone who truly cares for you, no matter what you are…” She bit her lip.
Should I tell him?
A l
ight refracted off the necklace, drawing her eye.
Draping her hands around his neck, she unclasped the necklace and then placed it around her own neck. The metal dangled heavy between her breasts. His eyes turned hungry.
“There, now it will always remind you of me.”
He gave her a heart-stopping grin, and kissed her with renewed hunger. Then he pulled back, his brows drawn together. Shaking his head, he said, “As many times as I had set foot on that ship, I should have sensed you. I should have caught your scent, torn the ship apart looking for you.” He shook his head. “I'm sorry.”
“As much as I would have loved being rescued by a big scary demon with horns, claws, and overgrown fangs—”
“Hey, you like my fangs.”
She shivered at the thought of his teeth grazing her skin. “Be that as it may, there was nothing you could have done.”
“I should have known. Demons are supposed to be able to scent their mates from miles away.”
“Then why did it take so long for you to realize what I was to you when I was two feet away?”
“Denial is a powerful thing.”
“Then, if you had sensed me one day, wouldn't you have just denied it?”
Bastian lowered his head.
“Stop this. It's in the past. You're speaking of things that have no place in the realm of possibilities. I was kept in only the most remote parts of the ship. There's no way you could have known. You have me now. That's all that matters.” She hoped.
In a grave voice, he replied, “I will make it up to you. If it takes me the rest of my life.”
“As long as you're alive, that is gift enough.”
He pulled her close and kissed her with such tenderness. Their foreheads touching, he said, “I have to go.”
Chapter 17
After dressing, Sebastian left Anya still nearly naked in his room. As soon as he got rid of Darius, she would again be fully naked and in his bed.