Mercenary's Reward

by Stephanie Snow

  He loathed the practice of combat-challenges, and no matter how he tried to convince himself that it wasn't wrong, he couldn't manage it. Why should anything done to bring pleasure to one cause so much pain for the other? It was an issue of conscience that only he seemed to struggle with.

  Through the trees, he saw that Jai and his woman were still locked together. Instead of acting frightened or coerced, she seemed to arch her body to meet Jai's, her arms twined around his shoulders, and her legs parted to restlessly slide against his.

  Tarin watched, unable to help himself and even less capable of stopping his rising erection. The scene before him was so much more than he'd ever imagined sex could be. The tableau that had sparked his memory, the contrast between Jai's large form and that of his much smaller companion was all but forgotten. What was going on between them now bore no resemblance to any sex act that Tarin had ever seen on the challenge mat.

  Although her lovely body was much smaller than Jai's, she welcomed him eagerly. They were lying on the ground, and he watched in unwilling fascination as she spread her legs to reveal the slick pink interior of her sex. Between her thighs Jai knelt with his cock in hand, looking too large and brutal for her small frame. But he didn't set upon her like a beast. He slowly eased down to her, fitted his cock to her pussy, and rocked forward.

  It looked almost tender and infinitely gentle. Her arms held him to her, and she made soft, feminine sounds of satisfaction. Unbidden and unwanted bitterness rose up in Tarin's throat. He would never know the touch of another in such a warm and accepting manner. What had Jai ever done to deserve such? Furious anger seized his heart, and he spun away. He stealthily picked his way to the forest's edge and strode back the way he'd come. His meeting with Jai was not for some while, and he was ruthlessly determined to spend that time finding a way to turn this situation to his advantage.

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  Chapter Thirteen

  Mieli was awake when Jai needed to leave, so he simply gave her back her clothes and said firmly, “Stay."

  She seemed surprised at his use of her language, but it was a word she'd used before, so he had a fairly good idea of what it meant. There was no protest, and he headed out only a little reluctantly. Mostly he was excited to be one step closer to freedom.

  He approached the meeting place cautiously. Although he trusted Tarin, he'd be a fool not to step lightly when he had such powerful enemies. Jai spotted the other man almost immediately and did a careful survey of the area before he approached him.

  "Tarin.” The sound of his name brought the big man around, though he must certainly have known Jai was there.

  "Jai.” There was nothing suspicious in either his tone or his expression, and Jai relaxed ever so slightly.

  "My friend. I am sorry we must meet this way, but something has happened.” Jai watched his comrade's face as he relayed the details of his crash, the failure of the ship, and his commander's lack of action. There was nothing to indicate he had known, so he continued, “I have to get back to Raston, and my commander must not learn that I live."

  Tarin seemed stunned, and then he laughed. “Is that all? Just an unregistered transport from here to Raston?"

  Jai smiled tightly. “Almost all."

  "Almost?” There was something knowing in Tarin's voice, and Jai narrowed his eyes. “Maybe another passenger?"

  "You're a very good tracker, Tarin. Did you enjoy the show?"

  "Yes, actually.” A mocking humor infused his words. “I had no idea you hid such a soft spot for slaves."

  "She is not a slave! I would be dead if she had not saved me, and I will not leave her behind."

  Tarin seemed to take his measure and finally said, “No, I can see that you will not. It will be very expensive to arrange for your transport, and it will need to be done quickly. The longer you plan, the more people find out."

  "I can pay, and the sooner the better.” Jai was relieved at how easily Tarin had agreed to the deal, but his relief was short-lived.

  "There is, however, the small matter of my personal fee.” There was a strange intimacy to his look, and a cold knot of suspicion settled in Jai's stomach. “It's been a long time, my friend, since we have fought together."

  "Yes. A long time since we were friends too."

  "Now, don't be mean. I simply meant that it has been many years since I saw you challenge...or had the opportunity to challenge you.” The dark purpose behind his words was startling, and Jai looked at the other man through new eyes.

  He had never considered that Tarin desired him. In retrospect, however, it made some things clear. Tarin's hesitance to challenge for the first time, his envious expression at Jai's first challenge, and the emotional closeness they had shared—it all made sense now that he knew Tarin wanted him.

  Now, with that knowledge, he could see how the other man watched him. There was cunning in his expression, yes, but also hope and a kind of yearning. Dispassionately, Jai considered his form.

  Tarin was much the same as their younger days, only a little more muscular and filled out with age. The broad body was still twice his size, but they were just about the same height. Instead of Jai's brown skin, the other man had only lightly tanned skin, and the broad planes of his face sported stubble that could grow to a full beard. In fact, Jai was nearly hairless compared to the profusion of hair that covered Tarin's arms, legs, and chest.

  It was what he could not see he remembered now. The massive shaft that swung between those legs was a thing to be feared. As capable as Jai knew himself to be in combat, Tarin was simply too strong to be defeated.

  Grim lines formed to bracket his mouth, and he asked tersely, “You would challenge me? Why now? What prevented you before?"

  Tarin was slow to answer and seemed to be feeling out the words as they were spoken. “It is not the challenge that I desire.” He paused and looked away. “I do not want to fight you, Jai."

  For a moment, Jai was genuinely confused. The other man would not meet his eyes, and there was nothing aggressive or taunting in his manner now. He almost seemed embarrassed, and long minutes passed in silence as Jai struggled to grip the situation.

  Finally, something in Tarin seemed to snap. His ham-like fists clenched, and he met Jai's eyes with a defiant shame. “Can you truly not understand?” He flung one hand in the direction where Mieli waited. “I hunger for what I saw. Is that clear enough?"

  Hot rage boiled in Jai, and he fell into a fighting posture. “You are mad if you think I will turn her over to you. You would destroy her, and she would never recover."

  "You utter fool!” Tarin charged him, and Jai braced himself to fight.

  But there was no attack. The larger man gripped him tightly and pressed his face to Jai's in a clumsy attempt at a kiss. Understanding dawned, and Jai held himself still, uncertain what to do. It was clear that Tarin knew as little of kissing as Jai had before Mieli had taught him.

  When they parted, there was only the sound of harsh breathing. Jai could see how this revelation had cost his friend. Shame and longing were evident in his expression, and memories of their shared past seemed to hang in the air. They had known each other so well, for so long, and yet there was a gulf between them now that had nothing to do with their friendship.

  There had always been a bond between them, and if the truth were told, it was more than it should have been. In the competitive atmosphere of the Tribe, their affection and camaraderie should have turned to jealousy and distrust. That it had survived was a testament to the strength of their loyalty.

  He had known, whether or not he admitted it at the time, that Tarin hid a distaste for the combat-challenges. He'd hated his big body. The yearning for a tender touch was one Jai could better understand now. After Mieli. Across the small distance that separated them, he could feel the big brute's desperation, and with a new comprehension of his own nature, he could not turn him away.

  Jai closed the small gap between them.

  TARIN DIDN
'T KNOW what he'd expected. Rejection, disdain, amusement. Any one of those seemed probable. But there was only silence at first, and then a touch on his arm. He lifted his eyes from the ground to see Jai right in front of him. The look he gave him was not unkind.

  "I'm sorry, Tarin. I did not know."

  "I didn't want you to. I just—” He drew a ragged breath. “Just wanted you to look at me that way. Just once.” Tarin didn't get a chance to say anything else.

  Jai pressed his lips to his, and the firm, light pressure was bliss. Tarin closed his eyes on a moan, and he slid his hands around Jai's shoulders. Over and over those hard lips slanted with deepening pressure until their tongues touched and danced erotically. Almost as if it were planned, they pulled apart and began to strip.

  Tarin was nervous and barely met Jai's eyes once he was nude. But it was still Jai, his friend, and he felt only mildly ashamed of his ungainly size. In silence, they lowered their attention to each other's bodies.

  No longer hidden under the roughly mended uniform, Jai's body had some new scars, but the strength and beauty Tarin remembered were the same. The other man stood tall and proud, his form solid and brown. His hair had grown long, and the dark shag was a soft contrast to the sharp planes of his face. Jai was perfect, and Tarin reflected on what his friend was seeing.

  The body that so many feared was scarred as well, but the hair that covered him completely masked it for the most part. In light of Jai's almost hairless limbs, Tarin felt almost obscene. And he felt a special loathing for the part of him that was even now straining toward the other man. Enormous and flushed, his cock rose from his body in an upward curve. The thick stalk of it was capped by a fat head that rivaled most men's fist.

  Fearful it would turn Jai away, and suddenly afraid of being rejected now, he sought to find a way out. “Jai, I cannot make you do this. I am not so much a monster that I would force you—” Tarin's words were cut short as Jai stepped forward, and he caught sight of his cock. Like his, it was fully erect. The sight of it lessened his fears, and he moved forward to meet Jai, eager now for what was to come.

  AROUSAL WAS NOT something Jai had expected to feel, but he welcomed it. With his regard for his friend firmly in his mind, there was only a little anxiety. Men were not his preference, and he had certainly never gone to his knees for anyone, but he knew what pleased him, and he hoped it would be enough for Tarin. Even though he had started this to keep and protect Mieli, he would finish it for his friend.

  It was easy to kneel, and he found that Tarin was no less susceptible to the erotic act of cock sucking than he himself had been. The wide, blunt head of his cock was an almost painfully tight fit in his mouth, but he managed to stroke and lick the taut flesh well enough. Jai used his hands, wrapping them tightly around the shaft and working the length while he sucked at the tip.

  Little time passed before the thick flesh in Jai's mouth pulsed with orgasm. He pulled away just as Tarin's shout punctuated the sharp blasts of cum that splattered Jai's hands and chest.

  There was wonder and love in the look his friend gave him, and while Jai's feelings were not a mirror of those, he cared enough for his friend that he would not look away.

  "You are still hard.” Tarin's voice was harsh from shouting, but almost reverent in tone.

  Jai looked down to see that he was indeed still erect. He was surprised when Tarin dropped to his knees and pressed him back onto the ground.

  Without ceremony, the bigger man braced himself over Jai and lowered his mouth to that rigid evidence of desire. The technique was not as practiced as Mieli's but still intensely pleasurable. Tarin's tongue was thick and wide, swirling around the shaft. He was even able to sink the entire length inside, surrounding Jai's cock in wet, hot suction.

  It was so different from the delicate feel of his little healer. Tarin was a heavy presence over him, and the suction was far more powerful. Finally, Jai could take no more, and he went rigid with his climax.

  Instead of withdrawing, though, Tarin continued to suck and swallow. Every pulse of cum was taken until Jai lay shaken and satisfied.

  In the aftermath of passion, both men were silent. When they finally rose, they did not speak as they dressed. Jai did not know what to say, and Tarin would not meet his gaze. It seemed to Jai that they were both disinclined to discuss what had transpired, though he couldn't be sure.

  With their clothes on and the moment passed, Tarin got down to business. They spoke of plans and payment until it was time to fetch Mieli.

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  Chapter Fourteen

  Mieli expected that being Jai's lover would mean a far different life than she had ever known but had been ill prepared for the reality of it. The speed with which they left her planet was dizzying, and without the familiar surroundings of her world, time became elastic. It seemed that in only a few hours she found herself hustled out of the forest and into a strange world of flying machines.

  Jai was grim faced and moved with an urgency she instinctively mirrored. It was only when they were ascending into space that the enormity of it hit her. Onboard the stark vessel that had lifted off from the planet's surface with a rush of fire, she watched her world become nothing but a ball of light in the vast sea of space. The stars that had once filled her night sky were suddenly all around them.

  Mieli knew without being told that they were being smuggled away. Whether it was because of her presence or something Jai had done, their departure was eloquently clandestine. Now, alone with Jai in what appeared to be a cargo vessel, she wished desperately that she could ask him where they were going. Any information at all might ease the sudden trepidation she felt.

  It wasn't Jai that made her fearful. She honestly believed he would do what was in her best interest. Mieli trusted him, but she had begun to doubt her own ability to adapt to a strange new world. How would she learn his language? What if she made a mistake and he got in trouble for helping her? Useless worries plagued her, and she focused on the shimmering stars outside her window as a distraction.

  THE SEATS WERE not comfortable in the slightest, but then, weapons ships were not designed for the transportation of passengers. The pilot was being paid to look the other way—literally, since he hadn't seen either of them when they boarded and would be in the flight pit when they disembarked.

  Jai was nervous about their next flight as it meant they had to depart this ship and sneak onto a civilian carrier that would take them to the large port at Herv III. From there, Jai was responsible for securing their passage to Raston, where his own small ship waited, along with what possessions he had.

  From the corner of his eye, he watched Mieli in her seat. She looked far more comfortable than he, but her small frame was not wedged into the chair like his was. He'd put her closest to the round window, and she'd never once moved her gaze from the view. Not for the first time, Jai wondered what she was thinking.

  Reminded again of the language barrier, he frowned as he realized that there would be little time for teaching her Tribe Standard. He had powerful and dangerous enemies, and he must eliminate the threat they posed. Finding time for teaching Mieli the language was a luxury he couldn't yet afford.

  Before they'd left Mieli's planet, Tarin had given him as much data as he could, including the transmission logs from his commander's ship in the days prior to the crash. Hopefully, there would be some clue to the identity of his saboteur.

  Tarin had not, by word or look, betrayed any emotion at their parting. The interlude between them had already begun to take on a dreamlike quality, and it was difficult to wrap his mind around the depth of feeling the other man had confessed to. As pleasurable as it had been, it was still nothing compared to the intensity of desire Mieli inspired in him.

  Of course, there had been something about Tarin. It was not the same with Mieli—she was tiny and delicate, arousing all of his protective instincts. Tarin was his equal, at no disadvantage, and capable of giving as good as he got. What transpired
between them had happened because Jai wanted it too. Truthfully, he didn't know if he would turn down an opportunity to do it again.

  Jai felt no guilt or remorse over what they had done but wondered for the first time what Mieli would think. He had no way to tell her even if he'd wanted to, but a sudden image of himself, on his knees in front of Tarin rose in his mind. Jai felt his cock stiffen as he pictured Mieli watching him suck that huge shaft, maybe even touching herself as she had done in the forest.

  Unable to thrust the fantasy away, he unbuckled his harness and Mieli's as well. She gave a little smile when she turned and saw the rigid proof of his lust. That small curve was like fuel on the fire, and Jai roughly stripped them both before he drew her to the floor.

  JAI WAS FEVERISH with desire, and Mieli eagerly responded to his unspoken commands. Whatever thoughts had so occupied him during the early part of their flight, he was done with them now. She was grateful for the distraction, as well, and eagerly met his advances with her own.

  Free of their clothes, they came together on the floor with urgent need. For once, Mieli forgot her ever-present need to please him and just let go. When he pressed her onto all fours and began working that big cock into her from behind, she spurred him on, pressing back against him in raw demand. But he wouldn't be rushed and used shallow thrusts to drive deeper and deeper. Pinned by his hands on her hips and lashed by the sensations in her cunt, Mieli bucked and moaned as the pressure between her legs mounted.

  When Jai was as deep as she could take him, he began a furious rhythm that drove her to orgasm without warning. Her flesh convulsed, and her arms gave out as she came. With her hips held high by Jai and her upper body pressed to the floor, Mieli moaned in time to his continued thrusts.

  MIELI'S ORGASM WAS almost too much of a good thing, but Jai managed to hold on to his control and ride her through it. His fantasy was uppermost in his mind, and he desperately wanted to feel her suck his cock before he came. He gave one final thrust and withdrew from her slick cunt.