Captive Heat

by Susanna Eastman

  Mia’s family had been one of several thousand families from an overpopulated Earth who had settled there many generations ago. Until now, it had felt like the most perfect place to live.

  She pushed back the ache of homesickness. Her handsome rescuer didn’t need for her to wallow. “Jaden, you speak such good American English,” she said, referencing the most popular English dialect spoken on Delphus. “Why is that?”

  “I have a good ear. That’s why I’m skilled at breaking codes. I’m also quite fond of some American English music from the mid and late twentieth century.”

  “Really?” Mia shifted to the edge of her seat. She could travel across several planetary systems and not find someone who liked that kind of music. “I like the old stuff, too. My father calls it the classics. What do you listen to?”

  “Blues. Jazz. Rock.” He chewed on his bottom lip, thinking. “Some great music came out of that century on Earth—Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, The Beatles. Strange name. The Beatles. Why would a group of talented musicians name themselves after an unattractive insect?”

  She laughed and patted his arm. “I guess it’s one of those quirky, I mean interesting, things about Earthlings.”

  “I suppose.” He shrugged again.

  “My parents love that era, too. Even my grandmother, she…” Her voice croaked as she thought of the people back home who would be so worried about her. While her family had been on her mind constantly during her capture, she’d barely given them a thought since Jaden had come to her rescue.

  “Sorry.” She closed her eyes as she took a deep breath. “I can’t send them a message now, can I?”

  “No, not yet. Someone has contacted them, I promise. They know you’re safe.”

  She swallowed hard. “I know they must be sick with worry. They won’t feel better until they hear my voice.”

  “I promise they’ll hear your voice very soon.”

  Of course, he was right. She had to be patient. “Can I ask you something?” Talking about her concerned parents made her wish for home—and there were so many other things she wanted to know from Jaden Zoma.

  He tilted his head. “Of course.”

  “Why did you come looking for me?” Her thoughts staggered for a second. “I mean, I’m very grateful, but I’m just a teacher. My family has no real connections. I’m nobody special.”

  Jaden put aside his knife and poured a pleasant-smelling liquid on their meal. “We don’t care who you are or what you do. Connections don’t mean a thing.”

  “Who is we?” She dipped her finger in the sauce and tasted it. The lively flavors of citrus and fresh herbs surprised her.

  “We…we’re a group who abhors the practice of sexual slavery. It’s bad enough some cultures, some planets, embrace this practice. Unfortunately, we can’t fight whole planets. But when they steal females from other worlds to satisfy their greed, we act.”

  “How did you know where to find me?” She gestured to the plate of food. “That’s really tasty.”

  “I’m glad you like it.” He smiled but kept tight-lipped. “We have our ways. I can’t discuss our methods.”

  His secrecy made her curious. “Are you like a space cop?”

  “No, I’m a trader. I keep my links open, and as I mentioned, I’m skilled with codes. When I heard about your abduction, I changed course to help.”

  “Have you been doing this for a while?”

  “No, only for about 3,000 qualits or 20 Earth months.” He paused for a moment, converting Vanta time into Old Earth language. “I know your people still use the Old Earth calendar. I’ve rescued three females besides you.”

  “I’m the first who had the chip, aren’t I?”

  “For me, yes. How did you know?”

  She took a deep breath and toyed with the ripped cuff on her jacket. Why did she have to bring it up? “You…you seemed a little surprised about the whole thing.” Her cheeks flushed as she stammered over the words.

  He leaned forward and brushed his fingers over hers. “I was.”

  She lowered her eyes for an instant. “I’m sorry I was so uncomfortable and awkward about the whole thing. I didn’t mean to make it more difficult for you.”

  “I understand Earth females on Delphus are diverse in their views regarding sexual contact and intimacy. Some have many informal sexual partners and some don’t. It was clear to me you are one who doesn’t.”

  “You’re right, I don’t. I’ve only had one serious, sexual relationship. I have led a really quiet life.” Her voice quaked. “I just got this wonderful job teaching. My sister and her husband have a new baby. I spend a lot of time with my family.” Mia swallowed hard, and color rushed to her cheeks. “I’m sorry I begged you to…”

  “It wasn’t you talking.” He waved off her concern. “It was the chip.”

  “But it had my voice, my…”

  “It’s forgotten,” he murmured.

  “I’ve never behaved that way before. Pleading with someone to…” Just the memory of her voice, her desperation, made her lips tremble. “No one has ever seen me like that.”

  For a moment, her admission hung in the air.

  Finally, Jaden broke the silence. “You weren’t alone, Mia. I was aroused too.”

  “What?” Her tongue caught in her mouth, and she was speechless. Then her eyes widened. “You were?”

  “Yes.” His chest rose and fell as he took a deep breath. “But I had a job to do. I needed to take care of you—and not in that way.”

  “I…” She fumbled for words. He’d been so calm and methodical. Even when she’d almost flailed off the bed, he’d shown no emotion.

  “You’re surprised?” He took another deep breath and the muscles in his neck quivered.

  “It’s just you’re so serious and responsible and…”

  His eyes crinkled at the corners as he chuckled. “I may be serious, but I am a man and you are an appealing woman.” His gaze traveled over her face and lingered on her hair. “When I look at you, I still….” He shook his head and clenched his teeth. “Our time together is limited. It’s best if we put it all aside.”

  “Yes, of course. I appreciate all you’ve done for me.”

  “Mia, no words of appreciation are necessary. It’s forgotten,” he said again.

  There was more to say, but he wanted to put it all behind them. While he plated their food, she busied her hands by tossing the meal scraps in the recycling unit. She inhaled deeply to calm the nerves jittering inside. Jaden might want to move past what happened in his sleeping alcove, but she’d be unable to do that. It would be some time before she forgot his hands between her legs and her desperate need for his touch.

  After they’d eaten, Jaden worked on some of the systems damaged by the Bermers’ laser fire. All critical systems were operational, but some of the important auxiliary systems were either offline or functioning at sub-optimal performance.

  Mia was pleased to be useful when Jaden gave her some tasks to complete. Even though she wasn’t particularly technical, she was adept at following instructions. About four hours later, she’d fixed both a sub system to the ship’s navigation and a component of the turbo drive.

  “You look tired,” Jaden said as she stretched and yawned for the third time in as many minutes.

  Mia rubbed her hand across her eyes. In truth, she was exhausted. “I slept for hours earlier. I don’t know why I feel like this?”

  His eyes crinkled as he smiled. “It’s normal. You’ve been through a lot, and those sedatives are still in your system.”

  He nodded toward his sleeping alcove. “Why don’t you get some sleep? In the compartment below the bed, there is a sleeping gown and some female underthings. They’re my sister’s, and she’d be happy if you used them. The sonic shower is directly behind the bed, and it should still be operational.”

  Mia stretched again as she rose from her seat. “A shower sounds lovely. It’s been a while since I’ve felt really clean.” She started to sl
ide away, but suddenly turned to Jaden. “Wait. I can’t take your bed. Where will you sleep?”

  “I’ll be fine,” he replied, not answering her question.

  “That’s not what I asked.”

  “Mia, I’ll be fine right here.” He pushed a button on the wide arm of his captain’s chair demonstrating its reclining capabilities. “It’s quite comfortable.”

  She shook her head back and forth. “You can’t sleep in your chair.” That wouldn’t do at all. “We could share.”

  “Not necessary.” He smiled and shook his head, but his jaw tightened as he faced away from her.

  She stepped toward him, her head inclined. She wasn’t taking no for an answer. “Your bed is certainly big enough for two,” she stated. “If you could behave yourself earlier when I was…you know, I’m sure you can behave now.”

  “All right. It’s very kind of you.” He offered no further protest. “But I’ll be awake for a while. It will be some time before I can rest.”

  ****

  Mia tossed in bed for hours and restful sleep wouldn’t come.

  “Jaden?” When he slipped under the covers long after she’d settled in, her eyes shot wide open and she rolled over to face him. It had been a long time since she’d had a male in her bed, and Jonathan, her companion for her first two years at university, had been nothing like Jaden Zoma.

  “You’re still awake?” His body stiffened as he took his place in bed, settling as far away from her as possible.

  She hugged the space blanket to her chest. “I’m tired, but my mind has been racing. I keep thinking about what would have happened if you hadn’t found me, if you hadn’t rescued me.”

  “But I did. That’s all that matters.”

  “I cringe thinking about that Rolof Walish. What if they had delivered me to him? What if that horrible creature touched me, and I wanted him to?” The idea made her stomach turn. He certainly wouldn’t be the man of her dreams. “That chip made me want to be touched so much—want to be more than touched. I can’t imagine fighting it.”

  “You’re safe. You won’t have to now.”

  She whispered even though it was just the two of them. “I’m glad it was you, Jaden.”

  “You’re glad it was me?” There was something raspy in his voice. She hoped she hadn’t made him uncomfortable.

  “Getting the chip removed was unnerving, but I trusted you. I knew you’d take care of me. Even if you’d given in to my…demands, I wouldn’t have thought worse of you.”

  “No, it wouldn’t have been right. When I joined the coalition, I promised to protect the females I rescued. It wouldn’t have been honorable if I’d taken advantage of your situation.”

  “All night I’ve been thinking and imagining what it would have been like if we’d…” A knot tied in her throat. This much honesty could be dangerous.

  “Mia…”

  “I need to say this.”

  “We live in very different worlds. I have a duty to get you home safely.”

  “I know that, but I know you wanted more. I did…I do…” She stumbled over the words.

  “It’s the chip…”

  She scooted in bed to face him. “It’s more than that.”

  “You’ve been through so much in the past few qualits. It’s normal to…” He paused mid-sentence to peer under their covers. “Are you putting your cold feet on me?”

  “Sorry.” She shifted away, embarrassed she’d been drawn to the heat radiating from him. “I didn’t mean to do that. It’s just that you’re so warm.”

  “Vantas have a slightly higher body temperature than Earthlings.” He reached below the blanket they shared and dragged her legs back to his side of the bed. “How’s this?”

  She enjoyed the weight and muscle of his strong masculine legs. Without thinking, she ran her toes up and down his long, downy limbs. “This is very nice. I like touching you.”

  He sighed, a slow unsteady exhale. “I like it as well.”

  “Jaden, I…”

  “I’m happy to warm up your toes, Mia,” he whispered. “Now, go to sleep.”

  Chapter Four

  Her head was clearer when she woke in the morning, the fuzzy-headed drone was gone. The Bermers’ drugs were finally out of her system.

  As she stretched her arms in bed, she nudged Jaden’s solid body beside her. She’d only meant to warm her feet on Jaden’s side of the bed, but the rest of her had shifted there sometime during their sleeping hours. She sensed his weight, his size near her and enjoyed feeling safe and secure beside him.

  He was so still, she almost hated to disturb him, but her eyes fell on the universal clock, and they’d been slumbering for a long eight hours. “Jaden,” she whispered, facing him. “I think we should be getting up.”

  He didn’t stir at all; something wasn’t right. He wasn’t the type to sleep heavy. “Jaden…” She grabbed for his shoulder and flinched. His skin was hot to the touch.

  “Jaden, what’s wrong?” she cried, kneeling in bed to touch his cheek with the back of her hand. “Oh, God, you’re burning up.” Even if Vantas had a higher body temperature than Earthlings, this couldn’t be normal.

  With watery red eyes, he faced her. His mouth opened several times before he could speak. “Mia,” his voice croaked.

  “Jaden, you’re so hot. What can I do?” Panic gripped her throat. She trembled as her fingers combed through his dampened hair. “Is there any medicine I can get you…something in your medical pack?”

  Her eyes tore around the room. She hadn’t noticed any type of medicine when she’d dressed his wound before. If he couldn’t respond, how would she find anything to help?

  Jaden wet his lips, and Mia choked back a sob of relief. He was trying to talk; he could understand her.

  “Medicine won’t help,” he gasped.

  “How do you know? We need to take care of your fever.”

  “I’m not sick.” He raised his head to speak but fell limp with a pitiful moan.

  She waited for him to explain, but his mouth slowly shut and his eyes closed. “What is it then?” She grabbed a corner of their blanket and wiped sweat from his brow. “Do you know what’s wrong?”

  He nodded his head, but an explanation still didn’t come.

  “What? Tell me!”

  “I will be all right,” he murmured, his lids opening a crack.

  Jaden’s weak reassurance did nothing to reduce her sense of panic. “Okay, that’s good, but in the meantime, tell me what’s wrong with you.”

  A battle waged in his eyes. Finally, Jaden took a breath and swallowed hard. “I’m in heat.”

  “What?”

  “I’m out of cycle.” He struggled to force the words out. “This shouldn’t be happening for another six weeks. I’ve heard an injury can speed things up. I think the laser wound accelerated my cycle. Also, last night, your pheromones might have…” He let his words die out. “There’s a program in the virtual reality chamber that I can use to quench my heat, but it’s one of the systems that’s still off line. It won’t finish rebooting for at least another twelve hours or maybe longer.”

  This couldn’t be happening. Mia choked back a cry as she dragged her fingers through her hair. Oh, God. This was her fault. The laser wound, the pheromones. Jaden was in the shape he was in because of her.

  She knew nothing about Vantas and even less about heat. Many species went through heat, but it was often treated in a private, almost ritualistic way. It wasn’t discussed in light conversation—and it wasn’t a topic Jaden would be anxious to discuss with her now. But that couldn’t matter. She needed more information, so she could help him. “Jaden, talk to me, please. How does heat work for Vantas?”

  Again, he remained silent.

  “Jaden…please,” she pleaded.

  He wet his lips again and choked as he swallowed. “We go into heat about every three hundred qualits, about every four months Old Earth time. We need to mate numerous times during a twenty-four hour period.
Self-gratification doesn’t work, but a virtual reality chamber fools the body.” He took another deep breath. “Don’t worry. I’m going to be all right.”

  “You don’t look all right.” She touched his cheek again, and his temperature was even hotter than before. “Jaden, you’re really sick.” He didn’t respond, and her pulse quickened. “How bad can this get? This couldn’t kill you, could it?”

  “No,” he said then mumbled, “I don’t think so.”

  Her eyes widened at that. “You don’t think so?”

  He closed his tired lids and didn’t answer.

  “You can’t just ignore this, can you?”

  “I can.” He nodded his head. “I’m going to try.”

  “We are not going to let anything happen to you.” She emphasized the we.

  Jaden ignored her words. “Maybe some ice, something cool.” He raised his hand to swipe his brow, but his arm dropped to his side.

  “We both know that’s not the best way I can help you.” She grabbed the blanket again and wiped the damp skin he missed. He was getting worse, and she couldn’t let that happen. “Hold on.”

  Mia ran to the food preparation area and poured cool water into a small cup. She dipped a hand towel into the water and grabbed a handful of strawberries still on the mess counter.

  “Try this.” She crawled in bed beside him and lifted the back of his head, so he could sip from the glass. His head and his hair were soaked with perspiration. “I thought maybe some strawberries, since they’re fresh and sweet, but maybe not.” She dropped the berries on the table beside the bed. He could barely swallow the water, so he’d likely choke on anything else.

  Mia grabbed the damp towel and gently patted his forehead. Her gaze skimmed his body, still covered in a blanket, and landed at the juncture between his legs. His erection shot like a pole through the light bed covering. Her breath hitched as she took in his size. He was huge.

  Jaden eyed the cup of water. “This will be fine.”

  “No, it won’t.” Her hand tightened on the towel. “We both know what you need.”

  Jaden glared at her and violently shook his head. Despite his exhaustion, there was determination in his weary eyes.