heartofthebetrayed_195-8e3.htm

by Heart Of The Betrayed (lit)

  "I think I have but ‘tis too soon yet to be certain. A pity he can’t ask her, for Diago might have mentioned a place."

  "That’s out of the question. He doesn’t want the lass to know that we intend to wait for her mission to be completed."

  A chuckle sounded. "He reckons she’s too stubborn for her own good. As if we didn’t know that!"

  Anger boiled inside her. How dare these morons plan behind her back! Garret was behind it all! Furious, she stormed off to the platform lift.

  Hearing the clanking and groaning, Red stuck his head out and noted her expression as the lift ascended. "Uh-oh, she overheard us."

  "There’ll be some trouble now," Simon predicted.

  "The wench is heading straight for Garret’s cabin, I’d bet my soul upon it!"

  "Then things are going to get interesting." Simon reached for the small intercom.

  "Are you going to warn him? He’s in his cabin."

  "Hell, nay! I’m going to see what Cam and Jase will wager on this outcome!"

  ~ * ~

  Flinging the door to his cabin open, she roared, "Garret! You witless jerk!"

  Having just started to dry himself from a shower, Garret cocked his head to one side in surprise. The wench sounded angry. Furious, in fact, and though he didn’t know why, he was glad that she was back to her normal self. Even if he was the cause of it.

  A brief silence greeted her insult, then an infuriatingly cheerful voice came from the bathroom. "Couldn’t wait to see me again?"

  She kicked the door shut with one heel. "We have unfinished business, trader! Get out here!"

  "Just a minute, my love--"

  "Damn it to hell and back! If you won’t come out and face me like a man, I’ll come in and get you!"

  Rounding the large bunk on the left of the cabin, she kicked one of the soft floor rugs aside.

  Exiting the bathroom, he smiled charmingly. "You are in a hurry to see me."

  She’d never noticed before that he had a dimple in his right cheek. It was fuel to the fire. Who the hell cared about a dimple? "You are not waiting near Southland for me!"

  "I am."

  "How dare you make plans behind my back? This is not your business!"

  "I’ve made it mine." He made to move past her.

  She blocked his move. "Don’t you dare walk away from me!"

  "That wasn’t my intention, lass, I was just--"

  "Just nothing! Listen closely, trader, for I’ll only say this once!"

  With an expression of maddening patience, Garret folded his arms across his bare, muscular chest. "Very well, seeing as this can’t wait, speak."

  "Oh, thank you so much for your permission, which I don’t need!"

  He smiled understandingly.

  "Wipe that smile off your face or I’ll do it for you!" Dana ground her teeth in frustration.

  "Lass, are you going to mention what’s on your mind, or was your intent to threaten me?"

  He was so bloody infuriating, she wanted to scream.

  "Because if you’re only going to threaten, can you do it while I dress?"

  The request made her falter. "Dress?"

  "Aye, dress. You wouldn’t give me time to dry myself properly and dress so..." He shrugged.

  For the first time, Dana realized that he stood before her clad only in a towel that hung dangerously low on lean hips, and was fastened carelessly by one corner tucked into itself. A bead of water trickled down from freshly washed hair and her eyes followed it. It slid down one broad shoulder, rolled down the swell of one massive pectoral muscle, shimmered for a brief instance on the end of one brown male nipple, then skimmed over the ribbed muscle of his abdomen. It skirted his belly button to roll still lower... lower... finally being absorbed by the towel.

  Her mouth went dry. He was naked. The only thing keeping him decent was the towel.

  Seeing the stunned realization, Garret nearly laughed--until he also saw the flicker of heat in her eyes, a brief awareness of him as a male.

  In the same instance of awareness of him as more than just a Daamen trader with high-handed and irritating ways, Dana suddenly noticed just how rakishly handsome he was. Grey eyes the color of a stormy sky regarded her keenly. A straight nose, firm yet sensuous lips and a square jaw. A strong, handsome face. Breathtakingly so. It was no wonder these traders stole hearts wherever they went. Their muscular build, height and dangerous good looks gave them an unfair advantage over other races.

  "Dana?"

  Blinking, she brought her whirling senses back into focus. Gazing up, her breath caught in her throat. Those grey eyes now looked down at her with a hunger that was growing hotter by the second.

  Alarmed at the flicker of sparks in her veins, she held up one hand. "Don’t--" She choked to a stop as he took her hand and placed it flat on his chest.

  "Don’t what?" The low, husky tones stroked her senses like warm honey.

  She tugged her hand but he held it firmly beneath his. "Let go." A quaver of fear was in her voice, and she made a grab at his hand with her free one, only to have it captured also.

  "Why?" Slowly he raised her hand to his mouth, watching her lazily. Hotly.

  "Because I... I..." Unable to get her thoughts in order, she faltered.

  All thought fled as, holding the slender fingers lightly, he bared her knuckles for the brush of his firm lips.

  Hearing the indrawn breath and seeing the spark come to life in her eyes, he deliberately turned her hand over, baring the inside of her arm. Holding her gaze, he bent his head and traced his lips down the delicate lines of her wrist and forearm.

  Mesmerized, she watched the slow, burning path of his lips. The quick seductive rasp of his tongue in her elbow made her jump.

  Straightening, he slid his hands slowly up her arms, past her elbows, past the silver arm band, and higher still to the smooth, bare shoulders. Gently, almost delicately, his hands trailed down her back, drawing her closer and closer still.

  Wherever he touched, a burning path was left on her skin, a path that went deeper and ignited the blaze of desire in her blood that swept through her body. When he finally pulled her against his own body and his lips came down upon hers, she met him with a ferocity that both surprised and pleased him.

  He took possession of her lips with the hunger of one who has long awaited what he finally had. She felt so good in his arms, warm and soft, yet firm. Generously curved of breast and hip, small of waist, long of leg. Every line of her body matched the harder lines of his, molding together, fitting perfectly, and wherever their skin met, it burned with delicious sensation.

  Crushing her to him, one big hand coming up to twine in the soft, thick blonde hair, he held her prisoner for his plundering mouth. When she opened to him with a sigh, his tongue swept in to taste every honeyed crevice of her mouth, but it wasn’t enough. There was another honeyed depth he ached to claim, to bury himself in, and Garret backed her to the bunk.

  It was only when she felt the bunk at the backs of her knees that she broke the contact of their lips to whisper, "What are you doing?"

  His breath was warm in her ear. "‘Tis all right, lass. You are so beautiful." He nipped the side of her neck gently, sending her grappling senses dancing away.

  Then she was lying back on the mattress and the welcome heat of his body was on her. He kissed her deeply, passionately. Liquid heat blossomed between her thighs when a large palm cupped, rubbed, and molded her breast, branding her through the soft leather vest she wore.

  "Garret." She moaned, arching her neck while he trailed a blazing path down the side of her throat. "Oh, by the suns, I feel so... so..."

  "‘So’ what?" he breathed, his hand sliding beneath her skirt and running up her thigh, fingers inching beneath the edge of her underwear.

  "I don’t... know," she gasped, eyes closing as firm lips danced soft, hot kisses across the beginnings of the swells of her breasts above the tightly laced vest. "I want... something."

  The words wer
e like a match to dry kindling and he groaned. "Sweet heaven, lass, you shall have it!"

  It was with effort that he tore himself away from her.

  Startled, she came up on her elbows. "Garret?"

  "One minute, my love." His smile was strained. "Just a precaution I need to take."

  "Precaution?" She pushed aside the lock of hair that tumbled over into her eyes. "I don’t understand." All she understood was how empty her arms felt without him, and how cool her body was without the heat of his skin against her.

  Opening the door of the built-in robe, he reached inside it. "Precaution against pregnancy, little innocent."

  "Pregnancy?" The word seeped, slow and unwelcome, into the pleasure-filled depth of her mind.

  "Aye." Withdrawing a small bottle, Garret turned and cast her a crooked grin, his hot eyes running over her tousled hair, pink cheeks, and kiss-swollen lips. Swollen from his kisses. "That’s what can happen when a man and wench make love, remember?"

  A shadow replacing the smoldering desire in her eyes, she sat up suddenly. "Babes."

  In the act of opening the bottle, Garret heard the sudden bleakness in her voice and stopped. "Dana? What is it?"

  Abruptly she stood up and walked hurriedly around the bunk.

  "Wait!" Lunging forward, he caught her arm and swung her around to face him. "What’s wrong, lass?"

  Her laugh was short and hard. "Precautions against pregnancy?"

  Confused, he stared down at her. "You don’t want me to take precautions? Is that it?"

  His hold tightened when she tried to pull away from him, only it wasn’t as tight as her throat was. "Forget it, Garret. This should never have happened."

  "Nothing happened, lass." He studied her closely. "Now tell me what brought about this change. Are you worried the sterile potion won’t work? ‘Tis foolproof, I assure you. I’ll be sterile for twenty-four hours. There’s no fear of pregnancy."

  "I said forget it!" She clenched her teeth, forcing the tears back. She had to get away from him, somewhere private to regain her already thin composure. "Now let go."

  Instead, taking the small stubborn chin between thumb and forefinger, he tilted her head back.

  She looked so sad, defiant and angry all at once, that his heart softened. "Even if the impossible happened and the potion didn’t work, lass, never would I leave you. I’d marry and care for you and our babe."

  The idea of this blonde woman with the big hazel eyes bearing his children and sharing his life and bed seemed right. Like it was meant to be.

  "Damn it, Garret." Her voice was husky, and her eyes were suspiciously bright. "It can’t be."

  "Why?" His thumb brushed across her bottom lip gently. "To have children is every Daamen’s wish. I know they’re greatly loved by the Reekas, and I’ve seen you with them. You’re a born mother."

  His words should have comforted her. Instead, it cut like a knife, slashing an already raw wound open. Naked pain burnt in her eyes and, wrenching herself free, she turned and ran.

  "Dana!"

  Grabbing the door handle, she started to open it, but before she could exit, the ship jolted and lurched, throwing both her and Garret heavily to the floor. An alarm pierced the quiet.

  Warrior instincts took over immediately. Something was wrong.

  Red’s shout confirmed her suspicions. "We’re under attack!"

  Four

  Scrambling to her feet, she wrenched the door open and raced out into the corridor.

  Garret followed, but the towel finally fell off, and with a curse he snatched pants from the robe, yanking them up and pulling his boots on before hurrying from his cabin. He caught up with her at the platform lift, and it clanked and groaned to the second floor. While most of his mind was now on the attack, a part was still on Dana.

  What had gotten into her? She’d been so responsive in his arms, so warm and eager until he’d mentioned pregnancy.

  "Dana--"

  "No." The word was short, hard.

  He couldn’t pursue the matter further for the ship received another direct hit, and the shudder hit them at the same time the platform stopped at the second floor, spilling them out into the corridor.

  Climbing to her feet, Dana asked, "How much more can this ship take?"

  "It depends on what’s being fired at us."

  Red appeared in the doorway of the control cabin. "Space pirates."

  "Didn’t you pick it up on radar?" Dana entered the cabin.

  "They’re using a blocker," Jase replied from where he sat in one of the two seats before the control panel. "By the time we realized their presence, it was too late."

  Garret slid into the other seat. "Where are Cam and Simon?"

  "Up in the guns, trying to disable the pirates enough for us to get away."

  "Don’t just disable them, kill them," Dana said.

  Tapping the control keys on the scanner, Garret brought the pirate ship into closer view. Another shudder racked the ship and the lights dimmed, flickered, and brightened again.

  "Check the engines, Red, see if any of the hits have damaged the circuitry."

  With a nod, Red ran to the engine room.

  A flicker appeared on the screen, a blast on the blip that was the pirate ship. The traders had scored a hit followed by several more. The blip started moving away.

  A crackle sounded and Simon’s voice came through the intercom. "We’ve struck several direct hits. The pirates are going."

  "Good," Garret replied. "Come down and we’ll assess the damage done to the ship."

  There was a pause then Simon spoke again. "The ship’s not the only thing to sustain damage."

  "What do you mean?" Jase asked. "The guns?"

  "Nay. ‘Tis Cam. He’s unconscious and his face is covered in blood."

  "Shit!" Garret swore. "I’m coming up!"

  Dana grabbed his arm. "Bring the medipack with us."

  "Where do you think you’re going?"

  "With you, of course." She pushed past him and out of the cabin.

  With a curse, he grabbed the medipack and dashed after her. "Wait here, Dana. I don’t know the extent of the damage. It could be dangerous!"

  She surveyed him from the platform lift with the haughty glare she’d perfected from a very young age. "I’m not a fool. I have been in dangerous places before."

  He towered above her. "Lass, I forbid you--"

  The palm of her hand slammed the control button. "Regardless of how unfeeling you think I am, I have never forgotten how the Daamens saved my sister warriors from being hunted to death, nor how Maverk saved Reya from insanity. If one of you are hurt, I’ll help."

  It was the honor of the Reeka warriors.

  He sighed. "Very well, but I will proceed first into Cam’s gun pit." The lift clanked to a halt and Garret stepped out into the narrow, dimly lit corridor. "Simon?"

  "Here." The answer came from a room on the right, the one which held the big window and several chairs.

  What they all laughingly called the sanctuary room.

  They entered to see the still form of the youngest of Garret’s friends on the floor, Simon kneeling beside him. For a second he feared that Cam was dead, for blood covered his face and matted the normally glossy curls. Quickly he knelt by Cam’s side while Dana dropped down beside Cam’s head.

  "Hand me a cloth to mop up some of this blood," she instructed.

  Knowing she’d attended serious wounds during her outlaw and mercenary years, Garret did as bidden.

  Wiping the blood away, she cleansed the wound with sterile water from a small packet, and found a gash above his left eyebrow and another from his ear to partway across his cheek.

  "It’s not too bad. He’ll need some stitches to close the wounds. Give me needle and thread, Simon."

  It wasn’t long before the stitching was completed and she was placing self-adhesive pads over the wounds.

  Cam groaned. His dark eyes fluttered open, shut, then opened again. He squinted. "What happened?" />
  Garret watched him closely. "We were attacked by space pirates. Do you remember?"

  "Aye." Cam touched his head and came into contact with wet hair. He gazed at the smudge of blood on his fingertips then looked inquiringly at Dana.

  Her voice was softer than normal. "Your gun was hit by laser fire."

  "Ah." He winced. "I remember."

  "What happened?" Garret asked.

  Cam struggled to sit up and immediately his friends helped him. "Thanks. The blast hit the gun pit. Luckily the space shield remained intact, but the force threw me from the seat and I hit the control levers." He grimaced. "That’s all I remember."

  "You cut your face on them," Simon informed him.

  "I did?" Frowning, he touched his cheek.

  "Don’t worry," Garret said dryly. "Apart from some scarring, you’ll still be pretty enough to turn the wench’s heads."

  "Well, that’s a relief." He grinned, but winced at the pull of the stitches. "Is everyone else all right?"

  "Aye. Red’s checking the engines."

  Dana noted the pallor in the young trader’s face. "Let’s get him to bed."

  He protested, but Garret and Simon helped him up, supporting him between them and taking him to the lift. Once there, Garret turned to Dana. "I want to check the damage in the gun pit. Will you be able to help Simon with Cam?"

  "Of course."

  "Good. I’ll be down soon." He walked back the way they’d come.

  "Be careful." The words came unbidden.

  He turned around toward her. "Worried about me, lass?"

  Damn it, she could feel red staining her cheeks. "It was an automatic thing to say, trader, one I would say to anyone!"

  A warmth entered his eyes and they crinkled engagingly at the corners. "But you said it to me, sweet flower."

  "I must have hit my head on something when the ship was blasted, for I wouldn’t say it to you otherwise!" Her hand slammed the control button.

  He laughed and strode off down the corridor.

  "What the hell are you two staring at?"

  Simon and Cam hurriedly averted their eyes. "Nothing."

  Silence reigned while they descended down to the third floor, where Dana and Simon helped Cam to his cabin and laid him on his bunk. Dana removed his boots and vest, tucking him under the covers with swift efficiency.