aHunter4Saken (aHunter4Hire)

by Cynthia Clement

  Niail kissed Kimi’s forehead and then pulled her close. “That is why we work together. I am grateful you were able to save Kimi and the children.”

  “Yes, thank you Partlan.” Kimi leaned closer to Niail. “Kowal’s goon was too strong for me.”

  Grandfather came in from Wil’s bedroom. He pulled out a chair beside him. “The children are safe and asleep. Sit and tell us the whole story.”

  Partlan took a seat, but the rest stood with their legs spread and arms crossed. Kimi leaned closer to Niail. He was alive, that was all she cared about. The details were inconsequential.

  “Niail was out of ammunition when we reached him.” Partlan grinned. “He was lucky his brothers had a weapon to give him.”

  Niail rubbed his chin against Kimi’s head. “You were lucky I did not shoot you first.”

  “True. You gave us no choice but to tackle you.” Malac shrugged. “You are weak.”

  “I have injuries.” Niail’s voice held amusement.

  “A poor excuse.” Malac’s eyebrows rose. “Your head is not your only problem. Otherwise you would have heard your brothers’ approach.”

  Kimi’s heart lightened as she listened to the banter between these men. They might be warriors, but they had a bond that was indestructible. They didn’t hide the fact that they watched over each other.

  “My head is healing.” Niail’s fingers tightened on her waist. “I will be whole soon.”

  “This is good.” Partlan leaned back in his chair. “We do not need to lose our best marksman.”

  Niail nodded and then looked at Grandfather. “Kowal is dead. Honor has been restored.”

  Grandfather sighed. “Jake?”

  “He is the lawman still.” Partlan’s voice was gruff. “He wished to arrest Kowal, but the man raised his weapon to Jake. Niail ended it.”

  Kimi shivered. She was grateful that Jake was alive. She shuddered at the thought of what Niail had to done to protect her family. It was horrific. She had always sought a peaceful resolution in every situation. Perhaps she should have tried harder, or chosen a different solution than running. But would it have changed things? Kowal was determined to hurt others.

  Niail leaned close to her.

  “This is not your concern. I will always protect you and your family.” His words were a vow. “You need not worry about the means. That is for me to deal with.”

  Kimi glanced up at him. Somehow he had known her thoughts. The truth burned bright in his eyes. Their bond had strengthened, and it was more than she had thought possible.

  “Some of Kowal’s men surrendered.” Partlan’s voice held contempt. “Jake has taken them to jail. He will return when he has finished.”

  “The FD Warriors were also present.” Malac shook his head. “They did not want to be involved once they knew that Kowal had dishonored us. They promised to leave the area.”

  “So there will be no more problems?” Ann spoke for the first time since the Hunters had arrived.

  “You are all safe.” Partlan crossed his arms. “The law may ask questions, but there should be no others coming for you.”

  Ann frowned and looked around the room. “Who are you, and what do I tell other people?”

  “We were not there.”

  Ann pursed her lips. “Okay. So it was all a bad dream?”

  “If you wish.”

  Ann pushed back from the table and took her mug to the sink. Kimi knew that she would have to do some serious talking with her friend about what had happened tonight, but that could wait. She moved away from Niail and touched her friend’s arm.

  “It will be fine.”

  Ann nodded. “I believe you. It will take a while for it to sink in.”

  Kimi pulled Ann close and hugged her. “Thank you for everything you did for the children. No one could have protected them more.”

  Ann’s eyes misted up. “I’m just happy they’re safe. I don’t think I would have forgiven myself if they had been hurt.”

  “Will you forgive me for blaming you?”

  “You were crazy with worry. It’s forgotten.” Ann sniffed and moved out of Kimi’s reach. “It’s time for me to go home.”

  Partlan stood. “Gur and Ranon will accompany you. They will make certain your house is safe.”

  The two stepped forward. Ann’s eyes widened. She nodded and then handed the keys to Ranon. “I trust you can drive?”

  “As you wish.” Ranon opened the door and waited for Ann to pass through before turning to Partlan. “We will be on guard until we hear from you.”

  Partlan nodded. “It is best.”

  The room seemed bigger when the three of them had driven away. There were now only four Hunters in her small kitchen. Their large height and wide shoulders would stand out in any room. Their presence brought a sense of calm and security.

  Kimi went to the table and started clearing up the mugs. She stopped beside her grandfather’s chair. “You must be tired. Stay the night.”

  Her grandfather stood. “Jake has my truck.”

  “It’s settled.” Kimi put the mugs in the sink. “You can’t wait for Jake to return. It could be hours.”

  She went to the room Niail had stayed in and changed the bedding. Her grandfather sat on the bed with a sigh. Kimi smiled and shut the door behind him. Now she had to find sleeping space for her other guests.

  “I have the couches in the living room.” Kimi gathered some more blankets. “Someone will have to sleep on the floor, though.”

  “It is not necessary.” Partlan stood. “I will take first watch. Turlo and Malac will sleep first. Niail you will have last watch.”

  Niail nodded. Kimi didn’t care which watch he was on. Right now he needed a shower and some clean clothes. The shower she could provide, the clothes might be a problem. She took his hand and led him to her bedroom.

  “You can clean up in my bathroom.” Kimi opened the adjoining door. “I’ll hunt up some clothes.”

  Niail peeled off his shirt and then undid his jeans. Kimi felt the now familiar spark of desire twist through her. Delicious and intense; tonight she would sleep in Niail’s arms and know she belonged there.

  “You have decided to stay with me.” Niail spoke in a husky voice. It was a statement, not a question.

  “I knew the moment you left us in the car that I couldn’t bear it if you died.” Kimi reached for Niail’s clothing. “I don’t care what the future holds as long as you are by my side.”

  “I will never leave you.”

  Niail pulled off his briefs. He stood before her in all his glory. Kimi exhaled the breath she had been holding. A tendril of pleasure settled in her womb. This was her man; her mate. She gloried in being able to admit it.

  She grabbed his briefs and went to the bedroom door. “I’ll put these in the washing machine. There are clean towels near the shower.”

  She left the room and leaned against the closed door. She waited until her heart had stopped racing and then went to the laundry room. She put the clothes in for a soak and then scavenged through her cupboards looking for something that would fit Niail. She found a pair of jeans that Jake had left for mending and one shirt that was small, but would stretch. She went through the kitchen on her way to her room. Partlan stood there with his arms crossed. He was staring out the window and turned to look at her when she entered the room.

  “Niail is a good man.” His voice was gruff.

  Kimi nodded. “I know.”

  “He is blessed to have found you.” Partlan frowned. “With two Hunters having found mates, there is hope for the rest of us.”

  Kimi’s gaze softened. These were such brave warriors. It was sinful that they had been denied the love and bond of a mate. She went over to him and put her hand on his arm.

  “It will happen. No man should have to go through life alone.”

  “We have each other.” Partlan cleared his throat. “Our brotherhood is important.”

  “Niail was devastated when he thought he had lost
his connection with you.” Kimi winced as she remembered Niail’s pain when he had believed that he would never connect again. “He is healed now?”

  Partlan nodded. “It will take more time before he is fully connected, but he is starting to hear us.”

  She sighed and started toward her bedroom. When she entered her bathroom the shower was still running. She put the clothes she had found on the counter and was about to leave when the shower door opened.

  “Are you finished?” She reached for a towel.

  “I am just starting.” Niail captured her arm and pulled her into the shower. “Now I want to pleasure my mate.”

  Chapter 23

  “In the shower?” Kimi giggled.

  “Why not?” Niail nuzzled her neck. “It is invigorating and I need to be with you.”

  Kimi spread her hands over Niail’s chest, savoring the feel of his beating heart. It pounded steady beneath her fingertips. It could have so easily been different. She leaned close and let her lips linger over his skin.

  “You have too many clothes on.”

  Niail pulled her shirt over her head and made short work of the bra. He unzipped her jeans, but she had to help get them off her legs. Denim was impossible when wet. When she was naked he lifted her by the waist until she was positioned for him to enter her.

  Her legs wrapped around him and in one swift movement he slid into her. She shuddered as a delicious tendril of pleasure spiraled through her. There was a sense of total oneness and belonging that was as erotic as the sensual rhythm Niail was creating with each thrust.

  His teeth nibbled at her lips and then his tongue soothed her before Kimi opened for him. His tongue plunged in, sliding against hers and sending shivers of excitement through her veins. Together, they moved as one. It was fast and powerful as they built a tension of bliss that burst with an explosive shattering of ecstasy.

  Their lips clung together as they descended the heights. Tiny shivers of sensation still skittered across Kimi’s body. They were still joined, together and complete. It was as it should be. Gradually, Niail lowered her and they took turns washing each other.

  Passion sizzled between them.

  Their hunger had not been appeased.

  Niail turned the water off and lifted her into his arms. He stepped out of the shower with her and grabbed a towel to wrap around them.

  “You will get cold.” Niail rubbed it over her back.

  Kimi kissed his chin. “So will you.”

  “Not with you in my arms.” Niail threw the towel to the floor.

  “You should put me down.” Kimi hugged him closer. “We can’t stay like this forever.”

  “I intend to stay with you always.” Niail set her on the bed before joining her.

  “Don’t forget the children will be awake early.”

  “I am taking last watch. I will be up for them.” Niail pulled the blanket over them. “That means I can pleasure you all night and you can sleep in the morning.”

  “You’re spoiling me.” Kimi stretched her arms out to him.

  “You are my mate.” Niail’s pushed a strand of wet hair from her face. “To love and protect you is all I want.”

  “Will you live here with me?” Kimi’s voice was hesitant. “Or will we have to move?”

  “Your home is where I will be.” Niail’s heated gaze sent a shiver of renewed hunger through her. “On my planet, it is the woman who makes those decisions.”

  “It won’t interfere with your work if we live here?”

  Niail shook his head. “My fellow Hunters understand that my first priority is you and the children.”

  Kimi sighed. “So I can continue to be with my people.”

  “Always.”

  Niail captured her mouth in a searing kiss and any further doubts she had were silenced. Their tongue danced together in a sensual duel until Kimi was lost to everything but the sensations Niail was creating within her.

  His lips moved lower, caressing her neck and then her breasts. His fingers feathered across her skin, sending shards of pleasure throughout her body.

  His tongue flickered across her nipple and a jolt of excitement stirred in her womb. His teeth nipped and then suckled until she squirmed with the mounting tension. He moved to the other breast and began his sensual torture again. His hand roamed lower and touched the moist heat of her inner core. His finger caressed as his mouth suckled. She splintered into a blinding climax within seconds.

  Niail held her as she recovered and then he was moving over and in her. She groaned as he filled her. She would never tire of being connected to him. He set a leisurely pace, driving deep and withdrawing slowly, only to plunge again. Each thrust of his powerful body sent Kimi higher and higher until they reached the edge and shattered together.

  Their breathing was ragged. Their hearts pounded in unison as they descended back to reality. Niail gathered Kimi close and rolled onto his side. They were still connected. Kimi nuzzled his neck and inhaled his scent.

  “I love you.” Her voice was a faint whisper.

  “You are my mate.” Niail’s voice was gruff. “You are the only woman I will ever desire. There is nothing I will not do for you.”

  “What if I wish you to love me again?”

  Niail thrust and Kimi felt his renewed hardness. She smiled. He was inexhaustible, but she couldn’t resist. She pushed him onto his back and straddled his hips.

  “This time I set the pace.”

  The smell of bacon frying woke Kimi from a deep sleep. She stretched her arms over her head. She couldn’t remember ever feeling this good before. Niail had made love to her until the early hours of the morning. She had been too exhausted to even notice when he had left to keep watch.

  She pushed back the covers and made her way to the washroom. A quick shower and she was wide awake. It was time to face the day and the aftermath of last night.

  Niail knew the moment Kimi entered the kitchen. Her essence wrapped around him. It made him whole. She had been sleeping peacefully when he had gone for his watch. He was filled with deep satisfaction and pride at knowing he had given her pleasure.

  Jake and Eluwilussit were at the table. Peta was on Jake’s lap and Wil was beside Niail. The children had woke up at the crack of dawn and had been with him while he stood watch. Now Wil wanted to help prepare breakfast. He stood on a chair beside the stove and watched Niail tend the bacon.

  Partlan was leaning against the counter with a coffee in his hand. Turlo and Malac were beside the table talking to Eluwilussit.

  “It’s about time you woke up.” Jake’s voice boomed as Kimi entered the room. “You’re the only one who had any sleep last night.”

  “Speak for yourself.” Partlan grinned. “We sleep when we can.”

  Kimi went to the stove. “I’ll finish.”

  Niail put his arm around her waist. “Did you sleep well?”

  “You know I did.” Kimi reached up and kissed his chin. “I didn’t hear you leave for your watch.”

  “It was early.” Niail smiled at Wil. “And I had company.”

  “I learned how to stand guard.” Wil straightened his shoulders. “It’s an important job.”

  Niail reached over and pulled Wil into his arms. “Your mother needs space to cook.”

  He took the chair over to the table and sat Wil on it. Kimi made short work of the eggs and toast, and within minutes everything was ready to go. Just then a vehicle pulled up outside.

  Partlan pulled out a pistol and went to the door. Niail blocked the children with his body. Turlo and Malac stood in front of Kimi. Jake and her grandfather didn’t have a chance to move before Partlan eased away from the door.

  “It is safe.” Partlan put his handgun back in the waistband of his pants. “It is Gur and Ranon returning with Ann.”

  The tension in the room eased. Kimi heaved a sigh and turned back to the stove. Once the newcomers were inside, she served breakfast. Afterwards, they stayed gathered in the kitchen.

  “Wha
t are your plans?” Jake leaned back in his chair and looked at Niail.

  “I will stay with Kimi.”

  “Just a second there buddy.” Jake winked at his grandfather. “In the old days, a man would tie up horses outside the tipi of his father-in-law as payment for his wife.

  “Hunters do not buy women.” Partlan crossed his arms. “It is not honorable.”

  “But Kimi is Blackfeet,” Jake continued. “She believes in living a traditional life.”

  Kimi leaned back into Niail’s arms. “Women have freedom today.”

  “So you want to pick and choose what you believe and follow?” Jake shrugged. “I have no argument with that. It’s what I do myself.”

  Kimi sighed. “You’ve made your point Jake.”

  Eluwilussit cleared his throat. “Times change and we must keep abreast of what is new. Our people had difficulties when the buffalo disappeared, but we survived.”

  Ann, who was sitting next to Ranon, cleared her throat. Her eyes darted from Hunter to Hunter before settling on Eluwilussit. She put her coffee mug back on the table and straightened her shoulders.

  “Do you know who these men are?”

  “They are the ones who protect.” Eluwilussit touched Ranon. “Can I see your symbols?”

  Ranon looked over at Partlan, who nodded. He lifted his left sleeve. Ranon was clan Leigh which was symbolized by a circle and with an attached stick on one side.

  Grandfather touched the clan symbol and nodded. “That is similar to the universal symbols given to us by the Star People. It is the spirit of doctoring.”

  Grandfather motioned Partlan over. He pointed to his arm.

  “What is this symbol?”

  “It is for clan Obair. We have the gift of the mechanical and instruments.”

  “For us it signifies the law of light, sound, and vibration. These are all parts of engineering.”

  “What does the fact that they wear these signs mean?” Ann asked in a hesitant voice.

  “They carry the symbols of the universal laws that were given to us by the Star People.” Eluwilussit looked at the men in the room. “I believe that they were sent to us for a reason.”