She had given him ecstasy as well. In fact, she'd started it. Temis nodded to herself and began stroking Gren's nipples, curious when the little buds hardened under her touch.
She glanced down his body and noted the bulge growing beneath his trousers. Then she noted she wore nothing at all and flushed.
Never before had any man seen her naked, though she'd seen her share of nude bodies during her early days of training on Zephyr. She glanced again at Gren, studying his powerful muscles when something wrong hit her.
No scars or bruises marred his flesh save the scar on his left hand that led up his forearm. He'd recently suffered severe trauma at the hands of Rorn's men, yet he wore no mark to record the event. She frowned. He'd looked perfectly fine to her in his cell as well. Then he'd done something to her, something that made her head swim trying to recall the exact memory.
She leaned up on an elbow to better study Gren's body, his face, trying to understand him. Temis knew her own mind, and still had no explanation for Gren's impact on her senses. It had been like this since she'd first laid eyes on him.
He held some odd sway over her, and she began to look deeper into his unfathomable control. She had left Lady Justice and knocked Rafe unconscious, and all because Gren had ordered her to do so. She paused as the obvious hit her.
Of course. He was a telepath.
Somehow he had wormed his way beneath the mental guards she'd been taught in her peacemaker training. A telepath. She finally made sense of her odd behavior. Only using such rare and powerful abilities could he have caused her to leave her ship without Lead Sernal's permission. She couldn't fault Gren's sexual magnetism though, and acknowledged his physical attraction readily, despite not wanting to feel so drawn to him.
His apparent lack of injuries, however, deserved some explanation, one she determined to receive once he woke. She surprised herself at her willingness to let him rest when her mind demanded answers. Gren's lovemaking had definitely softened her, and though she loved what he'd done to her body, she didn't like the softening of her will.
After such a tumult of events from Lady Justice to Mornio, after leaving behind her world of order and discipline only to discover the erotic side of herself, she should have been more on edge. The warrior within her should have been clamoring to know the why's and how's of her adventure.
But her body refused to rise. The calm lethargy that relaxed her stole through her very pores, leaving her mind free to roam while her body rested.
And though thoughts of Gren confused and at times aggravated her, the emotional connection she felt with him soothed when it should have worried her.
His large palm suddenly covered her hand on his chest, startling her. But still he slept, a small grin tugging his lips.
Temis shook her head. She could only imagine what dreams pleasured Gren's sleep. Treasure? Battle? Or more likely naked women, a lot of them, doing whatever he commanded.
Why thoughts of Gren with other women bothered her, she refused to consider. Tired of such puzzling thoughts, she laid her head on his shoulder and curled into his warmth, dreamlessly accepting the comfort he unknowingly provided.
Chapter Seven
Heat centered in the core of her body, then spiraled outward, until her blood pulsed with need. She felt rough palms caressing her breasts, a warm mouth trailing their touch.
Temis squirmed, seeking the source of such pleasure.
"Yes, sura," Gren murmured in a rough voice, alternating his mouth with stroking fingers. He paused at her navel and moved back to blanket her body with his, finding her lips with the practice of a skilled lover.
Thrusting his tongue deep inside her mouth, he mimicked the action with his fingers, sliding between her thighs into slick heat.
She arched into him, demanding his passion, reaching for any and every place to hold him, to cement them together. He groaned as she aggressively sought his tongue, and answered by thrusting a second finger inside her.
Temis wanted to devour him. He tasted of ambrosia, the sweetest spice in the system, and she wanted more. She could feel something within her reaching out to him, an inner self she had no control over.
Gren shuddered and deepened the kiss, his fingers quickening over her sensitive bud, thrusting faster and deeper toward her womb.
Temis was lost.
The waves of desire suddenly became too much and as she crested, the overpowering feelings she had crashed hard in an explosive orgasm.
On and on the pleasure pulsed. Intermingled with her desire, she imagined Gren's bliss as well, a strange sense of masculine satisfaction that beat with energy. It felt so real, so pure, and it fed her own rapture.
When her heart finally calmed, she lazily opened her eyes. Gren stared down at her with an intensity that roused her to real wakefulness. His eyes looked darker than she'd ever seen them, and her pleasure began to fade under the sense something was wrong.
"Gren?" she asked hesitantly.
He leaned into her, his body heat like a blanket. Running a finger down her cheek with surprising tenderness, he murmured in a foreign language, so beautiful and exotic she stared in wide-eyed fascination.
"What does that mean?" she whispered.
He shook his head and like that, his eyes resumed a normal green hue. Amazed, Temis stared at him, all of him, suddenly riveted by the odd glow that hugged his body.
Aware of her study, the look in his eyes shuttered and like that, he dimmed, if such a thing were possible.
He leaned up off of her and rolled to his side, sighing heavily.
"What just happened?" she couldn't help but ask.
"We experienced morning's bliss." His gravelly voice was tinged with humor. "And my clothes are definitely in need of some washing."
Temis blushed at his frank teasing. Apparently she hadn't imagined his groan of release. Yet she clung to her need for an explanation. "I know what we did. I want to know how your eyes turned from green to black. And your skin...." She narrowed her study, seeing him in the faint light that filtered through the room. "You look better than alright, Gren. Are you sure you aren't suffering any injuries from yesterday?"
He sat up and looked at her casually, too casually. She read his body language, surprised that she knew he was hiding something. His uncanny ability to mask his expressions seemed to have disappeared.
"I'm fine." He gave her a masculine smirk. "In fact, I'd say I'm more than fine, wouldn't you?"
She rolled her eyes but didn't have the heart to refute the truth.
"Come on, sura," he teased and leaned down for a brief kiss. "Isn't that the best way to waken, in the arms of a master pleasurer?"
She chuckled and tugged at his trousers, amazed the familiar heat began to build after such intense lovemaking--after such intense sex, she corrected herself.
"I must admit I've never before had the pleasure." She felt his elation and blinked in surprise. It must have been her imagination, for Temis was not an empath. Yet all the same, she swore she could feel the immense satisfaction flooding his system.
He left the bed and punched a few codes into the wall monitor near his door. "The lav should be activated in a moment. Ladies first?"
Temis shrugged, determined to get her answers sooner or later. Curiosity burned at her to discover his dark secrets. With that in mind, she strode confidently toward the lav, all the while aware of his burning gaze on her back.
* * * *
The minute she closed herself behind the lav door, Gren uttered a low groan and allowed himself the release of energy his body demanded. Like a star, the brilliance of his and Temis' shared energy poured into the room, illuminating the dingy area better left in the dark.
Scarred wooden flooring, dented Mornian steel and the few mismatched pieces of furniture now visible in the morning light streaming through one shuttered window made the room seem seedy, not fitting for his first sexual encounter with Temis.
At the thought, his mouth drew tight and he rubbed at his eyes in
frustration. These feelings he had concerning the stubborn woman were strange and more than a little disturbing.
Sharing Temis' body, absorbing her essence, her woman's power, had shaken him to the core. He'd resolved to keep his distance after last night's incredible intimacy, but woke to a burning desire that no other but Temis could satisfy. He absently rubbed at his well-used cock, now covered in spent passion.
Where the hell had his discipline gone? Growling in embarrassment, that he'd come not once but twice while pleasuring her this morning, he whipped off his trousers and paced the room unencumbered by clothes. As he paced, he consciously burned off lovemaking's residual glow and strove for some inner peace.
Temis Freya was trouble with a capital 'T'. He'd known it from the first he'd seen her, and the impression had only grown stronger. She attracted him unnaturally, especially so for one of his kind. Her energy lured him all too close, like a siren's call, and now he felt truly hooked on her scent, her taste.
He stared down at his growing erection with distaste, aware the control he'd mastered and lived with for years seemed to have vanished at just the thought of the warm woman bathing in the lav.
With conscious effort he focused to ignore his desire and instead tried to formulate a plan for the sake of the mission. Yet even there he stumbled, for he knew what he and Temis must do.
In his mind's eye Temis wore slave's clothing, skimpy rags designed to showcase her body to anyone with interest. Just the thought of her breasts straining the thin silk made him want to sink deep inside her and never let go.
He knew it had been a good idea to refrain from a true joining, but damn it all, his body wouldn't quit the idea. Even now he wanted her more than before, as if he hadn't sampled her delights a few moments ago.
Scowling down at his troublesome cock, he cursed under his breath and decided to make the call he'd been avoiding.
He found the telecom unit he'd stowed on a previous trip and dialed the private number.
After several buzzing tones a husky male voice greeted him, reminding him the hour was most likely too early for anything but emergency communications.
"Mara's Light. And this had better be good."
Gren grinned at his friend's surliness. Lurin Vez, a fellow Thesha, had taken to bounty hunting as if he'd been doing it all his life. Of course, he had the best teacher. His wife Mara had the skills and determination to whip the Thesha into shape.
"This is Gren." He could feel Lurin's surprise. All Thesha shared the ability to communicate telepathically, and in some cases empathically.
"Well," Lurin's voice cleared, sounding less tired and more welcoming. "Not that it's not great to hear from you, but why call so early?" You are alright?
"I'm fine," Gren answered. "What's the matter, Lurin, Mara keeping you up late at night? Can't rise the way you used to?"
He heard a female chuckle in the background and knew he'd caught Lurin in bed.
"I have no problem getting up," Lurin mocked. "Thanks for asking. If anything, Mara's made me into a tougher, harder man thanks to all her training." You have no idea how hard, Lurin added under a burst of pleasure.
Gren felt a wave of heat from his friend and knew he'd best get to the point before Lurin and Mara forgot about him.
"I'll get right to the point. I can't contact a friend of mine and I need you to get an untraced message to him."
Lurin's attention refocused. "Tell me."'
Gren refused to mention Sernal out loud, just in case his message was intercepted en route. Thanks to the energy he'd recently received from Temis, he had the resources to span the large distance between him and Lurin.
Over a dozen women have been abducted from Mardu thanks to some rogue peacemakers, so Sernal called on me for help.
Rogue peacemakers? Damn.
Yeah. I had the misfortune of stepping right into the middle of Sernal's problem, screwing this undercover mission. I snatched one of his people and escaped peacemaker involvement. I just need you to tell him all is well, and to use you to contact him later with more information.
He felt Lurin's surprise.
No problem, Lurin answered without hesitation. You want me to put some feelers out for the abducted women?
Gren thought about it. No. I'm trying to keep my cover as untainted as possible, and having you look into things might tip off the men I'm trying to find. One of the crewmembers on Mara's Light was Sernal's brother, Catam.
Okay. I'll have Catam get with Sernal and pass your message, discreetly. You need anything else, let me know.
Gren thanked him and would have disconnected the call when he felt Lurin's tentative probe.
What was that? Gren asked without heat. Never before had his friend mentally trespassed.
I'm not sure, but I distinctly feel a woman's presence in your mind.
That's impossible. She's not a telepath. Gren immediately envisioned Temis naked in the lav and heard Lurin's laughter.
Ah, so the mighty have finally fallen.
What does that mean? Gren asked, irritated. Why the hell couldn't he keep thoughts of Temis at bay? And just how much had Lurin seen from Gren's brief vision?
You'll figure it out, Lurin added smoothly. And after all the help you gave me and Mara, maybe I can return the favor?
He ended their conversation with more laughter and it took Gren a moment to remember to disconnect the electronic transmission.
Anger burned when he realized what Lurin had meant about "returning the favor."
"As if Mara would let him," he mumbled, still scowling at the telecom.
"Gren?" Temis asked cautiously. She stood in the doorway to the lav, a thin towel wrapped around her.
He stared at her gorgeous body but his thoughts were on Lurin's words. Years ago Gren had enthralled Mara, Lurin's wife, into making love with him in an effort to regain energy needed to save Lurin's life. His intentions had been pure even if he had derived a great deal of satisfaction from the coupling.
At the time he'd been surprised at Lurin's possessiveness of Mara, not used to Theshan jealousy. The Thesha shared women pleasurably, not tied to any one female. Yet even then he'd clearly felt Lurin's bond to Mara.
He stared at Temis waiting on him expectantly and suddenly understood what had bothered Lurin about sharing Mara. Just the thought of Lurin touching Temis in any way made his blood boil.
"I was just contacting a friend of mine to let Sernal know we're fine," he said and mentally cleared his thoughts.
A ripple of unease passed over her face and he neared her with concern. "Temis? Are you okay?"
She smiled and shook her head. "Just hungry." She glanced around the room with a wry expression on her face. "I don't suppose you have anything clean I can wear?"
He studied her curves clearly outlined by the towel and his libido leapt in answer. "I would say you can wear me, but I'm not clean either."
She flushed and it took all of his control not to lay her back down on the bed and fuck her senseless. "Let me clean up and I'll get us food and clothing." He walked toward her, willing her to step away from the lav doorway before he did something extremely undisciplined and took her against the wall, mindless of his vow to let her be.
She blinked and quickly moved toward the bed, well out of his reach. Uncomfortably aware of his erection, he grumbled under his breath and shut the lav door behind him, needing the brief respite from Temis' potency.
* * * *
Temis stared at the closed lav door in shock, now free to give way to the emotions rocketing through her. During her much-needed cleansing, she'd been conscious of a buzzing in her mind.
Focusing to discover the source of her worry, she'd been shocked to hear Gren's voice communicating with another. But not out loud. The sounds she'd heard had been directly within her mind.
She'd stood staring at nothing, the warm water sluicing over her as pieces of their conversation drifted to her. Understanding gradually dawned. She could hear Gren's thoughts, could feel
what he felt. Her previous imaginings of his satisfaction, of what he felt when making love with her, had been real.
Puzzled, she'd finished her shower. She was no telepath, but apparently Gren and his friend Lurin were? No, telepathy didn't seem to fit, not when she could also sense Gren's feelings. He must have empathic abilities as well that he unknowingly passed to her, somehow.
But envisioning his flawless skin, healthy, with the earlier preternatural glow hanging over him, not to mention his incredible sexuality and stamina, she dismissed his abilities as merely empathic.
His gifts didn't bother her, however, instead they intrigued her to know more. When she'd felt his friend's subtle probe, she'd quickly pulled her mind away, shutting everyone out. Like the dreams she crafted, she used her mind to create a mental wall, a talent she'd found useful when dealing with known telepaths.
Had she known about Gren's gifts earlier.... She blushed as embarrassing thoughts hit her. Had he read the desire she'd felt upon first meeting him? Had he somehow used the knowledge to make her want him enough to succumb to his advances yesterday?
She thought about it and relaxed. No, Temis had been in control of her actions if not her sensual nature. For once in her life she'd allowed the woman within her to take charge, and she couldn't for the life of her regret it.
The door to the lav opened and Gren walked through, his body a study of male perfection. She watched admiringly while he dressed in standard trousers and a tan shirt he grabbed from a nearby storage bin.
"Much as I like you in that," he said in a husky voice, "I need to pick up some clothes that lend to the mission. And before you think to protest," he paused and held up a hand to stall her. "Remember we've got some women to save."
Not thinking of protesting, she shrugged and nodded. "I know, Gren. I remember why we're here."
"Good. I'll be back as soon as I can. And don't answer to anyone but me."
Winner Takes All Page 7