Irresistible (Delroi Prophecy)

by Hunt, Loribelle

  “Jumping out of a flyer? Seriously? You and your brother seem to like courting danger, Kaje.”

  He snorted. “No, that would be my brother and my mate. They’re probably out there getting in trouble right now.”

  “She put on an impressive performance.”

  “Did that cause any major problems?”

  “Nothing we can’t handle.”

  “You got the information I sent?”

  “Yes. We’re tracking the Bana and Petra clans, and looking more closely at Ziri Bana’s background. I didn’t expect a woman,” Roarr said.

  Ziri was one of their missing scientists. He’d already looked at her and dismissed her involvement. He could just imagine how Parker would respond to that.

  “Parents dead. No mate,” Kaje added.

  “That we know of,” Roarr replied. “Why else would a woman side with the rebels?”

  “Her brother is the clan chief.”

  “Everything we’ve discovered about them indicates they have a strong dislike of each other.”

  “You think he’s threatening her then?”

  “It’s a possibility.”

  Kaje couldn’t think of another explanation. They were outlaws and not known for having progressive ideas, even by Delroi standards, regarding women.

  “So we have someone giving information to rebels and no idea why.”

  “No. We do know the rebels killed were from the Bana clan. Two Earthlings killed. Unidentified as yet. I’ll see if Zola or Sergei can identify them.”

  Kaje fought back the fear. He’d known she was being attacked by a telepath but despite her assertion, he had hoped like hell it wasn’t one the Tel rebels. He hadn’t believed it. Fear was a bitch. He’d seen the recording of what she and Zola could do when they knew what they were facing. What about when it snuck up on them? The hell with this reluctance on her part. He would complete the bond. He’d be able to protect her then.

  “The Overchief is supposed to screen all Earthlings who come to Delroi. How did this happen?”

  “Don’t know yet, but trust me, he’s looking. Let’s just hope it doesn’t come to all out war.”

  “What about the cloaking device? I was told there was only one working prototype. Vidar said there were two cloaked vehicles there.”

  “We’re looking into that too,” he said grimly.

  Damn it. And Parker, his mate, was alone. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and barked at one of the warriors who’d accompanied Roarr. “Find me clothes. Boots. And my gods damned weapons.”

  Roarr nodded and the warrior hurried off to do his bidding. Jarek instantly appeared at his bedside.

  “What did I say about leaving?”

  “I’m just going to my der’lan’s quarters. I promise not to cause mayhem or rip open stitches while I’m there.”

  Jarek transferred his glare to his brother and then he smiled. It was in no way friendly. “I want him confined to quarters. His. Hers. I don’t care. But once he enters he will park his death wishing ass there for two days.”

  Roarr cocked his eyebrows and looked at Kaje. It was rare that Jarek pulled rank and Kaje knew Roarr wouldn’t ignore it. He held his hands up and spread his arms in surrender.

  “No problem. You’re ordering me to lock myself in with my der’lan for two days? I can live with that.”

  Roarr snorted.

  “I’ll believe it when I see it. And I will be dropping by,” Jarek said.

  Thankfully, Cassius came in with a go bag. Roarr and Jarek moved a few discreet feet away while Cassius dropped it on the bed. Kaje pulled on his pants first. It was harder to get into them than he’d ever admit, but once he did he moved onto boots.

  “You’re sure this is wise, brother?”

  “She won’t accept anyone else’s protection. And she isn’t ready for the rest.”

  He knew she wasn’t ready for the bond even if he’d sworn to do it earlier. She’d just have to get used to having him under foot. Which might work to his advantage. His quarters’ were much more spacious. Somehow he got the damned boots on and zipped. His shirt on and the weapons belt around his waist. Then he rose to his feet. Or tried to. Pain radiated from his worst injury, the one on his thigh. He gritted his teeth, forcing his gasp back. Cassius, though, knew. His brother’s gaze was one part sympathetic and one part frustrated.

  “I won’t rest easy here. You know it,” Kaje said.

  “I’ll have to help you walk. No one way to hide this.”

  Kaje grinned. “Anyone gives me a hard time and we’ll send Parker after them.”

  Cassius chuckled. “I do not want to ever get on her bad side.”

  “Me either.”

  He slung his arm around his brother’s shoulders and hobbled out of the infirmary. It was a slow walk, less because of him and more because of the number of people who stopped him. He shouldn’t have got out of the tank so soon. Shouldn’t be leaving the infirmary. But he was Steward of the Keep. Even if he didn’t have a der’lan to watch over he would have got out of that tank and infirmary. It was his job. So he endured the pain and fatigue, finally made it to Parker’s quarters and let himself in. She’d been on the balcony, not surprising, and met them in the living area.

  “What the hell? You should be in bed!”

  “Show me the way, baby.”

  “You’re fucking kidding me.”

  “I won’t leave you alone.”

  She crossed her arms and cocked an eyebrow. “Because you are so in a position to protect anyone right now.”

  She had him there, but… “I’ll go crazy if I stay in the infirmary and my mate refuses to move in with me. So I come to her.”

  She rolled her eyes. It should annoy him but whatever Jarek had stabbed him with before he left was taking affect. Even her scowl was cute.

  “Follow me,” she told Cassius. He was aware of walking into her bedroom, laying down, his boots being pulled off. Then everything went dark.

  *

  Forty-eight hours later she was going fucking crazy. Kaje was not a man meant for idleness. His body might not be at its strongest but his mind never shut down. He’d focused that brain on working remotely. From her living room. There was a stream of warriors, his and Roarr’s advisors, in and out of her quarters. He spent the rest of his time trying to convince her she was his and she should embrace a bond she knew would redefine her. She knew it was decision time. She loved him, but she wasn’t sure if he’d really stick around. She needed time and space to think. If she didn’t get some space soon she was liable to hurt someone. Namely Kaje.

  Shortly after lunch on the second day she escaped, pleading a pressing appointment at the temple. He insisted on walking with her and she hurried through the narrow tunnel hollowed out through the mountain until it opened on a wide spacious courtyard fronting the goddess’s temple. Once she passed through the opening it was like flipping a switch and her annoying, persistent bodyguard hung back. Not even Kaje would dare violate this boundary.

  She breathed a sigh of relief as she drew away from him and his emotions no longer swamped her. Kareena waited for her outside the temple with Zola. She nodded as she came to a stop next to them.

  “Waiting for me?”

  “I’m surprised you got away,” Kareena said, with a grin that bordered on smirk.

  Parker cast a glance over her shoulder. Kaje sat on a boulder smiling and joking with a group of other warriors. As if sensing her regard, he looked over, gave her a slow seductive smile and winked. For a man who’d danced with death two days ago he looked pretty damned carefree. She turned back to her friends.

  “Who says I got away?” she murmured in response to Kareena’s statement.

  “Not for long at least,” Zola said. “They’re relentless, aren’t they?”

  “Yeah.”

  She was surprised at Zola’s understanding and wondered what the hell she’d missed the last couple of days while she’d been cooped up in her quarters. Zola had stayed away du
ring that time.

  “So what’s going on?” Zola asked. “Have they identified the rebels?”

  One positive of Kaje being underfoot was he couldn’t keep any secrets.

  “The rebels, yes. The Tel members, no. Did you see the photos?”

  “Yes. I didn’t really know them. Lower level soldiers, solid but mid-range telepathy skills. They were Clark’s men.”

  “Who?”

  “He was a committee member,” she explained. “Probably still is. The man is a cockroach.”

  “Great,” Kareena said. “Anything new on the scientists?”

  “Last I heard they think Ziri Bana was the leak and they still haven’t tracked them down.”

  “Yeah, that’s the last I heard too.”

  Their investigation was going nowhere fast, and as frustrating as that was, it was not the center of her thoughts. She was sure the situation with the rebels and Tel was coming to a head. It was unavoidable. What wasn’t so clear cut to her was what she was going to do about Kaje.

  “Well. I’m in the mood to beat on something,” Zola continued. “Anyone else?”

  “Hell yes,” Parker said.

  She was more than ready to work of her confusion and aggravation. She followed them inside to the training facility. A weight area was set up in one corner but most of the room was devoted to hand to hand combat training. Several women were already there and sparring, a few nodded as she, Kareena, and Zola walked by and found a space for themselves. Kareena sat on the corner of the mat while they warmed up and got down to business.

  Parker put Kaje out of her mind and concentrated on moving, on the rhythm of circle, kick, punch. She tried not to think about Kaje, to forget the dilemma she faced, and the sexual need that seemed to only burn hotter and faster the more she was exposed to Kaje. This, fighting, appeared to be her only release. Unfortunately, it was temporary and not long lived. She was a still regaining her former physical strength and endurance, and it wasn’t long before she became winded. She couldn’t tire yet. She hadn’t burned off enough of the energy making her crazy. Then desperation made her sloppy. Even with Zola holding back—and wasn’t it frustrating she’d recovered so quickly?—the kick landed against her thigh with enough force to stagger her.

  “Oh fuck,” Zola said and rushed forward, Kareena joining her. “You okay?”

  “Yeah, yeah.” She waved them off. “Everything but my pride is fine.”

  “If it’s all the same to you, I think you can rejoin Kaje on your own,” Kareena joked.

  “I’m gonna hang around here for a little while,” Zola said.

  Parker rolled her eyes. “Thanks. Think I can sneak by him? I think I’d like a hot soak. Without a lecture,” she griped.

  He was so protective and possessive, she was pretty sure she’d get one. There was only one thing to do. Suck it up, walk as normally as possible, and hope he didn’t notice. Unfortunately she couldn’t quite hide the limp as she walked out. They exited the temple and for a moment she was blinded by the sudden glare. As usual she sensed him before she saw him.

  He separated from the warriors he’d been sitting with, stood and watched as she approached. She slowed, loathed to show any sign the workout hadn’t gone well, but she didn’t hide it well enough. His eyes narrowed, dangerous and angry, and he nodded to Kareena as she slipped by them into the narrow pass.

  “I’ll check on you later,” she said.

  “That won’t be necessary,” Kaje clipped out. “She’ll be taken care of. I believe your mate is looking for you, Lady Kareena.”

  Kareena grinned. “I’ll go see what he wants.”

  Parker shared a mental, and envious, huff with her. “You know exactly what he wants.”

  Kareena gave a pointed look at Kaje. “Honey, I’m sure you remember how to seduce a man. They’re easy.”

  “Oh go away.”

  With a wave, Kareena hurried away. Parker was glad her friend was happy, but she wasn’t looking for the same thing. She certainly didn’t expect it from the uncharacteristically dour warrior at her side. Hell, she’d settle for getting laid. No pressure. No strings. And she was totally lying to herself. She wanted everything and she wasn’t convinced he could give it to her.

  She shrugged Kaje off as he tried to take her arm and stalked off before him. She managed to hold it together, too, until they entered the massive courtyard of the Keep. When she couldn’t hide the limp any longer and just wanted to curl up with some pain meds and a drink, he overtook her. He swung her up in his arms as easily as he might a child and strode down the first corridor he came to. When he came to the hall that split to the chief’s quarters, however, he kept going.

  “My room is the other way,” she reminded him.”And you’re injured. You shouldn’t be carrying me.”

  “No, der’lan,” he said grimly. “Your room is this way and I’m more than capable of seeing to your care.”

  His tone and expression were so unexpected she almost missed what he said. It took a few seconds to sink in and then she struggled against his hold.

  “Put me down, Kaje. I haven’t agreed to this,” she hissed after they passed a group of warriors who didn’t even bother to conceal their amusement at her predicament. She wasn’t the big scary telepath now, was she?

  He didn’t say a word and he didn’t let her go until he came to his wing, then his quarters and slapped his hand against the access panel, and walked inside. When the door closed behind him, he secured it, set her down, and looked her over.

  “What the hell are you doing?” she asked, trying to step around him. He caught her with an arm around her waist, the other moving up her back and finally cupping the back of her head.

  “I’m not letting you run anymore,” he muttered, his face lowering to hers.

  He was going to kiss her and she was pretty damned sure if he did, she’d be lost. She was supposed to be resisting him. There was too much potential for heartache, she reminded herself. Unlike Kareena who’d had and lost family and tried for so many years to never replace them, Parker had never had anyone. But she’d yearned.

  “Let me give you what you want, baby,” he whispered, staring into her eyes. He shouldn’t be able to tell what she was thinking, but he did. She could see it. She shook her head.

  “I’m supposed to be meeting Vidar.”

  “I’m here,” the voice drawled behind her.

  “Later, brother,” Kaje snapped out the command but he didn’t wait for a response.

  He picked her up again and carried her to another room. She knew it was his as soon as they crossed the threshold and the door shut behind them. His energy seemed to permeate the air, heavy and masculine and seductive. She looked at the large bed and cringed, wondering how often he shared it. How many women had spent nights here? With a put upon sigh, he stalked into the bathroom, set her down gently, and moved to the faucets on a soaking tub big enough for four.

  “By tradition,” he clipped out. “The only woman invited into the Steward’s bedroom is his der’lan.” He stood and faced her. “No other woman has spent time in that bed.”

  She didn’t say a word as he pulled off her clothes. She was too surprised, first at the admission then the hurt she felt from him. He lifted her into the tub and she sighed as the warmth soaked into her bones.

  “I don’t understand this place,” she muttered. “I don’t understand you.”

  Wild sex on the beach was exactly what she’d expect from a professional soldier, even if he was a charmer. But this? Taking care of her without complaint when she could almost hear the angry words, the lecture he was holding back in his mind? She leaned her head back and closed her eyes. It made no sense.

  “Sit up, baby.”

  She did and he moved into position behind her. She sat between his thighs, his legs bracketing hers, and held her breath as his arms circled her waist.

  “Relax,” he whispered. “Let me take care of you. Let me hold you.”

  “For how long?”
/>   “For always. Look into my mind, baby. See for yourself.”

  It was a mistake. She knew it, but she did as he asked anyway. And cringed at what she saw. She tried to pull away from.

  “Where do you think you’re going, baby?” he asked.

  “I shouldn’t have looked. That’s inexcusable.”

  “I invited you to, love. Why did you give in if you think it’s so horrible?”

  God, how could she answer that? She was curious? Possessive? Jealous? “I needed to know if you’re capable of the kind of relationship you’re pushing for,” she whispered.

  And she hadn’t found one damned thing in his memories that reassured her. Instead of angering him though, her admission seemed to please him, even maybe amuse him. She ground her teeth together.

  “What kind of warrior would I be to involve myself that deeply with a woman I know is not mine, Parker?”

  “That’s a long string of women,” she snapped. This time she was positive he was amused and as her anger grew, his hands stroked her in soothing circles.

  “It’s not nearly as long as you think, and there hasn’t been any woman since we invaded Earth. There was too much to do.” And no interest. Perhaps a part of himself had anticipated meeting her, and prepared.

  She wasn’t sure how to respond to that admission or the thought he didn’t try to hide, but she was relieved.

  “Is your past so spotless?” he asked, then seemed to change his mind. “Don’t answer that. I don’t care about you did before I found you.”

  She should object to the possessiveness in his voice, still wasn’t convinced pursuing anything but a physical relationship was a good idea. No matter how she felt about him. It was hard to focus on objections, though, while his hands were on her. His touch had turned from comforting to stimulating. Before she could demand more he urged her out of the tub, followed and dried them both before pulling her back to his bedroom. To his bed. She hadn’t forgotten his words and bit her lip.

  “I don’t know if this is such a good idea.”

  He sent her the sexy teasing smile she found irresistible, and gave her a gentle push back, following her down to trap her under him.