Irresistible (Delroi Prophecy)

by Hunt, Loribelle

  “Oh, it’s an excellent idea. My bed.” He leaned close and bit her just under her ear. Her sex clenched in response to the primitive act. “My der’lan.”

  Another teasing bite before he rolled out of bed and looked down at her. His eyes were hooded, hot, avaricious. She shivered under his gaze, wondering what she’d inadvertently let loose.

  “You liked it when I restrained your wrists,” he said with a grin so sinful she was surprised she didn’t come from it alone. The hell of it was she couldn’t deny his claim.

  “Maybe,” she said cautiously and he laughed out loud.

  “Why don’t we see what else you like, baby? I’m so curious. Is it just being restrained that turns you on? If I spank you will you like it?”

  Somehow she managed to suppress a groan of encouragement, but the words were in her mind, yes please!, and she couldn’t be sure he hadn’t heard them. He turned from her and went to a cabinet. He had a large wooden box in his hands when he returned. She sat up to see what was in it, but one stern look was all she needed to decide maybe she didn’t want to know. Maybe this was a bad idea all the way around. He pulled out a handful of leather straps, moved the box to the floor, and turned to her with a serious expression.

  “I would never hurt you, baby. I think you know that, and,” he sighed. “I’m not sure if I can explain this so you’ll understand. Delroi males desire, need, their der’lans to submit. We don’t know how it works or even why really. But it is a biological imperative.”

  She watched him warily as he sat by her knee and undid the buckles on his straps.

  “Have you ever done this before? Other than with me?” he asked. His tone was even and calm, but there was an edge under it that made her glad her answer was negative. Fantasized? Sure. Real life experience? Unh uh.

  “Only with you.”

  “Good,” he said, low and fervent.

  He wrapped a length of leather around her thigh, buckled it, and she finally noticed there was another length and buckle attached to it. He attached it to her wrist, repeated it on the other side, so she was left with her hands restrained at her thighs. He stood.

  “Beautiful.” She believed it when she looked in his eyes. “But I think we can go a step further.”

  He bent to the box and returned a moment later with jewels dangling in his hand. Perfect teardrops, deep blue. She would have reached out to touch them if she could have.

  “Lapis lazuli?”

  “Hmm, I bought them last year on Earth.”

  Of course. His family’s colors. Instead of posts, they had tiny loops. He opened one, fit it around her nipple and tightened it to just the verge of pain. Then he did the same to the other. He sat back to admire his work.

  “You know how we mark our women in the south,” he said, voice husky with emotion. All she could manage was nod. He ran his finger down the side of his face and neck, over his tattoos.

  “These symbolize my name, my family, my position. Women in the south bear their mate’s mark on their necks.”

  He didn’t bother to hide his anticipation. He wanted his tattoo on her skin. She trembled.

  “But in the north,” he continued. “They don’t follow our traditions. Their women are marked another way. Pierced,” he whispered, leaning close to flick his tongue over one nipple. “I want you to wear my jewelry. I want you wearing my brand.”

  She should not have liked his possessiveness. Should not have craved more of it. He closed his teeth on her nipple, rolling his tongue over it until it was a hard wet peak. Then he repeated the exercise on her other breast. He sat back with a satisfied look and picked one of the rings. Pressing on the clamp to open the thin metal circle he slipped it over her. She gasped when he released it. Sensation bordering on pain flashed through her.

  “Too much?” he asked, watching her carefully.

  She shook her head, afraid to try to speak, and didn’t protest when he placed the second one on her other nipple.

  “So pretty, der’lan,” he said softly. He kissed each tip before looking at her regretfully. “I wanted to take my time with you today. Keep you so satisfied you’d never consider leaving my bed.”

  He sat back on his heels and pulled her hips to him, spreading her thighs over his. Then he pressed the hard length of his cock into her pussy. She couldn’t believe there could be anything hotter than watching him take her. Until he started moving. Fast, hurried strokes as he leaned down and closed his lips around her nipple. He sucked her hard so she rode the edge of pleasure and pain. When he rubbed his thumb over her clit, she exploded. He fucked her through the orgasm, still strumming her clit, teasing her nipple until she came again. Harder. Longer. When she thought she couldn’t take anymore he kissed his way up her body, to the curve of her neck and bit her, muffled his shout as she felt him jerk and come inside her.

  He rolled to her side, undid the buckles that held her trapped and pulled her to drape over his chest. She didn’t complain. It felt damned good to rest in strong, warm arms and she didn’t have the energy to fight her emotions. She feared it was too late anyway. She was drifting to sleep when Kaje’s comm unit starting beeping, a fast loud blare that seemed to scream emergency. He released her reluctantly.

  “I have to answer this.” He pressed a kiss to her lips, then stood and reached for his clothes. She rose to do the same, felt the tug of the nipple rings as she did and winced. He stepped to her, wrapped an arm around her waist and removed one. She gasped at the sting of pain as blood rushed back into the tender area.

  “Ready for the other one?” he asked.

  She nodded, bracing herself, and he removed the other. He dropped them onto the nightstand then watched with a dark hooded gaze as she pulled on her clothes.

  “Stay here,” he demanded.

  Damn, she was tempted, but she wasn’t quite ready yet. She was starting to believe he was serious about a permanent relationship. She just had to be sure he would be okay with that in the long run.

  “I can’t,” she said firmly, shaking her head. She expected him to argue and was surprised when he just nodded.

  “Vidar will escort you to your quarters. I’ll bring dinner this evening.”

  He was gone before she could protest. Damn. Looked like she’d make that lunch with Vidar after all.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Anna Leigh stared at the screen, rereading the message from Britt Anderson. She wanted to know Anna Leigh’s price for the names. This was the risky part. She had no idea what her daughter had told Britt, but it couldn’t be good. Not that Britt had mentioned Zola. Anna Leigh wasn’t surprised. She hadn’t really expected any kind of acknowledgement. Didn’t deserve it.

  That didn’t mean she was giving up hope that some day, somehow she could make it up to her daughter. To do that she had to get to Delroi. She could demand asylum for the names. It was the kind of thing they’d expect. They might give it to her, but she couldn’t be sure. She could just give them the names as an offer of good faith and ask for asylum. And they could deny her. She’d have to find another way onto the planet then. She took a deep breath and replied to the message. Twelve names. Eight Tel agents. Four Delroi rebels.

  An hour later she had an offer. Since she’d freely given over the names, they would grant her request, but it would require she perform a favor for them. Leaning back in her chair, she considered it. It seemed simple enough on the surface. They were holding a warrior they thought her unique talents would be useful in questioning. If she was interested she had twenty four hours to get to their base and perform the task. After that she was on her own. It wasn’t a choice at all. She sent her acceptance.

  Several hours later she drove through the gates and followed the directions to the Southern clans’ headquarters. She parked in front and hesitated next to her car. They were waiting for her, several warriors, big and hulking and severe looking. They all had the facial tattoos of the southern clans. She was an assassin and a spy. She made no excuses for what she was, but there w
as no way she could walk out of this alive if it was a trap. Might as well get it over with. Inhaling deeply, fortifying her resolve, she stepped forward and climbed the steps. One of them stepped forward to meet her and she let her senses expand, realized he had a natural shield. She’d bet they all did.

  “Ms. Gray. I’m Galinn.”

  She nodded. “Anna Leigh is fine.”

  “Anna Leigh then,” he said. “I’ll need your weapons.”

  Of course. She handed over two pistols and a blade. He gave her a hard look.

  “We don’t have to do this the hard way.”

  She sighed and gave him two more knives. Finally he turned and walked inside where several more warriors waited. He didn’t pause to speak to anyone. She followed him through the spacious lobby to a door tucked in the back corner. They entered a conference room and a man turned from the window to greet them. Anna Leigh saw her shock reflected in his eyes and had no idea why. She’d never seen him before in her life. Then why did she feel like she knew him? Like he knew her? The real woman.

  If he was human she’d peg him as a soldier, probably a high ranking officer, and an extremely well taken care of fifty year old. Or thereabouts. He was a few inches over six feet, had cat green eyes, and short hair that was more silver than black. Tattoos stretched down the right side of his body. He was sexy as hell. He was a telepath. His power stroked over her, almost seductively. And he was pissed off. He held her gaze as he spoke.

  “Galinn, tell Barak I apologize but I will have to decline his offer.”

  “He’ll banish you, Xan, and leave you stranded here.”

  “I can always appeal to the Overchief.”

  Galinn shook his head. “He won’t hear you out.”

  The stranger switched to another language and she didn’t hesitate to slip into his mind for the translation.

  “There are some things a der’lan should never know.”

  Galinn’s eyes widened a fraction before he regained control. What the hell was that?

  “That complicates things,” Galinn muttered in English.

  “What’s a der’lan?”

  The new guy, Xan, glared at her. “I didn’t give you permission to enter my mind.”

  She shrugged. “I don’t care. I agreed to do a job for Britt Anderson. In exchange, I get off this planet. It would be much easier for both of us if you cooperated. It’s you right? The one she wants to make sure can be trusted?”

  He didn’t respond, though his expression was easy enough to read. He wanted her gone.

  “There is a problem,” Galinn interjected.

  “No,” she snapped, not thinking before she spoke because she was unaccountably angry at Xan for standing in her way. “There isn’t. I need to get to Delroi. You want to be cleared. And I need to know if I need to kill you before I leave.”

  Xan laughed. “You think you could kill me, love?”

  She didn’t joke back, didn’t tease. She let her power rise.

  “Britt wouldn’t use me unless she thought you might be a rebel. Am I right? Don’t bother answering, I can see that I am.” She took a step forward. “You have no idea the lengths I will go to, that I have gone to, to survive this long. I would slit your throat without any hesitation at all if that was the price for this trip.”

  “The Delroi don’t use women as assassins,” he snarled, stalking closer though they were still separated by several feet. She was tempted to close them. To make this altercation something else entirely.

  “I am not Delroi,” she said, resisting the urge. Galinn looked like he wanted to intervene but wasn’t sure how. “Can we get on with this? Britt hinted that I could leave tonight once this is finished.”

  “I’m sorry, my lady, I can’t compel Xan in this. You will have to convince him yourself.”

  She glared at them both but neither relented. “If I ever discover that my next words were repeated I will hunt you both down and make you pray for a slow death.”

  She got no response. So be it. They’d been warned and she wasn’t above manipulating to get what she wanted. It was no secret the Delroi were overprotective when it came to women.

  “My daughter is being hunted by two different organizations. One is a group of human psychics. The other is your rebels. I am of no help to her here.”

  Xan scowled at Galinn. “I imagined I won’t be briefed until I agree to this.”

  “I can’t guarantee that you will be then.”

  Xan’s expression turned hard. “Oh, I will be.”

  He pulled a chair out from the table. “Come on, love. Let’s get this over with.”

  “What changed your mind? Being suspected of being a rebel?”

  He shook his head. “I am no rebel. But if I don’t allow this, I won’t be in a position to protect you or your daughter.”

  “Why would you want to help me?” she asked. She pretended to be suspicious at his sudden turn around. Maybe this was the test.

  He took the seat next to her and held his hand out. She had no idea why she took it.

  “It’s complicated and I don’t think you’d believe me. Get this over with, Anna Leigh. Once I am reinstated we can be on our way.”

  “Why are you in such a hurry?”

  His smile was grim and promised retribution. She was intrigued. “My half brother is my clan chief. Turns out he’s neck deep in the rebellion. I’m the only one who can take over the clan. Otherwise, it will be absorbed by another.”

  “You were willing to do whatever was necessary before I walked in,” she said softly. “What changed?”

  Many people were afraid of her, but he had no idea who she was. He stroked his thumb over her wrist and her pulse stuttered in response. He gave her a smile that was pure masculine confidence.

  “Shouldn’t you be worried about clearing my name first?” he countered.

  Avoiding the question and using her inexplicable attraction to him. She might regret not pursuing it later but at least she’d be on a spaceship when it happened.

  “Fine. Lower your shields.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Kaje looked at the message. He wasn’t very surprised to find Mikail Bana’s name at the top of the list. The man was an ass and had never made secret his ambition to rule the South. His sister was one of their missing scientists and half of the rebel warriors they’d caught or killed in the Green Zone were members of his clan.

  “Where did this come from?”

  “Britt’s source,” Roarr answered, though he didn’t mention the source was Zola’s mother.

  “Her price?”

  “She gave it freely but she did request asylum.”

  Kaje raised his eyebrows when Roarr didn’t elaborate. “And?”

  “Britt asked her to question Xan Bana about his leanings. If he’s part of the rebellion, Barak will have to decide what to do with the clan.”

  Xan was Mikail’s cousin. He’d been a good friend of Kaje’s father and he knew him well. He shook his head.

  “Xan is solid. Even if he was sympathetic to the rebellion Mikail would never bring him in. He hates him.”

  “Falkor and I agree, but Barak just took over. He wants to be positive.”

  Kaje couldn’t fault him. “And Zola’s mother?”

  “I don’t know. Britt is probably talking to Zola as we speak.”

  Roarr’s comm chirped and after glancing at it, he stood.

  “Found him. He’s retreated to his desert stronghold. We attack from the north, Barak from the south.”

  “Who are you mobilizing?” Kaje asked as he fell into step with Roarr, while sending a message to Vidar and Parker.

  “The Second Strategic Company.” Good. Not Vidar’s company; he wasn’t ready yet. “They’ve been on maneuvers near the border so they’re prepared to go now. We’re flying out to meet them.”

  An hour later he low crawled into position next to Roarr and studied the valley floor through field lenses. It was dominated by a huge stone edifice that backed up agai
nst a cliff. Dozens of shuttles were parked along its sides. Hundreds of warriors loitered around and in front of the castle.

  The sides of the valley weren’t as steep and were littered with trails and passes, though there was no major road into the valley. Supplies had to be hiked or flown in. A smart man who intended to entrench inside the castle would have sentries guarding all the passes. Bana did not.

  “What is he up to? He has to know we’re here but he’s made no move to secure the valley.”

  Sergei Trace appeared at his side so silently Kaje barely managed to not react and shoot the man. He couldn’t remember the last time someone had been able to sneak up on him, hadn’t believed it was possible. He got the impression Sergei hadn’t done it on purpose either. They did call him the Shadow after all.

  “You have a message from Barak?” Roarr asked.

  Sergei turned grimmer than usual. “There are women and children inside. Roarr has a team infiltrating to secure them but it will take some time.”

  “Hostages,” Roarr snarled. “That explains the mixed emotions down there. Fury and fear from some of them and anticipation and smugness from others. I bet it isn’t their women inside.”

  “Janice and I agree. Once the team secures them we’ll move in. Barak wants you to start moving your men through the passes into position. They need to be ready to go when the inside team signals.”

  Kaje studied the valley floor again, noting which passes would be best to hide large numbers of warriors until they were needed. Then he switched his attention to the Bana warriors, zooming the field lenses so he could make out individuals. They separated into groups, some he knew were family groups, some friends or allies.

  “They aren’t all armed,” he said, handing the glasses to Roarr whose face took on a look of concentration. He knew the clan chief was using his empathic abilities. After a moment he looked at Kaje and Sergei.

  “If they aren’t armed don’t engage unless they attack. Some could be rebels hoping to infiltrate, but most aren’t.”

  Kaje agreed with Roarr’s assessment and started giving orders to move their warriors into position. Then they waited. It felt like hours later before Barak gave the order to attack, though it wasn’t more than two. There was a lot of open ground to cover where even with their protective gear, they’d be exposed. To turn the odds in their favor, Barak launched concussion missiles at the edge of the line the Bana warriors formed. They used countermeasures, exploding the missiles in the air, but several still managed to get through, booming loudly when they impacted the ground. Even at the distance he waited, Kaje had to shake his head to clear it before he could move.