V'hor's Nestmate

by Michelle Howard

  The moment Vee heard the quiet snuffles Eva made signaling her sleep, he got out of bed. He crossed the room to where she lay on the narrow lounger and squatted close enough to study her exhausted features. Mouth slightly parted, long lashes curled at the tips and tiny bits of hair swirled at her temple and tucked sweetly around the curve of her left ear.

  Curious about the texture of the black silk spread behind her slender neck, he lifted his hand then halted it mid-air. Touching her now probably wasn’t a good idea. He already had a deep-rooted reaction to her presence he couldn’t explain. The brief moments earlier with a hand to her back or clasping her fingers had struck at the core of him in an oddly intimate way.

  As he stared, Eva let out a little moan and rolled over onto her back. The sight of the bruising along her cheek from Mannid’s abuse had his fingers clenching. He didn’t know her story, but he could venture a guess. Never again would he allow another to put a hand on her in violence. The vow settled in his gut.

  With monumental effort, Vee stepped away from temptation, grabbed his comm from his pack and hurried out of the rental unit.

  There was no surprise when he confronted the tall form waiting in the hall. Bane had one broad shoulder braced against the wall, a booted foot propped up behind him and arms folded over his chest. Black covered his large heavily muscled frame from head to toe. Add in a face set in stern lines and not many dared to go against his fellow teammate.

  At the moment, his black eyes threaded with white striation narrowed on Vee’s half-dressed state. The slight curve of his mouth mocked Vee silently. “Couldn’t change after the fight?”

  “I did.” To his dismay, tight leather pants and revealing shirts made up most of Vanquish’s wardrobe.

  A low chuckle. “Mmm. What about the woman?”

  “What about her?”

  Bane arched a brow at his rough tone. “Do you know what you’re doing?”

  A great question. Vee sighed and shoved a hand through his hair. His skin itched from the face mask, his body ached and he had a throbbing cock. Not to mention Eva’s presence increased the dangerous stakes of the mission. “I am not certain.”

  “I think we all got that when you accepted a sex slave,” Bane said, dryly.

  It was no secret Vee found it difficult to be impartial if a female was involved on an assignment. Torkel and the others worked with and around him to make sure it didn’t impact his role overmuch. None of them could have expected this.

  “Who is she?” Bane asked, getting to the real point.

  “A human. From Earth. She was Mannid’s sex slave. I didn’t get to ask how she ended up with him, but I’d bet credits she’s a part of the program Earth runs for their women.”

  “Makes sense.”

  Earth women sought husbands or life partners on other worlds due to the shortage of men they suffered on their own world. It was a perfect system...when it worked. Unfortunately, word spread rampant about the women’s capacity for love and loyalty not to mention their often fun and open attitude toward sex sharing. As a result, they were now seen as a valuable commodity and subject to being stolen and sold to slave auctions held by Marenians.

  “There’s more though.” Bane gave him a knowing look. “What aren’t you telling me?”

  “I’m...attracted to her.”

  Eyes going bright, Bane snort laughed. “What?”

  Vee didn’t like repeating himself, but spit the words out in detail. “I want to sex share with her.”

  Bane straightened, his foot hitting the floor as he stared in amazement. “Like actual sex sharing or your need to be near a female body and give her your protection?”

  It wasn’t always a good thing when the teammate you were closest to knew you so well. On a long ago night, Vee had revealed to Bane his desire to simply lie next to a female. Not sex sharing, but body to body contact in the same bed. Denying his biological urges had led to mounting frustration and impatience. It grew steadily worst as Vee got older and past the age most males joined with a Matire and began a family.

  At first, he’d tried to bury the need with training and sparring. Then he’d volunteered for the more dangerous missions assigned to their Unit. None of it completely took away what Vee really needed. It was Bane who came up with the idea and convinced him to pay sex share workers to sleep next to him.

  The simple act of being beside a female while she slept soothed his compulsion to protect and care for her. Allowed him to regain focus and settled his vibrating nerves. Rarely did the sessions lead to actual penetration. Aside from his discomfort about his male organ, Vee’s taste ran true as a Serpine and he was too embarrassed to ask females to cater to his particular desires.

  “Vee?” Bane prodded.

  Before answering, Vee asked, “Where’s Rydak?”

  Their Team Leader was supposed to be here on guard duty with Bane.

  “Went to join Uri and Khane to reconnaissance Mannid’s residence.”

  Vee swallowed. “Are you commed?”

  Now Bane shot him a heated glare. “You know me better than that.”

  He was right. Bane would never betray him by revealing something he’d shared personally unless it impacted his performance as a Jutak warrior.

  “I want to sex share with her. I want to join my body with hers and cradle her in my arms where she’s safe and secure. Every time I even imagine her being harmed, I suffer a flash of such anger...I can’t put it into words. And there’s this drive telling me to protect her at all cost.”

  “Fuuuuuck,” Bane groaned. He bowed his head and paced off a few steps before returning. His head snapped back up and he pinned Vee with a hard stare. “Are you going through that thing Serpines do?”

  Against his will, Vee’s lips twitched. He knew what his friend referenced, but chose to tease in a rare moment of camaraderie. “That thing?”

  Splashes of red flared on Bane’s cheeks. It wasn’t often the burly Jutak got embarrassed. “The nesting. Are you feeling the need to nest with her?”

  Amusement fading, Vee let the question fully sink in. Nesting. It was a male Serpine’s instinctive draw toward a specific female. Was he nesting? Part horrified at the thought, Vee slumped back against the solid weight of the door behind him. “I...I don’t know.”

  Bane’s gaze remained steady on him. “How did you feel when Mannid offered her to you in exchange for losing the match?”

  Rage. So much rage had overcome him at the offer. Vee hadn’t been able to respond initially for fear he’d lose his hard won control. Bane nodded without waiting for his response. “Your moods have been off lately. Your temper on a thin trigger. More so than usual despite you using sex share workers to ease the edge. To be honest, I think taking this assignment was the worst idea considering where you are right now emotionally.”

  At that, Vee bolted upright. His hands clenched into fists. “I have never jeopardized a mission.”

  “No, but you’ve never suffered from the need to nest before either. Think about it, Vee. Right after Torkel became Chosen to Faye and Sylvie and Joni joined us, you started upping your visits with the sex share workers.”

  Vee frowned hard, trying to think of the last four years since the Earth women had made Enotia their home once they’d settled with his teammates. Had their new found love ignited his own need for the same?

  “How soon do male Serpines usually select a nestmate?” Bane’s gruff voice indicated he found the direction of their conversation awkward.

  “Long before our twenty-fifth natal year,” Vee muttered, trying to assess if what he felt toward Eva in those brief flashes could actually mean he’d found the one he subconsciously sought in every female he crossed. He was already well into his twenty-ninth year.

  Reality intruded its ugly head and Vee’s heart dropped. Peshla had given his promise to the Uladi family years ago, pledged him to Niya and Vee had honored the commitment. The sinking sensation returned to his stomach.

  Bane caught the look on his fa
ce. Instead of explaining, Vee slid the small black bud in his ear, connecting him to Rydak, Uri and Khane. They needed to be a part of the rest of this conversation. Across from him, Bane did the same.

  “Bane, Vee, report.”

  Not fooled by Rydak’s bland tone, Vee forced out the admission. “My judgment is compromised.”

  “Tell me.” Steady and strong. That was his Team Leader.

  Vee revealed everything he and Bane discussed without going into too much detail about his personal nature.

  “Do you need out or can you finish?” Rydak asked.

  Vee swallowed and met Bane’s gaze. His friend remained still and quiet, but his black-eyed stare reflected nothing, but support for however Vee wished to handle this.

  “I can do this, Rydak. I’m getting close to Mannid. He offered me a deal to throw the fight. I’m certain we’ll soon have proof of his involvement with the bliss.”

  “And the woman? Is that going to be a problem?

  Vee owed him nothing, but honesty. Unable to explain the connection he felt toward Eva, Vee stuck to the basics. “She...I want to bring her to Enotia. I believe she was stolen from Earth.”

  Khane’s curse hissed across the line, but it was Uri who interjected, “Torkel will support you on this.”

  A wave of assurance washed over him because Uri was right. His Unit Leader would never turn away an Earth woman in need of help. At least not without his Chosen, Faye, getting involved. They would all make sure Eva received whatever assistance she needed.

  Meanwhile, Vee would have to figure out if he was truly trying to nest with her. Because if so, he was fucked.

  Chapter 7

  Eva woke nestled against a block of heat. She opened her eyes and stared at a familiar grubby wall grayed by time or a bad paint job. Beneath her cheek, the lounger rose up and down.

  In fact, her entire upper body was pressed against something moving. Eva turned her head slightly and came face to face with gold skin. Face to chest, she corrected as her gaze lifted.

  Vanquish.

  How had she gotten in the bed with him? Scrambling up and away, Eva almost tripped over the sheet she still held. Vanquish opened his eyes and met her gaze with something close to amusement glinting.

  “What...how? I was on the lounger,” she snapped.

  He sat up and her gaze dropped to his bare chest. Heat burst in her loins, but she ignored it and waited for his response.

  “You didn’t look comfortable and several times you tossed about almost falling to the floor. It was safer to move you to the bed.”

  And she’d slept through it. Eva lifted her chin and cleared her throat loudly. “Well. Thanks.”

  “If you’d like a chance to get clean, I can take you to the cleansing room in the building.” He spoke as he climbed from the bed. “I’ll try and get some things for you later as well. Clothing and personal items.”

  It was a relief to know she wouldn’t have to parade around in this gold outfit forever. Mannid had an entire closet dedicated to purchases he’d made for Eva to keep her scantily clad for his pleasure. Hopefully, Vanquish’s selections would be more circumspect.

  “Thank you. I’ll find a way to pay you back.”

  He shrugged, drawing her attention to the rippling body he displayed with such confidence. On his lower half, he wore the leather pants from the night before. He strode toward a dresser jammed against a tiny corner and grabbed a bright white shirt with long sleeves that ended in flowing lace and pulled it over his head. Vivid gold snaps formed a single vertical row down the front.

  The entire outfit was at odds with his demeanor. It came across as dramatic and with an overt flair that didn’t seem to match the fighter at all.

  “Ready?” He picked up a dark colored towel with a smaller matching cloth on top.

  Not really. Eva plastered a fake smile on her face. “Sure.”

  They avoided the automated lift again as he walked her down three flights. On that floor, Vanquish pushed open all four doors which appeared to be cleansing rooms and looked inside. “They’re empty. I’ll wait outside here for you.”

  He handed her the towels. Eva sent him a nervous grin and entered the closest one. It was as bad as she expected. Chipped, tiled walls a glaring shade of blue, grimy, cracked flooring and a stench which reeked of body odor along with other things she refused to acknowledge.

  “Alright,” she spoke aloud. “Make the best of it.”

  Eva used the least dirty stall and took the fastest shower in history. Wrapped in the smaller towel had been a small container of amber colored liquid she assumed to be a soap product. Her skin and hair now smelled strongly like the woodsy scent she’d noted on Vanquish.

  Dressed once more in the short skirt and top with her breasts free and bouncing, she walked out at least feeling clean. Waiting as he’d promised, Vanquish leaned against the wall, hands deep in the pockets of his pants and head bowed. He looked up at Eva’s approach, desire flashing in his gaze. His mouth twisted up in the corner as he took his time eyeing her from head to sandaled toes. “Done?”

  The smoky sound of his voice sent a thrill buzzing up her spine. “Y-yes.”

  He closed the distance between them and picked up a section of hair. It was still damp about her shoulders because Eva hadn’t been able to do more than rinse and towel dry the mess. His brows furrowed as he sifted it through his fingers again and again. She held her breath, unable to take a step back as wisdom dictated or forward as her body demanded.

  When he looked up, she was mesmerized by the expression on his face. Feelings she shouldn’t have rushed to the surface, heating her skin. Eva licked her lips and his eyes followed the gesture. Every drop of moisture dried in her mouth. To be focused on with such intensity was unnerving.

  At her silence, his gaze lowered once more and he continued to finger the strands of hair until Eva forced herself to move. Resistance pulled at the roots, holding her in place. A small moan slipped free. Vanquish jerked, head snapping up from her hair to stare. Arousal glittered from the sea of green-gold beneath lids lowered to half-mast.

  How long they stood caught in the web pulling them together, Eva couldn’t say. Something needed to break the invisible connection, but hell if she knew how. Nor was she quite sure she wanted to.

  “Like silk,” he finally rasped before releasing the black locks and turning toward the stairs.

  While her mind tried to figure out what just happened, Eva clasped the wet bundle to her chest and followed. Back at his place, she sat at the scarred table and studied her temporary roommate. Maybe if she engaged him in conversation, it would give her a better chance at escaping.

  “How long have you fought at The Pit?”

  After a shuttered glance in her direction, he gathered food items on the counter. “Long enough.”

  “Right.” Clearly she’d have to work harder to get him to talk. “Do you plan to do it much longer or is there something you’re working toward?”

  Vanquish loaded the food in the black device on the counter and leaned his hips against it. With arms folded over his chest and legs crossed at the ankle, he watched her. Instead of giving an answer to her question, he tossed out in a bland tone, “If you need something to occupy your mind, I’m sure I can figure out a means to entertain you, Eva.”

  Holy shit! Yes and no thank you. The dual thoughts slammed into her mind at the same time.

  “I’m fine,” Eva choked out, avoiding his knowing smirk to take an interest in a section of peeling paint on the wall in front of her.

  His chuckled invaded and Eva squeezed her thighs together tightly. Never had she imagined how inconvenient attraction could actually be. On Earth, it was a good thing when both parties were on the same page. Hell, who wanted a man that didn’t light sparks in the bedroom department.

  Except, she wasn’t on Earth and Eva had the hots for her kidnapper. Did he qualify as a kidnapper?

  The food device beeped, providing a distraction and tearing hi
s gaze away from her. As soon as he turned, Eva adjusted her top and admonished her nipples to stand down. Vanquish came to the table and set two containers down then kicked out the chair opposite her and dropped into it.

  Eva toyed with the mystery meal as he devoured his. He ate with a single minded focus that had her questioning if he brought the same devotion to other things. Once he finished his food, he pushed the plate to the side and met her gaze head on.

  “Not hungry?”

  She couldn’t work up an appetite right now. Maybe if she wasn’t concerned for her future. Maybe if it had a slight resemblance to her favorite meal of fries drowned in ketchup. Sighing, Eva dropped her utensil and gave up the pretense. “Not for this. I’m not tempted in the slightest.”

  His nostrils flared, lust adding dusky hints of bronze color to his cheekbones. “The bed is available any time you want.”

  What? Eva’s voice trembled as she spit the same question aloud. “W-what?”

  He slouched back in his chair and arched a brow. “I think we both understood what I said. Or are you not tempted? Think long and hard about the fact that I have an increased sense of smell before you lie.”

  Was he implying he could...smell her? Shame spilled over for the desire she kept experiencing in his presence. She’d thought his rough manner sexy, attractive. This version of asshole not so much. Eva jumped to her feet, storming for the door. “Fuck you, Vanquish!”

  “I want to. Fuck, that is. It’s fairly obvious. Are you agreeing?”

  Steam poured from Eva’s ears. Why had she thought he was any different from other men? Apparently, Earth didn’t hold the monopoly on jerks. Swallowing through the thick knot in her throat, Eva jammed fists to the corners of her eyes in an effort to force back tears. No crying for losers.

  “Eva...Eva, wait!” The chair scraped behind her.