Ten
“Hunt one?” Tara took a quick step back. “What the hell do you mean, hunt one?”
“G’hir males must capture a mate.” His brow furrowed. “Your heartrate has jumped.”
“I helped you.” Her hand went to her mouth. “Oh, my God, I helped and you’re here to hunt humans!”
“Not all humans. Females.”
“Wow, how hetero-correct of you.”
“What is het—”
“Never mind! That’s why you could understand English? Why your people have been here before? To hunt women down?”
“Not I.”
She shook her head. “You just said—”
“I am not among those chosen to hunt on your world.”
“Men get chosen for this?”
“Each enclosure sends their best, their strongest warriors to compete. Only a very few have won the right to come to your world.”
With his broad shoulders, narrow waist, and powerful thighs he looked like he could crush rocks for laughs. “But not you?”
“I did not pass the final trial to be declared a warrior. I am a healer.”
“So why are you here?”
“There have been injuries . . . Incidences involving the other human females. It was decided a healer would accompany the excursion—”
“Stop!” She held her palms up. “Just stop. I need a minute here. I need a minute to think.”
His glowing gaze followed Tara as she paced the campsite, her hands pressed to the sides of her head.
“You cannot fear me so much,” he rumbled softly, “if you do not run from me.”
“Oh, what would be the fucking point?” She rounded on him. “You’re as fast as a goddamn cheetah! We both know I’d never make it back to the house. Even if—by some miracle—I did get inside, you’d just smash the door in. Or make use of that secret entrance you oh-so-conveniently forgot to show me!”
He froze, inhumanly, otherworldly still. “I would never hurt you, Tara. Never.”
“But that’s why you’re here isn’t it? Because of how your kind hunts down and hurts women—”
“No! One female was gravely injured but not by one of us, by a human. That warrior did not have the training or the equipment to treat her. He was fortunate that she survived the transition into stasis at all.”
“And the other women—what happened to them?”
“They live with their mates. Tend their young—”
“Their young? It’s a fucking breeding program? Just how many women was that ship of yours supposed to haul back?”
“We are not slavers!” His fangs bared. “A g’hir male takes only one mate. We do not gather human females like livestock!”
“And hey, what human woman wouldn’t want to be dragged off to an alien world right?”
“I have been physician to one aboard a warship, one at her clanhall and the third in the city of Be’lyn. They are happy, beloved by their mates, honored by their clans! No human female is held against her will.”
“And you know that because you’re such an expert on human females?”
“Clearly not!”
Tara took a quick step after him but in an instant Ki’san was gone, vanishing into the darkness. The fire crackled, the chirp of katydids and crickets filled the night, but his sudden absence stung as if the very life of the forest had evanesced with it.
I should—
It was full night. Her glance darted about the woods but she could see no farther than the firelight’s circle.
I need to get back to the house.
Tara ducked into the dome, grabbing one of the hanging lights with trembling fingers. Even lit, it was cool to the touch and she could manage it with one hand. She plunged into the forest, in the opposite direction Ki’san had taken. She hurried back along the way they’d come from the house, moving as fast as the dense woods allowed.
Her feet sank a bit, the ground sucking at her shoes when she lifted them. She edged her way forward and raised her lantern.
Did we cross a creek? I don’t remember one.
But a glance back made her mouth go dry. She turned, looking in every direction but the camp and its fire were lost to the woods. Dark forest pressed in all around.
Okay. She wet her lips. Cross the creek or follow it?
Downhill was nothing but blackness, at least up here she could see the sky.
Cross!
Tara went slowly, fearful of twisting an ankle on the slippery stones. The moment she felt solid earth, she quickened her steps again. The trees, leaves and vines blurred.
She’d turned off the lights at the house, and with Hannah and William gone the caretaker’s lodge would be equally dark. The lantern she carried offered precious little illumination. She gnawed her lip; surely the camp wasn’t this far from the house. She must have gotten turned around, gone the wrong direction. She pressed on, hoping she could find the château or even the highway before dawn.
Suddenly, the way before her was clear.
And below, silhouetted against the night sky, stood the majestic chimneys of Heatherbell. Tara gave a choked cry of relief, racing forward into the clearing. An instant too late she saw the fatal step into nothingness—
Her breath exploded from her lungs as a band of steel encircled around her middle. Her feet swung out over the precipice and then he was pulling her back into the safety of the forest.
“What were you doing?” Ki’san clasped her by the shoulders, his eyes golden fire in the darkness.
“Plunging to my death, obviously.” She’d lost the light; the lantern had smashed to bits at the bottom of the outcropping. With no moon she couldn’t even make out his features. “Though I’ll give you a pass for interrupting, just this once.”
“You could have been killed!”
“Hey,” her legs were wobbly and she was clutching his arms as if that forty-foot drop might somehow still rise up and drag her over. “It’s not my fault someone left a big pothole out here in the middle of the mountains.”
“You think this”—his eyes narrowed—“humorous?”
He didn’t wait for an answer but swung her into his arms, his long strides confidently carrying her through the woods.
She was badly shaken from the near miss; really the only reason her arms went around his neck like that—
The moment they were back in the circle of firelight, he set her on her feet to glare down at her. “You should have remained here where you are safe.”
“By ‘safe’ you mean alone in the middle of the woods with an alien?”
“Alien.” His snarl was harsh. “No longer even friend.”
“You know, Ki’san, I appreciate that you helped me back there but—”
“Go inside.” He nudged her gently toward the shelter. “Take your rest. You have my vow you are protected here.” Ki’san turned away. “And that, come morning, I will leave you safely at your clanhall.”
There were more stars than she’d ever seen, more than she’d ever imagined. But then she’d never lain under them, looking up at the heavens from her bed before.
“Ki’san?”
She’d spoken softly, wondering if, in the hours since he’d left the campsite, he’d found the slumber that still eluded her, half afraid he wasn’t out there at all anymore.
“It is late.” His scold came from somewhere in the woods. He hadn’t come near the shelter, hadn’t even lingered by the fire. “You should be sleeping.”
“I can’t sleep.”
“You are cold?” There was the faint rustle of leaves underfoot, hard to make out over the song of night insects. “Hungry?”
“No, I’m—I was thinking about what you said, about your world. About how it was dying. I thought you meant the planet. You meant the people.” Her fingers plucked at the soft furs. “How many of you are left, Ki’san? How many g’hir?”
He was silent so long she thought he would not answer at all.
“I am of the last generation born before the plague ravaged to our world,” he rumbled finally, his voice tight. “Males did not fall ill but when the Scourge took mates, mothers, sisters, daughters—our future—many could not endure it.”
“I’m sorry.” She shut her eyes. “I’m so sorry.”
Only the katydids replied.
“Ki’san? Did you hear me? I said—”
“There is no need,” he huffed, closer than she expected. “You owe no apology.”
“Yes, I do. If it were me—my world—I’d do anything for a chance.” The stars blurred. “I’d go anywhere. Pay anything. Try anything. Do anything to live.” She wiped at her temples, at the dampness soaking into her hair. “How can I blame you or your people for wanting to survive?”
“To survive is not enough,” his voice was low, rough, close now. “For a g’hir male, to have no mate, to have no purpose, is worse than death. I wish . . .” There was a sigh, as if he hovered just outside. “I wish our ways did not make us monstrous in your eyes.”
“I don’t think you’re—” She pushed up onto her elbows. “Come into the shelter. Please.”
There was a rustle of fabric, the shifting of shadows as he ducked inside. The faint illumination of a single lantern rose, revealing Ki’san’s drawn face.
His brow creased. “Your eyes are watering.”
“Yeah,” she brushed at the wetness on her face. “They are.”
“Are you—” He took a step closer. “Sad? Afraid? Are you in pain? I know there are many reasons a human’s eyes might water.”
“Sad.” She sat up, tailor-style. “And sorry.”
“I would not have you be either. We are strange to you—alien—I understand why you would abhor us.”
“Wow,” Tara gave a quick smile through tears. “You didn’t just read a dictionary, you ate one.” She sobered. “And no, I don’t uh, abhor you. When you said ‘hunted’ I was shocked, scared. I just . . . I thought you might hurt me.”
“I would never hurt you, Tara.” His expression was stricken. “Never.”
“I believe you.” She plucked at the furs again. “And I realize I hardly know anything about your people, about your world. How do I know those women didn’t jump at the chance to see another planet?”
“They did not confide to me how they felt when their mates captured them,” he said warily. “But I believed—still believe—them happy on my world. I know they are loved, treasured, by their mates.”
“Ki’san,” She leaned back on her hands. “Why does a g’hir have to ‘capture’ a woman?”
“To prove his worthiness. A male must provide for his mate, their young.” He spread his hands. “She would want a male to prove his skill.”
“By hunting her? What if he does get ahold of her and she doesn’t want him?” Tara indicated the fur-covered bed. “You can sit. I promise not to freak out.”
“It is custom for a male to make an offering to the female he captures.” His expression was guarded as he eased onto the bed. “To take food and drink from his hand indicates she desires his protection.”
“So a man always has to hunt a woman? G’hir don’t have anything like dating?”
“A g’hir male has a powerful instinct to call to a female he desires, in hopes his roar entices her to him.”
She raised her eyebrows. “You ‘roar’?”
“I have not. Nor will I ever.”
“Right.” Tara winced. “Because there aren’t enough women.”
“No,” he rumbled softly. “Because for me there will be no other but you.”
“What? What did you just say?”
“I vow to hold my longing in silence.” His pained gaze met hers. “You need not pretend ignorance to be spared it.”
“You want. . . me?”
“You know this.” His brow creased. “As I know that to you I will never be more than friend.”
She stared. “Why would you think that?”
“You said so, in the garden today. That I was your friend. And . . .” His cheeks flushed. “On the ship. You looked away from my body. You told me to cover myself.”
“Well, yeah! I mean, we were going outside. It’s not—It’s not like I don’t want to look at your body.”
“And if I . . .” His shimmering gaze searched hers. “Longed to look at yours?”
Mute with shyness, she gave a spare nod.
Ki’san shifted his weight, his movements slow, smooth, as if wary of startling her. His molten gaze held hers as he approached, panther-like, till his face was a scant inch from her own.
Then softly he growled, a rumbling purr that skimmed along her skin. The sound deepened, vibrating through her breasts, her belly, tightening her center, tiny ripples of vibration brushing her clit. Tara’s mouth parted at the rush of pleasure. Her breasts felt heavy, her nipples acutely sensitive. He gently rubbed his nose up one side of hers, tilted his face to rub down the other, his soft purr sending tendrils of aching tightness between her thighs.
He tilted his head to catch her mouth in a kiss, his rumbling purr against her mouth sending sparks along every nerve. He was gentle, the taste of him cinnamon-sweet, maddeningly slow as his tongue explored.
“My kind do not touch this way—this kiss.” His mouth hovered over hers. “It arouses me to throbbing . . .” His fingers traced her cheek, his thumb brushing the curve of her lip. “I long for the joining with you.”
“I’ve never—” Tara swallowed. “I’ve never done this before. I know that’s weird but—”
“Nor have I.”
She blinked. “You haven’t?”
“We will learn,” His gaze was soft, his lips a tender curve as his rumbled deepened. “Together.”
His fingers traced her skin from temple to the curve of her cheek. His finger brushed her lip, her jaw, his gaze following as his touch lingered on the hollow of her throat, dipped between her breasts.
“I would see you.” His voice was low, husky, his warm hand slipping beneath her t-shirt, his palm resting on the curve of her waist. “I would see all of you.’
She raised her arms as he brought the shirt up and over her head. His gaze was hot on her nipples, hard beneath her thin cotton bra, but his fingers slid lower. He traced the skin of her belly, sliding over the waist of her jeans. She closed her eyes and leaned back against the bed as his fingers brushed her clit through the fabric.
He caught the back of her legs and urged her wider, then his palms were under her rear and he lifted her to straddle him as he knelt on the bed. She could feel his cock hot and hard against her center through their clothing.
His hands ran up her back. His fingers hooked under the straps of her bra, pulling them off her shoulders, freeing her breasts to the night air and the heat of his breath.
“Tell me,” he rumbled, “what gives you pleasure.”
He cupped one breast in his hand, his thumb brushing the nipple. Tara shut her eyes, her breath quickening.
Ki’san gave a soft, huffing laugh at her response. “That way will do very well.” He shifted his hold, his arms wrapping around her. “Tell me then, about this . . .”
His mouth closed over her nipple, between his tongue and his breath both hot and cold. Tara moaned, her head falling back, her hands on his broad shoulders as he explored her other breast. He broke away, and the stars swam over her head, the soft furs against her skin as he laid her back.
His fingers were quick, nimble as he freed her from her jeans and panties.
It was the first time she’d ever been stripped bare before the eyes of a lover, and she was surprised to find she wasn’t even embarrassed.
“What about you?” she asked, her voice husky, sending a meaningful glance at his clothes.
A smile touched his face as he pulled at his shirt. “You have already seen me.”
His skin was darker than hers, golden tan where she was pale. Only the finest of hairs covered his broad chest, the muscles of his stomach flexing as he shrugged his shirt away. His cock sprang free of his undershorts, fully aroused and gorgeously formed, natural moisture already beading at the head.
“Not” —her eyes were fixed on his jutting penis—“like that, I haven’t.”
“There is nothing to fear.”
“I wouldn’t say I’m afraid.” She swallowed, acutely aware of her inexperience. “More like . . . overwhelmed.”
“Do not be.” His hand pressed into the bed, then the warmth of his body covered hers. His mouth touched hers, his golden gaze soft as that rumbling purr started again, sending shivers of pleasure along her skin as he kissed lower. “I know how to make you ready.”
His mouth trailed between her breasts, over her belly to the dark thatch of hair between her legs.
“Ki’san, I haven’t actually even—”
The moist heat of his mouth closed over her clit, cutting off Tara’s words in an onslaught of pleasure. His rumbling increased, adding to the sensation of his lips and tongue. His purr lowered in pitch as he slid a finger, then two inside her until she was arched underneath him. Her fingers clutched at the bedding, every instant carrying her higher.
He made a sound in his throat then, a deep groan of need. His eyes blazing, he moved to lie between her legs, caging her, the head of his cock against her opening.
His mouth parted in a moaning purr as just the tip of his penis dipped between her folds. He held there, every muscle trembling.
“Don’t stop,” Tara whispered, her hands encircled his waist, her palms against his buttocks. “Don’t stop.”
He sank into her slowly, stretching her, his purr thrumming through her. He paused an instant, then pulled back before sinking in again, a little deeper each time, till he was fully sheathed inside her. His kiss was clumsy now as his rhythm intensified, his fangs bared in pleasure.
Tara cried out as she came, waves of pleasure rippling outward from her center. His thrusts quickened, carried along by her release. His rumbling deepened, drumming against her clit, tightening her center until she climaxed again. His growl rose and stumbled, his body stiffened, pulsing inside her as he came.
Trembling, he pulled his big cock out, shifting to lie beside her. She felt boneless, suffused with pleasure as he gathered her against him.
“None.” His rumble was soft, tender. “But you . . .”