Chapter Ten

 

He paced back and forth in front of the bathroom door furiously. She had been in there too long. Worry filled him as he paused in front of the door. What if she had fallen? Hurt herself? He should never have been so harsh with her. He had been too rough. He had forgotten that underneath that attitude she was still delicate.

He’d hurt her.

Guilt ate at him, feeding his anger. He hated that he felt guilty. Hated that he had been the cause of her pain. Why had he snapped at her like that?

Because the idea of her betraying him was like a stab to the guts. Fancia’s betrayal had been painful. If Saffron betrayed him…he clenched his hands into fists. This was doing nothing to help him gain control over his temper. He took a deep breath in then let it out slowly.

Keep calm. Remember, she is your mate. She needs you. She is probably feeling vulnerable. Unsure. It is up to you to make her feel secure.

“Saffron, open the door. I wish to come and check on you.” There. That was calm. He had not ordered her or yelled at her. He could do this. All he had to do was keep his emotions firmly in check. He was in control. He was in charge. Of course, there was going to be an adjustment period. This was unexpected for both of them. That was the only reason she reacted as she had to his rules. It did not help that the mating had not been completed. Once he joined with her things would become calmer. She would learn that he was in charge, that she was to follow his rules, that he only had her best interests at heart.

Once she realized that, she would settle down. She would become a proper mate. He would see to that. Once he got her settled, everything would be fine. But he would never become infatuated with her. Would never allow her to manipulate him like Fancia had.

When she had clear boundaries and rules to follow, she would become much calmer and happier. It should only take a week, maybe two at most.

For the first time that he could remember since Fancia, the idea of a mate did not fill him with horror. She was the complete opposite of Fancia. Loud and argumentative. Short and curvy. Single-minded and passionate.

He wondered if that passion would show itself in bed.

His shaft stirred at the thought.

He frowned, worried when she didn’t immediately open the door. Was she more hurt than she was letting on?

“Saffron? Did you not hear me? Open this door.” He bit off the now. He was trying to exercise patience. Stars, he did not know how he would find enough patience to train her to be what he expected in a mate. But he did not have a choice. Since knowing her, she had disobeyed him several times and been shot and kidnapped due to her lack of caution.

“No.”

No?

Calm. Calm.

He pounded on the door. “Saffron, open up this door immediately.”

“Go away. I’m busy.”

“Doing what?”

“I’m on the toilet.”

He frowned slightly. She had been in there a long time. “Are your bowels blocked? I can formulate a cleaner for that.”

“What? No. I’m fine.”

Hmm…he got the feeling she was lying about the bowel blockage. Another thing that she would be taught was unacceptable.

At his age, he should already have a nice biddable mate with a sweet temper who obeyed him without question. But he had a mate who hid from him. That did not sit well with him. His mate would keep nothing from him, especially not when it came to her health. His mate’s health and safety were his top priorities.

He pressed the button and the door slid open. She was not on the toilet as he had suspected. But he did not expect her to be lying on the ground.

She looked up at him with a frown. “What do you think you’re doing? I’m in the bathroom for God’s sake. You can’t just barge in whenever the hell you feel like it. What if I’d been on the toilet? What if I was naked?”

“You said you were on the toilet,” he replied calmly as he knelt next to her, studying her. There were lines of pain around her face, which was decidedly paler than it had been. She was definitely in more pain than she had been before and she was trying to hide it from him.

Could he move her? Obviously, this position gave her the greatest amount of relief. Or had she fallen and couldn’t get up?

“Did you fall?” he asked gruffly, running his hands over her, checking for injuries. “Why did you not call out for me immediately?”

“Get your hands off me! And no, I didn’t fall. I just thought I’d lie down for a bit. Quite comfy on this floor. Cool. And the toilet’s not far. Think I’ll just move in here until we get off this ship. You can have the bed.”

He only listened with half an ear as he ensured that she wasn’t injured anywhere else.

“I am going to pick you up.”

“No!” she screamed.

He paused, surprised at the fear in her voice. Her eyes were wide as she stared up at him.

“Please, Moroco, just let me lie here until I am ready to get up. It will get better if I just lie still.”

Letting her lie here on the cold floor of the bathing room was completely unacceptable to him. What was also unacceptable was that she thought he would harm her.

And how would she know differently considering he had caused this by grabbing her?

“Saffron, you cannot remain here on the floor.”

“Why not? Like I said, it’s comfy and the toilet is right there.”

“And how will you reach the toilet if you have the need to use it?”

She closed her eyes briefly. “Well, luckily, I don’t. And when I do, I will figure it out.”

By dragging herself over and onto the toilet. No. Not acceptable.

“I am going to pick you up.”

“I’ve had this issue with my back for years and the only thing to do is take a muscle relaxer and lie very, very still.”

“Which you can do.” He saw her eyes flare with surprise. “From the bed.”

“My God, you are hard-headed. You think you know what’s best for everyone else, don’t you?”

“Not everyone, but for you. Yes. I do.”

She gritted her teeth. “Fine. Do it.”

He studied her for a moment. “Can you relax as much as possible?”

“Sure, I’ll get right on that.”

“Good.” If only she was as obedient in all things, they might actually reach friendly terms. His life would definitely be easier.

“You guys have got to learn what sarcasm is.”

He pulled her legs up slowly, slipping one hand behind her knees, then he slid his other arm beneath her back. She winced, hissing slightly.

“One pull. It will hurt, but it will be over quickly.”

“What? Wait, I …owww.” He lifted her high and carried her to the bed where he gently laid her on her front. “Ow…crap…that hurt, damn it.”

“But now you will be much more comfortable on the bed than on that floor.” He could not believe she thought he would leave her there.

“Don’t suppose you have that pain killer handy?”

“I will look for one.” He searched through the sleeping and bathing area. Nothing. Stars.

“Can’t find one?” She stared up at him. Her eyes were slightly glassy looking. He reached for her pulse, cursing the fact that he didn’t have his med-wand with him.

“No. I will have to ask the Sky Warriors for one.” Which he was reluctant to do. The less attention he brought to them the better. He did not want them near his mate, especially when she was in pain and vulnerable.

“You can’t ask them for one. We can’t let them see that I’m hurt. You’ve got to present a strong front to the enemy; any weakness and they will pounce.” He stared down at her in surprise. “What?”

“I am just surprised you realize that.”

She shrugged then hissed. “I know what it’s like to deal with people who would think nothing of hurting you. Although, I don’t think these guys are as bad as I first thought they were.”

“Do not mistake them for anything than what they are,” he warned her. “They are ruthless, their social morals are few, they live by their own rules. They take the most dangerous and risky jobs in the universe. All they care about is each other.”

“I guess I just have to wait out the pain then, huh?” She winced but didn’t complain. He couldn’t help but feel impressed.

“No. I think I have another way of easing the pain.” He held up a small bottle of oil he discovered in the bathing area.

“What’s that?”

“Oil. I shall simply massage the area of your back that hurts. That will ease the pain and allow you to sleep.” He sat next to her and pulled up the shirt. “Stop tensing.”

 

Stop tensing? Was he for real? He was pulling up her top, about to bare her upper half and he wanted her to stop tensing?

“Relax.”

“I can’t.”

“I am not going to hurt you.”

“Uh-huh, sure.” Because that’s what she was worried about. The pain in her back was pretty intense. But the ache in her back had nothing on the ache coursing through the rest of her body. He poured oil on her back and started to rub his hands along her skin.

At first his touch was light. So light it was almost ticklish, but then he started to rub a bit harder. She groaned as he pushed into tight muscles, slowly loosening them. Jesus, when was the last time she’d had a massage? Back when she’d first hurt her back and had to visit physio three times a week for six months.

Damn Ricky anyway.

“Tell me when I touch a sore part. There is a lot of tension in your body. Those stretches I talked about earlier could help with your back pain.”

Would he give it up about the stretches? She got it. She was fat and tense and lazy.

“You are supposed to be relaxing not growing more tense.” He pulled her top up a bit more. “If I had clothing for you to change into, I could tear this off you.”

Tear it off her? Oh hell, those words did not just make her clit throb. He means so he can get to my back, not so he can have his wicked way with me, idiot.

Oh, and she bet it would be wicked. She might not know much about men or sex, but even she could see that all that pent-up tension he held would turn into something hot…very hot.

And definitely more than she could handle.

She drew in a sharp breath as he hit a tender spot on her back.

“There it is.” His movements grew lighter and she eventually started to relax. He pushed a little deeper and she groaned.

He stilled. “I am hurting you.”

“If you stop I will kill you. Seriously. Do. Not. Stop.”

A moment of pause then he started again. Her whole body was soon a pile of mush as he worked on her sore muscles, knot by agonizing knot. She didn’t know how much time passed but when he stopped she was close to sleep.

“I’m going to roll you over and work on your front.”

“Sure. Whatever. Knock yourself out.” Right now, he could do a naked striptease and she doubted she could summon the energy to care. Although a naked Moroco was a sight she really shouldn’t miss. He rolled her carefully but her back didn’t even pinch. “You have magic hands.”

He snorted. “I am going to take your top off.”

He sat her up then helped rid her of her top. She lay back just in her bra and skirt and for once she didn’t feel self-conscious about her extra rolls. She didn’t care so long as he didn’t stop touching her. He moved to sit next to her head and started rubbing her shoulders and neck.

Heaven.

“Seriously. You could charge a fortune for massages like that. I’d pay. Especially if you took your top off as well.”

He paused. Whoops. Probably shouldn’t have said that. She didn’t have much control over her mouth right now. He ran his fingers up her neck then dug them into the back of her head.

Oh. God.

She whimpered.

“I hurt you.”

“Moroco, seriously, I have never felt such pleasure in my life.”

He ran his hands down her chest so the tips of his fingers touched the top of her breasts. Was it deliberate? He did it again. Maybe not. Damn, it really did feel good, though. Her nipples hardened, pressing against her bra.

“Then you have obviously been allowing the wrong sort of males to pleasure you,” he commented in a rough voice. He sounded pissed off but his touch was gentle. His fingers lingered on her breasts and she took in a rough breath.

This was probably a stupid idea. She should roll away from him. Tell him she’d had enough. Stop him from touching her.

Ohhh, but she really didn’t want to.

“I’ve never had any sort of male pleasure me.”

“You are untouched?”

“No. I’ve had sex. It was a disaster.” He ran his palms over her breasts, pressing against her nipples, and she groaned.

Clit throbbing, she wiggled her hips, pressing her thighs together to get some relief.

“Lie still.” He ran his thumbs up the tight muscles of her neck and she melted. Holy shit.

“My back feels good now, no pain.”

“That is good.” He ran his hands down her chest once more this time cupping her breasts and circling her hard nipples with his thumbs.

“Moroco!” She arched her back.

He paused. “I said lie still.”

How the hell did he expect her to do that? But once she forced her body to relax, he continued his gentle massage of her nipples. Her breath grew faster, her arousal growing.

“Tell me about this male,” he demanded as he pushed the cups of her bra down, exposing first one breast then the other. She stiffened.

“This is a bad idea.”

“I disagree.” He moved, coming to sit beside her, facing her. Leaning down, he licked one nipple.

She closed her eyes with a whimper. Shit. How could she be so aroused already? That just the touch of his tongue on her nipple had her wanting to beg him for more. This wasn’t her. She didn’t give herself over to her needs like this. She didn’t have needs like this.

Or so she’d thought.

Frigid bitch.

“No. Do not tense up.” He lightly pinched her nipple making her gasp and open her eyes. “Keep your eyes on me.”

He gently licked the nipple he’d just squeezed, turning that small bit of pain into a world of delight. He looked up at her as he flicked his tongue over her nipple, his fingers light plucking her other nipple.

“You are very sensitive here. I shall have to be careful not to hurt you. Or to send you over before I decide you may find your release.”

“You decide? You like to be control in the bedroom, don’t you?”

“I am always in control.”

“So am I.” She tried to claw back some command of the situation but he chose that moment to reach up under her skirt and palm her mound. The heat of his hand felt like an electric shock to her clit and she cried out, arching up.

“Lie still.” He bit her nipple in retribution, but the pain only seemed to add to her pleasure. “I won’t have you hurting your back.”

The last thing she was thinking about right now was her back.

He circled her clit with one rough finger. “Moroco! Moroco, I need…”

“You need release. I can see that. Tell me, how often do you give yourself release?”

What? It took a moment for her to comprehend his words. When she did, her mouth dropped open and she gaped up at him. “You did not just ask me how often I masturbate.”

“I believe I did.”

“I’m not telling you that! It’s private!”

He plunged two fingers deep inside her and she screamed. Oh God. Oh God. She was so close. He stilled, staring down at her, his amber gaze intense, his face serious.

“Nothing is private between the two of us. You will tell me everything. Do you understand?”

She stared into his eyes, his face fierce and proud. And she knew why he demanded full honesty. She just didn’t know how she could give him that.

“It’s embarrassing.”

He pulled his fingers out and plunged them deep. Oh God! She felt so full. How was she ever going to take his cock if just his two fingers filled her up?

“Please. Please.”

“Poor marlia,” he murmured. “You are so full of need. I am guessing it is not often you give yourself relief.”

“Hardly ever,” she sobbed as he rubbed her clit lightly.

“And this male you joined with? He did not give you pleasure?”

She shook her head. That light touch on her clit just wasn’t enough to send her over. She clenched her thighs together, her pussy clamping down on his fingers.

He made a strangled noise, his jaw clenched as though in pain. “You are gripping my fingers so tight it makes me wonder what you will feel like around my shaft.”

“Then why don’t you find out?”

He shook his head and disappointment filled her. He didn’t want her? But no, his gaze was full of arousal, his body tightly coiled.

“I do not wish to hurt your back. I will wait.”

“My back is fine. Better than it’s felt in ages. Fuck me.”

“No. We will wait. You must learn to obey me without argument.”

She snorted. “Good luck with that.” She groaned as he flicked her clit once more. So close. So close.

“Oh, I think I have some idea of how to teach you.”

Later she’d work up some outrage over his words but right now all she wanted was to come.

“Moroco, stop teasing me.”

“I am not teasing you. I am waiting for you to answer my question. You will not come until you do so.”

“You’re an asshole.” She reached one hand down to her clit. If he wasn’t going to make her come she’d just have to take care of matters herself.

He captured her hand, giving her a stern look as he grabbed both her wrists in his hand and pulled them above her head. “Do not resist me, you will only hurt yourself.”

“If you were that concerned about hurting me then you would put me out of my misery.”

“Oh, that is not misery you feel, marlia.”

Marlia. She hadn’t heard that word before. She wondered what it meant. It sounded soft. Sweet. Nothing like her. And yet, she liked the sound of it coming from his lips. It felt intimate. Something between just the two of them. No one had ever given her a nickname before.

Well, nothing pleasant anyway. She’d been called a bitch often enough that it felt like a nickname at times.

“It is need. And you will get some relief as soon as you tell me about this male who treated you so badly.” He licked her nipple then blew across it, making her shiver.

“It was nothing. Just a quick fuck in the backseat of his car.”

He raised his head, looking down at her in shock and outrage. “A car is a mode of transport, yes? And fuck is joining.”

“Yes. Could we stop talking and you know…”

“A male joined with you your first time in the back of a…a…” he couldn’t get the words out.

“Yes, and it was awful and humiliating and painful and I’d really rather not talk about it right now.”

His gaze narrowed. “And that is the only time you have joined?”

“Yes!” she cried out, shutting her eyes as he drew his fingers out and pushed them back.

“That is unacceptable.”

“You don’t need to tell me.” Her whole body trembled, on the cusp of something amazing.

“Open your eyes.”

“No!” she screamed as he stopped.

“Open your eyes, look at me.”

She stared up at him.

“I wish to watch you as you find your release and I want you to know exactly who brings you to pleasure.”

“Believe me, I’m not likely to forget you.”

He circled her clit, his fingers thrusting back and forth. “Find your release, Saffron.”

“Can we turn the lights off or something?” She felt entirely too vulnerable with him staring down at her, forcing her to make eye contact. She couldn’t even attempt to cover herself since he still held her hands above her head.

“No.” He rubbed his fingers against some spot inside her she hadn’t even realized existed, his thumb moving over her clit with talented precision. Shivers racked her body and then she exploded. She arched back, her mouth open on a silent scream as wave after wave of electrifying pleasure slammed through her body. He continued to manipulate her clit and another wave caught her by surprise, sending her into a tailspin.

She cried out, her body shaking with her tremors. She’d never felt anything like this before. Her entire body was awash with arousal. As soon as he withdrew his fingers and loosened his grip on her wrists, she rolled to her side, curling in on herself. It was too much. Too intense.

 

Moroco lay back, willing his erection to dissipate. His shaft was so hard it ached and he gritted his teeth against the pain. It wouldn’t take much to roll Saffron over, spread her legs and thrust himself deep.

Except she was injured. He had been unable to resist her. Her arousal had called at him, demanding that he give her what she needed.

She was his mate. He could do no other than see to her needs. Whatever they may be. But he was determined that he would not succumb to his overwhelming need to take her. He could still remember her lying on the ground, her face pinched with pain. No, she was too fragile for anything more right now.

But later…that was another story.

As he tried to draw his needs back under control, he became aware of how she had rolled to the other side of the bed. Normally, he would leave a female’s bed after achieving release. But Saffron was not just any female. He had an obligation to see to her care.

He reached over and touched her hip. He loved the way her waist tucked in. The females of his race were very thin and narrow. Not Saffron, she was soft and curvy. She jolted at his touch, as though he hurt her.

“Saffron?” he asked, uncertain of her mood. Had something happened? “Have I hurt you?”

“Stop asking me that! I’m fine.”

She was anything but fine, that was clear. But what the problem was exactly, remained a mystery to him. She had found pleasure in his touch, her release intense and hard. Was that it? She was unused to pleasure; perhaps it had taken her by surprise. The memory of her screams of fulfilment rocked his body, hardening his cock further.

“What do you need of me?” he asked, his voice rougher than he intended.

She turned to glare at him and he was startled by the brightness of her eyes, the way they glistened with tears. Alarm filled him. “Saffron, what is it?”

She rolled away and off the bed. He quickly reached out and grabbed her arm then let her go just as quickly as he remembered the last time he had refused to release her. He did not wish to harm her. But he wanted to know what had put that fearful look on her face. Was she frightened of him? Why?

Had he been too controlling?

He cursed himself. Perhaps he had frightened her with his demands.

“I apologize if I—”

She twirled on him then winced, reaching back to rub her back. He frowned. She was undoing all of his good work on her back.

“Do. Not. Apologize.”

Now he was completely confused. Why would she be mad at him for apologizing? She turned away, striding towards the bathroom.

Running from him. Hiding.

He scowled, his own temper stirring. He did not like this habit she had of trying to hide from him. It would not be allowed. The bathroom door slid shut just as he stood to chase her. He knocked on the door.

“I’m going to the toilet for God’s sake,” she snapped.

“You seem to do that often,” he drawled slowly, trying to keep his own impressive temper under wraps. One of them had to remain calm and it seemed she was incapable of that at the moment.

The irritation he felt at her behavior was tempered by concern. He had not thought Saffron would be so emotional or given to female hysterics. She had never shied from a fight with him in the past. So why would she be frightened of him now?

“You have two minutes, then I am coming in.” He paced back and forth, knocking when he thought the two minutes had passed. “Open. Now.”

A screech reached him through the door and he winced. But the door opened and she glared up at him. He was pleased to see her tears had dissipated, replaced by hot temper. Her temper he could handle. If she got too out of control he would merely take her in hand.

The idea brought him a lot of pleasure.

“You’re an asshole.”

“So you have said. Many times.” He leaned against the doorjamb, pretending a nonchalance he did not feel as he crossed his arms over his chest. “You were not given permission to dress yourself.”

“I don’t need permission.” Her eyes flared. Good. Make her angry. That should wipe the last hint of sadness and fear from her gaze. “Give me my top.” She held her hand out imperiously.

When she was in a temper she really was magnificent. He shouldn’t let her get away with such demands, of course. He was supposed to be training her. But since he had goaded her temper, he supposed he should allow her some leeway.

He raised an eyebrow. “I think not. I like the way you look right now.”

She grabbed at her stomach and shook it. “Like watching my fat jiggle, do you?”

He straightened. He might have decided to go easy on her, but that did not mean she was permitted to put herself down.

“If you were not still in pain you would be over my knee right now.”

“Like fuck!” She shook her finger at him. “You might think I’m some pushover because I let you boss me around in bed, but I am not about to stand by and let any man abuse me. Not again.”

“Again!” he roared. “Who abused you?”

 

She winced at his roar. Shit. Why had she said that? Not only did she not want to go into what Ricky had done to her, but she couldn’t compare Ricky to Moroco. Moroco had threatened to spank her, which pissed her off, but mainly because the idea of being bare-assed over his lap was kind of a turn on. Ricky had thrown her down a flight of stairs breaking three vertebrae in her back.

Two very different things.

“Who. Abused. You.” He barely got the words out through his clenched teeth.

She bit her lower lip. Damn it. She wasn’t used to feeling so uncertain. Once she made a decision she stuck by it. She didn’t need someone thinking he could boss her around, demand to know all her secrets, give her mind-blowing orgasms that left her feeling vulnerable and tearful afterwards.

An orgasm wasn’t supposed to make you cry.

But in those few moments as she’d come, she’d completely let go. The pleasure had been everything. She hadn’t been worried about where they were, what the future would bring, she hadn’t been on guard against Moroco.

She’d just succumbed to the pleasure, trusting that he would take care of everything else. And that had shaken her more than anything else. How could she trust him like that? She didn’t even like the jerk.

“Forget I said anything,” she said quickly.

“I will not.”

She grimaced. “I didn’t mean it. I was just angry.”

“First you hide things from me then you try to lie about them?” The outrage in his face made her wince. “Mate, you—”

A sudden jolt sent her flying. Just as she was about to slam into the wall, Moroco grabbed her, turning so he took the impact. She groaned as she landed against him, her body absorbing the shock. “What the hell was that?”

He set her away from him. “Your back? Is it injured?”

She shook her head and he grabbed her arms sharply. “Do not lie to me.”

“It’s a little sore but you took most of the impact. What was that?”

“I do not know. Get dressed.” His voice had grown cold, detached, but she didn’t take offense. He had his mind on other matters right now. He moved out into the bedroom and she rushed after him, hastily drawing her shirt on as he stared out the single porthole.

Suddenly he turned and dove for her, pinning her to the bed with him on top of her. She held back a groan. Not because he’d hurt her but because her body didn’t care about any sort of danger they were in. All it cared about was having his hot, hard body pressed against hers. And unless that was a banana in his pocket, he was pretty pleased to be pressed up against her as well.

The ship rocked again and she had to bite down on her lip to hold back a frightened cry. As soon as the ship stopped rocking, Moroco rose. Striding to the door, he placed his hand against the pad.

“Um, that won’t work, it’s locked remember? What the hell is going on?”

She started to roll off the bed, wanting to go to the porthole and see for herself when the door slid open. Moroco turned, a smug smile on his face.

“What the hell? How did you get it to do that?”

“We’re under attack. The system will be pulling all power from unnecessary areas to keep the shields and weaponry working. Which means we’re probably about to lose light. Come.”

He held out his hand. She rushed over and grabbed hold. If they were about to be plunged into darkness, she wanted a firm grip on him.

He rushed down the passage and she had to sprint to keep up with him. The lights flickered then died as they rounded a corner. She bit down on her lip to hold back a whimper. She’d always hated the dark. It was a weakness she detested. She tightened her grip on him. God, it was dark. She couldn’t see anything around her. He didn’t even hesitate, just kept moving forward.

“Please tell me you can see where you’re going?”

“Just barely. Now hush, if there is anyone about I do not wish to alert them to our presence.”

“Somehow, I think they have more important things to worry about right now.” But she kept her voice at a soft whisper.

The ship rocked again and she went flying, her hand slipping from his as she slammed against the wall and tumbled to the floor.

Oh God. Oh God.

She couldn’t stop the cries that erupted from her lips as she lay on the ground, attempting to get her bearings. Where was he? She drew her legs up under her, her whimpers growing louder. She remembered what it was like to be locked in the dark, to not know if she would ever be free…

“Saffron. Come here.” He drew her up, running his hands over her. “Where are you hurt? I cannot see.”

The frantic tone to his voice cut through her terror. “I’m okay.”

“I can hear your cries of pain.”

She couldn’t tell him the truth. “I just wrenched my back.”

“Stars!” He hugged her gently and she clung to him, unable to let go. “I should have been carrying you. I am sorry.”

He picked her up, cradling her against his chest. “Is this okay on your back? We must keep moving, we have to get to the escape shuttles.”

“I’m all right.” She clung to him; she knew she should tell him to let her down but in truth, she wasn’t sure that her legs would carry her right now. Her limbs felt like limp noodles and she was scared if she tried to move that she’d end up on her ass.

“We’re really getting out of here?”

“Yes.”