Chapter Seven

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In the aftermath, Dani snuggled up against Jaylin while he dozed, amazed at the amount of heat his body produced. Big, strong, protective, and a phenomenal, caring lover, he seemed too good to be true. Maybe she was stuck in an immersion reality session and couldn’t get out. If so, she didn’t want to.

With the notion of a perpetual sex fantasy with Jaylin bouncing around in her head, she giggled softly, nuzzling her cheek into his chest.

“What’s amusing?”

Uncertain she wanted to express her silly thoughts, she gave him a fact, just not the answer to his question. “Your chest hair is tickling my nose.”

He shifted, hauling her up his body until she lay on top. As she came up on her elbows to look down at him, a thick swathe of her dark-red hair slid over her shoulder into his face. He wrinkled his nose, and she laughed when it twitched. With a toss of her head, she shifted it all to one side, watching it mingle with his dark blond. “Together, we have a lot of hair.”

“On our heads.” His hands slid down her back to her bare behind. There he cupped both cheeks. “Your body, unlike mine, is smooth—everywhere. I hadn’t heard this about Earth women. Is it true of all your species?”

“No, our females have body hair, except most of us laser it off.”

“Really?” His perfectly arched brows shot up his forehead. “Isn’t that painful?”

“Heck, yeah, especially the first time.” She shrugged. “You get used to it.”

“You lasered your skin more than once? And you did this everywhere?”

She flushed, knowing the “everywhere” he referred to.

He grinned. “This calls for further exploration.”

He rolled them, gave her a short yet thorough kiss, then began to slide slowly down her body. The thick mass of his hair trailing his lips as he moved lower, tickled, making her squirm.

“Jaylin!” she squealed, turned on but also giggling from the light sweep of the silken strands.

At her thighs, he spread them wide, his mouth sliding over the smooth, denuded skin. Immediately, her giggles evaporated, changing to hitching inhaled pants when his thumbs parted her outer folds and his tongue licked into her.

“Exquisite,” he murmured, the heat of his breath stimulating her clit an instant before he sucked on it. She arched off the bed, sensation rocketing through her body. Needing more, she gripped his head, her fingers twining into his hair, and she pulled him in closer. After wantonly spreading her legs, she went a step further and draped them one at a time over his broad shoulders, offering him whatever he wanted to take.

“Mmm,” he hummed, not letting up while he swirled his tongue in a slow torturous circle. He flicked it back and forth and few times, finally dropping lower and dragging the flat of it from her weeping entrance up to the bud again. Next, he opened wide and sucked it inside, letting go after a three count with a wet pop. “Mm, mm,” he repeated in a low, hungry growl. “Sweet like pershada nectar,” before he went back for another taste, making her quiver.

“What’s...that?” she asked between ragged gasps.

“A native fruit from Trilor.” He gave her another slow lick. “It’s very expensive...because it grows...in a remote location.” He punctuated his words with slow licks and flicks of his tongue. “It’s well guarded by treacherous terrain.” When he applied sustained suction, she bowed off the bed. Releasing her again, he finished with another slow swirl, this time in reverse. “However, the risk is well worth the reward.”

“Please...”

“Isn’t this what I am doing, pershada? Pleasing you?” he whispered, teasing the bud with his tongue.

“Yes, although I can’t bear much more of this deliberate torment.”

“Ah, Dani,” he murmured, and slid a finger into her soaked channel. “Don’t you know anticipation makes the reward all the sweeter? Like waiting to harvest the succulent berries only at their ripest, or teasing you to climax.” He added another long, broad finger and, while pumping at an unhurried pace, went back to lashing and sucking her clit. But he relented on the stopping and starting, not letting up until her hips arched, and, with her legs clamped around his head, she cried out in ecstasy.

Breathing fast, with the rapid beat of her heart thudding in her ears, she twitched as he pressed one more kiss on the top of her mound, and then he rose over her. He positioned himself, and, unlike the first time, slid in all the way with one thrust. There was the same stretch and wonderful fullness, without a hint of discomfort.

He covered her with his body, and lowered his mouth to hers. He tasted of her, not at all like berries, but the mix of her and Jaylin on her tongue she found pleasantly erotic.

“You enjoyed tormenting me,” she accused without any bite to her words.

“Damn straight,” he replied, his grin like the cat who lapped up some cream. When he began to move, all teasing vanished from his face, replaced with intensity, his silver orbs dark from unquenched desire.

“Wrap me up, Dani. This time is going to be neither slow nor gentle. I want you too bad.”

With all four limbs, she encircled him, locking her ankles behind his hips, her arms around his neck. She hung on while he moved above and within her, his hips driving harder and faster than before. Although it seemed impossible, in a few full strokes, a quiver started low in her belly, and the throb in her clit rekindled, intensifying every time his body melded with hers. Breathless, when his tongue drove into her mouth, it made her more so. Jaylin’s power and passion surrounded her as he took control. The room filled with groans, slapping skin, and sensual wetness, the same sounds at any other time would have been mortifying. Now, she found it hot.

Then she couldn’t think because another shattering climax raced through her. Her moans were drowned out by his discordant, yet sexy masculine cries. He slammed into her once more, hard body going rigid, while his chest left hers, and his head arched back. She latched onto him, clinging to his shoulders, lips open along his corded throat, tasting the salt on his skin, and feeling the tension inside him as his climax took hold.

In that moment, with his shaft embedded fully, his ragged groans vibrating beneath her mouth, his large body shuddering in her arms from the force of his release inside her, Dani realized the power of her femininity.

Her heart swelled with the knowledge she could inspire in him the same exquisite pleasure he’d given her.

He inhaled, his chest expanding against her breasts when he blew it out slowly. His head dropped forward, eyes meeting hers, crinkling at the sides as he smiled, before touching his lips lightly to hers again.

“Is it always like that?” she whispered in wonder.

His face smoothed out, the laugh lines gone. “No, Dani,” he whispered back, in all seriousness. “It is rarely like that.”

He came back for another, more thorough kiss, sending the rest of her questions out of her head. A few moments later, Jaylin rolled off her, which meant he slipped out of her, but he gathered her close, tucking her under one arm. She settled against him, her head on his chest, in the same position she had started out in, with his chest hair tickling her nose. This time, she nuzzled against him, not minding at all.

“It seems as though I’m always saying this, but I need to go relieve Malik. I’ve left him the brunt of the work since supper last night.”

When she lifted her gaze, she tried to hide her disappointment. “Okay.”

“Don’t sound so down. We’re on a ship, pershada, how far can I go?”

She pushed up on an elbow, not trying to mask her frown. “I’m not sure I like the nickname. It makes me think of sex.”

“And this is bad how?”

“Others, like Malik, will guess how I got it.”

“Then it won’t be a secret you taste like a rare succulent berry.”

“Jaylin!”

“I do not lie, Dani. Your flavor is still on my tongue.” He was above her again, his handsome face alight with mischief. “Have another sample and see for yourself.” He swooped down and claimed her mouth. She still didn’t taste berries, only Jaylin, warm and delicious.

“I must go,” he groaned, before breaking free. “Stay, rest, lounge, whatever you like. I’ll see you later.”

When he rose and gathered his clothes, she rolled on her side, pulled the sheet over her nakedness, and propped up on an elbow, head in hand, watching the show. She caught a glimpse of tight, muscled male ass before snug-fitting black trousers blocked her view. More like a flash, really. Still, it was quite nice. She sighed.

“Don’t start again, Dani. I really must go.”

“What did I do?”

“You’re being cute, which arouses me. I don’t have time to go another round.”

“Like you could.”

He twisted, his brows shooting up. “Is that a challenge?”

“Uh, well, no. It’s biology. You already, um, twice, well, you know...”

He grinned. “Came deep inside of you?”

She plucked at the sheet, not meeting his gaze. “Yes. And if you count last night. It’s three times in twelve hours.” Without warning, a horrible thought entered her head, and she forgot her embarrassment, her eyes flying wide to stare at him. “You’re not a cyborg, too, are you?”

He stilled, the amusement fading from his handsome features. “About that—”

“Jaylin, I need you on the bridge.” Malik’s voice over the speaker interrupted what else he would have said. “I’ve picked up a ship approaching fast.”

He walked to the wall and flipped up a recessed panel she hadn’t noticed before.

“Any communication?”

“No, and I’ve tried. The computer can’t get a fix on its origin, either.”

“I’m on my way.” He flipped the panel closed, and returned to the bed where he put on his boots.

“Do you think they mean trouble?” She rested her hand on his back.

“Likely not, still, it pays to be cautious.” His eyes met hers when he rose to tuck in his shirt. “Get dressed. I may need you to come up and strap in if we have to make a run for it, or engage.”

Neither option sounded good to her.

He bent to her, his hand in the mattress by her hip as he leaned over and kissed her brow. “Don’t worry. It’s probably nothing, but come upstairs when you’re ready, so I can keep an eye on you.”

She wrinkled her nose. He sounded like every other man she’d encountered, thinking she needed a keeper.

“For your safety, Dani.”

“What trouble can I possibly get into while lying in bed?”

“I’d rather not find out.”

“Uh!” she grunted.

“I’m teasing about the last part, baby. The first, however, is an order. Get dressed and come up top.”

She liked when he called her baby much more than a strange alien fruit, and because of he did—not really, she would have done it because he was the captain, and had asked—she agreed.

“Okay, fine.”

“That’s my sweet pershada.”

She scowled at his teasing; it only broadened his grin. Then he brushed his nose alongside hers, stood, and strode from the room, chuckling as he went, the low, sultry sound making her tingle.

***

When Jaylin got to the bridge, he found Malik in the pilot’s chair. Coming to stand beside him, hands on hips, he scanned the variety of different screens on the control console. “Is it still on course for us?”

“Yes. I’ve changed our heading twice in the last thirty minutes and it does as well.”

“They’re tracking us. Damn. Dani still has the homing chip in her thigh. How could I have forgotten?”

“That’s not it.”

“Of course it is. We’ve got to get it out and deactivate the signal.”

“There is no signal. I neutralized the chip when I healed her ribs.”

Jaylin twisted his head and stared at his brother. “You didn’t mention it.”

He shrugged. “I figured it would come up soon enough. I saw it on the scan, and didn’t like the idea of Alltryp chipping her like a pet.”

“Good man.” Jaylin smiled as he turned back to the screen. Taking initiative, being protective on her behalf, caring; all small steps, but it showed progress.

“Don’t think more of it than it is, brother.”

“I’m not thinking anything at all, except how to get rid of this ship,” he replied.

Malik grunted, clearly not believing him.

Jaylin put thoughts of his promising reaction aside and focused on the looming threat. “Can we outrun them?”

“I’ve increased speed. They’re keeping pace, so probably not.”

“We need to outmaneuver them.” He moved into the co-pilot’s chair and pulled up the star chart on the navigation panel. Before studying it, he flipped on the intercom. “Dani, get up here and get strapped in.” He resumed scanning, searching for a solution to their current dilemma. As he did so, he asked Malik, “Why didn’t you call me sooner?”

“When neither of you appeared for the morning meal, I figured you were otherwise occupied.”

“I was,” he answered, ignoring the dig, “but you know my priorities.”

“Dani isn’t at the top of the list?”

“Don’t be an ass. Her safety is my prime concern, as is yours, and the Renegade.”

“I’m honored you remembered me and our ship in your answer,” was his caustic reply.

His eyes cut to his brother. “What the fuck is your problem? You say you don’t want her, yet complain when I do and take action about it.”

Malik scowled, but when he opened his mouth to reply, Jaylin cut in before he could utter another word. “Are we going to do this now?”

His twin’s golden gaze narrowed before snapping to the view screen. “What do you suggest?”

Studying the maps, it took several moments for him to decide. “There’s a nebulae cloud not far away.” He plotted the new course. “On its edge sits a series of asteroids. The nearest one is large. We’ll come around to the far side. Between the rock’s density and the ionization of the cloud, the interference should impede their ability to scan us.”

“The same will apply to us.”

“Yes. Except we’ll cut power and activate our cold shields, which will eliminate any infrared capabilities.” He brought up the map on the main screen, pointing to four closely spaced minor planets that formed an arc around the edge of the cloud. “We’ll follow the first until we’re in line with the next, and so on, while keeping undercover. When we get to the last, if we haven’t lost them, we’ll set an alternate course and come around the back side of Earth. If we’re lucky, they’ll think we have a different destination.”

“You’re convinced they’re after Daniella?”

“What else could they want? We have no cargo. She is all we have of value onboard.”

“Who do you think it is?”

As one, they turned to see Dani standing behind them, neither having heard the lift or her footfalls while arguing and plotting a defense.

“Get strapped in,” Jaylin ordered without answering her question. There would be time for answers once she was safe.

She didn’t move, her attention fixed on the screen. “Is it my father?”

“I want you strapped in now, Dani,” Jaylin intoned when she still didn’t move to get secure.

“He sent us to retrieve you, remember?” Malik replied. “We sent word of our success. Why send another ship?”

“You sent word?” Her brows gathered, and her gaze flicked from Malik to him, before going back to the screen. “Prince Ivar, perhaps?” she guessed next, her voice low and constrained.

His frown eclipsed the intensity of hers. First, over the sudden rasp in her tone, and, second, the fear in her eyes, but more importantly, because she still stood in the same spot and had not obeyed his order, now issued three times.

“I don’t think so,” his twin told her. “They don’t have a space fleet.”

“They could hire someone, couldn’t they? Like my father did the two of you?”

That’s all they needed. Other paid mercenaries after the would-be princess. The idea enraged Jaylin who was already on edge.

“We don’t have time for guessing games,” he ground out as he spun in his chair and leaned toward her, hands on his knees. This time when he spoke, it wasn’t as the lover who had so recently left her bed, rather, the pissed off captain of the Renegade tired of being ignored. “When I give you an order,” he snapped, “I expect it to be obeyed. Not in a minute, or perhaps in an hour, or whenever the hell you feel like it, but immediately.” He barked this last word at considerable volume. When she stiffened, and her eyes flared wide in surprise, he knew he had gotten through. “Now, for the last time. Get your sweet ass in a seat, strap in, and do so without arguing. I need quiet to concentrate.”

“He gets like this when he feels threatened and needs to focus, Dani.”

“I don’t need you to explain my actions to her,” Jaylin snapped without looking away from her pale face and the plump lower lip which she’d once again caught between her teeth. He’d figured out she did this when uncertain, or afraid, and, in this case, most likely, that her feelings had been hurt. Unfortunate, yes. But in a serious situation like this, he didn’t have time to hold her hand and explain—that could come later—and he damn sure wouldn’t tolerate any insubordination. “What I need is for you both to follow orders without giving me lip so I can get us out of this mess.” Although he used a more modulated tone, his message left no room for argument.

Without another word, she walked to one of the chairs set behind and to the side of the helm. When she began putting on the harness, Jaylin faced front again. He’d have to do damage control with Dani, later—of that he was certain. Right now, he needed to focus and keep them all safe.

“Now who’s being an ass?” Malik muttered.

***

She sat in her chair for the next two hours, quietly fuming. Jaylin had ticked her off for so many reasons. If told to make a list in order, she would be hard-pressed to pick the one to top it. But even while she stewed over his coarse speech and manner, she found what was going on in front of her, fascinating.

Jaylin piloted the ship skillfully, maneuvering around the asteroid while avoiding debris in the outermost edges of the ionized cloud, without entering it which would have been like shining a spotlight on the Renegade, making it a beacon for the other vessel. Once behind the airless rocky world, they slowed, activating the cold shields that would protect them from infrared scanning. They caught a brief heat signal of their pursuers once, but they were headed in the opposite direction, as they’d hoped.

By the time they flew past the last planet in the row, and veered around the trailing edge of the molecular cloud, there wasn’t a sign of them. And through it all, no one said a word.

As they worked, the two men looked at each other on occasion, one or the other would nod, then flip dials or switch screens. It was as though they could read each other’s minds. It kind of freaked her out, and also ticked her off further. Off to the side, out of their way, hushed to silence like a bothersome child, she felt excluded. And after the way Jaylin had barked orders at her, it made her already-wounded feelings hurt more.

They had their hands full, she knew that. A threat loomed out there, likely against her. They had a job to do, including protecting her, but did he have to be so mean? He’d morphed into Captain Jaylin Sin-Naysir, renowned mercenary badass, and class A jerk, nothing at all like the man she’d come to know. Not the kind, considerate man who’d rescued her, handled her with care when she’d been hurt, and held her close when she’d been terrified by her nightmares. And he in no way resembled the man of last night and this morning, who had claimed her innocence with tenderness, ensuring she was wholly satisfied, and then some.

What really hurt her, though, considering what they had shared, was that he hadn’t changed his plans to return to Earth. This could only mean one thing—he intended to complete the job her father had hired him to do. Malik couldn’t have told him what they’d discussed. Or maybe he had, and Jaylin had decided against it. Her last offer had been triple. Hell, she’d pay it all if she had to. A million credits should tempt him. Weren’t they, by definition, soldiers of fortune, their skills sold to the highest bidder?

She snorted. Leave it to her to find mercenaries with work ethics.

“Do you have something to say, Dani?” Jaylin’s question was the first words spoken aloud in some time.

“Oh? Do I have permission to speak now, Captain?”

“I don’t need your sass, sweetness. We’re a long way from being out of the woods. If you have something to say, speak up now, or keep the sound effects to a minimum.”

“I wanted to ask if your services were for hire?” This got his full attention, and he once again spun in his chair.

“You did not just ask me that,” he snarled.

Upon seeing the fire in his eyes, she understood the services he assumed she referred to.

“I meant the Renegade’s services,” she explained in a hushed voice, her gaze darting to Malik, who stayed busy at the controls. She glanced back at Jaylin. “I would like to hire you. And buy out your contract to my father.”

“To what end?” he asked, less bite to his tone.

“To the end of not becoming an Elzorian bride, which seems to be a death sentence. I’ll do anything to avoid such a fate.”

He stiffened, his jaw clenching so tight a muscle twitched in his cheek. Something she’d noticed Malik did as well. Interesting. Except she couldn’t dwell on it now.

“Dani...” Her name from his tense lips came out like a growl.

Before he could spout more orders for her to sit by mutely obedient, or to cease and desist bothering him while he worked, she spoke over him. “Malik didn’t tell you.”

His head came around briskly. “When did I have time?”

“Time for what?” Jaylin demanded, getting riled again.

“I will be twenty-five in ten days and will come into some money. I proposed to double what my father is paying, but he said you ship is worth ten times as much. I’ll pay it—one million credits. Keep me safe out here in space somewhere, well beyond his reach until my birthday, and when you return me to Earth, it’s yours.”

“And your plans beyond that?”

She didn’t like the sudden coldness in his tone, but she hadn’t liked much about him since he’d left her bed this morning. “I don’t know. I hadn’t thought much beyond getting away. Perhaps I’ll open a gallery out west somewhere.”

“On Earth,” he drawled.

She threw her hands up in frustration. “Where else would I live? I’m from Earth.”

“Dani...” This subtle warning came from Malik, who looked at her, shaking his head.

“Was this your plan when you first spoke to Malik?”

“Well, yes.”

“And you thought to sweeten the pot by spreading your legs for me? To convince me to break my contract with your father.”

She gasped. Appalled he could think her so conniving as to sacrifice herself. “How dare you! I wouldn’t do something so...so...mercenary.” Her chin snapped up sharply, and she watched his eyes narrow as her barb hit home.

“You said a moment ago you’d do anything to get out of marrying Ivar.”

“Well, I didn’t mean...that.”

While he stared at her for a moment, his mouth settled into a hard line and the silver of his eyes changed to flat, dark gray. Before she could defend herself further, he spun back to the controls. He dismissed her coolly, doing so through Malik. “Take her below, and see she stays there. I don’t need the distraction right now.”

Her throat tightened with tears. Before they broke free and she embarrassed herself in front of him by blubbering like a smitten fool, she stood up—or at least tried to. The harness, still latched in place, prevented her from moving.

She ripped at it with her fingers. “I’d love to be out of your presence.” She tried for a harsh, biting undertone, except her breath hitching gave her jagged emotions away.

Without looking at either of them to see if they noticed—how could they not?—she pulled at the clasp. It wouldn’t release. Frustrated and a second from collapsing in a torrent of self-pitying sobs, she grasped the straps and tugged hard.

“You’re only making it tighter, Dani. Stop.”

“Don’t tell me what to do!” she shrieked, losing control.

Long fingers moved her hands aside.

“Don’t touch me.” Her words came out in a hiss as she smacked Jaylin’s hands away.

“Sweetheart, let me help you.”

She stopped, realizing Malik leaned over her, and he was the one she had slapped. “I’m sorry I hit you.”

“It’s okay.”

He easily opened the latch and would have helped more, but she shrugged out of the harness and surged to her feet. With her eyes averted, she bolted to the lift, waving her hand over the sensor. When it didn’t come fast enough, she waved it again, and again. Knowing it wouldn’t make the unit arrive any sooner, it at least gave her something to do.

Hands on her shoulders made her tense.

“You don’t need to escort me down. I can find my own way.”

“He gave me orders, same as you.”

“And you’re his minion, so you always obey?” she shot back, lashing out at him angrily. “He won’t find me as subservient.”

The door opened, and she scurried inside, Malik crowding into the small unit with her. She didn’t look at him or toward the bridge, averting her eyes as the half door closed and they started to move.

“He didn’t mean what he said, like you, he was angry.”

“I hate him.”

“You don’t mean that, either.”

“He makes me furious, and I definitely meant that.”

“Things got heated back there, but think on this. For Jaylin to become volatile, so quickly means he doesn’t hate you, either. Far from it.”

“I want to go home in a week and a half and forget all of this happened.”

“A girl doesn’t save herself for twenty-five years, find a man she trusts enough to gift her innocence to, then practically overnight, want to forget it. Jaylin will realize this when he calms down.”

“He’s an asshole.”

“He can be. He’s also very kind, caring, and extremely protective. I warned you he gets this way when threatened. All he can think of is eliminating the danger and keeping everyone safe, to the exclusion of courtesy, kindness, and pretty redheads whose feelings he otherwise wouldn’t hurt.”

Blinking back frustrated tears, she glanced up at him and asked, “Why are you defending him?”

“I know him. This is his nature. Later, when we’re safely away from whoever is pursuing us, he’ll regret being so harsh and come find you. Wait and see.”

“I won’t hold my breath,” she grumbled. “If I do, I’ll be as blue as Ivar.”

The door opened to the lower level, and she rushed out. She couldn’t outdistance Malik’s long strides, however, and he caught up with her at her bedroom door.

“Dani, let me tell you a little story.”

“I’m not in the mood for fairy tales. And I realized today, I’m much too old to believe in them, anyway.”

“Don’t—”

Emotionally wrecked, she cut him off. “I’m sorry I lashed out. Jaylin deserves my sharp words, not you. And, please, Malik, understand when I say I need to be left alone right now.”

He stared at her a moment, and she thought she saw a flicker of something in his distant eyes, but, if she did, it vanished as quickly as it appeared. Or perhaps in her pique, she’d imagined it.

He inclined his head. “I’ll leave to your thoughts.”

The next moment the doors slid shut and she was alone. And, although she’d lived most of her life that way, she felt the loneliness more completely than ever before.