Redemption, p.10
Redemption, page 10
He slid his hand up the center of her body, moved it right above her heart and checked her wound.
“An inch and a half lower and we wouldn’t have been able to save you,” he murmured.
There was no way Zane had missed his target accidentally. If he had been programmed as they suspected, he was fighting it. Zola made a sound of distress. She let him pull her into his lap and wrap his arms around her. He stroked his hand down her back, gathering her hair and twisting his fingers in it. Back in his arms where she belonged. He breathed a sigh of relief when he felt her amusement.
“You’re so possessive,” she commented.
“You like me this way.”
“Maybe.”
He tugged her hair to tilt her face at just the angle he wanted, giving him total control when he claimed her lips. He poured all the frustration and worry of the last few days into it. Tempered it with the love and hope he felt now that she was back in his arms. They were both breathing hard when he lifted his head. He didn’t protest when she wiggled free and turned to straddle him. Reaching up he brushed a long strand of hair out of her face, paused to rub his thumb over her cheek.
“So beautiful, my der’lan.”
He slid his hands under her shirt, one up her back and the other her front to cup her breast and squeeze her nipple. Gasping, she threw her head back. He shoved up her shirt so he could take the hard point between his teeth. He tugged then lashed at her with his tongue, flicking the hoop through it. She writhed in his lap, grinding her sweet pussy against him. Her nails dug into his scalp in a silent demand for more. He lifted his head, took her wrists and moved them to the small of her back.
“Don’t move them, sweetheart.”
“Anyone could come out here,” she panted.
“Let them,” he whispered against her skin.
He knew they wouldn’t be interrupted and there was no way he was stopping. It’d been three fucking days since he’d touched her, since he’d sunk into her. No more waiting, and no more running for his beautiful, exasperating mate. He pulled her shirt over her head, stood her to strip her out of her sandals and pants, then freed his cock and guided her back into place. His erection nudged her entrance and she moaned, hands landing on his shoulders. He tapped her ass.
“Hands behind your back, Zola.”
Whimpering, she obeyed. He could feel her need rising. Feel her growing desperate and it was like partaking of the nectar of the gods. He pushed through her slick folds not stopping until he was seated to the hilt. Then he slowly withdrew until only the head of his cock was inside her. She squirmed but his hands were firm on her hips. He wouldn’t be rushed.
Her eyes were closed, her head thrown back. She breathed so fast her chest heaved. As much as he enjoyed the view and enjoyed his control over her, he wasn’t going to last. And they had a couple things to discuss before he let either of them come.
“Look at me, Zola.”
He made sure his voice was hard and commanding. The gaze that met his registered the change, growing wary as she watched him.
“Why did you leave? And don’t tell me it was because you thought I lied to you.”
She opened her mouth to respond and he slowly dragged her down onto his cock. “Could we talk about this later?” she gasped.
“No. You’ll tell me now or neither of us is going to come.”
She stared at him with wide, desperate eyes. “I was…overwhelmed, I guess. I just had to get out of the Keep. Go somewhere I could think.”
“You abandoned your der’lan,” he said softly.
For the first time he let her see the despair he’d felt when he discovered she’d packed and left him. He’d never forget that feeling. The punch of loss. The resultant anger at her, and himself for getting in so deep. She was his world and she’d walked away without even looking back. He’d seriously considered letting her. Did he really want to hang on to a woman who didn’t want him? But he didn’t believe it. She wanted him and what they could have together. She’d been dealt a major blow, however. Discovering her brother alive, him trying to kill her, had shattered her ability to trust. It had taken him twenty four hours and a long conversation with his mother and hers to come to that conclusion.
She cupped his face and stared into his eyes. “I’m sorry. I overreacted and I didn’t think. For the last couple of days I’ve been trying to figure out how to apologize. How to make this right. How to get my head screwed back on right.”
*
Zola felt his relief all the way to her bones. Damn she was an idiot. She’d left in a temper, like a petulant toddler, without even letting him explain. And she’d been miserable. She missed talking to him, being held his arms. His cock nestled deep in her body. She’d tried to hang on to her anger, but the truth was the only reason she hadn’t already returned to the Keep was her pride. She’d made her grand gesture. How could she slink back with her tail tucked between her legs? Yep. Pride.
“Never again, baby.”
“No.” He was right. She’d been on her own most of her life. It was time for that to stop. “Never again. We belong together.”
A small smile curved his lips, but it was the dominant expression crossing his face that made her catch her breath.
“You disobeyed me again,” he drawled.
Shit. Her hands. She quickly put them behind her back but he slapped her ass anyway. Twice. It shouldn’t have felt good—that brief flare of pain. Shouldn’t have turned her on. But she couldn’t deny it did. He lifted her off of him and she moaned a protest. It had only been three days but it felt like forever. She needed him inside her, fast and furious and out of control.
He set her in front him then moved behind her, his hand between her shoulder blades urging her to her knees. Hell yes. She went eagerly and seconds later he thrust into her from behind. He held her hip with one iron tight fist while his free hand found her clit. He stayed still inside her while he worked her until she was crying out, begging, and trying desperately to move against him. His name was on her lips when the orgasm ripped through her.
Then he fucked her with long sure strokes that grew frantic and rough. Desperate and so incredibly good. She came the second time with no help when she felt the hot jets of semen inside her. They collapsed on the ground together. He pulled her close, brushing the hair off her face when she rose to her elbows to lean over him.
“I love you,” she said. The first time she’d put words to the emotion that filled her whenever she thought of him.
His responding smile was tender and possessive. “I love you too, sweetheart. Ready to go home?”
“Hmm,” she hummed, laying her head on his chest. “Maybe when I’ve recovered enough to walk.”
He chuckled, arms banding around her like a vice. “Fair enough.”
Silence stretched and eventually her thoughts turned dark. “I don’t know what to do about my brother. He has to be found. But what if I can’t save him?”
His hands stroked over her hair, down her back. It was comforting, his touch. His presence.
“Whatever happens, we’ll do it together, baby. Always.”
Always. Yeah. She could live with that. She leaned up to kiss him, then stood. “Together. Let’s go home, Jarek.”
Meet the Author
Loribelle is a former Army MP who traded in her combat boots for motherhood, flip flops, and all the Diet Coke she can drink. (She almost misses the combat boots.) She’s the author of more than 20 books, herder of three energetic children, and occasional sun worshipper.
Loribelle can be found on the web at www.loribellehunt.com
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Other Delroi Books
Invasion Earth (Delroi Connection 1)
Leaving Earth (Delroi Connection 2)
Stolen Earth (Delroi Connection 3)
Claiming Earth (Delroi Connection 4)
Freedom (Delroi Prophecy 1)
Irresistible (Delroi Prophecy 2)
Excerpt from Absolution
Coming Summer 2014
Xan stared at her. At first glance, Anna Leigh Gray was a beautiful fragile looking woman. He couldn’t believe she was here, had long ago given up all hope of finding his der’lan, the mate of his heart. When he had allowed himself to imagine her, he’d envisioned a gentle, protected Delroi female. Anna Leigh definitely wasn’t that. She was hard and edgy. Beautiful and clearly lethal. It made him feel a hell of a lot better about what she needed to do. He was a warrior. Hard, commanding, and unrelenting. With a woman from his world he’d have to hold back everything that made him who he was. But not with Anna Leigh.
He wondered if she would soften under other circumstances, though. Had a sudden vision of her sweet and compliant in his bed. Unfortunately, that would have to wait. He had to lower his shields, let her crawl around his head, and hope he had the will to not bind her to him right then and there. The words of the ancient prayer ran through his mind, but he ignored them as he slowly opened his mind to hers.
Her mind stroked against his, confident and powerful, and while she didn’t hesitate to look at his memories, his life, she kept hers blocked from him. That wouldn’t do at all. He studied her shields, saw where they were weak, and contemplated breaking through. Gently, of course, he didn’t want to hurt her. Then Galinn sat down beside him and he changed his mind. For what he planned, he needed privacy. Her gaze focused on him and she pulled her hand free as if singed.
“He isn’t a rebel,” she said to Galinn, who rose.
“I’ll make my report.”
“Am I free to go?” Xan asked.
“Unofficially. You can return to your clan headquarters, but don’t leave. Your men are waiting in the lobby.”
There was a very subtle influence on your and Xan understood that Galinn had been careful about who he’d let in. He could have told him that all the Bana warriors on Earth were his. They were either handpicked or men his cousin was stupid enough to throw away. He put his hand on Anna Leigh’s lower back and steered her towards the door.
“Let me know as soon as we can depart.”
“Of course, General.”
Anna Leigh dug her heels in before they could leave, however. “My weapons?”
Galinn looked to him for permission and he nodded. “Follow me.”
The woman at his side fumed. He felt her anger, smoldering and volatile just under the surface. In the lobby, Galinn stopped at the Guard station to retrieve her weapons. He watched as she secreted away two pistols and three blades. Damn, she hadn’t been kidding when she’d said she could slit his throat. He might have to ban all weapons from their bedroom until he was sure he was safe. Judging by her expression that wouldn’t be anytime soon.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m ready to be on my way.” She turned to Galinn. “Have the arrangements been made for me to leave?”
“In progress,” the other man lied smoothly. He knew even if those plans had been made, Xan would cancel them. “The general will escort you somewhere you can wait.”
She was very good at hiding it, but her suspicions had been aroused. She expected to be imprisoned, or worse. There was no way to convince her other than showing her, however, so he didn’t try to allay her fears. Instead, he led her outside, indicating his warriors should follow.
“Where are we going?” she asked when they reached the sidewalk.
He pointed across the parade field. “The building on the far corner. Did you bring anything with you?”
“A laptop and some clothes.”
“I’ll send someone for them.”
At his nod, one of the younger warriors set off for the task while the rest of them crossed the field. No one spoke until they were safely inside.
“My lord,” Baal greeted him inside. Xan looked up sharply, realizing what had happened. Mikail was either in custody or dead.
“When?” he asked.
“We just received word. Lord Trace wants you to contact him as soon as possible.”
“I’ll do it now.” He looked around at the gathered warriors, sought out his most trusted commanders. “Make sure my shuttle is here and the ship is ready to depart. Baal, Nero, and Dax stay close. We have a lot of work to do to save the clan.”
The idea made his blood rush. It had been a long time since he’d felt like he had real purpose. Anna Leigh made a subtle shifting motion as if to step away. He looked down to meet her gaze, suddenly struck by how small she was, and remembered the clan wasn’t his only purpose now. If it was anyone but Barak Trace waiting for him to call, he would put it off and try to seduce his der’lan. Her eyes widened and this time she did take a cautious step back.
“Where can I wait? I know you have things to do.”
She seemed suddenly aware that they were alone. He was amazed at her wariness. Surely that improved his odds. Of course, it wasn’t an attack she was leery of. She could handle herself in that situation. Interesting.
“Come to my office. You’re going to Delroi so this concerns you too.”
A few minutes later Barak and, a woman Xan had only heard rumors about, faced him from the large comm screen in his office. Barak’s gaze settled on Anna Leigh.
“Ms. Gray, I assume?”
The look he leveled on her was calculating and suspicious, but other than an acknowledging nod she didn’t react. Since he was certain Galinn had reported that she was his der’lan, Xan didn’t bring it up. He should probably explain the situation to her first. Instead he focused on the backdrop behind them.
“You’re at the Bana stronghold.”
“Yes,” Barak replied. “Mikail and dozens of his warriors are in custody. We have a group we’re uncertain of, and another group he apparently intended to use as shields.”
“They’d never cooperate.” He knew the warriors of his clan. They were from the deep desert, were fierce and brutal.
“Under normal circumstances,” Barak agreed. “But he had their families brought here too.”
“Keep him alive until I get there.” He was clan chief now and he intended to bathe in Mikail’s blood. There were no words to describe the depth of his fury. He struggled to contain it and only managed to do so because Anna Leigh squeezed his hand.
“Did you find the Tel agents?” she asked.
Barak looked at Britt. Some might have thought he was looking to her for approval, but Xan suspected they were speaking telepathically.
“Parker and Zola killed two of them a few days ago. There were none at the stronghold when we arrived and I haven’t found a useable memory yet. They’re being very careful.”
He felt Anna Leigh first relax then tense as Britt spoke.
“Zola and her friends are okay, though?”
Britt took a full minute to reply. “I really don’t think you need to worry about their safety. When you get on the ship access the latest media feeds from the Green Zone.”
He could feel Anna Leigh’s eagerness to do just that and he realized he had no idea how long it had been since she’d seen her daughter.
“Is she someplace safe?”
“Trust me, there are few places safer,” Barak said and continued at Xan’s questioning look. “The Keep.”
He knew the Keep well. The former Steward had been a good friend of his. Xan had watched his sons and the current clan chief and his brother grow up.
“The Keep’s warriors are excellent,” he told Anna Leigh. “They’ll keep her safe.”
Britt snorted. “You guys are all alike. You didn’t listen to a word a said. She doesn’t need protecting. You’ll understand when you see the vids.”
He wanted to ask more but Barak changed the subject. “You have a real mess here, Xan. How many warriors do you have with you that you can trust?”
“All the Bana warriors on Earth are mine. That’s why they’re here.”
“How many?”
“About five hundred.” It was a very small percentage of the Delroi on planet, but his clan was smaller than most and Mikail had refused to give up more. Barak nodded.
“Make arrangements to rotate them home then. We’ll augment the loss from other places. You have two starships in orbit?”
“Yes. The second ship will be several days behind us.”
“Report to me in Saber City. I’ll have the Bana house opened and cleaned.”
“Thank you. Anything else, my lord?”
“Not on the comm,” he said and signed off.
That was curious. Had the Trace’s security been compromised?
“They sure went from suspicious to trusting quick,” Anna Leigh said.
“You think it’s a trap?”
Lure him home, pretend they accepted him at his word, and follow him to the rebels. It would be a good plan, if he were a rebel.
“You don’t?”
He shook his head. “No. Kaje and Falkor, Barak’s brother, probably vouched me before they even sent you in.”
She didn’t say anything.
“They don’t trust you though.” He couldn’t explain how he knew, but he was certain of it.
“I know,” she said softly. “It doesn’t matter as long as I get there.”
He wanted to know why. Wanted to peel away all her secrets. It would have to be on the way home when he could focus solely on her.
He pressed a series of buttons on his desktop and a moment later Baal, Nero, and Dax joined them in the office. He expected at least one of them to protest Anna Leigh’s presence but none did. She moved to a small couch under the window while his warriors took the armchairs.
“We’re going home,” he said without preamble. “How many can leave immediately and how long will it take for the rest?”
“I can have one hundred warriors ready to travel in an hour, my Lord. The ship is prepared,” Baal said. “It will take ten to fourteen days to pack up the rest of the men and the equipment.”
“You have a week,” he said, standing. “Dax, get the advance party. My der’lan and I will be on that shuttle in ten minutes.”
Dax nodded sharply and left the room, the others following him. He heard orders being barked out in the main room and the sounds of several people moving at once. Anna Leigh rose and walked to his desk.
