Janaya (2 page)

“Rather nice specimen, isn’t he, dear?”

“Humph,” Janaya said, trying to ignore the pounding of her heart and the flip-flop of her stomach, the sudden moist dampness between her legs. She ripped her gaze from the Earthman and tried to quell her aunt’s smart-ass remarks with a frosty glare.

“I bet he has a nice tush. That would be rear end to you.”

Heat suffused Janaya’s face. “I have no interest in the man’s front end or his back end. I have an agreement with Santana.”

“Santana!” Hinekiri’s mouth firmed to a straight line. “That male was a horrible child and he hasn’t improved as an adult.”

“You’re not the one joining with him,” Janaya snapped.

“Praise Lord Julian. If I were merging with a male, at least I’d check out the merchandise first.”

Janaya whirled away from her aunt to stare at the approaching male. Unbeknown to her aunt, she’d already checked out the merchandise. She cringed as she recalled the fiasco. Then her shoulders squared. Next time she’d get the mating procedure right. Santana would have no complaints on that score. It was true that Santana wasn’t as imposing as this male but he bore good qualities. And she liked his family.

Longing seeped into the region of her heart when she thought of the empty spaces that only family could fill. Once she’d secured her captain’s bars and completed formalities with Santana everything would work out with her father. He’d realize she loved him and would recognize her worth. He’d finally accept her as a blood daughter instead of calling her a nuisance.

“How do we hide the ship?” Janaya asked, changing the subject to forestall the fierce argument building within her aunt. Hinekiri could debate all she liked. Janaya had chosen Santana and her decision was final.

“Oh, didn’t I say? There’s an emergency camouflage button. The ship will appear invisible for as long as the power source lasts.”

“Why didn’t you—never mind. Do it. He’s nearly here.”

The little dog sniffed and sighed loudly. “He doesn’t have any food.”

“You’re right. I don’t smell any.”

The dog wagged its tail. “You scent better than most humans.”

Hinekiri pulled a small control box from her low-slung Earth trousers. Jeans, she’d called them when she’d handed a similar pair to Janaya. “Camouflage on.”

Janaya glanced over her shoulder. The ship was still visible. “The system’s failed,” she whispered in a terse voice. Was nothing going to go right on this mission? Irritation with both herself and her stubborn aunt shot through her body, finding vent in gritted teeth. Her right hand slid to the weapon at her hip, ready to defend her aunt.

“No, wait. Don’t shoot him. Watch.”

The man she’d seen earlier strode into the clearing where they stood. He didn’t hesitate or even blink on seeing the ship, but continued toward them with a loose-limbed gait that reminded Janaya of a two-toed tigoth—sleek and muscled. Confident that he’d catch his prey. Janaya’s skin tingled. The sensation crawled through her body, across her lips, tugging her nipples to tight peaks and finally settling low in her belly. She slid her weight from foot to foot in a slow fidget then froze when she caught the grin on her aunt’s face.

“Something wrong, dear?”

“This damned G-thing you gave me to wear is right up my—”

“Hello there.” The man’s voice slid across her skin like soft, satiny monterey petals, drawing her body tight with unexpected sensual need. Fascinated by the Earthman, her gaze drifted down to the column of tanned flesh showing in the V of his blue shirt. An urgent need to slide her tongue across the same path her gaze had taken gripped her mind. She took half a step forward to complete the action before her brain jerked into gear and screeched to an appalled halt. A soft choking noise drew her gaze northward to gleaming dark brown eyes. Hot eyes that simmered with an answering passion.

Janaya took another half a step to close the distance between them.

“Down, girl,” her aunt murmured, placing one bony hand on her arm in warning.

The clear transparency with which her aunt saw her need brought a blush of hot color to her cheeks and that too, flowed down her body, converging in one achy spot.

Janaya opened her mouth but all that emerged was an undignified croak. Instead of interrogating him, her mind drifted to wonder what his dark hair would feel like as it slid between her fingers, if the passion that arced in the air between them would translate to hot, uninhibited mating. There had to be more to the process than what she’d discovered so far with Santana.

Aware of his laughing eyes scanning her face, her body, Janaya tried to dislodge the huge lump in her throat with a dry swallow. The throbbing silence stretched. Luckily, her aunt came to the rescue, interrupting her frantic thoughts by taking the initiative.

“Good afternoon,” she chirped. “And it’s a great one, too. I’m Hinekiri Jones. And this is my niece, Janaya Smith.”

False names, Janaya noted with silent approval.

The man halted in front of them and nodded politely. “Police Constable Luke Morgan,” he said in a husky voice that plucked at Janaya’s nerve endings. He grinned, showing dazzling white teeth, and shared the grin between both of them before stooping to pat the dog on the head. Straightening, he said, “I know this is going to seem like a weird question, but I’ve had reports of an unidentified flying object. Did either of you see anything strange in the last hour?”

Janaya gasped. Her croak of denial turned into a cough. Did he really not see the ship parked right in front of him?

“A UFO?” her aunt demanded, her violet eyes widening in excitement. “How exciting. If you find it, holler ’cause I’d love to meet one of those little green men.”

The man chuckled. “Personally, I’d rather not come face-to-face with an alien but I’ll keep your request in mind.” After a brisk nod for Janaya and a wide grin for her aunt, the man—Morgan—strode past them, a mere two feet away from the ship.

“He didn’t even glance at the ship. How come he can’t see it and I can?”

“There is a scientific explanation, but I don’t have time to explain. Your unauthorized presence on my ship has created a little problem,” Hinekiri said. “You shouldn’t have stowed away on my ship.”

“I had to protect you. What sort of problem? The crash wasn’t my fault.” Indignation dripped from Janaya’s voice. Someone had to protect her aunt from the Torgon, and she didn’t trust any bodyguard except herself. Apart from her estranged father, Hinekiri was all the family she had left and Janaya didn’t intend to lose her to a butt-ugly Torgon.

“You didn’t have travel inoculations before you left.”

Janaya hated the smug tone her aunt used. Every survival instinct rose up and shrieked of danger. Her eyes narrowed. “What haven’t you told me?”

“Earth’s atmosphere varies from ours on Dalcon.”

“The oxygen content is the same. I checked.”

“Ah, but did you check the trace elements?”

The smugness had grown to a smirk. Janaya was beginning to loathe that smirk. “Tell me.”

“The trace elements on Earth act like a booster to our systems. Inoculations counteract the effect.”

“What? What effect?” It was like drawing teeth from Dalcon’s national bird, the fodo.

“The senses are amplified.”

“Hearing, sight, you mean?” A relieved sigh eased through her lips. That didn’t sound too bad. She could live with enhanced senses especially if it helped to keep Hinekiri safe. Janaya glanced at her aunt again. The smirk had turned toothy. Very toothy, and it stretched from one side of her aunt’s angelic face to the other.

“What else?” she demanded.

“Sexual desire.”

“You mean…” Janaya turned to study the figure of the retreating Earth male. Even with the distance between them Janaya saw how well the man’s trousers cupped his buttocks. Her palms itched as she thought about fondling.

“Yeah, like I said before, nice tush. Pity Santana isn’t here with you. He could take care of the emotional…ah…overflow.”

Janaya wrenched her gaze from the Earthman’s butt with difficulty. Her heart beat faster, and her breath wheezed from her lungs as though she’d only just finished a heavy training session. Her eyes landed on her aunt’s face. The smirk hadn’t lessened any. She bit back a groan. She may as well hear the worst of it now. “Out with it,” she said. “Tell me everything.” To enforce her request, she took two steps toward her aunt and set her face in a threatening scowl.

“No need to hurt a little old lady,” her aunt chirped. “I’d like to point out that this is your fault for jumping before checking the consequences.”

“You’re not old.” Janaya took another step, and this time she didn’t have to force a glare. “Tell me the worst.”

“There’s no need to shout, dear. What I was about to say is that even if Santana were here, he couldn’t help. I’m afraid you’ve imprinted on the Earth male.” Her aunt beamed. “Nice choice, dear. If I was a little younger… Perhaps I’ll meet a nice Earthman while I’m here. We could double date.”

Chapter Two

Luke Morgan resisted a glance over his shoulder but it was a close thing. His brain pounded as if he’d tied one on the night before. Lust simmered through his body, bringing his cock to unwilling life. Even if they hadn’t told him, he’d have guessed the two women were family—one glance at their violet eyes confirmed the relationship.

“Hell,” he muttered. “Keep your mind on the job.” Mrs. Bates would expect a full report on his return. But when he compared Mrs. Bates’ wobbling chins with the violet-eyed siren’s long legs and smooth skin… Trim waist and rounded breasts… He shook his head to clear the red cloud of lust that fogged his brain and sent blood galloping to his cock. Nothing to compare at all. With luck, the two women and their dog were passing through Sloan instead of hanging about to taunt his self-imposed celibacy.

He didn’t need distractions now that he’d finally got his act together. Stopped the booze and cut out his sexual antics, trying to prove he wasn’t a failure as a man.

Come home to Sloan, son. Help me out of a spot while I take time off.

His father had presented a strong case and Luke had found himself in Sloan where life in law control was peaceful and he didn’t have to see his ex-wife and his ex-best friend every other day. Fishing. Now that was a real occupation—one he’d reacquainted himself with since his arrival.

“Just as I thought. No damn flying saucers up here.” Luke paused at the edge of the cliff. From the rim, there was an excellent view over the wide plains of Sloan below. At this time of year, wheat covered the fertile land down by the Gibson River. As far as he looked to the north, he could see golden ears of wheat waving softly in the breeze, almost ready for harvest. Not a UFO in sight. As he suspected, a wild goose chase. Luke turned away, eager to get back to his lunch. In his peripheral vision, he caught something out of place.

“What the hell?” He whirled back to stare out at the wheat fields in stunned disbelief.

Two perfectly formed circles showed in the far eastern field. No tracks leading in. Luke squeezed his eyes shut then opened them again. Yep, just your average, everyday crop circles. A heartfelt groan escaped.
Goddamned bloody crop circles
. He could already picture the headlines in tomorrow’s
Sloan Gazette
. Something along the lines of,
Aliens from Outer Space Visit Sloan
.

After one last glare at the crop circles, he turned to stomp back to his vehicle. Mrs. Bates could take her UFO and—

“Holy shit!” Luke froze on the edge of the cliff, staring with half-horror, half-morbid fascination at the silver disc parked in the clearing not far from the old Rycroft barn. A hydraulic drone jerked his gaze to the lower portion of the thing—he refused to call it a UFO—and a narrow set of stairs slowly extended outward. Luke’s heartbeat picked up. A warning inside his head told him to run but training held him firm.

“Janaya, wait,” an elderly voice shouted.

“I will bond with Santana.”

“It’s too late, I tell you. There’s nothing you can do to change fate.”

“I want to hit something. You’d better hope a Torgon shows up because otherwise you’re it.”

Luke straightened. Aliens that spoke English?

“I don’t want an Earthman. I want Santana.”

Yep, definitely English. He’d understood the close panic in the young feminine voice.

“I didn’t ask you to stow away.”

“Someone had to protect you.”

Bemused by the talk, Luke relaxed, letting his breath ease out slowly. They sounded more intent on attacking each other rather than picking on a Kiwi cop.

Footsteps thumped closer. Luke watched a pair of slender legs encased in tight denim appear. Being male, he couldn’t help but imagine what the rest of the package would look like. Before he could even start to join the dots, the female materialized at the bottom of the steps. Oh, baby. It was the younger of the two women he’d met earlier. His lips pursed in a silent whistle of appreciation.

Janaya Smith—if that was her real name—was young but not too young. A light blue midriff top hugged generous curves, and she’d pulled her dark blonde hair back in a braid, which highlighted high cheekbones and sensuous lips. A sexy beauty. Lust reared its ugly head again. His cock stabbed against his uniform trousers in a demand for playtime. Pissed with the sensation and with himself, he cursed.

The woman spun and lifted a weapon from a holster on her hip all in one smooth move. Before Luke could react, she fired.

Luke dived to his right and found himself over the edge of the cliff, falling into empty space. His hands snatched at rocks, a scraggy plant. Anything to halt his fall. He grabbed at a flax bush. His shoulders strained as his body jerked to a sudden halt. Small pebbles rained down on his head.

Hinekiri Jones peered over the edge of the cliff. “Are you all right?”

“I’m hanging on the edge of a cliff,” Luke said, trying to keep his voice calm when he felt like cursing a blue streak. “I’d rather have both feet on the ground.”

“You sound just like Janaya.”

Looking up, Luke saw the dog appear beside the old woman. “Any food down there?”