SavingAttractions (14 page)

“Jagger, you did well. Your men informed me about the one
man still uncaught among the people of the trade ship.” Rav stopped in front of
them.

“Thank you, Achan, keeping the crew safe until someone
arrived was my only goal. This is Adalyn Jameson, my mate.” Jagger gestured to
Ada. “Ada, this is Achan Rav Caseain. He’s captain of this ship and the leader
of our group of Zarain.”

“Hello, Ada, it’s good to meet you.” Rav offered his hand to
her. “I’d take you both for a drink, but Jagger’s probably a little territorial
right now.”

“Hello, Achan Caseain, it’s very nice to meet you too.” Ada
glanced toward Jagger. “I realized that when he kept me down on the planet and
put me to work rather than send me up with the other people. I was fairly sure
that it wasn’t because he didn’t trust the people up here to take care of me.”

“Call me Rav.” The
Achan
grinned. “He’s a little
possessive and protective and will be until he’s sure that you are safe and
acknowledge him as your mate.”

Ada frowned and turned a glare on Jagger.

“He didn’t tell me about the relationship between you, if
that’s what you think. It’s fairly normal when a human mates with a Zarain for
the acceptance to take a little time.” Rav held up his hands. “Jagger, I’ll
send a new schedule for your duty in the next few days, but you’ll be off-duty
officially for the next three at least. I might need to talk to you a few
times.”

“Thank you. This is definitely something I’ve been looking
forward to over the last few days. Privacy was the one thing we didn’t have too
much of while we were down there.”

Jagger watched as a red blush rolled over Ada’s cheeks. Her
eyes glittered with hunger. He could imagine what ideas swirled through her
mind. Hopefully, some of them were the same as his. At this moment, he’d love
to read her mind completely, but it wasn’t possible. There was a connection
between them and they could sense feelings, sometimes catch a strong thought or
emotion. To communicate, though, they had to focus. The tie between their
thoughts was only surface-deep. While it would deepen with time, neither of
them would ever be able to read the other’s mind completely.

The scent of her desire rose, and he pulled her a little
tighter to him. He could picture her sprawled across a bed, naked. He’d like to
ride her hard and reinforce his claim of her, but almost as enticing was the
thought of exploring her body in detail. They’d hardly ever had time to be with
each other and kiss and touch.

“You both can go now.” Rav waved them away.

Jagger didn’t hesitate or wait for any further orders. With
an arm curled around Ada’s waist, he urged her out of the docking bay. He
headed for his quarters. He saw her eyes darting around taking in the ship as
they passed. He’d need to show her around the ship later, but now, he wondered
what she thought of it. The walls were a light gray. A strip of green carpet
ran down the center of the corridor. As they went through the ship, they passed
murals painted on a few of the walls. Mostly forest scenes with animals to
soothe the longing an extended trip away from their home could instill.

He opened the door to his quarters with his palm print. It
was also voice activated, but if both of those failed, he could always peel the
panel out. Although it would be an expensive way to get in or out of the room.

He let her go in first. “Welcome to my quarters. We’ll make
them yours, too. We’ll just need a little time to get what you want.”

She turned as she took in the main room. “Big. This is huge.
You could fit almost three of the
Setona’s
quarters in here. Maybe two
of the captain’s room, but still.”

He’d done the room in blues, greens and yellows to give a
little life to the gray room. The blanket on the bed was a swirling mix of the
colors. In the small sitting area, he’d used a blue cover for the couch and a
green for the chair. On the wall, there was another mural similar to those
along the hallway. A grassy plain stretched out beyond a lake and in the
distance a forest and a light green sky.

“The living quarters on shifter ships are all a bit bigger
than normal. Being cramped can make the stress of not being able to shift and
run in the wild even more taxing.” He scooped her off her feet, giving her a
little bounce in his arms.

She laughed and her arms slipped around his shoulders,
holding on to him. He carried her over to the bed and gently put her on the
blanket. He watched as she took off her shoes and dropped them onto the side of
the bed. He toed off his own footwear and climbed onto the bed. Easing up
beside where she sat, he brushed her hair back from her face. The red curls
wrapped around his fingers.

“What would you like to do?” He braced himself on his arm.
He tilted his arm and watched her.

“I want to take our clothes off and then we’ll see what
comes naturally. A couple of options sound really good to me.” Her hand cupped
the side of his face before her fingers traced his lips in a fleeting touch.

“All right.” He nodded and his eyes swept down her body.
“One piece at a time, my choice. Give me your shirt.”

She raised her eyebrows but slowly pulled her shirt over her
head. She let the garment drop to the floor. “I will need more clothes. I’d
need some anyway. While these are serviceable, they’re not really my style.”

He narrowed his eyes. “You’d need some anyway? I’m not
giving up on you, Ada. We’ll get you more clothes. How about we change this
game a little? I’ll take off anything you want and let you touch me. You tell me
what’s giving you problems. I know you want me and I know you can feel the
connection between us.”

Ada took a deep breath. Deciding what to have him take off
was hard. She wanted to see all of him. “I want to see your chest first. Take
off your shirt.”

“Now talk to me.” He dropped the shirt beside her.

“I thought this would be a light, maybe teasing loving.” She
frowned at him and straightened. He made it sound so easy. She didn’t want to
seem like a coward.

“It can be as soon as we talk. Now get to it. I want to see
more of you, but not before you open yourself and your past up to me.” He
folded his arms across his chest.

“I’ve told you before though. I don’t know how to do
relationships. No one in my family does. My parents barely stayed together long
enough to have three girls. After that, it’s been one failed relationship after
another for both of them.” She shrugged.

“Don’t hide what you feel. I can smell the anxiety and
stress as well as see it.” He reached over and took her hand into his.

“Someone always gets hurt. It starts out like this. We’ll be
together forever, but someone leaves. Then there are times when the two people
involved aren’t the only people hurt when it goes wrong.” She brought her knees
up to her chest. “I don’t want to hurt you any more than I want to be hurt.”

“Don’t hide those breasts. I want to see them since I can’t
touch them yet.” His fingers trailed over the exposed slope of one breast. “The
connection between us isn’t a choice as it would be if you were picking a
date.”

“Maybe, but it doesn’t mean we can’t make ourselves and
anyone around us miserable.” She bit her lip. Maybe it was because she wanted
to believe it so much, but she was afraid of trusting it. It would be worse if
she thought it could last and then they ended up hating each other.

“No, it doesn’t. We’ll both change, but as long as we
respect each other and nurture the love and caring between us, we’ll be able to
work through the rough patches. Like I said before, I don’t give up. I don’t
think you’re a quitter either, and I know you care.” He stroked his fingers
over her knuckles.

“But it’s not you I’m worried about. What if we start this
and suddenly I want someone else or see something else that appeals to me
more?” She asked. She’d seen it happen, and that way of ending a relationship
was especially ugly and hurtful.

He growled low in his throat but then took a deep breath and
seemed to be gathering his thoughts. “Think of me touching another woman.”

She frowned. A spike of anger and possessiveness slammed
through her at the mere phrase. That wasn’t what she expected. “But why?”

“It doesn’t matter why or who you picture. Just think of me
touching and kissing another woman.” Jagger’s tone was steady and even now, as
if they were talking about the weather.

She did as he asked. She pictured him with Lauren. Fury
rose. He was hers. Her mate. No one would take him from her. She wanted to go
rip him away from her, and it was only an image in her mind. Her hand turned
underneath his and she tugged on his hand, pulling him a little closer.

“You’re mine.” The desire to push him down and show him just
how much she meant that pulsed through her.

“Yes, I am your mate. Now, you should understand. It’s not
the physical side that will give us problems. We won’t wander off to someone
else because of lust. The connection will always be between us. It’s the
emotional issues we’ll have to work through. Now, pants.” He returned to his
position and his eyes locked on her lower body.

“Right back to the clothes exchange? Nothing more?” She
grinned and lifted her hips as she pushed her pants down over her hips. It
wasn’t the most graceful or seductive way to strip them off, but she didn’t
want to leave him.

“That’s the more important part now that you are beginning
to see I have claimed you and I’m going to keep you.” His smile was wide as he
ran his eyes over her from head to toe. His eyes lingered on the silky scrap of
panties she’d salvaged from her own clothing.

“You’re going to keep me? I’m not a pet. Pants.” She waited
for him to take of those offending slacks.

He stood and unsealed the closure before pushing them down
over his thighs. He slowed as he neared the knees and it seemed to take forever
for those pants to hit the floor. She hadn’t even gotten to admire his butt
because when he’d bent, he’d faced her.

“Tease.” She shook her head at him. She knew he liked her
ass and guessed that he realized she felt the same.

“Not a tease, just drawing it out a little. Anticipation
makes it sweeter.” He climbed back into bed with her, completely naked. “And by
the way, you’re my mate. I’m well aware you’re not a pet.”

“That’s just another way of saying it’s a tease.

“Well, someone here still has clothing on, so if there’s any
kind of teasing going on, it wouldn’t be me.” He glanced down at that white
silky underwear.

“These?” She ran her fingers along the top of the thin band
near her waist. “I like them. I can be all business on the outside and
underneath, all woman.”

“Really? You seem all woman to me regardless of what you’re
wearing.” He trailed his fingers over her thigh. “This curve, definitely woman
and that mouth, all female as well.”

She laughed. “The all-woman thing is from the advertising
for the underwear.”

“I’ve never heard or seen it, but I’m not interested in it
right now. I want that pretty scrap gone.” He slipped his fingers under the
band at her hip. “I could get rid of it.”

Shaking her head, she hurriedly pushed the panties down her
hips and legs. “No, these are the only ones I have that I really like. Everything
else is lost with the
Setona
.”

“We’ll find some clothes more in your style. It’s not skin
tight and baring most of your chest, is it? I’ve mentioned that I’m
possessive.” He waggled his eyebrows.

She didn’t even try to hold back her smile. He was such a
tease. “I don’t wear skin-tight shirts, or those that leave my breasts hanging
out. I do prefer pants that fit and shirts that show some of my body, but I do
like to leave something hidden.”

“Now that sounds interesting. I look forward to seeing you
in something that is your style.” He drew his hand up her thigh. “Now, what
comes naturally to you?”

She hadn’t expected that. She’d thought he’d take the lead,
but she didn’t mind. She definitely had some plans. Now what did she want to do
first? She swept her eyes over him. A kiss would do for a start. Leaning close
to him, she brushed her lips across his, a soft hello. He slipped his hand
behind her head.

“That’s not a kiss. I call that a definite tease from the
woman who’s accused me of teasing her.” His hand kept her close and his eyes
sparkled with good humor.

“It’s only a beginning. We haven’t had much time to simply
be with each other.” She nipped at his lips. He was one to talk when he’d said
that it was simply anticipation. Now he wanted to rush?

“I want a full kiss, not some light touch of your lips.” His
finger touched her chin.

Closing the small space between them, she opened her lips
over his and gently flicked her tongue over the lower lip. His tongue thrust
against hers. She hummed in enjoyment. His arm swept around her, pulling her
close as he rolled onto his back. She continued kissing him as she was draped
partially over him. His hand stroked up and down her back. Her hands eased over
his chest and shoulders. She wanted to touch more than a kiss. She wanted to
explore his large body since they finally had somewhere comfortable and all the
time they needed.

She pulled back and stared down at him. The sight of his
tanned skin drew her. Running her hands over the hard muscles on his chest, she
savored the warm, supple skin running over his defined chest. Leaning down, she
ran her tongue across his chest just above the flat dark nipple.

“I want the chance to explore too.” He tugged on her hair to
get her attention.

“Then get started. I’m sure one of us will be demanding the
other hurry up at some point.” She smiled up at him before kissing the flat
disc

His hands tightened and he rolled her beneath him. She
laughed. She should have known he’d do something like that. It had taken a
little while, especially with how little they’d been able to do more than talk,
but now she knew he’d accept any challenge she tossed his way. Apparently, he’d
decided that that encouragement constituted a challenge.

He came to his knees, his legs on the outside of hers. “What
should I do now that I have all this to play with?”

“Accept that you aren’t going to be playing alone.” She
reached out and trailed her fingers lightly over the head of his cock. Jutting
out as it was, it was simply asking for a touch.

“Teasing again. I think you owe me a forfeit this time.”
Jagger’s fingers circled her wrists and pressed them to bed as he leaned over
her.

“What kind of forfeit?”

“I think that you should kiss my cock since you decided that
you needed to tease me.” He smiled wickedly and his eyes locked on her lips.

If that’s all he wanted, then he could have waited a few
minutes, because it was definitely on her list. Deciding to tease him a little
more, she simply waited silently. She smiled up at him. He continued holding
her hands against the blanket and stared down at her.

“Forfeit or torture?” His eyes narrowed and his mouth firmed
as he watched her. His golden hair hung around his face, casting it in shadow,
but she had no problem seeing the teasing light in his eyes.

“What kind of torture? I really don’t get off on pain.” She
licked her lips and looked up at him through her lashes.

“No pain, but I’m fairly sure I can have you begging to do
anything I want in very little time at all.” He leaned down until they were
almost nose to nose.

She thought he might kiss her. Not that she needed
convincing, but it was fun to see how he reacted. His head lowered, but his
teeth grazed her lower lip. Lifting her head, she returned the light bite, just
a little harder.

“I smell something sweet.” Jagger inhaled once and then
again. “Someone’s enjoying this.”

“It is a little tantalizing.” She couldn’t reach up and draw
her fingers across his cheek as she wanted so she kissed it instead.

“Trying to soften me up? Not going to work. You’ve teased one
too many times. I need some attention.” He shook his head.

“Well, I can’t give you more than kisses in this position.
If you want that kiss on your cock, you’re going to have to let me go.” She
blinked at him, giving him her best innocent look. There were so many ways she
could tease him when she got her lips on his dick.

“I’m not sure if you’re ready to give me the forfeit you owe
or if you want to play more games. I’m going to give you an opportunity, baby.”
His hands released hers and he moved off her and sprawled on the bed. “Give me
some of those kisses.”

She loved the lightness of the play now. Crawling over to
him, she moved in-between his legs. She ran her hands over his thighs. The hair
on his legs tickled her palms. His hand rested on her shoulders.

“No more teasing.” He looked down at her, but she could see
his anticipation.

“Would I do that to you? She grinned at him before her head
lowered and her tongue lapped over the darkened head.

Salty and wildly musky, his taste drew her back for more. He
stiffened and drew in a gasping breath. She opened her mouth over the tip and
blew a hot breath over the rounded head. His fingers threaded through her hair.
Oh, yes, he was definitely ready for more. She closed her lips around just the
tip of his cock. Her tongue swirled around it and licked over it. The muscles
of his thighs clenched beneath her fingertips.

“You’d do it. But right now, take more of me into your
mouth.” His hand pressed lightly on the top of her head.

She lifted her head to respond to him, but also to give him
a little torment. “I can do that.”

She lowered her head and licked up the length of his shaft
before taking it into her mouth once again. Teasing him held too much appeal to
forgo, but she was also going to give him what he wanted. He groaned and his
fingers tightened in her hair. Bobbing downward, she took his dick partway into
her mouth before raising her head and swirling her tongue around the tip. She
sucked at him, working at just the rounded head of his dick.

His hips lifted. She gave him a little of what he wanted.
Her lips slid down the length of his cock. He stiffened. She felt a little
thrill at the response. He liked that. When the head hit the back of her
throat, she swallowed and kept going until her nose nudged the skin at the
base. Then she retreated and let his cock slip from her mouth.

Gripping his shaft, she licked at the tip, collecting the
drops of precum. His hips arched, pushing his cock against her lips. She took
the hint and let the bulb slip into her mouth, but when his hips once again
relaxed, she let it fall back out. Her fingers tightened around his shaft and
she stroked as she flicked her tongue over the tip.

“Ada.” Her name emerged in a deep rumbly tone that she felt
as well as heard.

Opening her mouth wide, she sucked at him, drawing him deep
as her head descended. She reluctantly withdrew her hand. Teasing him was fun,
but she thought she’d reached a limit for now. She let her hand slip downward
and cupped his balls, squeezing as she sucked at his cock. She swallowed and
backed off before taking him deep again.

His hips lifted into her strokes and she could feel the
tension growing in his body. His hand tightened in her hair, holding her still.

“If you don’t want to swallow, you need to let me calm down
for a moment.” He held perfectly still.

She knew what he wanted and that was what she wanted as
well. She drew her tongue over the head. A shudder ripped through him, a clear
sign that she was close to tearing away the last of his control. His hand
pressed her head downward. She followed his urging and took his dick to the
back of her throat, determined to give him pleasure.