SavingAttractions (7 page)

He tore his lips away from hers. “You’re going to kill me.
Wrap your legs around me.”

She did as he ordered. He lifted her higher than she
expected. When he brought her close to his body, her pussy pressed against his
stomach. Her fingers speared through his hair and she leaned down for a kiss.
His lips closed over hers and his tongue pushed deep and stroked against hers.
She hummed in pleasure. Before she was ready, he tore his mouth away from hers.
He drew in a deep breath.

“Hold on to my shoulders and lean back. I’m not going to
drop you, but I want you to feel safe. I need to get my mouth on your breasts.”
He stared into her eyes.

She did as he asked. Her hands gripped his shoulders and she
leaned back. She wanted to feel his mouth on her only a little less than she
wanted him to fuck her. Since she planned for both to happen today, the order
didn’t matter at all.

“My cock is so hard,
reha
.” He rocked her hips
against his stomach, rubbing her pussy on his hard muscles. “I’m going to fuck
you, but first, I’m going to taste and tease as you’ve done to me.”

“What does
reha
mean?” She hadn’t ever heard it
before and it definitely wasn’t any of the common languages used by traders.

“Flower. It’s from one of our old languages. It’s still
taught and used among the Zarain.” He leaned down and the words flowed between
kisses on her shoulder and neck.

She tilted her head, giving him space to kiss and nibble if
he wanted. She almost groaned in disappointment when his mouth moved down her
chest. His lips pressed a kiss in the valley between the two mounds. He inhaled
deeply and a hum sounded, vibrating softly against her skin. She looked down.
Her nipples strained outward as if to tempt him to take them in his mouth. She
really hoped he didn’t make her wait too long. The reddened peaks stung and
felt swollen.

“You smell so good.” He nuzzled his way up the slope of her
right breast.

His tongue stroked around the taut nipple. She tensed and
lifted one of her hands to cup the back of his head. With a little pressure,
she tried to guide his head to where she needed it. His head tipped back and
his eyes narrowed.

“Hand back on my shoulder or maybe I’ll stop,” he said in a
teasing voice.

And maybe she’d have to tackle him and take him down to the
ground. She put her hand back on his shoulder. He nodded and returned his
attention to her breast. His tongue swiped up the slope of her breast.

She shivered and moaned. He was such a tease. She wanted his
mouth to close over the aching peak and suck hard. He could simply lick or nip
at her nipple and it wouldn’t be so frustrating. Waiting and anticipating when
his tongue would touch that aching nub was pure torment. Her heart beat faster
as his mouth drew closer to the taut bud. She arched her back pressing her
breast closer to his mouth. He chuckled and drew his teeth over the curve.

“Tell me what you want.” He rubbed his cheek against her
breast and inhaled deeply.

“My nipples. I want your mouth on my nipples.” It was hard
to frame the words when she’d much rather show him.

He smiled and his hands tightened on her buttocks rocking
her hips slowly. “Do you want it this way?”

His mouth closed over her breast. He teased the tip before
sucking it deep. His hands kept pressing her pussy against his stomach. She
cursed the fabric that covered her and she cursed the position. Although
tantalizing, the movement was just a tease. She couldn’t get enough pressure
against her clit. She wanted to feel his cock pressing into her or at least
against her as he rocked her hips like that.

“Or do you want this?” He raked his teeth over her nipple
before settling his mouth over it. He stroked his tongue up over nipple before
he nipped the peak. The sting shot through her, but sharp sensation was
followed by a sweet rush of pleasure.

“Both.” She wanted both ways.

“Greedy. I like it.” He nuzzled between her breasts.

Her entire attention centered on those lips. His mouth
trailed up the slope of her other breast. He blew a soft puff of breath over
the tip. Tingles spread from the warm puff of air. His mouth closed over her
nipple and he drew on her breast, sucking hard. The tug sent hot need streaking
through her. Each pull seemed to echo in her aching clit. Her fingers clenched
on his shoulders and she arched into his touch.

“More, Jagger.” She wanted a little friction against her
clit, more of his touch and the pleasure she could feel building.

Jagger met her eyes and the look in his eyes almost made her
tell him to stop. Such hunger burned in his eyes that it almost scared her. His
mouth latched on to her breast. He sucked deep and hard. She moaned and lifted
against his mouth. The pressure built. She wanted to feel him touching her everywhere.
Her clit ached. She rocked her hips and breathy sounds rolled from her lips.
His hands tightened, holding her still this time.

He lifted his head and moved to her other breast. He licked
at the peak, flicking his tongue over and around it. His teeth closed over the
peak and tugged. He teased and tormented it.

“Please,” she said. Her voice was hoarse and strained.

“What do you want,
reha
?” His mouth pressed against
her breast.

The vibrations sizzled through her. She shivered and
clenched her thighs, trying to rub against him. It wasn’t enough though. The
desire pulsed and her movements only added to the frustration. She drew in a
ragged breath.

“Tell me what you need, Ada.” His voice roughened into an
order.

“It’s not enough. I need more. Fuck me.” She rocked her hips
desperate for that something more she needed so desperately.

“Lower your legs. I’ll put you down and give you what you
need.” His hands gave her buttocks a squeeze.

She let her legs fall. He held her securely and then lowered
her until her shoes touched the ground. Her hands fell to the seal of his
shirt. She pulled it apart and pressed both hands against the hard, muscled
plane. The warmth and flex of his skin beneath her fingertips lured her to
trail her hands lower. She ran her hands over his flat abdomen to the edge of
his pants. He grabbed her hands before she could release the seal there.

“Let me get you out of your clothes.” He held her hands
loosely.

She nodded. “Yours, too. I want to see all of you and
touch.”

He smiled. He knelt and lifted one foot to slip off her
shoe. As he placed her foot back down on the ground, her toes flexed in the
soft cool grass. With slow movements, he repeated the process with her other
shoe. He curled his hands around her calves and skimmed them up her legs. She
leaned into the touch.

His hands trailed up her inner thighs. His fingers brushed
lightly over the mound of her pussy. The gentle strokes tormented her. He
didn’t press in-between the lips or apply any pressure. She shivered though and
wanted to press down against his hand. Before she could move, he pulled his
hand away and gripped the edge of her pants. He pulled the pants down to her
ankles along with her underwear. She stepped out of them.

He didn’t immediately rise to his feet. Nudging her feet a
little wider, he leaned close. He inhaled deeply. She didn’t know why, but she
found the action incredibly sexy. When he lifted one of her feet over his
shoulder, she placed her hands on his shoulders.

“Relax. I’m not going to let you fall. I need to make sure
you’re ready.” He looked up at her.

Ready?
Her body burned, ready to ignite and probably
take this stand of trees with her. Before she could tell him that, his tongue
swept over the lips of her pussy. She stiffened and a shiver raced down her back.
Using his fingers, he parted the lips. His tongue flicked over her clit. Her
entire mind centered on the stroke of his tongue.

When her hips began to lift into his touch, his hands moved
to her hips. He gripped her, holding her steady as he licked her cunt. She
pressed closer to him. She wanted to rock into his touch, but his hands held
her still. Her fingers tightened in his hair. This time, she pulled his head
closer.

He made a sound. She didn’t know if it was a hum or a growl,
but it rolled over the sensitive tissue sending chills ripping over her body.
When his mouth moved lower, she held her breath. His tongue lapped at the
juices. Her inner muscles tightened. She wanted to feel his fingers thrusting
into her or even better his cock stroking deep. His tongue felt so good though.
His tongue dipped into her pussy. It teased the edges of her sheath and she
groaned. She wanted to ride his tongue and lips until she screamed, but she
also wanted to feel his hard body moving against her.

His head moved away from her pussy. Her hands fisted in his
hair, trying to urge him back to where she needed him.

“You taste so sweet, but I need to fuck you.” His lifted her
thigh off his shoulder and turned her around. “Brace your hands on the tree.”

She did as he said, leaning slightly forward. A little
disappointment rolled through her. They didn’t have a blanket to spread on the
ground. She heard the rustle of clothing. He moved in behind her. His right
hand slipped around and flattened on her stomach as he stepped in behind her.

“Widen your feet,
reha
.” His left hand swept her hair
to the side a moment before his lips touched her shoulder.

She could get used to being called flower. She stepped out,
widening her stance. Her fingers flexed a little on the tree. The rough bark
rubbed against her fingertips. She wished her fingers were pressed against his
flesh.

She felt his cock against her buttocks. The slightly wet tip
brushed against her buttocks. She arched her back, wanting to feel his cock
pushing deep into her pussy. She hoped he didn’t draw this out into another
tease to make sure she was ready. She was so ready that she might come before
he entered her.

His hand stroked up and down her stomach. The head of his
cock nudged against her pussy, then slowly pushed inside. She rocked back into
him. Frustration built. He was going too slowly. She needed to feel him driving
into her. She wanted to know he wanted her as much and as fiercely as she did
him.

His free hand moved to her hip and held her in place. She
moaned with frustration as his cock slowly withdrew and then slid deep again.

“You’re so tight. Slowly.” He growled the words against her
shoulder.

It might have been a while for her, but she wasn’t going to
break. “Fuck me fast.”

He nipped her shoulder. “Not yet, Adalyn.”

She tensed, her muscles tightening at the slight sting. He
groaned and pulled her tighter against his hips. She smiled as she realized
that her inner muscles tightening around him had drawn that reaction.
Concentrating, she tightened her vaginal muscles again. It was a dual-edged
torment though. With each contraction around him, her need for release built.

He growled and pulled out but thrust against her with more
force. She pushed back into him as much as his grip on her would allow. Her
entire focus centered on finding the release that waited just out of her reach.
Her skin tingled and felt so sensitive. She couldn’t remember a stroke on her
belly ever sending sparks of excitement racing through her.

His hand slipped down and his fingers pressed between the
slick lips. His fingers stroked over her clit with every thrust of his hips. As
his fingers pressed over her clit again, she shook. Pleasure slammed through
her body. Her head tilted back and she screamed.

A deep rumble vibrated against her shoulder. His hips drove
against her buttocks, harder and faster. Each thrust sent a little ripple of
sensation through her and she rode the feeling, drawing out the pleasure of her
orgasm. Her hips rocked back into his.

His teeth grazed her shoulder and she tilted her head a
little to give him room to kiss and nip. As his cock drove deep, he bit. She
gasped at the sharp pain. He withdrew and thrust hard once again, before he
came. As he did, searing pleasure swept over her. It felt as if the air was
locked in her lungs and she couldn’t make a sound as she trembled in his arms.
Her knees buckled, but his arm kept her from falling.

What the fuck was that? She stared at the tree trunk in
front of her and kept her hands planted on it. Her mind reeled from the
unexpected climax. She hadn’t been excited enough to reach a second climax. She
loved the feeling but was confused and intrigued.

His hand stroked her arm and he lifted his mouth from her
shoulder. She hadn’t even realized that his mouth was still on her. His tongue
licked over the spot where he had bitten her.

“What was that?” She turned her head and looked over her
shoulder. She knew her question was vague but hoped he’d understand.

He didn’t seem to be in any hurry to release her. One arm
held her while the other stroked her arm, shoulder and hip.

“The
re’kai
.” Jagger didn’t even seem to need an
explanation.

“What’s the
re’kai
?” The word meant nothing to her.

“It’s a Zarain ability. In essence, when I climax, you do
too even if you’ve already found your pleasure.” He kissed her neck and slowly
straightened away from her.

“Damn, you and the other men must have women all over you
for that.” She shook her head. She was surprised she’d never heard of it
before. That kind of knowledge tended to spread.

He laughed. “We should be getting back to camp.”

She sighed. They probably should, but she didn’t really want
to go. She wanted to stay right here with him and experience that
re’kai
thing again.

Jagger walked through the forest, searching for Ada. She’d
gone for a stroll with some of her friends. Now that he’d mated with her, he
felt even more protective of her than before. Because the mating was recent, he
wanted her close. It wasn’t only the newness though.

Since she and the other trade crew didn’t realize she was
mated, he felt more than a little possessive. He didn’t want any of the men in
her crew thinking that she was free to form a relationship. On top of that, his
protective urges surged because of the danger from attack. At least she was with
other people, but that was also part of the problem.

They didn’t know who was behind the attack. He needed to
know where Ada was and that she was safe. Given that they didn’t know what this
person wanted, he couldn’t predict what the attacker might do next. It made him
want to keep her at his side even though he knew she’d resist.

One of his men had told him where she and her friends were.
That gave him some reassurance. They were close enough to be heard if they
needed to call for help. Now Jagger wanted to make sure that she was safe. If
she was, he’d let her continue with whatever she was doing.

He made his way to the river. He’d been told they were there
talking. He knew most of the crew were old friends, not lovers. It shouldn’t
bother him, but he was still uneasy. The bond between him and Ada wasn’t fully
formed. She didn’t acknowledge it. He and the Zarain within him wouldn’t be
satisfied until she realized that she belonged with him.

He neared the tree line and could hear them talking on the bank
not too far away. Even as he walked closer to them, he realized that they still
couldn’t see or hear him. Near the water, the bushes and trees were thicker and
fuller than in the groups of trees away from it. He didn’t intend to listen in
on the conversation, but what they were saying drew him to a halt.

“Better watch it with that shifter. You know they’re kind of
acquisitive when it comes to females,” a male voice advised.

Jagger heard the teasing note, but his lips pulled back,
baring his teeth. The thought of anyone warning her away from him raised his
hackles. He wasn’t letting his mate go. Anyone who tried to get between them
would be removed.

“You know he’s not serious. Nothing can come of this except
a little sex in the small time that we’ll be here together. He knows that as
soon as another ship comes we’ll be taken back to Common Space.” Ada’s voice
sounded certain, a little bit amused, but he thought he heard regret in her
tone.

He was more than serious. Even if a ship came today for
them, she would be staying with him until the
Vigilant
arrived. She was
his mate. Even a Central Command ship allowed into Shifter-Protected Space
wouldn’t try to take her with them after he told them she was his mate. Any
female in Shifter-Protected Space, unless given a promise of unrestricted
passage, would be subject to that rule. Assurances such as that were very rare.

“I’ve seen the way the man looks at you and I’d say it’s
more than sex.” One of her female friends laughed.

He didn’t know if they were teasing her simply to get a
reaction or actually trying to warn her away from him. Either way, he didn’t
like it. He didn’t want Ada backing away from him because she’d suddenly become
cautious.

“I’m not his mate. You know everything they say about
shifters. Subtle is not anywhere in those discussions,” Ada said.

Jagger couldn’t see her from where he’d stopped, but he
thought she’d be shaking her red head quite vehemently.

“Maybe not subtle, but I have heard them referred to as
cunning,” the female friend offered. “I can’t say about the mate thing. But he
may want more than a few moments stolen when he can find some privacy.”

“There can’t be anything more. I’ll be leaving when the ship
arrives. A nice quick totally sexual relationship is all I’m willing to think
about. Anything deeper is impossible in this short time. Not to mention that
I’m horrible at relationships.” Ada sounded sincere.

Horrible at relationships?
What did she mean by
that?
He was definitely going to have to find a way to ask about that
without giving away that he’d shamelessly eavesdropped on her conversation.
That strange remark didn’t wipe out the determination brought on by her
assertion that she was leaving. She wasn’t going anywhere without him.

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure he’d have some input on whether any
kind of relationship would be horrible or not.” The female friend laughed a
little. “If you really wanted it, you’d work at it.”

“Dating and marriage don’t last. I learned that early. Add
in my career and how much I’m gone. It would be impossible unless we’re in the
same crew. That’s a whole other basket full of bad. When a work relationship
ends, if it ends badly, someone would have to leave the crew. Short, merely
physical is all that it’s going to be.” Ada’s voice hardened. She also sounded
a little stressed.

What caused her to believe that dating and marriage couldn’t
last? A mating was different, but he knew that she wouldn’t see it that way.
He’d have to show her that a mating was something unlike anything she’d seen or
done. There was no divorce. Mated couples stayed together. He wouldn’t leave
her. They’d work through any problems that arose in their lives and come out
stronger. The bond between mates would ensure that.

Time to make his presence known before they began talking
again. As much as he wanted to find out everything about her, he’d rather hear
it from her where he’d be able to ask the questions that he wanted answered
right then. Confronting her now wasn’t a good idea. She’d be upset because he’d
overheard their conversation.

As much as he’d like to walk up to her and tell her that
there was no doubt about what she was to him, he wouldn’t. She was his mate,
but he could wait. She wasn’t going anywhere. If there was a chance that she
might be able to leave him, he’d press his claim and ensure she knew exactly
what she was to him. From what she said, he could guess how she’d react to
that.

It wasn’t necessary to panic her though. He could keep her
calm and get to know her. She’d relax around him if he didn’t put any pressure
on her. That was important to him. He didn’t want her to see him as an enemy
and try to put distance between them. That would make solidifying the mate bond
difficult. Not impossible, but he’d rather keep her close.

There were the dreams and the mind to mind contact. He
hadn’t used either of them with her yet. She’d have wondered why he was
speaking to her and not with the others of her crew. Any explanation would
reveal that the relationship between them was more than an affair. The dreams
he’d begin tonight. At first, she’d probably think they were normal dreams and
perhaps he could strengthen their relationship that way.

He’d realized from the first that she’d resist the claim.
That wasn’t so strange. Many women didn’t want to jump into a mating with a
shifter. Jagger thought that with patience he could soften her resistance, but
it appeared her problem was more than the normal unease over a sudden intense
relationship.

As long as she was safe, he could go a little slowly and
softly with her. The attack worried him, but since it hadn’t been near her, he
felt comfortable giving her time. Even though he knew it wasn’t possible at the
moment, he wanted her with him. He wanted to be near her, especially at night
and not just because he’d like to spend all night exploring her body.

As soon as there was a lull in the conversation, Jagger
walked out of the trees and bushes. He made sure they heard him coming. They
turned as he walked into view. Ada smiled when she saw him.

“Hi, Jagger.” She stood and walked over to him.

Her smile was a little uncertain. He could tell she was a
little nervous. She was probably wondering if he’d heard what they were talking
about. She might not think shifters were subtle, but he could do better than a
blatant snatch and grab of something he wanted. He also knew when to wait and
when to push ahead. For now, unless she somehow worked the subject into the
conversation, he’d wait on most of the answers.

“Hi Ada, I wondered if you’d like to go on a walk with me.”
He reached out and clasped her hand simply because he wanted to hold her.

“That sounds wonderful.” Her hand tightened around his and
she stepped in closer to him.

He was fairly sure she wanted to get him away from them
before he tried to join their group and ask any questions. With her hand in his
and her promise to go for a walk with him, he didn’t care. He’d enjoy the time
with her and let the bond draw her closer to him.

* * * * *

Ada walked beside Lauren Desaint in one of the grassy
clearings between the patchy trees. Boredom had driven them to get out of the
camp. She was used to being busy for most of the day and there simply wasn’t
enough to do to keep her occupied. Lauren seemed to be in much the same type of
situation or at least, she’d been ready to go for a walk.

It felt good to be moving. The sun’s rays shone down on
them. She felt the heat and strength of it, but overall, the day wasn’t too
warm. The summer-like weather was more than welcome, but she was glad that they
had water to drink and there was shade nearby. Even a short walk in the balmy
temperature worked up a thirst.

She needed this time to get her thoughts straight. Her mind
felt a little hazy. She was tired and had woken numerous times last night. It
didn’t help that she’d had some strange dreams and every one of them had
starred Jagger.

A couple of them had seemed so real that she felt his touch
and smelled sweet scents of flowers on the air. They had talked and he’d shown
her a house. Afterward, he’d led her through a grove of trees and he had made
love to her under a large, arching arbor covered by some kind of vine heavy
with round yellow berries.

She woke shivering with pleasure. The clarity and intensity
of those dreams made her uneasy even though she knew they were merely products
of her imagination. Maybe she was already too attached to that man.

“Are you enjoying your time with Jagger?” Lauren asked.
“He’s been very attentive in the last few days.”

Yes, he had. So much so that Ada was beginning to wonder if
maybe there was something to her crew mates’ thoughts that he might want more
from her. The thought should have sent a bolt of panic through her. She knew
that no relationship was permanent. She’d seen too many of them end. Strangely,
the idea of him having serious intentions didn’t cause much dread.

She felt a little afraid, but it definitely wasn’t the
alarming fear that she expected. Intrigued might be a better word and she felt
a little apprehensive, but not more than that. Part of her wanted more with
him. She recognized the urge, even though she knew it was impossible, even
though she longed to get close to him more every day. She wanted to sit with
him and talk almost as much as she wanted to climb on top of his gorgeous body
and ride him until they were both panting and sweaty.

“Yes, but I always seem to want more. We’ll talk and I’ll
walk away with more questions for him. We’ll kiss and I’ll want to plaster my
body against his and rip away his clothes.” Ada grinned. As much as the
intensity worried her, she liked being near him.

“All I can say is enjoy it. Only he knows what his motives
are and we’re not yet off this planet. Worrying about it is only going to hold
you back. Once you get back to civilization and the daily drudge of work,
you’ll regret not taking advantage of the opportunity. We don’t regularly come
into contact with these types of men. If one of them would look at me with half
the interest as that man does you, I’d jump on him.”

Lauren had a definite point. It wasn’t as if worrying was
actually accomplishing anything. Even if Ada asked him about what he wanted and
he said that he was looking for something more than an affair, she didn’t know
if she could stop. She wanted him that badly.

“Well, I will enjoy it.” Ada smiled and continued walking.
She loved talking to him, and the sex was extraordinary.

From the corner of her eye, Ada saw movement. She turned her
head, almost expecting to see one of the graceful, hooved animals appear from
the bushes as they did near dawn and sunset to graze on the tall grass. Her
eyes widened and she stared in stunned amazement for a moment at what she did
see.

Two figures rushed across the field. One she was certain was
a man by his build, but the other one was small and could be a woman. Confusion
quickly gave away to fear. They wore hoods that fully covered their faces
except for an eye slit and some of the light-green clothing she’d seen in the
physician’s tent. The type the physician would wear if he needed to work on
someone badly hurt.

Her frozen astonishment allowed the two people to get too
close to them to run. She didn’t know what Lauren was thinking. There wasn’t
even time to look at her. They had to get help. Ada knew that. She didn’t think
they could win against these two people even if one of them was a woman. Lauren
could fight. Ada did okay in a bar brawl, but outside that, she hadn’t ever
been in situations to develop the skill.

The big person went after Lauren and the smaller one ran up
on Ada. The smaller attacker swung even as he took the last steps between them.
Ada screamed as she ducked the punch coming at her head. She hoped that someone
heard it and would come to investigate. She jabbed her fist into the smaller
person’s gut. He grunted and swung at her again. She managed to turn so that
the blow only landed on her shoulder. She screamed again.

“Help!”

“Shut her up before someone hears her,” the larger one
ordered. “We’ll get them out of here and then they can tell us where the damn
thing is hidden. Inject her. It will make carrying her easier. We can get
straight to the questions.”