Marauder Read online

  His lips grazed hers, teasing, sliding back and forth until she was restless and needful. Following his example, she tangled her hand in his hair and gave the thick strands a semi-playful yank. Already her heartbeat raced and sexual aggression sent erotic impulses coursing through her body. She wanted to be naked, wanted him naked. Any sort of barrier between his flesh and hers was simply unacceptable.

  He drew her head to just the right angle, then eased his tongue past her lips. She moaned, curling her tongue around his, urging him deeper. His taste spread like warm honey and her heart began to pound almost painfully. She needed him inside her—now!

  “I need you,” she whispered against his lips. “I need this.” Just to make sure there was no confusion, she reached down and pressed her hand over the distinct ridge created by his erection. “Please.”

  Stubbornly dragging her hand away, he whispered back, “Soon, baby doll.”

  Then he unsealed her shirt while she tugged his up along his lean torso. She paused to caress the flesh she exposed, but he was more focused on the task at hand. Hindered by his efforts, she pulled her arms out of her uniform’s sleeves, then bunched the clingy material of his shirt under his arms so she could explore his chest.

  With an amused chuckle, he tore his shirt off over his head and tossed it aside. Now they were both bare to the waist. Still, she wasn’t satisfied. She kicked off her shoes, then attacked the laces on his pants. Before he could unseal her pants, she tugged the braided material down around his knees. His cock sprang free, arching away from his body in a long, thick column. Need pulsed between her thighs, dragging a moan from deep inside her. She grasped him firmly with one hand and began to stroke.

  Apparently amused by her laser focus, he bent and tugged off his boots. She continued to stroke him as he rid himself of his pants, creating a tangle of arms, legs, and braided synth-leather. When he was finally free he directed in a deep growly tone, “Your turn.”

  She ignored him and continued her intimate exploration of his naked body. Pausing to enjoy her attention, he stroked her hair, finger-combing it back from her face. Long moments later, he unsealed her pants and pulled them just past her hips, then swept her up in his arms and placed her sideways across the bed. He quickly pulled off her pants before joining her on the soft mattress.

  He lay beside her on his side, his fingertips gliding along her jawline and down her neck. “There are two ways we can do this.”

  She grinned. “I can think of more than two.”

  Returning her smile, he clarified, “I meant with or without a mental bond.”

  Her smile faded to displeasure. She hadn’t expected him to pressure her this quickly. “I’m not ready to be claimed. That’s a permanent decision and I’ve only known you—”

  “That’s not what I meant,” he assured her. “I was talking about a transfer link. It’s temporary, empathic, and not nearly as intense as a soul bond. It will let us experience each other’s thoughts and emotions. I think it might be helpful, especially for you.”

  She bristled, propping herself up on her elbow. “Why especially for me?”

  “Do you believe in love at first sight? Or that a person can sense their mate, the person with whom they are meant to share their entire life? Rodytes and Bilarrians are reared to believe these things are not just real but attainable. Do such teachings exist for humans?”

  She shook her head. “It doesn’t work like that on Earth, at least not very often.”

  “That’s why the empathic bond would be helpful. It’s also impossible to lie mind to mind. The other person would know instantly that the statement is untrue.”

  “But it’s temporary, this empathic link?”

  “Yes. The connection can be discontinued at any time.”

  Reaching out, she ran her hand up his chest and squeezed his shoulder. “Then I want the empathic bond. Show me what being your mate would feel like.”

  He smiled, clearly pleased with her decision. He slipped his arm beneath her neck and kissed her deeply. She lost herself in the kiss, using the familiar pleasure to combat the last of her uncertainty. This was Rex. He didn’t want a few hours of meaningless sex. He wanted to join his life with hers and build a future together. The thought was exciting and comforting.

  His free hand drifted down her neck and caressed lazy circles across her upper chest. Each rotation brought his fingertips closer to her breasts. Anticipation hardened her nipples and she instinctively arched her back. Kissing was wonderful, but she was ready to move on, ready to experience all he had to offer. He accepted her invitation with a soft moan. His warm palm covered her breast, his thumb lightly teasing the tight nipple. When she didn’t react to the gentle touch, he caught the sensitive bud between his thumb and forefinger, carefully squeezing until she gasped.

  Armed with the knowledge that she responded better to bolder simulation, he pinched and twisted. Tingles spiraled from her breast to her core, making her squirm and moan. He moved his hand to the other side and eased his mouth away from hers. She made a soft, needful sound, not wanting to be deprived of his warmth. But his lips drifted down along her neck, creating a fiery trail in their wake. She shifted restlessly, needing more, yet not wanting this sweet torture to end.

  Finally, his lips closed around her nipple. He sucked lightly at first, but gradually increased the pressure, learning what made her shiver and arch. Then it became a hypnotic dance. He teased one side with his lips and the other with his fingers. Each sensation was unique and stimulating, making it hard for her to concentrate on anything but the feelings he was unleashing all through her body. Just when she grew accustomed to the contrast, he switched sides, confusing her all over again. She ran her fingers through his long hair, loving the way the thick strands slid against her skin.

  “Don’t be frightened and don’t resist,” he whispered, lips brushing her damp nipple.

  She didn’t understand the warning until something pushed against the side of her head. No, the pressure was inside her head, as if he’d just shoved against her brain. “What was...” She gasped. “What did you just do?” It stung enough to make her rub her temple. But the pain quickly abated and she calmed. She’d known he had to form the link with her mind. She just hadn’t expected it to hurt.

  Then reality expanded. She felt the mattress beneath her back and the heat of his long body pressed against her side. He’d thrown one of his legs over hers, not pinning her down, just using the weight to remind her to remain motionless. He was still caressing her breasts, but she began to feel emotions as well as physical sensations. Desire carefully leashed, yet even more intense, more possessive than hers burned through her mind. This wasn’t her. It was Rex. The realization startled her for a moment. The link was working just as he’d said it would.

  “I can feel you,” she cried happily.

  I know. I can feel you too. His lips were still busy adoring her breast, so his voice sounded in her mind.

  She was in bed, naked with an alien, and he’d just spoken telepathically. The situation was so surreal she just stared at the ceiling and shook her head. Things like this only happened in movies. It couldn’t be real.

  Think something specific and picture pushing the words toward me. Usually you’ll find the link instinctively.

  She was too shocked to even attempt the maneuver.

  He raised his head and looked at her. “Where’d you go, love?”

  “I’m sorry.” She glanced at him, then back at the ceiling. “This is really overwhelming.”

  Scooting back up, he kissed the side of her face. “We’ll take a break for a minute and I won’t use the link. The last thing I want is to frighten you.”

  She wasn’t really frightened, just freaked out. Rather than retreating completely, she rolled to her side and pressed her body against his. She wanted this, wanted him, but as soon as he stopped kissing her, the rest of the world came crashing in.

  “Kiss me, please,” she urged. “Don’t stop kissing me.” />
  Chapter Eight

  Desire, hot and demanding, slammed through Rex’s system. He wanted to claim her, roll her beneath him and thrust his entire length deep into her core. Instead, he covered her mouth with his and kissed her tenderly. She was frightened, whether she’d admit it or not. Thanks to the link, he could feel her emotions. She didn’t perceive him as a physical threat, but she wasn’t sure she could trust him. She still had doubts about a future at his side. If he failed to deliver the pleasure he’d promised, she would never learn to trust him or believe anything else he’d promised her.

  So he held his needs back with steely determination, focusing entirely on soothing her. He kept the kiss soft and communicative, while he stroked her back and side. He wanted to squeeze her ass and rub his aching cock against her mound. He’d been hard since they left the big house, so the pressure in his groin was nothing new. There was too much at stake to be selfish.

  Gradually she relaxed in his arms and even arched against him. Her lovely breasts flattened against his chest, the nipples still pebble hard. She drew one of her legs up onto his thigh and rubbed against him like an affection-starved cat. It would be so easy to slip his hand between her thighs and stroke her. Was she wet? Could he push two fingers deep into her core and make her moan? His hand was already on her hip. Did he dare?

  “Please,” she whispered against his mouth. “Touch me.”

  Thrilled by the encouragement, he eased his hand between her thighs. Her folds, even her outer lips were slick with her arousal and the lightest brush of his fingers made her wiggle. The desire that had been smoldering in her mind flared, lapping at the link with erotic intensity. He parted her folds and eased his fingers into the ultra-soft furrow, stroking from her opening to her clit and back.

  She tensed, then shivered, then groaned deep in her throat. A hint of hesitation still tainted her response, but her emotions were stronger. She’d clearly stopped thinking as the sensations took over her mind and body.

  Not wanting to squander the momentum, he guided her over onto her back, without moving his hand from between her legs. Not only did she willingly recline, she bent her knees and opened her legs, offering herself in blatant invitation.

  He wasn’t really kissing her now, just brushing his lips against her lips, her cheeks, her jawline. Her eyes were tightly closed and her hand moved almost absently over his chest and shoulder.

  Focusing on her body, he slowly pushed two fingers into her core, then covered her clit with his thumb. Her snug heat embraced him, caressed him, making him ache even more.

  “Yes.” The word escaped with her next exhalation.

  He kept his fingers deep and touched her clit, rubbing, lightly circling, rubbing again. Her inner muscles fluttered and she rocked her hips, driving his fingers deeper into her body. She was about to come. It was obvious, and his instinct was to deny her, to drive the sensations higher before letting her soar. But she was so beautiful in her passion that he couldn’t pull his hand away. He increased the pressure of his thumb, and watched her shatter.

  She cried out, arching her back as the pleasure crested. Her breasts jiggled and her core rhythmically squeezed his fingers. Her scent grew so strong and his hand was so damn wet that he had to taste her.

  Unable to resist what he’d been denied in the market, he crawled between her legs and replaced his thumb with his mouth. His fingers were still deep inside her, so he finally started sliding them in and out of her wet passage. She rolled her hips, but he couldn’t tell if she was trying to escape his mouth or rub against his lips.

  Desire burned from her now like waves of heat off a star. He tongued her clit, allowing her slick cream to coat his taste buds. Her head tossed from side to side, hair wild about her flushed face. Needing more of her passion, more of her taste, he withdrew his fingers and parted her with his thumbs. Then he pushed into the heart of her sex, penetrating her soft body with his eager tongue. She cried out again and arched toward him, allowing him to sink deeper as her inner muscles tensed around him.

  She tasted like heaven, like the essence of life and the promise of a future rich with happiness. He wanted more. He wanted all she had to give, forever. In and out, in and out, he drove his tongue into her passage, staking his claim on her intimate flesh, even if the claim was only imaginary. For now.

  Come again, he urged. I want to feel you come all over my tongue.

  She screamed, the sound muffled by her hand as her body obeyed his directive. Her thighs trembled and her hips bucked, then tilted to just the right angle. With frantic speed, he lifted his head and surged upward, easily finding her entrance with his cock. He thrust home with one hard drive, burying his entire length deep inside her.

  Thea gasped, then moaned, her inner walls twitching with aftershocks from her orgasm. He didn’t give her time to think, or cool down. Instead, he braced himself above her and began moving immediately. He filled her with long, slow thrusts, watching her face carefully as he lightly scanned her mind.

  He could feel her emotions twist and curl in on themselves. She was utterly lost in the moment, surrendered to the pleasure they shared. Except they weren’t really sharing it yet, he was holding back, protecting her from the intensity of his desire.

  With a frustrated sigh, he bent his head and kissed her briefly, then moved in earnest. Harder and faster, he drove into her willing body. She rocked up, meeting each downward thrust. He’d come as soon as he stopped fighting back his need, but he wanted to make sure she came with him. He eased his hand between their straining bodies and covered her clit with his thumb. He paired his next thrust with a flick of his thumb and she cried out softly, opening her eyes.

  Their gazes locked and he searched her emotions for any hint of fear. She was open, body and mind, lost in their mutual pleasure. He sped his pace, switching to a plucking motion on her clit. Her arousal built rapidly after that. She drew her legs up high against his sides and dug her fingernails into his ass.

  “Now!” he ordered out loud and in her mind.

  She screamed again, arching wildly, head thrown back. The firm ripple of her core around his shaft sent him over the edge. He drove deep and released his seed in heated spurts as pleasure blasted through him in scalding waves. His climax went on and on, dragging a strangled groan from his mouth.

  “I agree,” she said, then laughed. “That was...amazing.”

  Clasping her lower body tightly to his, he rolled them to their sides without separating. “It will be even better when we intentionally use the link.”

  “What do you mean? The link is live. I can feel your emotions.”

  “There’s a certain amount of sharing that’s automatic, but we can make the exchange much stronger if we intentionally push thoughts and emotions across the link.” He carefully gathered tenderness and shared it with her.

  “Oh, that’s nice. Really nice.”

  So was laying there with her cuddled up against him and his cock still deep inside her. “You’ll get no argument from me.”

  For a long time they just lay there, savoring the closeness. She closed her eyes, but her hand wandered freely over his sweat-dampened skin. He couldn’t stop looking at her, and touching her, couldn’t believe he’d found her after all these long, lonely years. Contentment settled over him, making him feel lazy and drowsy. He had just started to drift off when her soft voice drew him back.

  “I know why you became a smuggler, but why did you become a mercenary? It’s not a profession most people choose if they have other options.”

  He tensed, then released the tension with a sigh. If revisiting his past kept her in his arms, he’d gladly open the door. But the past was over. It couldn’t be changed. He honestly thought people spent too much time obsessing over things that had already taken place. He preferred to center himself in the moment, pour all of his energy into remaining present, or working on his plans for the future.

  “My father died before I ever knew him, but his legacy still shadowed my life.
My mother was a pacifist. She was determined that I would be anything but a soldier. War is harsh and bloody, and war had taken the man she loved from her.”

  “But war also brought them together,” Thea pointed out, her obstinate nature rearing its head. “I’m not defending the practice, but if your father hadn’t been pressured into taking a war bride, they never would have met.”

  “Very true. Still, the argument wouldn’t have swayed my mother. I assure you.”

  She shifted, hooking her leg over his flanks to help keep their bodies aligned. “Is she still alive?” He just shook his head. “Was her passing recent?” Again he shook his head. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to draw us off topic.”

  His mother’s death had been sudden and completely unexpected. Like Thea, he preferred not speaking about the loss. Instead he returned to the story of his life. “Despite my mother’s best efforts, I became rebellious and disrespectful as soon as puberty struck. She did her best to manage my behavior, but I really needed the stern discipline of a father and mine was long dead.”

  She immediately bristled. “Are you saying a single mom is incapable of—”

  “I’m not judging anyone. I’m sharing the specific experiences of my life. I ran circles around my mother, made her utterly miserable for almost ten years. Luckily I was able to make things right before I lost her. Many don’t get that opportunity and live with regret for the rest of their lives. I’m grateful that wasn’t the case with me.”

  “How long has she been gone?”

  “Seven years.” He stroked the side of her face, but sadness teased the edges of his consciousness. “I wish she’d lived long enough to meet you. I know you would have liked each other. Anyway. I finished my primary education and she tried everything she could think of to entice me into applying to one of Bilarri’s many universities. Higher education on Bilarri is much more in-depth and demanding than it is on Earth. Most Bilarrians can manifest what you term magic, so universities also train in metaphysical techniques. It’s grueling and I was lazy, so I did the one thing I knew would drive her absolutely crazy.”