Fallen Star Read online

  “The notebook was likely compiled by the Rodytes. The hunters haven’t been here long enough to have done it themselves.”

  “And what brought me to the attention of the Rodytes?”

  “It’s quite likely your father was Ontarian.”

  She just stared at him in disbelief. It made perfect sense that her connection to all this drama hadn’t been random. Still, there was only so much one shell-shocked brain could absorb. She was being hunted by an alien who wanted to make her his mate because her father had been an alien. Yeah, that happened every day.

  She didn’t know enough about her father to confirm or disprove Odintar’s claim. Her mother seldom spoke of him and when she did it was to warn Jillian away from “men like that”.

  Odintar sighed and carefully lifted her legs, sliding under them until her knees arched over his lap. “Let’s focus on your injury. We can sort through the rest when you’re feeling stronger.”

  And I can run the hell away from you! The rebellious thought calmed her, allowed her to think beyond the newest revelation. “I’d rather you figured out if I have abilities first.”

  “You definitely have abilities. I’m just not sure what they are.” He rested both hands on her uninjured leg, one above her knee, the other below.

  Awareness expanded, sweeping through her body in slow, tingling waves. His touch wasn’t seductive, yet the restlessness returned with a vengeance. “How do you determine what my abilities are?”

  “If I infuse them with energy, they will likely activate.” He shifted his left hand to her injured knee. “I hesitate to do so until your healing is complete. I don’t want to empty my tank before we reach our destination, yet the loss might be worth it if doing so allows me to heal you faster. Does that make sense?”

  “I think so. You’re saying it’s a gamble either way.”

  “Exactly.”

  “Then let’s stick with my leg.”

  He nodded then asked, “Can you put your left leg behind me?” He scooted slightly forward, making room for her to complete the maneuver. She drew her knee toward her chest and eased her leg between his broad back and the sofa’s cushions. Even though he was between her legs now, the position wasn’t really sexual. At least it shouldn’t have felt that way. So why had her pulse kicked into double time and her core clenched so hard she fought back a moan. “Try to relax.”

  The suggestion was absurd. She pressed back into the armrest and closed her eyes. His hands swept from her upper thigh to ankle, rotating and repositioning in a pattern only he understood. Energy flowed between his palms, pulsing through her damaged flesh, creating heat and tension.

  She emptied her mind and floated in the darkness, but the rhythmic surge of his healing waves electrified her senses. A particularly sharp throb made her gasp and the deep inhalation drew his spicy scent inward. The tantalizing smell filled her nose and lungs then spread through her entire body with every beat of her heart. Her back arched and her nipples drew tight, yet the swirling caress of his hands didn’t falter.

  Stubbornly battling the urge to writhe, she released the tension in her back and ignored her tingling nipples. It wasn’t intentional. He wasn’t trying to turn her on.

  Or was he?

  She opened her eyes and assessed his expression. His eyes were closed, features tense with concentration. His fingertips occasionally skimmed over her inner thigh, but he touched nothing except her injured leg.

  It was all her. Guilt managed to cool her ardor for a few minutes, but the surging heat couldn’t be contained for long. The fingers of one hand splayed across her outer thigh as he worked a particularly stubborn spot high on her inner thigh. He circled the spot with three fingertips, driving energy deep into the muscle.

  “Stop,” she gasped, trembling on the verge of orgasm.

  “What’s wrong?” His fingers remained against her thigh, but the energy pulses halted.

  “I can’t…” She sat up, panting harshly. “I just need a break.”

  He steadied her with one hand, but moved the other away from her inner thigh. “Was I hurting you?”

  “No.” Too embarrassed to face the truth, she looked away from his expressive eyes.

  His warm fingers cupped her chin and turned her face back around. “Did it feel a little too good?”

  “Yes,” she admitted with a nervous laugh.

  “It’s not unusual and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. I’m flooding your body with energy and your nervous system doesn’t know what to do with it. I’ve had patients break down in tears and others can’t stop laughing. Your body is just trying to vent the excess energy.”

  She was his patient, not a potential lover. She couldn’t let herself forget. “I’ll be fine. I just need to catch my breath.”

  “It’s better if you don’t fight it and I won’t take it personally. I’m aware that the reaction is beyond your control.” He punctuated the claim with a gentle smile that made her feel even more self-conscious. Having his patients come while he healed them might be commonplace for him, but orgasms were intensely personal for her.

  She lay back and closed her eyes, determined to ignore the arousing sensations. From an early age, her mother had warned her that men were only after one thing.

  They’ll say anything and do anything to get inside your pants, then they’ll forget you as soon as they’ve had you. Her mother’s embittered warning echoed through her memory. Women have needs too. They’re natural and you don’t need to be ashamed of them. But we’re perfectly capable of taking care of them without the complication of a selfish man.

  Jillian’s first lover had been a high school crush. Every teenage boy thought of nothing but sex, so she hadn’t held it against him. Her second lover hadn’t come along until college. Physical attraction had been the primary draw, but he hadn’t been the sex-crazed monster her mother described.

  After graduation, Jillian dedicated herself body and soul to her career, leaving little time or energy for romance. There had been one final affair, but that’s all it had been, a quick, hot flirtation. Sex had been the driving force behind each of Jillian’s relationships and each relationship had failed. She didn’t blame it all on the men. She had been an active participant. Still, it saddened her that she’d been unable to prove her mother wrong.

  Odintar returned to the spot high on her inner thigh. The pulses seemed more concentrated this time. Was he trying to minimize the side effect for her?

  Though she appreciated his effort, it didn’t help. Heat spread through her abdomen and her core contracted in rippling spasms, each slow clench pushing her closer to the inevitable end. She resisted, breathing deeply and relaxing muscles as quickly as she felt the urge to tighten them.

  She held perfectly still, staring into the blackness created by her lowered lids. Then images formed within the darkness, sensual glimpses of what her body craved. She saw Odintar crawl onto the couch and kneel between her spread thighs. He arched over her and kissed her. His chest brushed her sensitive nipples while his mouth caressed hers.

  Fighting back a helpless moan, she surrendered to the fantasy. Their clothes dissolved, first hers then his. His body felt warm and solid as it rocked against hers. Skin against skin, they pressed and slid. His kiss turned hungry, consuming, and his touch became more focused. He cupped her breast, his thumb teasing the nipple. She wanted his mouth there, sucking, nibbling, but she needed his kiss more.

  In her mind, she wrapped her legs around his hips and felt his cock press against her aching mound. He was incredibly hard, more than ready to fill her. The emptiness intensified. She needed him inside her, moving over and into her. She needed him now!

  She cried out softly and her eyes flew open as her orgasm suddenly crested. Her gaze locked with his and she trembled. His objective calm was gone, replaced by predatory fire. The blue rings in his eyes burned brightly and his features had sharpened.

  He turned toward her, bracing his hand on the armrest beside her. His head descended s
lowly and she ducked beneath his arm, scrambling off the sofa and out of reach. She was halfway across the room when her panicked mind registered that she was walking.

  Her steps faltered then she stopped and took stock of her body. “There’s hardly any pain,” she whispered without turning around. “You did it.”

  “Sex makes a damn good distraction.”

  The growl in his voice made her tense then slowly turn around. “You said you wouldn’t take it personally.” He was sitting now and the rings had disappeared. Still, his features looked more angular and hunger simmered in his gaze.

  “It would have been easier to keep my promise if you hadn’t filled my mind with sexual images.”

  She gasped. “I didn’t mean to.”

  “I know.” A smile parted his lips and he shook his head. “I’m not blaming you. I’m trying to explain my less than professional reaction.” He raised his hand then motioned with his fingers. “Come back here, but take it slowly. Without the rush of adrenaline, things might feel different.”

  She returned to the couch with measured steps, focusing on the flex of her muscles and the movement of her joints. “There’s no pain.” She looked down as wonder unfurled within her soul. “Even the bruises are fading.” She looked at him and smiled as tears blurred her vision. “This is amazing. You’re amazing.”

  Her praise pleased Odintar more than it should have. Everything about her affected him more powerfully than it should have. When her resistance melted away, he knew how she was distracting herself. Still, he hadn’t allowed himself to be drawn into the sensuality crackling around them. He had a job to do and the sooner he did it the sooner they could move on to the next challenge. Then her mind inadvertently reached for his and shared the images rolling through her imagination. His body was still hard and achy thanks to those images.

  It wasn’t just her beauty, though he found her appearance more than pleasing. He sensed an intriguing combination of strength and vulnerability in his little dancer that… He pulled back from the thought. She wasn’t his little anything. They barely knew each other.

  “You should still take it easy for a while,” he told her. “I’m confident your recovery will be complete, but the regeneration is ongoing.” He’d used her distraction to explain why he’d been able to heal her so quickly. Unfortunately, the truth was more complicated. Ever since he was injected with nanites, his abilities had been amplified. He was able to do more and do it faster than before the controversial procedure. There was another possibility, of course. She could be a potential mate. He dismissed the notion before it took root in his mind. He didn’t want to think about the fallout from such a development. They were here to protect human females from aggressive predators not join the hunt.

  “I understand.” She sat down beside him and squeezed his forearm. “Thank you. You have no idea what this means to me.”

  The simple contact sent heat curling up his arm while restless need cascaded through his body. Discipline alone kept him from pressing her back into the sofa and exploring her entire body with his hands and his mouth. It had been far too long since he sought the comfort of a willing female and this particular female tempted him more than any he’d encountered before. He cleared his throat and focused on the subject at hand. “It means you have decisions to make. I hate to put more pressure on you, but we can’t stay here indefinitely.”

  She shifted her hand to her lap with a sigh. “Are we still in Nevada?”

  “We are, but I won’t be more specific. We can’t risk Nazerel finding this place.” He pivoted toward her and she did the same, only she also scooted back against the armrest, putting distance between them. Was she still grappling with the surreal situation or could she sense the hunger smoldering just below the surface? He didn’t react outwardly to her retreat, but determination surged, compounding his restlessness.

  “Will you finally admit you want to use me as bait for Nazerel?” Her brows arched and challenge ignited inside her eyes.

  “I never denied it. But you won’t be forced to do anything.” He wasn’t sure why she insisted on giving him an ulterior motive. Apparently events in her past had taught her to be wary. Instead of allowing her attitude to frustrate him, again, he presented her with choices. “If you want me to take you off world until this thing is over, I will. However, every female in the notebook remains in danger until all of the Shadow Assassins are apprehended.”

  “I’ve already decided to help you, so you don’t need to sound so defensive.”

  He started to object then realized his response would prove her point. Instead, he inclined his head and said, “Welcome to the team.”

  Her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes, but some of the tension eased from her shoulders. “What’s our next move?”

  “I hate to admit it, but I’m exhausted.” He raked his sweat-dampened hair with his fingers. “I think we should both get some sleep and we’ll start on your abilities in the morning.”

  “Do you have a phone? I’d like to call Tori.”

  “Cell signals can’t penetrate the shields and telepathic communication is risky.” The hope in her gaze made him cringe. She had to feel isolated and overwhelmed, yet she’d remained remarkably calm and cooperative. A candid conversation with her best friend really wasn’t too much to ask. “There’s another way, but it requires a mind-to-mind connection.”

  “You say that like it’s painful or dangerous.” She drew her uninjured leg up toward her chest then wrapped her arms around her knee. Another subtle barrier between them.

  “It shouldn’t be either, but you’ve fought against even the lightest mental touch. Your resistance could prove challenging.”

  “I’m not trying to resist you.” There was an almost defiant cry in her voice. “Humans are programmed for fight or flight. Some part of me must still perceive you as a threat.”

  “The connection will help with that, but first we have to form the link.”

  He no longer needed a physical touch to initiate this sort of link. Still, it often soothed the person with whom he was connecting. Making each movement slow and obvious, he lifted her injured leg and draped it across his thighs as he scooted closer. She released her uninjured knee and angled her leg, making room between her thighs.

  She watched him closely. Obviously aware of the intimate position, yet unsure if she should protest. “Now what?” Her tone became husky and soft.

  Slowly pushing his fingers into her loose hair, he pressed his thumb against her temple. “Close your eyes and try not to fight me. I’ll go as slowly as I can.”

  Her mental shields were amazingly strong, considering that they were instinctive. He spread his energy across the surface of her shields, absorbing the rhythm, trying to emulate the pattern. His energy melded with hers and for just a moment their patterns were in sync. Then her shields adjusted and her rhythm changed. Remarkable. The modulation might not have been conscious, but it was undeniably effective.

  All right, if stealth wouldn’t defeat her defenses, he’d have to try distraction.

  He eased his fingers from her hair and slid his hand downward. His thumb pushed across the crest of her cheek then traced her petal-soft lips. She made a nervous sound and her eyelashes fluttered, yet her lids remained lowered.

  Warning her of his intention would compromise the distraction, so he wrapped his hand around the back of her neck and covered her mouth with his. She gasped as his tongue parted her lips and shivered when he ventured deeper. She tasted sweet and her breath made his lips tingle. He wanted to revel in the kiss, to enjoy the sensual slide of their lips and tongues, but her surprise wouldn’t last long. So he found a subtle weakness in her shields and drove into her mind.

  She arched beneath him, smacking his chest with her fists and kicking out with her legs. His position between her thighs saved him from her feet, but he grasped her wrists and pinned them to the sofa’s armrest. I’m almost finished. Calm down.

  He wasn’t really kissing her now, th
ough he’d yet to separate their mouths. She remained tense and unresponsive as he firmly anchored the link. Fear and resentment shoved into his mind, blocking his access to any other emotion. He was inside her shields, but she remained guarded. Finally, he pushed up, his face hovering over hers.

  “It’s done,” he assured her.

  “Why did you kiss me?” She sounded indignant, but her cheeks were deeply flushed.

  “Would you rather I slapped you?”

  Her brows drew together. “Those were the only two options?”

  “I needed to distract you.” He couldn’t stand the hypocrisy of his own words, so he admitted, “And I’ve wanted to do that ever since I first saw you in your hospital room two weeks ago.”

  She pulled her hands free from his light grasp, but remained against the armrest, more or less pinned beneath him. “What were you doing in my hospital room?”

  “Guarding you without terrifying you. There was no reason for you to know about us if Nazerel targeted someone else.”

  “But he didn’t.”

  It wasn’t a question. Still, he felt compelled to clarify. “All indications point to you still being his primary target.”

  She stared up at him with impossibly blue eyes. “And how does this help me talk to Tori?”

  A guilty smile crept across his lips. He’d nearly forgotten why he formed the link. Apparently, she wasn’t the only one who’d been distracted by the kiss. “Mystic energy emanates from and is most easily controlled in a place called the metaphysical plane. The connection I formed will allow me to take you there and we’ll see if Tori is available to join us.”

  “You’re going to take me to another dimension?” Fear sparked across their link even though she maintained a calm expression.

  He should probably warn her about the empathic nature of their connection. “It’s not a physical dimension, though it can be manipulated so it seems that way. For our purpose, a simple visualization should suffice.”