by Pearl Tate
Jade’s arms snake around my neck, hugging me back and pressing her cheek against my chest. I’d do anything to just be able to remove her clothing and bury myself deep inside her. Even now, her scent is driving me crazy. I want all of her.
“We need to leave and deal with this. I want you so much, and your body is calling to me.”
Jade pulls away, her swollen eyes opening slightly as she moves to the sink, picking up a cloth laid out on the counter. “Even like this? I look terrible … this has been so stressful.” Wetting the cloth, she presses it to her face, her muffled voice explaining, “When I phased here, I wasn’t even positive this was the right place. I mean, the bed’s made, and it was all foggy again!”
I immediately pull up pod control and set everything permanently on manual. “Yeah!” She exclaims, “What happened? That made me so nervous to try and come in any further, and at the same time, I didn’t want to go back to the interrogation room where they had me locked in at the base …”
“They locked you up!” The idea’s preposterous and makes my blood boil in disgust. The idea of them caging my mate has my instincts kicking into overdrive. For the first time, my secondary incisors are dropping, and it isn’t because of lust. It’s because I’m ready to fight!
“Well, it wasn’t a cage or anything. Just a room where they planned to find out what was going on, but it had one-way mirrors and stuff. I was terrified! And then add the reptile aliens and finding out my boss was one! I was a basket case. It’s kind of embarrassing …”
Her voice trails off as I demand, “Take me.”
I want to see this place. I want to find out why they think they can cage her. The idea of her being in trouble because she had a disease when she was younger seems preposterous. I want to demand they explain the thinking behind it.
“Can … I can do that?” At her puzzled thoughts, I realize I’ve neglected explaining so much. My poor mate. She should never feel threatened or caged. She now has the means to leave and travel at a whim. The Sinth species is notoriously independent.
Pulling her into my arms, I crouch down, putting us at eye level. “Yes. Please forgive me for not taking the time to explain all this to you. About the Taxin and phasing. Things have been really hectic—”
“You don’t have to apologize!” Her hands come up to rub my cheeks, gazing into my eyes. “I get that you’re technically here on assignment, but we’re forever, so we’ll need to figure out how our lives fit together—or maybe how I fit in? I’m feeling a little freaked out and displaced. What if I get kicked out of the service? What about you and your next assignment? Will I go with you? How does this work?”
As she begins to worry again, I run my hands up into her hair, combing it back from her temples and smiling down at her assuredly. “I don’t have all the answers right now, but I can guarantee we’ll be talking about all those things. Especially since we just saw Mavin, and he’s mated—”
“Mavin who you came to Earth to find? That Mavin?”
“Yes,” My smile widens. “That’s why he came here. For an Earth woman.”
Instead of looking excited as I expected, Jade’s face falls more as she asks, “Does that mean you’ll be leaving sooner?”
“Leaving? You mean Earth?” When she nods, I rush to assure her. “No. Definitely not with all the Wen craziness.”
Pulling away a bit, I rub her arms, running my hands down her silky skin. “Come on, let’s get back and deal with this so you can change and get cleaned up. Maybe we can come back here …” She’s already nodding, a hint of a smile finally reaching her lips. “… and you just need to be patient. We’ve had some good leads from Mavin, and I’ll need to go back and help Payak …”
Shaking my head, I look at her worried expression, noting the firm set of her lips. “Never mind. Let’s just get back. At least then you’ll be able to visit with Teresa, while Payak and I finish up our Guardian duties.”
When she nods, I pull her into my arms. “Now, relax. Shut your eyes and think about the place you were being held and questioned. Think about the size of it and imagine the walls around us. Are there any identifiable features or furniture you can picture? Do that now.”
I watch the walls around us begin to morph into colorful lights, and I help by thinking about my own interest in phasing, although I don’t picture anything specific as far as where we’ll go. Sure enough, it only takes a few breaths before I see a small metal table and two chairs. Squeezing her, I whisper, “Look.”
Her gasp at my chest brings a smile to my lips. “You know … you must have been thinking about this place earlier to come here. What you need to do now, is picture stepping in. We’re going to ‘step into’ this dimension. Right now, we’re basically ‘sitting’ at the door. Let’s do it together.”
Not releasing her, I point to the table with one hand. “Are those your clothes?”
When I feel her nod, I try to use them to help. “Alright. Imagine yourself picking them up to shake them out. You want to imagine interacting with the dimension, and that should—”
“Yes!” Her cry of satisfaction as the clothing meets her fingertips makes me laugh. Throwing her arms around me, she hugs me tightly. “Thank goodness.”
Pulling back, she gazes up at me. “That was probably part of my problem. I didn’t really want to come to either side without you! I was frightened of your dimension since everything looked so abandoned. The bed was made and the fog …” She shivers, and I realize I need to change the programming and make sure she sets up our dimension to be more inviting. There are ways to adjust the programming so the auto cleaning doesn’t happen. She can do it herself or watch it happen while she’s there. Then she won’t feel like someone’s been there while she was gone. There is a creepiness factor to it that even I’ve experienced—especially when you’re the only one there.
Nodding, we both turn to look at the door as it opens, and the Taxin I recognize as Teresa’s superior, Cameron Smith enters. Jade shuffles behind me before I realize what she intends. “Desin … Jade.” He enters the room, stepping to the side, and Teresa pushes past him, rushing for Jade.
They meet, hugging like they’ve been separated for days. Payak and another Taxin are at the door, waving us out toward the hall. “Wait. Before we leave, I want to be able to assure Jade that she’s not in any trouble. What was going on with her being arrested? She says this is about something she should have told her recruiter about when she joined the military?”
Cam and Greg look at each other near the door, but it’s Greg that answers. “Really, at this point, it’s a moot point. As your mate, she falls under the Earth equivalent of diplomatic immunity. Technically, she’s violated article eight-three, but the Earth’s military isn’t going to want to let her get discharged any more than Teresa. Now that they’re mated to a Sinth … and can claim the mate status with an alien species … that’s a real boon. They’re creating allies without having to do a thing.”
“Yes,” Looking at Payak meaningfully, I question the Taxin. “But how do you think this information came up? Is there any way to tell who’s logged this new ‘information’ on Jade into your system?”
I think Payak and I are on the same page about who would have been able and interested in doing something like this, but I’m curious to hear what they know on their end. “No.” Greg turns to look at Cameron as he answers. “That’s definitely worrisome. Whoever it was, not only hacked into the base’s system, but also into some of the most protected documents—employee files. We’re still investigating, but—”
“But nothing! That’s bullshit. You have to find out who did it—” Teresa’s outrage is cut off by Payak, who moves around the table to look down at her and Jade.
“We will.” Payak’s tone is menacing and final, and I agree. Although whether we’ll get as specific of information as we’d like remains to be seen. “I think Desin and I agree the person most likely responsible is not going to be able to be held accountable—”
/> “Why not?” Jade’s nodding at Teresa’s question, and Cameron and Greg have both moved closer, just as interested in what Payak suspects as the women are.
Reaching out, Payak strokes Teresa’s cheek, trying to get her to calm down. Her outrage for my mate is admirable, but we’re not the enemy. “Because she’s no longer functioning. Lana was part of the casualties from our earlier trip out.” Turning to the Taxin, he adds, “We did think it was interesting that our escorts didn’t know what we were or what our capabilities are. They seemed to believe they were leading the expedition, and that we’d need climbing equipment.”
I can’t help the chuckle that escapes despite the inappropriate timing. Jade’s soft voice catches my attention as she grabs my hand. “Something happened to Lana? She’s the woman from your squad, right? The AI?”
“Yes. The weapon wiped out everything in the valley we were in.”
Teresa gasps, covering her mouth with her free hand as Payak reminds us of our obligation. “Yes, but we still need to go back and make sure there isn’t anything that can be salvaged. If we do find her core chip, we may be able to get it cleaned and see if she was involved with what happened to Jade’s records.”
“Well, that’s so sad.” Jade’s looking at Teresa, adding, “I didn’t even get to meet her.”
“Actually, you did at the warehouse two days ago. When you were checked by the medic—” I tell her.
“That was Lana?” Jades jerks back, surprise written all over her face. “She was a little strange. I should have realized …”
“What do you mean by strange?” Greg and Payak ask the same question I’m thinking.
“Hm,” Jade’s lips pucker as she taps them with her fingers. “The way she got blood on her hand for one thing. The medic wore gloves, but she just smeared my blood with her finger.”
“Well, that explains that.” Payak shakes his head disgusted. “She was using her tactile receptors to collect your DNA. It’s how she was able to cross reference your files and probably how she located your sealed medical records. Unbelievable.”
Feeling my stomach sink, I can’t help wondering why. Why would Lana go to such lengths to try and separate us? That had to be what she was trying to do. If she could get Jade sent off base, she’d be out of the picture.
That seems like such a … jealous thing to do. Is that a learned trait? Or are we underestimating what our Personal Assistants have developed into? Payak and I lock eyes over Jade’s head, and I know the same strange speculations are bothering him.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
- Jade
I glance around the bedroom with anticipation. Now that Desin’s taken some time to explain the pod controls for the AI running this home, I can’t wait to have some fun with it. For now, while translation software works on transcribing the commands, he’s turned the audio commands to English. He says within a few days, all the controls and help will also be in English.
Desin walks out of the bathroom, a small towel wrapped around his hips which does nothing to hide the fact that he’s totally turned on. My eyes lower to the bulge showing under the cloth, practically lifting the front of it up. Trailing my eyes up his wet chest, I take note of the incredible muscles dancing under his skin. My own body is instantly turned on. He’s just so sexy, and I want him all the time.
“Are you happy with the pod settings for the moment?” I frown, distracted by his body and trying to focus on what he means. “Jade? I mean with the coloring and lights? We could make it look like we’re under the stars …” With a quick swipe of a few controls, the room’s lighting turns into a twilight sky as a multitude of stars appear over us. It’s more reminiscent of looking through the Hubble telescope than laying out under the sky on Earth.
“Yes!” Clapping my hands, I bite my lip. “This is beautiful … and so romantic.”
The entire day passed with Teresa and me filing special paperwork that Cameron managed to procure from the Coalition on mating. After we’d both proven we really were mated to Payak and Desin by phasing in front of them, they wanted to make sure everything was filed with the United States military, government, and the Ashen. While the men went off to review the explosion site for any traces of Lana—or the mysterious Wen—we finalized any and all exemptions. Technically, we’re automatically considered Sinth now, as far as the Coalition is concerned.
Turning to Desin, I see that he’s moved over to the bed, his beautiful, silvery blue eyes glued to me. “Thank you. I mean … I know it must be strange being mated to an entirely different species—” I say, before he interrupts me.
“I don’t want any other species. Not Sinth or another Earth human. I just want you.”
Relief sweeps through my frazzled nerves. All day I internally questioned whether Desin was going to be happy with … just me. “Are you sure?”
“I swear, Jade. You’re perfect for me, and you’re all I could have ever dreamed of in a mate.”
Reaching for my towel, I release the hold at the top where I’ve secured it. Desin’s eyes narrow as he focuses on me, his breathing accelerating. Reaching down to his own towel, he tears it away so his thick, hard cock bounces toward me. The poor thing must have been really restrained from the looks of how perky he already is.
I stare, wondering how I got so lucky. I mean … I was holding out, but damn. Moving toward him, I stop just out of arm’s reach at the side of the bed. “Well, you don’t have to dream. I’m here and I’m all yours.”
Lunging toward me, his hands grip my hips, lifting me up. Wrapping my legs around him without another word, I meet his hungry mouth with mine in a searing kiss that leaves me breathless—and incredibly—even more aching. Desin’s body moves, walking me to the bed and lowering me down beneath him. His heavy weight cages me in, pinning me tightly between the plush mattress and his hard body.
Desin’s mouth leaves mine, and I open my eyes to lock my gaze with his. “We’ll be so happy,” he whispers in his sexy growl.
“For sure.”
“Are you sorry I’m not Charles?”
Taken aback, I question him, “How did you know his name?”
“Teresa mentioned it earlier. I know I’m not the same, and our differences may sometimes make it hard for you to care for me—”
“No!” Grabbing his face, I make sure he’s looking at me as I seriously correct his train of thought. “You’re perfect. Perfect for me just like you said. With Charles … I didn’t even know what I wanted. He was just the first person who ever paid attention to me and listened to me … that’s all. He never returned my affection the way you do. When I met you, I could swear it was love at first sight.”
Desin smiles, dropping his head so our noses are a hair's breadth away from each other. “I felt like I was on Tertuto where the air is so thin you become lightheaded and almost pass out.”
“So, I made you dizzy?” Grinning, I run my fingers through his short, dark hair as I tease him.
A small smile lifts the corners of his mouth as he answers. “My cock was hard so fast from the scent surrounding us in that small washroom, that I wanted to take you right then and there.”
“Mm,” I purr. “I kind of wish you had.”
His smile fades as he thinks back. “That wouldn’t have been ideal. I thought you could see me in my dimension, but there were no guarantees. I couldn’t take the chance I’d slip and phase while I released. That would be bad, and you make me lose all control. It’s bad enough how much stress and danger you’ve been in already because of me. Your planet continues to struggle due to the interactions between our species.”
Massaging his neck muscles that have tensed from his worries, I try to make light of the way things went down. “It has all ended up fine so far, and that’s all that matters. You didn’t take the original people off Earth, and if it wasn’t for that, then I’d have never met you. We’re together now, and that’s the best outcome.”
Desin smiles, nodding his agreement. “No one will ever be abl
e to separate us. Mated couples are off limits and protected in every species agreement that’s held accountable by the Coalition. Anyone who tries to take you from me will die a quick and fairly painless death by phasing.”
Woah! Okay …
I mean, I know without a doubt Desin would kill for me, and that's flattering … but I’m just so thankful that Desin came to Earth to find Mavin—even if it has resulted in the Wen virus coming here. That’s on Amy’s boyfriend, Brad. If he hadn’t abused her and made her fight to get away, none of this would have happened. We can’t take ownership for that.
My future, right now and forever, is with this incredible … alien … man. “Will you make love to me?”
He groans, arching his pelvis toward me. “I’ll make love to you over and over and over until we can hardly move.”
Grinning, I nod. “Awesome! I love that idea.”
When he lifts up, I grab at him even though he pulls from my grasp easily. “What … where are you going?”
Crouching on his knees by my feet, his large hands grip my ankles, dragging me down until my butt hits the edge of the mattress. Relaxing my thighs, I let them drop apart as he looks down with a smile, knowing exactly where this is going. “I love your needy scent,” he comments, closing his eyes as he inhales over me.
“Well, just being around you makes me wet. When we touch … that tingly vibration just drives me crazy,” I confess, wondering if he knows what I mean.
Nodding, his large hands rub my thighs as his head lowers slowly to me. Snapping my eyes closed as his mouth finds my clit, Desin’s tongue teases me, easily coaxing a groan that I can’t hold back. I love his mouth on me. The combination of his lips and tongue feels amazing, along with the humming vibration his touch inspires.
“Desin,” I moan, clutching at the bedding beneath me.
His mouth sucks on my clit, tugging the sensitive bud and adding a deeper vibration as he hums back at me. I recognize my internal muscles, twitching and aching to be filled. It won’t be long before I come.
