by Hacket, Anna
Her hands slid into his hair. He’d noticed she liked his hair.
“Davion—”
“Shh.”
She fell quiet and let him tend to her. When he was done, he scooped her back into his arms and carried her up the stairs.
“I’ve been carried by you more than I ever have in my life,” she said.
Good. He liked knowing that.
He laid her back in the furs. He’d spent a lot of time imagining fucking her here—bare skin on fur, his mouth on her as the sky arched above them. He stretched out beside her. She was looking up at the lights dancing above.
“So beautiful,” she said.
He looked at her. “The most beautiful thing I’ve seen.”
Her gaze met his, her cheeks going pink. “I’m not beautiful, Davion.”
“Beauty means different things to different people, Eve. And it is more than one thing.” He stroked her hair. “I love this hair. As black as the darkest depths of space.”
“I got it from my grandmother. She was Japanese, and they tend to have black, straight hair.”
His hand moved lower, cupping her breasts. “And these are very pretty.”
She rolled her eyes. “Typical man.”
It was more than just her looks. She was his tough warrior. He’d watched her fight and defend, kill and protect. But he liked that for all her toughness, she still blushed when he looked at her.
Davion shifted down, pressing a kiss to where the claws had sliced her. He kept kissing, moving to one nipple, sucking it into his mouth. He loved the noises she made and when he blew softly on her nipple, he liked watching her writhe in the furs.
He could spend all night on those breasts, but he kissed his way down her stomach, and slowly nudged her thighs apart. She had a tiny strip of dark hair above her sex, and the rest of her was pretty and pink. He needed to taste her.
Lowering his head, he put his mouth on her, licking and sucking.
“Oh, God, yes.” She wrapped one thigh around his head, pumping up to his mouth.
He worked her, loving her musky taste. The sounds she made drove him crazy.
He kept lapping, reading each husky cry and move of her body to see what she liked best. Soon, she splintered apart, coming hard and screaming his name.
Need pounded inside Davion, his cock so hard it was painful. He moved to cover her, but she reared up, surprising him. He let her push him onto his back on to the furs.
Eve climbed on, straddling him.
“My turn, warrior.”
Desire twisted in his gut. She rose above him. So gorgeous.
One of her hands circled his cock and she pumped it, once, twice. He groaned. Then she rose up on her knees, notched his cock between her legs, and sank down.
Their groans mingled. Davion watched her take him inside her.
She moaned. “So big.”
“So tight.”
She started to move, sensations barreling through him—hot and electric.
She watched him, a sexy smile playing across her face. “Get ready for a ride, War Commander.”
He gripped her hips. “I can take whatever you give, Sub-Captain.”
As she rode him, taking him deep, Davion knew without a doubt that he’d spoken the truth.
Chapter Eleven
Davion woke with a female sprawled all over him.
He tensed. He rarely slept the night with his bed partners. Then he remembered, his muscles relaxing. Eve.
Her face was pressed to his chest, her hands holding him, and one slim leg tossed over his thigh. He also had an arm around her, holding her close.
He felt a fierce rush of contentment. It wasn’t an emotion he was used to. Satisfaction, success, fulfillment, yes. Contentment was something new. He pulled her closer, stroking her back, his gaze on her face. She looked relaxed, and he realized that he’d never seen her without the determined edge her features always held.
No surprise, but he felt need stir. He wanted her again. All of her.
He’d spent the night taking her until they’d both collapsed in exhaustion. He had a few still-healing scratches on his back and ass from her nails.
But it was more than just wanting more of the intense pleasure. Davion wanted to see all of her—happy, sad, angry, content.
He’d made a shocking, startling realization.
Eve Traynor was his. His woman, his partner. The one person he knew had been born for him.
Davion had never claimed anything solely as his. He’d lived for his job and his people. His parents had dedicated their lives to the Eon Empire and had instilled the same loyalty and sense of service in Davion.
He knew there would be many people in the Eon leadership that would frown on him claiming a woman, let alone a Terran woman. But he didn’t care.
Breathing in her scent, he looked up through the ice dome and saw that the morning had arrived. A clear, blue sky arched overhead.
He sighed. Unfortunately, in order to have any chance of survival, they had to get moving.
Davion was well aware that the path ahead wouldn’t be easy. And he wasn’t just talking about the journey to the comm station.
Him telling Eon High Command that he’d claimed a Terran female would cause some chaos. And then there was the Kantos’ brazen attack on him, and the imminent invasion of Earth to deal with.
Davion’s jaw hardened. He was done ignoring the Kantos. It was time to end their voracious greed.
Eve stirred, her eyelids flickering open. She froze for a second, then looked at him and smiled.
Yes, Davion could spend a lifetime waking up to that smile.
Her hands spread over his skin and she pressed her lips to the center of his chest. She peppered him with small kisses and slowly moved lower.
“Good morning,” he murmured.
She made a humming noise. “Morning.”
Davion lay back, allowing himself to enjoy the strong, sexy woman who was unafraid to take what she wanted. Unafraid to tell and show him what she liked.
Eve shifted, her dark hair spilling across his gut. She gripped his cock and he pulled in a breath. Then she licked him.
Cren. He bucked. She sucked his cock between her lips.
Her mouth was wet and warm, and she took her time—teasing and taunting. She kept the suction hard, and he had to fight to keep from shooting down her throat like an untried warrior.
Enough. He knifed up and spun Eve flat onto her back. Then he was on top of her.
“I wasn’t quite done, War Commander.”
“Yes, you were.”
He slid his aching cock into her slowly. Her moan was long and loud.
“Faster.” She dug her nails into his ass.
“No.”
They’d attacked each other plenty of times through the night, driven by their fierce attraction. This time, he wanted to show Eve something else.
With unhurried movements, he pushed her arms above her head. Her lips parted, her eyes fluttered closed.
“Keep them open, Eve.”
She did, her gaze fastening on his. He drowned in blue.
“By Eschar, you’re gorgeous.”
Her cheeks flushed. Had no one ever told her that before?
She tried to get him to move faster, but he kept it slow and steady, but firm. He felt her shift restlessly beneath him, her cries increasing. Her body clamped down on him.
“You’re squeezing my cock so hard,” he groaned.
“Davion!”
She arched her back and broke. She panted through her orgasm. Cren, he loved watching her come.
Her release had his own roaring closer. He increased the speed of his thrusts now. Her legs wrapped tightly around him and he hammered into her.
“Give it to me,” she cried. “I love the feel of you inside me.”
His orgasm hit hard. He thrust deep, groaning through the blinding release. When he collapsed, he rolled, pulling her close to him.
“Well, War Commander, I always knew
you had skills and talents…”
He slapped her ass and she laughed. He loved the sound.
But unfortunately, reality was a harsh mistress. “We have to—”
“I guess we should—”
They both spoke at once.
Eve smiled, pushing her tangled hair from her face. “We need to go.”
He nodded.
She rose, and again his cock twitched. That long, naked body never failed to arouse him. He watched as she grabbed some fresh clothes from the rest-station stash. Then she sauntered toward the stairs.
“I’m going to freshen up.”
While she was gone, Davion dressed, and found some food. He set some out for her and munched on several packets. Next, he opened the weapons locker and selected some things he knew Eve would like.
When Eve returned, she was wearing Eon Warrior black. The clothes weren’t quite as formfitting as her space suit, but seeing her in the attire made for a warrior made him smile.
Suddenly, Shaggy bounded over, nuzzling Eve. With a laugh, she patted the wolf and gave him some food.
“Is my big boy hungry? I’m very glad you were watching the door and not getting an eyeful of the show.” She held out some more food. “Here you go.”
Shaking his head, Davion started packing supplies into one of the backpacks.
“Right.” Eve’s nose wrinkled. “Off we go for an unpleasant, cold walk in the snow.”
Davion helped her slide a backpack on. “The biome will change soon. Besides, if you get cold, my Earth warrior, I’ll keep you warm.”
She rose up on her toes and kissed him. “Why thank you, kind war commander.”
“I have something else for you.” He held up a simple, Eon-forged sword. It was strong, well-balanced, and sharp.
Her lips tipped up and she took the weapon. She swung it through the air. “It’s perfect.”
“I thought it would suit you.”
She looked at his face. “A lot of Eon things appear to suit me.”
He wanted to kiss her again, but he knew if he did, he wouldn’t stop. He watched her sheath the sword and then he urged her toward the door.
With one last glance at the rest station, they headed out, Shaggy bounding ahead of them.
* * *
Eve hiked up the hill, her boots kicking up snow.
Davion had draped some sort of fur coat over her, so at least she wasn’t cold. She glanced at him and just looking at her war commander gave her a warm glow.
Her war commander.
God. The night replayed through her head. It had been the best night of her life. The best sex of her life. The best orgasms she’d ever had.
He was the best man she’d ever met. A man who met her move for move, who matched her, understood her. Respected her.
He was also a generous lover who’d worshiped her.
Eve blew out a breath.
“You okay?” His hand gripped her shoulder and squeezed.
“Yeah.” God, that handsome face.
He nodded, then grabbed a stick and threw it for Shaggy. The animal dashed away to fetch it.
Eve felt something uncomfortable pierce through the warmth in her chest. Davion was a man who was extremely dedicated to his people and his military career. He was Eon, she was Terran.
If they managed to get off this planet alive, where the hell did that leave them?
God, falling for Davion Thann-Eon was a bad idea. Falling for any man was a bad idea.
Their time on Hunter7, their joint fight for survival, had forged a bond between them. But when they returned to reality…
Hell, she’d abducted him. His people hated hers. And there was nothing she could do to change that.
Suddenly, there was a rumble beneath their feet. Shit. She looked up and saw Davion scanning their surroundings.
“Biome change?” she asked.
He nodded.
Nearby, the ground began to part, creating a giant chasm. The shaking rocked her back, the land rising up beneath her feet.
With a cracking sound, another chasm split the ground, this time, right between Eve and Davion.
“Eve!”
Hell. She ran, leaping across the widening gap, throwing her arms forward.
The edge got closer but she realized the gap was too wide. She wasn’t going to make it.
Davion leaned out and grabbed her hands. She slammed into his arms.
She rested against his chest for a second. Beside them trees fell, swallowed whole by the ground. Dark rocks, like wicked teeth, rose up.
Jeez, what was next?
Davion held her close, shielding her. The snow melted away, and she felt the heat rising off the ground around them. Shaggy let out a howl.
And then, lava bubbled up from the chasm. Oh, great.
The ground stopped shaking and she straightened. “My God.”
Ahead of them lay a vast lake of lava. All around, black, twisted rocks rose up, and small rivers of lava oozed sluggishly toward the lake. No trees or vegetation remained.
Then a thought hit her. She spun. “Shaggy!”
They both looked around. There was no sign of the animal.
A surprising pang hit her. “He’s gone.” Just like that. “Does he even…exist anymore?”
“I don’t know,” Davion answered.
Her heart felt heavy. “I hate this planet.”
Davion frowned, scanning the horizon. Then he pointed. “There’s the comm station.”
He pointed to some jagged mountains that speared up on the other side of the lava lake. A metallic glow gleamed on one ragged spike of rock. Below it was a straight cliff face.
Eve sighed. “Well, unless you can fly, it looks like we’ll have to climb.”
“I’m not fond of climbing.”
She raised a brow. “Don’t tell me there is something the fearsome War Commander Thann-Eon isn’t good at.”
“I can climb, I just don’t enjoy it.”
“Of course, you can do it.” The man could clearly do anything.
“Come on, my Earth woman.”
They started trekking around the edge of the lava lake. Golden-red, molten rock bubbled in places and in the center of the lake, sprayed up like a geyser. She and Davion had to leap across several small lava streams that flowed into the lake.
Out of curiosity, Eve crouched, scooped up some rocks, and tossed them into the lava. She watched them sizzle. Real, burn-your-skin-off lava.
They were getting close to the rocky spear that held the comm station when she heard a noise behind them.
She spun, lifting her weapon.
Nothing.
“Davion?”
“I sense a heartbeat. Wildlife.”
Eve didn’t spot any ugly-ass creatures, ready to eat them. She turned and started walking again. She heard a hiss.
She spun again. This time, she saw a scaled tail flicking back and forth from behind a large rock.
Wonderful. They were about to meet some new, toothy, dangerous resident.
Davion was tense, watching and waiting.
The reptile burst out from behind the rock. It moved fast, on all four legs, its sturdy body covered in dark, oily scales. It looked like a giant lizard. Its jaws were filled with needlelike teeth.
Shit. It charged straight at Eve, leaping into the air. She raised her weapon.
Then she saw bright aqua eyes and a lolling tongue.
“Wait!” She lowered her sword.
“Eve!”
The reptile hit her and took her down to the rocky ground.
And licked her face.
The heavy weight of it crushed her chest and she couldn’t breathe. The reptile’s body wriggled.
“Shaggy?” she wheezed.
There were more excited wiggles and another lick.
“Shaggy!” Ecstatic, Eve sat up, pushing his lizard-like body off her.
Davion helped her to her feet.
“It’s Shaggy!” She grinned. “But he’s changed to
suit the biome.”
“Yes.”
“Well, he’s not so shaggy anymore.” She patted him. “But you’re still you, aren’t you, boy?”
The lizard made a coughing grunt.
Eve looked at Davion. He was watching her with an intense look on his face.
“Davion?”
He ran a hand over her head. “I’m glad your friend is still with us.”
“Me too.”
“Now, come. Let’s get to the comm station.”
Chapter Twelve
Davion leaped up the sleek, black rock face, caught a handhold, and heaved himself upward. His symbiont had made his gloves and suit sticky to help him climb.
Beside him, Eve was climbing like a Felis tree-jumper. The small animals were the best climbers on the planet. She was also smiling.
“This is not fun,” he bit out.
Her smile widened as she climbed past him. “I love climbing.”
They were high above the ground. A fall would have them shattering bones on the jagged rocks below. Not fun at all. Shaggy was also climbing up the cliff face with ease, body pressed flat, and seemingly defying gravity.
Davion looked up. The comm station was on the peak above them. Not far to go.
Eve kept climbing, and he took a second to admire her moves. Then he noticed something just above her head. The black rock was glowing orange. Like it was getting hot.
“Eve, look out!”
She froze, lifting her head.
Suddenly, the orange rock burst outward. Eve started and lost her grip. She fell.
Heart pumping, Davion reached out one arm. He snagged Eve’s hand, breaking her fall. His other hand gripped hard to the rock, and for a second, they hung there. Eve’s eyes were wide as she looked up at him.
“I’ve got you.” He heaved her up, pulling her close to him.
They clung to the cliff face and together, they watched the orange-gold lava pour out like a waterfall to the ground below.
“Wow.” Eve’s voice was a little shaky. “If I wasn’t completely freaked out right now, I’d think that was beautiful.”
