The elder man with them stepped in front of her and studied her face. “Yes,” he said in a gruff voice. “You are of the Koll family line. I see. You have done well, Genok. The Xylons will have no choice now but to give us what we demand. Otherwise their bitch will die in the most painful manner imaginable and we will publicly display her carcass for all to see.”
Tara stepped forward and spat in the man’s face. Before the Def’mal could grab her in retaliation, she knocked him off balance and got her arm around his neck. “Back off or I will snap him in two!”
Belkor elbowed the nearest captor in the ribs and grabbed his weapon—something that looked like an electronic spear. He zapped the man, sending him to the ground. “Let us pass,” he said to the remaining Def’mal blocking their way.
The man glanced at his downed comrade then looked at the elder. “You would not hurt one of our leaders,” he said, his gaze switching to lock with Belkor’s.
“Maybe he wouldn’t,” Tara responded. “But I would.” She glanced around. “Where’s Genok?” she whispered.
Belkor’s gaze darted back and forth before returning to the Def’mal in front of them. “This is not the way to form an alliance. I will not go along with our elders in this way.”
“We do not want an alliance,” the remaining Def’mal said. “We have been cast aside long enough. Now it is time for the Xylons to be cast aside and for us to rule!” A spark lit the area and he jerked forward. His eyes widened. A line of blood dribbled from his mouth. Then he fell, face first, into the dirt.
The man Tara had come to trust stood behind the downed Def’mal. He held an electronic spear. “More of the clan come. I saw Genok but he slipped away from me. We must leave now, while we can.”
Tara cut off the older man’s air until he sagged and dropped to the ground. She didn’t kill him. That would just incite the clan more. How this would ultimately end, she didn’t know. But she knew that she had to run to save her life.
Her original savior handed back the electro-zapper he’d confiscated from her. “You will need this.”
As she took the weapon, she looked at the two men in front of her. All their lives were at stake if they didn’t escape and find their way back to her people. “We’re all fugitives now. And in this together. Let’s go.”
* * * * *
Splitter Ship RS-18, Deep Space
Torque sat across from Jaeda in her quarters as they ate a luscious meal of fruits and tender meats under the moonlight. The artificial surroundings almost had him believing they were outdoors on some tropical planet.
She’d attended to a few duties earlier and then told him that she was his for the rest of the night. He liked the idea and intended to put their time to good use. While they ate, she told him all about her life on Bogadh, and he told her about his life on Xylon and his history as a warrior. He also told her about Sam and Brianna being mates. He’d never been more comfortable with a woman and he enjoyed the feeling.
“What is it?” he asked when she stared into his eyes without speaking.
“I was just thinking of your sacrifice. Xylon is in ruins, needing to be reformed and rebuilt. And you agreed to come to my planet instead of going home.”
“Your planet is in a time of upheaval and change too. Besides, I’m a fighter, not a builder, not an administrator. Xylon’s fight is over for the most part. Now, I’m here to help you fight. I will return to Xylon, of course. But I’m needed more here, I think, right now.”
She smiled slightly. “Yes, you’re definitely needed here.” Her pupils dilated as her gaze slid down his body. “My appetite for food is sated. Now I have another hunger that needs feeding.” She stood up and started toward the bed. She hesitated and looked over her shoulder. “Are you joining me?”
He shot to his feet. “Oh yeah.” He felt like running after her as if he was some young warrior-in-training getting ready for his first alliance. She touched something deep inside him that he never knew he had—an emotional-sexual joining of senses. So powerful. Was this what Braden and Alexa felt? What Brianna and Sam felt? Now he understood their special connection and why they fought so hard for that connection.
Jaeda untied the shift she was wearing and let it fall to the ground. Her perfectly rounded butt caught Torque’s eye and he practically groaned as she crawled onto the bed. He pulled off his shirt and walked toward her. When she turned on the mattress, their gazes met and held.
“Lock entry and turn off your comm,” he told her.
She reached over and set the lock. “I can’t turn off my comm. There might be an emergency.”
“It’s important, Jaeda.” He intended to brand her as his own tonight. There could be no interruptions. Even though she had Xylon blood running through her veins, her multiple other genetics could make the process difficult if not completed properly. “You understand?” He saw her visibly swallow.
“You want to brand me. Tonight. Now.”
“Tonight. Now.” He hoped to see no hesitation in her eyes. He needed her to want him as her mate just as much as he wanted her.
“Doesn’t that require some sort of council approval or something?”
“Fuck that. Besides, there is no council anymore. Tonight, Jaeda. Yes?”
Her irises shifted to a darker gray. She nodded and reached over to shut off her comm unit.
Torque’s cock grew hard inside his pants and he quickly shucked them. His heart raced faster than ever. Not even in battle had he felt this shaky on his feet. The realization that he’d finally found his other half was almost too good to believe. He stepped up next to the bed, admiring Jaeda’s perfect body. Yes, he noticed some war scars here and there. But to him, she was perfect.
She rose up onto her knees and slowly grazed her fingernails down his chest. His muscles twitched at the exquisite feeling. “I have read about the process. About joining with a Xylon male. Everyone will know that I am yours.”
“Yes. My mark will be on the back of your neck. Do you have an implanted Xylon chip?”
She nodded. “Laszlo saw to it.”
“Good.” Xylon chips implanted in multi-genetic males or females were not one hundred perfect effective and oftentimes they didn’t work at all, especially the communication nodules. But it was needed for the brand to take properly. Once done, they would be connected in all ways—physically, mentally, and emotionally—for life.
He leaned forward and covered her lips. So soft. So sweet. She opened her mouth for him and he slipped his tongue inside. He took his time, tasting her and enjoying the moment. When he felt her fingers curl around his cock, he deepened the kiss, needing her more than he’d ever believed possible.
Jaeda’s hand moved up and down the length of his shaft. He broke their kiss and groaned. “I love the way you taste. The way that you touch me.” He skimmed his lips over her cheek and down to her neck, where he stroked her delicate skin with his tongue. He allowed his hands to glide down her back and over her butt, touching her lightly, teasing her warm flesh.
“I need you inside me,” she whispered in his ear. She pulled away from him and laid on her stomach.
Torque smiled. She had positioned herself for branding. The brand was formed with the mouth of a Xylon male and placed on the back of the female’s neck during orgasm. Each brand had its own unique design, designating a specific joining.
He kneeled on the bed beside her. When he brushed the hair off her neck, he felt her tremble. Not in fear. He could feel her need. It raged hot and heavy and true. He lightly placed a kiss on the spot where his mark would go.
“Do it, Torque. Join us as mates.”
He moved between her spread legs and pushed some pillows beneath her hips. “We need to orgasm together. I’ll place the brand at the same instant. The pleasure will mask any discomfort.”
She nodded then moaned when he slipped his fingers between her thighs. She was wet and ready for him. He was ready for her. His cock was hard, the tip moist with pre-come. Both of their bodies
felt hot and extra sensitive.
With more gentleness than he’d ever used with a woman, he pushed forward, sliding his cock into her pussy. She pushed back against him, enveloping his cock deeper, as he curled his fingers around her hips.
Torque groaned and moved his hips, fucking her slowly. He tried to control his body, needing to wait until she climaxed before he allowed himself to come. Softly, he brushed away the hair from the nape of her neck and held it aside.
Jaeda’s pussy massaged his cock, contracting around the thick flesh then releasing. “Ah, fuck.” He wanted to surge forward and come hard inside her. “I can’t hold out much longer.”
Her fingers curled into the bedding beneath them. She undulated her body and her skin began to flush. Jaeda moaned and her muscles tightened. She arched her back. “Now, Torque!”
When he felt her climax, he fucked her harder and after three quick strokes, he came. “Ah, yeah!” He adhered his lips to the back of her neck and branded her with his mark.
As the mark seared into her skin, she came again and almost bucked him off her, but he held her tightly—one hand in her hair and the other arm now around her waist. He moved his hips aggressively, unable to go slowly.
Jaeda screamed out her pleasure in the shifter tongue. Her orgasm seemed to go on forever. Then, finally, they both collapsed onto the mattress.
The room grew quiet except for their heavy breathing. Torque moved slightly off her and rolled onto his back. She turned toward him and snuggled against his chest.
“It’s done,” he whispered in her ear.
He felt moisture against his flesh and knew she was crying. The intensity of the joining had affected both of them. He held her closer and massaged her back. Gently, he slipped his fingers beneath her hair to feel the mark on her neck. It had taken.
She raised her head and kissed him lightly on the lips. “A new life.”
“Yes. For us and for our people. There is much to look forward to, my love.” I will stay by your side, loving you completely, until my soul leaves my body, and even then, we will somehow unite in the afterlife for all eternity…
As if she’d heard his thoughts, she looked up at him and smiled.
About Ruth D. Kerce
Ruth D. Kerce got hooked on writing in the fifth grade when she won a short story contest—a romance, of course. And she’s been writing romance ever since.
She writes several subgenres of romance—historical, contemporary and futuristic. Her books are available online in many internet bookstores. Her short stories and articles are available on several websites. She has won or placed in writing contests and hopes to continue to write exciting tales for years to come.
Ruth welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email addresses on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
Tell Us What You Think
We appreciate hearing reader opinions about our books. You can email the author directly or you can email us at [email protected] (when contacting Customer Service, be sure to state the book title and author).
Also by Ruth D. Kerce
Adam 483: Man or Machine?
Brazen Moon
Craving Lady Starr
Diamond Assets
Hot on Her Tail
Lord Viper
One Naughty Winter Night
Sins of Adaven
Stripped
Virgin Seeks Bad-Ass Boy
Wanton 1: Wanton Temptation
Wanton 2: Wanton Surrender
Wanton 3: Wanton Desire
Xylon Warriors 1: Initiation
Xylon Warriors 2: His Carnal Need
Xylon Warriors 3: Flames of Arousal
Xylon Warriors 4: Ecstasy Bound
Young Stud
Print books by Ruth D. Kerce
Diamond Studs anthology
Finely Aged anthology
Sins of Adaven
Wanton 1: Wanton Temptation
Wanton 2: Wanton Surrender
Winter Studs anthology
Xylon Warriors 1: Initiation
Xylon Warriors 2: His Carnal Need
Xylon Warriors 3: Flames of Arousal
Xylon Warriors 4: Ecstasy Bound
Ellora’s Cave Publishing
www.ellorascave.com
Depths of Desire
ISBN 9781419993091
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Depths of Desire Copyright © 2014 Ruth D. Kerce
Cover design by Allyse Leodra
Photography by NAS CRETIVES, M_photo, nienora
Electronic book publication November 2014
The terms Romantica® and Quickies® are registered trademarks of Ellora’s Cave Publishing.
With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the publisher, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.® 1056 Home Avenue, Akron OH 44310-3502.
Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded or distributed via the Internet or any other means, electronic or print, without the publisher’s permission. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. (http://www.fbi.gov/ipr/). Please purchase only authorized electronic or print editions and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted material. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.
This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.
The publisher and author(s) acknowledge the trademark status and trademark ownership of all trademarks, service marks and word marks mentioned in this book.
The publisher does not have any control over, and does not assume any responsibility for, author or third-party websites or their content.
Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the multiple award-winning publisher Ellora’s Cave. Be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com to find erotic reading experiences that will leave you breathless. You can also find our books at all the major e-tailers (Barnes & Noble, Amazon Kindle, Sony, Kobo, Google, Apple iBookstore, All Romance eBooks, and others).
www.ellorascave.com
Depths Of Desire Page 25
