by CJ CADE
Despite her anger, despite the peril they would go into in only a few hours, he laughed. "No, I really can't. Not with you in my arms."
"Then let me go." But her voice had softened, and didn’t match her words.
Thus, Van dared to bend his head closer, their noses brushing, her warm, soft lips only a nudge away.
Then he kissed her, softly at first, holding himself back rigidly as he sipped at her lips, and touched the tip of his tongue to hers. She was sweet-salty, tinged with coffee, and wholly woman... utterly delicious.
"Kiss me back, Reva," he whispered, spearing his fingers into her silky hair to cradle her head in his hand. "Kiss me."
With a sigh, she kissed him back, her tongue tangling hesitantly with his, her lips sweet and damp. Her breasts were like pillows of fire against his chest, and her ass was lush in his hand as he palmed her, pressing deeper with his tongue to get more of her taste, of her intoxicating response.
Somehow, within moments, they'd again removed each others' clothing, and Van was lowering her to the wide, comfortable bed.
"Reva," he groaned, his big calloused hands everywhere as he cupped her breasts and fondled them, palmed her ass and then slid his fingers farther between her thighs, finding the place where she was hot and soft, quaking and needy.
She whimpered his name, and he came up over her, sliding between her legs to press himself against the furrow of her sex. He kissed her as he slid against her, her arousal sleeking them both until the head of his cock found her labia, and prodded inside.
This time, he showed her how to lift her long legs and curl them around him, her heels locked behind his ass as he drove home, deep inside her where she was so soft, so hot and sleek.
Everything he craved, everything he needed.
"My Reva," he crooned between kisses.
"Van!" she cried, digging her nails into his back as he thrust inside her. "Don't let me go."
"I won't," he promised, and kissed her again.
He felt her orgasm begin, and she pulled him up and over the brink with her, out and down into hot, dark bliss.
Afterward, Van felt recharged, rejuvenated. Ready to take on the next jump and win. Emerge on the mysterious new planet, and plant the banner he carried in his duffel, claiming a new territory for Aurellon, with his woman at his side.
There was just one problem.
He hadn't yet told Reva that was where they were bound.
He lifted up on an elbow. "Reva?"
She opened her beautiful eyes and smiled at him. His heart contracted. He wanted to see that look on her face for the rest of his life—sleepy with satisfaction that he'd given her, and completely open to him. Trusting.
His scalp tightened. He hoped that look didn't disappear when he told her where he had to do.
A frown drew her brows together. "Van? What is it?"
He cupped the side of her face with his hand, and drew his thumb over her lower lip. "I have something to tell you. About the mission I'm on."
She nodded. "Yes?"
"Uh... it's a bit out of the way. Out of this galaxy, as a matter of fact. I'm to lead my team to the Paragon galaxy, where D'Arek has already gone. Where Octiron's space race reality show is taking place." When she said nothing, merely listened, he went on. "There is a planet called Altaria. It's beautiful, temperate, and lush. But unclaimed. My team and I intend to establish an outpost there."
Reva regarded him for a long moment. Then she shrugged, a slight motion of her shoulders that made her breasts jiggle distractingly. Van couldn't help but glance down, then back up, to find her raising one brow at him. She looked as regal as a general's wife.
Then she spoke, and shocked him completely. "I figured as much."
Van stared, then frowned suspiciously. "How? How did you know?"
She gave him a look that said he was something of an idiot. "Van, why else would the top wings send a team out in secret, and use the jump pod? A baby could figure out they wouldn't send you to guard a diplomat. You're about as diplomatic as a Tyger in shift."
His cheeks heated, and he glowered at her. "So tell me why we're going, Ms Clever."
"To set up assistance for D'Arek and his team, I think." She cocked her head, giving him a searching look. Then her eyes widened, and her mouth rounded into a perfect 'o'. "You're joking me! You're going for more than that... you're going to try and claim the new planet for us."
She shot up onto her elbows and flung her leg over his, rolling him to his back. She sat up on him and cupped his face in her hands, gazing into his eyes. "Van, I want to go with you. I am going with you!"
Triumph fired in his chest, but he gave her a cool look. "Really? And why would I allow a civilian along on a critical military mission?"
She leaned closer, her hair falling around their faces in a silken curtain, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "I don't know, but... I can help. I can do something!"
"Well..." he said slowly, as if considering her offer. "I suppose we could use a quarter-master at the outpost."
"Yes!" she shrieked. She flung herself at him, and pressed swift kisses all over his face. "I can do that!"
She straightened, and flung up her arms over her head, hands fisted like a warrior queen. "I'm going to the Paragon Galaxy!"
He couldn't help it, he burst out laughing. When he knifed up and put his arms around her, he shook his head at her, but he did it grinning. "I thought you'd be angry with me for not telling you the truth."
She narrowed her eyes at him. "Oh, I am that too, Commander. And one of these days, or nights, when you least expect it, I will get even with you for being so secretive."
"I live in fear of your vengeance." And he was only half-joking. She’d shown she had a fiery spirit, his sweet woman. And after all, she'd learned about pranking from experts—warriors stuck on a small outpost with little else to do in their free time. “And I plan to give you plenty of opportunity to get even with me.”
She gave him a strange look. “What does that mean?”
He grinned. “I mean that we’ll be together, of course.”
Van didn’t know what he expected, but it wasn’t for Reva’s expression to close up, her gaze wary. He tightened his hold on her bare thighs. “Hey. What’s that look for?”
“Nothing, I just—assumed you’d want to keep our, uh, interlude quiet. In front of your team, I mean.”
Foreboding tightened in his chest. “No... why would I want to do that?”
She pushed his hands away and moved off of him, one foot already on the floor. “Maybe because when we’re around them, you avoid me every chance you get,” she said, frowning at him. “I know what this is, Van. And what it isn’t.”
He knifed up and vaulted off the bed, following her into the lav. “Oh, really? Well, maybe you want to enlighten me, because I thought we were starting something here.”
Reva’s head was bent, her back to him as she grabbed one of the fluffy towels from the rack and clutched it to her. All he could see in the mirror was her hair swinging forward to hide her face. “Van, don’t lie to me. I heard you. I know what you really think of me. We can—we can be friends, we can work together. We can even have the sex sometimes, but don’t lie to me.”
The top of his head was going to explode. He swung her around to face him, lifting her chin with one hand, and pushing her hair back with the other. Her face was flushed, stormy, and she avoided his gaze.
“What d’you mean, you heard me?” he demanded.
Finally she looked up at him. “I mean on the base—on Hamor. You told Nola and Dalle that I was—that I am like a pesky mawwr, always following you, hoping for attention.”
“Oh, shit,” he muttered. Guilt smacked him in the gut. Eyes closed, he bent his head, letting his forehead rest against hers. “Reva, sweet. That was just... garbage talk. I was nervous as hells, jumpy as a catamount, ready to head out on a mission that I was fairly certain was gonna get me killed. And to be honest? When they mentioned you, all I could th
ink of was that if you were there, you’d look at me with your big, green eyes and smile, and just like that, give me courage. Make me feel better.”
She eyed him dubiously, and he nodded wryly. “I know. I was busy trying to convince both you and me that there was nothing between us. Didn’t work for me. You’ve been a bright spot in my life since I met you. Time I admitted it to both of us, and ask you to give me a chance to show you.”
He brushed her hair back from her face and kissed her, trying his best to put everything he felt into it.
“Last night, Reva—I meant every word I said to you.”
When she pulled away, he scowled. “What? You don’t believe me?”
She shook her head. "No, it’s not that. I hear a ground vehicle."
"Good, Lacey and Frost are back," he said. He patted her bare ass. "Time to get dressed, and get out of here."
CHAPTER TWELVE
The journey from Magic to the top of the hill called Kokopelli Knob was short, as promised.
"Although it would have been much shorter in a tatt," Van muttered to Reva. "We could have plowed straight up the hill from town, instead of following this thin ribbon of pavement"
This was true. They'd wound their way out of town, along a fence line, through a gate which Frost had to descend from the SUV to open. Van hopped out and closed it behind them, and they proceeded on up and around the hill.
By the time they arrived, Reva was so tense, she felt as if she were tied in knots. Van’s revelation about his growing feelings for her had sent her reeling. Could she trust that his feelings were real, or was this all part of their being thrown together in peril, of saving each other’s lives?
Van looked over at her and then silently laid his hand on her thigh, palm up. She put her hand in his and clung, needing his strength. No matter what happened at the other end of their journey, there was no one she’d rather do this with than him.
Just below the Knob, several other vehicles were parked. The four of them got out and walked up the path through the clumps of dried grasses and cactus. The air was warm and dry, the sky soaring above like a bright blue bowl in which the sun shone and Earth's moon was a pale ghost of itself. Gravel slipped under Reva's boots, but still she and Van had to slow their steps to allow the smaller Lacey to lead the way.
"Whoo," the witch said, a little breathlessly as they attained the top of the trail. "You Aurelians are as tough and nimble as Frost. None of you are out of breath like me."
"You need to use the fitness system I purchased for you," Frost said.
Lacey rolled her eyes. "Yes dear."
The top of the knob was flattened, with large, flat rocks scattered about like a giant's furniture.
Five women were gathered in the center of the flat area. Lacey greeted them each with a hug, and turned to introduce the Aurelians. "These are our visitors, Van and Reva."
Van bowed formally to the witches. "Greetings. We wish to express our gratitude for your willingness to help travelers to your world. Should we ever meet again, you are assured of our aid in return."
The women nodded back, most content to smile at him and Reva.
The youngest, who had startling green hair and a small ring in her nose murmured, “Cool beans. If there are more like you at home, soldier, I might just take you up on that."
Van grinned at her, which made Reva want to smack him.
An older witch shook her head. "Soleya, behave."
Reva thought this a fine idea. Then movement caught her eye at the other edge of the plateau. "Who are those beings coming now? More witches?"
The others turned as a couple with a pretty canine walked toward them through the rocks. They were human, thus shorter than Van and Reva, but the man was lean and fit. He was quite handsome, with dark blond hair waving around his face. He had a protective hand on his woman's back. She was pretty and slender, with pale blonde hair. She was also very pregnant, her belly a swell under her pale blue top and shorts.
Their canine, on a purple leash, was a fluffy golden retriever like Lacey's. The dog padded happily along beside the two.
"Oh, dear," Lacey said quietly. "These are the Starks, the humans I told you about. This property belongs to their family."
"Lacey, Frost," the blond man called to them, smiling in greeting. "What are you folks doing up here? Come to watch the eclipse with us?"
"Hello, Grayson, Brynne. We did not expect to see you here. We didn't know you were in town."
"Just arrived yesterday evening," Grayson Stark said. "My folks will be here tomorrow. We wanted to spend a few days here before Brynne gets too uncomfortable to travel."
The small blonde gave him a quelling look. "You mean before I get too big. I'm only seven months, and I feel like a whale."
Lacey shook her head. "You look lovely, dear. Will E'ea return to be with you during the delivery?"
The couple looked at each other and smiled oddly. "We hope so."
"Ah," Lacey said. "I see." She leaned over to pet their dog's head, and the animal's tongue lolled out as if it was laughing, its liquid brown eyes sparkling.
Brynne rolled her eyes. "I just hope we can get her to, uh, come out. She's been on vacation for a month, and apparently loving it. So is Copper, here."
The golden dog barked sharply, and sat back on her haunches, as if in agreement. Lacey and the couple laughed.
"Speaking of travelers," Frost said. "Meet our guests, Commander A'Ralle and Ms A'Qen. They are also from far away."
Brynne looked impressed. Grayson nodded. "I wondered. Nice to meet you. Staying long in Magic?"
"No," Van said. "We hope to go back... very, very soon."
Grayson Stark eyed the duffels at their feet. "Love to hear that story.
"I regret we do not have time to share it," Van said.
Brynne's eyes widened, and she looked between Van and Reva. "Are you—are you leaving from here? Today?"
"So we hope."
Brynne turned a disappointed look on Reva. "Oh, that's too bad. I was hoping we could chat."
"I also regret we cannot," Reva said. "There is much I would like to know about your time."
Grayson Stark's eyes widened, and then narrowed. "Did you say our time? Holy sh—uh, shoot. Are you from the future?"
Van exchanged a look with Frost. "Yes."
The Starks gaped at him and Reva. Reva felt uncomfortable, but then she'd spent her time here gaping at the local inhabitants, so fair was fair.
"The man you painted with the space ship," Frost said to Grayson Stark. "These beings are Logan Stark's contemporaries. And I am truly sorry, but that is all I can allow them to say. It is not wise to meddle too much with time."
"Very true," Lacey said. "Grayson, you and Brynne must follow your own path, free of interference of what is to be, or what might be. And now, we must all get ready. The eclipse is drawing near."
“We have our protective glasses,” Grayson said, holding up two pair of the flimsy eye-coverings.
"Lacey," called one of the witches from the clearing. "Time for us to convene. We must begin to gather our powers."
"Fifteen minutes," Frost told them. "Grayson, you and Brynne should move back to the far side of the Knob, so you are well out of reach of any... repercussions."
Van and Reva looked toward the clearing in the rocks, where the witches had been busy. Using some kind of blue sand, they had laid out a crude circle, big enough for two or more to occupy. Green sand paths led out from this in spokes to a larger circle of red sand.
Reva slipped her hand into Van's and she took a shaky breath. "Fifteen minutes? Oh, Van."
Van clasped her hand firmly in his. "This is it," he muttered. "It will work, Reva. We will soon be safe at our destination."
They shared a look. Where they hoped his team would be waiting for them, ready to work together to establish an outpost on Altaria.
Grayson Stark stepped forward. "Look, we'll back off, but I just have one question—our family does make it? I mean, the S
tarks really still exist in your time?"
Van nodded once. "Yes. They do."
Reva reached toward Brynne Stark. The smaller woman and she clasped hands. "I have seen holovids of Logan Stark with his wife and children," Reva said. "They look very happy and well."
Brynne's eyes filled with tears, and she squeezed Reva's hand. "Oh, thank you. E'ea told us the family will nearly die with Logan—before he marries, I mean—so this means more than you can know."
"No more sharing, Rev’ala," Van ordered, his grip tightening in a way that said he'd haul her away bodily if necessary.
Grayson Stark nodded. "Right. Okay, that's... that's good enough for us. Thank you, both of you. And God speed, wherever you're headed."
"To keep Logan Stark's LodeStar Corporation from taking over the known universe," Van muttered.
Reva elbowed him in the ribs. "Van!"
Grayson Stark threw back his head and laughed. Reva met Brynne's gaze, and the women smiled at each other.
Van looked to the witches, and tensed, anticipation running through him like a current. He moved, pulling Reva with him. "Come, it's time."
"Goodbye," Brynne called. "Safe travels."
Reva waved, but she did not look back. She hurried with Van toward their destiny.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The witches stood around the red sand circle, each on the apex of a spoke, facing inward.
"Come," Lacey said urgently. "The eclipse is beginning, and we must chant. And once we reach totality, we must be ready."
But Reva’s conscience wouldn’t let her step into the circle. She stopped, and tugged at Van’s arm when he would have pulled her in with him. She shook her head at him.
"Van," she managed, even though her voice broke, and she had to blink away the tears that flooded her eyes. "I... I think you should go without me. This mission—it’s your dream come true. You’ll receive many accolades. And your team will be waiting for you. If you're successful... another woman will be waiting too, one who can help you on your way." His ambitions hadn’t changed so quickly, surely.
“What?” Far from looking grateful for her supreme sacrifice, Van shook his head at her, as if she’d gone rezzed. "Reva, what the hells? I told you—I don't give a quark about T'Bele. She can marry the base janitor, for all I care. I want you, and I'm not going to Altaria without you."
