Rebel (The Cat Star Chronicles)

by Cheryl Brooks

  The climb to her peak was so gradual every upward step registered clearly in her mind before rising to the next level. His purring added spice to the heady brew as he slowly ramped up the tension within her until her control finally snapped and sent her soaring.

  “Okay,” she gasped. “You win that round.”

  She ought to have known better. He was, after all, a professional.

  But she had an advantage. She was Zetithian, and she was pregnant with his children. He couldn’t resist her.

  I’ve never been irresistible before.

  Her only dilemma was what to do with this newfound power. Should she make him beg for it or beg him not to stop? She could ask him to do anything, and he would probably do it for her.

  Let’s not get cocky.

  No, she wouldn’t ask him for the moon and stars or a castle. All she wanted was him and his love. No limits, no reservations. If Jack objected to their union, she would simply have to get over it. Onca belonged to Kim, and she to him.

  “Any special requests?”

  Had he been reading her thoughts? If she could sense the emotions of their babies, why couldn’t he feel hers?

  She shook her head. “No. I only want you. All of you. All the time.”

  “Works for me.” Onca held out his hands, and she placed hers in his grasp, allowing him to pull her into the warmth of his embrace. She flung her arms around his neck, holding him close while his rumbling purr filled her with delight. As his eyes met hers, a quirky little smile touched his lips. “My friends all said this would happen to me someday, and I didn’t believe them. But by all the gods above—and I’m beginning to believe the gods really do exist—they were right. Tarq’s wife, Lucy, told me how it would be once I found a mate—that your scent would drive me wild and being with me would make you insatiable. I scoffed at the idea—‘a scent is a scent is a scent and it doesn’t matter whose it is as long as it makes your dick hard,’ I said. Jerden said I didn’t understand because I’d never been in love. And damned if he wasn’t right about that too.” With a slow wag of his head, he added, “I’ll never live that one down.”

  “I wouldn’t worry about it,” Kim whispered. Snagging his earlobe with a fang, she gave it a light bite. “By the time any of them get here, there’ll be so much drama going on, they might not notice.”

  “Yeah, right,” he said with a derisive snort. “Jack doesn’t miss much, and neither does Cat. He’ll know you’re pregnant. In fact, he may already know.”

  “Yes, but will he tell her about it?”

  “Maybe. Cat’s an interesting character. Normally he’s as honest as the day is long, but he can be devious when it suits him.” Onca grinned. “He may enjoy waiting until she’s here and we can all see the look on her face when she finds out.” He turned his head. “Go ahead and bite the other ear, babe. I love it when you do that.”

  “Mmm…my pleasure.”

  She nibbled his ear for only a moment before he captured her lips with his once again. She was hooked on him, and he truly did make her insatiable.

  “Ready to get fucked into oblivion?”

  “Oh, yeah…”

  “On the desk?”

  “You bet.” With his dick nestled so nicely inside her, she hated to move. “Think you can stand up holding me like this?”

  He arched a scornful brow. “As little as you are? Of course I can.”

  Seconds later, her bare bottom was perched on the edge of the desk. “I’m impressed.”

  “Yeah, well, the fact that you don’t weigh much more than a puppy helps.”

  She patted her stomach. “Bet I’ll weigh a lot more than a puppy once these babies get bigger. I’m still having a hard time getting used to the triplet idea. How does anyone take care of that many kids?”

  Onca shrugged. “Guess we’ll figure it out as we go along.”

  Kim thought the topic required more discussion, but once he began the fucking-her-into-oblivion thing, her attention was diverted for quite a while.

  This was something else she never would’ve expected.

  Me? Insatiable?

  She—who had positively disliked sex the few times she’d tried it—was now as enamored with the entire process as the typical Davordian. Onca wasn’t the only one who would have to eat his words. Kim had been fairly vocal about her opinion of the sexual act after that last failed attempt. Cassie had laughed and said it was because she hadn’t found the right man. Kim doubted a man existed who could change her mind.

  But he did exist. He was right there in front of her with pointed ears and fangs just like hers and a penis that fit as though it was made for her. Perhaps it had been. Perhaps he was too.

  Her thoughts were diverted once again as his thrusts became more vigorous—rocking, plunging, rotating, and sweeping side to side. With each movement she lost even more control of both mind and body.

  Onca pulled her feet up to rest on his shoulders and the angle altered once again, setting off new waves of bliss. Funny, she didn’t have to be with Jerden to know that Onca was better. She knew it in her heart. He was her mate, the only one who could give her—

  His climactic cry sliced through her reverie as he filled her with his essence.

  —joy.

  ***

  Seeing the joy in Kim’s eyes extended Onca’s climax well beyond any pleasure he had ever known before. At the Palace, he had done exactly the same thing with up to eight women on any given day, never reaching quite the same level of ecstasy. Was the difference due to her pregnant state or was it simply because she was Zetithian? His pleasure seemed to rely heavily on hers. He was satisfied, and yet he wasn’t—her needs intensifying his.

  How peculiar.

  “Feel better now?” he asked.

  Following a long, deep inhale, she nodded. “Oh, yeah—not that I was feeling terrible or anything.”

  “Lucy says Zetithian semen is like medicine for pregnant women—prevents morning sickness, aches, cramps—stuff like that.”

  “So if I feel like crap, sex with you will cure it?”

  He grinned. “Convenient, isn’t it? Your scent is impossible for me to resist, and you need me to get you through pregnancy without puking your guts out every morning.” Onca had never considered sex to be therapeutic, but apparently, it was.

  “And I’m sure you’re more than willing to provide me with as much of your snard as I want.”

  “I can’t imagine ever saying no to you.” The truth of those words stunned him. Her lovely face, her intoxicating scent, the sound of her voice—all of those things and more—were as vital to him as the air he breathed. He pulled her up from the desk and into his arms, covering her face and neck with fervent kisses.

  She threaded her fingers through the hair at his temples, somehow turning even that simple touch into a loving caress. “I can’t wait to spend the night up in the trees with you. Whose idea was it to turn this place into a forest anyway?”

  “Tarq’s. He loves the outdoors, and he and Jerden remembered Zetith better than most of us.” He shrugged. “This decor certainly sets ours apart from the other brothels in the district, but I have to take their word for it that this is what Zetith looked like.”

  Tipping her head to the side, she studied him with sympathetic eyes. “That bothers you, doesn’t it?”

  The sudden pang near his heart and the sting of tears spoke for him. Swallowing hard, he tried to turn away, but her light grasp prevented him.

  She nodded slowly. “More than you’re willing to admit.” Her eyes took on a contemplative cast as she trailed her fingertips along the side of his face, tracing the line of his jaw. “I don’t remember it, either. It was blown to bits before I was born. According to what Captain told me, if my family had been able to elude the bounty hunters for a few more months, they would probably still be alive. I wouldn’t have grown up on the street, and you and I would never have met.” She paused as a smile curved her lips. “At least, not like this.”

  He dre
w in a ragged, somewhat painful breath. “Then at least one good thing came out of all that tragedy.” Her steady gaze soothed him like nothing else could. “I’m so sorry you lost your family, Kim. I know I can’t replace them, and I don’t even have a name to give you. But I—”

  Tears pooled in her soft brown eyes as she pressed a finger to his lips. “How about if I give you mine?”

  Chapter 29

  Obviously she’d been right about how important his identity was to him because Kim’s offer of her name brought more than tears to Onca’s eyes. Deep, gut-wrenching sobs racked his body, and he clung to her like a lifeline. Stroking his hair, she spoke in soft whispers, promising her eternal love and everything that went along with it.

  Every living Zetithian carried scars from their world’s demise. Onca’s were simply less obvious. Beneath his facade of casual indifference was a lost, wounded soul who needed love as much as anyone—perhaps even more.

  Not that she’d had much experience with love herself. Her heart had been untouched when she met him, but now that she had found her mate, the attraction was impossible to deny. The bond between them was already so strong she couldn’t imagine going on without him.

  As his sobs subsided, she brushed away his tears. “Why can’t we stay at the Palace until Jack and Leroy arrive? You said he was an arms dealer. With enough firepower, they could fight their way in here, pick us up, and take us straight to Terra Minor.”

  “Maybe,” he conceded. “But they have their own livelihoods to consider. They’re traders, and Rhylos is the hub of commerce in this sector.”

  “Doesn’t being Zetithian count for anything? There are so few of us left. Surely no one would risk killing more of us—would they?”

  “Depends on who’s calling the shots. Some people wouldn’t give a damn.”

  “Guess that’s why we need public opinion on our side.”

  “Yeah.” He drew himself upright. “I’d better get back at it.”

  “Need any help?”

  He winced. “I hate to say it, but we’d probably get more done if we didn’t work together for now.”

  “You’re right.” With extreme reluctance, she released him and reached for her clothes. There would be plenty of time for that later.

  I hope.

  Truth be told, she didn’t know what to expect from the days ahead. This lawyer friend of Val’s seemed like the best person to help them, but since they truly didn’t know who they were fighting, the outcome was anyone’s guess.

  “Want some lunch?” she asked.

  “Sure. What’ve we got?”

  “You’ll have to ask Val. Given his fondness for nuts and berries, no telling what he’s been bringing in.”

  Not bothering to put on his pants, Onca pulled up a chair, sat down at the desk he had so recently taken her to the stars on, and tapped into the comlink. “I’ll call the Norludians. They’ll know what to bring.”

  She bit her lip, unable to stifle a chuckle. “Maybe they should bring you some clothes.”

  “Not necessary,” Onca replied, his gaze intent on the viewscreen. “I’m not cold.”

  “That’s not what I meant. We have children out there. Considering what my scent does to you, I think you’ll need clothes.”

  The scowl he shot her should have set her on fire—and it did, although perhaps not in the manner intended. She was almost afraid to look at his dick.

  “Oh, all right.” He snatched up his pants, grumbling. “If I can get the damn things on, that is. Maybe I should get some of the stretchy kind Val wears.”

  “Stretchy might be more comfortable, but it wouldn’t camouflage anything.” Especially not something as hard to miss as his erection.

  “True. Tight undies and a kilt might be better.”

  She arched a brow. “A kilt?”

  “A plaid skirt worn by Scottish men on Earth. Very old school—but terribly practical, seeing as how they didn’t wear anything underneath them.” His cock folded neatly up against his belly as he zipped up the fly.

  “How far away do I need to be for that to go back down?”

  “I dunno.” He glanced down at the huge bulge and shrugged. “On another planet, maybe?”

  With an exasperated sigh, she headed for the door. “Not likely.” She didn’t even want to be in another room, let alone another planet. Being mates could be inconvenient at times.

  “Kim?”

  She paused in the doorway.

  “Thank you. Shrovenach is a fine name. I’ll try to be a credit to it.”

  “You already are.” Smiling, she gazed at him through a shimmer of tears. “My father would’ve been very proud of what you’ve done.”

  “Sure he wouldn’t think I’m too old for his daughter?”

  “No. But he might have a problem with your tendency to harp on things that don’t matter.” With a wink, she added, “Work on it?”

  “I’ll do my best.”

  ***

  Onca wasn’t sure crying like a baby was the most auspicious beginning for his new name. Then again, he didn’t intend to make a habit of it.

  He had never cried for the loss of his family name—or his family, for that matter. Having fond memories of people he’d never known didn’t make any sense at all. Probably half the girls rescued from the Den were in the same boat. No family. No home. No names. At least their homeworlds still existed. Once he’d sorted out this mess, he would help each one of them to find their own way in whatever life they chose—on whatever planet they wished.

  Dax and Jack would help. Dax specialized in taking people anywhere they wanted to go for no more than they could afford to pay, and Jack had a soft spot for strays. Now that she didn’t have as many stray Zetithians to concern herself with, she might be willing to give him a hand with the orphans of other species.

  In the meantime, he busied himself by calling up the Norludians for more food, ordering clothes and bedding for the children, and buying enough kitchen equipment to start a restaurant.

  Rashe stood guard with his pistol in one hand and his tomahawk in the other while the jittery deliverymen installed the stove. “Bunch of chicken-shits if you ask me,” he muttered as he marched them out the front entrance.

  “Too bad Shemlak isn’t here,” Onca remarked. “We could use his help cooking for this gang.”

  “Shemlak?” Roncas echoed. “Darconians don’t actually cook anything. All he does is wash the fruit and put it on a plate.”

  She had a point. “Guess I’m elected, then. It’s been a while, but I still remember how to make enough pizza for an army.”

  Roncas shuddered. “Might want to stick with soup, Boss. I’ve tasted your pizza. Not sure their digestive systems can handle it.”

  “I can leave off the jalapeños,” Onca insisted.

  “The Scorillian wouldn’t mind,” Rashe pointed out. “They like spicy junk food.”

  “Junk food?” Onca gasped. “My pizza is not junk food. It’s very nutritious. Tomato sauce, cheese, pepperoni, onions—”

  “And about a kilo of Tumerlian pepper,” Roncas said. “Took two days for the swelling in my lips to go down after the last time I tried it.”

  Onca threw up his hands. “On the ship we had to make do with whatever food we could get. Sometimes spicing it up was the only way to make it edible.”

  “Yes, but we don’t have that problem now,” Roncas said. “You can put all the pepper you want on yours. Just don’t make the rest of us eat it.”

  “Oh, all right,” Onca snapped. “You know, when I was a kid, we took turns doing the cooking. Might as well start now.” He turned to the throng of children scattered about the grassy floor of the Palace. “Okay, gang! I need five volunteers for chef duty. Cassie, you take their names and we’ll start a rotation. This is a cooperative venture, not a soup kitchen.”

  “Too bad we’re not bringing in any money,” Roncas muttered. “These kids will eat up your fortune in no time.”

  Onca had a feeling the current
situation wouldn’t last that long. “We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. Until then, we have to work together.”

  With any luck, the smell of baking pizza would overpower Kim’s scent. Apparently the tryst in the office hadn’t helped a bit because his dick still reacted with a vengeance anytime she passed by. He kept telling himself he only needed to hold out until the kids went to sleep. Then he could be with her all night.

  Damn. I sound like a parent already.

  He was beginning to understand how Amelyana must have felt with so many children in her care. Granted, she hadn’t done it alone—her Zetithian mate and another Terran couple had helped her—but the children had all seen her as their mother. She had dedicated her entire life to them, working tirelessly to keep them safe—even stealing when she had to—and doing her best to see that they were educated.

  Onca spent the rest of the afternoon teaching the new cooks, thankful that he had something to occupy his mind—even something as simple as kneading pizza dough—otherwise the sense of unease would’ve been unbearable. Anara had given him no instructions, only telling Val that she would study the case while en route to Damenk. It was like waiting for a verdict he was powerless to influence.

  At least, not yet.

  ***

  Darkness fell over the Palace, leaving only the stars twinkling overhead as Kim gazed out over the sea of sleeping children, knowing that, like herself, they probably felt safer than they had in years—perhaps even for the first time.

  Onca had given them that security. He was a hero to these young souls, whether he saw himself as such or not. True, he’d had help, but that didn’t matter to them. He was the one who had gone into the Den alone. He was the one who had welcomed the slave girls and every other homeless child into the Palace, giving them more in one day than most of them had ever had in their entire lives. He was the one who had rescued her, capturing her heart and teaching her what it meant to love and be loved in return.

  He’d kept one riser clear, and as she stepped onto the grassy platform, he activated the controls that took them up into the trees. Hovering high above the forest floor, they were alone, isolated on an island in the sky, surrounded by rustling leaves and tiny, winking lights.