At the doorway to her balcony, she hesitated with her hand on the knob. Taking a deep breath, she turned it and stepped outside. The balcony was actually another room, fully furnished. The only thing missing was a ceiling. If she wanted to entertain out here, she could do so with ease. There was enough seating for twenty comfortably. At the point in the day when the suns became too hot to withstand, she could activate an awning that would block out the scorching rays.
There was no need to block out the suns right now. Instead she stood under the bright rays and scanned the royal gardens for any sign of JB.
The landscape hummed with various sounds. The gardens teemed with animals. They scattered in and around the abundance of foliage. Taio and Eva were so proud of the gardens. They were situated on a large parcel of land that spanned from the royal apartment to the four guest apartments, enclosed by a large security fence.
Taio wanted a piece of oasis outside his window. Eva shared his vision and continued to build and stock the gardens with various plants that would thrive in the heat. The gardens took a considerable amount of time to tend. She could see workers meandering here and there, keeping everything alive in the harsh desert conditions.
Her heart dropped as she searched the landscape. How would he be able to meet her here? The royal gardens were highly secured. Had Taio given JB full access?
She glanced down again, frowning. Just when she was about to leave, she heard a small rustling near the bottom of the stairs.
“Are you alone?” she heard JB whisper.
He made it.
She took a step, squinting, trying to see where he was hiding. “I’m alone.”
“Good, come down.”
She began taking the stairs two at a time but caught herself before she reached the bottom. Don’t look too anxious. The last few steps were slow and deliberate. Back straight and chin up. She could hear her mother’s voice guiding her in her head.
After reaching the bottom, she followed the path deeper into the foliage. He stood off to the side, hiding behind the large purple leaves of a tola tree.
“I didn’t know if you were really going to come.” He smiled.
“I said I was.” She found herself smiling back. “I don’t know why though. I really shouldn’t be meeting with strange males by myself.”
“Hey, are you calling me strange?”
“Well, no, but still. Princesses do not do this sort of thing.”
“How many times have you heard that line?”
She chuckled. “Too many times to count.” She let her hand play with one of the large leaves, running her fingers across the small prickly hairs that covered it. “How did you get into the royal gardens anyway? They are secured.”
“Ship let me in through one of the empty guest apartments. No questions asked.”
“Well, if Ship let you in, then I think I can trust you. He wouldn’t let just anyone into the apartments.”
“See? I’m trustworthy.” He held out his hand toward the path. “Shall we take a stroll?”
She nodded and walked by his side. “Jess and Eva count you as a very close friend.”
“You were checking up on me?”
She raised a brow. “What does that mean?”
“It means you’ve been trying to get information about me, Princess.”
“You are a stranger and I am meeting you alone. I thought I should find out more about you.”
He laughed.
“You may call me Saia.”
“Eva doesn’t think that’s a good idea.”
She nodded. “The formal names are only used in formal situations.” She flicked her eyes toward him briefly then back to the path.
“It’s beautiful. Does it have a meaning?”
“Saia means ‘adore’ in my native language.”
He stared at her. “Fitting.”
She averted her eyes. “What does JB mean?”
“JB isn’t my real name. It’s a nickname, my initials.”
“Oh.” She fell silent and then added, “What is your real name?”
“Justin Blake. But only my grandmother and twin sister used to call me Justin. I haven’t heard it in so long.”
“What do you wish for me to call you?”
“You can call me JB, or if you prefer, Justin.”
Her cheeks burned and she turned away. “Everyone calls you JB. If you don’t mind, I think I’ll call you Justin.”
“I’d like that.”
He laughed. The sound couldn’t have been better if it were coming from one of the mighty Ancients.
“What’s so funny?”
He shrugged. “This…us. If I didn’t know any better, I would think we were on a date.”
“A date?”
“Males and females from Earth went on dates to get to know each other better—when they liked each other.”
She dipped her head, trying to hide the grin that covered her face. “This is not a date,” she said.
He reached for her hand. “It could be if you wanted it to.”
Yes.
His thumb caressed her knuckles. “Would it be so bad for two people to get to know each other a little more?”
No.
Wait—yes.
Remembrance of Ranuit Pi made the smile drop from her lips. She looked away.
“I know you’re engaged. I also know you’re Taio’s little sister. Those are two very good reasons why I should steer clear of you.”
She nodded. “True. So why did you want to meet me?”
He shrugged. “Because I have a habit of doing things that I shouldn’t.”
“I usually do as I’m told.”
“If I did what I was told, I would have left a long time ago and missed the opportunity to meet you. Your brother has threatened me more than once.”
She stopped and turned to look at him. “I’ve never heard that phrase from anyone before.”
“What? That he’s threatened me?”
“He must find you to be very special.”
“Um, I wouldn’t go that far. But why do you say that?”
“Because he’s threatened you and you still live.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I would never want to tangle with Taio, but I’ve had my life threatened plenty times before. Hell, before the Galactic Council absolved us from all our crimes, we had a bounty on our heads. It was large too. If I could’ve, I would’ve turned Jess in and collected it for myself.”
Not believing he could even think of doing such a thing, Saia gasped, but then saw the humor in his smile. She giggled. “You’re joking with me.”
“Just a little bit. Jess got on my nerves, but she’s family—we all are, we’ve been through a lot together.”
“She told me pirating was dangerous,” Saia said, not able to contain the excitement in her voice.
He looked at her. “You’re saying that like it was a good thing.”
She shook her head. “I understand your lives were in danger and you could have died. But…” She took a deep breath. “You got to explore different planets, meet new species—”
“We got to live life to the fullest.”
She opened her eyes wide. “Exactly.”
“I enjoyed life as a space pirate. Every day was exciting. We were lucky to still be alive each morning and we never took that for granted. There would be times when we’d be in some hairy situations and it seemed as if we were all out of options and out of nowhere, the craziest plan would come to us and we’d do it because we had nothing else to lose.” He shrugged. “If we died, we died, but if we lived—well, that was cause for celebration.”
“How many times were you captured?” she asked, enthralled.
He chuckled. “Too many to count.”
“Look at you. I think you actually may miss your old pirating days.”
“My pirating days aren’t too far gone. I just might steal you away, but I wouldn’t ransom you back, I’d keep you all to myself.”
She tried to h
ide the smile that was creeping across her face. “And what makes you think I’d let you?”
“Oh, you’d come willingly.”
“Why? Just because you’re Justin the space pirate? You’d expect me to fall into your arms and go anywhere you wanted?”
“Yes.”
She shook her head. “I can’t believe I’m talking to an ex-space pirate.”
“What can’t you believe more, that you’re talking to a space pirate or that you’re enjoying it?”
Heat crept over her.
“I saw the gleam in your eyes when you said my name. The way your gaze lingered on me. I recognize the look on your face.”
“I-I’m not looking at you in any kind of way.”
“Yes, you are.” Justin took a step toward her and cradled her chin between his fingers. “Say my name again.”
She looked into his eyes. They were so full of fire and burned with passion, all of it directed at her. “J-Justin.”
“No, Princess. Say my name.”
“Justin the space pirate,” she whispered.
“Much better,” he said in a low voice.
She watched as he licked his perfect lips. She’d never craved a male as much as she did this one. As his face moved closer, her heart thumped, anticipating what was about to happen. Her lips parted as his descended, and only when they touched did she close her eyes.
His lips were so soft. His tongue gained entrance and hers met it instinctively. Their tongues explored, searching and prodding. His retreated, then he pulled her bottom lip between his and suckled.
His hands, strong and hard, were on her back, massaging and bringing her closer. Her chest heaved, her lungs unable to draw enough air. Her breasts pressed hard against his chest. Her hands found their way into his hair and tangled in the dark mass.
The animals in the gardens seemed to sing in the background, only for them.
She sighed longingly as he pulled away.
“I fear Taio won’t spare my life when he finds out I’ve fallen in love with his sister.”
Chapter Ten
“Come, Saia.”
She averted her eyes from where Justin sat across the room and stood. Tonight hadn’t been any different than those since she’d arrived. They weren’t able to keep their eyes off each other during dinner. Saia had done her best to hide who she was looking at and who her smiles and giggles had been for. But more than once she’d turned to find her mother’s gaze on her before shifting to Justin.
Now, after dinner and after the last entertainment show of the night, Saia followed her mother out of the dining hall and back to their private apartment.
“Mother, may I join Taio and the others? I heard they were going to relax in one of the common rooms.” She hoped Justin would be with them.
“Surely not, Saia. Taio and Eva mingle more with the citizens of Sonis than I’m comfortable with. I don’t pretend to know what Ranuit Pi expects of you but until then, you’ll distance yourself from commoners.” Her mother cut her gaze to her. “From all commoners.”
Saia faced straight ahead. Her mother had been paying more attention to her and Justin’s flirting than she’d realized. “Ranuit Pi might expect me to have a relationship with his people.”
“When that time comes, you’ll be more than prepared.”
This was a fight she didn’t feel like engaging in. “Yes, Mother.”
Her mother sighed. “Who was that human you couldn’t stop looking at?”
She could lie to her mother, but it would be pointless. “His name is Justin Blake. He is a friend of Eva’s.”
“Does he have a death wish?” she asked sternly.
Saia inhaled sharply. “Why would you say such a thing?”
“You are the only daughter and only sister to very powerful males, and you are contracted to bond with a warlord. Only a male with a death wish would openly engage in such behavior.”
“He believes he is in love with me.”
Her mother’s steps slowed. “Did he tell you that?”
“Yes.”
“What good would come of it?”
Saia shrugged. None. But it still didn’t stop her from starting to feel the same way.
“Do you return his feelings?” her mother asked.
She smiled and placed a hand over her heart. “I—I think I do. I can’t explain it. When I first saw him, it was as though time stopped just so I could memorize his face and capture the way he looked at me forever. I can’t keep my eyes off him. Whenever he enters the room, my soul comes alive. My body is so aware of him. It’s like…like…”
“Like your heart sings to him,” her mother added.
Saia clapped her hands together. “Yes! You know the feeling? You and father? Once? A long time ago?”
Her mother shook her head. “No, there was someone before your father. He and I were very much in love.”
The sadness in Fainia’s words struck a painful cord within her. “Oh Mother, I am so sorry.”
“No, don’t be. That was a very long time ago and the memories I have of him can never be taken away. That is true love, when your heart still sings for him even though he is long gone.” Fainia placed a hand over her own heart. “What of Raffi? I thought you loved him?”
“No, I didn’t. I found that he was compatible to the lifestyle in which I wanted to live.”
“You mean traveling the universe?”
Saia nodded.
“Tsk, surely I had thought you would have given up those ridiculous notions, Saia. You are a princess. You were raised to be the mate of a world ruler.”
“I want something else for my life. Is that so wrong?”
Her mother looped an arm around her waist. “My baby, I want the very best for you. I wish I could tear up the bonding contract and stuff it down Olo’s throat,” Fainia snarled.
Saia put a hand over her mouth. “I’ve never heard you talk like that.”
Fainia waved a hand through the air. “But it wouldn’t matter. He would only find someone else. Don’t you see? Because of who you are, you are destined to always be at the whim of a mate. Just as Taio is destined to be a ruler.”
“Kiehle is the son of a king and he is able to live his life as he chooses.” Kiehle traveled to faraway planets, hardly ever coming home. She envied him for that. He led the life she wanted.
“Kiehle is the second son of the king. Ancients forbid if anything should happen to Taio. Kiehle’s carefree life would come to an abrupt end. He would be expected to come home and take his rightful place as heir.”
“I wish I were the second son instead of the only female.”
“So do I, my love.”
Her mother’s mood had turned somber and there was no more talk of lost loves. Saia had thought to pry but felt the pain from her mother’s heart. They walked back to their rooms in silence.
Would her heart sing for JB when she was with Ranuit Pi? She hoped so, for that would make the loneliest nights bearable.
When she reached her room, she locked the door behind her and went out to the balcony. Even in the darkness, the animals were busy. She heard them bustling about.
“Justin,” she called out softly.
They hadn’t planned to meet; she just hoped he might be in the gardens after dinner. But she also knew the others were meeting to enjoy each other’s company, and that likely included Justin. She called for him again, just in case. When there was no answer, she went back inside.
Knock, knock, knock.
“Yes,” she called, walking to the door.
“Did you want me to draw your bath?” Milin asked.
“No” was on the tip of her tongue before she thought about it. It was still early, she probably had ample time before Justin finished his meal, met with Eva and Jess in the common sitting room and then hopefully came to see her afterward. She unlocked the door and let her in.
As Milin made her bath, Saia began to undress, laying her clothes across the bed for Milin to get later. The aro
ma of sweet-smelling flowers wafted through the air, filling her room. All the anticipation coiled in her muscles began to release.
“Is there anything you else you need?” Milin asked.
“No, thank you,” she said.
When Milin left, Saia engaged the lock once more, crossed her room and went through the doors on the far side, where the private bath was located. Steam still rose from the deep tub and she slipped in without a second thought.
Submerged in soapy water was where Saia felt most at ease, where she could relax from prying eyes. There was no need to hold her spine erect, so she let it lie back against the tiles. No longer needing to hold her head up high, she let it roll back to rest against the ledge. She closed her eyes and let her fingers play in the water, bringing her hands up to her breasts, letting the water run down the mounds of flesh that peeked through the water’s surface.
She couldn’t help but sigh as her nails skimmed across her large brown nipples. She caught them between her fingers and plucked, making them ache with pleasure.
She twisted and teased her nipples until a moan escaped her lips.
A sharp intake of breath came from the doorway.
Startled, she covered herself and turned to her stomach to face the door, staying below the water with her chin rested on the ledge.
Justin stood in the bathing room doorway. His hand gripped the frame so hard, his knuckles were a shade lighter than the rest of his skin. His body was rigid. The thick outline of his cock could be seen clearly from where she sat.
His normally playful demeanor was replaced with lust—carnal lust.
She clenched her hands on the ledge.
“I’m sorry,” he said, his voice breaking. He cleared his throat. “I shouldn’t have intruded.”
“How did you get in here?” she asked. Another emotion—wanting—quickly replaced any previous embarrassment.
He pointed over his shoulder, toward her room. “The balcony.”
“Did Ship let you through one of the apartments again?”
Dangerously His: 4 (Loving Dangerously) Page 9
