Love Like No Other

by Michelle Howard

  Jax lowered his head to nip her stubborn chin. “You have all of me.”

  “Then give me more.”

  His hips snapped forward as he worked against her, their skin slapping together. Each time he pulled out, Cellie gasped and arched up. Her legs wrapped around his waist, delicate toes pressing into the back of his thighs. Jax clenched his jaw and slowed his erotic push into her warm hold, inch by teasing inch. She tugged at his shoulders, nails digging deep.

  “Faster, Jax.”

  Her moan urged him on and Jax set a rhythm that left them both covered in sweat. Her core clasped him and began a trembling he recognized. “Don’t come, Cellie. Not yet. Wait for me.”

  Cellie whimpered. She was close. His shaft thickened and Jax pistoned faster. Her breasts bounced from the force of his thrust and heat sizzled up his spine. He panted as he fought the need to release. The bed squeaked beneath them, thumping the wall in time to his strokes. Jax buried his face at her neck, Cellie’s sweet scent filling his nostrils.

  His climax hit at that exact moment, surrounded by everything Cellie. Jax threw back his head and roared. “Now, Cellie. Come with me.”

  She gave into his demand and her release spurred him on. Jax shuddered as ecstasy tore through him. He braced his palms down on the sheets and leaned up to keep from crushing her, his hips continuing to plow into her wet depths. Gradually the crackling energy generated between them slowed to a simmer.

  Jax collapsed on the bed to the side of Cellie and she chuckled weakly. “Big shot, huh? Make me beg and scream.”

  His lips quirked, but Jax didn’t bother moving from his exhausted sprawl beside her. “I did.”

  Cellie leaned up and rolled toward him, sidling close. She kissed his damp chest. “Mmm. Sweaty.”

  He ran a hand down the side of her slickened torso. “Same.”

  “Women glisten. You’re plain old sweaty.”

  Pulling from a hidden well of strength, Jax heaved up and rubbed his sweaty face along the plump dip between her breasts. “Is that right?”

  Cellie shrieked and batted at his head. They wrestled for supremacy until Jax had her beneath him again. He nipped her bottom lip, tugging softly before releasing and adding a kiss. His mouth glided over the tender flesh. It was a kiss without demand. An opportunity to enjoy the simplicity of lying beside her.

  Cellie raked her fingers over his short hair, leaving prickles of sensation in her wake. Her face tipped upward and Jax deepened the kiss. His tongue slid between her lips and her teeth captured the tip.

  Jax moaned, his hips pushing against her as he hardened again. When he broke away, he panted to catch his breath. “Temptress.”

  Her smile contained more than a grain of smugness. “Believe it.”

  “Unlike you, I need sleep.”

  Cellie needed little rest and bounced out of the bed in the morning with the vigor of a child. One of the only things about her he didn’t love. Jax closed his eyes after securing her in his arms.

  “What if I’m not tired?” She wiggled her butt against his erection and snickered when he tapped her mound in admonishment.

  Chapter 9

  The black silk robe did amazing things for her hair and body. Fighter lean and every inch more beautiful than anyone he’d ever known, that was his Cellie. Jax imagined brushing the silk from her shoulders, baring her body to his avid gaze as it pooled on the floor about her feet.

  She sat on the only chair in the bedroom he’d been assigned, brushing the tangles from her hair. Missing the usual spikes and swoops, the chin length blonde waves lay about her head like a sleek cap with the sides tucked behind her ear. The look softened her often defiant features.

  Hot molten desire hit Jax below the waist. His body flushed, tuning in to his thoughts, and to Jax’s surprise, his shaft rose in an impressive display. After the hours he’d spent loving her this morning, he’d more than made up for his exhaustion the night before.

  “Really, Jax?”

  His gaze jerked up, only to meet the amusement glittering in her brown eyes. Long lashes lowered as she eyed his length and licked her pouty lips. “You can’t want more.”

  How wrong she was. Three years together whenever they managed time together and his feelings continued to grow. “I’ll always want more, Cellie. I love you.”

  The brush paused mid-stroke in her hair. Cellie angled her head to face him through the mirror. “What did you say?”

  Fuck. Jax tensed and his heart thudded against his chest. He sat up in the bed, back against the headboard, and repeated the words that had her eyes glazed in shock. “I’m in love with you.”

  She slammed the brush on the table and turned to face him. “No!” She smacked her palm on the top of the dresser for emphasis. “No, no, no!”

  Jax sighed and swung his legs to the side of the bed. Not surprised because he’d envisioned a similar reaction, Jax reached for his pants and slid his legs in. “You can refuse to accept it which is your right, but nothing will change what I feel in my heart.”

  Tears welled but she blinked them back. Senior Guard Manx would never let something as weak as tears reveal her vulnerability. She looked at him as if he’d betrayed her, and the hurt in her gaze pained Jax more than her denial of his feelings.

  “Cellie,” he started but she cut him off.

  “Why would you do this?” She gathered her crumpled uniform, boots and socks, from the floor, then stared at him one more time. “You know what? I can’t do this.”

  His own heart felt sliced down the middle. Jax never would have admitted his feelings if terror hadn’t shredded him down to the core watching the Queen’s ship blow. Thinking he’d lost her had shaken his faith. But it was out in the open now and he didn’t have to pretend. That didn’t mean it didn’t gut him to have the woman who held his heart eye him as if he were her enemy.

  Jax rose and crossed the room to her. He gripped her by the forearms and yanked her close. “I didn’t do anything except tell you the truth. Isn’t that what we have based on? The truth, Cellie. And that’s my truth. Can you say you don’t feel the same way?”

  She paled. Every inch of color drained from her face with the question. Cellie struggled in his arms and when he refused to let go, she kneed him. Jax cursed. Only his last minute shift saved his balls from being crushed.

  “Let me go!” She voiced the demand in a harsh cry, fists flailing.

  Jax released her, fearful she’d injure herself in her efforts to strike back at him. With one more glare, she stormed into the bathroom and slammed the door closed. The lock clicked seconds later.

  ***

  Cellie leaned against the bathroom door, head tipped up toward the ceiling as tears clogged her throat. Panic reared its ugly head. Foolish. She knew it was foolish to be upset by three simple words, but they contained power. Power to cut like cold steel.

  Cellie sniffed, scrubbing at her cheeks and the lone tear tracking down her face. She removed the robe, another expensive gift from Jax. Seeing the luxury garment on the floor brought on a wave of longing and disgust within herself.

  Each time they got together Jax brought her something costly and decidedly feminine. Initially Cellie thought he couldn’t possibly understand her if he thought silk and satin rated on her scale.

  Cellie liked the latest design in blasters. A new knife with a wicked blade. Then she’d tried on one of the slinky robes and nearly moaned aloud. Lace panties followed. Sheer undergarments and nighties she never would have purchased soon filled her dresser and closet. Cellie took more enjoyment from them than she ever expected.

  Which was why her heart hurt. He knew her better than she knew herself. So why would he confess his feelings the way he had?

  Cellie pulled on her uniform with furious yanks, wishing she could go back in time and erase hearing his words. She cared for Jax more than any lover in her past. Loved him actually but the risk of letting him in by verbally acknowledging those feelings scared her to death.

  Chapter
10

  Cellie and her team escorted Cordie from one meeting to another. Security remained tight with a vast majority of the representatives present holding important roles on their own world. She liked coming to Xenol. As one of the neutral planets she relaxed her guard here as much as she felt comfortable. Xenols as a whole offered peace by their aura alone. They emitted calming energy which soothed those around them and explained the planet’s status as a preferred location.

  “One last meeting then I’m heading back to my room,” Cordie announced.

  Cellie glanced at the Queen as they neared the door to the designated meeting. “Have they been difficult?”

  Cordie’s red eyes flashed. “No more than usual. Peace talks are usually just that. Everyone claims to desire it, but no one wants to put in the efforts to achieve it.”

  They came to a halt outside the room. Cellie dropped her voice to a murmur. “How are you handling the other matter?”

  For a brief moment the Queen’s eyes glistened with tears. Grief turned down her bow shaped mouth. “I want to go home.”

  “As soon as we’re done here, Commander Brom will get us back to Zephil as fast as possible.” Cellie unobtrusively squeezed her friend’s hand.

  “You know this for certain, do you?” Cordie raised a brow, mood shifting. “Perhaps the Alliance will assign another cruiser to take us back to Zephil.”

  Cordie accepted the teasing and the subtle change in topic. If the Queen didn’t want to discuss her father yet, Cellie would respect her wishes. “I’m sure whomever we hitch a ride with will understand our sense of urgency.”

  “Speaking of urgency, why exactly has your commander been trying to get a hold of you throughout the morning? Is your comm malfunctioning again? He’s wearing poor Talire out and I’m sure he doesn’t believe her when she reports you’re busy.”

  Talire’s head came up and she lowered her data pad to stare. Cellie’s face burned. Talking about Jax brought up their recent argument. “He’s not my commander, Your Highness.”

  “Hmm.” Cordie signaled Cranz and he opened the door. “We’ll have to debate that later.”

  Cellie sighed and followed her in, knowing the Queen wouldn’t let the chance to have such a juicy conversation slip by. Cordie sat at an oblong table among other dignitaries, ambassadors and royalty. Cellie assumed a position standing behind her, Talire sat at Cordie’s right side to take notes, and Cranz leaned against a far wall.

  Holo after holo projected on the screen. The conversation faded to a dull buzz at the back of Cellie’s mind. She thought about Jax and his admission. Her stomach knotted and her brain hurt envisioning how this impacted the relationship they shared.

  Cellie would have tortured herself with the what if game if a shouted question from one of the other members of the panel hadn’t caught her attention.

  “Queen Cordelia, is there more information on the attack from the pirates?”

  Cordie shifted in her seat and faced the Alutian with a regal toss of her loosened black hair. “I’m leaving the matter to the proper authorities to handle, Counselor Jinn.”

  Counselor Jinn frowned on the verge of protesting when Senate Leader Baruk Laars from Garulax interrupted. “I’m sure I can speak for most of us and say we’re pleased at your safe arrival, Your Majesty.”

  Cellie relaxed. She liked the dark hair Senate Leader. His presence when he attended similar talks could always be counted on for the voice of reason and ending arguments before they started during similar sessions. Cordie inclined her head and smiled slowly. “Thank you, Senate Leader Baruk.”

  The meeting resumed.

  ***

  “How long are you going to ignore me?”

  Cellie masked her flinch. Jax marched next to her, but Cordie didn’t spare him a glance and neither did Talire nor the other two royal guards as they marched down the hall. He’d been hunting her down all morning and finally cornered her as Cordie’s last meeting ended.

  “Cellie, come on. You’re being ridiculous.”

  Her eyes cut to the side to glare at him. “I’m ridiculous? How about the person who decided to change the rules is…is a zombat!”

  She expected him to retaliate with something equally rude. His rich chuckle rang out, spoiling her plan for an argument that would have given her the excuse to avoid him. Cellie stopped walking, swung her fist out and punched him low in the middle, then turned again and kept walking.

  “Nice,” Jax wheezed, keeping his stride matched to hers. “You hit harder than you used to.”

  “Good.” She bit her lip to keep from smiling. He was a liar. Her knuckles tingled from hitting the stone abs of his stomach.

  “Cellimina, you and the Commander seem to have a lot to discuss.” Cordie winked at Jax. “The rest of the guards can escort me to my room. Stay here and clear up whatever has you twisted.”

  Cellie wanted to protest, but her friend tapped her shoulder and walked off. Without the Queen as her excuse, Cellie shifted direction, her mind on the infuriating man at her side who made no secret of his intent to follow her.

  “Do I have you twisted, Cellie?” Jax asked huskily. “Because you have me twisted.”

  She ignored his sensuous whisper.

  “At least tell me where you’re going?”

  Cellie turned the corner, Jax right behind her. She entered the secured area and keyed in the approved code she’d been given earlier. The door swished open. Jax frowned at their destination. She could practically hear his mind working.

  “Simulators? Your training certs aren’t due again.”

  Irksome man. Cellie stopped and finally faced Jax. In his casual uniform he looked delicious. The grey shirt and black pants, custom fitted for his large frame would draw any woman’s eye. “How do you know that?”

  His grey eyes darkened as heat blasted from his stare. She resisted his seductive allure. “There isn’t much I don’t know about you, Cellie.”

  She hated his ability to look so handsome when she wanted to hold on to her outrage. “You can stay but no talking about…the other stuff.”

  The heat in Jax’s gaze smoldered. His lips curled arrogantly as he smiled and stepped inside the simulator room with her. He deliberately brushed his arm against her swollen breasts before Cellie moved away from the arousing contact. “Other stuff like our feelings?”

  The darkened room contained two motorized pods programmed with every fighter jet training simulation possible.

  “Yours, not ours.” She pointed at him and then herself. “I held on to the agreement.”

  Jax climbed into the hatch of the pod on the left and tossed her a disgruntled look. “An unspoken agreement. And you can’t control feelings. I fell in love with you and admitted it. Is that a crime?”

  “Yes.”

  Hurt flashed. “Nice, Manx.”

  Fear and insecurity ripped her in two. Cellie hated the brief glimpse of pain she witnessed on his face. Jax defined the perfect soldier, bold, brave and a cunning leader when necessary. His men respected him because he proved fearless in the few combat missions he attained under his belt until transferring to command the Zanian IX. The Z’s record of success on missions hovered at ninety-seven percent and his Chief of Security, Aran T’Kar, routinely received offers to transfer to other battle cruisers because of his tactical knowledge but refused because of his friendship with Jax.

  “Cellie?”

  Cellie blocked her thoughts and jumped into her own pod. She slid the wired helmet on her head and punched up the familiar training program she wanted to run through.

  Jax’s voice came over the mic in her ear. Clear, deep and husky. “Is it less of a crime if I admit it happened months ago and it’s not new?”

  Cellie growled. Absolutely not. It made her panic soar. “Stop! We’re not talking about it.”

  He exhaled heavily. “Fine. What are you running?”

  “Attack sequence, defense 7.”

  Jax spit out a curse but the dashboard showed him mirror
ing the program. Now Cellie grinned.

  The lights in the pod cockpit dimmed. All around, the holo image on the view screen shifted and pulled up the air space around Quantoon. Another grin stretched Cellie’s face. Not only would they be in battle, but navigating around the debris of an outdated destroyed space station would require all of Jax’s attention and no more heart-to-hearts.

  Cellie placed the level at the highest setting. As lead in the simulator it would set Jax for the same intensity.

  “Cellie!” he growled over the headset but she ignored him.

  Served him right. Telling her he loved her violated every unwritten rule they shared. In addition, it made Cellie face things she didn’t want to observe too closely. Like her own yearnings.

  “Soldier up, Jax or get out.” She issued the challenge, knowing he’d never quit. It didn’t hurt that her loins tingled and her nipples hardened with the dare.

  Jax always met her toe to toe but never in a way which would hurt her. Everything he did stemmed from his desire to please her, and his actions confirmed it whenever they made love.

  Cellie flinched mentally from the taboo word. When they had sex. Sex. Sex. That’s what they did. Love didn’t come into the equation.

  “I’m up alright,” Jax muttered.

  Her lips twitched as she revved the simulated engines and the pod recreated the effects of being in a fighter jet. The front tipped back and Cellie adjusted her seat for the shift in view, fingers on the control and the firing mechanism.

  Their teasing conversation halted as both concentrated on the program she ordered. The pod jerked and pulled with her maneuvers, laser fire blasting across the screen. Her score at the bottom ticked up, four digits then five digits. Cellie thrived on the rush.

  Sweat dampened her hair beneath the helmet. Jax’s score blinked along side hers. They were within hundreds of each other with Cellie in the lead.

  ‘Level 7. Last sequence initiated,’ the simulator announced in her ears.