by Rena Marks
“If you like, I can take a few days to work side by side with you,” Tempest said.
Shawn turned toward them. “I can easily take Tempest’s position on the other side. It won’t be a problem at all, Sunny. And it’ll ease you in. Plus you’ll be doing me a favor by getting her off my hands.”
Tempest bared her teeth at him. “Humans!” she complained. “Except for you, Robyn,” she acknowledged.
“Thank you,” Robyn said, her lips twisted slightly at the corners.
“That would be fun,” Sunny said suddenly. “We can catch up.”
“Yes!” Tempest said quickly as if she was afraid Sunny would change her mind. “You can show me the spot where you sucked the soul from—”
“Ahem!” Robyn coughed.
Tempest sighed. “Or we can avoid discussing it if you would rather.”
Sunny laughed. “We’ll see how it goes tomorrow.”
“I look forward to our day together. Come, human,” Tempest demanded of Shawn, pulling him away with a yank on his arm.
“Well, that’s different,” Sunny said softly, as she watched them walk away. “She’s touching him.”
Tempest never let go of Shawn’s arm.
“Well, look at that,” Robyn agreed. “Lily was hoping it would go this way, but honestly, I wasn’t sure.”
“Hmmph. I’d ask Tempest about it tomorrow, but she’ll deny everything.”
“Someday she’ll be true to herself,” Robyn said. “Now, about tomorrow. Are you sure you’re okay with returning to work?”
“I am. I have Beast.” Her smile said it all.
Robyn understood exactly what she meant. “I’m glad, sweetie,” Robyn said, covering her hand and squeezing it with hers.
No mention was made of Sunny returning to her quarters. No mention was made of Beast ever returning to his. It was still a tentative truce between them, though he was still demanding in the bedroom as if he feared that she would refuse him at any moment. She always let him have his way, sensing that he needed this. One day, she hoped he’d return to the way he was back on the island—just so he could know she loved him both ways. In any way he chose to be. Still, she only had herself to blame. She had all that and threw it away. Now their relationship had morphed into something new. She loved it, but she wanted him to realize he could be loved no matter what.
Sunny looked forward to returning to work. She’d timed it perfectly. It had taken Beast nearly a month of training for the security team because he was only gone for three or four hours a few days a week. She met him each day for lunch and heard about all he learned before they headed back to their cabin. Now they would be able to begin their first full workdays together.
Sunny headed outside and made her way down the slight trail that marked the way through the woods. Eventually, she found Jett and Brax hiding in the trees, watching their own home.
“What are you watching for?”
“To see how long Beast” —Jett snarled the name— “is in there with her.”
“Why don’t you just go inside?” Sunny asked gently.
Brax answered for them. “She has not met us yet.”
“Are you kidding? It’s been weeks. Why not?”
“We wish for her to be comfortable in our home—in our scent—before she meets us and sees how different we are from other Xeno Sapiens. From other humans.”
“It will be fine,” she said softly. “Just go inside. Tell her your names. Tell her you appreciate her cleaning up the place and making your dinner every week.”
“It is too soon. It’s only been a few times.”
“So what is the magic number before you introduce yourselves?”
Silence met her words, and she could tell they hadn’t thought that far ahead.
“Are you and Beast paired? Or still fooling around?” Jett snarled.
Sunny blinked. “What? What does that have to do with anything?”
“You kept him leashed on a chain for so long. Now that he is free, we want to know if he is interested in Heather.”
“Of course he’s not! Why would he be?”
Instead of answering, Jett wandered away, leaving her with Brax.
Brax turned to her uneasily. “Because it is always Beast who walks her. And always Beast who returns her. No one else, no matter who is free and no matter who drives the shuttle in. He always manages to get her into our den. Alone.”
And then Brax disappeared, leaving her with her mouth hanging agape.
The wooden door to their lodging opened, and her Beast emerged, heading her way.
“Sunny? What is wrong? What are you doing here?”
“I thought I’d surprise you.” It was all she could think of to say.
“You did that.” His chuckle seemed a bit uneasy.
For the first time, Sunny felt a strange feeling in her belly. Were the twins right? Was Beast interested in Heather?
Had she been a fool?
Chapter Ten
“Are you really ready to return to work?”
Beast wanted to take Sunny’s mind off the situation at hand. A small line had formed between her brows as she had studied the door he’d emerged from.
“I am,” she said though she sounded a bit wary. “Tempest offered to partner with me for a bit.”
“That’s a good idea,” he said, his voice relieved. A bit more than it should be because her suspicions seemed raised again.
One of her brows lifted. “You never got along with Tempest. Why would you suddenly want me around her?”
“Because you do. I want what’s best for you, Sunny, and if that includes your friendship with Tempest, so be it.”
“Do you really?” Her voice was mild.
Beast felt an unusual sensation in the pit of his stomach. Fear. “Of course. Sunny, you are my life. You have always been my life.”
She smiled, and the instant joy in her face brightened his world again.
He laughed at her chatter as they headed to their cabin. There was no way he could tell her what Dr. Eric had just uncovered from Mike’s remains. From the only bit that wasn’t burned to ash. The tiniest fragment of a tooth they’d uncovered his first day training for the guard.
But that shard held a secret. A familial DNA link to the human volunteer, Heather Marlow. They’d been investigating Heather Marlow ever since.
There was no proof that Heather even knew Mike, but Robyn was afraid Sunny would feel unsafe and lash out at a human—even though she’d assured him Sunny could control her new power. But to feel that way—unsafe—when they should be safe within the walls of Xenia, he would never allow. Not for the woman he’d die for.
He was aware of Heather’s pretense at being attracted to him. Why she pretended he was unsure…but he would find out. He knew she fought with herself to remain unflustered when she deliberately brushed her hand against his as they walked, hoping he’d grasp it. When she smiled, trying to make it enticing, but failed to meet his eyes.
Heather was well aware of the relationship between him and Sunny—even though he and Sunny had never put their feelings into words. That was something he needed to rectify, he knew. He was just enjoying having her so near him every day, and he hesitated upsetting that with any changes.
He needed to find out what Heather was up to before Jett and Brax met her and fell into her trap. It was easy to do as she was a very enjoyable person. If he hadn’t seen the test results, he probably wouldn’t have believed a connection. As it was, it was too coincidental to be innocent.
“So you drove the shuttle today?”
“I did. We have two dozen women who were accepted for the jobs at Xenia. The shuttle is full.” He grinned easily.
“Do you like driving them in?”
He shrugged. “It was tough at first. They were so quiet, like if they made noise I’d jump back there and eat them. But now, they’re pretty cool. They all tell me about their day and how magnificent Xenia is. How lucky I am to live here.”
“You
’re a likable guy,” she said softly.
“Of course I am,” he chided. “You like me.”
He’d told her before—back during their island time—how much he loved her. But to his surprise, she rejected his admissions of love. So he wouldn’t make that mistake again. Not yet. Not until she grew comfortable with this between them.
“I do,” she said, leaning close to him. Her head tilted up to his, and he lowered his head, touching his lips to hers. She was soft and delicious, her lips sweet like bubble gum.
“Get a room!” Jason hollered, as Lily giggled. They waved as they headed through the woods, leaving the row of cabins behind.
“Well, at least we have privacy.” He grinned at Sunny. “Our nosy neighbors are gone.”
And he had six hours to make an excuse to go pick up Heather.
For now, he focused on reminding Sunny—without the words—that she was completely, entirely his mate.
Soon, he would have her begging.
“Come here.”
His voice was blunt and rough as he slid a hand into her chin-length, straight hair—the silky strands escaping the confines of the top knot she sometimes wore—cupping the back of her neck and hauling her up against him. He expected her to struggle, even steeled his hold against it as he covered her lips with his. Hard and ruthless, he swept a tongue against her lips, prying them open to delve inside.
But she didn’t struggle. Her lips parted as she melted against him. Her sweet taste exploded on his tongue, the softness he found almost bringing him to his end then and there. Soft hands went from clinging to him, to feeling his chest, and then one of them slid up into his hair. Another growl broke from the back of his throat as her slender fingers tangled in the long locks, teasing and tempting him.
It was just too much. He’d intended the kiss to demand her compliance always—to make her beg for more than just kisses, but for his touch, his thrust, his tongue. But feeling her surrender against him, her mouth soft and pliant underneath his, as her slender body was submissive against his was just too much. Sliding his hands down her sides, he ducked down and hoisted her up to rub her core against him, wrapping her legs around his hips.
She whimpered under his lips, and the tiny noise sent arousal thundering through his veins like the beast he was. But this…this time he’d make her beg. His kiss turned from hard and brutal to slow and sensual. Expecting her to push him away at any moment, he concentrated on memorizing the taste of her, how she felt under his hands, the touch of her hands in his hair. If he never had another taste of heaven like this, he wanted to remember every moment of this one.
But she didn’t push him away. Instead, her hips rocked against his, and he groaned, his cock hard and heavy against the warmth of her covered pussy. His hands tightened on her hips, and it was all he could do to keep them there. The flimsy fabric of her skirt inched up her thighs, but they were nothing more than a brief annoyance.
She tore her mouth from his. “Take me inside,” she breathed.
Without a word, he strode the rest of the way to their cabin, kicking the door open as her arms wound around his neck as if she’d never let go.
Then she surprised him. She reached between them and released his pants, freeing his erect cock. She pushed her panties aside and eased the swollen lips of her pussy over the blunt head of his painful erection.
Instant wet heat engulfed his sensitive head. She fit him perfectly, and he fought the urge to thrust uncontrollably into her wetness, because barely covering the tip was just too much temptation.
Sunny took matters into her own hands, tightening her legs so her feet anchored his ass to her, forcing him to plunge into her core. She moaned into his ear and ground herself on him.
“I can press my clit against you,” she whispered, and his lust factor ratcheted up.
He growled, incapable of speech, his upper back leaning toward the wall, watching as Sunny raised and lowered herself onto him, fucking herself, using him, taking her satisfaction. When he thought he could stand it no longer, the soft, swollen confines of her ripe cunt exploded around him, milking his cock into an orgasm that made him see stars.
He let her quivering pussy envelop him in gasping tremors as he walked to the bedroom to fuck her all over again.
* * * * *
“Where are you going?” Sunny asked sleepily.
“Sleep,” he said, bending over her beautiful, just-satisfied face. “I’ll head to the mess hall before they close up and grab us some dinner.”
He whipped his shirt over his head, knowing if his chest wasn’t covered up, Heather would be tempted to run her fingers over him. How could she not? He had better chest muscles than most human weaklings. He flexed his pecs to see the muscles jump.
“Seems a shame to cover all those glorious muscles up,” Sunny said, watching him from beneath hooded eyes.
“First thing I’ll do is strip when I come back with our food,” he promised and leaned over the bed to kiss her. Her slender arms wrapped around his neck without hesitation.
“Sunny, I love you.” The words fell out of his big mouth before he could think about his resolution to avoid what she ran from before. But to his surprise, her eyes widened, and her arms tightened around his neck, holding him tight.
“Beast, I love you, too! So much. I can’t imagine not being with you every single day.”
He groaned, opening his mouth over hers. He came down onto the bed, covering her with his large body. He kissed her until she couldn’t see straight, and then slowly pulled away. “I need to get going unless we plan on eating cream of chicken soup tonight. Especially since our cook, Lily, seems to be off today.”
Sunny laughed. “Off with you.”
He kissed her one more time before he finally tore himself away and headed out the door. He had to make it out to Jett and Brax’s place, escort Heather in and grab some grub to make it back before Sunny suspected that he was meeting Heather.
* * * * *
Sunny watched him leave the cabin. Finally. Their lives could begin anew, no more misunderstandings between them. They’d talk about their feelings when he returned with the meal.
She ignored the tiny voice in her head that reminded her of Jett and Brax’s comments. It wouldn’t hurt to run by their place just to see if Beast was there, would it? Surely he wouldn’t be. He was warm from her bed, for land sakes.
She showered in less than five minutes, but the nagging in her head continued. She wouldn’t be able to rest until she put it away for good. She’d admit her distrust later to Beast when they were curled up around each other with their bellies full, and they’d have a good laugh over it.
She slipped out the cabin door and headed for Brax and Jett’s place.
Chapter Eleven
Sunny realized she was being ridiculous as soon as the view of the hidden den was in front of her. She had no reason not to trust Beast. She loved him, and he loved her—since before they’d even come to Xenia.
A rustling of the trees told her Jett and Brax were hidden, and now what would she say about following Beast through the forest? What would she say if Heather would emerge and want to chat? She was so stupid.
The vine-covered hidden door slowly opened. Sunny couldn’t believe her eyes as Beast emerged, a giggling Heather behind him.
“What the hell?” Her voice was incredulous and carried on the wind. Both Heather and Beast grew instantly quiet.
Heather blinked. “Sunny, hi. I didn’t know you were here.”
“Sunny. Baby, what are you doing here?” Beast said, his voice thick. Guilty. And why shouldn’t it be? From far behind her, Sunny could hear movement from the twins. She looked back there. The leaves rustled, but they continued to hide.
“This is the tramp you’re interested in?” she called out to Brax and Jett. “The one you’ve been afraid to see you? Obviously, she’s not worried about how inhuman you look. She seems very interested in another Xeno Sapien.”
“Sunny,” Beast growled.
“It’s not like that.”
“How dare you! You’ve been playing me? You’re interested in her? Why wouldn’t you just tell me?”
“Sunny, calm down. Your emotions are out of control right now. You never practiced your control. You could do something dangerous.”
Dangerous? Was he serious? He’d thrown away her love and was calling her dangerous? A sick feeling hit her stomach. Maybe he hadn’t been in love with her. Maybe he was just worried about her sucking the life from someone, and he thought he’d keep her in a state of happiness to avoid that. He had mentioned once or twice that she should practice her control over her power, but she didn’t think it necessary.
“Sunny, it’s not like…what it looks like.” Heather held her hands out in a placating gesture. “I mean, I look forward to our walks through the woods—”
“How many?” Sunny’s voice was cold. “How many times has he walked you?” It was her understanding that others volunteered also. But was Beast here more often than anyone else?
Heather blinked. “Well, every time, but—”
“I see. So you’ve been meeting my guy every time you’ve been to Xenia…twice a day…and you don’t think anything’s wrong?”
The back of her neck felt hot like a laser flushed heat right up her spine and through her skull. It made her words bite more than they should. She was spitting mad.
Heather gasped in fear and took a step back.
“Sunny, back away,” Beast warned. “She’s a human.”
How dare he? How dare he act like she was the one in the wrong? From behind her, the trees rustled as if the twins finally decided to come running out. Of course, they would. Had they introduced themselves to Heather long before this, none of them would be in this predicament. But now they’d run to throw themselves in harm’s way, to save the damsel in distress from…her beast.
Her heart hurt. He was hers. He had always been hers, and how dare he look at another?
The air was thick and humid, and the light seemed to dim suddenly. Heather clutched her chest as if trying to breathe, dropping to her knees as if she was being suffocated. All around her, people seemed to be yelling at once, but Sunny heard it as if through a fog.
