Phantom Warriors Volume 2

by Jordan Summers

  Katy refused to admit that he had every reason to gloat.

  Kegar gritted his teeth as he pressed inside her. She was so unbelievably tight that it took the last shreds of his control not to lose himself on entry. He kissed the side of her face, his lips feathering over her brow and down her nose, before finding her mouth. Honey and light poured inside him as he thrust forward until his cock nudged her womb, then thrust a little further still. She moaned, opening just wide enough for him to slip his tongue inside her mouth. He slanted his head and began to explore in earnest.

  She matched his movements her tongue tangling with his as he rode her gently at first, waiting for her body to adjust. Katy was perfect in every way and she was his. He’d gotten her agreement, perhaps under duress, but he wouldn’t let that little detail deter him.

  Put your hands on me. I want to feel your nails score my skin as I take you. He rocked his hips and she gripped his shoulders. That’s better. Do not hold back. I want everything. I will try not to hurt you, but know that it’s my people’s way to inflict pain, while bringing pleasure. He threw the last words out in challenge.

  Katy’s gaze narrowed. “You’re not going to hit me, are you?”

  Never! Affronted, he shook his head. My hands will only bring you enormous pleasure.

  She searched his face, then seemed to come to some kind of decision. “Then I can take it.”

  Kegar smiled. I knew you could. I’d expect nothing less from my mate.

  She frowned. “Mate?”

  He didn’t answer. Instead, Kegar bit her lower lip and drove into her. He caught her gasp, while plundering her mouth. She shifted her hips to better accommodate his size. Kegar took the opportunity to grasp her legs and bring them up over his shoulders. The angle allowed him to penetrate to her soul.

  Katy broke their kiss, her head thrashing from side to side as his hips began to piston. Her nails tore at his flesh, leaving streaks of blood behind. The coppery tang scented the air, along with their lovemaking. Kegar’s grip tightened, as the fleshy nodes on his cock rose, stroking her internally like a thousand tiny fingers.

  “Oh my goodness, what is tha—”

  Katy came apart beneath him, before she could finish her question. Her body clamped down on his shaft hard enough to send him over the edge. Kegar bellowed, convulsing as he pumped his seed into her. She milked his life force, drawing it in until he collapsed. Their lungs strained as they reached for air. He forced himself to roll, taking Katy with him. She lay on top his chest, her body soft and sated, dripping over his length like warm honey.

  They didn’t stir, content to lie in the other’s arms. Kegar stroked her back, cupping her bottom to bring her closer to his face. You are all I’d ever hoped to find. I am pleased and honored that you’ve chosen to be my mate.

  * * * * *

  Chapter Three

  Katy’s drowsy mind came awake instantly. Kegar had mentioned something about being his mate earlier, but she’d been too distracted to respond. Now she wasn’t. Mate was a term used most commonly when referring to animals. What was he talking about? Even as the question formed in her mind, she had bad feeling that she already knew the answer.

  “Kegar, I can ignore the fact that you talk directly in my mind. I can even accept that I was a willing participant during sex. But, I have a problem with this whole ‘mate’ business. Especially, since I know you’re part of some elaborate hoax, concerning the saber-toothed cat. Want to tell me what you mean by mate?” She sat up onto her elbows so she could look into his face. If he lied, she’d know it. “Then we can get around to who hired you.”

  He took a deep breath and released it. You are not going to like the answer.

  She glowered. “Try me.”

  I am not involved in any deliberate deception. It is against my nature to do such a thing.

  Katy wanted so badly to believe him. He looked genuinely sincere. Was it possible that Kegar was a pawn, too? That still didn’t explain the whole mate business. “You said mate,” she prodded for him to continue.

  My people are different than yours. We mate only one time. Our women grow fewer in numbers. Due to this anomaly, our males have been forced to seek mates outside our clans. Earth holds our best chance at defeating extinction.

  “Earth?” Katy felt the color drain from her face. Why did she always pick the jerks and the crazies? She sat up and swung her legs over his chest, pulling their joined bodies apart so she could stand by the side of the bed. “The least you could’ve done was tell me the truth. I’m all for a good gag, but this is pathetic.” Hurt, Katy turned to walk out of the room.

  Kegar leapt from the bed and landed on Katy, bringing her gently to her knees. He held his weight with his legs to keep from crushing her. I have never lied to you. I would never lie to you. That is not how mates behave.

  “Get off me.” She dropped to all fours and tried to scuttle away, but the warmth of his body seeped into her, causing her knees to wobble. The scent of his skin surrounded her and Katy’s head spun. Her body flushed, coming alive instantly.

  She took another step and Kegar’s teeth clamped onto her shoulder at the base of her neck, then he growled. The warning was clear. He didn’t want her to move. Well too fucking bad. Katy tried to crawl forward, but before she could take one step Kegar entered her in one thrust, nearly lifting her to her feet. She gasped as he reached beneath her to pluck at her nipples and thumb her clit. Everywhere he touched, fire erupted. She tried to squirm, but his teeth sank deeper, piercing the tender skin at her nape.

  “Ouch,” she gasped. “Okay, I won’t move.”

  He didn’t answer her as he pulled his cock out of her until only the tip remained. Katy whimpered as desire roared to like once more. She rocked back to capture him, but he held her firm. It was a sheer act of dominance and damn if it wasn’t turning her on. No man had ever handled her this way. Maybe that had been the problem all along. She wasn’t frigid. She simply needed a firm hand.

  As if to confirm that fact, Kegar stroked her clit. Katy flinched, then moaned as her sex flooded, drowning his cock in her juices. His tongue lapped at her neck, while his teeth kept her in place so he could take her the way he wanted her…which turned out to be hard.

  Kegar’s hips pounded her flesh, driving into her until Katy was convinced she’d choke on his shaft. She lifted her butt higher to meet each frenzied thrust, taking him as deep as her body allowed. He grumbled something she couldn’t make out, then raked his nails along her legs until he held her waist. Katy’s nipples bounced and her body quivered as he slammed into her again and again.

  She heard whimpers coming from somewhere and realized she was the one making the noises. The suctioning sound intensified as he rode her toward completion. It wasn’t just sex, it was possession. Kegar was trying to absorb her body and soul in this feral mating. Something inside Katy shifted, locking into place like a puzzle piece. Instead of fighting the onslaught, she softened, her body readily submitted.

  Kegar threw his head back and roared. The hair at the nape of Katy’s neck stood on end. The only time she’d ever heard that primal sound was when she’d camped in Kenya. The native guides had told her the lions were mating. Before she could turn to see what was happening, Kegar pinched her clit and sent Katy into the abyss.

  He released his grip on her, but his tongue continued to lave the spot he’d bitten. He was back to making those purring sounds deep in his throat. I’m sorry if I hurt you, but I couldn’t allow you to leave.

  “I wasn’t going anywhere.” But you will be, was left unsaid. As mind-blowing as the sex had been, Katy knew there was no way they could stay together.

  We need to talk.

  She glanced at him. “What do you think I’ve been trying to do?”

  The phone’s shrill ring interrupted their conversation. Kegar slipped from her body, leaving Katy feeling empty and cold. Their combined juices ran down her legs, coating her thighs, making them sticky. It was amazing how fast sex could tu
rn into something else. Not love, but something…which was odd since she didn’t really know this man. Katy refused to admit that she’d like to get to know him better. It worried her that she was already starting to develop feelings for him. Where could a relationship that started like this really lead? No where.

  The phone rang two more times. “Kegar, I have to answer that.”

  Dread filled Katy as she saw the number on her caller ID. Crap! She didn’t need this right now. She picked up the phone. “Manfred speaking.”

  “Where in the hell are you?” Roger’s voice boomed. “I’ve been waiting at the facility for over three hours.”

  She glanced at the clock on the wall and cringed. “I’m at home, sir.”

  “I know you’re home. What I’d like to know is what you’re doing there?”

  Katy pictured Kegar’s naked body and blushed. “Nothing, sir.”

  “Where’s the cat? You do know if he’s authentic and not surgically enhanced, that we have the find of the century in our hands, don’t you?”

  “I understand,” she said, realizing Roger wasn’t part of the hoax, if he’d been waiting this whole time. Damn, that meant the only person who could locate the cat was Kegar and he hadn’t exactly been cooperative in that regard. She glanced back toward her bedroom.

  A groan of frustration sounded in the background before Roger Sylvan spoke again. “Why did you break protocol?”

  “The site was compromised and I was worried that we’d lose our find.” Which wasn’t a total lie, but certainly not the truth.

  “I don’t want to hear your excuses. I took you in after your parents died, when you had no job and nowhere else to turn. This is how you repay me?”

  “Excuse me?” How dare he pretend that she was a charity case. “You hired me because I’m the best tracker west of the Mississippi.”

  “Save it,” he snarled. “You know what this means.”

  “Yes, sir, I do.” It meant she was out of a job. It had been one thing to think about it in the realm of possibilities, but now that it was certain, the reality was disheartening. How was she going to be able to keep her house? Her car? She’d barely gotten by on her Bio Tech salary. Katy couldn’t afford a pay cut with the cost of living in Los Angeles being so high.

  “I’m on my way over now. I expect you to hand the saber-tooth and your resignation in at the same time. Do we understand each other?” he asked.

  She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. What was she going to do now? Tracking was her life. She didn’t know how to do anything else.

  “Katy, are you listening to me?” he asked, shuffling paperwork.

  “Yes, I heard you.”

  “That cat better be ready for transport in thirty minutes or getting fired will be the least of your worries. Bio Tech doesn’t take theft lightly.”

  There was a click and then the dial tone rang in her ears. She needed to find out where the saber-tooth was before Roger arrived. That was the only chance she had of staying out of jail and it was a long shot at best. She refused to believe there was no hope. She hadn’t had the cat long after she left the Tar Pits. All she had to do was prove it.

  Katy strode back inside her bedroom. Kegar was propped in the middle of her bed with his hands behind his head. His magnificent cock rose like a fist in the air at the sight of her. “Don’t you ever get tired?” she asked, indicating to his erection.

  Not where you’re concerned.

  “Listen Kegar, we have to talk. My boss is on his way over here to pick up the saber-tooth. I need to know where you put him or I’m sacked.”

  Sacked?

  “Fired…unemployed…finito. Get it?”

  I understand, but you won’t need the job where we’re going.

  “Where we’re going? We aren’t going anywhere. I have a job here—or at least had a job. My life is in L.A. I don’t know how to do anything else and in thirty minutes my boss is going to knock on that door and expect to see a saber-tooth. If I don’t give it to him, he’s going to have me arrested for theft. So are you going to tell me where you hid him.”

  I cannot.

  “Cannot or will not?” Katy planted her fists on her hips and glared at him. Didn’t he realize he was playing with her future?

  Kegar sat up. It is not that simple.

  She threw her hands up in the air. “Men!” She snorted. “It is that simple. Either you know where your buddies hid him or you don’t. It’s not like you could’ve moved him on your own.”

  You’d be surprised what I can do, but as you said, we don’t have much time. So I’ll have to show you once we get to Zaron.

  “Grr…you are impossible!”

  No, I’m a Phantom Warrior.

  “A what? What’s a Phantom Warrior and what’s a Zaron? Oh, forget it. I have to throw some clothes on and try to come up with a plausible reason for the cat’s disappearance. Emphasis on plausible. If you aren’t going to help, then just get your things and get out. The last thing I need Roger to see is a naked man hanging around.” As the words left her mouth, Katy realized how ridiculous a notion that was.

  Kegar had arrived naked. He had nothing to take. She stared at him a few seconds, absorbing his magnificence. She couldn’t allow him leave like that. The women of L.A. would riot. The thought of Kegar with another woman sent an unexpected spike of jealousy through her.

  Who is Roger? And why do you wish to avoid his discomfort? His voice was deceptively calm.

  “He’s my boss.” Katy shrugged. “And my ex-boyfriend.” She raised her hand to stop him from speaking. “Before you say anything, I know dating the boss was a stupid move on my part. It’s not one of my proudest moments.”

  You’ve lain with this man. Is he the one who caused you to doubt yourself as a woman?

  “No, yes, no, it’s complicated.” Kegar was way too perceptive for his own good. Katy opened her drawers and began to dig through her clothes. She didn’t want to discuss Roger or their crappy relationship. She wasn’t about to touch their sex life after what she’d just experienced with Kegar. She dug deeper. There had to be something here he could wear. She found a pair of cutoff shorts that she’d bought when she’d been a size sixteen. “Here,” she said, tossing the clothes at him. “They aren’t pretty, but at least they are loose and should provide you with a little cover until you can get to the clothes you stashed.”

  Kegar caught the shorts. I’m quite comfortable the way that I am.

  “I bet you are.” She grabbed some clothes for herself and dressed quickly. The doorbell rang as she tied her last shoestring. Damn, Roger was early. He’d told her thirty minutes. He probably did it to catch her red-handed, except the laugh was on him because she didn’t have the cat. Katy glanced in the mirror at her reflection. Her lips were kiss swollen, her make-up was smudged, and her hair looked as if she’d just gotten out of bed. Pretty accurate all in all.

  She took a step toward the hall. Kegar reached out to stop her. Before you go, I think there is something you need to know.

  She whirled her hand to indicate he should hurry up.

  There was no cat. It was an…illusion of sorts.

  Katy rolled her eyes. “I didn’t tranquilize an illusion.”

  No, you shot me.

  “What are you saying?” The doorbell rang again. It was quickly followed by a loud obnoxious knock.

  Kegar reached out and stroked the side of her cheek with the back of his hand. So beautiful.

  “Kegar, honey, focus.” Katy snapped her fingers and gave him a warning glance that she hoped said she wasn’t up for playing any more games.

  I have not lied to you. I am a Phantom Warrior from Zaron. Planet Zaron. I am not human, so therefore the rules of this planet do not apply to me. I can run with the beasts by changing my form, walk through your walls and hide myself from prying eyes.

  Katy stared unblinking for the longest time, unable to say a word. Her mind replayed the day’s events with extreme accuracy. Could what he was saying be tr
ue? As much as she wanted to believe him, there was no way. The pounding grew louder, followed by a command to break down the door. “Wait right here,” she said, racing for her front door. She couldn’t afford to fix it if she were unemployed.

  She slipped the locks and opened the door. “What in the hell is the matter with you, Roger?” Katy looked past his shoulder and saw two Bio Tech security team members waiting in the wings. “Why did you bring them? That’s overkill even for you.”

  Roger wore a belligerent expression on his face. “I needed someone to carry the stolen property. Besides, you’ve been acting so bizarre that I couldn’t take the chance that you might refuse to hand the cat over.”

  She snorted. “Stolen property? I’ve never stolen anything in my life.” Katy wasn’t sure what had gotten into her. She should be trying to keep her job, not baiting the boss.

  He pushed his way into the house, leaving the security team outside. “Then you won’t mind if I take a quick look around.” He glanced over his shoulder into the front yard. “This will only take a minute,” he said, shutting and locking the door behind him. Roger started his search in the kitchen, then made his way back to the living room. “I see you haven’t bothered to make any changes to the place, even after I gave you all those wonderful suggestions.”

  Katy wanted to tell him just what he could do with his suggestions, but she didn’t. Instead, she prayed that Kegar had found a good place to hide. He’d claimed to be an expert at it. Let’s hope he was telling the truth.

  Roger stormed into the bedroom, then suddenly turned on Katy, his gaze narrowing as he took in the rumpled sheets. He sniffed a couple of times, making a show of flaring his nostrils. “You’ve been having sex,” he hissed in disgust.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Katy said, rubbing her arm and looking around to see if she could spot Kegar.

  Roger took a menacing step toward her. “Drop the act, princess. I can smell sex in this room.” He pointed without looking. “Who have you been fucking? Is that why you rushed home, instead of bringing the cat to the facility? I can’t believe you’d endanger an animal that way, not to mention the public.”