by JAX
How could she have been so wrong? Not only about Dare, but Jared and Dahlia, whom she’d known and trusted with her life for the past five years.
Her legs gave out from under her and she managed to sit on the threadbare couch before she toppled both her and Katya to the ground. The tears kept falling and she wasn’t able to stop them until she felt hollowed out and exhausted.
When she blinked open her eyes and realized that she’d cried herself to sleep, her eyes felt like someone had installed sandpaper on the backs of her eyelids. Her face was swollen and sore, and her chest still ached, as well as her heart.
She slowly sat up, her stomach growling, and she realized she hadn’t eaten for over a day. Thoughts of when they had all had breakfast and found out about the detonated device in the first place tried to intrude and she shoved them aside. She couldn’t function if she continued to let herself wallow in her emotions. She needed to function. It was time to go back to being totally independent and figure out what she was going to do next.
It was obvious that for at least now she was stuck on Gavin 1, but she knew other ships would eventually come and she could talk her way on board and away from here. After all, she was an excellent ship’s mechanic and could fly nearly anything—both very marketable skills. If she had to, she could also play up her time as Red Death.
Dani spent the next four days fixing small appliances for the residents and helping do things like patch roofs, forage for food in the forest, and fish in the lake by the waterfalls.
She was walking back to Katya’s with a string full of fish when she heard a large ship break orbit and begin the descent to land.
She tried to keep from looking up and battled back the stab of hope that speared through her. They had left her without explanation. She refused to forgive or give them the chance to hurt her again, no matter what excuses they had.
When she reached Katya’s, the woman was more exited about the string of fish than the obvious ship that was landing beyond the sandpits.
Dani offered to clean the fish, but Katya would have none of it, pushing past Dani to clean the fish in her small front yard and rinse them with water from the old-fashioned water pump.
When Dani heard Jared’s voice and Dahlia’s light laughter, she hugged herself and sat back on the threadbare couch where she’d had her emotional meltdown days ago.
The voices came closer, prodding her until she finally stood and went to the door to peer out.
Dare trailed them both and although he tried to catch her gaze, Dani purposefully looked away, keeping the hurt close so she wouldn’t soften toward him.
“Dani,” Dahlia called as she entered Katya’s small yard.
Dani turned around to face the house, unwilling to lose the tight rein on her emotions in front of them.
Jared said her name, too, but she refused to turn around.
When Dare said her name, she couldn’t stand it anymore. She turned and ran directly for him. When she was close enough, she planted her right foot and pushed off into a jump kick. Her boot connected with his jaw … hard. His head snapped back, toppling him back onto the ground. He landed with an oof, then looked up at her with obvious confusion and hurt flowing over his features.
“Bastard,” she accused. “Don’t look at me like that. You left me without a word and now you come back trying to act like you’re the one who is hurt. And you two.” She whirled, fixing Jared and Dahlia with a lethal glare. “I would’ve never thought you’d betray me like that.”
Before either of them could speak, Dare broke in, “Dani, we told Katya where we were going. It did take us a little longer than we expected, but we didn’t leave without a word. We couldn’t find you that day to say good-bye.”
Dani turned to look at Katya and when she read the truth on the woman’s face, another knife of betrayal slid deep. “Katya? Why?”
The old woman looked sheepish but raised her chin in a defiant gesture. “To protect you, child. That was the same way Devil broke my heart. He said he would be back for me and he never came. The MacFadyens can’t be trusted, and I didn’t want you to go through the same thing I had.”
Dani resisted pointing out that she’d been put through the pain regardless of Katya’s efforts. Instead, she turned away from Katya and faced Jared and Dahlia. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know. I thought …”
Dahlia rushed forward and captured Dani in a bear hug. “It’s all right. We know what you thought. We would never leave you like that, Dani, but I’m so sorry you thought we did.”
Dani’s heart melted just a little and she stepped toward Jared, who gave her a similar hug to Dahlia’s. “I’m sorry, boss.”
She nodded and blinked back the tears that threatened to fall.
Then she took a deep breath and decided to face head-on the situation she’d dreaded since she’d heard the truth.
Dare still lay on the ground and she went to him, kneeling to trace the growing bruise on his jaw where her boot had connected.
“You really do have a killer jump kick. I’m glad I didn’t get the full effect the other day in the sandpit. It would’ve rattled my brains.”
Dani couldn’t help the small chuckle that escaped even as a fat tear began to roll down her face.
Dare sat up and this time caught her gaze. “Dani, I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine what it felt like to find us all gone like that. Let me make you a promise that I thought I’d never make to any woman in my life. I’ll never leave you like that. If I do have to leave for some reason, I’ll talk to you first and be up front. I’m not a secretive man and I would never hurt you on purpose.”
Dani leaned over and brushed her lips over Dare’s, the only apology she could manage unless she wanted a flood of tears instead of just a few.
A small crowd had gathered and they rushed Katya’s yard calling to all of them in excited voices.
“Just where did you go, Dare?”
She’d never seen Dare look self-conscious before and she frowned as confusion swirled through her.
“We went to find food, medicine, and supplies. Most ships will avoid the system for a while afraid of the radiation from the device, so we figured while we were here we’d drop off some supplies to hopefully hold them over until we can send more ships or find some others who will deliver them for us.”
Dani’s heart melted the rest of the way and a surge of emotion swamped her, but this time it was warm and comforting instead of painful and scary.
Could it be true? Did she love this generous, tender man?
She thought it might be true and she’d have to sort out the implications later, and figure out if Dare loved her too. A lot would ride on whether he felt the same way or not. She’d always prided herself on being independent, but somehow she knew if she were with Dare she wouldn’t be giving that up, and neither would he. A few more tears fell, but she brushed them back and smiled at Dare. “Well, then what are we doing sitting here? Shouldn’t we be helping offload?
Dare laughed and swatted her ass as she stood. “Let’s get to it.”
Jared and Dahlia led the way, but the four of them spent the next several hours offloading and then distributing the supplies. The Grand Council took the medicine and some of the supplies to distribute to the outlying areas, but the rest was divided up among the residents who were close by. Dani knew they would share with those in need, that was the way on Gavin 1, and she was proud that Dare had thought about doing this.
Six months later
Dare led Dani out onto the dance floor and the guests on his latest voyage made room for them. Her black slinky dress felt smooth and silky under his hands, and he had to fight not to drag her back to their quarters and peel her out of it.
It had been a busy day for them both and there was still work to do.
Their day had started early by being “attacked” and boarded by Red Death and her skeleton crew. From there Dani had joined the patrons for breakfast. She’d charmed them through the rest of the day, even part
icipating in the crew’s exercise regimen and regaling the patrons with stories from her marauding days.
Dare had managed to steal her away for lunch back to their quarters where he’d made love to her until they’d both fallen into an exhausted sleep until it was time to clean up for dinner.
Now they were both attending the nightly dance in the large cleared-out rec room. The first dance was traditionally theirs; then they would separate, Dani charming the older men who frequented these voyages and Dare charming the women. Although he’d noticed that he did a lot more fighting off roaming hands than she did. Perhaps because the men were afraid of the wrath of Red Death? He smiled at the memory of their fight in the sandpits. Those men were right to be concerned.
Movement to their right caught Dare’s attention and he turned in time to see something flitting in the air just outside his reach. In the darkened room it was hard to make out just what it was, but then something swooshed down, capturing it and pinning it to the floor.
“Careful, human male. I was just repaired!” The familiar mechanical voice made Dare groan. Not Pussy-do!
Jared closed the distance between them and Dare could see he was holding the end of the net that had captured the obnoxious piece of silicone.
“I thought you shot that thing!”
“I did. One of the crew took pity on it, brought it over to your ship when we moved, and repaired it. Unfortunately, it still has its memory banks intact and has already taunted half the crew and a few of the patrons.”
“Dare, show us that rather impressive cock! It’s bigger than me, and I know Dani has to have been quite happy with it these last six months. Come on! Bring it out and show us. I’m sure all these people will want to see.”
A titter rose from the patrons and a few women called out for him to show them.
Embarrassed and ready to have Dani alone, he led her off the dance floor calling for Jared to shoot the offending pleasure probe again.
The denials and begging for its life followed them out of the rec room and down the hall to the lifts.
Dani smirked up at him as they stepped onto the lift. “I’m glad I don’t need a pleasure probe anymore. But Pussy-do was right, I’ve been quite happy with your wonderful cock for the past six months.”
“Care to extend our agreement? I know we agreed on an eight-month trial for this arrangement, but I’d like to talk about extending it indefinitely.”
Dani’s heart clenched and a rush of warmth spilled through her. “What did you have in mind, Dare MacFadyen?”
He grinned and fished a small box out of the pocket of his jacket. “I propose that you make an honest man out of me and that I finally tame Red Death once and for all. What do you say? Are you up for the biggest challenge of our lives?”
When he snapped open the box to display a delicate platinum ring with one of the largest gems she’d ever seen gracing the top, Dani sucked in a breath.
Where did he get that? Only on Earth did they still make such things as engagement rings. When did he make the trip, and why hadn’t she noticed he was gone?
“Remember when Jared and Dahlia went on their honeymoon a few months ago? Dahlia picked this out and brought it back for me.”
Tears threatened at the backs of Dani’s eyes and she blinked them back. What an old-fashioned romantic gesture. She loved every minute of it, and she loved this man.
“I love you, Dani McGovern, and I’m pretty sure you love me too. So what do you say?”
In answer, Dani threw her arms around Dare’s neck, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed him, exploring his mouth with teeth and lips and tongue like she had when they’d first met.
A groan rose between them and she wasn’t sure which one of them had made it.
“Let’s get back to our quarters before I take you right here in the lift.”
Dani laughed. “Who knows, it might be a good draw for your patrons.”
Dare swatted her ass as the lift doors opened.
“I’ll do a lot for my patrons, but I draw the line at letting them watch.”
Let’s talk about JAX. I have an aka. You may know me as Jacquelyn Frank. Now, I’m not getting tricky on you or trying to confuse you; it’s just that sometimes I write something that goes a little out of the norm—walks a fine line with erotica, or perhaps crosses right into it. So we created JAX. JAX will be where you can find a steamier side of Jacquelyn Frank. In the end, though, it’s all still me. I still live in Asheville, North Carolina, with my nine cats. (I swear … nine is my absolute limit! No, I mean it this time!) I still love my little girl to pieces, and I’m still trying to save the world one book at a time.
Feel free to contact me at [email protected] or come and visit me at my website at www.jacquelynfrank.com and read all about the Nightwalkers, other planned series, and to join in the forum’s discussions and the live chat room.
Jenna McCormick has tried on many accessories, including early childhood educator, Navy wife, video store clerk, photographer, and mother of two. The “wife” and “mother” shoes got stuck, and she found the hats of mystery and romance novelist are a perfect fit—and don’t clash. She lives near Charlotte, North Carolina.
Visit her on the web at authorjennamack.com
Cassie Ryan started her published writing career writing steamy paranormal romance under another pen name. However, when one of her critique partners—Brit Blaise—suggested she try her hand at erotic romance, she gave it a shot! After all, she’s not a girl to turn down a challenge of any type. So, she pulled out all the stops and wrote the first several chapters of what would become Ceremony of Seduction.
After hearing Audrey LaFehr, from Kensington, speak at RWA Nationals on a new erotic romance line she’d started called Aphrodisia, Cassie sent in her partial and went back to writing. So, when Audrey fished her partial out of the slush pile and offered her a three-book deal, Cassie Ryan was officially born.
Cassie lives in Phoenix, Arizona, and, besides being a write-a-holic, is a frequent speaker on several writing and motivational topics.
Visit her on the web at cassieryan.com
THE BID
Discipline of Love
Strapped and chained on the block, a masterpiece of naked flesh and muscle turns slowly … the eyes of the crowd devour the sight of Vejhon, whose platinum-white hair and cat-green eyes mark him as newly captured from a wild planet on the outer edges of space. The noble men and women erupt in a bidding frenzy—that finally stops on a man named Najir. This strikingly handsome man who strangely resembles Vejhon cries out the winning bid on behalf of the lady he serves. Hanna Drakoulous now has a matched pair of the finest males in the galaxy… .
Shackled, Vejhon can only marvel at the mysterious beauty with blue skin and shining eyes whom Najir clearly worships. But Vejhon refuses to humble himself—until Hanna’s kiss strikes him like lightning. First dominant, then sensually tender, she arouses him to explosive sexual passion that goes beyond the limits of physical pleasure. What manner of mistress has bought him and what does she want? Freedom is what he wants, but will she be worth the price?
NO MERCY
Insatiable Need
Gia has no interest in settling down with one man for the rest of her life. She simply wants sex, hard and fast, with no strings attached. But on a planet of empaths, finding a man who can satisfy her urgent need seems impossible … until Zan appears. A space pirate too handsome for his own good, he offers the carnal pleasure she craves and danger she can’t deny… .
In a moment of pure ecstasy, Gia’s health guard malfunctions, allowing Zan’s memories to become hers. Exposed to a secret Zan has long guarded, Gia suddenly finds herself on the run with a man she doesn’t trust. But together they discover the red-hot passion they share is their only protection from the dark powers hunting them… .
VISION OF SEDUCTION
From A Vision of Passion …
Katelyn Hunt is fascinated with the sexy stranger who has been hanging out at her New
Age store for the last week. As a Seer, the sensual power she feels from this man of mystery intrigues—and arouses—her. But only his touch allows her to truly see what it would be like to lie beneath him naked and exposed, experiencing complete sexual surrender. And this vision is just the beginning… .
To a World of Pleasure …
As Prince of an otherworldly clan who use sexual energy as their life-force, Grayson de Klatch has searched far and wide for the Seer who can help save his planet. And when he finally finds Katelyn, he knows he has discovered his future mate. His body craves the sex her body so willingly offers, and he aches with the need to make this woman his own… .
YES, MASTER …
Enter a world of forbidden pleasure, where complete surrender means total ecstasy… .
STARK PLEASURE
Tawny Taylor
Alice Barlow is sexually inexperienced, but no stranger to erotic desire. After one night of unimaginable pleasure with the darkly enigmatic Tristan Stark, she can only beg for more, eager to obey his every command… .
RUBY’S AWAKENING
Anne Rainey
Ruby London can’t wait to celebrate her big promotion, but her boyfriend leaves her high and dry. When she spies her darkly sensual neighbor naked in the pool, she’s ready to get wet for a long night of untamed pleasure… .
RUNA’S HIGH
Vonna Harper
