Jaron's Promise

by Michelle Howard

  He fought the urge to reach for her. To brush fingers down her narrow back in reassurance. “I know. He must be working with Lothar.”

  Her flinch increased Jaron’s growing anger. He shot to his feet and paced. Nothing he did now would help either of them. Only the strangle hold on his ire kept Jaron calm. Focus and hope Torkel and his team mates arrived soon was all he had.

  Sasha blew out a breath and stood. She wobbled then regained her balance. With his back angled to the side of her, Jaron watched from the corner of his eye to give her time to recover. He understood pride as much as the next person.

  It happened in gradual increments. Her spine snapped back, shoulders straightened. Those beautiful green eyes flashed with fire as she tipped her head side to side as if shaking off what she’d gone through. Then she spun in his direction on the balls of her feet. As graceful in this form on two legs as her cat on four.

  “I killed the one guard. There’s no telling how many more are here helping the good doctor.” No remorse in the declaration. Steel determination glinted from her gaze. She lowered her voice to keep it from traveling beyond their two cages. “Who are you really, Jaron? Can we count on help from your people?”

  How did she discern anything more than what he presented? Jaron studied her stiff posture as she waited. How much intel did he share? Revealing his identity as a Jutak warrior not only jeopardized him but it jeopardized those he worked with.

  A snap decision to help her was one thing. Debating on if he could trust her took longer. What he did next would govern how they related to one another going forward. He knew that. If he refused to answer in this moment of her vulnerability any chance to connect with her would be lost.

  “Your hesitation says a lot.” The smile she gave held a return of the former spirit and courage he’d witnessed earlier.

  Following her lead, he kept to a whisper. “Jutak warrior and yes my team will look for me.”

  She closed her eyes, head dropping forward. Relief? Dismay? When she looked at him next, her lips curled up. “Bounty Retriever.”

  Ah. That explained her poise in their current standings as well as the lithe body. “Fighting skills I take it?”

  Mirth danced in her gaze. “A bit.”

  More than a bit, he’d wager after the fight she’d put up. Invigorated for the first time since capture, Jaron nodded. “Good, you’ll need it. What do you know of The Collector?”

  “I know enough to know he’s bad news.” She swiveled around and pointed at their cell mates, raising her voice. “Each of us needs to do what we can to help one another. Staying here will eventually see us all killed.”

  The female Earthling came to the far end of her cage, closer to them. “Like your talking? Be quiet like they ask and maybe, just maybe they’ll let us go.”

  Sincerity filled her statement as if she actually believed her words. She appeared nothing like the Earthlings his friends selected as Chosens he realized in disappointment. The human warranted watching. He’d have to be very careful about the things he shared with Sasha.

  When prisoners grew desperate they turned on one another. This one seemed on the verge of collapse from her experience. A simple phrase, encouragement or reward from The Collector would easily turn her lack of allegiance.

  Sasha huffed and braced her hands on the hips he’d admired. “You keep believing that.”

  Jaron leaned close and spoke as low as possible. “No matter what happens. Hold on and I promise my team will get us out of here, Sasha.”

  She tipped her head in his direction and smirked. “All of us or are they coming for you, handsome?”

  He laughed, enjoying her feisty nature. “All. It’s our mission to help and serve.”

  Doubt flashed then she flicked a finger at him and narrowed those green eyes. “You get us out of here and I owe you an authentic Argoran dinner.”

  Jaron didn’t know what that entailed. He just knew he wanted whatever she willingly offered. The way her eyes sparked and the attraction steaming between them had his shaft jumping. “Done.”

  Comfortable silence settled between them and he sensed her deep in thought. Thinking of what The Collector put her through? Jaron sucked his bottom lip between his teeth. Every interaction drew him closer to her. He should create a modicum of distance. Rest, go to his corner. Anything besides what he wanted to do which was offer more reassurances and comfort.

  Of course, the ingrain response pertained to how he’d aid any fellow team mate. Sasha and he didn’t have a connection or a reason for him to feel this way except she was the closest thing he had to a partner here. Against his better judgment, Jaron asked, “Talk about it or ignore it?”

  She padded on her bare feet to a far corner and lowered herself to sit chin propped on her knee, arms wrapping around her slender legs. “Ignore it.”

  It went against his nature to leave it alone. He was born to help, and having sisters only fostered the natural inclination. Since she’d made her wishes clear, Jaron had no choice but to accept her decision. “Your choice.”

  Later that night she challenged his commitment to his earlier vow. In a short time, Jaron found himself relaxing with his shoulders and hips aligned against the bars. Not quite asleep, but not completely awake either. This way he could watch her as he dozed.

  He wasn’t sure what increased his awareness. The scrape or shuffle of a foot?

  There was definitely no missing the sound of a body settling near him. Stiffening, Jaron opened his eyes, already knowing what he’d see. Sasha had moved closer. Not quite touching but if he stretched his hand between the bars he could trace the delicate lobes of her pointed ear.

  Unexpected chuckles broke free. Probably lose a finger or two if he tried. Argoran females could be particular about who they allowed to touch them in this vulnerable state of sleep.

  Which begged the question of why she’d moved close to Jaron to begin with.

  Chapter 6

  2 Weeks later

  Another night here. Another night of captivity. Jaron glanced to the right in the waning light filtering through the window near the ceiling. Another night of Sasha moving closer to the bars while she slept. Light snuffles from her pursed mouth had his lips quirking. Cute and distracting even in sleep.

  When awake, she disarmed and deflected with her mix of tough no nonsense exterior countered by short bursts of inner vulnerability. She tried hard to hide the soft parts going so far as to snap or respond to his conversation with cutting remarks which hid her true feelings, but her eyes gave her away every time. The green stare would always tell the truth of what she felt.

  Their small group continued to be subjected to experiments. Sasha only once more, the others at least twice. All except Jaron, though he tried to mentally prepare for when his time came.

  “How long do you think we’ve been here?”

  Sasha’s question broke the silence. Jaron shifted and rolled onto his side to face her. Apparently, something had awakened her. Slight creases marred her smooth cheeks from the way she’d slept and her green eyes held a shimmer of drowsiness. Usually Sasha dropped off with seemingly little effort only to rise in the morning with an alertness Jaron could only admire.

  Mornings weren’t his best and he took a while to get himself together. Not that anyone knew his deep guarded secret. If his team mates figured it out, they’d use it to get back at him for all the jokes he played on them.

  “Not sure.” He’d lost track of time, though he guessed at least a week or more had passed since his capture.

  “Hmm.” She folded her arms beneath her head and stared at the ceiling.

  Snores from their cell mates assured they shared a rare moment of privacy. This wasn’t the first time they talked in hushed whispers in the dark. Jaron waited for her next question because Sasha always had questions. It was as if she thirsted for conversation, leading him to wonder what her life as a Bounty Retriever was like.

  He’d never met one, though he understood they ten
ded to operate on the opposite side of the law depending on the client. Rumors claimed them to be a rough bunch with a thin code of honor. After meeting Sasha, he tried to view his perception with the reality of her. Was she capable of getting the jump on runaway criminals?

  Yes. Jaron could well imagine her in full sprint chasing a bounty. Muscles flexing, long legs stretching out. Or responding to theft claims, the angles of her face sharp with concentration as she retrieved stolen artifacts.

  It was a loner profession. No team or partner needed. Maybe that was why she talked. Argorans were social by their very nature. He relaxed back against the floor and listened as she rambled, throwing out question after question.

  Tonight’s topics ranged from reasons why he became a Jutak, his toughest mission ever and to his amusement his favorite food. He answered each until she threw him off with the last. What she asked left Jaron stunned for words. “What?”

  Her chuckle whispered along his nerve endings adding to the sudden spurt of desire pouring through his every fiber. “You heard me, Jutak.”

  Despite the teasing they’d developed, Sasha only used his title if no one else could hear. More proof his trust wasn’t misplaced.

  She eased up to her elbow and propped her chin on her palm. Desire stirred. Rounded breasts, plump and full drew his gaze, the dark nipples crinkled in texture. Perfect weight for his palms. Tempted further, he allowed himself to fully enjoy her exposed form. Something he’d been too respectful to fully take advantage of before. Tight quads, delicate knees and firm calves he’d witnessed during her attack.

  “How do you like a woman to kiss you? Are you one of those soldiers who likes it hard and bruising where a girl’s lips are numb after? Or do you skip kissing in general?”

  Words failed him. Only Sasha could blindside him like this. He shouldn’t be surprised since she never did the expected. And yet he floundered for how to answer. The wicked glint assured she well knew what she did to him. Two could play.

  Jaron rolled to his back, propped his arms behind his head and stared at the ceiling to block the image of her smirking expression. The throbbing erection he sported rose against his abdomen. Nothing he could do about it unless he wanted to take himself in hand.

  “Well? Is it a top Enotian secret?” Humor and her snickers encouraged him to join her in this subtle dance they played.

  Mild flirtation, sexy taunts and dares neither of them planned to follow through with. It was a byproduct of their situation and he had to remind himself of that whenever temptation reared its head.

  Jaron cleared his throat. “Every woman kisses different.”

  “Not an answer.” Her snort shot another jolt to his loins.

  He tilted his head toward her, catching the mischievous smile and the dare in her green eyes. Behind the bravado he also caught the quiver of her nostrils, the rapid beating pulse at the base of her throat. Though she’d twisted to her side, giving him her attention, Jaron knew her nipples would be rigid peaks. He directed his gaze back to the bland ceiling with its uneven gray walls.

  “As I said. Every woman kisses different. Being the tough soldier I am, I tend to initiate the kisses.” Her feigned choking sounds made Jaron’s mouth curve up. “But I don’t have a problem with a woman kissing me.”

  In fact, he loved it. There was something about a woman confident enough to lean toward a man, reach up for him and pull his mouth down to her for a passionate kiss. Lust spiraled through him and his cock lengthened, the head twitching.

  “Your thoughts are showing,” Sasha quipped.

  Jaron’s laugh burst out. “Crazy cat.”

  “You still haven’t answered my question,” she pointed out.

  Her persistence created its own blend of arousal. Instead of asking why it mattered, he continued. “Certain situations call for certain kisses. I prefer soft. The brush of a woman’s mouth against mine, her tongue wet and slick.”

  His hips pumped up against his will, thrusting into the air. He reached down, stroking himself from tip to base and her gasp filled the night. “I like to feel her hands in my hair while she holds my head as if she doesn’t want me to pull back. Tentative and aggressive at the same time, do you know what I mean?”

  Aching all over, Jaron didn’t wait for Sasha to answer, too lost in describing the perfect moment while rubbing his shaft. “But only in the beginning. Then I like to take over. Grip her hair tight and yank her head back, causing her sharp gasp so I can make the kiss as deep as I want it to be. Rock her hips into mine while I taste her over and over.”

  Air thick with the seductive atmosphere he’d created, Jaron waited, hand poised in a punishing grip on his erection. When no joke came after his recitation, he glanced over at Sasha. Eyes glazed and mouth open, she stared. She’d changed positions and lay on her front, head tilted his way.

  “Nothing to say?” He arched a brow.

  “I’m going back to sleep.” Abrupt and harsh.

  Then putting action to words, she turned to her other side facing the opposite direction. Jaron didn’t mind since her new position offered him a prime view regardless. Curves, slim lines and all legs. If they didn’t have the bars of these cages separating them, he’d slide behind her, pushing his hips along those plump ass cheeks and bury himself between the toned thighs. Filling his hands with her rounded breasts would add leverage as he pulled her in close for each thrust.

  Fuck! He jammed his fists to his eyes. Nothing could dispel the image permanently imprinted on his brain. No one to blame but himself. His body burned with need and Jaron groaned, uncaring who heard the raw sound.

  ***

  Foolish, foolish, foolish. Starting the conversation with Jaron about kissing was the wrong thing to do. Decisive and to the point, his answer thrilled and aroused. Laying in the dark with her eyes closed, Sasha listened as he explained how he wanted a woman to kiss him. From his warm voice to the low tone he used, all of it shifted that last sliver of distance between them and turned her on as much as it turned him on. Scent didn’t lie.

  She imagined herself in the role of the woman he kissed, easing his mouth open, taking her time as she slid her tongue between his lips and savored the wet heat of him.

  Sasha wanted to groan, but Jaron kept giving details about how he’d take over and make the kiss deeper. Every word dripped from his mouth with seductive potency, leaving her loins aching. She opened her eyes able to watch as he handled his hardened length. Slow and firm. When he stopped, and spoke to her, she wanted to beg him to continue. Instead, using what will power she possessed, Sasha lied and claimed the need for sleep.

  Having her back to him didn’t help. The heat of his stare burned into her skin. It took effort but gradually she grew drowsy. Until he began to speak again and Sasha knew there’d be no rest for her tonight.

  “After I tasted her mouth, I’d satisfy my other craving by licking her all over. I’d start with the dip at her collarbone, the sensitive area where a mere whisper causes a woman to tremble. Taking my time, I’d work my way down to her nipples. The moment my mouth touched her there, do you know what I’d do?”

  Sasha swallowed, wanting to whimper and bit her bottom lip. Don’t answer. Don’t answer. “What would you do?”

  “I’d wait,” he continued in his husky voice, “until her breath caught. That fine sound that let’s a man know he has her full attention and she’s on the cusp of completely surrendering to the heat between them.”

  Damn him. Sasha panted and shifted on the hard floor trying to find a position that didn’t increase her desire.

  “That’s how I like to be kissed by a woman,” he finished.

  Sasha muttered a nasty name for him under her breath. Not low enough since Jaron’s low chuckle assured he’d heard.

  A grin tugged up the corner of her mouth.

  “Goodnight, kitten.”

  Chapter 7

  Jaron should have known his time was up. A single guard came in and stopped at the cage where the female from Eart
h sat chewing on her knuckle as tears slid down her gaunt cheeks.

  She shook her head in denial. “Please. No.”

  In one smooth motion, he aimed his laser at her head and powered it on. Another guard approached Jaron’s cell. This one without a weapon. Gripping the bars, his heart beating a hard tempo, Jaron asked, “What are you planning to do?”

  “We are aware you have a…care for women from the planet Earth. You will come with us calmly or she will be eliminated now.”

  The Earth woman cried out and scooted back as far as she could in her tiny prison. Sasha hissed and the snick of her claws sounded overloud to Jaron. He didn’t dare glance in her direction. If he did, they’d know instantly the Argoran held more importance to him. Right now, The Collector probably used his knowledge of Joni’s connection to the Jutaks to predict Jaron’s reactions to Earthlings.

  Jaron would have done it for anyone. He raised his hands waist high. “Lead on.”

  After the appropriate steps, the door swung open. Jaron stepped out and eyed the guard. “If you hurt her, what I do to you will look like a child’s worst nightmare.”

  Helmets covered the faces of both guards but neither hid their flinch or the stiffening of their shoulders beneath the bland uniforms.

  “Move,” the one without the weapon prodded.

  Jaron went along without a fight, breathing a sigh of relief as the second guard took up position behind him, leaving the Earth female unharmed. The trip through the hall provided no clues to where he was. They traveled across tiled floors with gray walls on either side of the hall and passed several empty corridors.

  Silence prevailed and the lack of any noise unnerved. It was as if they were in an empty building, yet Jaron and the others were proof of living beings present. He followed until they reached a door which slid open at their approach. Sensor activated he thought at first then spotted a tiny camera to the left of the doorway.