Jaron's Promise

by Michelle Howard

  Kyele and Jaron fell behind. If Kyele edged close, Joni spun, flashed her breasts and did a shimmy. Each time he tripped and fell.

  When they reached sections too hard for the Earthling, Sasha knelt and allowed Joni to climb on her back as she used her Argoran strength to power through. Slowly a rising tide of cheers came from behind them as they veered around the end and headed back. Only two more hurdles to finish.

  Sasha tackled the obstacle with the same energy she’d taken on the others. Her hands gripped the black bars above her head and swung her legs forward. The momentum propelled her up. Joni cried out behind her.

  Then Kyele roared. “Joni!”

  Sasha dropped instantly and turned. Joni lay on her side, one hand braced on the grass as she tried to stand. The ground beneath Sasha trembled as she shifted and raced back, her claws tearing up the green in jagged tufts. Kyele got there before her, gripping Joni’s shoulders. A team of black clad soldiers tore through the course, several dropping to their knees around the two.

  Sasha shifted, completely nude since she’d ruined the leather pants in her rush to get to Joni. Hovering around the broad shoulders blocking her view, she hoped Joni was not seriously injured.

  “I’m fine, Kyele. Just pregnant.”

  Everyone went still around them.

  “You are with child?” Kyele’s voice was a stunned murmur.

  He helped Joni to her feet, his hands running over her body. Dr. Maku came running out much to Joni’s dismay.

  “I’m really not hurt. I got light headed, but that’s normal since I’m having a baby.” She continued to protest.

  Sasha relaxed. The Jutaks backed off and she had a clear view of Joni with her hair falling about her face. The other female met Joni’s gaze and laughed. “We almost won, will you still teach me?”

  There was only one answer. “Yes.”

  Chapter 21

  The excitement over Kyele and Joni’s news spread. Jaron escorted Sasha back for a change of clothes and waited while she dressed. He’d elected to take her to his living area, though she hadn’t seemed to notice. Jaron debated giving her another room and decided against it. They had the space available, except he wanted her with him. He wasn’t sure how long he had to convince Sasha they belonged together, which made him resistant to being parted from her for any length of time.

  “Your Unit seems very nice.”

  Jaron looked up from his seat at the bottom of his bed. Sasha exited the cleansing room, a drying cloth wrapped around her body. He stood as she walked toward the folded stack of clothes next to him. The white fabric clung to her, creating dips and revealing mouth watering curves.

  As soon as she was within reach, he looped his arms about her waist. “They are good soldiers and better friends.”

  Jaron knew everything about each of the members on the three teams that comprised their Unit.

  “That must be nice.”

  He frowned, unsure what he sensed in her tone yet not liking it. He sought to read her expression, but she kept her head ducked down. “It is.”

  “I should get dressed.”

  While she made the statement, she made no effort to move. Jaron slid his arms up her covered back then down again. The mood shifted, the sensual pulse of awareness flickering to life between them. No Dr. Kirkem, no drugs, no desperate race to escape.

  Just them.

  Together.

  Jaron nudged her chin up with his knuckles. Green eyes peered back, her lips plump and alluring in their fullness. “What’s going on in your head, kitten?”

  Her tongue peeked out and vanished in the next breath. Her thick lashes fluttered as she stared into his eyes. “After I speak with your Unit Leader, I’ll need to move on.”

  Hiding his flinch was a trial. His thumb swept across her bottom lip pressing on the middle dip until her mouth parted on a gasp. “Or you could stay a little while.”

  Surprise and pleasure flashed in her gaze. “Do you think that wise?”

  Yes. Both of them were drawn into the web connecting them and more time would tighten the bond. Jaron wanted Sasha. Wanted to see what could be.

  “Are you always so cautious?” He countered.

  A spark lit in her beautiful eyes and her mouth curved up. Jaron slid his thumb forward and Sasha closed her lips and sucked. Shivers rolled down his spine, his gut clenched and the image morphed into how good she’d look sucking another part of him.

  She released his thumb with a plop and dropped the drying cloth, baring her body. “Not always cautious.”

  Passion ignited and Jaron lifted her, spinning to place her on his bed. The white linen contrasted with the rich brown of her skin, every inch smooth and lickable. He crawled on the bed, caging her body beneath his.

  “Jaron.” She sighed his name and extended her arms to rest on his shoulders.

  He was glad he’d removed his ruined shirt earlier. The only barrier between them his dirty uniform pants. Sasha’s hands glided down his chest, pausing at the thin trail of hair at his torso.

  When she reached his belt, he widened his knees and brushed her hands aside to make quick work of it. Her hands delved into the open flap and Jaron groaned at the warmth of her grip. She stroked several times and his hips pumped into her tightly closed fist. The need for more had him pulling away on a rough snarl.

  Sasha laughed, her smile and eyes shining up at him. Jaron rose from the bed and yanked off his pants and boots. She stretched out, arms above her head. “Hurry, Jaron. I can’t wait.”

  His cock throbbed. Jaron took a deep breath then joined her. Instead of climbing over her, he knelt at the apex of her thighs. Her folds glistened with signs of her arousal.

  He smelled her rich cream and fought the need to bury his face in her treasure and devour her one slow lick at a time. Legs splayed, thighs quivering, Sasha was a sight to behold. Jaron settled at the warm juncture, rubbing his cheek against the inside of her right knee. “Have I told you how much I want you?”

  If he could have said love without scaring her, he would have. Nothing else could describe this all-encompassing emotion swelling in his chest

  ***

  There was no hiding the desire which blazed from Jaron’s blue eyes. Sasha ran her hands through his blond hair, the texture soft and sliding through her fingers. Fear should have compelled her to leave this bed. Leave this man who pulled at every part of her heart, mind and soul. But she couldn’t. Sasha was caught in a design of her own making.

  She wanted this with Jaron. She wanted to hoard each kiss, each touch and each moment.

  “Sasha?”

  Attuned to her nuances, he now stared at her from between her legs. Pushing back thoughts of the future, Sasha smiled, rocking her hips up. “What are you waiting for, Jutak?”

  His gaze smoldered. Sasha didn’t look away, her core clenching in anticipation. Jaron lowered his head slowly. She held his stare, flesh pebbling until his lids closed and the first touch of his mouth on her body.

  Wet, hot passion exploded. Sasha cried out, arching to his lips. Her fingers locked on his hair as she moved and writhed about the sheets.

  “Jaron, Jaron.”

  His tongue darted from one side to the next, licking fast then slow and repeated the motions. Her butt cheeks flexed as she shifted her knees wider, wanting him deep. Jaron gripped her thighs, holding her still for his torment.

  Sensations bubbled in her mid-section, colliding with the boiling need to come.

  “More,” she panted. She just needed a little more to tip over the precipice.

  Blunt fingers probed her entrance. One followed by another as Jaron caressing the channel milking his knuckles. Sasha growled and snarled, her head thrust back on the pillow. Screams built and rose at the back of her throat.

  Jaron leaned up, temporarily pausing his assault. “The sounds you make drive me crazy.

  Dazed and on the border of release, Sasha tipped her head down. Every muscle in her body trembled. “Why’d you stop?”
>
  Was that her voice slurred and ragged?

  “I want to be deep inside of you when you go off. I want to listen to you purr as you climax.”

  Sasha’s legs twitched in response. Jaron grinned and eased his rugged form over her. He planted his hands by her head and aligned their hips. The thick crest of his shaft probed then pierced her outer folds. Bit by bit, he rocked and stretched. Sasha licked her lips concentrating on the full feeling once he seated himself groin to groin.

  Strain visibly evident on his face, Jaron said, “Prepare yourself, kitten.”

  But there was no preparation for this. Jaron tore through her defenses, his body a rippling tide of muscle and sweat as he thrust in and out. Pleasure wasn’t the only thing to seep through her pores. Low rumbles vibrated from her chest as Sasha purred.

  “Yes, damn you. Give me all of it. Purr for me kitten, purr only for me.”

  He emphasized each demand with a solid pump, their hips smacking together and it was exactly what she needed. Sasha detonated like a missile launched. She screamed his name, her claws dragging at the sheets and climaxed.

  Jaron grunted above her, moving faster now that she’d found her release. He froze then exhaled harshly and crashed back on top of her. The wet of his climax trickling between their thighs.

  The air around them grew still, panted breaths breaking the silence. She glanced down at the sheets now in shreds. Minutes ticked by as Sasha worked to gather the remains of her sanity. To no purpose. She was destroyed.

  Chapter 22

  After Sasha spoke with Torkel Alonson, some of the pressure about being on Enotia eased. He questioned her extensively about her interactions with The Collector. Some points he asked for further detail while others he glossed over.

  Everyone knew the head of the Jutaks here was Marenian by birth. Rumors abounded but none to her knowledge had broached the subject to his face. Torkel’s intimidating presence in the spacious office reaffirmed Sasha’s opinion to stay off the radar of the Enotian military.

  Nothing would get past the brown eyes watching her across the large desk. In the end, he decided Sasha had given as much information as she could. Jaron greeted her as soon as she walked out, his eyes dark with concern. “Are you alright?”

  “Fine.” And she was.

  What should have been a few days blended into one week then two. As Sasha sat in the eating area amongst the Chosen of the Jutak warriors, she wondered at their innate camaraderie. Sylvie was blonde and blue eyed, Chosen to the half-Argoran shifter, Faye with her brown hair and brown eyes was Chosen to Torkel himself which impressed Sasha to no end.

  She’d met Lissi a day or so again. The native Enotian was sister to Torkel and Chosen to a Jutak Sasha had yet to meet.

  Then there was Joni, the red-haired Chosen to Kyele, who didn’t speak much but always watched, silent in his vigilance. Since the announcement of her pregnancy, Joni couldn’t move more than a few feet from his space or he began to fondle the knife on his thigh.

  It would have been amusing if Sasha didn’t feel the thrum of dangerous energy around him every time he did it. She’d witnessed the green eyed, scarred soldier kill once without remorse and bet it wasn’t the first or last time.

  The women’s conversation had rambled into upcoming babies, sensitive nipples and raging hormones. The sharing and obvious love between them hit hard. Another reason to move on. Sasha took a deep breath and blurted, “It’s time for me to leave.”

  Speech broke off immediately and four sets of eyes turned toward her. Sasha cleared her throat, refusing to fidget. “I have to get back to work and there are things I need to get done.”

  “Have you told Jaron?” Faye’s gaze was troubled as she asked.

  Sasha tipped her chin up. “I’m planning to inform him later.”

  Not that he was her boss.

  More blank stares and then they all started to speak at the same time, protests and concerns overlapping one another. Beneath it all, the message remained the same. She should talk to Jaron before making any decisions.

  Sasha laughed. “I’ve been on my own for a long time.”

  Sylvie remained silent though her eyes held…condemnation. Sasha held back a growl. They didn’t know her well enough to try and judge her.

  “Anyway,” Sasha continued, stomach churning. “Jaron will be fine and couldn’t care less that I’m going.

  “You know he has a dick, right? So he’s going to be far from fine about that,” Joni said with all her apparent candor.

  Sasha let her grin fly free. She really did like this female. “Yes, I’ve had ample use of said…dick.”

  And was going to miss it when she left. Back to her lonely existence. Joni sighed and rubbed Sasha’s shoulder. “Take a bit of advice from one who knows. These men, Jaron, my Kyele, they’re a different breed. Like on the outside you think you have them figured out. Then Bam!”

  Joni released Sasha to slam her palms together. The smack had Sasha jumping. Joni grinned. “Then they surprise you by peeling back a layer and letting you see deep inside of them. Jaron did that for you.”

  Sasha tried a joke. “He showed me his guts so I should stay?”

  Joni’s stare was completely serious. “Yes, but he’ll understand if you don’t.”

  Tingles trickled down Sasha’s spine. Joni was too close to touching a truth Sasha didn’t want to acknowledge. They all assumed she would stay here and that Jaron wanted her as his Chosen. He’d not mentioned it once to Sasha. A part of her hurt at the lack while the other part of her pretended it was good because she’d have to turn him down anyway.

  There was no place for her on Enotia with these females and their friendly ways. Sasha didn’t do friendly. She had inherent trust issues.

  Joni stood and pointed to Sylvie and Faye. “I have to pee. Let’s go.”

  “I don’t have to pee,” Sylvie protested.

  “We’re pregnant, we pee together. Now!” Sylvie and Faye blinked but jumped up to join Joni who pointed to Lissi. “Use your mojo and talk to her.”

  Lissi who’d been mostly quiet up until that point waited until the women walked across the room, but not to seek out a cleansing room. “Jaron will be disappointed. He cares for you.”

  Jaron, Jaron. What about her and how she felt? Did no one take into account the Jutak had yet to ask Sasha to stay? “You expect me to stay here and what…do nothing?”

  “Of course not.” Lissi pursed her lips and seemed to debate the wisdom of her next words. “Jaron would never ask that of you. You could still take bounties and he wouldn’t care. I think he just wants you to stay.”

  Sasha didn’t like how Lissi’s words made her want to melt. “I can’t. I’m a Bounty Retriever and we roam. I’ve worked hard to get where I am and I’m good at it.”

  Very good.

  “It brings me pleasure.” And Sasha didn’t want to let that go or the sense of accomplishment it gave her. “I’d never ask Jaron to leave the Jutaks.”

  Lissi’s smile grew soft. “Being a Jutak warrior is who they are.”

  Sasha waved a negligent hand about her. “Do any of you work?”

  Expression going dark and surprising Sasha with her vehemence, Lissi glared. “It is meaningful being a Chosen. I love Rydak and not a day goes by that he doesn’t show how much he loves me in return. Not working for the United Tourism was hard. But I put myself at risk and my children staying there. Rydak never asked me to leave. I did it on my own after Aya came. One parent in a dangerous job was enough and Rydak has already lost one family.”

  Lissi singled out the full-figured brunette. “Faith is from Earth. Torkel was going to help her find a role similar to what she did until she was attacked by Marenians. Even after knowing how worried he was, he still encouraged her to work if she wanted, but she got pregnant and decided not to.”

  Lissi’s finger shifted to the two women standing together and laughing so hard Sylvie had tears. Joni made no effort to hold in her loud chuckles. Obviously, no
one had to use the cleansing room. “Sylvie and Joni. They don’t want to work and have little skills because Earth had a shortage of jobs, but if they did, Arak and Kyele wouldn’t stop them.”

  Lissi took a deep breath. “It’s about priorities and loving another enough to consider their feelings.”

  Sasha swallowed. This tiny woman with her fierce statements made her feel small. “So if I told Jaron I was scared of him going on missions he’d quit the Jutaks?”

  “The Spectar army is the only military force bigger and stronger than the one here on Enotia. Jaron and the guys fight every day to help others.”

  Sasha snorted. “But Enotians are peace loving. Why such a large force?”

  Another smile. “Because we fight for those who can’t. And knowing that, Jaron would still walk away from it if you asked him.”

  Sasha pressed a hand to her mid-section. Conviction. Lissi said it without a single drop of doubt. “It doesn’t matter. I’m leaving.”

  Lissi inclined her head. “It’s always your choice. Jaron won’t stop you.”

  Sasha had enough. She refused to feel guilt about her actions even as her chest grew tight when she turned and walked away. The problem was letting herself believe a relationship between them could work.

  Across the room, Jaron chuckled and knuckled one of his teammates on the head. The male slugged Jaron, laughing as he did it.

  All of them were doing their part to convince her to stay. Lissi, Joni. The side glances from his other friends. It was clear Jaron had a full family of supportive friends.

  Sasha swallowed. Another sign she didn’t fit. She wouldn’t know how to handle all of this.

  Jaron belonged here and Sasha was the one standing on the outside. The women fit as well. There was a synergy between them and none of it included her. Sasha heaved out a breath and gathered herself. She slid into the hall undetected amidst their celebration.