Rescuing Rory

by N. J. Walters

  He stilled and his eyes grew darker and more serious. “Yeah, you do. I didn’t even realize there was anything missing in my life until I met you.” He slid his hands down her torso and around to her hips. Then he lifted her up until the head of his cock brushed against her opening.

  She bit her bottom lip to keep from moaning out loud. Her pussy was throbbing with need, yet again. For a woman who’d managed to avoid sexual entanglements for most of her life, she was quickly becoming addicted to Kal.

  He eased her down on his shaft, one slow inch at a time. Rory gripped his shoulders and felt the anger and sadness inside her dissipate. The past was just that. It was gone. She could either wallow in it or embrace the here and now. Who knew what the future held?

  Kal’s scar seemed whiter and his hands tightened around her waist. When she was finally sitting on his lap they both breathed a sigh of relief. He filled her, driving out all the bad things in her past, giving her something new and beautiful to focus on.

  “We’ll fight,” she pointed out. No way they wouldn’t. The last weeks of her life aside, she was used to being independent and answering only to her father, the captain of the ship where she’d lived and worked.

  Kal lifted her several inches off his cock and then plunged her back down again. “Inevitable.” He lifted her again and again. “But as long as all our fights end with us making up like this, I don’t care.” He grunted when she took over and began to undulate at her own pace. “In fact, I might look forward to them.”

  Rory laughed. She couldn’t help herself. “I can be just as stubborn as you,” she pointed out.

  Kal tucked her against his big body and rolled, taking her under him. “But I’m stronger.”

  There was no denying that. “So might means right?”

  He lifted both her legs until her knees were pressed against her chest. His cock throbbed inside her and her pussy clutched at him. She couldn’t get him deep enough to suit her. “I’ll make sure you’re always happy with the end results,” he told her. Then he began to fuck her.

  Nothing gentle. Only hard, fast thrusts. “Mine.” He pounded into her again and again. Rory clung to his shoulders, digging her nails into him. He retaliated by fucking her harder.

  A thin sheen of sweat coated her skin. The slapping sound of their flesh meeting time and time again ratcheted up the sexual tension. She had to come. Now.

  “Kal.” She cried his name. He swore, reached between her legs and brushed her clit with his finger. Rory’s lower body spasmed, squeezing his cock as she flew apart.

  Kal knew he couldn’t last much longer but he tried to hold out as Rory orgasmed around his shaft. She milked his dick hard and he lost it. He roared her name as he came. His balls tightened and his released rocketed through him.

  He kept fucking her, unable to stop. She was his. She’d agreed to stay with him. He collapsed and barely kept from smothering her beneath his much larger body. Rory wrapped her legs around him as if she didn’t want to let him go any more than he wanted to be released.

  It might be crazy but Rory made him happy. And he hadn’t felt anything remotely near that emotion for more than a decade. Even before Abigail had been kidnapped his family had been through hard times.

  He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer. Rory made him vulnerable but he didn’t care. He’d only been half living for years.

  “You okay?” he managed to ask after several long minutes.

  She waved her hand limply. “I may never walk again but otherwise I’m fine.”

  Kal laughed and swatted her playfully on the butt. “I need to get back to work and so do you.”

  “Yeah. Yeah. Get what you want and then put me back to work.” He could tell by the tone of her voice she was teasing but he never wanted her to doubt she was important to him.

  He rose on his hands and drove his semi-erect cock back into her. He was getting harder by the second. He’d always had a healthy sex drive but had no idea he could recover this quickly. Rory obviously inspired him.

  Her eyes widened. “Again.”

  He drove into her several more times. “I never want you to think I’m only using you for sex. Yes, the sex is great.” He closed his eyes as she intentionally tightened her pussy around his shaft. “But it’s more than that.” He felt awkward even trying to talk about his feelings.

  Rory let him off the hook. “I know,” she told him. “It’s the same for me.”

  He groaned and kissed her, wanting to inhale her essence into his body. Mine. The word vibrated in his head and it felt right. He forgot about his brothers, about getting back to work. All that mattered was Rory and the way she completed him.

  * * * * *

  Kal strode into the control room, barely able to keep the smile off his face. He felt refreshed after sleeping for seven hours straight and eating a hearty breakfast. That and the sex with Rory had left him feeling invigorated.

  Rory was in the cleansing unit when he’d left and planned to get back to work on the list she was making. She’d finally kicked him out of his own quarters, their quarters now, he supposed, and he found himself grinning at how much he liked that idea.

  He was worried she would be sore after their lovemaking. And while she told him she wasn’t, he wasn’t taking any chances. No sex for him today. That meant he needed to work. He also needed to tell his brothers about the change in Rory’s status aboard ship.

  Flynn pinned him with a searching gaze the moment Kal walked in. “Finally decided to show up to work.”

  Behind Flynn’s back, Garth gave him a thumbs-up.

  “Rory is back to work on the list. And she’s settling into my quarters. Permanently.” Better to get everything out in the open.

  “I knew it.” Flynn gripped the arms of his chair so tight Kal was surprised the darn thing didn’t crack. Then the arm being gripped by his robotic hand splintered. Flynn swore and jumped to his feet. “I don’t want a woman on board.”

  “Why not?” Kal asked. His other brothers avidly watched the two of them. He wanted to gain their support. “Rory is a great mechanic.”

  “You only have her word for that,” Flynn pointed out.

  “Why would she lie? It’s easy enough to check.” Kal made his way over to his oldest brother, the one who’d held their family together through thick and thin. Kal didn’t remember his father very well. Whenever he’d needed anything as a child it was always Flynn he went to. Flynn had often been mother, father and brother to all of them.

  Kal placed his hand on his chest, feeling his heart thumping beneath his palm. “She makes the ache go away.” It was as simple and complicated as that.

  Flynn swore and dragged his real hand over his short hair. “Damn it, Kal.” He took a deep breath and slowly released it. “The first time she causes trouble she’s gone.”

  Kal’s shoulders relaxed and the weight he’d felt on them slid away. “She won’t cause any problems.”

  Flynn snorted. “Dream on. Women are always trouble.”

  Kal turned to Amos and Garth. “What do you have to say about it?” He’d gotten Flynn’s grudging approval but they made all major decisions together. And adding a woman to the crew was certainly a big change.

  Garth grinned. “If she makes you happy, which she obviously does, I don’t mind her being on board. She certainly brightens up the dull atmosphere around here.” His brother held his hands up in mock surrender when Kal frowned at him. “I promise I won’t give her too hard a time.”

  That was the best Kal could hope for. He looked at Amos. “Well?”

  Amos shrugged and then leaned back in his chair. “You say she’s a good mechanic?”

  Kal nodded. “Learned on her father’s ship.”

  “Good enough. I’d like to take her to the engine room and try her out later.”

  Kal tensed at Amos’ choice of words. “I’ll go with you.”

  “See, it’s started already.” Flynn glared at him. “If you can’t trust your brothers wit
h her or her with them then she has to go.”

  He knew Flynn was right but that didn’t make it any easier. “Okay,” Kal conceded, knowing Rory would have to be alone with his brothers eventually. He decided he’d simply monitor their communications through the security feed.

  “I don’t want her having unlimited access to the ship. Not until I’m sure of her,” Flynn continued. “She can be coded into your quarters and the galley but that’s it. If she goes anywhere else on board she has to have one of us with her.”

  “Fair enough.” And it was more than Kal had hoped for.

  “Might as well know what we’re getting ourselves into.” Flynn motioned to Amos. “Take her down to the engine room and run her through her paces. See if she knows what she’s doing.”

  “Sure thing.” Amos pushed out of his seat and headed toward the door.

  “In the meantime,” Flynn continued, “you need to get back to work finding out where this Jasper Freeman calls home. We need to focus on our search for Abigail.”

  “I’m on it.” As much as Kal wanted to go with Amos, he knew he had to accept that his brothers were going to be alone with her. He trusted his brothers and, even though he’d only known her a short time, he trusted Rory. She had to find her own place on board the ship if she was ever going to be truly accepted.

  He caught Amos’ eye and his brother gave him a slight nod. Kal didn’t exactly relax but he did feel better. He immediately went to the communications station and began his search for Jasper. He pulled on his headset and opened up the hall monitors so he could follow his brother as Amos made his way to Kal’s quarters.

  “I know you’re watching and listening, little brother.” Amos glanced up at one of the monitors and waved. “I’ll take care of your girl.”

  Kal should have known better. Amos knew him well and expected him to observe. Kal shrugged and leaned back in his chair to watch and listen. He kept one eye on the search he was running for Jasper and the other on the monitor. He was vaguely aware of Flynn and Garth working behind him.

  Amos reached the door to Kal’s quarters and knocked once before putting his hand on the security lock. It was coded for all the brothers so the panel slid open. The visual security for their quarters were disabled as all of them liked their privacy. As long as the door to his room remained open, Kal could use the hall monitor just outside to see into the space.

  Rory glanced over her shoulder and then jumped to her feet when Amos stepped into the room. “What do you want?” The suspicion in her voice was edged with fear.

  “Kal said you’re a mechanic.”

  “Yeah, so what?” Her tone was getting more belligerent by the second. Her shoulders were squared and her hands were curled into fists by her side. Kal knew she was afraid and trying not to show it. If he didn’t know her so well, he might not have noticed it.

  “Come with me.” Amos motioned to the door. “We’re going to the engine room.”

  “I’m not going anywhere with you, buddy. I don’t know you at all.” Kal almost broke into the conversation but held his tongue as he wondered what Amos would do next.

  “But you know Kal. Trust him too.”

  “What does that have to do with anything?” Rory’s gaze darted around the room. Kal could tell she was looking for a weapon of some kind. It struck him like a blaster shot to the midsection that she thought Amos was there to make a move on her.

  “Kal knows I’m here.” Amos cocked his head to one side and studied her. “If you want to stay, if you want to be part of the crew, I have to know what your skills are.”

  “I just bet you do.” Rory edged toward the bathroom. He noted that her hands were shaking.

  Kal hated seeing her this upset. “Rory, it’s okay.” She froze when she heard his voice over the communication system. “You can trust Amos.” What he didn’t say was that she could trust him. Once she got to know his brothers better she’d never have these kinds of doubts again.

  She glanced around her but stopped her furtive movement toward the only other room in the small quarters. “You’ll be there.”

  “I’m here. I’ll always be here.” He knew both Flynn and Garth were listening to him but didn’t care. This was all about reassuring Rory. “You won’t be alone,” he promised.

  Rory released a pent-up breath, her entire body wilting for a moment before she straightened. “Okay.” She faced Amos. “Lead on to the engine room.”

  Amos stepped out and waited for her to follow him. “This way.”

  Chapter Nine

  Hours later, Kal concentrated on his search for Jasper, paying only minimal attention to Amos and Rory. The two of them were speaking a language he barely understood. No doubt about it, Rory knew her way around engines and mechanical systems. More than that, she seemed to be enjoying herself.

  He glanced at the monitor and chuckled. Rory was wearing an old pair of overalls that were way too big on her. Both the sleeves and legs were rolled up into thick cuffs. She was on her back half under one of the thrusters with Amos sprawled beside her. The two of them were fiercely engrossed on whatever they were doing.

  “Seems she wasn’t lying.”

  Kal glanced up at Flynn. “Seems she wasn’t.” It was only he and Flynn in the control room. Garth had left several hours ago to catch some sleep. They had someone manning the control deck at all times, which meant one of them caught up on sleep during the daytime hours. None of them minded. It was a small price to pay for peace of mind and safety. They’d long ago learned to nap whenever able and they could all function on little rest.

  “I still don’t think this is a good idea,” Flynn began, making Kal tense all over again. “But if she makes you happy that’s all I care. She’s still on probation until I say otherwise.”

  “Understood.” He didn’t have to like it but he did understand his brother’s reasoning. Rory was still very much an unknown quantity.

  “Go get her and feed her.” Flynn frowned. “And she’s going to need clothes.”

  Kal suppressed a grin, knowing his brother wouldn’t appreciate it. Part of Flynn might be ready to toss Rory out at the next planet stop but the other part, the protective side of Flynn was already taking care of her. Kal knew that was the first sign of his acceptance.

  “I’m on it.” Just as he pushed away from his station, a monitor beeped. He slid back in and started tapping on his keyboard.

  “What is it?” Flynn demanded.

  “I think I’ve found Jasper Freeman. He’s not listed as the official owner of the compound but I tagged some of Freeman’s known associates as well. This property is owned by one of his staunchest supporters. It’s a big property and seems to be the hub for his little cult.” He brought up the map and coordinates. “A planet called Eden, it’s part of the Aurora Cluster.” He sent the flight data to Flynn. “You can set a course.”

  Flynn didn’t waste any time. “We’ll have to stop for supplies before we reach there. We need to restock and Rory needs clothes.”

  Kal consulted the maps once again and made a quick search. “Oasis is on the way.” The small supply planet was at a crossroads between three different systems. They’d stopped there before.

  Flynn quickly set a course. Kal could see the tension in his brother’s body. “We’ll find her.” He wasn’t sure who he was trying to convince, himself or Flynn.

  “I know.” Flynn stared out into the wide expanse of space that lay before them.

  It would take them a week to reach Oasis and several weeks after that before they finally made Eden. Kal knew that no matter how long it took they wouldn’t stop looking. This wasn’t the first lead they’d had but it was the best one. And it was thanks to Rory.

  Kal went to his brother and waited until Flynn acknowledged him. “I probably don’t say this enough but thank you for everything you’ve ever done and continue to do for all of us.”

  Flynn shrugged. “You’re my brothers.”

  And that said it all. To Flynn that was reason
enough for everything he’d ever sacrificed. Kal reached out and dragged his brother into a hug. “We wouldn’t have survived without you,” he whispered.

  Flynn returned his hug. “You won’t ever have to worry about that. I’m too mean to die.”

  Kal laughed in spite of himself. Flynn released him and thumped him on the back, and Kal was grateful he was wearing a battlesuit. It would, hopefully, keep him from bruising too much. Sometimes his brother didn’t know his own strength.

  “Go see your girl,” Flynn told him. Kal didn’t need a second invitation.

  “Call me if you need me.”

  Flynn just waved him away and turned back to staring out into space.

  * * * * *

  Rory would be the first to admit she was having the time of her life. It had been far too long since she’d been able to tinker with an engine and she’d missed it. There was something in the way all the parts of a system went together and worked in harmony, an order that helped ground her in spite of all the uncertainty in her life. Amos was indeed a kindred soul. His engine room was as pristine as hers had been.

  She faltered as the familiar pain lanced her heart. Her father and the Traveler were both lost to her. But she had a chance to build a new life.

  “What do you think?”

  It hadn’t taken Amos long to accept that she knew what she was talking about but he continued to test her knowledge. “I think if we add another fuel cell to this unit we can get another twenty percent capacity out of it.” She’d done it with her father’s ship.

  “What about the cost?” he pointed out. “Fuel cells aren’t cheap.” Amos slid out from under the thruster and wiped his hand on a rag he pulled out of his pocket. Like her, he was wearing overalls. The only difference was his fit him. The pair she was wearing bagged on her everywhere.

  She slid out and accepted the rag when he handed it to her. “They might not be cheap but you won’t worry about that when space pirates are on your tail.” She finished cleaning her hands as best as she could and handed the rag back to him.

  The panel slid open with a whoosh and Kal stood in the doorway. She knew she had grease on her face and her hair was probably all standing on end but she didn’t care. She was just so happy to see him.