by Bianca D'Arc
He cherished this time and this woman. This love that they shared. It fulfilled him and brought joy to his existence, and he vowed in his heart to prove his love to her every single day for the rest of their lives and beyond.
“I love you so much.” He breathed the words he never thought to speak and reveled in the feelings that swelled in his heart.
His deep voice stirred her senses. She’d loved him for so long, not daring to hope that he would return her feelings. But she saw the truth in his eyes, felt it in the way he worshiped her body with his own. He did love her. She could hardly believe it!
“I love you more than life, Micah. I want to make you happy.” Her words were whispered against his lips as he began to pulse softly within her, picking up the pace rapidly as the desire overcame them once more.
“You make me happy just by breathing.” He moved in her with relentless passion as she sighed, then whimpered, then moaned as the pleasure increased fast and hard. “My happiness is in your arms. In your life. In you.” He pounded into her, emphasizing each of his words so that she would never forget them or forget this moment. “You can’t ever leave me, baby. It would destroy me.”
That last whispered admission sent her spiraling over the edge, her body clenching hard on his, spasming in the throes of the hardest, hottest, fastest orgasm she’d ever experienced. He came with her, shooting deep inside, warming her from within with his come as he continued to pulse.
She held him close as his crisis continued, wrapping her legs around his ass, just barely revealed by the pants they hadn’t taken time to remove completely. They’d never been so explosive before. She smiled as the aftershocks continued, her bliss rising.
“I will never, ever leave you, Micah.” She licked his ear, whispering her vow close as she held him tight in her arms and in her body. “To part from you would destroy me.”
He pulled back, moving slowly within her, feeling the echoes of the pleasure they’d shared. His eyes were wet, their skin heated from the amazing passion that flared between them.
“We are a part of each other. Whatever comes from this day on, we face it together.”
She broke into tears, so happy she couldn’t form words. She clutched at his shoulders, rolling with him as he turned them so he could snuggle her close while she rode the emotional storm. He kissed her softly, stroking her hair and her skin, comforting her as the emotions overwhelmed her. He seemed to understand, and she marveled anew at the fate that would bring such a man as this into her life. He was the most special man she had ever known and she loved him with all her heart.
She whispered that last thought to him as she drifted into sleep, exhausted from the day’s events and the emotional storm, the relief, the joy, and most of all the love. The love is what would make her life sparkle like the most precious of jewels from this day forth.
“What in hell was that?” Darak asked when he could breathe again. He was on the bridge, and he’d just come in his pants. Judging by the expression on the faces of the other crewmembers they’d had similar experiences. Seta was panting, and Agnor was grinning like a fool.
“If I’m not much mistaken, our new Vizier doesn’t quite have a handle on the higher level of shielding he and his lady require yet.” Agnor shook his head in wonder. “Damn, that felt good—and that was just an echo. What must she be like in the flesh?” Agnor stretched, a wide, satisfied grin on his mouth as he picked at his own wet clothing.
Darak had the nerve to laugh. “She is heaven itself, Ag. She blew my mind and then some.”
“You mean he actually let you join with her? I thought he was too possessive to share her with anyone. Even you.”
“I’m pretty sure it was a one-time thing.” Darak was abnormally uncomfortable speaking about such intimate details where Jeri was concerned, but these people were closer than family. If he couldn’t trust them, there was no one else in the universe he could trust. “Did you know she came to him a virgin? She never had a man before him. I think he just wanted to give her the experience of two men at once. She was so responsive. She singed my senses.”
“That one has a fire deep in her soul. Her Talent is just beginning to bloom, and it could well be the strongest I have ever tested.” Agnor’s eyes took on a faraway look.
“She’s that powerful?” Seta was recovered enough to ask, eyeing the two men from her console.
Agnor nodded. “After the way that psi wave affected all of us, she’s either Mage or Mage Master material right now. Perhaps Vizier like I believe Micah is. It wouldn’t surprise me. They are well matched in all other ways.”
“Good goddess in heaven,” Seta whispered. She seemed shocked that such power could reside in anyone she knew. “And I teased her.”
Darak laughed outright. “She likes you, Seta, even if you made her uncomfortable at first. You have to admit, you come from a much more permissive culture than she is used to. A Mithrakian virgin was bound to be stymied by a sexy Virulan wench like you.”
Seta tilted her head, as if considering his words. “You think?”
“Don’t worry over it, Seta. She has a kind heart, and she’s been good for Micah. Haven’t you noticed how much he’s changed since she’s come into his life?” Agnor’s calm words had both Darak and Seta nodding.
“I, for one, am glad he found her. He was falling into a pit of despair and there was little we could do to help him out.” Darak stood and headed for the door. “I’m going to go clean up. Ag, you have the bridge until I get back. I’ll make it quick so you can change too.” He grinned devilishly. “And maybe I’ll knock on our captain’s hatch and tell him to shield a bit more carefully so we don’t run out of dry clothing.” With a wink he was gone, whistling a jaunty tune as he left.
Agnor used the shipcomm to check on the rest of the crew. Trini’s brother had fallen into a deep healing sleep, so he was oblivious to the phenomenon. The two young yeomen were chuckling like fools when Agnor explained what he thought had happened. Yes, indeed, they’d felt the orgasmic power as well. And enjoyed it.
Trini’s response was more practical. She told him she’d had a nice orgasm, thank you very much, then went on to speculate that she was glad the horses were already off the ship.
“Micah…” Jeri turned to him as he came out of the bathing chamber, “…what you said before, about inviting Darak to join us?”
He came over and wrapped her in his arms loosely, placing a kiss on her forehead.
“I was a jealous idiot. I didn’t really want him here.”
Jeri sighed in relief. “That’s good.” She seemed nervous, so he stroked her soft hair, encouraging her.
“What is it, sweetheart?”
“It’s just that, well… I was wondering if that was something that you would want. I mean, I know you’ve had other women, but will you still want other women after we’re formally bonded? I don’t know what bonding really means on your world.” Her words came out in a nervous rush and he pulled her closer, understanding dawning on him. She was jealous and he felt like the cat who swallowed the cream. He liked that she was possessive of him.
“It means faithfulness to each other, for all time. And I haven’t wanted another woman since the moment I laid eyes on you, Jeri. I don’t need multiple partners to get off, as you well know. All I need is you.” He kissed her, smiling against her lips.
“Are you sure, Micah? I know your culture is different from mine.”
“And you’ll come to enjoy the freedoms of Geneth Mar society, I promise. But you won’t ever have to share me with another woman. I grew up on Geneth Mar. I’ve had multiple partners and done wild things when I was younger, but that pales next to the love I have with you. You’re all I need to be happy, Jeri.” He kissed her lightly on the brow, then tickled her. “Of course, that doesn’t mean we won’t both enjoy watching.”
She blushed rose red at his words, just as he’d known she would. He chuckled and continued to tease her.
“And I know you were vi
rgin until you met me. There’s lots you’ve never tried. As long as I’m with you, directing your pleasure, you can have just about anything you want.” His eyes grew devilish. “You can even have Darak again, if you want him. But only when I say.” He noted the way her flush and breathing increased. The thought excited her. Damn, she was beautiful. Everything was so new to her. It made him feel like a teenager again.
“So you want to be in charge?” She was comfortable enough with him to challenge him, teasing in return. He liked that too. It showed she was coming into her own, learning her place in his life, becoming his equal, beloved partner.
He grasped her around the waist, lifting her bodily into his kiss. “I definitely want to be in charge in the bedroom—or wherever we make love.”
She eyed him for a moment. “I can agree to that. I like it when you’re masterful. And I love it when you’re making me come.” She let all pretense of teasing drop. “But I don’t need other men. Only you. Forever you.”
He kissed her long and hard before ending the embrace with great reluctance. He would keep her in bed for the next week if he could, but he had a ship to run. He’d already neglected his duty enough as it was. Still, he couldn’t resist making everything clear for her, heightening her anticipation. He wanted to leave her with something to think about.
“And you’ll have me,” he agreed. “You’ll also have the benefit of my knowledge and the things I’ll enjoy doing to you. I may bring Darak back one of these days to show you something special, and maybe even others, but trust in that it will always be to expand your pleasure, my love. Whatever I bring you—whoever I bring you—will be brought in love. And it won’t be often. Just sometimes.”
She shivered at the look in his eyes and he knew in that moment that she had truly surrendered the power over her pleasure to him. It was a heady feeling and a trust that he would never abuse. This was his woman. He would cherish her and teach her things about pleasure that she never would have imagined. And he would love every minute of it, just as he loved every inch of her.
Chapter Eleven
Micah and Jeri reappeared on the bridge with broad smiles and accepted the crew’s teasing with good humor after they’d learned what had happened. As soon as they’d settled down—Micah in his command chair with Jeri on his lap—he hit the button to broadcast through the whole ship so everyone could hear what he had to say.
“We have a little announcement.” He stared into Jeri’s eyes with a smile meant just for her. “Jeri has made me the happiest of men. She’s agreed to be my bride.” He leaned forward and punctuated his announcement with a smoldering kiss to the accompanying cheers and congratulations from his crew.
“So that’s what that little firestorm was all about.” Agnor clapped Micah on the back and kissed Jeri in congratulations. “I’m very happy for you both.”
The look in his eyes told the truth of his deep feelings. Along with roguish Darak, Agnor was one of Micah’s oldest and truest friends. He was glad to feel the genuine warmth his friends had toward his intended mate. He knew she felt uncomfortable about his social position and her supposedly inferior origins, but with friends like Ag and Dar to welcome her into his circle of friends and family, he hoped things would be a little easier for her.
“Thank you, Agnor.” Jeri was shy about being kissed by other men, as well as being embarrassed about their earlier passion spilling over to the crew, but Micah held her firmly, bathing her in the warmth of his love. She was a strong woman. She would be a strong and loving life partner. The goddess of all had smiled on him, indeed.
“Ag, will you comm the Council? They’ll want to know about my intended change in status and maybe you could explain about finding Jeri and the fact that she’ll probably need a seat on the Council as soon as we get back home?”
Agnor nodded sagely. “I’ve already thought about it and with all that’s happened and my apparently expanded abilities, with your permission, I’m going to address my comm to Vizier Brandon himself.”
Micah chuckled, as did Darak. “Want to make a splash with your new power, hey, Ag?” Micah shook his head as he smiled. “Then I say go for it. The Grand Vizier will be able to sense your increase in power even over this distance. You’re right. He’s probably the best person to start this ball rolling.”
“Who is Vizier Brandon?” Jeri asked quietly, still sitting on his lap.
“At last count, there were seven Viziers on the Vizier Council. It’s an offshoot of the Mage Council that has certain powers assigned to it in our constitution. Not all of them participate all the time, but when higher-level consultation is needed, it’s Brandon that ties them all together. He’s the Grand Vizier, head of that Council, and he’s a good, solid man. Taught us as children, as a matter of fact.”
“It also doesn’t hurt that he’s our uncle,” Darak put in with a chuckle.
“Micah said your fathers are brothers, right? So then Vizier Brandon is another brother?” Jeri asked Darak since Micah was rolling his eyes.
“Got it right in one, sweet. Uncle Brandon swatted our hides when we were just little tykes, getting into trouble, then he was one of our teachers after we started manifesting our Talent. He was tough, but fair.”
“This coming from Darak the Dreaded,” Micah accused, laughing heartily. “That’s what Uncle Brandon calls him.”
She laughed with them, leaning close to whisper in Micah’s ear. “Does that make you Micah the Magnificent?” She wasn’t as quiet as she’d thought because Darak picked up on her words and howled in laughter.
“It must be love that blinds her, truly.” Darak pounded Micah once on the back as he headed to his console.
Micah was stilled by his words and by the look in Jeri’s smiling eyes. Her face was red with embarrassment at being overheard, but she was looking at him as if he held the stars in his grasp.
“I do love you, Micah. With all my heart.”
She leaned forward to kiss him and the rest of the crew no doubt felt the fire of their passion light.
“None of that, you two.” Darak stomped over to them, lifting Jeri out of Micah’s lap. “We have work to do. And until you two learn to clamp down on your new power, you’ll have to keep your hands off each other unless you want us all to stop what we’re doing to enjoy it with you. Okay?”
Micah laughed uproariously at the pained embarrassment on Jeri’s face. She looked around at the bridge, settling on Seta’s smiling face.
“I’m sorry.” Her whisper was met with a smile and a nod as Seta motioned her over to sit with her.
“You sit with me for a while, Jer, okay? Just until we get the business of running this ship squared away. Then we can all have some fun.”
“I am so embarrassed.” Jeri’s voice was low but Seta heard it as she made room for the other woman at her station.
“Nothing to be embarrassed about, Jeri.” Seta cleared a screen in preparation for showing Jeri how to help her track the former enemy ships. They were keeping a close eye on them, just in case. “Where I come from, sex is even more out in the open than on Geneth Mar. Some folks with Talent even train to give orgasms using our psi Talent alone, or to make others experience our orgasms, much the way you did with the Captain a few hours ago. It’s considered an art form. One that I studied for a few years.”
“Really?” Jeri seemed scandalized and intrigued at the same time.
“Truly.” Seta nodded, setting her breasts bouncing under their minimal covering. “I told you once before that I was a sex slave for a while. It was not one of my better moments, but necessary at the time. Part of the reason I was enslaved was the way my Talent was trained early on to give pleasure. It’s a highly prized and rare skill among sex slaves, since so few people with Talent ever find themselves in that predicament.” She sensed Jeri was going to ask how it had happened to her, but Seta wasn’t quite ready to relate the sordid story of her life. The others knew where she’d come from, of course, but it was hard to think back on the past and t
he rough times. Even worse would be to tell this young woman, raised in the strict culture of Mithrak, who had come to Micah a virgin for heaven’s sake. Better to change the subject, Seta thought, turning quickly to the screens before them.
A few moments later she had Jeri engrossed in the task of tracking the former enemy ships. Seta marveled at how quickly the little horse tamer learned. She hadn’t really expected much, since she knew a little of Jeri’s background and the lack of any kind of technical training, but Jeri was not only a fast study, she had a quick, sharp mind. If she hadn’t thought so before, Seta began to realize just how good a match this woman was for Micah, whose own keen intelligence had saved them many times in the past.
Seta watched Jeri soak up knowledge, feeling Darak’s dark eyes upon her. She looked up, and he nodded knowingly. She knew Darak had approved of Jeri long before this moment, but she’d thought his feelings based only on sex and the basic attraction of male to female. She was starting to realize for herself that this little horse tamer was a whole lot more than just a pretty female with strong Talent.
Seta was glad. She was truly happy that Micah had found a mate worthy of him in every way. He deserved the best and if she hadn’t been fully convinced before, she was now. Jeri was a complex woman who would keep Micah guessing and happy for years to come. She smiled at Darak while Jeri worked, oblivious to the silent approval she’d just gotten.
Agnor had been quiet for nearly an hour when suddenly he expelled a deep breath and opened his eyes, blinking several times. He had news to impart—some that would be welcome and some that would give pause—but it was his task to relay it, no matter the content.
“Vizier Brandon sends his best regards to the crew of the Circe.”
Micah started, then held up one hand. “Should you get on the shipcomm so everyone can hear the general stuff first?”
