by Kate Pearce
“It’s okay. I like how you touch me.”
“Reading my mind again, baby?”
She bit the corner of her lip. “Sorry. I can’t seem to help it.”
“Don’t apologize. It’s what mates do.”
She looked uncertain for a moment before her eyes clouded with desire. “Show me what else mates do.”
The order was soft, impossible to resist, and he welcomed the demand from the woman who meant everything to him. He thrust into her hard, to the hilt, and held himself rigidly still when she gasped.
“Just give me a second. I’ll be fine.”
There’d been no barrier to break through. He hadn’t expected one with a modern woman. She may not have had sex but she was confident enough to take care of her own needs. Still, he was a big man. He should have prepared her better.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I didn’t want to hurt you.”
“You didn’t. It’s just an...adjustment.”
She brought her legs up around his hips, hooked her ankles together at the small of his back and nudged.
“Move. Please, Stone.”
She broke off on a moan when he pulled back and slowly stroked back into her pussy. He kept up the slow, tortuous pace until they were both breathing hard. Until she writhed under him, begging for more. Gods, he could get used to this real fucking quick. Her pleasure. Her arousal. Her need. It all amplified his own greedy lust.
His control broke. He took her hard and fast, tilting her hips to make sure every thrust rubbed against the sensitive spot inside her. Holding his orgasm back while he waited for her to go first took strength he didn’t know he had. Thankfully he didn’t have to wait long. He wrapped his arms around her and held her as she began to tremble. Gritted his teeth when her pussy tightened rhythmically on his cock. Damn that almost felt too good.
Good enough to make him chase his own release. He pounded into her. Hard, fast, rough. His orgasm swept over him like a storm. The pleasure intense and whipping through him. He came inside her in a hot rush, trembling just as fiercely as she had. After a minute he realized he was crushing her, but it was still nearly impossible to let go.
Reluctantly, he rolled to the side then reached up to unfasten the cuffs. He brushed his thumbs over her wrists to make sure her circulation hadn’t been compromised though he could see she was fine. She shivered. He reached for the rug folded across the bottom of the bed, pulled her under his shoulder, and covered them both. She fingered the thick white fur.
“Is this real?”
“No.”
“Good.” She fell silent. It made him nervous. “You said something to my father about taking back what he’d stolen. What did you mean by that?”
She tipped her head back to look at him and lifted her hands to rest on his chest. Her fingers shaped him. Traced the outline of the large wolf tattooed on his chest. He wondered if she was reading him, expecting him to hold something back from her.
“Thirty years ago a Delroi ship was marooned on Earth. There were two survivors. One of them was your father.”
“Clark Hall isn’t my father?”
She didn’t react. As if it wasn’t the first time such a thing had been suggested to her.
“You knew?”
She lowered her eyes and took a deep breath before lifting her gaze again. “Let’s just say I’m not surprised. Who is he? And who is my mother?”
“His name was Blade Davich. He was the Overchief’s master at arms.”
“Overchief?”
“The Delroi are organized into three castes. Warrior, healer, and artist. Each has an overchief. Daggar Torfa is the current warrior overchief. Blade was his father’s man.”
*
Holding the blanket across her chest, Jolie sat up and rubbed her temples. She’d pace but she was suddenly aware she was naked. She’d just had mind blowing sex with a Viking. And oh yeah, she was an alien. Or a half alien at least.
“What happened to my parents?
He tried to tug her back down but she resisted. She snapped her bra, sat on the edge of the bed, and reached for her clothes, shivering when he ran his fingertips down her spine as if calling her back to him. Looking over her shoulder, she tried to give him a reassuring smile but was pretty sure she failed miserably when he sat up and helped her pull her shirt over her head. She stood and tugged her jeans up. He sat, unembarrassed by his nakedness, and pulled her between his legs.
“I know this is a shock, Jolie. I would spare you any pain if I could.”
She didn’t doubt his sincerity, but she had to know the rest. She put her hands on his shoulders and shifted closer. “I know you would. I need to hear what happened.”
“I’ll tell you while I cook. We skipped lunch.”
Now she was even more intrigued. The alien smuggler cooked? It seemed out of character. She’d half expected him to have servants. She stepped back so he could stand and pull on his pants. Wasn’t sure if she was pleased or dismayed that he didn’t bother with his vest. He was too distracting. All those glorious rippling muscles. She followed him into the kitchen and set at the table while he poured her a glass of blue liquid.
“Gazzi,” he answered when she lifted her eyebrows in question. “A wine from Delroi.”
It was sweet and light and she experienced a sharp burst of anger. She should know this. She should know Delroi and her parents.
“What would you like to eat? If I don’t have it here I can send to the canteen.”
Her stomach rebelled at the idea of food. “Later. I couldn’t keep anything down right now. Tell me what you know.”
He sat down across from her, gaze steady on hers as he began to speak.
“I wish I knew more, baby, and I’m going to give you another shock now. I’m sorry. Your grandparents are on board. That’s why I came looking for you. When the Delroi invaded Earth, the other survivor’s son contacted them. Our warriors went to where he and Blade hid the ship. At some point, Blade returned and left a message for his parents. I don’t know what it said other than his mate’s name and that they had a daughter. I’m surprised Talon isn’t beating down the door actually.”
She stared at him now, completely spun. Only a handful of hours and her everything had changed. Her whole life. She gulped the rest of her wine and stood.
“I want to see them.”
His nod was reluctant though he didn’t argue. Before they reached the door someone knocked on it, but the woman who walked in couldn’t be her grandmother. She was probably Jolie’s age.
“What are doing here, Gypsy?”
He sounded more exasperated than angry. Jolie was bemused. The name fit the woman, whoever she was. She was dressed like her name in a bright loose flowing skirt and leather vest, weapons sheathed on her hips.
“I came to meet my sister-kin, of course. Oh yes and to deliver a message from Talon. I am not sure you want Jolie to hear it,” she said dryly. “She seems rather attached to you.”
That’s when she realized she was clinging to his hand.
“Give me the sanitized version.”
“Your presence—both of you—is required for the next meal. Or sooner. There was something about cutting out your heart if she isn’t in perfect health when they meet her,” she said but Jolie lost interest when the men hovering in the corridor behind her nudged her inside and followed.
He was tall, good looking, and she’d guess human. That wasn’t what made her stare. A ghost stood at his side that looked just like him. An identical twin maybe? It was the strangest thing she’d ever seen.
“What?” Gypsy asked. “What do you see?”
She stared at the other woman a moment unsure what to say. Most people didn’t believe in ghosts much less people who saw and spoke to them. She turned back to the man and spirit.
“Did you have a twin?”
He looked at Gypsy who shook her head. “You don’t.”
The ghost stepped forward. “You can see me?” it asked telepathically.
“Yes.”
“Thank god.”
“I don’t understand. How can you be a ghost and standing right there?”
He shook his head. “I’m the part of Zane’s soul they ripped away and tried to kill. We’re stronger than they gave us credit for.”
Damn. There had to be one hell of a story there but the living people in the room were all staring at her waiting for answers.
“Weird,” she muttered. “I see ghosts, sometimes speak to them. He says he’s part of Zane’s soul though. A part someone tried to destroy.”
She expected disbelief but could only read relief on Gypsy and Zane’s faces. He turned to the Varangian woman. “Can you fix this?”
She blew out a breath. “We’ll figure out a way. Maybe Jolie can help us.”
Zane’s spirit spoke to her again. “There are traps all over my mind concealing the shielding they put in. Once it’s removed my soul can be reconnected.”
She relayed the message and Gypsy gave her an assessing look. “You’re obviously a telepath. If he can show you where the traps are that will make things much easier.”
Zane’s spirit agreed with Gypsy’s assessment. “It will require a very subtle touch though.”
She sighed. “My telepathy is weak. I think you’re better off with someone else.”
Gypsy frowned. “Are you sure?” She stepped forward and extended her hand. “I’m sorry. I’m Gypsy. Stone’s sister.”
“Stone’s annoying little sister,” he added with an indulgent grin.
Jolie ignored him and accepted Gypsy’s hand. A jolt of electricity ran up her arm and she jerked back. She’d be suspicious if the other woman didn’t also look so stunned. Her gaze moved to Stone.
“I think you should move up that meeting with your family.”
“Why?” Jolie asked, rubbing her forearm which still throbbed with remembered power.
“There’s a block on your telepathy. I can only imagine it’s been there your whole life,” she said sorrowfully.
“Why?” Jolie whispered though she could guess. One of her parent’s had put it there, knowing they were going to die. They’d done it to protect her.
“I think you know.”
She nodded. She couldn’t deny it. She let Stone pull her into his arms for a moment. Just enough time to borrow some of his strength. There would be time to grieve what she’d lost as an infant later. Nodding, she freed herself.
“I think it’s time I met my grandparents.”
4
She hesitated at the door. Was she really prepared for this? It was so damned surreal. Every childhood fantasy come to life. Clark Hall wasn’t her father. She didn’t belong in that smuggler’s camp. She was afraid she’d open her eyes to discover it was all a dream. Stone squeezed her hand.
“I’m right here with you, darlin’. I’m not going anywhere without you.”
Funny how reassuring that was. How quickly she’d come to trust him. She gave the okay and he knocked on the door. It slid open in seconds and she faced a massive Delroi warrior. He was as severe looking as all the others she’d encountered. Scary and intimidating. She edged closer to Stone. When he wrapped his arm around her shoulder she breathed a sigh of relief. She wasn’t alone. Somehow she knew she’d never be alone again. The warrior they faced didn’t seem pleased by her protector, however.
“Granddaughter. Please come in,” he said, stepping back for them to enter. “I suppose the wolf can join you.”
At her side Stone snarled. “She’s my mate, Talon. Do not think to interfere.”
“That remains to be seen. There is no bond,” a woman said from inside the apartment.
Jolie gripped Stone’s wrist and stepped in front of him before he could protest. She looked over her shoulder with a warning look.
“Let me handle this.”
She could see he wanted to argue but he held his tongue. They went inside and the door closed softly behind them.
“The wolf?” she asked, trying for a teasing tone with Stone.
“My name. Stone Ulfson.”
She nodded. “Wolf’s son,” she murmured. It fit the tattoo stretched across his chest.
She’d drawn out that small distraction as far as possible. She looked over to the people who claimed to be her grandparents. She saw nothing in the man that made her believe, but the woman…Jolie saw herself in her. The same facial shape, same height, same hair and eyes. And the power of her mind. There was no doubt this was her grandmother. She stepped forward to meet them. Stone stayed close to her side. She was grateful for his support and strength but ultimately she had to face this on her own. He squeezed her hand. Forced her to look up at him.
“Together, baby. Always.”
He was reading her now. Extraordinary.
“Interesting,” her grandmother said softly. “You aren’t bonded yet, but it’s forming. That requires a telepath and I know Stone isn’t one.”
Jolie turned to look at her. “Was my father?”
She looked sad at the mention of Blade. “No, sweetheart. But I am and sometimes it skips generations.”
Stone stepped forward, pulling her with him. “Introductions should be first, I think. This is Jolie. Jolie, this is Talon and Ana Davich. Blade’s parents.”
She couldn’t tear her gaze away from the woman. Her grandmother. It was like seeing herself in forty or fifty years. She was still slim and beautiful, but her face was lined, a testament to the years well lived. She wore loose almost sheer pants that clung to her hips and a sleeveless top cropped at her belly button. Her feet were bare as if she’d just slipped out of her shoes for a relaxing night at home with her husband. She looked regal and left Jolie in awe. She was related to this woman? Amazing. Smiling, Ana stepped forward with her hands extended.
“We’ve waited so long to meet you, Jolie. Welcome to the family.”
Then Talon stepped up and his cold mask slipped. She’d never seen such a big man look so close to tears. “We thought we’d lost Blade forever. Then we found you.”
She didn’t resist when they embraced her. How could she? She felt their sorrow and their joy. They’d lost a son but gained a grandchild and they were thrilled to have that reminder of him. It was humbling. She couldn’t possibly live up to their expectations. Ana pulled back abruptly and cupped her face.
“No, sweetheart, no. We don’t expect anything from you. We’re just so happy to meet you. So happy to have you in our lives. We wish you’d known your father. He was a wonderful man. An honorable warrior.”
Jolie had a lump in her throat. Their complete open acceptance was unexpected. She wasn’t sure what to do with it. How to feel about it. Stone moved up behind her, circled her waist with his arms and nuzzled her nape. She didn’t miss the look on her grandfather’s face. He wasn’t pleased but she couldn’t pinpoint why. She looked him straight in the eye and opened her senses as much as she could. But she couldn’t get anything other than protectiveness. Maybe. She looked to her grandmother and met her smirk. She knew what Jolie had tried. She’d ask her about the block later but she wanted other answers first.
“What happened to my parents? Stone said you know some of it at least.”
Talon sighed. “Blade went as the security head as a favor to the Overchief on an exploratory mission. There were several planets on the list so when they disappeared we had no idea where they were or if any of the crew or warriors survived. We’ve only known a few months that Blade and Dax Trace lived. They hid the ship, but at some point Blade went back to leave us a message. I can show it to you if you like.”
The chance to see her father? No way in hell she’d miss that. “Yes. Please. I want to see it.”
“I could prove upsetting,” he warned, gaze flicking to Stone. He just held her tight, not responding to her grandfather. She knew he’d stand with her.
“Show me,” she demanded. Talon nodded approvingly.
“Of course, granddaughter.”
And damn wasn’t
that weird? She’d gone from no family, no idea who she really was to insta-family. It would take some getting used to. Talon walked to the adjacent wall and waved a hand to activate a digital touch screen. A moment later the wall turned opaque. Then a vid feed loaded. A man’s face filled the screen and she moved closer, her heart catching in her throat. She’d never met him before, never seen him, but she swore she knew him.
“My father,” she whispered into Stone’s mind, glad he’d stayed close. Then someone pressed play.
“My name is General Blade Davich of the Delroi warrior caste. My ship crash landed on this planet four years ago. There was one other survivor. We hid the ship and went our separate ways.” He paused. “We agreed not to come back here. The systems are beyond repair and we can’t send any messages, but I can save one. I have found my der’lan on this planet. I figure it won’t be long before the Delroi discover it. When you do, if I don’t meet you, I want my father to find my daughter. I’m going after her but he’s already my Leila and stolen our Briar.”
He looked down a moment, then up back up, grinning at the screen. “You would have loved Leila, mother. She was as fierce as you. She named our daughter Briar. It’s from an Earth fairy tale. Seems a good fit with Blade and Talon, right?” He laughed, shaking his head. “I’ll let you draw your own conclusions, but Leila insisted no man less than a prince would be worthy of our girl. I can’t argue with that.”
He sobered quickly though, as he continued his journal.
“Leila was fleeing her husband when I met her. She was beaten and half starved. I’ve never wanted to kill a man so badly in my life, but she had to be taken care of first. I had to make sure she was hidden and safe, and then Briar was born. I wasn’t as careful as I thought,” he said bitterly. “He found us. I wasn’t home. He killed my Leila and stole our Briar. I’m going after her.”
