Stolen Moments (A World Beyond Book 8)

by Michelle Howard

  “You look awful,” Joni gasped when he entered.

  Meanwhile, she glowed. The early stages of pregnancy had only enhanced the beauty of his Chosen. Her vibrant red hair with streaks of gold seemed to have gained more vitality if possible, her amber eyes sparkling like they contained a secret.

  “I’ve told Torkel to pull me from any training. Stefin will lead Team Two if they go out before I am recovered.”

  At the mention of the leadership change, Joni slumped to the sofa lounge. “Oh no. It’s my fault. It never crossed my mind you’d end up with morning sickness. It’s only been a couple of weeks since I told you. You must hate this pregnancy.”

  He did. The sickness started a day or two after he’d learned she carried his baby. They were only in the early stages and Kyele had never been more miserable in his life. He took in Joni’s dejected pose. It wasn’t his Chosen’s fault though. She looked lost as she wrapped a blanket about her shoulders and huddled on their sofa. The hem of her silver dress rose, revealing golden limbs as she tucked them beneath her hips.

  His fists clenched. He couldn’t let her believe what she did. “No.”

  Joni’s head snapped up, confusion brightening her golden eyes. Kyele crossed the room and sat on the sofa, pulling an unresisting Joni onto his lap. She curled into his chest with a relieved cry, her arms going about his neck. Kyele held her close, burying his face in the thick red waves about her shoulders.

  “I will never regret you carrying our child.”

  “Even if you’re sick?” Kyele hesitated and Joni jerked back to glare at him. “Kyele!”

  Sickness wasn’t common for life on Enotia and he couldn’t recollect being ill a single day in his life before. Unfortunately, the medic said there was no cure and Kyele would have to wait it out. Perspiration built on his forehead. He forced a smile to his trembling lips and lied. “Being sick isn’t that bad.”

  It was worth it to see the relief filling Joni’s gaze as she jumped from his lap. The rocking sensation didn’t agree with his stomach but Kyele pressed a hand to his midsection and held back a groan as the world tipped around him.

  “Sylvie and Faye want to meet for the morning meal. Now that you’re not leaving you can join us.”

  Kyele weighed the idea of going back to bed in hopes of recovering from whatever Earth curse she’d given him or spending time with his Chosen. Joni won out easily.

  As he stood, Joni danced around him then linked her elbow through his on a chuckle. She leaned her head back to see his face, her eyes full of glee. “I’m glad we get to be together, Kyele.”

  She had odd ways, his Chosen, but never did he doubt her love for him. The trip to the lower level was uneventful for which Kyele gave thanks. At any moment his turbulent stomach seemed ready to revolt.

  Voices ebbed and flowed with a laugh here and there the second they crossed the threshold. Scattered about were various members from Team One and Team Three. Joni headed straight for the table where her friends Sylvie and Faye from Earth sat. Soon she was engrossed in conversation about babies and pregnancy.

  If Kyele had thought his decision through, he would have realized eating in the common area wasn’t the best idea. The smells and sights of the food on everyone’s plate played havoc with his control. He shoved his own plate, a congealed nightmare, far across the table, ignoring Arak’s snort. He’d kill his teammate. Later. Right now he wasn’t sure if he wasn’t the one about to die.

  ***

  Joni’s mouth turned down at Kyele’s muffled groan as he moved his plate away. The green tint to his usually tanned tones spoke loud and clear to how bad he felt. He turned from the table and arranged his face in her neck, puffs of air wisping over her skin.

  “Are you sniffing me?

  “No, I’m breathing you,” he replied with an added squeeze around her waist. Joni melted. His words were sweet albeit strange.

  “I’m sorry you have my morning sickness,” she said. And she was. What were the odds the traditional pregnancy illness would strike him and not her?

  “All day,” he corrected, pulling back so she could see his scowl.

  Joni was mid-laugh when Jaron interrupted from the other end of the table. “Is he contagious?”

  Arak and Torkel straightened in their seats, avid gazes pinned to her and Kyele as if they carried a plague.

  “Morning sickness isn’t contagious, jerk.” Faye shot Jaron a look which spoke volumes.

  He squinted at her in doubt and exaggerated leaning away when Kyele turned a dark stare in his direction. At times like this, it was hard for Joni to remember Jaron led a fully competent team of soldiers in addition to being a master at communications.

  “It’s a condition that afflicts women when they’re pregnant.” Joni decided to share.

  “Not true,” Arak declared. Fear flashed across his face. He glanced nervously at his expecting mate and Chosen seated beside him. “Is it, Sylvie?”

  Sylvie, her bestie, was pregnant and a little farther along than Joni in her pregnancy—minus the morning sickness. She winked at Joni and soothed Arak with a hand stroking his dark wavy hair. “Some women do suffer in the beginning. I’m lucky, I didn’t.”

  Kyele’s head hit Joni’s shoulder on another muffled groan and she wrapped her arms about his middle in an effort to ease his illness with her strength and love.

  “Why?” Torkel asked as he tightened his hold on Faye, one large palm almost covering the entire bump beneath her shirt. The Unit Leader for the elite soldiers was petrified at the news of Faye’s pregnancy and constantly consulted the medic on her condition. Joni was sure he’d follow Faye everywhere if his duties and responsibilities didn’t keep him busy.

  “It’s an Earth thing,” Joni said. “I didn’t get it either.”

  Jaron shivered. “I’m glad we’re not on Earth. It doesn’t sound like a pleasant place at all.”

  A knife flew across the table and landed with a thud, the tip burying itself strong enough the handle quivered. Jaron jumped to his feet. “Damn it, Kyele!”

  Joni laughed as did the others. Kyele didn’t budge from his resting place against her and she wasn’t sure how he’d thrown the knife without her detecting him moving. “You’re upsetting, Joni.”

  The Team One Leader instantly turned toward her, remorse darkening his blue gaze. Ever since the woman he’d brought to Enotia had left, he’d been off. Not quite himself. Jaron ran a hand through his short blond hair. “I was joking, Joni.”

  Arak growled.

  Jaron rolled his eyes. “My apologies to all of the Earth women. Who,” he added, “seem to be growing here on Enotia.”

  Joni threw her bread at him. She might not have Kyele’s unnatural skills with a blade...yet, but she definitely hit what she aimed for. Jaron caught the bread before impact and shot her a glare as he bit it which had her reluctantly chuckling.

  “You’d make an excellent Jutak warrior, Joni.” His easy going nature was one of the reasons everyone liked Jaron, but Joni sensed trouble brewed beyond the fun-loving façade. She hoped it wasn’t because of the Bounty Retriever who’d left. Her fervent hope was for the blond, blue-eyed prankster to make things work with Sasha. The Bounty Retriever obviously had strong feelings for him and vice versa.

  “I need to run reports for the meeting later.” Jaron saluted their table and left.

  “I can’t believe we’re all going to have our babies close together.” Sylvie beamed at her half-shifter mate.

  According to Dr. Maku, Faye would give birth first, then Sylvie and Joni last. She’d get to see how the other ladies handled the experience and hoped the Enotians believed in lots of numbing drugs.

  Otherwise, she would hold it over Kyele’s head.

  Chapter 3

  2 weeks later

  “You look better, Kyele.”

  Torkel’s words greeted Kyele as soon as he dropped into his seat in the conference room. Everyone at the table gave him amused smirks, knowing how bad he’d suffered over t
he last weeks from the Earth malady for pregnant women. Only instead of Joni being ill, it was Kyele who had suffered.

  “I’m fully recovered.”

  After consulting Dr. Maku, Kyele had been pulled from active duty during that time until he wasn’t in danger of losing his stomach. Or passing out from a dizzy spell which had only happened once. Unfortunately once was enough as it scared Joni to the point she’d contacted Torkel and the medic and Kyele had been temporarily sidelined. In truth it was a relief not to worry he’d jeopardize a mission due to his condition.

  “Good.” Another smile and Torkel started the meeting by directing everyone’s attention to the holo screen.

  Kyele listened, excitement growing as he realized his team would be the one going out.

  “Does everyone understand the details?” Torkel asked at the end.

  Nods around the room. Jaron’s fingers flew over the data pad in his hand. “All information has been sent to Team Two.”

  “Good.” Torkel wrapped everything up then added, “Kyele, the sooner you leave the better. The Commander wants this handled quickly.”

  A rebel faction on a peaceful world sounded simple, but Kyele knew even the most basic missions could turn into a fuck all with devastating results. “I’ll arrange transport and we’ll leave within the hour.”

  He eyed Stefin, Creed, Savin and Markus, the other members on his team and received confirmations from each. Kyele rose eager to return to work. First, he needed to inform Joni.

  He found her in the training room running on a glider. Dressed in tiny black shorts that exposed the bottom half of her butt cheeks and a skimpy blue top that stopped directly beneath her breasts, it was hard to believe she was carrying their baby. Strapped to each thigh were the knives she’d stolen from a Marenian during her escape from a slave auction. Knives she’d become very good at handling much to Kyele’s surprise.

  Her red ponytail swished back and forth across her shoulder blades like a burning flame as she slowed. Kyele leaned against the wall and crossed his arms over his chest to wait. Joni was the strongest woman to cross his path. Or maybe he hadn’t spent enough time around other females. The scar on his face and his distant manner prohibited him having more experience around them. Although according to Joni, those two things made him hotter in her estimation.

  His breath caught at the memory. It was the little things she said to him that kept Kyele enthralled. Joni wasn’t just a woman of words, she was one of action and they all pointed to her love for him time and time again. It was a novel concept that took some getting used to, but Kyele would be lying if he didn’t admit how much it meant to him. Joni knew him as no other did. She accepted his dark half and never let it diminish what was between them.

  While the mechanical voice counted down the sequence on her cool down, she reached for the drying cloth hanging off the handles. When the machine stopped, she stepped down, patting her face dry. It took a moment for her to notice him. Amber gold eyes widened before her mouth stretched into a welcoming grin. “Kyele!”

  His lips twitched despite attempting to maintain a stern demeanor. Geile and his brother Gregir entered the training room behind Kyele, inclining their heads to Joni as they passed.

  Joni strode toward him, swaying hips and a sexy glint in her gaze. His cock throbbed, responding as usual to the sight of his Chosen. She draped her arms about his shoulders and leaned her weight into him, knowing he’d brace and hold her. Which he did.

  “Were you looking for me?”

  He stroked his hands up and down her hips. “Yes. I’m leaving shortly and wanted to let you know. I won’t be back until later tonight.”

  She played with the hair at the back of his neck, her touch sending tingles down his spine. If there was more time, he’d carry her back to their place and thoroughly worship her body.

  When she lifted slightly to kiss his chin, he hooked an arm beneath her butt and helped. The contact pushed them into closer proximity if possible.

  “Hurry back,” she whispered, fingers trailing over the scar on his face.

  A scar he’d kept as a lesson and reminder of his past.

  Not willing to settle for such a timid goodbye, Kyele shifted one hand to the back of Joni’s head and slanted his mouth over hers. Soft and teasing, she immediately tangled her tongue with his on a rich moan. They kissed, deep, frantic then slow and wicked.

  From somewhere off to the side hoots and cheers went up. Joni pulled back and laughed against his lips. Kyele sent a glare over her shoulder at Arak who’d joined Geile and Gregir in their work out.

  ***

  Holding onto Kyele, Joni glanced over her shoulder and snorted in amusement at the three Jutak warriors staring with teasing smiles. “Are you going with Team Two or the brothers?”

  Kyele lowered her to her feet and made sure she was steady before stepping back. “Torkel wants all of Team Two on this.”

  Joni nodded and kept her expression neutral. She hoped. Every time the teams left she worried for him but it was his job and he was damn good at it. “No dizziness? Queasy stomach?”

  He’d gone to see the team medic yet she felt the need to confirm everything was fine with him. She was still concerned he might have lingering effects from the morning sickness. If anything happened to Kyele, Joni wasn’t sure how she’d react. He was her compass, her home plate in the alien world she found herself in.

  “Joni, Maku cleared me.” He gripped her upper arms as he spoke the words clearly and Joni realized she might not have hidden her worries as well as she thought.

  She placed a hand on her stomach where their baby grew. She’d begged and pleaded with Kyele to start a family pretty soon after they’d gone through presentation and become legally Chosen to one another. She countered his reluctance with assured confidence but deep inside, she was scared. This was a new and exciting thing for her. For them. But she definitely didn’t want to do it alone.

  “Joni?” Kyele knuckled her chin, a glimpse of confusion in the green eyes she loved.

  Firming her shoulders, she dropped her hand and waved at him. “I’m fine. I’ll go shopping. I know it’s too early, but I want to see if Enotia does maternity wear as well as they do the daily wear.”

  Joni freely admitted she had an addiction to the many clothing styles available at the market place. The range of colors, fabrics and styles from vendors of various planets encompassed a range that appealed to her adventurous spirit.

  Kyele studied her for one long minute then let go and moved away. At the door, he paused and turned back. “Don’t go alone.”

  Joni rolled her eyes. “You forget I’m stronger than I look and I’ve been training with super soldiers.”

  The others snickered behind her. Kyele didn’t. His brows lowered in a forbidding scowl, a significant dip of his gaze to her waist and she knew what he meant. “I’ll be careful, Kyele.”

  “I can accept that.”

  Joni watched his sexy glide as he left, the air of danger surrounding him ever present. The boots, black shirt and matching military pants really did it for her. The weapons strapped all over his body, including the knives at his thighs only made him hotter.

  Yes, she was lucky indeed. On that note, she waved at the guys and left the training room. If she hurried, she could shower and dress with time to convince the ladies to shop with her.

  By the time Joni was ready, she’d spent more time than she wanted. Her first stop was Lissi’s. She knocked on her door but Lissi’s Chosen, Rydak, answered cuddling his sleeping son on his bare chest and his daughter twined about his right leg. Joni allowed herself the necessary time to appreciate all of the masculine beauty on display before she spoke, “Is Lissi about?”

  “She is resting.” He said it in a lowered voice after a cautious glance over his shoulder and Joni once more found herself contemplating how someone as shy as Torkel’s sister managed to end up with the scary, quiet yet ridiculously beautiful leader of Team Three.

  In any event, Li
ssi was fortunate since it seemed like Rydak was on daddy duty. “Alright.”

  Next up was Faye’s door only to have Torkel tell Joni she was out visiting his maman, Shaya. A flick of her fingers in farewell and Joni bounced down to the floor where Sylvie lived with Arak. Her bestie had to be available.

  Her knock was answered immediately by the half-shifter Jutak. His dark hair was tousled and a red flush stained his cheeks. Slight scratches marred his shirtless chest.

  “Joni.” Was all he managed as she lightly shoved him to the side and let herself in.

  Sylvie sat on the floor, her back against a lounger wearing nothing but an overlarge man’s shirt. Arak’s obviously. Joni propped her hands on her hips and hesitated. They’d obviously finished or were starting to make out. “I came to invite you shopping, but you’re getting all lovey-dovey with your officer kitty cat.”

  Her friend didn’t look the least bit remorseful at being caught and clapped both hands to her belly. “Pregnancy has officially kicked in. One word—hormones. My mate’s shifter hormones, pregnancy hormones...there are hormones everywhere, Joni and I’m feeling all of them.”

  Dropping her hands to her side, Joni chuckled. Sylvie was showing. A nice round mini-ball when yesterday there had only been a slight curve. “You have a baby belly!”

  Joni raced across the room and dropped to her knees beside her. Sylvie grabbed one of Joni’s hands and settled it high on the upper swell. “Feel.”

  A determined thump tapped against her palm. Joni’s head snapped up and their gazes locked. Tears burned, but she swallowed them back. “A kick?”

  Sylvie nodded then blubbered, “It started first thing this morning after my belly popped and hasn’t stopped.”

  Arak came over and slid behind his mate, her weight cradled between his spread legs. His arms came around her, hands protectively cupping her stomach. “Argoran babies are very active during pregnancy.”

  Joni sniffed, still dealing with the wonder and novelty. They were having babies. “This is too cute.”