“How can you be so accepting of the Daamens after all that’s happened to us from other races?”
“I remember a time when we dwelt happily with others, when we wed outsiders.” Connie’s expression was wistful. “I had a husband and new babe, as did Mya and a few more of us. There are decent people out there, decent men, we can never forget that. Unfortunately for you younger warriors, the main memory you have of men is being hunted by them.” Connie glanced at Mya.
Mya nodded. “I agree. It’s been my concern when I’ve seen the hatred and distrust of all males that has been growing in the younger Reekas. My greatest wish is that we prove our innocence and move back home, where we can once again meet decent men and raise families.”
“Where were those decent men when we were outlawed and hunted?” Dana asked sarcastically. “Anyone decent, man or woman?”
“They didn’t know us.” Connie’s steady gaze settled on the angry blonde. “We were an isolated race whose men died in seemingly suspicious circumstances. Lies were fed to the populations around us. Be honest, sister, would you have gone to the aid of people you knew nothing about?”
“What about the atrocities bestowed upon us? Everyone knew about that!”
“What we know and what everyone else was told about us is a big difference. That’s why we need to find the truth.”
“Well, I say we don’t need others to do so. We’ve fared well enough on our own, and we can continue to do so.” As she stalked from the cave, she tossed over her shoulder, “We especially don’t need men to help us.”
Mya shook her head. “I fear our forced existence has bred more than unhappiness, Connie.”
“There are decent men around, you just have to know where to look.”
“And she knows where.” Mya smirked. “Don’t you, sister?”
Pink crept into the fine cheeks of the sloe-eyes Reeka. “I don’t know what you mean.”
Merly looked inquiringly at the older warrior. “Are you saying she has a man?”
“Not yet, but from the looks that smoulder between them…” Mya waggled her eyebrows suggestively.
“Shut up,” Connie snapped. “I do not-”
“His name is Morgan and he has a black beard. You were always partial to beards, weren’t you?”
“Mya,” she growled warningly.
“Remember that boy from Bendya with the scraggly beard and spots all over his face?” Mya continued blithely as the young warriors listened with interest. “You were all of fourteen and he was sixteen, and your brothers found you out behind the back of the wood shed.” Connie started toward her with vengeance in her eyes and Mya danced around the table, keeping it between them. “You couldn’t even remember what he looked like afterwards, all you could tell me was that he had the ‘loveliest red beard’.”
Connie leaped over the table and Mya took off with a shriek, her friend hot on her heels.
The Reekas of the same age as Connie and Mya started chuckling and reminiscing, and as moths to a bright flame the younger ones drew closer to hear the stories of happier times that were a dim memory to them.
In the grim days they lived in, the happier times in history were lost to a lot of them, but now Tenia listened with a smile as stories of families and fun unfolded, and for the first time she found hope blossoming in her heart.
Because the man she loved had proven his loyalty to her.
Because, if all went as it should, the happy times would become hers, too. And, she thought, glancing around at the other women, theirs as well.
It would take time, but it would come, she just had to keep believing it.
How much blood would be spilled to get that happiness, she didn’t know.
~ * ~
Tenia knocked on the door of the control cabin.
“Come in.”
Both traders stood up when she entered, Darvk’s smile warming his eyes.
“Don’t stand on my account,” she said. “I’m only here to deliver a message.”
“Do tell?” His dark brows rose curiously.
“How interesting,” Maverk drawled. “I don’t suppose Reya came as well?” He peeked over her shoulder.
“She’s back with the others doing…something.” Tenia waved her hand vaguely.
“I could help her with that…something.” Maverk’s eyes gleamed.
Darvk’s smile widened.
Tenia just shot Maverk a droll look before returning her attention to Darvk. “We’re having a meeting tomorrow at sunrise in the forest clearing at the base of the mountain. Will you all come?”
“What sort of meeting?”
“To plan our next move on the Inka Empire.”
“Ah, that’s no surprise.” Darvk resumed his seat. “The surprise is that the warriors want to include us.”
“It was discussed, you can be sure.”
“I bet it was.” He winked. “I also bet it was a very interesting discussion.”
“Your bet would be right. You needn’t attend if you don’t want to.”
“We’ll be there,” he replied. “Wild horses couldn’t keep me away.”
Their gazes held. Meshed. Warmth flooded her at the soft expression in his eyes.
Maverk shifted slightly, reminding her they weren’t alone.
“I better return, there are things to prepare.” With a nod at them both, Tenia walked out into the corridor only to have her upper arm grasped in a large hand.
“Don’t go yet, lass.” Darvk loomed up behind her. “Stay for a little while.”
She glanced at him over her shoulder. “Connie is waiting with Morgan.”
“I’ll let her know you’ll be late.” Grinning, Maverk slipped past them. “I’m sure he won’t mind keeping her entertained.”
He disappeared down the platform lift and they were alone, very much alone. The rest of the second floor was deserted.
Darvk’s arm slide around her waist and he turned her to face him. “This is the first time we’ve been alone since you returned.”
“It is.” Gladly, she swayed closer, drawn by the heat of his body, the tenderness in his eyes.
Dipping his head lower, he rested his forehead against hers, the intimacy of the position making her so very much aware of him. Almost hypertensive, her skin prickling deliciously as his breath brushed her lips. “All I’ve thought about since you left is having you safely back in my arms.”
“I’m sorry,” she said softly. “Sorry I worried you so much.”
“I know.” His lips brushed her forehead. “But now here you are, in my arms.”
She gladly snuggled closer.
“Are you all right?” he asked unexpectedly. “About Shari? It’s been a shock for you all.”
“It is what it is.” She sighed. “No one knows why my parents kept it a secret, but they did. We may never know why. I just hope that one day we find the truth.” At his concern, she gave his waist a squeeze. “We’re fine. I’m fine.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. Don’t worry about me.”
“’Tis my right to do so.”
“Darvk…” She hesitated.
“What?”
She glanced away, not wanting to ruin the moment, the closeness, but needing to try one last time. “I would beg of you once more, leave me until this is all finished.”
“Nay.” His reply was immediate and firm.
“Until it’s safer.”
“Not one more word about leaving, lass.” With a finger under her chin, he raised her face so that she met his gaze.
The love she saw within, the determination, made her feel so protected and loved, touching her deep down.
“I will never leave you, understand? Whatever happens, we’ll be together.”
“If you get hurt-”
“If you get hurt, if I’m not there for you, then I am no man, no Daamen. When a Daamen finds his soul mate, Tenia, its forever, through everything good and bad and in-between.” Lowering his head, his lips feathered
against hers, the message in his eyes plain.
He was by her side to stay regardless of what happened.
The warmth in his eyes flickered to heat, and suddenly he drew her up against him, his kiss unexpectedly possessive.
She welcomed it, revelled in it, enjoyed the alien feeling of being fragile and delicate in strong arms, knowing that the man who held her was stronger, bigger, and loved her more than she’d ever hoped a man could love her.
A dream, in fact, that she’d never dared to dream until he’d come along, bought her body and stole her heart.
He coaxed her lips apart, claiming her mouth with determined control, plundering deep, leaving her gasping for air and clinging to him as her senses whirled and her body yearned. One kiss wasn’t enough, she needed more, wanted more.
But when his hand cupped her breast, it broke the spell a little, enough for her to break the kiss and whisper with regret, “No. Someone might see us.”
“No one will see us.” He kissed the side of her mouth.
“Someone only has to have the need to come to the control cabin-”
“Easily fixed.” His gaze smouldered down at her. “Come with me.”
“I can’t go to your cabin,” she objected breathlessly, body tingling. “Everyone will know!”
“How will they know?”
“Everyone’s cabins are up there, and the crew are up there as well.” It took all her strength to place her hands on his chest and push away.
Or try to push away, because the brawny arms around her didn’t loosen.
“Darvk.” She tapped his forearm.
“Trust me, lass.” With that, Darvk swept her off her feet with one arm beneath her knees and the other behind her back.
Startled, she grabbed onto the open vest. “What are you doing?”
A devilish twinkle lit his eyes. “Are you afraid I’ll carry you off to have my wicked way with you?”
“I’m afraid of where you’re taking me!” She frowned at him. “You are not taking me up to your cabin.”
“Lass, really.” He shook his head. “I’m taking you somewhere very private, a place no one will look for us.” He tightened his hold. “A place where I can have my wicked way without you worrying about discovery.”
She realized that they were heading in the opposite direction of the lift. “Where are we going?”
“Behind the engine room is a small store room. It’s hardly ever used.”
“Hardly?” She repeated dubiously.
He slanted a hot look at her. “Now is one of those exceptions.”
“Oh.” She wrinkled her nose at his smug smile.
He retaliated by squeezing her closer, making her squeak and giggle.
Passing the engine room, he entered the cabin behind it and kicked the door shut after him with his booted heel.
Glancing around, she saw that it was small and bare except for a square table and two chairs against one wall.
“Cosy.” She cast him a look from beneath thick, black lashes. “But where’s the bed?”
“Who says we need one?” he replied huskily, releasing her legs but keeping his arm behind her back.
“Well, I guess we don’t.” She eyed the floor. “Do I get to be on top?”
His eyes got hotter. “Let’s play that game when we have a bed.”
A little flustered, she glanced around the room. “So if not the floor, and no bed, then…?”
Backing her across the small room, he pressed kisses across her smooth cheek. “There are plenty of other ways and places to make love, lass. Right now, I’ll teach you one of them.”
She went all hot and weak-kneed at just the thought of how many other ways Darvk could teach her, but then the nudge of the table at the back of her thighs took her attention.
But not as much as the calloused palms sliding under her skirt, strong fingers hooking into her underwear. He skimmed them down her legs to her knees before letting them go to fall to her feet.
Without breaking eye contact, he shrugged out of the vest and reached around her with both arms to place it on the table behind her. As she turned her head to regard the vest then looked back up at him with awareness dawning, he kissed her deeply, almost ravenously, licking deep and taking everything she had, leaving her breathless and clinging to him.
Eyes burning with an inner fire, he clasped her waist in his hands and lifted her easily up onto the table, her bottom cushioned from the cold surface by his vest.
Instinctively she pressed her knees together, her cheeks going pinker. For stars sake, I’ve nothing on beneath the skirt! He’ll see…everything.
Titillating thought.
Hard palms slid up her thighs as he stopped at the edge of her skirt, and he leaned forward to brush his mouth against the side of her throat, his lips warm and firm, eliciting little sparks in their damp wake.
Tilting her head to the side, she moaned softly, her eyes drifting closed.
“You are so beautiful.” Finding the pulse in her neck, he laved it with his tongue. “So soft and warm. Open to me, Tenia.”
“I…” She moaned again, thoughts jumbled, emotions rioting as he nipped her gently.
Sure hands slid down to her knees, parted them, lean yet strong hips sliding with ease between her thighs as though he’d been there a million times.
As though he belonged.
He did belong between her thighs, so close to filling her emptiness.
Opening her eyes, she met his heated gaze, the carnal glow within making the vivid blueness so very brightly hot. It was all she could think when he was like this - heat, hot, a fire sparking to life from smouldering desire that seemed to lurk beneath his skin whenever they were together.
Or maybe that was her. Maybe she was the one who smouldered with hidden desire that sparked when he was there to bring it to the fore.
Whatever, the spark between them was flaring to hot life.
She felt a pull at her bodice and glanced down to see that he was undoing the rawhide lacing. Slowly. Using one finger, he pulled it free of the eyelets. Pulled again, another eyelet. Slowly, deliberately, he pulled the rawhide lace out of every eyelet.
The bodice slipped off, his harsh inward suck of breath a reward to her when combined with the fire of need in his eyes, the way he licked his lips as though about to savour something sweet.
Liquid warmth filled her belly, flowing down to her womanhood when he lowered his head and took one small, rosy nipple into his mouth, sucking gently. Strongly. Insistently.
Every draw of his mouth had the strings of desire deep inside her plucking tight.
His tongue swirled around the tightening bud.
Loins tingling under the delicious torment, she arched helplessly, his large hands bracing in the small of her back, drawing her closer until her openness was pressed against the hard ridge in the front of his pants.
She traced the corded muscles in his broad shoulders, her palms gliding down his chest as he straightened slowly to trace small, nibbling kisses up the length of her slender neck. Her hands came to a stop at his waistband.
Lifting his head, his eyes heavy with passion. “Don’t stop, lass.”
She hooked her thumbs in the waistband, stopped, peeked up at him with wicked intent.
His grin was sinful. “Here.” Placing his hands upon hers, he manoeuvred them into position one at each side of his waist. “Let me help.”
Mesmerized, she watched as he guided their hands in a smooth slide under the waistband to skim the pants slowly lower...and lower…and lower still. His hard staff jutted free, throbbing with need.
Her breathing was as ragged as his, and she nearly cried out in surprised ecstasy when his hand left hers to unerringly cup her womanhood in his hard palm.
“I’m going to enter you, fill you, stretch you, become part of you.” Darvk brushed his lips over her soft mouth. “Call it possessiveness, call it pigheaded, but know this, Tenia, I love you and you are mine.”
Without fur
ther warning, his hands slid beneath her buttocks and pulled her forward, and she caught his shoulders just before he tilted her and with one last hard jerk, impaled her on his manhood, entering her slickness in one smooth, hard stroke to bury himself to the hilt in her heated tightness.
She gasped, equal parts shocked and delighted. The sensation of him filling her, taking her, had her senses rioting, and she closed her eyes to willingly drown in the heat.
“Look at me,” he demanded raggedly.
Reluctantly she obeyed, though she wanted nothing more than to wallow in all that delicious heat, but then she saw his eyes, saw the love and hunger he felt for her, and could only look at him, never wanting to look away, wanting to drown in his love and very presence.
“Together, my love,” he vowed. “For now and eternity.”
“Yes,” she whispered and arched back as he withdrew and thrust inward again.
Her sheath closed around him and Darvk groaned, holding her tighter, surrounding her with strength and heat, while her thighs gripped him close, her arms embracing him, her moist breath on his skin. Her lips sought his neck to press a kiss and an erotic nip.
Soft breasts were pressed to muscular chest, their mouths met and moulded together, strands of black and gold hair entwined, hot breaths were shared and the only thing that mattered was each other.
Tension built until she was almost at a screaming point. Darvk pumped faster and harder and she met him thrust for thrust. The silken walls of her womanhood tightened, rippled, and he pumped harder, faster, holding her so close.
Holding her slightly tilted so his shaft bumped over that magical spot deep inside her that had her sheath spasming, her body shuddering, the grip on his manhood tight, slick, making him work, pushing them both up, her cry echoing in the room, and with a final thrust he sent them both over the edge as they climaxed together.
Tenia had no idea how long she was tossed on that erotic wave that sizzled and snapped, but gradually it cooled to a warmth, a pleasant haze as she slowly floated back to dreamy reality to find herself held close against Darvk’s body, his breath moist and still a little ragged against her ear.
Blissfully, she clung to him as their breathing gradually evened out.
Finally, Darvk lifted his head from her shoulder to grin with supreme satisfaction. “Lass, you’re a hell of a lover.”
Outlaw Page 36
