Bakra Bride

by N. J. Walters

  Jane couldn’t stop the blush she knew was creeping up her face. Her cheeks felt as if they were burning, they were so hot. The older woman just smiled at her. “Jane. May I call you Jane?” When Jane nodded, she continued. “And you must call me Olena.” She stood and began to pace. “I know that our world must seem strange to you, but you must not feel badly for being attracted to both my sons.”

  Jane groaned and buried her face in her hands. “This is so embarrassing.”

  “Why?” Olena stopped by the table and poured a glass of cider from a jug.

  “Because you’re their mother, for heaven’s sakes,” Jane spit out.

  Olena’s gentle laughter eased her discomfort somewhat as did her words. “Jane, I am a woman first and a mother second. I had a husband and he had a brother as well.” She waited while the implications of that statement sunk in. “When my husband died, his brother and I were a great comfort to one another and we had several happy years before illness claimed him.”

  She walked over to Jane, handing her the goblet. Jane grasped it and drank deep. “I don’t know what to do. My life has changed so much in the last months.”

  “Tell us,” Olena encouraged as she sat once again. Christina leaned forward and Jane found herself pouring out her entire life story to them.

  “So you see,” she took a sip from her glass a long time later, hoping to ease her dry throat, “the night before I came here I had a call from my old boyfriend and a job offer. I have prospects in my life.”

  Olena frowned at her as if trying to understand her, and it occurred to Jane that the older woman might not comprehend some of her words. But before Jane could begin to explain, Christina zeroed right in on the truly important question. “But is that what you still want for your life?”

  “I don’t know.” She heard the anguish and uncertainty in her own voice. “I thought I would start my own business, but then,” she waved her hand to encompass the room, “then this happened.”

  Christina sighed. “Only you can answer that question, but the tapestry will reappear tomorrow night and you will have to make your choice. Life is different here, in some ways better, but in others much harder.” She shook her head, making her long blond hair shimmer. “I miss chocolate and tampons and movies. Simple things really and when it comes down to it, just things. But what have I gained?” she paused. “What I have gained is a love that is unwavering and a place where I am needed and where I can be accepted for who I am.”

  Christina smiled at Jane. “That and I never have to pay taxes, I’m not bothered by telemarketers and I no longer worry about dieting because Jarek and Marc think I’m perfect the way I am.”

  “But it’s too much, too fast,” Jane whispered.

  Christina’s smile faded and her eyes were sympathetic. “It is. Yet there is no choice. The tapestry will reappear and, make no mistake, if you do not make your own choice, it will make one for you. Then you will be forced to live with it. It is better to make up your own mind.”

  Olena cleared her throat. “Jane, we have just met, but I can already sense that both Zaren and Bador care deeply for you. And after what happened with Jarmon, I think Garrik is half in love with you. I know for sure that he would lay down his life for you. All my sons would.” She pinned Jane with a glacial gaze very reminiscent of her sons. “To them you are priceless. Think about that as you make your choice.”

  Olena sighed deeply. “Forgive an old lady’s interference, but I want my sons’ happiness and health above all things. You will make your own choice. Now, it is time for me to go and see to Jarmon.”

  Rising, she started towards the door. Jane stared after her, impressed with the regal way the older lady carried herself. “Thank you,” she called out.

  Olena paused at the door. “You will leave soon. If I see you again it will be because you are my daughter-in-law. I pray it is so. But if not, have a good life, Jane Smith.” Then she was gone as she disappeared through the open door.

  Jane slumped back into her chair. “What am I to do?”

  Zaren stood in the shadows of the hallway and watched his mother walk away. He hadn’t meant to eavesdrop on the women, but he hadn’t wanted to be far from Jane in case she needed him.

  He snorted softly under his breath. He couldn’t lie to himself, he was hoping to glean some piece of information about Jane’s former life to help convince her to stay. It was why he hadn’t closed the door behind him when he’d left her.

  Although there was no sound, Zaren turned toward an alcove further down the hall. Now that their mother had passed by and was gone from sight, Bador stepped out from where he had concealed himself. Zaren could see the look of disbelief and anger on his brother’s face and knew that it matched his own.

  The horror of what Jane had survived had sliced through him like a knife. She could have easily been killed and he would never have met her. The mere thought was almost profane. He could no longer imagine a life without her. The courage with which she’d acted made him proud. His Jane was no frail flower. Yes, she needed to take better care of herself physically, but he now understood why she was so thin and pale.

  His eyes narrowed thoughtfully. It was too bad he couldn’t travel to where she came from long enough to deal with Richard Trenton. He’d make sure the other man was no longer of any threat to Jane. What would happen to Jane if she went back to her own time and her own world? Who would protect her?

  That outcome was unthinkable. He would find a way to keep her here. Safe with him. He took a deep breath and slowly released it. These feelings of possessiveness were entirely new to him and he was having a hard time dealing with them. She might very well choose Bador as her husband. He gritted his teeth at the mere thought. So be it. If that’s what it took to make her stay.

  He glanced at his brother and saw the same grim determination etched on his face. It was time to take her back home to Bakra Castle. Time for himself and Bador to bend all their considerable skills to convince Jane to remain with them. Just the thought of the coming night had his cock swelling and pressing against the front of his pants. It was going to be a long and very pleasurable night. Reaching down, he adjusted himself to try and ease the ache and then headed towards the sitting room.

  With their heads bent together as they talked earnestly, the two women made a wondrous sight. Christina with her long blond hair and her plump, ripe body, and Jane with her tousled black locks that fell only to her shoulders and her long, lean body. It was a sight to make a man sigh with need and make his pants uncomfortably tight.

  Bador crowded in behind him, all but shoving him into the room. They both nodded at Christina before turning to Jane. “It’s time to go home.” Zaren’s voice was harsh and he winced inwardly when she flinched.

  “Back to Bakra Castle, you mean?” Jane challenged him. “My home isn’t here and I’ve just found out that I can return to my home if I want to.”

  “No. Your home is here.” Zaren knew he should be trying to gently convince her to stay, but the more primitive side of himself was goading him to just take her and claim her. He wanted to toss her on the floor and fuck her until she was screaming her release and couldn’t even think about leaving him.

  And that was surely going to convince her to stay. He clenched his hands into fists, trying to regain his control. He’d never had any problem maintaining control until he’d met Jane. What was it about this slender, stubborn woman that aroused every male hormone in his body want to grab her and yell, “MINE!”

  Bador pushed passed him and walked to her. “We brought you here so that they could explain things to you and answer all your questions.” He smoothed her hair away from her face with his hands and then cupped her face between them. Bending down, he kissed her softly, gently, carefully.

  Zaren ground his teeth in frustration. He should have been the one kissing Jane, but Bador was better at the softer talk that women loved. Zaren was a man of action and right now was not the time for the kind of action he wanted to ta
ke. His body burned with the need to join with Jane. He wanted his cock buried deep inside her welcoming body when they both came. He wanted his seed spurting deep inside her, marking her as his.

  His breathing was getting harsher and he knew his control was almost shot. “We leave within the hour.” Turning, he strode away even though all he wanted to do was go to Jane and enfold her in his arms.

  “Say your goodbyes and meet me out front.” Not giving anyone time to question his orders, he stalked down the hallway to say his farewells to his mother and younger brothers.

  Chapter Eleven

  The ride back to Bakra Castle was a somber affair. Jane still wasn’t sure what put Zaren in such a foul mood. After all, Jarmon’s condition had made a turn for the better and it looked as if he would make a full recovery given enough time. Garrik and Olena had wished them a safe journey and Jarmon had even managed a weak smile.

  Christina had all but begged her to come back and visit if she stayed in Javara. In the short time they’d spent together, Jane felt as if she had met a kindred spirit in the other woman. Jane had never had a good female friend before and was surprised at how much she’d enjoyed just spending the afternoon talking with her even if the subject had been a very serious one. It helped that Christina understood her situation in a way that no one else could.

  She’d finally met Jarek’s brother Marc as they were mounting to leave. He was a quiet man with an air of sadness about him even as he smiled at all those around him. But Jane recognized the sadness in him, as she’d felt it herself over the years. In spite of the fact that they had Christina, Marc was still lonely. Jane wondered how it would be for either Zaren or Bador if she chose to stay and wed one of them. How would the other one truly feel?

  She’d had many of her questions answered this afternoon, but they, in turn, had only spawned more questions. Sighing, she shifted to a more comfortable position. At least she wasn’t riding a horse this time. There had been no doubt as to how she was travelling home. Her horse had been tethered behind the other two and Zaren had picked her up and all but tossed her on top of his horse before climbing up behind her and hauling her into his arms.

  “Are you comfortable?” She could hear the concern in his voice and knew that he was doing his best to see to her comfort.

  She was cradled against his massive chest and the broad expanse of firm muscles that were exposed by the open vest that he wore. Soft blond hair ran down the center towards his waist before disappearing behind the covering of his leather pants. Her fingers itched to touch it, but she kept her hands clasped tightly in her lap. He was so darn handsome that he always managed to distract her from her thoughts.

  “Jane?” He shifted her slightly and she could feel his growing erection pushing against her side.

  “I’m fine.” Her bottom was still sore, but at least her legs were no longer numb. But that was the least of her worries. Her body was responding to the sheer nearness of him, remembering all the pleasure that his body had given hers.

  The air was calm and the forest quiet. The sound of the horses’ hooves was muffled against the moss and grass on the woodland trail they followed. Sunlight flickered through the canopy of trees above them as they moved through the thick forest. The sun was sinking lower and it would be dark long before they reached Bakra Castle. An unseen bird serenaded them with a song and a brook gurgled close by.

  Jane tried to concentrate on her surroundings. But it was impossible. Her breasts felt swollen and heavy. As her body moved with the sway of the horse, they rubbed against the cotton fabric of the tunic she wore, abrading her sensitive nipples until they were both hard nubs. She’d tried to pluck the fabric away from her chest, but it immediately draped back over her breasts, making them worse. She’d been doing her best to ignore it, but it wasn’t working.

  Now, with Zaren’s shaft pushing against her, she felt an answering pulse deep in her belly. The slick folds of her sex got wetter with every mile they went. The motion of the animal beneath her and Zaren’s arms wrapped around her all conspired to make her pussy weep with need. She could feel the cream pooling between her thighs and was glad that the tunic covered her lap, because she feared that the pale blue silk of her pajamas was now stained with her juices.

  She tried to shift her position, moving her legs ever so slightly, hoping that Zaren wouldn’t notice anything. His sigh ruffled the hair on her head. He tilted her chin up so that she was forced to look at him. “What’s wrong, Jane? Do you need to stop and rest awhile?”

  He brought the horse to a halt in the middle of the trail. “I’m fine, really. I just want to get back to the castle.” His lips thinned and his face grew stern at the reference to the castle, but she refused to call it home. At least for now.

  “You’re sure?”

  “What’s wrong?” Bador had realized they weren’t behind him and had doubled back on the trail.

  Jane gritted her teeth. “Everything is fine. I’m fine. I just want to get back to the castle so I can climb into a hot tub of water and soak my aching butt. Okay?” She was determined not to lose her temper, but they weren’t making it easy.

  Bador stifled a grin before blowing her a kiss and starting his horse back down the trail. Zaren’s chest moved suspiciously against her side. She drummed her fingers against his leg. She very much suspected that he was laughing at her. A quick glance confirmed it. Yep, he was definitely laughing at her.

  Deliberately, she shifted so her hip rubbed against his thick shaft. It was her turn to smile when he groaned. She did it again, but this time, he gripped her tight and held her still.

  “What game are you playing, Jane?”

  “Who’s playing?” she taunted. “You were laughing at me a moment ago.”

  “Ah,” he responded as he lightly pulled on the reins and sent his horse trotting back down the path behind Bador.

  “What does that mean?” She knew she should let it rest, but she just couldn’t.

  “It means that you were tormenting me because I laughed at you.” Put like that it sounded kind of small and petty.

  “Okay,” she relented. “It was on purpose, but you deserved it.” Her butt ached, she was horny as heck, and they were still several hours from home. No, she corrected herself, from the castle. Not to mention the whole tapestry thing, which was making her head and her stomach ache just thinking about it.

  “I was not making light of your pain. I would never do that.” The hand cupping her hip flexed as he pulled her closer. “But you do make me smile, Jane.”

  She opened her mouth to respond but instead found her words swallowed as he covered her lips with his. They were firm and warm against hers. He rubbed them back and forth over hers until she parted them. Instead of thrusting his tongue deep inside as she expected him to, he made small forays into the moist cavern, flicking his tongue barely into her mouth before withdrawing.

  It was maddening and she could only stand it for so long before she grabbed a hank of his hair and dragged him closer. His laugh was muffled as she plunged her tongue deep into his mouth, tasting every part of it. He tasted hot and exotic and addictive. She couldn’t get enough of him as she rubbed her tongue over his.

  He tore his mouth from hers and kissed his way down her jaw. His mouth was wet and warm on her neck. “Wrap your arms around my neck and hold on.” She barely had time to do as he asked before he released his hold on her, gripped the top of the tunic in his hands and rent the fabric straight down the center.

  The evening air was cool on her flesh as it blew across her nipples. They hardened further, puckering into tight buds. Zaren slipped his arm around her back and over her side until he was cupping her breast in his palm. The tip poked at the center of his hand and he made a low growl in his throat as he moved his palm in a circular motion.

  Jane kept one hand wrapped around his neck but lowered her other one, stroking his hard chest. She loved the way the muscles rippled under her fingers. When her finger brushed his flat nipple, she felt
his cock flex against her hip. Oh, he liked that.

  Trusting him to not let her fall, she used her other hand to push his brown leather vest wide open. Gripping his waist with her hands, she lowered her head and nuzzled the fine covering of chest hair before licking one of his brown nipples. He groaned and his fingers flexed around her breast. Now it was her turn to moan.

  She flicked at the nipple with her tongue. She could spend hours just touching him and tasting him. She hadn’t had the chance to really explore like she wanted to. But petting him like this was driving her desire to a fevered pitch. The pulsing between her legs matched the pulsing of his cock that pressed into her side.

  Zaren shifted her suddenly, tilting her back over his arm. Jane cried out and grabbed at him, but he still had one arm secured around her. His expression was one of grim determination as he pulled at the ties of her pajama pants. Once they were open, he thrust his hand downward. There was no hesitation as his fingers parted her slick folds and two of them pushed deep into her pussy.

  Jane arched backward, wanting his fingers deeper. “More,” she moaned, past all thoughts except completion. She was lying across his hard thighs with only his arm for support on a moving horse, but she felt perfectly safe.

  The fingers of his left hand carefully pinched her nipple, while at the same time he slowly withdrew the two fingers buried inside her until only the tips remained within. Jane flexed her hips at the same time he shoved his fingers deep. She cried out as the thick digits stretched the sensitive muscles of her sex. A bird, startled by the sound, flew out from a tree and disappeared with a squawk.

  Jane closed her eyes, shutting out the world around her. Only she and Zaren existed. Surrounded by his arms, cradled in his lap, he continued to pleasure her. He was relentless, driving her higher and higher. Her toes curled in her boots as he brushed the swollen bundle of nerves at the apex of her thighs with his thumb.