Ellora's Cavemen: Tales from the Temple II (21 page)

128

Raptor’s Prey

Khalim watched Andromeda stomp around the small galley, mumbling beneath her breath and slamming cupboard doors. Her actions, coupled with the stiff set of her shoulders and her closed expression, hinted loudly at her displeasure.

Feeling very relaxed himself, he leaned his hip against a counter and waited for the tempest to break. Like a roiling sandstorm, her thunderous frown threatened an ill wind. He guessed her conscience bothered her.

Yes, Andromeda’s defenses were crumbling. Each time her gaze strayed his way, she assiduously refrained from glancing downward. He didn’t blame her. His blatant arousal, a surprisingly constant state, had to be upsetting her. Unfortunate for her peace of mind, but extremely gratifying to his, her body recognized the perpetual, sensual cycle in which they were trapped.

She had only to gaze upon his erection and her breasts flushed with heat, drawing into exquisite, reddened points. The sight of her small breasts ripening with desire filled his loins, making his cock and balls heavy and hard. But while he relished their mutual dilemma, she resisted.

Oh, she’d fallen under the spell of her arousal while they’d sat side by side on the captain’s deck before surrendering, much to his delight. But she was far from won.

In the meantime, his body needed sustenance to continue the long, hard battle for her heart.

“Can I help you choose?” he asked, anticipating her reaction to his voice.

Her back grew rigid. “No.”

He pushed away from the counter and approached her, treading quietly.

“Dehydrated turkey is so…dry, isn’t it?”

She jumped and whirled to face him. “I love it,” she said, her chin lifting, daring him to complain.

Reaching around her, close enough the hairs on his arm dragged across her shoulder, he plucked another packet from the open cupboard.

A shiver racked her rigid frame and her lower lip trembled.

“Mmmm. Reconstituted strawberries—they’re edible.” He dropped it on the counter next to her choice. Steeling himself against the urge to lean down and kiss her sweet mouth, he murmured, “Shall we add potatoes?”

She slid past him, her belly rubbing against his cock, and they both held their breath. “If you like!” The words sounded like they strangled her throat.

He hid a smile and replied, “You have a preference for Earth cuisine?”

129

Delilah Devlin

“Of course. It’s where I was raised.” She placed the sealed packets in the dispenser above the oven and shut the door. A moment later, she opened the oven and their meals were ready. Fragrant steam rose from the meat and vegetable.

His belly rumbled, and he smiled ruefully at her startled expression. A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips and she turned quickly to find utensils. Khalim removed the trays, setting them on the fold-down table at the end of the counter. After she gave him a fork and knife and he poured the wine he’d retrieved from her pantry, they seated themselves on stools opposite each other. He raised his glass. “My thanks for your hospitality.”

Andromeda coughed and laid down her glass. Her gaze fell to the metal table. His lap—and cock—were entirely concealed. The relief that showed in her deep sigh and relaxing shoulders made him feel extremely smug. He’d let her enjoy a moment’s respite from his pursuit. Maybe.

She stuck a forkful of dry turkey into her mouth and proceeded to chew.

“Where’s the pepper?” he asked innocently, and rose quickly from his seat.

She coughed and reached for her glass. When he returned with the shaker, her glare should have scorched his skin, but he merely gave her a bland smile and peppered his potatoes.

He swallowed a bit of his turkey and grimaced. “This is as flavorless as a shoe. For me, there’s nothing more succulent than desert fowl in a bed of sweetgrass.”

Andromeda shrugged, “To each his own.” She took another bite and chased it with more wine.

He knew better than to mention the fact she found the need to wash the colorless meat down. Besides, the wine would likely work in his favor. He put down his fork and picked up a strawberry. He popped the berry into his mouth and closed his eyes, savoring the sweetness. When he opened his eyes, he found Andromeda staring.

She glanced away, but the color staining her chest betrayed the direction of her thoughts.

His cock pulsed. He reached for the wine bag and squeezed more of the fruity beverage into her glass.

“Thank you,” she murmured, not lifting her gaze from her plate. She cleared her throat. “I’ve wondered…”

“Yes,
Ha’abib
?”

She looked at him then. “You said that before, when…”

“When we made love?” How easily she blushed! He smiled. “Do you want to know what it means?”

“Never mind,” she said quickly.

“No, it’s all right. It’s an ancient term—an endearment. Roughly translated, it means ‘darling’.”

“Oh.” She shifted on her chair, and her fingers tightened around her fork.

130

Raptor’s Prey

“Now, what were you going to ask me before?”

“Before? Oh, yes.” She blinked and took a deep breath. “Why haven’t you tried to convince me of your innocence?”

He grew still, sensing his next words would determine his fate, he replied, “Would you have believed me?”

Her troubled gaze locked with his. “Try me now.”

He took a deep breath and plunged. “I was sent to accompany the Qiharan ambassador as his aide, but I was really his bodyguard. My people have no love for the Dominion—or trust. Before our oil reserves were discovered, we were beneath their notice.”

“I was told you attacked the emissary, that you sought to disrupt the trade negotiations.”

Khalim pressed his lips tightly together to quell the curse he wished to utter. “The ambassador was my uncle. Did the governor mention that?”

Her eyebrows drew together in a frown. “No. It did seem odd they would hold negotiations on such a remote planet. But I can guess what really happened.”

Khalim nodded. “He was assassinated. It was well planned. We sat down to dinner our first evening there, and a guest at one of the lower tables stood up and opened fire.

Out of my uncle’s entire entourage, only I was left alive.”

“They needed someone to blame,” she whispered.

“I was labeled a militant who was opposed to the strengthening of our ties with the Dominion. Now, they’ve made it truth.” Tension born of frustration stiffened his neck and shoulders.

“You weren’t responsible, Khalim. How could you know—”

He shot her a look laced with irritation. How could she understand what he felt? He had been the one there—responsible for his uncle’s safety. Instead, he’d watched him die.

“And stop glaring at me. I’m not responsible either.”

He realized his stare upset her. “The deceit of your governing council still enrages me.”

“Thank you for telling me, just the same. It explains a lot. I wondered why the governor wanted you removed so quickly.” Andromeda canted her head to the side.

“Do they know about your special gift?”

“It was kept secret—insurance, in case it was needed.”

“Did you use it to warn your people on Qihar? Can you reach such a distance with your mind?”

“I spoke with my father before I was brought aboard your ship. He shares my gift.”

Khalim reached across the table and covered her hand. “I am thinking that perhaps, I ask too much of you. This isn’t your fight. There will likely be a war.”

131

Delilah Devlin

“Your world appears so primitive, at least the parts I’ve seen so far—in the dreams.

Can you win?”

“We don’t have the technology our enemies possess, but we have weapons beyond their imagination. We don’t expect to win battles, but the Dominion will not want to wage a lengthy campaign. We hope to wear down their resolution.” He cupped her cheek. “You would be better off handing me over to the authorities.”

She leaned her face into his hand. “I’m must be crazy, but I’m not afraid.” Her eyes filled. “I couldn’t bear to see you imprisoned.”

“Why? What has changed your mind about me?”

She straightened and stared at him, her gaze steady. “You’ve seduced me from the start of this voyage, trying to win my cooperation. Yet when I resisted, you never once attempted to force me to give up my password. And you could have—you’re stronger than I am.”

“I told you, I would never harm you.”

“And I believe you,” she said quietly. “You’ve been tender and gentle, even when I angered you. You’re an honorable man.”

He lifted an eyebrow.

A small smile curved her lips. “Despite our appearance, I believe that’s true. You’ve a twisted sense of humor, and this has been the oddest courtship, but I know I can take you at your word.”

“You believe this is a courtship?” He waited, willing her to have the courage to believe he was honest in his dealings with her.

She took a deep breath and said in a rush, “Yes. As
in
expert as I am, I know a man couldn’t be that hard all the time without being powerfully attracted.”

Something inside him softened and relaxed. “And do you know what the purpose of this courtship is?”

“You mean, beyond taking over my ship?”

His narrowed eyes warned her not to tread that ground again.

“You want me to accompany you to Qihar-Jadiid?” Her expression was hopeful and pierced his heart.

“I want you to
remain
there with me.”

A smile lit her face for a brief moment, and then she looked away. “But what of my ship?”

“If you give me freedom, you’ll be viewed as a pirate by the Dominion and become subject to intergalactic piracy laws. You could be executed if you are apprehended.”

“Do I have to scuttle her?” she asked, her voice tight.

“No.” He squeezed her hand. “Someday, we may have a need for her. Do you think you can bear to be planet-bound for a time?”

132

Raptor’s Prey

“I love to fly, and it’s been my whole life since before I reached adulthood, but I find the thought of losing my ship doesn’t hurt me. I know I can’t bear to live without you.”

Satisfaction filled his chest and loins. It had come to pass, as his uncle had foreseen months before his death. He had found his mate, and soon, the hawk would tether its master. He tugged on her hand. “Come here.”

“Wait!” Her eyes narrowed. “Just how many wives is a man permitted in your society?”

He pursed his lips against the smile threatening to break. Now that she was assured of her place with him, his little prey wasn’t afraid to show her own talons. “As many as his first wife will allow.”

“And do you already have a wife or two?”

He feigned nonchalance and shrugged. “I’ve been a warrior for most of my adult life. I’ve had no time to seek a suitable mate.”

Her eyebrows drew together in a fierce frown. “Am I just convenient, then?”

“
Ha’abib
, you’ve been extremely
in
convenient.” He jerked her to her feet and pulled her around the table. When she stood in front of him, his hands closed over her hips.

She stiffened, resisting his pull. “Will I be your wife or your convenience?”

Annoyance burned for a moment until he noticed her white-knuckle grip on his hand. The answer was not apparent to her—she still doubted her own appeal. “My wife, of course.”

She nodded once. “And if I tell you there will be no other wives in our life?”

“Then I will expect you to provide all that a Tirrekh warrior needs from his
wives
.”

He suppressed a smile as the light of battle appeared in her eyes.

“Maybe one Earth woman equals several of your wives.”

Needing to hold her, he stood up and circled the table, backing her up against the edge. “Perhaps we should test your theory.” He leaned down and captured her mouth in a hot, hard kiss.

Andromeda sighed against his lips and their mouths softened, sliding together. He circled the sharp edges of her teeth and then stroked her tongue with his.

Her body yielded, sweetly opening her thighs to cuddle his sex. He circled his hips, rubbing her slit, wetting the tip of his cock in her moisture.

She drew away and framed his face with her soft hands. “This…attraction burns. I couldn’t feel this way, if I didn’t love you.”

He rested his forehead against hers. “As I love you.”

Her eyes glittered with moisture, and she rose up on her toes to press her lips to his, again.

133

Delilah Devlin

Promises were exchanged as their tongues mated. His body stirred, her hips curved to accept his cock. He growled deep in his throat and lifted her off the floor. Her legs wrapped around his waist and he plunged into her wet warmth.

They strained together—mouths and hips fusing, desperate to deepen their emotional and physical connection. Khalim’s hips rolled, pumping into her drenched pussy.

At first he didn’t recognize the noise, he was so lost inside the wonder of his woman’s body.

Andromeda pressed against his shoulders. “Khalim, that’s a hailing signal!”

The alarm in her voice pierced his sex-drugged mind. Her legs were already lowering from his waist, and he helped her gain her footing, regretting the loss of their connection.

“What shall we do?” she asked, already heading toward the corridor. “We’ve been discovered by sentinels. We must be very close to the perimeter. How will we escape them now?”

He followed closely on her heels to the bridge. “You must distract them.”

“How?” She reached the ladder, but rather than climbing down the metal rungs, she straddled it and slid to the floor below.

He imitated her action and followed her. “Do they expect you to respond?”

“If I don’t, they’ll assume I’m still in suspension.” She slipped into her chair and flipped open the control panel. The screen opened, a midnight blue expanse dotted with brilliant lights from a billion far away stars. “Display all spacecraft.”

As Khalim seated himself next to her, brackets surrounded a dark spot on the screen, and then illuminated the hull of a small cruiser.