Hesparia's Tears (21 page)

She wanted him. A burning ache started in her heart and travelled all the way down to her core.

“Gospah?” She waited and the walls pulsed in deep shades.

“Yes, Jessa?” She smiled as the subdued tones of the ship.

“Could you…umm…” Then she giggled. The thoughts that now echoed in her head were fairly lascivious. She certainly didn’t want Gospah there for the scenes she was about to enact with Galan. That is, if he was of the same mindset. She glanced at him and saw the growing understanding.

“Of course, Jessa. Excuse me, please, Galan.” The amused tone died away and the walls glowed a dull red, letting them both know that she had withdrawn.

“Now then… Let me see… Where were we?” She slipped her hands around Galan’s waist. “Oh yes…” She leaned in and almost at his lips, whispered, “right about here.” And pressed herself to him. She placed her mouth against it, which opened and she thrust her tongue within his warm moist cavern.

She firmed her hands over his shoulders, glorying in the feel of him beneath her touch. His hands shook as he circled her waist. He gripped her with hard fingers. “Let me love you,” he whispered against her lips and the breath caressed the sensitive skin. His words became a drug, pulling at her senses and she closed her eyes just a little until her lids were at half-mast.

Slowly he brushed one hand up her side, letting it settle just beside the swell of her breast. Then he followed slowly with the other and she quivered beneath his careful movements. If only he knew exactly what each caress and glance did to her. How she burnt when he was near.

Jessa kept her fingers on his collar bone but moved slow circles and he moved into her touch, as if seeking more. “You are the most beautiful woman I know.” Galan brushed his thumbs up and down at the sides of her breasts and she trembled in reaction. Hot sparks of arousal exploded within her body.

His touch moved, sliding across her breasts and she cried out. He stopped and looked into her eyes, his concern clear. “Okay?”

“Just a bit sensitive at the moment.” She gasped the words.

He smiled warming her through at the gleam that entered his eyes. “And I’ve barely begun.” Gently, he lowered his head again. This time the kiss was like the brush of a butterfly’s wing, so very soft and tender.

She made to open her mouth but he pulled back. “Not yet.” He gently nipped his way down to her chin and nibbled, then continued the sensual journey up to the sensitive spot beneath one ear. “Tonight, I’m going to love you like no one ever has or ever will again.”

He flicked his tongue against sensitive flesh and she quivered in delight. “Galan, please.” She raised her hands to lock around his neck but he caught them, stilled them. Raised them above her head.

“Not tonight, Jessa. Tonight is the first night of our forever.” The meaning of his words made her teary.

“Oh, Galan…I nearly made the biggest mistake of my life. I…”

He stopped her words with another soft kiss.

“But you didn’t.” Galan placed his hands on the front of her blouse, and popped her buttons slowly while she watched his movements. Finally he pushed the material away, exposing the white bra that lay beneath. “So very beautiful.”

He traced the top band of her underwear and her breath hitched. She squirmed again, knew that at this rate, she’d explode before he even entered her. “Galan…” Her breathless entreaty was met with a seductive and low chuckle.

“Be patient.” He reached behind, deftly unfastened her and she hissed as the cool air caressed her sensitised globes. But this time he groaned and placed his hands over her. Flicked the distended nubs he found and she jerked in response as lightening flashed through her system.

He had barely touched her and already her body was over-stimulated. She pushed against his chest. “My turn.” But he stopped her, shaking his head.

“No. Tonight is for us, but I need to show you how much I care.” His face was tight and hard like granite and his eyes glittered with his need.

Jessa subsided and let him continue his intimate inspection. But each touch heated her system. Her core yearned with emptiness and she moaned as he moved his hands to the waistband of her pants.

He tugged at them and she moved her hips, letting him push them down her legs. She sat on the bed, in just her panties as she squeezed her knees together while excitement gripped tight. “Galan!” She called his name and this time he crooned to her.

“Jessa. Sweet beautiful Jessa. My heart and my love.” He brushed his fingers over her mound, hidden beneath the plain white cotton and she moved mindlessly. He slipped one finger beneath, parting the damp curls and dipped into her. She arched and panted.

“More, Galan. I need more!” Her broken cries mixed with the scent of musk that filled the air but he continued rubbing. Touching her. Slipping lightly within her hot damp core. The tension grew, her stomach clenched tightly and she locked her legs together as rapture overtook her. Her heart stuttered for an instant as she fell back on the bed.

He wrenched her underwear from her body, she dimly heard them tear and his muttered imprecations.

Jessa opened her eyes, smiling shyly at him. “So now it must be your turn? At least… when I get my breath back.” Then she closed her eyes.

Sounds of movement, the shucking of clothes, filled the air then he was there. Crawling across the bed, settling between her thighs. His mouth on her most sensitive flesh and she wantonly opened her legs to his invasion. His tongue flicked and again she jerked as her body settled into the now familiar carnal rhythm. She arched as he clung to the tender skin of her thighs. “More, Galan! More!”

He lifted his face, licking his lips. “You taste finer than the best wines.” Then he flowed up the bed to her, growling as he feasted on her mouth.

She could taste herself on his lips. She opened herself to his deeply erotic embrace even as he fitted himself at the entry to her core.

Then slowly, achingly slowly he slipped within. Each tiny movement heightened as he pinched at her nipples. She cried out and tried to arch into his touch, but he stayed her. “Slowly. Tonight. I. Promised. Slowly.” His voice cracked on the last word and even in the height of passion she was overcome. A single tear burnt its way down her cheek.

He stopped, holding himself still within her. “I’m hurting you?” His strangled voice hurt her soul.

“No, Galan. I’m crying because I’m happy.” She leaned into him. “Please. Don’t stop.” She kissed him and he moved, faster, as if unable to hold back any longer.

She met his urgent thrusts, let her tongue dance with his. The sound of their flesh moving against each other filled the air.

“Give me your everything, Jessa. Give me your heat.” His grip on her hips pulled her closer to him.

“More! Galan! Galan!” She called to him, knowing now, that his soul and hers were one. She craved release as the invisible tendrils within her wound higher and higher.

She gulped at the air as he assaulted her senses. Her body sought the cataclysmic release that neared. Jessa threw her head back and keened as the first ripples spread out from within her. Galan moved within her, faster and harder, his skin sheened with sweat, his teeth bared and muscles in his shoulders and neck corded.

“Now!” With a final brutal thrust, he climaxed with her, holding her tight while her internal walls milked him.

Finally lethargy filled her, as her muscles released and she slumped as did Galan. They lay there, still intimately entwined for long moments. They both panted from their exertions.

“I’m too heavy.” He moved with a grunt, slipping down beside her, pulling her into his arms. “This is what it will be like forever for us. I love you, Jessa.”

“Yes. Forever.” She whispered the word. She closed her eyes and she let sleep claim her.

* * * *

Jessa woke. Nausea assailing her and she surged up before bolting for the bathroom. She just made it, falling to her knees and retching.

She heard the thud of feet behind her, but her belly was violently upset. She could feel a touch on her shoulder as she hunched, her stomach expelling its contents. After long moments she sat back, weakly leaning against his legs.

“It will be better now.” He handed her a wet cloth.

She gratefully accepted it, wiping her mouth and with a sigh she closed her eyes. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what caused it.”

Slowly he pushed her hair from her sweaty face and she nuzzled at his hand. “Are you sure?”

Jessa’s eyes opened at his tone and the seed of a thought intruded as her mind whirled…
Tender breasts, uncertain emotions, nausea…
“What do you mean?” She frowned, waiting for his answer.

Galan smiled. “Think, Jessa. You are ill, you complained of sore breasts. You tire quickly. They are all symptoms.”

Jessa gasped as he enumerated those that had occurred to her. “Pregnant? You think I’m pregnant?”

He nodded.

She gulped. If that was true, this would be the first child on Hesparia in many years.

“If you wish, we can ascertain if that is indeed what is making you ill.” His quiet words soothed the last of her fears. He helped her to stand.

She needed to know. “How soon can we find out?” Now she wanted to know. Yearned to find out if she was carrying his child.

“We can find out immediately. I will send for one of the healers.” He kissed her cheek and helped Jessa back to the bed. She lay down, still wrung out from the exertion but filled with excitement.
Can it really be true? Can I be lucky enough to have Galan and a baby?

“Gospah? Could you request one of the healers to come to my cabin? He will require his diagnostic equipment.” He sat beside Jessa, the bed dipping slightly, rolling her towards him. He smiled and caressed her cheek.

“Of course, Galan. Should I give him details of the symptoms?” The walls flushed with pastel shades and Jessa nearly laughed, controlling the urge with some difficulty.

“Not at this time.”

They waited, only leaving the bed to slip into light robes, then the door opened and one of the healers entered with the diagnostic tool in his hand. She couldn’t remember his name but had met him during her time aboard before.

“Galan, you required my services?”

Galan smiled broadly. A hot tide burnt her cheeks.
This is so embarrassing.
But now that the idea was there, she wanted to know. Needed to know and desperately wanted it to be true.

Galan explained her symptoms and Jessa waited patiently as the healer sampled her blood, then peered into the tiny screen. A small smile crept over his face. He turned the screen for Galan to view.

“So?” She demanded to know what the results indicated.

Galan smiled at her. “It’s positive. We are going to have a baby!” His eyes glowed with delight as warmth flowed through her.
A baby. Mine and Galan’s.

“Sir… Will you be wanting Jessa to be moved to the medical facility?”

Jessa was startled. Why on earth would she need that? Was there something wrong with her? With the baby? “Do I… Do I need that?” The happy and warm feelings dissipated. “I really don’t want to spend the next few months in some medical facility unless there is a reason.” She leant forward, pinning the healer with a questioning gaze.

Galan put an arm around her. “It is a precaution we usually take because of the issues…” But he watched the healer. “Is it really necessary?”

The healer looked perplexed. “Honestly? I don’t know.” He shrugged his thin shoulders. “Jessa doesn’t have the altered gene, so it may be unnecessary, but still… I’d like to keep a close eye on her, during the gestation period. Remember, we don’t know the effect on the foetus either.”

Galan had paled during the exchange and nodded slowly. “I had not considered that.” He gripped her hand painfully. “Perhaps…”

But Jessa wasn’t about to be sequestered for the next however long. “Look, I won’t go to the medical facility, but I’m more than happy for you to keep a close eye on me.” She hoped he would agree to her solution. “I’m not doing anything taxing. Organising the migration of the women and their berths seems to be about my limit of tasks. I promise not to do anything strenuous and check in as regularly as you need. So, will you let me remain here, in the normal cabin?” She waited, hoping they would see that it was the wisest option.

Both the healer and Galan watched her for a moment then the healer nodded. “If you are unwell, ache, hurt, bleed or other, you must report to me immediately. Do you understand?”

Jessa nodded. This baby was far too precious to her, to Galan and to Hesparia for her to take any chances. “I will.”

Obviously satisfied, the healer left the room.

* * * *

Jessa stretched. The table and chairs that had been made available for her use were comfortable but her pregnant body was disinclined to let her sit still for so long. She regularly needed bathroom breaks. As the announcements of the women who were to migrate to Hesparia came in, she needed to deal with all manner of requests. This one had an allergy to peanuts, that one absolutely had to have a bath. Another ate no pork on religious grounds. One couldn’t part with her Elvis Presley memorabilia and wanted to ship it to Hesparia.

Mounds of paper sat at the end of the desk. Jessa groaned reading the requests. She called out when someone knocked on the door.

It opened and her assistant entered the room. “Jessa? Where do you want these?” The files in her hands bulged as did all the others littering her desk.

“Start a new pile, Emily. I’ll get to them after I finish all the others.” She indicated the rubble on her desk. “And, Emily? How many more are due in?”

“Well, we have the first hundred now. Their references have been checked, they have already attended their mandatory medicals. If you sign off on this list today, they should arrive in the next week. As soon as you okay it, I can arrange their flights into the air force base and then sort out their transportation to Parkes.” Emily smiled, and Jessa considered for an instant requesting her presence on board but shook her head. Emily had a young man she was seeing. It wouldn’t be fair.