PrimalHunger (20 page)

“You didn’t tell me about Shyla.”

Destiny’s gaze was steady. “It was the only way to keep you
safe. I knew about the escape pods the moment they jettisoned from the
Calypso
.”

“Why send me on the rescue missions then, if they were
abused by the Sheon?”

“Shyla’s arrival always followed a drop. We’ve been
smuggling out refugees through the mining consortium.” She sighed. “I couldn’t
risk you two finding each other. Skreeta was becoming too dangerous, too
paranoid.”

Kendra nodded. Some of it made sense, yet it still stunk of
betrayal.

Destiny rolled her neck and slouched back in the chair.
“What happens next?”

Kendra mimicked her friend. “A T’oatha Balleh is going to be
called. It’s known as a blood feud, and determines who continues the royal
line. Our people are tempered by blood.”

“By blood? Well, that’s completely barbaric.”

Kendra laughed at her shocked response. “It’s our way. If I
challenge, I get choice of weapons and she picks the location.”

Destiny considered the possibilities. “And if you challenge?”

Kendra shrugged. “The opposite. She gets weapons, we get
location.”

The twinges of a smile touched her lips. “I like that you
said ‘we’. If she chooses location, you’ll die.”

“Either way I could die. I’d rather have tactical advantage,
though.” Kendra sighed and tapped her fingers on the chair arm. “So she’ll have
to challenge me. Well, that’s going to be a pain.” Kendra considered the
possibilities. “It would have to be a public place, a place where witnesses
can’t be silenced.”

Destiny met Kendra’s gaze. “Are you sure you can take her?”

Kendra laughed a bitter and near-desperate laugh. “It’s the
only way I can ensure Azros and his people have a chance. The longer I keep her
off the ship, the more time they’ll have to do what needs to be done. I’ve been
training for this moment for most of my life. The truth is…I should have done
this years ago.”

“You would fight to the death over a man?” Destiny’s voice
held some raw emotion Kendra couldn’t interpret.

Over just any man? No. Over Azros? Kendra closed her eyes.
How could any man get under her skin in such a short time? Yes, if it came down
to it. Kendra pushed that thought away before it could show on her face.

Kendra shook her head. “No. I would fight to the death for
the right to live free. His people, my people, me…she would see the galaxy burn
and think it beautiful. The insanity has to stop.”

A light came into Destiny’s eye…the kind of glow that meant
trouble. “I have an idea. Let me work my end, and you take care of yours.” She
stood with her mask slipped firmly back into place. “Get your best dress ready.
We’re going to have ourselves a party.”

* * * * *

Kendra walked across the stark floor, wishing for a carpet
or rug to offset the obscene chill against her bare feet. They had a plan, sort
of, and Kendra wondered if she could actually pull it off. Azros’ life depended
on it. Hell,
her
life depended on it. She dropped her jacket on the back
of a chair, continuing to the bedroom.

She found Azros lying on the bed…naked. All thoughts of cold
feet and death shredded into the mist of her mind. All she had was the
Valorian. It would always be him. The pounding of her heart increased. Her gaze
devoured his body. He was magnificent. The stripes along his skin emphasized
every sculpted muscle in his body. His mouthwatering cock was engorged, ready.
Her pussy clenched in greedy supplication. She wanted him. Just him. She
tightened her hands into fists, biting back the need to run to the man.

He sighed. “You are so stubborn.” He pushed up and turned,
dropping his feet to the ground. “You waited too long.” His hand reached out,
palm up. “We both did.”

She couldn’t stop herself from moving to him, any more than
she could stop breathing. His hand engulfed hers, tugging her between his
spread legs. Fingers dragged her shirt up. Cool air brushed her skin.

“I’m not insane like last time.” The overstimulated raging
inferno had engulfed her. It had been terrifying.

His mouth pressed against her stomach, and she slid her
fingers through his hair. The brush of his breath against her skin warmed and
soothed her. His tongue licked a burning path around her navel.

“Last time you went feral. That’s something I should have
seen coming, should have been able to stop.” The spice of his scent surrounded
them. Kendra dragged in one greedy breath after another. She could almost taste
him on her tongue. He kissed the underside of her breast. “I’m sorry.”

Kendra cupped his head and brushed her lips against his
sinfully soft hair. “There’s nothing to be sorry for.”

His tongue licked up her breast, flicking across the nipple.
“I’ve missed your touch.”

“It’s only been a few hours.”
Eternity.

“Too long.” His words echoed her thoughts. He kissed her
with possessive intent until they were both moaning.

He gripped her long hair, tugging her head back. The relief
from his touch nearly crippled her. She dragged in breath after breath as if
she had been suffocating. His arms surrounded her.

He dragged her off her feet and twisted them around until
she was on the coverlet. His body pressed against hers. She arched against him,
legs opened, locking around his hips.

This felt so right. “What are you doing to me?”

The hard length of his cock pressed against the sensitive
vee of her thighs. “The same thing you’re doing to me.” Volatile emotion
churned with dark lust in the depths of his gaze.

His mouth descended. The touch of his lips sizzled her nerve
endings. He licked and tasted. Teeth nipped, while his talented, rough tongue
soothed.

“Will I get a cat’s tongue?”

Azros growled against her skin. “I don’t think so.” His
teeth scraped against her throat.

She moaned. “That’s too bad.” His tongue licked the mark
he’d given her. A pulse fire of pleasure shot to her core. She cried out. Damn
that was sensitive.

“I like yours just the way it is.” He kissed her again,
suckling on her tongue.

She moaned, palming the hot length of his cock. Her fingers
stroked, and he whispered words in a lilting language she couldn’t understand.
He gently thrust, and his cock moved smoothly back and forth in her hand. Her
thumb brushed a tiny bead of pre-cum around the head.

He groaned. “Your touch drives me insane.”

Powerful, calloused caresses whipped her body into a mass of
electric sensation. Masterful hands tore the clothes from her body. Lips
swallowed her gasp of surprise. Clever fingers delved into her moist heat,
fucking her with skill that left her breathless. Her eyes burned with unshed
tears. His touch was so good. She caressed the head of his cock. “It’s not
enough.”
It will never be enough.
“More.”

He spread her thighs and flicked his fingers inside.
Pleasure spiked at every thrust, every twist of his fingers. Orgasm rose like a
storm.

“Not yet.” His heated whisper sent chills of pleasure down
her spine. He withdrew his fingers, and Kendra couldn’t stop the desperate cry
from escaping. “Shh. It’s okay. Just stay with me a little longer.”

The head of his cock pressed against her pussy. His hands
gripped her hips. With one stroke he thrust deep into the greedy recesses of
her body, impaling her with his hard length. They both cried out.

Kendra arched against him. The pleasure. Oh fate, the
pleasure.

He began to move, hard, intense strokes that stole her
breath. Tension built and Kendra cried out, “Please!” She was so close.

Her fingers plunged into his hair, dragging his mouth down
for a kiss. His teeth nipped at her lips.

His thrusts became harder, more erratic. She could feel his
cock swelling. A final thrust sent her over the edge. Ecstasy crashed through
her body in a brazen thunderstorm. He followed her over, the pulsing of his
cock sending her body into small aftershocks of pleasure.

He dropped his head to her shoulder as their breathing
returned to normal. With a groan, he rolled them over, draping her over his
body. Her head settled against his chest where his heartbeat was a steady,
comforting sound against the whirlwind in her mind. He gently slid his fingers
through her hair, massaging her scalp in tiny circles.

She ran her fingers along the stripes on his chest. The
velvet smoothness of the skin fascinated her.

“You’re going to take the ship, aren’t you?” Kendra
continued her caresses.

Azros sighed. “Yes.”

“What happens if this frenzy thing happens when you’re not
around?”

His fingers clenched in her hair, and she heard his low
growl. “That’s not going to happen.”

“How do you know?”

He tugged gently until she could stare deep into his eyes.
“I wouldn’t be able to leave you if it was a danger. It would be impossible to
separate us.”

“Are you sure?”

He smiled. “Yes.”

“You have a plan?” Kendra tried not to be irritated at his
one-syllable reply. She wasn’t sure, damn him.

“A detailed one, with several backup scenarios. Your Destiny
is very thorough, and Jackson is a brilliant tactician. They’ve set me on a
good path.” He was hedging. “This isn’t the first time I’ve had to do something
like this, Kendra. It comes with the territory. It is part of my job.”

Kendra tried not to imagine what they’d come up with. She
couldn’t risk him delving too deep into her own plan, so she bit her tongue to
keep her questions locked tight. Kendra spread her palm against his chest. His
heart pounded against her touch. Would she ever get used to the different
textures between stripes and skin? The scars on his body were ones of a
warrior. He would survive. “Who will you take?”

“Destiny loaned me Jackson. Mase volunteered. There are
about seven or eight others. You saw them all at the meeting.”

Kendra nodded, somewhat satisfied. Jackson was a master
strategist, and Mase was made of tougher skin. Literally. “How long will you
need for the success of the plan?”

“Once we get off the ground and into position…three hours,
max. It’s get in and get out. Nothing fancy.”

“Is Reeva coming with you?”

“She’s staying behind to keep the pleasure machine running.”
She could hear the smile in his voice. “Her words, not mine. A small team is
necessary to infiltrate the ship and take back my people.” He sighed. “I can’t
take you with me, Kendra. I won’t risk you, not for anything.”

Was he trying to convince her or himself? She didn’t tell
him the distraction they’d planned for Skreeta was Kendra. By the way he acted,
she knew Destiny hadn’t informed him either. They needed him focused on the
mission. No distractions.

“The only thing missing is how we’ll get Skreeta and her
death squad off the ship.”

Kendra’s stomach flipped in cold, stark fear at what was
coming. “Destiny has that covered.”

“What does she have in mind?”

Kendra didn’t want to tell him. She knew he would stay if
she did. He needed to keep his focus on his mission. This was their only chance
to free his people, and by fate, she’d keep her side of the bargain. “I guess
we’ll find out soon.”

“Destiny tells me she’s smuggling you off-planet.” Azros
brushed his fingers along her jawline. “There’s something you’re not telling
me.”

Kendra had to clear her throat to be able to speak past the
lump of emotion building. “I know your men have to be saved, but why do you
have to do it?”

His hands stilled their soothing caresses of her scalp.
“They’re my people, my responsibility.” He brushed his lips across her forehead.
“You couldn’t leave your people behind any more than I could.”

She huffed out a breath. “I would never ask you to leave
them in hell, Azros. Free them. They need you…but I need you too. This had
better be a damn good plan.”

Azros’ breath came out in a breathless chuckle.

“So don’t go and die on me, okay?” She could feel the burn
of tears behind her eyes. Would he forget about her when he fought? Would his
urge to mate leave him again? “Besides, you promised me a week of incredible
sex. You’re not getting out of it that easy.”

“I never break my promises. Can’t leave my mate
unsatisfied.” He tucked his finger under her chin and she turned her head so
she could see his face. Solemn eyes gazed at her, steady and true. “I promise I
will come back.”

“You’d better.” Emotion welled up and she deeply inhaled his
scent, memorizing it. He brought her up for a tender kiss. Soft caresses
followed. Kendra’s body tingled in the afterglow of sex, but his touches turned
the tingles to simmering heat.

He gently led her into a tender dance of flesh. He filled
her, body and soul. As her body crested, she cried out, and tears spilled over.
Tears of joy, and sorrow. Because at some point she realized the truth…hormone
initiated or not, somewhere along the way she’d fallen in love with the
Valorian. And losing him would shatter her heart.

* * * * *

Kendra opened the door to the general medical ward. The
clinic supervisor looked up from her desk and flashed Kendra a smile. Kendra
waved and continued down the row of beds to the ward’s single occupant. Xavier
Cross.

Bandages covered his eyes, and the bruises were healing. Now
they were mottled brown and yellow instead of the swollen purple and red marks
she remembered from the rescue. The burns were healing at a rapid rate. Kendra
wondered if that was a Valorian trait, or a testament to David’s care. The AI
was exceptional.

“You look a lot better than the last time I saw you.”

He inhaled slowly. “Ahhh. I was wondering when you would
show up.”

“I’m Kendra…”

“I know who you are.”

“Do you know why I’m here?” Kendra wished she could see his
eyes.

“You’re here because someone tried to kill my brother.”