Awakening The Warriors Page 4

  “I can’t believe how lucky we’ve been. No serious injuries, a lot of abrasions, scrapings where plasma streams have sliced open the skin, one broken leg and one plitza wound.” I widened my eyes and arched my aching back before slumping against the wall where I sat on a narrow bench. God I was tired. I sure hoped Quain had factored into his plans, z’time sometime soon, or I was going to fall asleep on my feet.

  My eyes snapped open when strong arms slid under my bottom and around my back, scooping me off the seat. I stared into Jerrell’s face, feeling the movement of his body against mine as he carried me from the cramped room.

  “What’s happening?” My feeble attempt at struggling from his grasp was a waste of time, one plaintive wriggle and my head lolled onto his chest, my eyelids fluttering shut. My mouth sagged open.

  I hoped I wouldn’t dribble all over those lovely sculptured muscles. Above my head, his soothing voice tickled my mussy hair as he spoke, but sleep was sucking me under and his words made little sense. Heat enveloped me like a loving cocoon; the scent of spicy male and faint man-sweat calmed my tattered nerves.

  My last coherent thought, I’m safe.

  A hand shaking my shoulders roused me. With a protesting groan I peeled open my eyelids to stare into Margaret’s face inches from mine. For a few moments I lay there blinking at her, my mind an empty void. The young girl frowned and reality sucker punched me to the here and now.

  “Sorry, thought I was back home,” I mumbled, then immediately wished I’d bitten off my tongue before saying such hasty words, for tears glassed Margaret’s eyes and her bottom lip wobbled.

  Stupid, stupid. Pinning a confident, kick-arse smile onto my face, I reared up on the narrow bunk and swung my feet to the floor. A quick glance round revealed the dimmed passenger cabin where most of the passengers were dozing, held upright by their harnesses or lolling onto their neighbour. Three were ambling up and down the aisle and one bloke was doing stretching exercises at the far end.

  “Where’s Jerrell and Quain?” I said.

  Margaret pointed in the direction of the cockpit and said, “Quain said I was to wake you and order you to strap in. Apparently we’ll be docking at the station in thirty minutes.”

  “Right.” I gave her the once over, noticed her cheeks were pink and she no longer resembled a fragile wraith. The shadows had faded from her hazel eyes where tiny gold flecks twinkled. When I quirked an eyebrow, she rewarded me with a wide smile which beamed like a ray of sunshine peeping out behind storm clouds.

  Holding hands, we made our way to our seats and settled down. Strapped in, I yawned and slid a lazy glance round the cabin. The sight of the others imitating us made me smile. But the intensity of their stares as they tuned into my face had me whipping my head to the front and slinking lower in the seat. Holy moly, if they were looking for a saviour than they were looking in the wrong place.

  I had one agenda and one agenda only. Get on the first ship back to Earth. With Margaret.

  Hadn’t I done enough? With the Darkons’ help we’d freed these people from their prison. Okay, maybe the Darkons did more than help. I knew nothing about this world and I didn’t intend to find out anymore than I had to.

  I was going home.

  And I had no intention of examining too closely my near desperation to escape the Darkons’ vicinity.

  Strangely, the young girl so still beside me echoed my thoughts. “When we reach the station, will you look for a ship to return to Earth?”

  “Don’t worry, I won’t leave you behind.” I reached over and squeezed the hands she had clenched in her lap.

  Ever so gently she withdrew the contact. It didn’t register, busy as I was with the sudden pressure in my ears and the force that pushed me into my chair. The shuttle’s power source changed tune into a deep rumbling roar. We were about to dock.

  “You will stay inside these quarters until we return,” Quain said, his fingers pinching my chin.

  I bobbed about, trying to brush past him. Pointless. The man was built like a tank. I shoved my hands into my pockets and said, “Are you sure the guards won’t follow us here?”

  Quain raised a black eyebrow. “They will be busy for what I hope will be one standard day with the diversion I created.”

  “Really? Like what?”

  “I programmed another shuttle to ram the orbiting battleship.” He shrugged. His touch fell away as he half-turned to gaze narrow-eyed down the corridor to the banks of chutes which lead upwards to the main levels of the station. Where all the action took place.

  I shivered, wishing I had the balls to defy him, push past, and insist I no longer needed his or Jerrell’s assistance. But the plain truth was my first glimpse at the station with the many and varied intelligent life forms bustling about, with the vast array of tech of which I knew absolutely nothing, terrified me to my bones. My one and only glimpse out of a port hole had revealed nothing but darkness and far distant stars. The fact there was no firm ground beneath my feet, that the space station hovered miles above an alien planet not anchored to anything solid, quite liable to drift off into that black void for eternity, had quite frankly set me back into panic mode. For the time being, my need to put distance between myself and these two blokes had been swamped by my feeling of inadequacy.

  I was the alien here.

  So much for the heroine of the hour. She was going to slink into some room and cower until the big bold warriors returned. And snap, my yellow streak shrank because damn if that notion didn’t rankle.

  As if he had heard those whispers of rebellion, Quain leaned close and with his head angled his mouth was a mere breath from mine. The urge to devour those hard lips until they softened and plundered back, and he roved his hands over every inch of my body, pulsed inside my head. The tingle in my lower belly rushed to every nerve end I possessed, setting me on fire. It took a while for his words to sink inside my bemused head.

  “I will secure transportation to an outpost settlement where we will join up with Darkon renegades. This will ensure your and the others’ safety.” He flicked his tongue out and slicked it along my upper lip. I shuddered, squeezed my eyes shut, prayed he wouldn’t pick up on the want that dampened my panties. He added, “While Jerrell and I do this, you will remain here.”

  I jerked backwards so quickly I slammed into the wall behind me. Dodging his outstretched hand, I stood as tense as a firecracker with a short fuse. My voice hoarse, I said, “One big happy family, huh Quain? Somehow I don’t think so.”

  Moving fast, I sidestepped and slammed the door shut in his scowling face. Immediately I was accosted by the aliens, led by Ana and her pal. With them prattling on, hard on my heels, I marched over to a small bench where food and water had been placed. Since we had landed three hours ago, the Darkons had been busy. I popped what I hoped would be vegetables onto a platter and started to munch while I looked about the room. The quarters were cramped, with several small bunk rooms off the main communal area. It wasn’t much but it would do; plus it had a lovely thick door protecting us from whatever lurked in the corridors beyond. Jerrell had done well, having bartered the shuttle off onto some shady aliens in exchange for monetary credits. Our temporary home until Quain decreed otherwise.

  Someone touched my arm. I stopped staring at the far wall. “Relia, what’s up?”

  She frowned then shook her head as if throwing off her confusion. “We will leave now.”

  “Huh?” Yeah that’s me, the bright spark.

  “The Jurians wish to travel with us. There are others of both our kind on the station, pilgrims who will journey to a habitable moon in the old Relic Galaxy. It is far from this war.”

  “Yeah, good point.” I placed the platter onto the table and turned to her. “I wish you a safe journey, Relia, and thank you for the friendship you have shown me.” I wrapped my arms around her and hugged, wishing I could change her mind, knowing it would be impossible.

  We eased apart and smiled and my heart clenched. I would miss
her.

  “May the star light guide you home,” Relia said, enfolding my hands in both of hers. We nodded and, beckoning to the other Purkons and the Jurians to follow, she walked to the door, opened it and disappeared from my life.

  Chapter 6

  I woke, hot and horny.

  That irresistible itch was back.

  A body was cradled against my back, a male’s hands cupped my breasts, pulling on my nipples, tweaking them, rolling them between the pads of his thumbs and forefingers. I arched into him, pushing my bottom into the hardness of his stomach, my mouth going dry at the feel of his rigid cock sliding between my legs. My soul had recognised him before my brain kicked in. Jerrell nuzzled the dip between my neck and shoulder, grazing his teeth along the line of my bones. I tried to move my hands, dazedly realised I lay trapped between both men for I nestled behind Quain’s long body. His breathing was so even and deep I couldn’t guess whether or not he slept. But if he did, too bad, it was past time for him to wake and tend to my needs. My niggling questions about their relationship, I banished to the far reaches of my brain—for the moment, anyway.

  The darkness was absolute inside the small sleeping chamber and it sure was cramped on the narrow bunk with the three of us squashed together. Already sexual tension sizzled in the air and I sucked it down with gusto. No way was I going to complain. The only thought in my lust-hazed head was a ‘thank god, I’d showered’.

  By dint of sucking in my belly, I eased out my hands and slipped them about Quain’s waist, filling my greedy palms with the heat from his skin. Fire zipped from my fingertips through my veins as I spread my fingers wide to capture as much of his body as I could within my touch. His flesh was not as supple as Jerrell’s; it felt harsher, more abrasive like a two day beard where I rubbed my body against his, a wanton cat squirming between her two toms.

  Desire flooded me. I wrapped one leg over his hip, moved faster against Quain, my breath catching when I rotated my mound against the curves of his arse. My fingers closed over his thick cock, feeling the pulse of energy in the stiff muscle, a throb of power that called to the very centre of my being. Jerrell increased the pressure of his grasp on my breasts, tightening his grip, his mouth biting into my skin and sucking hard. The silky heat of his hard cock as he drove it back and forth under my weeping pussy tantalised me with the promise of the pleasure just out of my reach.

  My blood pressure skyrocketed as I zoomed towards completion but I felt empty. I wanted, no I needed to be filled. My fingers slid up and down Quain’s cock then I gripped it hard for a few beats before releasing to fill my palm with one of his swollen balls. I pressed eagerly against him, nipped the back of his neck and almost died when Jerrell moved his hands down my stomach and busied his fingers amongst the short curls covering my sex. My heart raced an erratic rhythm while he parted my folds, dipping lower to insert a finger into my crying pussy.

  Desperate, I squirmed against his hand and Quain’s arse then felt Quain push my grip over his cock away and he turned in one swift movement to face me. Rough textured fingers grasped my chin, a hot ravenous mouth found mine in a hard kiss that sought to dominate my soul and demand my compliance. It wasn’t necessary; I was more than willing to do anything to please and be pleased by both men.

  I’d never wanted anything as much as I wanted this moment.

  Quain kept on kissing me, a long thorough kiss, drawing me deeper under his spell as he swept his tongue into my mouth. I followed suit, delving my tongue inside his mouth, swirling it around his, feeding off our frantic duel. Behind me, Jerrell ground his body against mine, his breathing fast and harsh.

  The next moment Quain moved and my cooling skin pebbled. A rustle of movement: Jerrell shifted his hands to my waist, lifted me and slid on his back, laying me on top of him. Immediately I felt Quain’s hands cup and plump my breasts. I arched upwards, relishing the heat from Jerrell’s body beneath me and the heat of Quain above as he settled over me, his heavy weight pushing me down further against Jerrell.

  In the darkness, the quiet pulsated with our quickened breathing and the tension emanating from us. I swore I could feel it beating against my skin, heightening my anticipation as Quain replaced one hand with his hot moist mouth nipping on my right nipple. He sucked on the tight nub and my womb spasmed in response. I hissed in a sharp breath swallowing my moan.

  “Soon,” he whispered against my swollen flesh. One last lave with his tongue and his touch left me.

  Quain’s hands grasped my thighs, spread my legs wide so they draped over the side of Jerrell’s. I felt Quain’s fingers exploring the valleys and dips of my sex, parting my folds. Jerrell returned his hands to my breasts, rubbing the nubs, plucking them tighter and tighter. Quain’s hot breath puffed against my most intimate parts.

  Oh god!

  Three beats and still Quain waited.

  My heart pounded; I panted; my hands gripped the blanket, twisted wads of material into my fists. A bitch on heat had nothing on me.

  Then he placed his mouth on my sex.

  With consummate skill he pulled my skin into his mouth, worked his tongue like the most talented violin player, plucking at my needs, sending me higher and higher. Eager to do anything to assist, I raised my bottom, offering everything I possessed. And he took it.

  Quain scooped one hand between Jerrell and my body, filling his palm with one round arse cheek while he kept lapping my juices like a man dying of thirst. Jerrell sucked on my ear, nuzzling the sensitive area along my neck, gripping my breasts, holding me down. I felt Quain manoeuvring his other hand between my legs, then Jerrell’s cock poked at my entrance. Ever helpful, I lifted my lower body higher. My eyes rolled back in my head when Jerrell drove his cock into me. His hand now on my stomach, Quain pushed me down, next lifting me with his other hand on my arse all the while as he sucked hard on my nub.

  With Jerrell driving his cock in slow deep strokes inside my pussy and Quain making heaven on my sex, I splintered into a rapture that pulsed in waves over my sensitive body. Again and again.

  Awash in pleasure, I tipped once more over the edge when Jerrell stiffened beneath me and pounded his cock into me, grunting as he reached his climax. Dazed, I felt Jerrell slide from beneath me to nestle at my side. Laboured breathing in a darkness where the very air was redolent with the musky scent of ripe sex, made my head spin. A heavy weight moved over me, pinning me to the bunk, covering me with hot damp male. I found his shoulders, gripped hard, raising my hips for what I knew was coming and met Quain’s thick rigid cock with my wet welcoming pussy. He moved fast, ramming deep, stamping his need into my soul. And heaven help me, my need was just as desperate. We came together in an explosive joining that seemed to last forever.

  Gradually, my pulse slowed and settled while I roved my hands in tender caresses over Quain’s tough skin. He rolled to the side, dislodging my touch, and placed his hand on my stomach. Even after all that amazing sex, my muscles tingled. Both men lying on their sides facing me, waiting for me to make a move. Roll over? Pretend I was asleep—that nothing of momentous importance had happened?

  “I need to know if you two are, like, a couple?” I said, holding my breath.

  Jerrell repeated, “Couple? No there is only one of me and one of Quain.”

  I sniggered. “No, I mean are you two in a relationship? You know, sex and stuff.” I rolled my eyes, glad they couldn’t see my hot face.

  “Aaaah.” Jerrell remained silent for a moment. “We have been close for several cycles; we have fought side by side and watch each other’s back. Do not fear, sweet one, for there is room for you in our lives.”

  What as—a sex bunny? Someone to while away those long dreary months on space ships when they wanted some variety? No mention of a commitment. It had been one day and yet I felt a sense of home in their arms. But I’d be stupid to think I could be anything more than a casual fling in these blokes’ lives. For they were close. That long, pregnant glance they’d exchanged after we’d arrived at the s
huttle port had been a dead giveaway. They were a couple and I was the proverbial third wheel. A thought reinforced when Quain spoke not one word.

  For several beats I lay there and chewed over my actions—over my life.

  Decision made—who needed sleep?

  Probably out there as the worst idea I’d ever had but I knew come the next day we’d ship out to different directions of the galaxy. I’d never see either Jerrell or Quain again. So I intended to enjoy one last night of the best sex of my life, then I’d spend my remaining years pretending I’d never cared.

  I turned to Jerrell, pressed my lips against his, sweeping my tongue inside his moist mouth, relishing his eager response. With reluctance I lifted my head and turned to cup Quain’s face in my hands. In the depths of the sleeping hours, I could see neither man’s expression, for which I was thankful. I could pretend it was more than lust that stared back at me. I wriggled upwards, a deep sigh echoing in my soul as my mouth met his and he claimed me with a hunger I would remember for all time.

  “What do you mean you’re not coming with me?” I gaped at Margaret, aware that at any moment the Darkons may realise I no longer lingered compliant in our quarters but rather had taken the first opportunity to bolt.

  My gaze swivelled from her face to the small group of people waiting to board a shuttle I had been assured would take us to one of the long distance space voyagers that cruised the main traffic lines not too far from here. The cute little bloke who reminded me of a character from a long ago sci-fi movie vid with his deep hood covering his pointy head had guaranteed safe passage to some place called the Azzirt Vortex. Apparently a jump point through a black hole to our solar system. Bobbing about on his hover board with no sign whatsoever of any kind of weapon, he’d stood out amidst the crowd of hawkers, soldiers, star commanders that milled about the departure bay. Some of those blokes had looked little better than hardened criminals with their cold flat eyes, hands closed over weapon butts, the way they had stared at me as if weighing my worth in monetary value.