Unimaginable Lover Page 13

  “Anything for my lady.” With a gentleness she’d never known, he peered into her eyes, further cracking the shell around her heart. He eased into her, inch by inch, waiting for her to adjust to his size. When his balls tickled her skin at her entrance, she held her breath. This man filled her, heart, body, and soul.

  They fell into a rhythm, slow at first, but gaining tempo with each thrust. He cradled her in his embrace, preventing her from pounding against the tile. Water cascaded over her back and dribbled over her shoulders, pooling where they joined. The warmth flowing between them melded together and she became lost in his gaze. I’m falling for him…

  An orgasm exploded within and she clenched him, squeezing his shaft with each pulsing heartbeat. He stilled, pulling her closer, tightening his hold until his own climax receded. His warm breaths teased her cheek. All she wanted to do was stay in his embrace.

  A fierce ache in her teeth sent a shudder down her back. She cried out from the pain.

  Tanen gripped her shoulders. “Did I hurt you?”

  The vein in his neck pulsed with his heartbeat. Her attention riveted there, and she swore she heard the fluid rush through his blood vessel.

  The throbbing in her mouth grew. Her canines elongated.

  She screamed.

  Tiny white dots filled her vision.

  “…Sheri…Sheri…” As if far away, Tanen’s voice echoed, growing softer as each second passed.

  He held her close, and trailed his fingers over her shoulders, stroking her, caring for her. She trembled, unwilling to believe what had happened. Her pulse pounded and before she lost her nerve, she ran her tongue over her teeth—normal—the elongated canines were gone.

  Had she bitten him? She glanced at his throat. His smooth skin was blemish free. Her legs gave out and she lost her balance.

  Tanen caught her before she tumbled into the curtain, sweeping his arm under both of her legs. Instinctually, she wrapped her arms around his neck, holding on. He shut off the water with his knee then yanked open the curtain. The scraping of the rings against the metal rod echoed against the tile, hurting her sensitive ears. She cringed.

  He stepped out of the tub and cradled her in his arms.

  “P… Put me down.”

  He hesitated, holding her tighter. She longed to stay in his arms, but the fear-driven adrenaline coursing through her veins had her in its grip. As he set her feet on the rug, his hand remained on her waist.

  She grabbed a couple of towels from the rack and shoved one into his hands. “What’s happening? This is crazy…”

  “Sheri…” He gripped her arm, forcing her to look at him. “We need to talk.”

  “Please…I can’t deal with this…” She pulled on her underwear and clasped her bra. As she moved, her body ached in all the right places, reminding her of the way Tanen had made love to her. A throb built in her chest and tears blurred her vision. She couldn’t stay here, not with him.

  He hadn’t moved, so she glanced at him. The creases in his brow tightened and his eyes, oh, his beautiful blue eyes, they tore into her, making hers prick with tears once again. She opened her mouth to speak, but her throat constricted. Swallowing the lump, she squeaked, “Get dressed…please.”

  He stood rigid, his face a mask of emotion.

  She couldn’t look at him, so she concentrated on her task.

  The slight sound of rustling clothes indicated he dressed. As he pulled on his sweatpants, a small chain fell from the pocket and bounced on the rug.

  The round metal disc with the letter “S” was unmistakable.

  My necklace.

  She inhaled.

  “Sheri…I…”

  A surge of adrenaline spiked through her veins. She gritted her teeth and glared at him.

  “You…you…stole my necklace?” She fisted her hands at her sides, the muscles in her legs trembling, threatening to give out. “How could you?”

  He raised his hand. “Sheri, please…let me explain.”

  A flood of emotions washed over her—anger, disappointment, sadness—and she couldn’t process them. So, she’d do what she’d done before, what she’d been taught to do by her father—bury her feelings and run away.

  She raced for the door, but he gripped her arm, stopping her.

  “Sheri, we need to talk… ”

  “Let me go!” She pushed against him. Tiny sparks flicked from her fingers. More static electricity? Deep inside she knew better. She was different, altered somehow. Dizziness threatened to pull her under. This was all too much, she couldn’t deal with it.

  His brows furrowed and the pained look in his eyes almost broke her resolve. She swallowed, but the dry lump wouldn’t go down. He’s just like Ram…and my father…no good. Sheri, you sure know how to pick ’em.

  She pulled on her inner strength and raised her chin. “I should’ve called the police the first time I saw you. I should do it now. Leave, before I change my mind.”

  He cracked his knuckles, and the tic in his jaw pulsed to life. “Sheri, you need to hear—”

  “I don’t want to hear another word from you!” The tense muscles in her arms and legs shook with her rage. “You like book quotes? How about this line from The Hobbit—‘You have nice manners for a thief and a liar,’ said the dragon.”

  He flinched, and his mouth drew into a thin line. “I shouldn’t have taken your necklace, but I wanted something to remind me of you. There’s more we need to discuss, though, like what’s happening here, to you…and between us.”

  The back of her throat ached and moist, unshed tears stung her eyes. She gripped the doorknob and flung open the bathroom door. “Get out!”

  A low growl filled the air. Coop stood in the hallway, his legs stiff with tension. Several short warning barks erupted from his throat.

  That her pet had come to her defense solidified Sheri’s decision. “Leave, Tanen, before I sic Coop on you.”

  Tanen’s gaze flicked between her and Coop. “I’ll wait outside, give you a few minutes to calm down, but we will have that conversation.”

  Grabbing his boots and his jacket, Tanen turned to leave. He hesitated at the door, the muscles in his shoulders and back tensing.

  A moment later he was gone.

  He took her heart with him.

  CHAPTER 28

  A lora pulled the heavy bag over her shoulder and a melon whacked her in the ribs. She adjusted the strap and headed up the stairs. Stars twinkled between the upper branches of the Rolmdew trees, and a strong breeze blew across Alora’s cheeks. The market had been crowded tonight, patrons squeezed into the small store pushing and shoving to obtain the limited supply of fresh fruit recently imported from the Matronin colony. To obtain a melon was a treat, and Alora’s chest expanded at her good fortune.

  Alora’s best friend, Bellamy, walked ahead, her grocery sack clutched in her arms. Her ponytail bobbed as she stepped onto the suspension platform connecting to the nearest Rolmdew tree. She glanced over her shoulder. A sly smile pulled at her lips. “You’re awfully quiet. Are you still fretting over the war on Earth?”

  Alora exhaled and gripped the railing, using the wooden rods to steady herself. “Yes, I can’t believe I was sanctioned, again. To top it off, I had to give up one of my character species, the Ursus, to Zedron.”

  A sudden pang hit her in the chest. “Bellamy, remind me to visit Noeh on Earth. I need to warn him about the Ursus.” To tell him his expected reinforcements now worked for the enemy would be a difficult conversation.

  “Sure. No problem.” Bellamy adjusted her grip on her grocery sack and kept up her pace. Stray strands of hair from her ponytail whipped in the wind, as if glad to be free. “I’m sorry this has been so tough on you. What ever happened to your character-turned-traitor, Mauree?”

  “She’s on the loose, working with Jakar, but Tanen is hot on her heals. I didn’t think he’d actually go after her given his unease of the Gossum, but his sense of self-worth is wrapped up in the scriptures. He enforces them
at all costs.” Alora took a deep, satisfying breath. He wasn’t a warrior, but she had a certain affinity for the Stiyaha council leader.

  “By the way, did you see the guy in the green tunic at the market?” Bellamy’s question broke through Alora’s thoughts. “Nice eyes, cute smile. We made eye contact and I about melted on the floor.”

  Alora suppressed a laugh. “I’m surprised you didn’t hunt him down, and—”

  Bellamy halted. Alora bumped into her friend. The shopping bag slid off Alora’s shoulder, catching in the crook of her elbow. She placed her hand on Bellamy’s arm to steady herself. “Hey, why’d you stop?”

  A loud screech filled the air, echoing off the trees. The hair on the back of Alora’s neck stood on end. The branches swayed in the breeze, as if they also feared the sound. A young woman on a separate platform several feet away stepped closer to her male companion. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her close.

  Bellamy gripped Alora’s arm. “Rhondo beasts.”

  “Close by,” Alora whispered.

  Light from the hanging globes cast strange shadows on the ground below. The tree branches dancing in the breeze added to the eerie sight. Rhondo beasts were the most feared creatures on Lemuria and part of bedtime stories told to children. Their deadly claws and sharp teeth were the reason the Lemurians stayed in the trees. Visions of a similar creature, a Gossum, flared in Alora’s mind. Her characters fought these abominations on a regular basis on Earth. Alora’s hand tightened on the railing.

  “Do you see anything?” Bellamy leaned over the edge, tilting the small walkway.

  Alora gripped her friend’s arm. “Craya, Bell, don’t do that.”

  “I’ve always wanted to see a rhondo beast. Not up close, of course, but just one little peek.”

  “No, you don’t. Keep moving.” Alora gave Bellamy a gentle push.

  Bellamy took a few steps forward, her ponytail bouncing back and forth with each step.

  A wind gust burst through the trees and the walkway swayed.

  Alora’s pulse spiked. She gripped the railing.

  Bellamy fell to one knee. “Ah…”

  A melon, bread, and green Antorro stalks tumbled from her sack. The melon rolled between the suspension bridge’s ropes and disappeared over the edge.

  Caught in the breeze, the wooden span swung back and forth, gaining momentum.

  Alora spread her legs apart to maintain her balance. Her bag slid off her arm and landed on the floor. She glanced at each end of the walkway, gauging the distance. They were well along the fifty foot suspension bridge. Continuing forward was the best option.

  Bellamy grabbed the rail’s edge, and pulled herself to a standing position. “Alora—”

  A crack rent the air.

  Several boards beneath their feet split apart, a weak spot in the wood giving way.

  Alora’s throat constricted, bottling the scream.

  Bellamy’s foot fell through the broken board. A shrill shriek escaped her lips.

  Pops and cracks from the disintegrating wood were audible even above the wind.

  Bellamy yanked her foot, but couldn’t free herself from the imprisoning planks. Fear reflected in the deep lines around her eyes.

  Alora took a tentative step forward and stretched out her fingers. “Bellamy, take my hand.”

  Bellamy’s fingertips grazed against Alora’s.

  A low creak split the air followed by a loud snap. Splinters showered over Alora, prickling the bare skin on her arms.

  The floor fell out from under Bellamy.

  She disappeared through the hole.

  Her scream echoed into the night.

  Alora lost her balance. Her knees and palms slapped against the wooden floor. Terror sent her heartbeat thrashing through her ears. She backed up on her hands and knees, away from the hole.

  A roar bubbled up from below. The sounds of flesh tearing and bones breaking echoed into the night.

  “Bellamy!” Alora let out an anguished cry.

  A man gripped Alora under the arms and dragged her from the walkway. When they reached the safety of the wooden platform, he released her. “Are you okay?”

  “Bellamy…” she whispered.

  “I’m sorry for your friend. I…couldn’t save you both.” Regret reflected in the depths of his brown eyes.

  Alora’s stomach clenched, and as she dry heaved, an ache deep inside engulfed her. Oh, Bellamy…

  Bellamy was not the first friend she’d lost to the rhondo beasts. Mitan, her best friend since childhood had disappeared one day. His betrothed, Ophea, had found him—or what was left of him. Over the broken deck railing at his home, his dismembered arm lay on the ground below, the only evidence of his fate.

  With shaky hands, Alora covered her eyes. The rhondo beasts were her worst nightmare.

  CHAPTER 29

  Saar bent to one knee and brushed his finger along the broken branch. A bit of brown material hung from the end, blowing in the soft breeze. The crescent moon peeked from behind a cloud and enough light filtered through the pines to illuminate the downed tree and the aftermath of a violent fight.

  He pulled the cloth from the branch and the material ripped, a few splinters woven into the fabric. With interest, he brought the bit of clothing to his nose. Even after the fierce rain, the scent was unmistakable. Tanen…

  “Whoever battled here didn’t fare well.” Revin, one of Saar’s best warriors, held up the remnants of what looked like snake skin. “Gossum.”

  “Looks like we found Tanen, or at least evidence he was here.” Saar shook his head. Seems the traitors had run into the enemy.

  “Quoron, any sign of Mauree?” Saar’s other warrior who’d elected to go on this recovery expedition stood several yards away. He ran his fingers over the bark of a fir tree. “Nothing yet, but I’d swear this was a knife wound.”

  Revin laughed. “Perhaps Tanen lost his dagger during the battle.”

  “Yeah, aimed…and missed!” Quoron snickered.

  The warriors’ taunts brought up unpleasant memories of a time when Saar had been the target of ridicule. As he pursed his lips, the scar on his face pulled tight. “That’s enough. Show a little respect for our council leader.”

  Revin quieted, but a small smirk played at his lip. “Do you think Mauree and Tanen are still together?”

  Saar pulled his toothpick out of his pocket and put it in his mouth. “I do. Despite his overt loyalty to Noeh, I’ve always questioned whether Tanen is as he seems.”

  Quoron approached Saar. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Have you ever noticed things sometimes disappear when Tanen’s around?” Like the blue sunstone.

  “Naw, I don’t know him that well. Don’t sit in the same circle…you know what I mean?” Quoron winked at him.

  Tanen often kept to himself, only associating with others during required events and rituals. Most of the warriors avoided the council leader. His failure to become one of their own tarnished their image of him. Besides, his arrogant knowledge of the ancient laws and scriptures didn’t sit well with many of them. The old texts and the knowledge they contained were unfamiliar and foreign among the warrior ranks.

  “From council leader to traitor. Seems he finally fell under Mauree’s spell. He’s wanted to bed her for as long as I can remember.” Revin walked past Saar and started examining the ground amid some ferns.

  Quoron shook his head. “She’d never take him. Been after Noeh too long.”

  “Seems she changed her mind.” Revin waggled his eyebrows.

  Saar rolled the toothpick to the other side of his mouth, but even the familiar movement couldn’t calm him. “Enough. Until we find either one of them, speculating on why he left is futile.”

  Revin whistled. “Hey, look what I found.” He held up the heel of a woman’s shoe. The red painted wood gleamed even in the dim light.

  Saar’s pulse spiked. “Mauree’s?”

  Revin nodded. “Her sickly sweet r
ose scent is all over it.”

  Perfect. They were together. Now…time to track them. “If Tanen or Mauree are injured, they couldn’t have gone far.”

  “Here are a few more bits of Tanen’s jacket. Looks like he went this way.” Quoron pointed down the hill.

  “Excellent. Let’s go.” A jolt of adrenaline fueled Saar’s muscles, propelling him over the small bushes and scrub brush between the dense trees. He didn’t want to return empty-handed, again, and face Noeh’s disappointment. A new resolve built in his chest, and he used the added energy to drive him onward.

  A man-made path came into view. Saar slowed and raised his hand. “Beware. Humans.”

  Using his extra-sensitive hearing, he homed in on the sounds of the forest. A snake slithered between the leaves, a small rodent dug in the soft loam, and a bird chirped. The lightening sky held the first hint dawn. He clenched his teeth. They didn’t have much time.

  “Night is ending.” Revin’s skyward gaze echoed Saar’s thoughts.

  “We follow the path for a few minutes, see if we can find them.” Saar removed the toothpick from his mouth and placed it in his pocket. “Stay alert.”

  Saar ran along the trail, Quoron and Revin close behind. Blood pumped through his veins and his need to complete his task flared inside.

  Over the edge of a broken fence, a small, yellow house came into view. Humans…

  To get this close only to be stopped by the threat of human intervention…so not right, but his kind had avoided humans for centuries. Saar wouldn’t break that code, yet his need to capture Tanen was one he couldn’t ignore. He fisted his hand.

  Quoron’s brow furrowed. “By the smell, Tanen and Mauree were here—recently, along with a Gossum. Neither has a chance against our enemy.”

  Saar raised an eyebrow. “I wouldn’t make that assumption.”

  A squirrel ran up a nearby tree, its feet skittering on the bark. The small creature paused, its beady eyes glaring at the strangers in its territory. The animal’s nose quivered before it continued to a higher branch and out of reach. Tiny squeaks and titters emerged from its mouth.