Codename Spring (4 page)

They say a good, hard orgasm feels a little like death, but we are both very much alive.

He surrounded her then passed through her, drawing her along with him. The rushing flow ended abruptly and she tumbled into a sun-drenched meadow, landing on her back. She could see her body clearly now but her other senses seemed muted. Naked and confused, she sat up and looked around.

Evard stepped into the scene with effortless grace and sat beside her in the grass. “Better?”

“Better than what?” she cried. Her eyes and ears were again fully functional. “Where the hell are we? What did you do to me?”

Chapter Four

Laughing was probably not the wisest reaction, but Evard couldn’t help himself. He felt wonderful! The mating bond was securely anchored within Jocelyn’s mind and she was still alive and mentally intact. “How do you feel?”

“Confused as hell. I would think that was obvious.” Sunlight brought out the red in her tousled hair, which in turn accentuated the green of her eyes. Her skin was still flushed from their vigorous fucking and her heightened emotions. She drew up her legs and wrapped her arms around her knees as she waited for his explanation.

“I had to be sure Inwatta couldn’t overhear our conversation, and that’s not easy to accomplish when she’s anchored to my mind.”

“Then you are—Evard Keenan?” Even here on the astral plane she seemed reluctant to speak his name. He understood her caution. A similar fear had brought them to this unusual setting.

“Sorry about all that. Inwatta’s one ruthless bitch. Admitting who I am would have been highly suspicious. I couldn’t give her a reason to send you away.”

“Where are we?”

“We’re dreaming, or actually I’m dreaming and you’re sharing my dream.” Males naturally had more control over the mating bond than females. He hadn’t been sure how Jocelyn would react being that she was human. Telepathy was a given, but they would have to wait and see if any other Bartonese abilities developed between them.

“Our bodies are just lying there asleep?” She rested her chin on her knees, her eyes wide and luminous.

“Basically.” He blew out a heavy sigh, wishing they could go on pretending. If she were a pleasure ambassador and he were a lonely scientist, indistinguishable from hundreds of others, their lives would be far less dangerous. “Unfortunately, if anything wakes either of us, we’ll be drawn back into our bodies. We need to get down to business.”

She sat straighter but kept her torso hidden behind her folded legs. “Are the rumors true? Are you working on an antidote for the compound?”

“I have a formula that is stable in simulation, but it has yet to be put through biological testing.” He knew this was why she’d come, why the Resistance had sent her, but forming the bond had left him feeling restless. And possessive. They’d barely scratched the surface of their sexual potential and he wanted more.

“Test subjects are no problem,” she assured him. “There’s a planet full of people with nothing left to lose.”

He’d already seen her, touched her, been inside her, so why was she hiding from him now?

Desire rippled through him, compounding his restlessness. “I need access to a larger lab and freedom from my captor. Do you have any idea how we can accomplish that?”

“If you give us the formula, the Resistance will figure out a way to free you.”

He laughed again, far more committed to the sound this time. “If I give you the formula, the Resistance no longer has a reason to free me. I’m not a fool, Jocelyn. This isn’t a rescue mission. You’re here for the formula.”

She fidgeted, her gaze darting away from his face. “How do we know your formula works? We could risk countless lives and find out you’re bluffing.”

“I’ll give you the formula. There are two elements that don’t exist on Earth. I’ve figured out how to synthesize them, but it’s doubtful human chemists can do the same.” Lust pulsed through his being, drawing him back toward the tangible world. He fought the lure, needing her to understand the urgency of his situation. Captivity wasn’t much of an existence, but Inwatta’s obsession with him had become intolerable. “You can’t do this without me, and I won’t live like this anymore. The Gathosians have ruled your planet for, what, four years? Barton was attacked two centuries ago and I’ve been Inwatta’s pet for the past forty-seven years. Humans aren’t the only ones with nothing left to lose.”

She stilled and warmth trickled across their link. It was obvious she didn’t want to give in to their attraction, and yet sudden bursts of tenderness assured him her mind was losing the battle with her heart. Is this what he wanted? A human mate would complicate… He shook away the emotional muddle. They were each doing what they must to survive. When and if that goal was achieved, he would worry about the long-term ramifications of his choices.

“I’m not sure how to help you.” Her voice was soft and sad. “Getting in wasn’t easy, but getting you out will be next to impossible. They took away everything, including my clothes. Inwatta is obviously not taking any chances with you.”

“She’ll have no reason for caution—if I’m dead.” Disbelief lashed out from her mind, then he sensed far more compassion than her tense expression revealed. Was she sensing his emotions too? And how had she gained control over their bond so quickly? The connection was wide open. He should be able to sense every flicker of emotion that erupted within her, yet he only received these random pulses.

“Are you talking simulated death or actual resurrection?”

She hadn’t laughed in his face, which was what he’d expected. “Inwatta will know if we try to fake it. You’ll have to stop my heart.”

Jocelyn traced her lips with her index finger as she stared off across the meadow. She looked younger with her hair down around her face. Younger and even more vulnerable. “It’s so damn risky. There has to be some other way.”

“I’ve thought about this for longer than you can imagine. Likely longer than you’ve been alive.” It was no exaggeration. His most recent power struggle with Inwatta was one of many. Theirs had been a turbulent pairing from the start. “This will be over when she feels me die and not before. But we can minimize the risks if we’re prepared. Have a traumavac on standby, that sort of thing.”

Worry shadowed her gaze and furrowed her brow. He didn’t need their link to know she was resisting the idea but he wasn’t sure how to sway her opinion. Or if he should try. No, it was better to let her weigh the options and come to a decision on her own. There was more than enough manipulation on this world.

“How long can your brain go without oxygen before it’s permanently damaged?”

“We Bartonese are more resilient than humans. Our brains can regenerate. All you’ll have to do is restart my heart.”

The news didn’t ease her worry as he’d hoped. Concern still pulsed from her in steady beats. “And how easy is it to restart a Bartonese heart?”

“Is Saroji Noirte still on your staff?”

“Technically, I’m on hers. But yes, we still work together.”

He waved away the detail. “Just make sure she’s on the traumavac.”

“Bartonese physiology is similar to Pryett?”

“We’re genetic cousins, descendants from the same ancestral race, but that’s not why I asked.” He paused then smiled. She obviously didn’t trust him yet. And he couldn’t really blame her. Overly trusting people didn’t last long on Gathosian-inhabited worlds. “I know about Saroji’s abilities. Healers are common among the Pryett.”

Her gaze narrowed on his face and her legs relaxed, easing away from her chest. “Do you know her personally or just by reputation?”

“Mainly by reputation. I hear about her brother more often than I do about Saroji. Is the general really as ferocious as they say?”

“He can be.” She tucked her hair behind her ear, looking anywhere but at him.

The hints of emotion he’d been sensing from her suddenly pinched off. It felt as if she’d slammed a door in his face. The response was unexpected and troubling. He’d been attempting to lighten her mood with his question. Why would the mention of Ra’jen Noirte send her scurrying behind her barricade?

“Have you experienced his ferocity firsthand?” He grasped her ankle and dragged her closer. She yelped and released her knees to slap at his hand. Her legs unfolded and he quickly took advantage of her strategic misstep. In an instant he had her directly in front of him, legs wrapped around his waist. “Has he ever been inside you?” Jealousy, cold and consuming, twisted through Evard. Jocelyn was his! If Noirte hurt her…

“No,” she cried, shoving against his chest.

His jealousy shifted focus as other possibilities unfurled. “But you wanted him?”

She averted her gaze and said nothing. Determination eroded his anger. If she was pining away from Noirte, there was only one way to combat her obsession. He’d overwhelm her with pleasure, make her so wild with desire that she could think of nothing and no one but him. “I’ve heard about his effect on women. Did you—”

“It’s none of your damn business!”

He pressed her against his chest and inhaled her scent. He needed her again, needed to hear his name whispered on her lips as her cunt rippled around his cock. But more than simple lust, he needed her to want him. He would never be satisfied with a female who closed her eyes and thought of someone else. “How did you meet? Was Noirte the one who assigned you to the medical center as opposed to a work camp?”

“We don’t have time for this.” She leaned back and glared at him. “Wouldn’t you rather plan your escape than hear about my past?”

“I’m very close to losing control. I used the explosive surge of our initial joining to draw you into my mind. I’m not sure I can do it again.”

“Which means we need to talk now.” Her tone was soft, almost condescending.

“I can’t think. I need…” He reached between them and gently stroked her slick folds. So soft and wet from their passion. She tensed then sighed as he stroked her, building a fresh cycle of arousal. “Touch me.” He hadn’t meant to command her but the words sounded hoarse and urgent. She followed his lead, touching him as he touched her. But it wasn’t enough. He had to be inside her, had to possess her. “Put me in.” Another unintentional command.

After a short pause, she scooted closer and angled his cock toward her entrance. Her warm folds surrounded and welcomed him.

He let out a ragged breath and pulled her hips forward until she sheathed his entire length. “Distract me. Help me think about anything other than fucking you.”

Her thighs tensed against his sides and her inner muscles contracted. Then she stilled, nipples lightly brushing his chest as she moved her hands to his shoulders. “I was running with a group of female survivors. We were doing everything we could to keep out of sight. We’d heard stories of rape gangs and breeding pens. God, so many people had died in the pandemics. All those bodies. All those children.” She shuddered and tears gathered behind her lashes.

Gathosian strategy never changed. They abolished the weak and useless then enslaved the able-bodied while they were reeling from the catastrophe.

“How long were you able to avoid Protectorate hunters?”

“Almost two years.” She blinked back the tears and took a shuddering breath, her voice growing stronger. “We’d heard their hunters were empathic, so we tried to feel nothing, to shut down and just go numb.”

Which explained her inherent shields. It was a survival mechanism. Whenever she felt threatened or overwhelmed she went numb. It was a common enough tale, yet his heart ached and the need to avenge her ignited deep within his spirit. “What happened when you were caught? How was Noirte involved? Hunting stray females is way below his pay grade.”

“We didn’t give up without a fight and one of the hunters was badly injured. I offered to save his life if the team captain ensured our safety and merciful treatment.” Another deep breath seemed to calm her further. “The captain didn’t think I could do it, but the injured man was his younger brother. He said he was only allowed to offer his protection to one female.”

“Did he make you choose?”

She nodded. “I wasn’t even sure I could save his brother, so I just concentrated on my work. By the time the injured man was stable, the others were restless and I was terrified. I…no matter who I chose the others would resent me, and I didn’t want to be raped. So I took the coward’s way out.”

He framed her face with his hands and captured her gaze, needing her to accept his words. “No one can blame you for protecting yourself. You tried to save everyone first and he rejected the offer. We’re all doing what we must to survive.” She didn’t respond to his reassurance and he still felt no hint of emotion from her. With a heavy sigh, he shifted his hands to her hips and asked, “How did you end up with General Noirte?”

“The captain had no use for a female no one could touch, so he decided to give me to General Noirte as a gift. Ra’jen didn’t want me, so he—”

“Noirte didn’t want you? That’s insane.” His vehemence seemed to please her, and Evard began to relax. Her hands still rested on his shoulders and her warm body literally surrounded him, or at least strategic parts of him.

“He was far more impressed with the fact that I had saved one of his men than he was with my naked body.”

“Naked body? The captain presented you to him naked?” His gaze swept down to the gentle swell of her breasts, which were all he could see at the moment.

“I was draped in scarves and the captain made a great show of ‘unwrapping’ me for the general. Ra’jen seemed annoyed until he learned I was a surgeon. Then he dismissed the captain, tossed me several of the scarves and asked me all sorts of questions. He assured me that no one would harm me and I was transferred to the medical center the following day.”

“And no one has approached you since?”

“I’m under General Noirte’s protection and I’m best friends with his sister. Who would dare?”