Hesparia's Tears (16 page)

That isn’t going to happen…
His mind argued with his heart. He didn’t want to leave her behind, but he was here on a mission. The mission had to take centre stage, if they had any hopes of repopulating and saving his planet. So he nodded his reluctant agreement and moved to stand beside the female at the door. She gripped his hand, raising it above their heads and smiled broadly.

“Smile, Captain Galan. This is a moment of triumph.”

But to him, without Jessa by his side it was empty. Finally they were allowed to walk down the steps, and the bustle of staff behind him followed. He glanced over his shoulder to see Jessa and Seth surrounded by his team and her security guard as they followed him to a vehicle. He was hurried within the front one and the door shut as they sped away.

Jessa watched as the vehicle Galan had got into drove towards the gate. She knew he hadn’t left her behind on purpose. Understood it was part of the grandstanding that the Prime Minister would use for jockeying for position. No, it was part of the way things were done. But it didn’t make her feel any less unhappy with the situation.

They were herded towards waiting cars, and climbed in, Joras and Seth together with herself and Danni and a couple of the security detail shared one vehicle, while others got into similar black people movers. The car pulled out and tucked in behind Galan’s. Police outriders met them at the sliding gates then they were on the road. She glanced out of the darkly tinted windows, the now familiar sight of protestors with placards chanting and jeering making her cringe a little. The conveyance moved slowly into the main traffic then gathered speed.

Their trip was quick and as night fell she had the impression of a smoother ride and better roads than at home. Soon they had pulled up outside an elegant hotel, waiting for the first car’s occupants to alight. Its entrance was brightly lit and a major-domo in resplendent livery opened the door once they drew under the portico. Once inside the hotel though, the red furnishings and flash of bulbs overwhelmed her. Security guards swarmed the lobby, forming a human chain for the distinguished visitors to make their way to the end of the open foyer.

The security services had already checked them in and hustled them into the waiting elevators they would use while they stayed in the hotel. Galan had obviously dug his heels in, waiting for her, his face creased into a smile when he saw her. She hurried towards him and took his hand while the
click click
of bulbs left Jessa momentarily deaf as he guided her into the small box. Then it shut and merciful silence descended once more.

In the corner, Jessa could see the Prime Minister, her face sober for an instant as she watched them together, scanning the way Galan held her against him. “Well then, I suppose we had better ensure your bags are conveyed to the captain’s room.” The elevator stopped and with a silent gesture they were ushered into the corridor.

The manager waited for them to move forward, trolleys loaded with ice buckets, wine and fruit baskets stood beside him. “Prime Minister. Welcome. Come this way.” He directed her into a room. “We have attended to all the details. The room has been inspected and the floors above and below have been cleared for your teams.” He picked up a basket of fruit, pressing it into her hands. Deftly, she handed it to one of her security team who had obviously come up in another elevator and slipped in behind her. They placed it on the table beside the door in silence.

“Thank you.”

The manager grinned and pushed in the cart loaded with goodies while the Prime Minister waited. A mask of interest settled on her face and slowly she moved him out of the door. Jessa and Galan followed him.

The manager then looked at Galan. “Captain. This is such an honour.” He bowed low showing the slightly balding centre of his salt and pepper hair. “Let me escort you to your room.” He led them down the corridor, all obsequious attention and opened the door to another luxurious suite. The cream paper decorating the wall was teamed with dark wood, together with the reds of the draperies and gilt work—the room decor showed its European influence. They followed him within and he pointed out the comforts they could enjoy. Jessa bit her tongue. Never before had she stayed in a room so lushly furnished.

The manager helpfully moved to the large doors and with a flourish opened them to display a balcony with a view of Central Park. The wispy curtains flew in the breeze and she trembled as a touch of colder air caressed her skin. Jessa clutched both arms around herself, hoping he would soon be gone and she could close the windows.

Once more a cart was wheeled in and baskets of fruits, chocolates and champagnes were dispensed while they waited. His effusive offers of anything they wanted continued as they herded him towards the door. Even as he entered the corridor. Jessa spied Danni, Seth and Joras making their way into rooms across from their suite and smiled. “At least we’ll all be within shouting distance.”

Galan made a noise of agreement as he shut the door behind the manager.

“How do I lock this?” Even as he turned back to her, his eyes glittered with the erotic promise in his eyes. She moved forward engaging the locks and turned to find him pushing closed the windows to the balcony. Then she moved towards him, stepping into his open and waiting arms.

He leant forward to kiss her. The slow unhurried pace of his kiss warmed her from within as his tongue sought and gained entry. She moaned low in her throat and he deepened the caress, while he cupped her buttocks…

The knock at the door had them springing apart. “I will kill…”

Jessa laughed and stepped away. “Let me check the door.” She peered through the small peep hole and saw a doorman, pushing a trolley piled with their bags. “It’s just one of the staff. Let me get that.”

She opened the door and the man stepped inside.

Galan caught sight of the glint below the white cloth on the man’s arm and pushed Jessa out of the way. She gasped and fell against the wall. “Galan? What are you…?”

The waiter lifted two hands, his face a pasty white. “Hey man…I’m just delivering the bags and a corkscrew…” He backed away from them.

 Jessa sighed. “It’s okay Galan. I’ll get this.” Her soft voice told him that he’d overreacted. But in the name of the goddess, after she’d been abducted he saw dangerous thoughts and actions towards her in every person’s gaze. He’d seen the quiet strength in her, yet the primal core of him needed to protect his mate. Even travelling to the hotel, he’d worried until he’d seen her again. It didn’t matter that she had a guard, he needed to see her in order to be assured of her safety. He knew it was foolish, pushing her like that. The glint had reminded him of a knife…and he’d just…well, he’d just acted.
Foolishly.

He turned away, listening to Jessa’s voice smoothing over the incident. From the corner of his eye he could see the man carrying their small bags and depositing them next to the big bed. Finally, the door shut and he turned.

“Jessa… I…”

She moved into his arms, wrapping hers around his waist. “I understand Galan. But not everyone is going to try to hurt us. To take away what we have.”

He breathed deeply, inhaling the scent of her, letting it fill his senses.

“Now, I doubt they are going to want to meet with us tonight. It’s what? Eight o’clock here? Let’s grab some food and head to bed.” She smiled and his stomach warmed, the curl of pleasure moving through his insides until he was full of heat. He nodded.

She grinned. “Let me see what’s available from room service.” She moved to the large desk and picked up the folder, leafing through. “How hungry are you?”

Galan thought, he really wasn’t, given the meals that had been delivered on board the plane. “Not overly.”

She concentrated on the menu and he watched her. The way the tip of her pink tongue emerged at the corner of her lips reminded him of her luscious taste. It tantalised and teased until he couldn’t wait any longer. She turned to put down the folder as he moved in behind her.

“Forget the food. That’s not what I’m hungry for.” He slipped his hands over the twin mounds of her breasts. Her breath caught, he could hear the ragged cadence and it made him harder and hotter. Ready for Jessa.

She covered his hands with her own as she dropped her head back with a low moan. “Oh, Galan. I’ve missed your touch over the last two days.”

 Her words were the final straw as he whirled her back towards him. “Then show me.” His guttural words echoed through the room as he kissed her, devouring her lips and diving within the warm cavern of her mouth.

Tasting.

Plundering.

Demanding.

He felt her pluck at the closure of his jacket while he sought the button and zip, quickly dispensing with them and pushing the pants from her hips.

Now.

“Here
.
” He needed to sink himself into her welcoming body. To feel the heat of her skin against his. To plunder her and feel the life affirming bond they shared.

She pulled her mouth away. “Bedroom…” Her breathless entreaty was lost as he burrowed his fingers beneath her plain white panties, and she gasped as he hooked at the edges and shoved them down.

“Now. Here.” His demand was met by her pushing the shirt from his shoulders and then she found his pants, fumbling while he watched, amazed and humbled at the beauty of this woman who wanted him as much as he wanted her. The tide of pink on her skin told him of her growing arousal as did the shine in her eyes.

She pushed the material away and found the drawstring of his under things, deftly tugging then they too fell to the floor. Then he hissed as the cool air found his overheated skin. His erection was ready for her, for the scalding heat he knew he’d find within her body. Unable to wait, he lifted her to the desk and steadied her on the wood surface, then he gripped her hips tightly.

He looked into her eyes, saw she was as aroused now as he was. Then he dropped to his knees before her, parted her legs. Her sex quivered before his gaze and he reached towards her. “All for me.”

Jessa scooched to the edge and quickly dispensed with the panties that tangled at her ankles. Unable to wait he bent forward parting her legs further so he could gaze upon her most intimate flesh. It glistened in the light, swollen and damp. Ready for him.

He leaned in and she cried out. “Galan? Please.” He devoured the evidence of Jessa’s need with a quick upward stroke while she shuddered and cried out. The taste…so musky and essentially
her
filled his senses. He had to have more. He moved again and she moaned and arched into his ministrations. He undulated faster and wilder as she squirmed and ached, cried and keened. Each taste better than the last and soon he fastened his lips over her, suckling at her.

With a single high pitched keen she came and he exulted. This was his woman. He stood, positioning himself between her parted thighs, unable to contain his need further and a single swift move thrust him home, embedding himself within her swollen flesh. Her sweet sex surrounded him, welcoming him. He surged, riding the aftermath of her climax.

He grazed his fingers over her belly, rubbing and arousing, tearing at her shirt so he could bare her glorious breasts. “For me. You will come for me. With me.”

He pulled the material from her shoulders, tore at her bra which ripped under her demanding hands while he rocked within her. Back and forth, each movement heightening his sensations while his heart thundered in his chest.

Jessa wound her legs around his waist and he knew the instant the fever was upon her again as she strained towards him. “Galan. Galan. Galan,” she chanted his name, each time call more needy than the last. She gripped him with her thighs like a vice as she held onto him.

And this time, together they found their climax.

* * * *

Jessa shook.

In the aftermath of their wild lovemaking she wobbled to the bathroom as Galan trailed behind her, her mind whirling.
How could it be so wild and yet tender unless it was love
? Sure, he’d told her about the
Quickening
, but she’d taken that with a grain of salt. But the need that had burnt within her for him, the way he’d loved her… The memory of it had her breath stuttering in her chest.

Could she have really fallen for him? But the instant the thought occurred she knew the answer. She had.
I’ve fallen for the sexiest alien.
One who will leave.
One who said he’d take her with him, but she couldn’t be totally sure.

Even now, as she blindly groped for the door to the shower he was there. Her eyes burnt, but she wouldn’t give in to that particular weakness. He hadn’t said the words, but given the way they had come together…surely he must feel something for her? Apart from the biological connection the
Quickening
obviously wrought on their systems?

“Jessa?” He must have seen the tension in her shoulders. “Are you all right?”

I can’t turn around. I can’t let him see me like this. I won’t embarrass myself or him with this show of unwelcome emotion.

“Sure. Yeah.” But her words were husky with unshed tears.
How can I face him?

“Jessa?”

She turned the water on and dashed under it. Hoping it would hide her tears. But nothing could stop the turmoil in her head. She knew it wasn’t because of the
Quickening
. It was the real thing. She ached to tell him. But she couldn’t. Not until she knew if he felt the same.
No, definitely not
, her brain answered. But she could show him and hope he would eventually feel the same way. So Jessa reached out a hand, gazing at him. He looked at her. A question shimmered in his eyes. Then he took her hand, and moved into the stall with her.

“Love me again.” Her urgent demand was met with a slow smile. It spread across his face and his eyes glittered once again.

“Here?” He spread his hands indicating the small enclosure.

“Yes. Now.” She moved, stretching her hands out towards him. “Here and now.”