No Mercy (16 page)

Gia led him to the freshly made bed and urged him to sit before kneeling in front of him. He hissed in a breath as she urged his legs apart. Her nails scraped over his inner thighs and she nuzzled his balls with her nose.

Zan tunneled his fingers through her hair and pulled her head closer to his throbbing shaft. “Suck me.”

Flicking her tongue along the pulsing vein she looked up at him. “Patience.”

“Fuck that,” he growled, thrusting his hips in her face.

“Aren't we supposed to be building up your control for the ranking?” She rolled his balls in her hot little hand.

“You do that by making me come, till I can't come no more. Now quit arguing, put your lips around my cock, and suck me deep.”

“Your wish is my command,” Gia murmured as she lowered her head.

G
ia didn't tease her space pirate with soft licks or gentle kisses. Instead she took his hard cock into her mouth until he hit the back of her throat. The guttural sound of pleasure he made was almost as rewarding as the salty taste of his precum. His hands held her head in place as she hollowed her cheeks, determined to bring him off as quickly as she could.

“Look at me,” Zan growled, tugging her hair lightly to underscore his command.

Rolling her eyes upward, she did, never breaking the steady suction on his erect flesh. Golden eyes glowed as he peered down at her, color flushing his skin beneath the dark stubble. His lips were parted as he sucked in short, sharp breaths. “Gods, woman, what you do to me.”

The sadistic part of her wanted to let him go and demand he spell out exactly what she did to him. But they were being watched, and just like always she couldn't tell if Zan's words were genuine or part of his act. She'd never met a more complicated man, one full of contradictions. From the start she'd misjudged, thinking him hedonistic and lazy. He was hedonistic but not indiscriminate or casual with his body. The parts of himself he shared with her when they were intimate he kept under guard.
One day,
she promised herself,
I'll understand him
.

If they survived that long.

Shoving the dark thought away, she focused on enhancing his pleasure, scraping her teeth lightly along the slippery shaft, rolling his balls in one hand. He groaned and tugged her hair harder. “No teeth. Hold still so I can fuck your mouth.”

Gia did, but only because his husky growl turned her on almost as much as the thought of him thrusting between her parted lips until he shot down the back of her throat. Slipping her free hand down between her legs, she dabbled in the fresh arousal wetting her pussy, painting the moisture over her throbbing clit.

His hips drew back before surging forward in a thrust. Breathing through her gag reflex, Gia took him deep and sucked his rigid flesh as he withdrew.

“That's it, girl, suck me good.” Again he withdrew almost all the way before slamming forward. If she hadn't been so turned on she would have choked, but the juices flowed, saliva from her mouth, cream in her cunt, all because of him. Gia shut her eyes, relishing the carnality of the moment.

The hand in her hair tightened. “Open your eyes. I want you to know whose cum your about to swallow.”

Her clit actually jumped against her fingers at the primal growl. She watched him, her mouth watering for all he was about to give her.

His hips shot forward again, deeper this time, and she swallowed, as though to consume him whole. Her throat muscles kept working him even as he seemed to swell bigger. Then the first spurts erupted from his rock-hard flesh and a strangled groan tore from his throat. She took all he gave her, her gaze locked with his, her hand working furiously between her legs.

Zan tugged her hair and tried to back away. She didn't want to release him and swirled her tongue around the sensitive head of his semihard cock. He scowled down at her and yanked harder. “Let go and activate your shield.”

Shit, the ruse. With a resigned sigh she let him go and pressed on her arm. A quick fizzle erased the taste of him from her lips before her faulty health guard burned out once more.

Zan pulled her to her feet, even as he sat on the bed. Nudging a knee between her thighs, he stroked down her sides with his fingertips in light, teasing caresses, almost as though trying to gentle her. “Let me ease you.”

Applying steady pressure, he encouraged her to bend her knees until his naked thigh touched her sex.

She whimpered when one of his arms slid around the flare of her hips, holding her steady in his embrace while the other hand went down her crease until poised at her feminine opening. Then simultaneously he pushed against her and thrust his fingers inside her.

“Zan,” she gasped, loving the full press of his fingers, the crisp hair tormenting her lips.

“Come for me,” he murmured, sucking one of her pebbled nipples into his mouth.

Sensations shorted out her brain and she gripped his shoulders, needing him to anchor her even as he whipped up the churning melee inside her. Her head fell back when he released one breast and blew on the sensitive tip before sucking on the other.

His hand fucked her, his leg caressed her, and his mouth worshiped her until all the sensations came together in a dazzling rush of rapture. Zan held her still as she rode it out, then pulled her body down onto the mattress, covering it with his own.

“You are the most amazing thing I've ever seen,” whispered her immortal lover. “So free and uninhibited in your bliss. I could spend a lifetime just enjoying watching you come over and over.”

Unbelievably he was hard again, his erection pressing into her side. He didn't do anything about it, though, just stroked her back in a gentle sweeping motion.

“You're pretty amazing yourself,” she murmured. “I don't think I've ever been with a man who could keep up with me the way you do.”

His hand paused and she sensed a change in him. Was the pillow talk wrong? She'd been following his lead, letting his actions and attitude guide her through the unfamiliar labyrinth of trouble. She'd been honest with him, more so than he'd been with her. It only seemed fair since she had a backstage pass to his most intimate memories. Still, his abrupt transition unsettled her. “Did I say something wrong?”

“No.”

“Then what are you thinking about?”

“The ranking.”

Turning onto her side she propped her head on her hand. “Have you been through one before?”

His golden eyes were haunted. “Two. The one when I came of age and the other after I became immortal.”

He needed to talk about it, she could see it, but at the same time he wouldn't admit weakness in front of his father.

Suddenly energized Gia scrambled off the bed. “Are there any clothes around here that will fit me?”

Zan's dark eyebrows drew together. “What do you need clothes for?”

“Because I've been naked for what feels like days, even in the frozen Northlands.”

Rolling onto his back, he stroked his cock in slow, languid pulls. “Haven't I been keeping you warm enough?”

Was he trying to seduce her into forgetting she'd come up with a plan to save both their asses? Even if he was intent on sacrificing himself for her, Gia wasn't nearly so complacent.

“You promised me a tour, remember?” She did her best to send him a telepathic communication, to let him know nothing had changed and she would “help” him out later. Sharing a mental link with Zan, like Gen did with her empath, would have come in handy.

Zan studied her a moment before pushing off the bed and retrieving the leather pants he'd shucked earlier. Yanking the material up he stuffed his straining erection inside, as though caging an unruly beast. “I'll have one of the servants bring you something. Try not to seduce her.”

Though his tone was dry, Gia could see the shadow lurking on his face. The space pirate was jealous? How deliciously ridiculous! Moving closer, she placed her hands on his still-bare chest. “You're the only one I plan to seduce.”

 

Zan kept Gia in his line of sight as they wandered through the marketplace. She'd stop, study the chintzy wares the common people tried to sell to the visiting nobles. Spices filled the air, masking the squalid scent of poverty that hung over the lower town like a cloud. Water was expensive, having to be transported from one of the poles, and most people took sand showers to remove sweat and grime, conserving the liquid for growing food and drinking. Gia didn't seem to mind. She smiled at everyone, examined every bit of rubbish set before her, be it cheap glass beads, hand-carved animals, or baskets of fruit.

Swathed from head to foot in layers of diaphanous fabric befitting one of Xander's house servants, her lithe body swayed enticingly as she walked along. Zan couldn't tear his gaze from her, startled that he'd never seen her wearing feminine garb before. Given her druthers, Gia dressed in baggy flight suits. She'd been naked for days, but somehow the drape of sheer fabric was even more alluring. He cast dark glances at any man who studied her too closely.

“They won't touch her, you know.”

He'd been so preoccupied with watching her that he hadn't noticed Fenton come up behind him. “Not until after the ranking.”

“You think you will lose?”

Zan doubted it. Though he hadn't participated in a ranking in five decades, he trained for hand-to-hand combat on a daily basis. “As my competition, it wouldn't be in my best interest to discuss my strategy with you.”

Fenton turned to look him in the eye. “I've been granted a command at the edge of the sector, so I won't be challenging you for your position.”

Zan read between the lines. “A reward for turning me in? Does my father know you were inquiring into the best way to kill him? I wonder what he'd think of your loyalty if he found out about that.”

Fenton's expression didn't change at Zan's threat. “Things change. I've proven myself to him, gotten what I wanted. I'm sorry if it put you and your lady in a dangerous situation, but I have to look out for my own loved ones.”

“I thought they were dead.”

Fenton met and held his gaze. “As I said before, things change.” He turned his head and faced Gia, who was laughing with one of the merchants. “Be cautious. He is intrigued by her. More so than I've ever seen him.”

Despite the heat, ice formed in Zan's stomach. “Do you think he'll challenge me for her?”

On Hosta, male members of the same immediate family couldn't challenge one another in a public ranking. Instead they fought to the death. And Xander wasn't known for playing fair.

“I honestly couldn't say. Perhaps it would be better to remove temptation? I'd be happy to discuss this with her further, on my way to the off-world shuttle.”

Zan narrowed his eyes. Was Fenton offering to take Gia with him off world? This might be the opportunity he'd been waiting for. Zan turned back just as she pivoted on her heel, and something flipped inside his chest. Her safety was his responsibility. Fenton had already betrayed them to Xander once, and this could be a ruse to test Zan's intentions. No, trusting the Commander was completely out of the question.

“I'm afraid I promised my lady a full tour of the compound and I'm already behind schedule. Congratulations on your new command.” Zan nodded, though he kept his eyes on Fenton.

The other man's cool gaze assessed him. Gia walked toward them, probably having recognized the man he spoke with. “Commander.” Her greeting was as cold as Fenton's eyes.

“Lady Gia.” Fenton bowed. “How do you like the compound?”

“Hot as the fires of hell. Isn't anywhere on this planet a decent temperature?” she complained, slipping her arm through Zan's.

Absurdly pleased to have her back by his side, Zan dropped a kiss onto her forehead. “Only the palace itself, I'm afraid. Two frozen poles separated by oceans of sand. This planet was completely uninhabitable before my father settled a colony here. His technology is what has allowed people to survive in this climate for generations.”

She wiped away the sweat gathered at her hairline. “If you call this surviving.”

Fenton placed a hand on his shoulder. “Perhaps you should show her the private palace gardens and pools above storage bay three. She might find something of interest there.”

Zan scowled when Fenton clasped Gia's hand and brought it to his lips. “My lady.”

“Judas,” she said sweetly. “Hope you enjoy your thirty pieces of silver.”

Fenton's brow wrinkled but he didn't inquire further. “I must take my leave.”

They watched him walk away until the crowd swallowed him whole.

“What was that all about?” Gia murmured as they wound their way through the street.

Zan had an inkling but was afraid to voice his suspicion in such a public setting. “I'm not sure, but I have the sudden urge to go swimming. You up for a dip?”

“I thought you'd never ask.” Threading her fingers through his she grinned up at him, obviously ready for a new adventure. Excitement crackled across her skin like an energy storm with enough raw power and sexual heat to stop his heart. In that moment he knew he'd done the right thing in keeping her with him. Because whatever happened tomorrow, he would trade an eternity to stay by her side.

S
omething had changed with Zan. Gia wasn't sure what it was, or when the transformation had occurred, but he was definitely not the irreverent man who'd been lounging outside of her stinger less than a week ago. On the surface he was the same bastard with a devil-may-care attitude, but Gia saw all the shadows, picked up on every subtle signal, from the practiced arch of one eyebrow to the stiff set of his shoulders when receiving disturbing news.

She snuck glances at him out of the corner of her eye as they walked through the dusty streets, away from the market and up toward the palace. He'd been hiding something since his conversation with Fenton, not just information, but the other man had said or done something to affect him. He was a mystery and Gia'd never had much patience for enigmas. She preferred things cut and dried, simple and straightforward so they didn't drive her mad.

Turning her head, she looked around this compound that sheltered the people from the worst of the desert's sand and energy storms. This feudal lord planet pissed her right the hell off. In truth it wasn't the heat that had driven her back to Zan, it was the despair, weighing on her, reminding her of how she used to live.

She'd seen so many half-starved kids in the market, lips cracked from thirst, weak from dehydration. The same shadows lurked in their eyes that she'd seen in the mirror. A water bladder cost as much as ten bolts of cloth. From what she'd picked up, the only way a man could better his situation was through challenging another man in the ranking. A woman had a choice of selecting a male to protect her, but once she did she forfeited all rights after. He could sell her, beat her, share her body all he liked. Off-world women had even less input in their fates, being auctioned off to the highest bidder. On this planet, might made right, and without her stinger, Gia's might was finite. After seeing some of the injuries, the beaten-down looks the women huddled in the marketplace sported, she was thankful she had Zan to protect her, even if he made her crazy.

His strong hand engulfed hers completely as he hauled her up the stone steps. Two guards blocked the gate at the top, but one quick hand gesture from him and they stood aside and held the metal open for them.

“I forgot how bad it was out there,” he muttered, tugging her close as they continued through the lush grounds.

“Yes, the heat is terrible.” She surveyed the greenery, sickened that these plants were watered regularly, kept alive for decoration, when people died from dehydration not even a mile away.

“When I was a child, I never noticed the heat. It was all I knew. That's just how it goes I guess. Throughout the galaxy, you never know there is another way, a better way until you see it for yourself.” Zan scowled but wouldn't meet her eye. They both knew they weren't discussing the weather anymore.

He's embarrassed.
Gia shook her head. “Children only know what they're taught, and can't be held responsible for the world around them.”
It's not your fault.

“I was fifty when I left here. Hardly a child. You'd think I could have done something to improve the situation.”

Gia had seen the way the people had stared at Zan in fear, but more like they were afraid to hope than scared of him. “It's never too late to do something if you really want to.”

Zan stopped and turned to face her. His lips parted, but he didn't say anything, just kissed her forehead. She smiled up at him, glad he seemed more like himself. “So, where are these pools you were going to show me?”

“Impatient to be wet and naked in my arms, are you?” He winked at her, then started to run, tugging her along behind him. She laughed, gathering her skirts up, and chased after him, the thin sandals slapping against the stone floor as she ran.

Zan pulled her around a corner, directly into his embrace, and sealed his lips over hers. Gia gave herself over to it, to him, the passion he brought forth so effortlessly. Her body arched into him, pressing closer through the sheer fabric of her outfit. His tongue tangled with hers and he gripped a fistful of her hair, holding her still as he ravished her mouth.

The lack of oxygen forced them apart, but he continued to nuzzle her ear. “You make me forget.” Awe threaded through his words.

“Forget what?” In spite of the heat, she shivered as he stroked along the column of her spine.

“Who I am, what I've done. Everything, Gia, it all goes away when I kiss you.”

She could relate. Being with Zan was the ultimate pleasure; her sexual appetites ramped up to the nth degree. But there was more, a communing of kindred spirits, as fulfilling as the joining of their bodies, a meshing of all they were or would ever be.

It scared the ever-loving shit out of her.

Zan tipped her chin up, stared into her eyes. “You're shaking. Are you all right?”

He was right; she trembled as though chilled despite the heat. His hold on her tightened, offering warmth and comfort. Instinctively. He was so deft at lulling her into trusting him, made her believe he did genuinely care about her as more than a sex toy. Maintaining distance was harder for her to do than she ever imagined.

Pulling back she squared her shoulders. “I'm fine. What did you want to show me?”

Golden eyes scrutinized her and his lips parted, as though he was about to say something. At the last moment he shook his head and turned away. “Follow me.”

Gia did, thankful for the reprieve. Keeping her guard up was paramount. She couldn't afford to grow complacent. She'd never been the kind of woman who needed a man to complete her, and allowing Zan to act like he possessed her was becoming habitual for both of them. Before long, she'd sink right into the victim mind-set she was so familiar with.

Zan turned quickly, blocking her view and breaking her away from her mental diatribe. “Close your eyes.”

Gia considered him a moment and did.

“Take my hand.”

His warm, calloused palm slaked over hers and he tugged her forward. She took a deep breath, the air sweet with scent of flowers. A cool breeze lifted the hair from her neck, and through the distance she thought she heard the murmur of voices, though they sounded far off.

“Go on and look.”

She opened her eyes and gasped. “It's incredible!”

Water every color of the rainbow spilled into a shimmering pool of liquid light. Tropical blooms in orange and pink, coral and gold, all as big as her head, swayed in the breeze, sprinkled among the thick foliage. People swam in the water, naked as the day they were born, mostly men but a few women sprinkled in the mix. None with inhibitions, because several were engaged in hedonistic explorations.

“Who are they?”

“My father's trusted counsel. Men who have proven their loyalty to him. Most live off world, but they all come back for the ranking.” His gaze flit to hers. “You saw the state of the locals. They are so focused on surviving that none are likely to challenge me. These men are a different story. We're here to size up my competition.”

 

Damn Fenton.
As Zan glanced around he wished he'd gutted the man out in the town square. The last thing he wanted was for Gia to get to know the men he'd be forced to fuck during the ranking. She had a soft heart and he didn't want her getting attached to any of the men he'd be forced to kill.

Plus, he didn't want any of them sizing her up. Many of the men had grown complacent, were settled on moons or stations around the system, content with their lives as they were. But for a prize such as his companion, they might bestir themselves, consider challenging him.

“Knowledge is power, right?” Gia squeezed his arm. “Maybe one of them knows about my stinger.”

Zan had a pretty good idea of where her ship was being stored. “If I were to guess, I'd say directly beneath us.”

Her eyes lit up, more excited at seeing whatever remained of her crashed ship than the hedonistic paradise spread before her. “Let's go there now.”

Zan shook his head and waved to one of the military leaders. “Not yet. I've already been seen, and if we just walk out someone will report it to my father.”

“So we'll go to him directly. Like I said, I'll offer to show him the technology, since that's what he's interested in.” Her eyes related the rest, that she planned to send a message to his ship if given half a chance.

“Patience.” Zan shucked his vest and draped it over a boulder. “We're not supposed to have a care in the world, remember?”

Green fire flashed. “Don't think I'm going to perform some public sex scene with you. I may be adventurous, but even I have my limits.”

Zan grinned. “The thought never even crossed my mind, you magnificent female. Honestly, we swim, we chat, we leave. Get the lay of the land, so to speak.”

He expected her to roll her eyes at the pun. Instead she gripped his hand, twining their fingers together. She didn't say anything, just unfastened the pin that held the layers of fabric together and let it puddle at her feet. Stepping out of it, she tugged him forward, as though putting her body intentionally between him and his competition. Like
she
was protecting
him.

Stunned, he let her pull him down into the water, even push him onto a flat stone before straddling his lap. Lowering her forehead until it touched his, she stared into his eyes, silently communicating with him. Soothing him, letting him know she believed in him, that she wouldn't think less of him regardless of what he had to do.

Could he really hear her? Or perhaps he just imagined her gesture to be one of acceptance and support. That's what he desperately wanted from her, he realized. Maybe his brain filled in the blanks to suit him. Did she sense his regret, that he despised the bastardization of an act of pleasure, the way his father morphed sex into a power play for the ranking? It had always sickened him and Xander knew that, exploited it to hurt him. To kill or be killed because there was no room for placidity, compassion, or tenderness.

The few tastes of such emotions he'd had in his long life made him crave them all the more.

“So, the second returns to the fold.”

Zan closed his eyes, needing to reconstruct his defenses before he looked to the newcomer. “Do I know you?”

The man sloshed through the pool until he reached their side. His dark gaze fixed on Gia, and Zan fought the urge to block her with his body. Show no weakness. It was Xander's first rule of combat. And Gia was a huge liability, though he would never be stupid enough to tell her so. Seeming indifferent about her well-being was their best defense.

Luckily the dark-eyed man fell for it, turning his attention back to Zan. “My name is Kalg, son of Havers. We are the appointed stewards of the third moon.”

“Agriculture, right?” Because of the planet's turbulent weather patterns, the third moon grew most of the food that people on Hosta consumed. Strategically speaking it was a necessary position but far from the glamour of the research and development of the first moon. Or the prestige of one of the shipping stations. Chances were high that Kalg planned to challenge him to see if he could better his position.

“For now,” Kalg said, confirming Zan's suspicions. He reached for Gia, who flinched at the unwanted touch. The snap and sizzle of her germ shield made the other man pull away from her, scowling. “What is that?”

Zan offered no explanation. If Xander hadn't made the details of Gia's health guard public knowledge, he wasn't about to. Instead he pulled his sizzling little firecracker closer. “How many rankings have you experienced?”

“One.”

Zan pasted a sneer on his face. “And did you better your position?”

“I have learned much since then.” Kalg's defensive reply spoke volumes.

“Let's hope so. Set your sights lower, little boy, because the real men will make a meal out of you.”

Kalg retreated, and Gia murmured in Zan's ear, “Masterfully done.”

“Why did you activate your health guard?”

Green eyes sparkled. “I was afraid his ignorance was contagious.”

Zan threw back his head and laughed. “Good call.”

Others approached them, some older dignitaries from off world, other younger bucks sizing them up. Gia remained silent, and Zan knew she was taking the measure of every man who approached him, sussing out weaknesses that she would relate to him later. The novices were easy to spot, full of hot air and bluster. One went as far as saying he would enjoy fucking Zan first and later “his little alien whore” after he claimed his new rank. Her nails dug into Zan's thigh beneath the waterline, and he knew it took everything she had to keep silent. He made a promise to them both he would reward her for it later.

Three men from lesser houses concerned him. They stayed to the back of the pack, observing his reactions, studying him. They had the most to gain from challenging him and the wherewithal to do it. After his first victory, the hotheads would fall away, especially if he had to kill the man he dominated. But those three could give him trouble, especially if they challenged him one right after the other.

Their collective lack of interest in Gia was a mixed blessing. She wouldn't have to fend off their advances, but that would leave her vulnerable to Xander.

“Son.”

Speak of the devil. Zan turned to glance up at his sire, evil incarnate.

“I wanted to borrow your pilot for a while. We've recovered her ship and I want a full readout of her technology.”

“I'll go with you.” Zan started to rise, but his father cut him off.