The Rogue Prince (23 page)

Reid watched the men leave, standing quietly until the ship took off. A warm gust of air blew around them. When it was far off the ground, Kirill asked, “What do you think they want with a booth?”

“I don’t know. Have Ulyssa tell her HIA contacts. Make sure they stop the ship far away from here,” Reid said. “If they thought it was worth killing people and traveling all the way to our quadrant over, it can’t be good.”

“What about Jasmine?” Falke asked.

“Dr. St. Claire is dead,” Reid said, torn between relief and sadness. “She’s safe from him. The rest is up to her.”

* * * *

Jasmine looked at the squirming baby in Ulyssa’s arms. It was still a little purple in color, but Siren assured them the new life form’s functions were healthy and strong. The child was swaddled in a cloth and the queen looked worn but very happy.

The door handle jiggled, causing them all to gasp in alarm. It was locked. A pounding started on the other side.

“Ulyssa?” Kirill’s voice called, sounding worried. “Are you all right?”

“Siren,” Ulyssa said softly. “Unlock the door.”

“Yes, My Queen,” Siren said, seconds before the door burst open.

Kirill was the first through with Reid directly behind them. Soon, Quinn and Falke joined them. All eyes turned to the bed where Ulyssa lay.

“Come meet your son,” she said softly, looking at her husband. Kirill’s eyes widened. Congratulations broke out as his brothers slapped his back. Jasmine watched Reid. His eyes met hers and his smile faded.

Kirill went to his wife and kissed her before taking the baby. “My son.”

Jasmine pulled back as everyone crowded over the bed. This was a family moment and she wasn’t technically part of the family. The door was still open and she slipped quietly out of it.

“Jasmine, wait,” Reid called behind her. She turned in surprise, thinking he didn’t notice her going. “I need to speak with you.”

She nodded and glanced around the hall. “Here?”

“Ah.” Reid too looked around as if thinking. “Let’s go to Kirill’s office.”

He began to lead the way through the halls. Jasmine stayed a half pace behind him, eyeing his gorgeous body through the corner of her eyes to make sure he was unharmed. She’d been so scared when she learned he was going to meet with the Mafia. Her first impulse had been to run after him and protect him, which had been silly really. She knew instinctively that Reid would be able to take care of himself.

She was so relieved to see him safe, that she hardly cared about anything else. When they got to the office, he shut the door behind them so they could be alone. Jasmine faced him, keeping distance between their bodies. She wanted him so much. Her body was starved for his touch. Searching his hard features, she knew they needed to talk first. She pushed thoughts of sex from her mind.

“You met with the Medical Mafia,” Jasmine said. It wasn’t a question. Reid nodded and she was glad he didn’t lie to her. “What happened?”

“They wanted that medical booth you gave us. As far as we can tell, it must have some sort of information they need or maybe they’re smuggling something with it. We’ve contacted Jarek and he’s going to make arrangements to give it back to them. Then, they’re going to leave. Once they’re out of our airspace, Ulyssa will contact HIA and they’ll intercept the ship once it’s far from here. They didn’t come here for you, Jasmine. They came for their booth.”

“But, Chad, he--”

“Chad’s dead.”

Jasmine’s eyes rounded. “You…?”

“No, them. I saw his head.” Reid took a deep breath, studying her intently.

Jasmine gasped, her knees weakening with relief as she sank to the floor. Chad was dead? She was free? Reid was at her side in an instant, kneeling by her as he held her arms to keep her from falling.

Trembling, she asked, “You’re sure it was him?”

“Did he have black hair, gray along here?” Reid asked pointing to his temple. Jasmine nodded. “Then, yes, it was definitely him. Dr. Ellington just assumed I’d know who he was.”

“So it’s done? It’s over?” she asked. Chad was dead. Dead. She was free. “I’m free?”

“Yes, Jasmine, you are free.” Reid let her go and slowly got to his feet. Jasmine pushed up from the floor. Without stopping to think, she went to him and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Thank you,” she said, kissing his lips lightly. “Thank you.”

Jasmine kissed him again, this time letting her mouth linger a second longer. Pulling back, she looked at his lips, hesitated, and then leaned in to deepen her kisses. Her lips parted and she moaned. Reid always tasted so good, so addicting. She felt his body lurch against her stomach, his shaft becoming full. Before she could gather her thoughts, she was passionately tugging on his waistband.

“I’m not wearing any panties,” she said by way of invitation.

Reid growled, his eyes lightening to green, and she knew that he was as aroused as she was. His hands pulled at her skirt, lifting it up. In moments like this their bodies were so in tune. It was like she could read what he wanted.

Jasmine untied his laces, loosening his pants. Her naked thighs brushed his. She glanced around. “Desk?”

Reid nodded in approval. Almost savagely, he twirled her around and leaned her over the desk. He came up behind her, holding her skirt out of the way as he grabbed her hips. Jasmine’s breasts rubbed along the hard surface through the thinner material. The hard press only added to the urgency of their situation, heightening her desire. She gripped the sides, liking how the position gave him control. There was something very erotic to the game of being helpless before him, about to be conquered by the big, strong warrior prince.

Suddenly, Jasmine realized she trusted him completely when it came to her body. She knew he’d never hurt her. That was what made these games they played so much fun and exciting. So, if she could trust him like this, could she come to trust him with more than just her body? Could she trust him with her heart?

Jasmine felt his hard, hot tip pressing into her wet folds. Her body was aroused to such a fevered, needy pitch that she couldn’t concentrate on her own questions. Tensing, she waited for that first thrust, for the feel of his thick mass stretching her wide. She needed to feel him inside her.

“Oh, yes, Reid,” she urged, “take me.”

Reid groaned, thrusting forward, filling her tight body to the brink. She gripped the desk and moaned. He pressed his hips against her in small, shallow strokes, hitting her in just the right spot. She squirmed before him. One of his palms lay flat at her side as his other hand came around her waist. He pressed a finger into her folds, finding the little bud hidden there. She instantly tensed as he stroked her with both his hand and his shaft.

Jasmine couldn’t move, as he forced her to take the pleasure he gave her. Her toes curled. His hips continued to move in small circles as he picked up the pace. Her thighs hit upon the desk as his thrusts became more urgent, deeper and harder. Animalistic grunts sounded though out the room, attesting to his satisfaction. The two hard points of her nipples ground against the smooth surface, sending shockwaves of pleasure through her body. Reid pinched the wet bud between his fingers, rolling it back and forth.

The stimulation was too much. Jasmine tensed, crying out weakly as her orgasm hit. Her muscles clenched him, but he didn’t stop. Riding her to a full release, Reid slowed his body. Only when she started to come down, did he stiffen, coming inside her.

He drew his hand away first, pressing it to the desk. Jasmine was glad she had the support underneath her. Her legs were shaking so badly she was sure she wouldn’t have been able to stand without his support. After a long moment, he pulled back, brushing her skirt down over her backside. Jasmine groaned in protest, even as she stood up. Still breathing a little hard she leaned against the desk, her head down.

“Thank you,” she said softly.

Reid chuckled. “You don’t have to thank me for that.”

“I meant, thank you for trying to protect me.” Jasmine turned to him. He was lacing up his pants. “But, I want you to know I can take care of myself.”

His smile faded.

“I don’t appreciate you taking decisions away from me. I don’t appreciate having your sisters-by-marriage sent to distract me while you go out and fight my battles for me. Yes, it turned out well, but you should have talked to me first. You should’ve told me what was happening.”

“So what if I fight battles for you? Is that so bad? I’m a man, a warrior. There is no shame in it.” Reid practically shouted at her. “Just as there is no shame in you being a woman to be protected. We are what we are, Jasmine. You are the physically weaker sex. You can’t take grown men in battle. I’ve spent most of my life at battle. Why not let me take care of it for you?”

“Reid,” she said, taking a deep breath. Jasmine closed her eyes. “It’s not the fact that you were trying to protect me that upsets me. It’s the fact that you didn’t explain what you were doing. If you had come to me--”

“You’d what? Have let me handle it?” Reid snorted in obvious disbelief.

Jasmine sighed. He was right.

“No,” she answered honestly. “I probably wouldn’t have. I don’t like being under someone’s control. I spent four years being told what to do, how to act, what to think and say.”

“I am not him, Jasmine,” Reid said. To look at him, no one would believe that they’d just been intimate. His whole body shook and his face
had turned red. His fists clenched and unclenched at his sides. “I am not that man.”

“I know,” she answered, and then louder, she yelled, “I know!”

“Then why are you fighting me?” he demanded.

Tears came to her eyes. She couldn’t look at him. “The computer called me princess.”

Reid tensed. She didn’t have to look at him to feel it.

“You made me your half mate, didn’t you? That’s why I feel so drawn to you, isn’t it?” Jasmine shivered. “You didn’t ask me first.”

“Jasmine,” Reid began. His words trailed off as she lifted up her hand to stop him.

“Please, don’t say anything. I just need some time to think,” Jasmine said, moving to walk past him. “If you care for me at all, you’ll just have to give me a little time.”

Chapter Thirteen

“You look worse than I do and I gave birth four days ago,” Ulyssa said.

Jasmine sat on the queen’s couch. A soft light glowed from the fireplace over the living room. Arched entryways led to various parts of the house and the walls were decorated with the long Var banners. It was a beautiful home, but Jasmine didn’t look around as she stared at her hands. The king had left with his baby son, insistent that he show him how to get about the palace. Ulyssa had laughed. When they were alone, she’d confided that Kirill really just wanted to show the baby off--
again
.

“It’s nothing, I’m just tired,” Jasmine answered.

“Reid keeping you up late at night? You’re one lucky woman. I’ve heard stories about that man,” Ulyssa teased.

I wish,
Jasmine thought. “No. I haven’t seen him at all. Well, there was that one time Tori took me to the banquet hall to dine with everyone a couple days ago. He was there, but as soon as I came in he left without a word.”

“How odd,” Ulyssa sat up. “When’s the last time you talked to him?”

“Right after you had the baby and we left,” Jasmine said.

Ulyssa bit her lip. “Hmm, where did you go?”

“The royal office,” Jasmine said. Suddenly, she blushed, remembering what they’d done on the king’s desk. At the time, she hadn’t even stopped to consider where they were.

“I guess by that look I won’t have to ask what you did,” Ulyssa chuckled.

Jasmine’s blush deepened and she really needed to change the subject. Talking about Reid only made the ache inside her worse. “Tori mentioned a Draig ambassador came by.”

“Three boys and one girl born on the same day as my son,” Ulyssa said. “What are the odds of that? Prince Zoran and his wife Pia had the girl. Politically, it really is
a good match. Zoran is like Falke, a true warrior and leader, and very respected amongst his people.”

“That’s so strange that they were all born the same day,” Jasmine said.

“Kirill calls it fate.” Ulyssa chuckled, but the sound was a little sad. “He says it’s a sign.”

“What do you say?”

“What’s done is done. If I’ve learned anything, the future is never written in the stars. They might point in a certain direction, but they never are set.” Ulyssa smiled, eyeing Jasmine carefully. “Okay, let’s figure this situation between you and Reid out. What did you talk about?”

Jasmine sensed the woman’s need to change the subject. However, she couldn’t help wishing Ulyssa had picked a different topic. But maybe talking it out would do some good. She was tired of crying herself asleep at night, pining for Reid. “He told me what happened and that Chad was dead.”

“Is that it?”

“Mostly.”

“What’s the rest of it? What’s the last thing you said to him before you parted? Or what did he say to you?”

“We got in a small fight,” she admitted, remembering the conversation clearly in her mind. “I told him I didn’t like him protecting me without talking to me first and telling me what was going on.”

“Good for you,” Ulyssa inserted, nodding.

“Then he got upset saying I wouldn’t have let him take care of it even
if he did talk to me.”

“Ah, I
hate to say it, but he does have a point.” Ulyssa shrugged. “Sorry, it’s true.”

“I know,” Jasmine grumbled. “Honestly, I’m glad it’s taken care of. Jarek got the medical booth back to them and they’re gone. Chad’s dead and I’m free.”

“Is that what you said to him?” Ulyssa asked.

“Not completely,” Jasmine sighed. “I’m just thinking out loud.”

“Get back to the fight.” Ulyssa leaned forward, intently studying Jasmine’s face. “What happened after he said you wouldn’t have let him take care of the problem for you?”

“Ah, not much, I told him about Siren calling me a princess and that I knew about how he made me a half mate,” Jasmine said.

“Did he deny it?”

“I didn’t give him a chance, to. But why would the computer be programmed to say it if it wasn’t true?” Jasmine leaned her head back and closed her eyes. She’d finally gotten what she wanted--freedom. Why wasn’t she happy? Why did she feel so empty inside? “I saw the look on his face.”