7. Jax

7

Jax

When I return from the bathroom, Runar rummaging through my belongings is not what I expect to see straight away. He’s poking through my bags, lifting my clothing with curiosity. In his grip, touching one of my nightgowns. The silk bends around his thick fingers.

As my heart betrays me for what feels like the hundredth time today, I stomp over to him and snatch it out of his grip. “It’s rude to touch things that aren’t yours.”

“If you are mine, does this not count?” He picks up my water canteen next, taking in the damage it has seen over the last few months. He’s way too curious about me for my liking. He’s seeing more parts of me than what others have and I’ve known this man for hardly long.

“Of course not!” Sputtering my words, I struggle to meet his eyes as I take the canteen from his grip and shove it back into my bag. Taking both bags away from his reach, I tuck them away in the corner of the room. Far away from his curious gaze.

Every time Runar tells me that he believes I am his, my heart thumps hard enough in my chest that his keen hearing might pick it up. I’m starting to believe he’s grown mad. A part of me wants to believe I’m crazy, too. Crazy for not shutting this idea down the moment he started throwing random words in my direction.

I’m still struggling to wrap my mind around everything I let him do. I’ve never felt such pleasures in my life, nothing so intense. I hate to admit it, but the sensation is addicting. I want to feel his fingers again, his tongue, and everything in between.

Ugh. Did they slip something inside of the food? If I’m not crazy, I’m delusional.

Unless I want to cave to his words, the best thing I can do is blame his actions on him trying to get in my head. This can be some mental battle I’m simply not prepared for. After sensing my weakness, he’s thrown himself down this path of playing with me like I’m prey.

I can’t give in. For all those I fight for, I have to be stronger than this.

“Varrum will want to speak to us soon about his findings with his mate.” Runar makes his way toward the door. “With the time they were away, I’m sure they have figured out something to help assist with our current dilemma.”

I don’t like the mention of Flora being called some alien’s mate. It makes her sound like she’s stuck in the same predicament as I am. Maybe she is. Though, she’s not putting up any sort of fight or asking to be saved. Quite the opposite.

We both let these creatures taste us between our thighs. Did she touch this Varrum guy like I had Runar?

Groaning softly at the memory, I shake my head and follow him out of the room.

“I’m hoping we will be able to call this day over here soon. It feels late.” Out in the middle of space, time is hard to tell. Unfortunately, I don’t have a clock on me to hint at how many hours I’ve been held captive on the ship. My body is feeling heavier, just as my eyes are.

It must be getting late.

Noticing fewer people roaming about the ship all but confirms my suspicions. Runar guides me to a room with a table and chairs.

“This is where I first saw you,” he explains as he pulls back a chair at the end of the table and claims it. There’s a hint of a smile on his lips. Almost like the memory is a fond one for him. “It’s where we do most of our communication.”

Taking in the room, the space reminds me of a place for meetings to take place. Seeing as this is their base, I wouldn’t be surprised if more beings came here to talk rather than send their regards through hologram messages.

Considering one of the seats with a little distance between us, I frown when he hooks a finger in my direction. A silent order that can easily be ignored, my feet move on their own.

Moving toward the seat closest to Runar, I gasp and I’m suddenly grabbed and dragged toward the massive wall of muscle. Before I know what’s happening, I’m settled in his lap with one thick arm wrapped around my front to hold me hostage.

“You are not holding me like this.” No way. Not in front of anyone else. Not in front of my sister.

Not after the scene I made in front of everyone. I do not want to look like a hypocrite.

Thumping the heel of my hand against his wrist, a frown forms when he doesn’t budge. Not even squirming gets me very far.

“Runar.”

Even when I say his name with a deadly threat hiding behind my tone, he does nothing but tuck his nose against the crook of my neck and breathe me in. His habit of sniffing me is off the charts. Most of the time, I smell like sweat and salt.

He breathes me in like I’m a breath of fresh air every single time.

Mental games. He must know what he’s doing.

“How is Flora going to take me seriously if she sees me like this?” With a grunt, I stretch and sigh when I feel his mouth brush above my racing pulse.

Every time I let Runar touch me, I’m asking for trouble. The fact that I’m not being more demanding, not putting up more of a fight is seriously alarming. I could escape his lap if I dug my elbow into his chest. My nails are sharp enough to claw at his face and make his skin bleed gold. There are plenty of ways I could attempt to hurt him.

Instead, I’m freaking docile. Like a kitten tucked away in a purse. One who is secretly enjoying the attention it gets.

There’s the annoying throb growing between my thighs whenever he touches me with his warm fingers. Then there’s that cinnamon smell that wafts off of him whenever we make contact that leaves my head spinning. I hate how weak I feel when we are together.

“We don’t know when they will arrive,” he murmurs as his other hand strokes my thigh lazily. Up and down, I feel tingles coursing through my limb. The tingles that travel up only make the throb grow in size. “As of right now, the moment is all ours.”

I will not cave. Using the four words as a mantra, I repeat them in my head over and over until I believe them. However, it’s hard not to be tempted when he feels so comfortable. Almost as much as the beds in their living quarters.

If I close my eyes, done for. It won’t take hardly much to lull me to sleep at this rate. Between getting the rest my body needs and allowing him to stroke the heat burning between my thighs, I’m not too sure which will win. I don’t know what it is about Runar, but he’s lowered my guard to the point where I don’t feel like my life is in danger anymore.

Aren’t we meant to be enemies? Has this Rhis thing made him forget about everything? My thoughts are fuzzy so I can’t blame him.

There’s the low steady beat of his heart that coaxes my eyelids lower and lower. As his thumb grazes my inner thigh, I hum softly in contentment.

So much energy has gone to today. From the couple of times I tried to fight this man, to him drinking down my energy by licking me where I’m most sensitive, it’s a wonder how I haven’t passed out yet.

“Aren’t you tired?” I murmur as my eyes close. For a minute or two, I’ll lower my defenses without beating myself up too much.

“We don’t rest as much as you do,” he explains as his words vibrate against my throat. “I only need a couple of hours to function.”

That explains how his people were always easy to ambush the colonies in the middle of the night without batting an eye.

Not wanting to sour this moment with our differences, I bat the reminder away.

“I’m jealous,” I confess as I wiggle in an attempt to get more comfortable. “If I didn’t have to sleep that much, I would be unstoppable.”

“You’re fierce as it is.”

Humming my agreement, I don’t hear the door to the room glide open. It isn’t until I hear the familiar sound of my sister’s voice that I realize what position I’m in.

Like I’m being doused with a bucket of ice-cold water, my eyes snap open and I am jerking out of his grip much to Runar’s dismay. Now I’m more like a soaked cat, clawing for release.

Thankfully, he lets me go and I’m on my feet. Immediately, I’m thinking of excuses to explain how and why she’s gotten such an eyeful.

“Flora!” Gasping, I can feel the heat scorching my cheeks as I blush in embarrassment.

Now one human knows about my traitorous behavior. I am one of the worst people to be cozying up with a Medarian. Especially with the leader of them.

Stupid. So stupid.

Instead of lingering on the crimes I am committing, I throw myself at my sister. Now that she is not occupied with the alien hovering close behind her, I wrap my arms around her body and give her a much-needed hug.

“I’m so glad you are safe.” When rage is feeling my actions and I can think long enough to let out a proper sentence, I can appreciate having Flora within my reach.

Patting my back, her chest vibrates with a laugh. “Looks like I didn’t need to worry about you, either.”

Pulling back, I fight the urge to throw a look over my shoulder. I don’t even need to look to know Runar is watching us closely. I can feel his eyes digging into my back.

“I wouldn’t go that far.” Putting up a front, I clear my throat and casually walk back toward him to see him cross his arms over his chest. Hoping he doesn’t make a scene about taking the seat next to his, I plop down before he can consider changing his mind.

He’s frowning, upset that our moment has become disturbed. I’m thankful for her arrival.

Taking a closer look, I see Flora isn’t just with Varrum. The pink-skinned doctor has tagged along as well. Shinara doesn’t even bat an eye at us.

She is the one to cut this warm welcome. “The human has found a way to reverse the poison, Runar.”

There’s no denying the way he straightens up in his chair. “A cure?” He moves his attention to Flora. After insisting that she was the one to create such poison, he frowns when she shifts nervously.

“It’s not a cure, not really. Just a way to remove the poison before it keeps spreading through your species.” Flora starts talking about transfusions and cleaning the blood with her complicated machines.

While I struggle to keep up with the conversation, Runar is listening closely. Like a complete shift in behavior, he’s the most serious I’ve seen him. This must be the side of him that proves he’s made for the king’s role. The one who will do anything for the survival of his people.

Thinking back to the med bay and seeing how many bodies were left in pain on cots, I can’t stop grimacing. This poison he spoke of is very much real, even if I am unfamiliar with the source.

“We should get started immediately.” The words are out of my mouth as I think about the children’s pain. Just this once, we can throw up the white flag and call a truce without any threats of fighting. Looking toward Runar, I give him a nod. “I’ll help in any way I can.”

Shinara clears her throat. “The human healer and I can stop the poison, but we need someone to root out its cause. Find the human responsible. All of this will be pointless if the threat continues to remain.”

“We have found the one responsible.” He squints at Flora but doesn’t do much more than frown. He can’t do anything else, not with me at his side.

Even if I am having conflicting feelings, my family comes first.

“Why else would she know how to counteract it? The healer created the poison.” He glowers at my sister, his hatred coming through.

I shouldn’t be surprised. Not when I revealed my hatred for him at the beginning. Hell, I went as far as trying to kill him with my bare fists.

During that time, I didn’t think twice about bloodying my hands.

Flora meets his anger with her own. “I may have been part of the initial research team–”

“In charge of,” Runar corrects in a growl. Using the table to support his bulk, his hands turn to fists.

I don’t know why I move, but I lightly press my hand to his knuckles. A silent motion to calm his rage, there’s a fight within me on whose side to stand by.

“There is no way in hell that I had any part in this,” Flora explains as she straightens her shoulders. “I wouldn’t murder innocents. The person responsible has to be higher up than the medical forces. No way my team would have dared to mess with bio-weapons. It’s illegal and against everything we know.”

Now that gets a snort out of me. “Yeah, because rules will stop desperation. Our people are being murdered, Flora. People seeking revenge don’t care about the means to get it.”

She turns her attention to me and scoffs. “It’s not someone on my team,” she repeats. “Look higher. Think of someone who would have ordered the research to be done in the first place.”

There’s only one group that comes to mind. Immediately, I’m the one to prickle up this time.

“You’re thinking military? Now you’re saying it’s one of my men? We bust our asses to fight for every single colonist and you think we need some sort of shortcut–”

“That’s exactly my point,” Flora interrupts as she skips a few seats to come closer. She calms her voice, knowing how easy my anger gets to me.

“The best defense is an even better offense,” Runar mutters at my side. Flipping his hand around, he brushes the back of my hand with his thumb. “It is possible, my Rhis . You have shown me that your kind are resilient. You’ve survived this long because of your ingenuity, not your physical prowess. It’s not hard to believe that your warriors would utilize a new asset in war.”

I scowl at his words. I recall how many times in history how often humans have turned on each other over time using different methods.

Poison sounds so cowardly. The easy way out.

Flora clears her throat, catching my attention once more. “Who could give orders to your men or convince them to use poison on the Medarians?”

I’m the only one giving orders to my men and I wouldn’t bother taking shortcuts in war. Not knowingly.

“Only one person can order an entire military outfit to change tactics. I only have control over my crew.” My nose scrunches as my mouth curls into a deeper frown.

Hendrick. I never liked the man and I’m sure he feels the same about me. The two of us have always disagreed on most matters and he enjoys pushing my buttons. Always testing my temper, he’s the type of man who’d poke a bear just to have an excuse to shoot it for trying to attack him and then play victim right after.

Revealing the captain’s name, Flora’s reaction is the same as mine. We both feel the same about the middle-aged man thanks to my constant rants toward him after all of those long shifts of being forced to listen to him talk through all those communication logs he sends my way. I’m sure she’s had to speak to him from time to time as well.

With a sigh, she stands back up and joins Varrum’s side. “I’ve got to help the infected Medarians, Jax. Do you think you can track Hendrick down? We could bring him in for questioning. I don’t have a cure, only a partial solution.”

I’m sure if the captain gets word that his poison is no longer killing those around us, he’ll find another way to fight. With our luck, he’ll have bombs strong enough to take out this entire vessel.

He’s a problem that needs to be taken care of quickly.

“We do not question in war. We take action,” Runar explains, voicing my thoughts as he dismisses the idea. “We will find him and ensure he does no more harm.”

There’s promise in his voice. No denying what he is insinuating. I should not encourage him, even if I don’t like Hendrick. However, sometimes one person has to be taken out to save hundreds, if not thousands, of lives.

“We don’t even know if it’s actually him to be blamed,” Flora argues as she picks up on Runar’s concrete plan. “You can’t just kill the guy.”

Runar scoffs and looks at me like I can convince her to see it his way. I hate to say it, but when it comes to Hendrick, I’m on the fence. I don’t know what side to be on. How wrong does that sound?

Flora’s going to be disappointed if she realizes I’m more toward Runar on this one. She’s always been about saving lives instead of taking them away.

She’s always been the one to heal while my hands always got dirty. This is nothing different from what’s normal.

“We’ll go get him. We’ll talk ,” I explain to the both of them. No need to spill blood without getting him to explain where this poison came from first. Once we get our answers, then we’ll figure out how to deal with him. “You focus on healing these guys.”

“What about our people, Jax?” Flora looks at Runar and straightens up despite his scowl. “Will you call your warriors off? Even if it is a temporary truce.”

I look over at the alien at my side and watch his jaw clench. He doesn’t like the idea. Of course not. It’s not a truce if the humans refuse to ceasefire.

“If you call them back, no one will be around to be attacked,” I try to offer softly. “Call them back, we’ll get this fixed.”

Those yellow eyes of his, I think they’re becoming my weakness. I can’t look him in the eye for longer than a couple of minutes before I feel like I’m melting. Do I have the same effect on him or is this all in my head?

His nostrils flare and we stare at each other for what feels like an eternity. Once my eyes start stinging because I do not remember to blink, he turns his head.

“I will call them off,” he agrees. “However, if the humans continue being a threat to my people, I will not give the command to sit there and accept death. Those who will come with us will not harm our enemy unless they are under threat.”

My shoulders relax and I offer him a grateful smile.

Flora doesn’t argue, knowing she’s already asking for a lot. She thanks him and runs a hand through her hair. She looks exhausted. Tonight is going to be a long one for her.

Runar stands, shamelessly shuffling behind me. Plucking me up with ease, he ignores my sputter when he wraps a limb around my waist.

“Come, my queen. We have plenty of planning to take care of. We can’t succeed if we don’t get our rest either.”

He realizes everyone in the room is looking our way, right? Does he have no shame? My cheeks are feeling hot. Sure, this is more tame than what they walked into, but it doesn’t make even the lightest of his touches any less embarrassing.

“Go get some sleep, Jax. We’ll get this all fixed one way or another.” My sister gives me this odd smile. One that’s knowing.

If she starts making comments about having her own possessive Medarian and knowing all about how it feels, I’m going to scream and make a run for my ship. Even if it’s bad timing, I know I’m not going to be able to manage, not when I’m feeling so flushed.

Wishing them a good night, Runar all but carries me out of the meeting room, leaving the three of them to discuss what to do next in the process of healing those who are sick.

Before he can consider dragging me through the ship next, I slip out of his grip and huff softly under my breath.

“Are you always this touchy?” I ask as I find something to glare at.

I want to be angry. Getting all flushed over this man feels like nothing but a weakness. I don’t enjoy the way he’s swayed me to all those touches he sends my way. I should not want to feel his touch. No matter how many times I tell myself to stop, it’s not enough.

I am craving this man. Craving to finish what we started earlier.

No way. Caving in is not an option. Not while so much madness is happening in the background.

If a true truce can take place, an end to this constant fight, then maybe…

I shake my head, answering my thoughts without voicing my concerns.

“Never. Only for you,” Runar answers. Seeing the way I scowl at how his answer makes me feel, he smiles unknowingly. “I’ll take any chance I can to touch you.”

Running a hand down my face, I choose not to comment. No matter what I say, Runar is too deep into his feelings to understand where I’m coming from.

He leads us right back to his room and motions for me to enter. I’m too tired to think about suggesting that maybe it would be better for me to sleep in a space with a little distance between us.

Going to my bags tucked away in the corner, I’m thankful to see there’s something in here to sleep in. The nightgown he was touching earlier can’t be an option. Not when he seemed so fascinated with the fabric. With most of my belongings tucked away, I pause before pulling away.

My gut is telling me that Runar plans on keeping me at his side. The way he was talking before, he truly believes we’re soulmates. Separating from his side is nothing but wrong when it comes to arguing with fate.

“Are you alright?” Runar calls, noticing my distant stare.

Looking his way, I choke on my next words.

He’s not the type to get bashful. Not when he doesn’t think twice about stripping out of his outfit. His shirt is long gone, giving me an eyeful of his chest. Way too much skin. In the light, I can see flakes of gold scattered across his chest. Almost like freckles.

Shit. My mouth is watering. My stomach clenches while my body begs me to close the space between us.

Instead, I nod my head and run for the bathroom to get changed. The longer I’m near him, the worse I get. As of late, I hardly ever find myself alone.

When I return, I’m glad to find him lying down. Approaching his bed, I hesitate. His bed is dangerous. Mistakes will be made if I lay next to him.

I could steal one of the pillows and make a bed tucked away in the corner. The room is pretty warm. I wouldn’t need a blanket.

Runar lifts his arm, beckoning me to come lay down. I bet he’s the cuddling type. A big brute like him would be.

As bad of an idea it is, I’m moving to accept his offer. I can’t help it. Not when his cinnamon scent fills my system. His body is welcoming as he pulls me flush against his chest.

Runar doesn’t kiss me or slide his hand between my thighs. He sniffs my hair and sighs as he motions the lights to turn off. Then he just lays there. He’s going to sleep.

Why am I disappointed?

“I can feel you staring at me,” he murmurs as he tugs me closer. “What is wrong, my queen?”

“Nothing,” I lie. So much is wrong. Runar is wrong.

I might complain if he kisses me, but I want him to. If he’s the one stealing moments, I can’t blame myself for siding with the wrong side. Now that he’s not taking and giving me the choice to partake, I’m left wanting to kick my feet and throw a tantrum.

I want to kiss him. I want to feel his touch. I want so many things I shouldn’t.

As if he can feel the rush of thoughts brewing in my mind, his mouth grazes my forehead. “We need rest if we want tomorrow to be successful. If you’re worried about the outcome–”

“I’m not,” I interrupt much to my surprise. I have confidence in Runar, more than I do with Hendrick.

“Then tell me what has you stressed,” he orders, his voice thick in the darkness. “Let me help you get rid of this restlessness.”

One kiss. One kiss to ease this hunger I keep trying to deny. One kiss to ease the anxiety I’m secretly feeling because of the unknown outcome of this odd relationship forming between us at a rapid rate.

“Kiss me,” I whisper soft enough that I barely hear it. There’s no denying the desperation behind my voice. “Just once.”

His chest vibrates as I reach out and flatten my hand against his skin. His body responds to the two words as if he has no control. It’s like we’re both cursed with this hunger.

He shifts and his breath tickles my lips. “Only one?” He’s asking for confirmation and I can barely mutter a yes. “Then it will be a long one.”

Not wanting to waste another second with any unneeded words, our mouths clash and I give in. One kiss will be enough. I’ll put everything into one and promise myself to get over this man afterward.

Refusing to let our lips separate, Runar rolls over me. His tongue glides against my own as he grabs one of my legs at a time, wrapping them around his waist. His groan vibrates against my teeth as he thrusts forward, grinding against me. Too many layers of clothes rest between us and I’m glad.

I don’t think I’d be able to tell him no if he wanted inside. The way my walls clamp around nothing but air, I want that pierced cock of his inside of me. Even if he does more damage than gives pleasure, my body is screaming to be connected with him. Connected as one.

I lose count of how long this kiss lasts. Refusing to separate, Runar gives me what I need to ease this starvation. He keeps his word when he does pull away. Instead of kissing me again, he resumes his position and traces my spine with his fingertips until I can no longer fight against the battle of sleep.