Chapter 16

Kara looked up from the stove and smiled happily when H'zim returned to the house. Her happiness was replaced by concern when she saw the look on his face. He looked tired and worried.

"What is it? What's wrong?"

"S'kal sent his apologies but he couldn't stay. He had to get home to his mate," he said instead of answering her question.

"That's all right. I'm happy to have you all to myself. But I still want to know what's wrong."

He seemed to be at a loss for words. After studying his face for a moment, she banked the stove and pushed all the pots to the back, then took his hand, leading him to the bedroom. He didn't object, but she could feel the tension in his body, his palm stiff in hers.

"What is it?" she asked, as soon as they were inside the bedroom with the door closed. "You can tell me," she added softly, squeezing his hand.

He took a deep breath, his chest expanding, and finally met her gaze. She could see the turmoil in his eyes, the struggle to reveal something he'd rather keep hidden.

"I was intercepted on the way home," he said finally and her heart skipped a beat.

"But you're all right? They didn't hurt you?"

He shook his head impatiently but didn't add anything.

"What did they want?"

"It's about the note," he said, his voice gruff.

"What about it?"

His eyes dropped, focusing on their entwined hands, but he didn't answer her directly.

"I was supposed to serve three more years in jail, but not long before I came here, a man showed up in my cell. He told me he could have me released. The only condition was that he would call on me for a favor in the future." His eyes met hers, anguish in their depths. "I took the bargain, even though I had no idea what I would have to do. At that point I would have done anything to be free."

She looked up at him for a minute, then shook her head.

"Nonsense," she said briskly. "I don't believe that at all."

"You should," he growled. "I was a desperate male."

"You say anything. Would you kill someone?"

He hesitated, suddenly looking unsure.

"I wish I could say no, but perhaps."

The very fact that he said perhaps argued against his assertion, but she pushed it a little further.

"Would you kill a woman?"

He gave her a horrified look.

"Of course not."

"Not even Ayyla?"

He didn't respond quite as quickly but he eventually shook his head.

"No. I couldn't have done that."

"Then you see - you wouldn't - you won't - do anything they want. What do they want? They don't want you to kill someone, do they?" she added nervously, and a corner of his mouth actually lifted.

"No. No killings. They want me to go to a stream here on the farm and dig out a jewel."

"A valuable jewel?"

"Not especially."

"Why do I think it's not as innocuous as it sounds?"

"Because you are a very smart little female. The man behind all this is the worst kind of crime lord, the kind who pretends to be a respectable businessman. He had a motive and it can't be a good one." He hesitated. "I told S'kal. He wants me - us - to go to the main farm tomorrow and talk about it. They've had previous run-ins with his men."

"That sounds like an excellent plan," she said encouragingly. Even though he'd wanted to avoid everyone, she suspected it might do him good.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"And you're not disgusted by my lack of honor?"

"I don't believe you've ever lacked honor, H'zim," she said fiercely.

He stared at her, dark eyes burning.

"I need you," he said, his voice low and rough, and her heart skipped a beat.

She didn't need to ask what he meant; she knew. He needed her comfort, her support - her love.

Without a word, she reached out and began to undress him. Her fingers trembled as she unbuttoned his shirt, revealing the scarred, muscular chest beneath. He didn't stop her, didn't push her away. Instead, he let out a soft sigh, his eyes never leaving hers.

This was the first time he'd let her touch him, really touch him, and she took her time. His skin was warm, his muscles tense beneath her fingers. She could feel the coiled power in his body as she stroked her hands over his skin.

He shuddered as her hands trailed lower, exploring his abs, tracing the indentations of his waistband. His breath came in harsh pants, dark eyes glittering when she finally freed his erection, his cock springing free between them, thick and powerful and… not human. A series of ridges circled the shaft just below the head, with another series around the broad base.

Her breath caught as arousal shivered down her spine. Her clit throbbed a demanding pulse, but this was about him right now, not about her. She slid her hand up and down the thick hard shaft, the skin silky beneath her fingers, enjoying the way he shivered at her touch. Liquid pearled around the three small openings on the wide head and she impulsively leaned down and licked away the shining drops.

He shuddered again, and then his hands came up to cover hers. She started to panic, thinking he was retreating again, but when she looked up at him his eyes burned with dark, hungry fire.

"I need you, now," he said roughly, pulling her up and into his arms.

His mouth came down over hers, hot and demanding, and she met him eagerly as he backed her towards the bed, never releasing her mouth as he began to tear at her clothing. He stripped away her dress and underthings, but she only had a moment to appreciate his nakedness and the sleek, powerful lines of his body before he came down over her.

His cock pressed against her belly as he ravaged her mouth, his hands moving frantically over her body. He caressed her breasts, tugging urgently at her aching nipples and she arched against him, her hips rising to meet his. He growled, the sound vibrating against her mouth, and then she felt the pressure against her core as he nudged her legs apart.

A long, low groan escaped her as the tip of his cock pushed against her entrance. Her body resisted at first but she was so hot and wet that he simply slid inside. He was so big, so impossibly thick, and she squirmed under him, trying to adjust to his size. He rocked his hips, working himself a little deeper with every thrust until she thought she might scream from the pleasure of it.

Her entire body felt flushed and tight as he continued to slowly, steadily work himself into her, inch by delicious inch.

"Yes," she moaned. "I want all of you."

She didn't know if he'd understood her plea, but he finally gave her what she needed with one long, smooth stroke. The feel of those strange, exotic ridges stroking against her inner walls made her gasp and arch up against him, begging for more.

His breathing came in ragged pants as he braced himself above her, his arms trembling with the effort of holding back.

"Need to go slow," he groaned.

She reached up, cupping his face with her hands and stroking her thumb across his scar.

"No," she said fiercely, "Don't hold back. I need all of you."

He shuddered, his eyes closing for a brief second, then drew back, almost withdrawing, before slamming into her with a ferocity that sent a shockwave of pleasure through her body She gasped and he did it again, then again, each plunge forcing her closer and closer to the edge.

He took her hands, pressing them to the mattress as he moved faster, harder. She groaned, the slide of those strange, erotic ridges against her sensitive flesh pushing her towards her release almost immediately.

He kept his eyes locked on hers as he claimed her with long, sure strokes, each one bumping against the edge of her orgasm. Her hips rose to meet him as her pussy fluttered and spasmed around him.

"Let go," he whispered. "I'm with you."

She came with a cry, her entire body shaking with the force of her orgasm. He growled, his hips pumping faster, harder, as he chased his own pleasure.

"You're mine, Kara." He pounded into her, his voice fierce. "I'm never letting you go."

"Never," she echoed. "I'll never let you go. I love you."

He gasped as her pussy clenched down on him, dragging his own release from him. His body tensed above her as he spilled his seed in long shuddering bursts, before collapsing down over her and wrapping her in his arms.

The moment stretched between them, timeless and perfect. She hugged him just as tightly, holding him close, and he buried his face in her hair with a sigh.

"I love you," he whispered, and she felt his cock move within her again. "My beautiful, perfect mate."

Tears dripped down her cheeks as she clung to him, unwilling to let him go.

He shifted, rolling onto his back and taking her with him. She sprawled across his chest, feeling the strong, steady beat of his heart against her cheek. His hand stroked her hair, soothing her, and she tried to stem the flow of tears.

"It will be all right, my love," he murmured. "I'll protect you."

"It's not me I'm worried about," she said, her voice choked. "It's you. Those men…"

"They aren't going to hurt me," he said firmly.

There was enough conviction in his voice that she finally started to relax, and he pressed a gentle kiss to her hair.

"Sleep now, Kara. I'm here."

H'zim cradledKara close as she slept, her words still echoing in his mind.

"She loves me," he whispered into the dark room.

He still couldn't believe it. This little human, with her bright smile and warm heart had somehow managed to breach the walls he'd built around himself. The anger and bitterness that had driven him for so long seemed to be melting away, replaced by a sense of calm.

As he gazed down at her peaceful face, contentment filled him for the first time in many, many years. It was as if the weight of his past, the burden of his revenge, had finally been lifted. He felt as if he could breathe again.

He also realized that his quest for vengeance had lost its appeal. The thought of leaving her side, of taking unnecessary risks, filled him with a sense of dread. He didn't want to lose her, not now that he'd found her.

And it no longer seemed so important. As they'd worked together over the past few weeks, his hatred and bitterness had started to fade. They hadn't disappeared, but they were no longer driving his life. His thoughts turned to the future instead, and for once, it didn't seem so bleak. He imagined building a life with her here on the farm, laughing and arguing - and chasing each other through the woods, he thought with a smile.

The image of Kara, pregnant and radiant, flashed before his eyes, and his heart skipped a beat. He'd never thought about having children before, but now the idea didn't seem so impossible.

He'd been given a second chance. He didn't have to be bound by his past anymore. He could choose a different path, one that led to happiness and fulfillment.

The thought was both exhilarating and terrifying. He had defined himself by his anger for so long, he wasn't sure who he was without it. But as he looked down at her, he knew he was ready to find out.

The sound of her gentle breathing brought him back to the present, and he smiled, grateful for this little human who'd changed his life so profoundly. He leaned down, his lips brushing against her forehead, and whispered, "I love you too, Kara."