Between Venus & Mars (The Soul Mate Tree Book 3) Read online

  Chapter 9

  It took longer than expected to leave the base. The half-track, loaded to capacity, decided to throw a tread the moment it started moving and needed to be unpacked, repaired, and repacked. Fortunately, the droids did all the work, giving Zana and Kyle more time together.

  Kyle also had the droids confine the roos to a locked room, with orders to free them after he and Zana left. “I’d rather have as little impact on the roos as possible. Core Worlds’ scientists have a real interest in their evolution.”

  After her encounter, Zana preferred to have no further interaction with the vile creatures. The constant banging on the walls drove them out to explore the surrounding area.

  They strolled the beach hand in hand, keeping an eye out for more roos. None appeared. Zana discovered a few fish trapped in tide pools, and decided to take some live cell samples.

  The seas of Konga 10 were thought devoid of life when the planet was settled, yet kelp had somehow evolved on its own. Something had caused the seas to evolve life. Maybe fish could survive in the oceans as well, giving her tribe another food source. A food source all but impossible to steal.

  “A whole new fishing industry could develop, giving our youngsters a new profession to pursue.” Zana’s heart warmed at the thought.

  “You never know.” Kyle offered her a hand up after she crouched to take her third sample. “It’s certainly worth a try. I’ve heard, when prepared properly, fish are delicious.”

  As he pulled her up, he drew her in as well, stealing a kiss before releasing her.

  Zana couldn’t stop her smile. His cock did seem to have a life of its own, making its desire known at every opportunity. More and more she was convinced, she was also ready. He was her one. Her soul mate.

  She tugged on his vest, pulling him into another kiss. She wanted him so badly, was so ready. Maybe if they had a bit more time before the droids repaired the vehicle they could—

  Something bumped her legs.

  The small service droid had a green blinking light on its display.

  “Oh, the half-track’s fixed and loaded.” Kyle pushed a few buttons on the droid’s controls. “We can get going.”

  Why had she waited so long?

  Maybe she needed a blinking green light of her own.

  Behind them, the bright sun slipped toward the horizon as they once again traversed the crumbling roadways of Los Angeles. By the time they’d left the city behind, dusky gloom enshrouded the vehicle. Zana’s gaze was constantly drawn up to the cloudless ebony expanse as one by one, stars twinkled into view.

  As a child, she’d been enraptured with the night sky, sometimes spending hours lying on her back in her yard staring up and wondering. She’d never dreamed she’d be the first person from her planet in generations to venture out into the stars.

  Sure, Uncle Onwin had traversed space in a starship, but that was before finding himself stranded on Konga 10.

  Zana had actually lifted off from the surface, flown through space, and landed on another planet.

  People throughout the rest of the galaxy did that every day, not people from Konga 10. At least not for over one hundred years. It was doubtful she would have, even after discovering the wreckage, had her tribe’s situation not been so dire.

  Still, she’d done it. And it looked now like the mission would be a complete success.

  Thanks to Kyle.

  What would she have done without him?

  She’d have been trapped here, probably died here, while her tribe perished light-years away.

  On a galactic scale, just a blip on the radar, probably not even warranting mention in a history or holovid documentary. Gone as if they’d never existed.

  “You’re parsecs away.” Kyle’s gentle tone brought her out of her reverie.

  She pulled her gaze from the stars to his face, illuminated starkly by the lighting of the instrument panel.

  Such strong features. So handsome. More and more she wanted to believe he was hers for the claiming. And for more than just taking out garbage and milking cows.

  Did he even know how to milk a cow?

  Doubtful.

  “I’m just thinking about how much I owe you.”

  She touched his arm, and he took her hand, giving it a quick squeeze.

  “We’re not home yet.” His eyes warmed as his grin widened. “You know, I was looking for a fun vacation idea when you plucked me from across the galaxy. I doubt I’d have found anything as adventurous as this.”

  He gave her hand another squeeze. “And I’d have never met you.”

  Crazy as it sounded, he was falling for her big time. Her energy, her impish personality . . . okay, and the sexy way she swung her hips when she walked. She was one amazing, compact package of sexy awesome.

  Here, on Old Earth, Kyle had her all to himself. What would happen when he got her home? Surely on Konga 10 there’d been men who noticed her . . . wanted her.

  He was nothing special. He had no delusions. And he had nothing to offer either. He had a job she and her people probably abhorred. Lawmen were not usually welcome on the galactic rim.

  And it was a career which often took him away from home, sometimes for months at a time. A hazardous job where he actually put himself in the line of danger.

  Zana would never know, when he left in the morning, when . . . or even if he was coming back.

  What woman wanted that?

  “That’s it?” Zana stood back as Bixby began unloading the half-track.

  Kyle leaned against the ship’s hull. “The maintenance droid can take it from here. I just needed to do a few updates on Bixby’s firmware.”

  Zana mastered the flutter threatening to erupt in her stomach. “How long before we can take off?”

  She wasn’t ready for this to be over yet. If they left Old Earth, if they could go wherever they wanted, would she ever see Kyle again?

  He was this sophisticated Core Worlder and she was just a rim rat. They didn’t belong together, would never have gotten together if it hadn’t been for that blasted tree.

  “We should be able to take off sometime tomorrow.” Kyle had a wistful look in his eye. He was probably thinking of getting home.

  She couldn’t blame him. Being pulled away, against his will, across the galaxy. Having to struggle here with her instead of going on the vacation he’d been planning on taking. She’d miss him, even after only knowing him a few days. He was just about the perfect man.

  What the hell am I waiting for?

  He wasn’t gone yet. If he was the one, then she should experience him . . . at least once.

  “So, how do we pass the time while Bixby fixes the ship?” She put her hand on her hip and tried to display whatever assets she had.

  A mischievous twinkle lighted his eyes. “Oh, I’ve got a great idea.”

  “A little higher. Yes. Right there.”

  Zana gripped the hard knob of the crane controls as Kyle guided the big, stunned bovine onto the bed of the half-track.

  Collecting and loading livestock onto the ship hadn’t even been in the back of her mind when she’d asked Kyle how they’d pass the time, even though she was grateful he’d pushed the idea.

  Bringing back living animals to her planet meant the herds got started faster and would have more diversity.

  This was her true mission to Old Earth, not giving her body to Kyle Kepler.

  But gods, how she wanted him. To hell with the risks, she wanted him to make her a real woman. Artis Yoman had positively glowed after her first time. Milie Tuttleman had said it felt like the planet moved under her. And Divvy Jetmier had said . . . well, maybe it wasn’t for everybody.

  I won’t know until I’ve tried it.

  The big problem was she didn’t know wha
t it was. Even her girlfriends that said anything about it at all, didn’t really describe what went on. People just didn’t talk about that kind of stuff on Konga 10, even in whispers.

  What did she do? What would he do?

  Her mother’s face had been beet-red when she’d said, “He puts his thing in you, and sometimes you get pregnant.”

  Not very useful advice. During the few precious hours a week she got on her uncle’s Galaxynet terminal, she’d found most of the information on the subject blocked from their sector. Watching the farm animals had been much more informative.

  But with the farm animals it just sort of happened. The bull mounted the cow, then they both went on their way. There was certainly no hugging or kissing going on. From what she’d gathered, when people did it, it was a whole lot more complicated. Her mind whirled with questions even as her body thrummed with desire.

  “There’s one.” Kyle aimed the blaster toward a waving tide in the tall grasses. The vegetation parted to reveal the hindquarters of another bovine. The creature fell into the cover and Zana maneuvered the half-track toward it.

  Kyle used a zero-G manipulator to lift the body and secure straps around the creature so Zana could use the crane to add the sleeping cow to their growing stock in the bed of the vehicle.

  As she lifted, Zana noted the distended belly on the cow.

  “Two for the price of one,” Kyle shouted as he gave the rump an excited pat.

  Pregnant.

  Yeah, there was that to be considered as well. That it would be Kyle’s child made it easier to imagine. Easier to accept if it happened.

  Still, he’d said he wasn’t ready for a child either.

  Crap. This was so messed up.

  The cacophony of moos, clucks, and bleats coming from the ship’s hold had Kyle’s ears ringing. He pushed the button and the door slid closed, muffling the noise. The wail of scared animals, even through the titanium walls, had the ship vibrating.

  “Ready down here,” he shouted into the intercom.

  A loud hiss became more prevalent as the animals quieted and the hold’s window frosted. The terminal displayed vital signs on the animals, all of them now in perfect cryo sleep.

  Kyle drew in a deep breath and sighed, enjoying the silence in the small access chamber before climbing the ladder to the main deck of the craft.

  “Looks like they all made it.” Cryo sleep had a 96% success rate. Humans rarely took the risk anymore since the discovery of FTL Hyper Drive technology.

  “Even the mom?” Zana’s tone showed her concern.

  Kyle nodded. “I double checked. Both cow and calf are doing fine.”

  The reward of Zana’s smile sent a warm wave through Kyle’s heart.

  “We should get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a big day.” He punched the button and the bed extended, fully this time. Clean bedding and all. Good old Bixby. “You can take the bed. I’ll sleep in the chair.”

  Mischief twinkled in Zana’s bright eyes. “Looks like there’s room enough for both of us in that bed.”

  The bed was thin enough they’d be touching skin to skin no matter how they arranged themselves.

  Oh gods.

  Kyle’s cock awoke with a vengeance. “Probably not a good idea if you want to remain a virgin.”

  Zana approached, her beautiful green eyes wide, her pouty lips so inviting. “And what if I didn’t?”

  She laced her fingers through his hair and pulled his head down, drawing his lips to hers.

  So sweet, so passionate.

  Kyle swept her into his arms as his head whirled, and he responded to the heat of her body against his.

  So pure.

  Pure.

  He drew back. Caught her eye. “Are you sure about this?”

  “I’ve never been surer of anything in my life.” Her fingers remained laced in his hair and pulled him closer again. “Please?”

  He couldn’t remember wanting anything more. Still his mind whirled with possibilities, options.

  Gods, her first time. He wanted it to be as good for her as possible. He needed to be gentle, caring. Take care of her. If only there was some way to protect her from—

  “Wait a minute.”

  He broke from her and spun to the storage lockers. Rummaging through it, he found the plastine box of male prophylactics. He pulled out one of the foil-wrapped disks and held it up triumphantly.

  “What’s that?” Zana cocked her head.

  Kyle stole a quick kiss. “Protection.”

  “From what?”

  “From you getting pregnant by what we’re about to do.” He dropped the box and packaged condom on the small stand next to the bed.

  Her eyes brightened. A sensuous smile spread across her face. “Really? How?”

  He drew her back into his arms. “You’ll see. Now, where were we?”

  Zana’s stomach did back-flips as Kyle held her tight, kissing her senseless. The way his lips moved on hers, the way his tongue invaded, it all felt so good, so right.

  She responded, giving back as best she could. She’d never kissed anyone like this before.

  His hard length prodded her stomach. This was the one. The right one.

  Because Kyle was her soul mate.

  And she didn’t need a magic tree to tell her. Just getting to know him these past days, she’d discovered someone amazing. Someone she wanted to know better. And someone she trusted fully.

  Kyle broke the kiss, pulling back. His eyes smoldered in a way that had her insides clenching. Her body thrummed in the most delicious way.

  “You’re trembling.” Concern laced his tone.

  She buried her head under his chin, pulling him close again. “I’m not afraid. Not with you.”

  She pulled his vest wide and kissed his chest. The musky maleness of him filled her senses. “I just don’t know what to do.”

  His voice was thick, “That’s a very good start.” He ran his hand down the back of her head, following her long hair to the middle of her back. “We’ll take this slow. I promise. And if something doesn’t feel right, stop me.”

  He stepped back, shucking the vest from his shoulders, then toeing off his boots. Her gaze traveled up and down his glorious body, taking in everything. The dense, flat planes of his pectorals, and the rippling muscle below.

  Her hand was reaching toward him before she ever realized she’d moved. She pulled it back.

  “Your body knows what it wants. Touch me.” He gently took her hand and guided it to his chest. “It’s okay. Tonight I’m all yours.”

  The heat of the contact, her palm against his densely muscled pectorals, sent a ripple of desire coursing through her. She wanted to touch him. All of him.

  She caressed him, letting her fingers run rampant over his shoulder and bulging biceps. Then her wandering fingers continued down his arm to clasp his wrist.

  Drawing his hand toward her, she placed it on her aching breast. “And will you touch me as well?”

  Kyle’s hand tightened imperceptibly. His smile widened. “That is my intent.”

  He stroked his thumb across her pebbled nipple. Another wave of pleasure swept through her, heat growing between her legs. “I like that.”

  “Good. So do I.” He released her breast, bringing his hand up to push the hair back from the side of her neck. He brought his head in, placing his lips just below her ear. He sucked, then his tongue slid up to tickle her earlobe.

  Her heart thundered in her ears, tingles swept up the back of her neck.

  “How about this?” His voice was barely a whisper. Then he dragged his teeth lightly over her earlobe. “Do you like it when I do this?”

  Weak-kneed, she fell into him. He caught her, pulling her in close.

&n
bsp; “Oh, my, yes.” How could such little touches cause her to quiver all over?

  Lifting her into his strong arms, he laid her down on the bed. “What do you want?”

  Her gaze locked on his belt buckle, and the bulge below. “Can I see your . . .”

  “Of course.” Mirth washed his tone.

  He unbuckled his belt and allowed his pants to drop.

  She’d seen him naked before. Seen his cock. But never like this.

  Bold, rigid, pulsing with desire.

  Zana’s stomach fluttered.

  His eyes narrowed, as if recognizing her nervousness.

  Her gaze rose to his. “Does it hurt?”

  His smile looked strained. “There is a lot of pressure, desire, but no, it doesn’t hurt.”

  She reached toward him. “Can I . . .”

  He nodded, his eyes ablaze, kneeling on the bed to bring his cock into her range.

  She curled her fingers around the stiff, warm shaft and explored the length and head.

  “Oh.” Kyle’s groan corresponded to a heavy pulse of his cock.

  His reaction prompted her to let go. “Did I hurt you?”

  “No.” He smiled reassuringly. “It feels really good when you touch me.”

  She wrapped her fingers back around it, using her other hand to cup the loose sac underneath.

  “Gentle there. Sensitive.” His eyes glazed, though he gritted his teeth. “Oh, yeah. That’s it.”

  He bent down to kiss her, urgently pressing his lips to hers. Passionately, he possessed her, sending waves of heat radiating through her.

  Sliding onto the bed next to her, Kyle wrapped her into his arms as he rolled to bring her on top of him. They were both gasping by the time he broke the kiss.

  “Your turn.” He tugged her blouse up, and Zana grasped the hem to lift it over her head.

  Her cheeks heated as his gaze swept her torso and his palms cupped her breasts.

  “So beautiful. So perfect.” He ran his thumbs over her pebbled nipples, sending another passionate shockwave through her system.