Chapter Nine
The conversation Synge was about to have with Ricka was critical. One, if mishandled, could ruin his chances of a future with her. Once she sat down next to him, he took a moment to formulate his words. “Why did you think it was necessary to leave my home?” Ricka had suffered enough, and he wasn’t going to make her feel bad by reminding her how foolish it had been.
“I overheard the fight you had with Teah right before you left.” Ricka shifted sideways to face him. “Why didn’t you tell me that bringing me here would put your family in danger? Or that you planned to use me as bait?” She stopped to inhale a breath. “What is a rite of challenge, and why did it have Teah so upset?”
Apparently, there were quite a few things bothering her. Ricka’s questions confirmed his suspicion about her overhearing his conversation with Dathan. She was in a strange place and probably felt alone. He should have realized she’d also want to know what was going on and listened to the discussion he had with Teah and Arno.
For some reason, the way she’d rushed to get everything out was amusing, and Synge couldn’t stop from grinning. “Is there anything else that concerns you?”
Ricka released a nervous laugh. “No, I think that’s it.”
“Then I will answer your questions, and if anything is unclear, I want you to let me know.” He took her hand. “I do not wish to have any secrets between us.”
“Really?” Ricka asked. “And why is that?”
“Because I care about you,” Synge said. “I am concerned about your welfare, and I wish to gain your trust.”
“Fair enough.”
Ricka hadn’t pulled her hand away, which he took as a sign that she was receptive to what he had to say. “I never planned to use you as bait. It was an incorrect assumption on Dathan’s part. One I did not correct because I was afraid the commander would return you to the colony.” When she remained silent, he continued. “The Klorthons believe all females are property, with or without their permission. When Molock decided to claim you, I knew the only way to protect you was by invoking the rite of challenge.”
“Which is what, exactly?” Ricka asked.
“It is an ancient warrior code where the winner receives the other male’s possessions,” Synge said.
“Are you saying you did this invoking thing because you what...wanted to own me?” Ricka pulled her hand away and crossed her arms.
“No, I only wished to protect you. Male Tarrons respect females. We do not consider them possessions. My only intent was to get you away from Molock and hopefully find your friend at the same time.”
“Oh,” she said. “So why bring me here then? Why not turn me over to the colony?”
“The patrol would not be able to protect you from the Klorthons.” Synge placed his hand on her leg. “The challenge is to the death. For Molock, it will not be finished until I am dead and he had reclaimed you. It is why I brought you here.”
“And the reason Teah was so upset,” Ricka said.
“Yes.”
“Then why not take me to hunter headquarters where we’d both be safe?”
“Because you are my responsibility, and I can protect you here,” Synge said.
Ricka wrinkled her nose, taking a moment to ponder his words. “There is something else, isn’t there?”
“Since you are a colony citizen, the patrol is demanding that we return you.”
“Can they really do that?” Ricka asked.
He nodded. “I am afraid so.” Synge wanted to tell her there was an alternative but didn’t think now was the time to share the information. Not while she was upset. “I thought being under my protection would help delay your return.”
“Okay, I guess that makes sense,” Ricka said, then placed her hand over his. “What about Libby? Did you find out anything when you were gone?”
“Yes. I spoke with the commander, and he believes they have located the ship and those who abducted her.”
“But?” Her voice quivered.
“We lost contact with the shuttle that reported the ship’s location. Others have been sent to investigate.” He took her hand again. “Do not worry. They will find her.”
“What will you do once Libby is found?” Synge asked. “Will you return to Rivean?” Knowing her plans might help him convince her to stay.
“Actually, Libby and I were planning to return to Earth. Now, I have no idea what I’m going to do.” Ricka sighed, her eyes flickering with sadness.
Synge admired her loyalty and her determination to protect her friend. It bothered him to see her so upset, and he wanted to put her at ease. “How did you come to live on Rivean? It is not a place most people would wish to live.”
“My father took a job with the mining company. I think he was lost after my mother died and thought moving offworld and getting a fresh start would be good for both of us.”
“Did you not have a say in the matter?” Synge asked.
“I was only twelve at the time and believed him when he said it would be an adventure. And it was, at first.” She paused. “I wouldn’t trade the time I had with my father for anything. It’s just that life on a mining colony is hard, especially when there aren’t any other children your own age.”
“It sounds lonely.” Synge couldn’t help comparing the similarities in their lives.
“Sometimes. Don’t misunderstand; it wasn’t all bad. Thanks to my father, there isn’t anything electrical or mechanical I can’t take apart or operate. And Marty, his best friend, taught me how to defend myself and use several different weapons. He looked out for Libby and me.”
“He was the older man you spoke with at the bar,” Synge said and smiled, remembering how well she wielded the knife when Molock had accosted her. No doubt one of the skills she’d acquired .
“Yes, and he’s probably going nuts not knowing what happened to us.”
He squeezed her hand. “If it will help, I can have the commander contact the colony and inform him of your safety.”
“I’d appreciate it,” she said, then added, “But I don’t want it to interfere with me staying here...at least until after Libby is returned.”
Hearing that she had no desire to leave, even if it was temporary, was more than he’d hoped for.
A screeching noise echoed through the clearing. Ricka startled and jumped to her feet. “Is there something out there?” She frantically scanned the surrounding forest. “It’s not another one of those things, is it?”
Synge recognized the familiar sound and stood up next to her. “It is the mating call of a kriptrell.”
“A what?” she asked, grabbing onto his arm.
“It is a harmless bird...unless you are one of the small creatures living in the underbrush beneath the trees.”
Ricka laughed. “Then I guess it’s a good thing I don’t live under the bushes then.”
“It would appear so.” He turned and slipped his arms around her waist. “Please know that I will not allow anything to hurt you.”
“I believe you,” Ricka said, pressing her uninjured hand against his chest.
Her trusting words, along with her warm touch, sent heat surging through his entire body.
***
Ricka hadn’t wanted to repeat the last few hours of her day, but if she’d known shimmying down the tree would lead to this moment with Synge, she’d gladly do it again.
“Does that mean you will remain in my home, that I no longer have to worry about you traipsing through the wooded area alone?” Synge asked.
Ricka chuckled. “Yes, I can honestly say there will be no further jungle adventures unless you and Mogran are with me.”
Synge pulled her closer. “I am glad to hear it.”
Any further contemplation of her earlier motives dissolved the instant his mouth captured hers. She whimpered when he applied more pressure to her lips, then used his tongue to delve deeper, demanding full access.
She slid her good hand across his shoulder, tangling her fingers in the hair at his nape. Ricka had been so caught up in the kiss that she’d barely noticed him sitting on the edge of the makeshift bed or being lifted off the ground, so she was straddling his lap.
When he finally released her, and they were both able to catch their breath, Synge said, “I would like to claim you, but only with your permission.”
His choice of words seemed a little strange. There were so many things she didn’t know about the Tarron people, their culture, their traditions. If getting her approval was a requirement for sharing a night together naked, she didn’t have a problem granting it.
Personally, the way her body was responding to his touch should have been enough of an answer, but she figured he wanted to be sure after seeing the way Molock had treated her. His consideration touched Ricka, and she muttered, “Yes, please.”
Groaning, he pulled her shirt over her head and slid off her bra, then haphazardly tossed both items on the ground. “So beautiful,” he said, tracing a fingertip along the center of her chest. He brushed soft kisses along her throat, then lowered to her right breast, sucking a nipple into his mouth. She moaned, raw pleasure shooting through her when he rolled his tongue across the taut bud, his teeth grazing the skin. He moved to the other breast, his ministrations slow, deliberate, and driving her crazy.
She tugged at his shirt, urging him to remove it, then took her time examining the extent of his markings. They ran in a wide continuous line from his shoulder to his waist, covering the left side of his ribs and part of his abdomen. She leaned forward and pulled his nipple into her mouth, loving the way he growled when she laved it with her tongue.
Finished with one, she moved to the other, at the same time raking the tips of her nails along the spots on his skin.
“Mine,” he said in a deep, hungry-sounding voice. Tangling his hand in her hair, he pulled her into another delicious kiss, both consuming and demanding. Synge wrapped an arm around her waist, and in a fluid, graceful motion, laid her on the bed. When he reached for her pants, she leaned back on her elbows and lifted her hips, allowing him easier access to remove her remaining clothing .
He got to his feet and made quick work of stripping off his boots and pants. The sight of all those muscles and his large erection nearly stole her breath. He was beyond handsome, a culmination of her every fantasy molded into the perfect man. Strong. Powerful.
She had no idea what problems they’d face tomorrow, and right now she didn’t care. Tonight, he was all hers, and she planned to enjoy every part of him, to seek the solace their closeness offered.
Synge pressed his hips between her spread legs and lowered himself on top of her. Seeing the desire in his blue-green eyes made her quiver. No other man had ever looked at her as if she were a treasured gem.
He shifted his hips and rubbed his shaft against her aching core. She was already wet and ready to take him. He drove into her. Each powerful movement had her gasping and arching her back to meet his thrusts. His steady rhythm ignited a flame, fanning the fire until she was nearly ready to explode.
Ricka slipped her arms around his waist and ran her fingers along his back, enjoying the smooth feel of his skin and the way his body trembled beneath her touch.
“You belong to me,” Synge growled, his warm breath caressing her cheek. “I need to hear you say the words.”
Their time together had been short. They came from two different worlds, didn’t know much about each other, yet every instinct she possessed insisted that she did belong to him. Even if saying the words wouldn’t change the outcome of her future or prevent her return to the colony, she truly wanted to be his for this one night.
Her need to find release was so strong that forming coherent words was almost impossible.
Synge slowed his pace as if he knew how close she was to an orgasm and wanted to torment her.
She groaned and bucked against him, trying to get him to move.
“Ricka, please look at me.” He grasped her hip to halt her movements.
She opened her eyes and held his intense gaze, surprised to see more than a carnal desire. It was a raw expression of need and longing.
“Do you deny what is between us?”
They definitely had chemistry, and what she felt for him was more than a sexual attraction. Only her lust-induced mind couldn’t figure out why he wanted to talk about it now. “No,” she panted.
“Say it, and I will give you what you want.”
If he didn’t start moving soon, she’d scream, and not from pleasure. Deep down, she knew he’d connected with the part of her that wanted to be a part of him. No, needed to be a part of him. “I...I belong to you.”
Satisfaction beamed in his smile, and he loosened his grip on her hip. He shifted his hips and slid in and out of her. Slowly at first, then increasing the speed, penetrating her hard and deep. The angle hit her just right and gave her the push she needed. The force of her climax ripped through her in a torrent of ecstasy. She cried out, her body shuddering. He continued thrusting, drawing out her pleasure. With one final plunge, he growled through his own release, then collapsed on top of her.
Once breathing returned to normal for both of them, Synge rolled on his side, pulling her with him. “Rest,” he said, once Ricka was nestled against his side with her head on his shoulder. “The night may be long, but I doubt we will be getting much sleep.”
She closed her eyes. “Was that your way of saying you plan to do this again?”
His snort was the only answer she received.