Engaging Gren Read online

Jahnja continued to exclaim over his size, her arousal equal to his. He could see her aura pulsing in vibrant waves of passion. He inhaled her pending bliss, gratifying his need for untainted energy, for pure, erotic satisfaction.

  He watched through heavy-lidded eyes as she licked her lips. Jahnja waited until he met her gaze before she lowered her mouth to his shaft.

  Warm, wet pressure engulfed his cock until he thought he might burst from the sensation. Coupled with her skilled hands, Jahnja’s mouth easily set her apart from the few pleasurers Gren frequented in the System. Clearly, she’d earned her reputation.

  “Take the pleasure, Gren, all for you this first time,” she said on a moan as she continued to suck him deep into her throat.

  Her sex smelled like honeyed cream, and Gren inhaled deeply, taking not only her scent but her essence into his body. The overflow of energy and desire hit him hard.

  Unable to stop himself, he envisioned Temis Freya on her knees, sucking his cock with desire bright in her eyes, and he came in a rush. Jahnja swallowed him greedily, stimulating him to another orgasm as intense as the first. Not quite wainu—that plane of utter peace where one of his kind basked in a perfect connection—but the pleasure resonated within all the same.

  When he could catch his breath, he closed his eyes and prayed tonight’s rapacious sexual encounter would cure him of his insane fixation on a certain sharp-tongued woman.

  Resolved to do just that, he rose up on his elbows. “What a clever little tongue you have.” He stroked Jahnja’s cheek. “Now why don’t I show you how clever I can be?”

  She smiled and rolled onto her back, spreading her legs wide in waiting. He gratefully lost himself between her thighs, thoughts of the future fading as sweet, womanly want finally consumed him.

  * * * *

  Temis sat before Sernal, forcing herself to be still. She felt mortified at having lost control in front of her mentor, and all because of that bastard mercenary.

  “We need Gren’s help, Temis. I wish it weren’t so, but it is. Your attitude and insults earlier were directly counter to gaining the man’s cooperation.” He frowned, and she could almost hear her father’s disappointment.

  Hadn’t he taught her to shield her emotions when in battle? When working, Temis had to assume a warrior’s mindset. That ideology had made it possible for her to attain her current position. But if she continued on her current course of acting without thinking, her future would go up in flames.

  She swallowed her pride, a lump that lodged deep in her throat. “I apologise, Lead Sernal. I had no thought but to salvage your standing. It was prideful and unnecessary. It won’t happen again.”

  Sernal stared at her for a moment. “If you’re set on working this case—”

  “I am,” she interrupted.

  “—then you have to learn when to speak and when to stay silent.” He shook his head. “Temis, you continually score higher on tests than your peers. You can take down a man twice your size in the blink of an eye. Hell, your weapon rating nearly matches Rafe’s.”

  She could feel Rafe’s gaze burning into her back. Sernal’s brother couldn’t have made it plainer how he felt about being partnered with a woman.

  “But for all your accomplishments, you continually push your limits with your attitude. Quite frankly, were it not for my brother’s assessment of your strengths, I wouldn’t have agreed to assign you this mission.”

  She glanced at Rafe in surprise. He said nothing, merely stared back at her. Apparently she’d been wrong in assuming Rafe had a bias against her.

  “You seem to think everyone is against you, Temis,” Sernal echoed her thoughts in a quiet voice. “That may have been true in your last duty station, but on my watch everyone is treated fairly.”

  She nodded, something within her easing at his words.

  He turned to Rafe and murmured a few parting orders, then left them both in the small conference room. Silence settled over them before Temis cleared her throat and turned to face Rafe directly.

  He and Sernal shared the same exotic eyes. Golden and filled with a similar disappointment.

  “I didn’t ask to partner with anyone, Temis, let alone a newly promoted peacemaker from another district. But I’m trying to make things work. If you won’t at least meet me halfway, I suggest we request reassignment before our lack of trust results in field injury.”

  Temis bit her lip. She really had misjudged Rafe. “I’m sorry.” The rusty words fell from her lips in a hoarse growl. “I’m sorry,” she said more firmly. “The precinct I left had an aversion to female peacemakers, and I’m afraid I took out my resentments on you.”

  Rafe nodded. “Apology accepted. I have no problem working with women. I like women.” He grinned, and his face lit up with a sensuality she’d seen only once before. It still made her uncomfortable. “I’m not suggesting anything between us save a working relationship. But hell, Temis, I’m a man. If you shove your breasts in my face, I’m going to get distracted. Especially since I’m not on my guard with you.”

  His genuine humour took some of the sting out of his words, but she flushed nonetheless. “I’m sorry I did that.” She still couldn’t believe she’d practically flashed him to steal into Gren’s room. “My eagerness to tell Gren to go to hell overcame my good sense.”

  “Not that I didn’t enjoy it.” Rafe winked. “The view and your insults to Gren, but rushing to Sernal’s defence wasn’t necessary. He and Gren have known each other a long time. There’s more to Gren than the rumours would have you believe. You’ll see once we start working with him. He’s a hard man, a dangerous mercenary, but his heart’s in the right place.” His stomach grumbled and he rubbed his abdomen. “Now what do you say we get something to eat on this ship? I hear Sernal runs a tight galley.”

  Temis laughed and grabbed the hand Rafe held to help her to her feet. “I can work with you, Rafe, but don’t ask me to trust a man like Gren. With the bodies he’s left in his wake, it’s a wonder he can sleep at night.”

  Rafe smirked as he walked with her to the galley. “I highly doubt Gren has problems sleeping.”

  * * * *

  “Ah, more.” Jahnja panted as Gren thrust deep inside her. He gritted his teeth at the sheer pleasure she afforded. On her hands and knees before him, her breasts swayed to his pummelling thrusts. She cried and clenched at his welcome intrusion.

  She moaned his name as she came, her body flooding him with waves of tremendous energy.

  The utter power of the moment shattered his control and he shot inside her, showering her with pleasure upon pleasure.

  When finished, he gently withdrew from his bedmate. Jahnja closed her eyes and curled into a contented ball, her steady breathing indicating the slumber she would need to regain her energy. Though he’d given her plenty of time to sleep and rest during the night, she’d woken several times to share her generous body. He still couldn’t believe she’d lasted the whole night with him.

  Gren rose, glowing with vigour and unbridled power. He treasured the gift she’d given, a new light kindling the flame that had begun to fade under old hurts.

  Knowing her energy wouldn’t last but grateful to have received it, Gren kissed her on the cheek, bathed, dressed, and left a hefty tip for services rendered.

  Humming under his breath, he collected his belongings and took an aerotransport to the shuttle that would ferry him to Sernal’s legal vessel. Jahnja’s coupling had brought him the respite he’d need to deal with the annoying peacemakers waiting on Lady Justice. At least now thoughts of Temis didn’t make his dick rise every three seconds.

  He found the shuttle standing by. The co-pilot grabbed his bags and pointed Gren to a seat. He felt so relaxed he melted into his chair. Damn, but he would definitely have to visit Jahnja once he finished this mission. Who knew the thraia had such staying power? Most women faded after coming once with him. Jahnja had taken him several times, giving him the boost he’d need to deal with the unpleasantness coming his way.
r />   So much misery in this life. He sighed, wishing he could have spent longer with Jahnja. He liked a woman’s softness, the pleasure of intimacy with another. Not many could tolerate his kind for long. Even Jahnja had finally succumbed to exhaustion. Only special women could satisfy his kind. And very few Thesha ever found a woman to hold onto. His friend Lurin and his wife Mara were made for each other, perfect complements to one another’s souls.

  The lucky bastard.

  Gren had lived far longer than his peers and only slightly less than the elders of his race. He had long since given up hope that he would one day find a lifelong mate. He genuinely believed in true love but doubted such a fate would befall him in this life.

  He’d committed far too many sins to believe such a tremendous blessing might one day be his. Despite his work to protect the Theshan way of life, despite his resolve to protect the innocent and punish the guilty, he knew he fell far short of deserving when it came to true happiness.

  “We’re landing in ten, nine, eight…” The co-pilot’s voice broke the darkness of his thoughts.

  Thankful for the interruption, Gren grabbed his bag and stepped out of the shuttle. He walked down the runway towards the ship’s entrance. Once through he stopped. To his surprise, Sernal stood surrounded by at least a dozen armed and angry-looking peacemakers. The doors behind him closed with a loud snap, leaving him at the mercy of Sernal’s hospitality, which at this point looked less than inviting.

  “You’re late.” Sernal aimed his phaser at Gren’s heart.

  “Do you shoot all your late guests?” Gren crossed his arms and leaned against a support beam. Something had gone very wrong.

  Eyeing the dozen peacemakers focused on him, he expected to see Rafe or Temis. Instead, twelve strangers glared at him, waiting for him to make a wrong move. “Peacemaker involvement. I need you,” Sernal had said.

  “Gren, you’re under arrest for the illegal weapons trade you conducted with Melan rebels three months past in the southern province. Don’t bother denying it,” Sernal forestalled with a warning. “I have at least four witnesses who saw the whole thing.”

  Gren tried to piece the puzzle together, reading the tension in his friend’s frame. Since Gren had never sold illegal arms to Melan rebels on Mardu or anywhere else, he and Sernal both knew the statement to be false.

  “However did you come to expect welcome aboard a peacekeeper vessel?” one of the peacemakers asked him. His head tilted at an arrogant angle, complementing the glint in his light blue eyes. Long black hair flowed to his shoulders, gleaming under the ship’s Eyran crystals.

  Gren noted the man’s obvious vanity, as well as his experienced, combative stance. The peacekeeper glanced from Gren to Sernal with a contemptuous sneer on his face. In that moment, Gren understood. Apparently, those not worthy of Sernal’s trust had somehow interfered in his plans. For the sake of the mission, Gren would have to play along and see where things led.

  “Well, Gren? Have you nothing to say?” The dark-haired man shook his head in disgust.

  “I thought I was here to discuss payment for information I might have on the Melan rebels.” He glared at Sernal for effect. “I should have known you peacemakers are all scum and liars.”

  Sernal relaxed and smiled, though the expression didn’t reach his eyes.

  “Quite the ruse, Lead Sernal. Well done.” The dark-haired man twisted his lips in the parody of a smile.

  “Thank you, Lead Rorn. I knew there was no other way to garner Gren’s attention, unless of course I had a few naked whores lying about.”

  The other peacemakers laughed, an ugly sound that made Gren want to bash their heads together, and Sernal’s too for getting him into this mess.

  “Well said.” Rorn slapped Sernal on the back and sheathed his phaser. “My men will provide assistance in securing the prisoner.” He turned to his men. “Make sure he doesn’t escape.”

  The surrounding men cautiously approached. Gren’s reputation preceded him if they thought they needed a dozen men to put him in a cell. Damned if he’d disappoint them. In his peripheral he saw Temis and Rafe enter. Just what he didn’t need, more confusion to add to the mix.

  In a burst of lightning speed he dove for the ground and rolled into the men directly in front of him. He knocked down several and continued to barrel ahead. Those flanking him wanted to fire but now chanced hitting their comrades.

  Sernal had of course leapt to the side, his Xema reflexes holding him in good stead. Rorn, however, fell hard, entangled in Gren’s attack.

  Hands yanked at him and feet kicked at him, but Gren refused to surrender. His aggravation at the whole mess Sernal had involved him in grew to new heights and he gladly vented his anger.

  He lashed out, using all his strength to break free from the bodies atop him. He steadily rose to his feet only to meet Sernal face to face.

  “Go ahead, peacemaker.” Gren seethed and knocked the phaser from Sernal’s hands. “Take your best shot.”

  Sernal frowned at his antagonism, but honestly, did he really expect Gren to take a beating just to go along with this stupid mission? In hindsight, Gren would have been better off finding the women and rescuing them without Sernal’s interference. But it was too late now.

  * * * *

  Temis and Rafe entered the lower deck expecting to find Gren waiting impatiently to begin mission indoctrination. Instead, peacekeepers from another district surrounded him. A few she recognised, men loyal to… Lead Rorn Fenhal.

  Temis scowled at the man she despised like no other. Fenhal had been responsible for her rude and unprofessional treatment at her last duty station. Thank Narok she’d evaded his advances and transferred before he’d been promoted.

  Now she watched with confusion as he and his men held Gren at bay with their weapons drawn.

  “What the hell?” She took a step forward when Rafe latched onto her arm.

  He whispered, “Stay here. Don’t get involved.”

  “What’s going on?” she asked in a low voice. The tense group surrounding Gren still hadn’t noticed them.

  “Sernal has reason to believe some of Mardu’s peacemakers have turned rogue. Well, his number one suspect boarded us by surprise.” Rafe swore. “This puts the whole mission at risk. Look, Temis, whatever you do, don’t let on you know Gren.”

  Before she could ask him anything, a round of explosive action burst. Gren rolled into the mass of armed peacekeepers, knocking several to the ground. Rorn, she noted with satisfaction, was one of the men laid flat.

  Gren arose fighting, his arms and legs flowing like the wind through the great Canfer willows of Zeyr. She watched in awe as he moved gracefully but with purpose. Each strike, every movement hit its target. That he exercised economy of energy, assaulting and defending himself in a mixture of techniques she found hard to identify only increased her admiration.

  After decimating half the peacemakers around him, Gren turned to confront Sernal. Before the situation could grow any uglier, a pulse from Rafe’s phaser brought Gren to his knees.

  Slumping to the ground, Gren gave little protest to the many kicks and curses thrown his way. The lack of discipline in Rorn’s men alarmed her.

  Thankfully, they alarmed Sernal as well. Scowling at the peacemakers attacking the disabled mercenary, Sernal barked at the men to leave off. Another group of peacemakers, Sernal’s men, entered the deck, and he ordered them to see Gren to one of the holding cells.

  “I’ll make sure he’s secured,” Rafe volunteered.

  Sernal glanced at his brother and nodded. He frowned at Temis, as if noticing her for the first time. Rorn followed his glance. When his gaze landed on Temis, his entire demeanour changed, from cruel and demanding to hungry.

  He leered at her, lingering on her breasts. The ass. Nothing had changed since she’d worked in his division. Allowing no hint of disgust to show on her face, she approached Sernal at his nod. She barely acknowledged Gren’s presence when the others dragged him away, though i
t took an effort to pretend indifference.

  “Peacekeeper Freya.” Rorn’s voice oozed with practiced charm. “How good to see you again.”

  Sernal stared from her to Rorn with a polite expression, but she could almost see the kernel of suspicion growing.

  “Lead Sernal.” She bowed in greeting. “Lead Rorn was one of my peers when last I worked in the northern district.”

  “Of course. Congratulations again on your promotion, Lead Rorn. Quite impressive for one so young.”

  Rorn pursed his lips. “I’m a mere year younger than you. Not young or inexperienced, obviously.”

  Yes, but Sernal had no relatives to see him advanced. Your father bought your promotion, you woman-hating drun, Temis wanted say. She held her tongue, promising herself not to make the same mistake twice.

  Sernal’s subtle nod of approval helped.

  He laughed, easily brushing aside Rorn’s arrogance. “We are only a year apart, aren’t we? Dealing with the scum of the System takes its toll, eh?” The two laughed together over Gren’s easy capture, the peace between them restored by a common enemy.

  They left the lower deck. Rorn’s men followed, but not before ogling her openly. No doubt his men later planned on carousing in the common quarters. She’d hoped for some time there to confer with Rafe, but now they would have to rethink their entire strategy.

  She followed some distance after Sernal, wondering just how this new development would unfold. As she trailed, she couldn’t help dwelling on Gren’s impressive skills.

  His battle moves had been more than that of a man defending himself. With his techniques, he must have experienced some schooling on Zeyr, a planet that prided itself on training only the best and brightest fighters in the system, something she could well attest to.

  And speaking of which, she needed to keep her mind occupied and herself away from Rorn and his men. Now that she had the opportunity for physical training, she would be a fool not to use it.

  She buzzed Rafe using her wrist communicator.