A Barbarian Bonding (The Instinct Book 2) Read online

  Mandy felt Mike push energy at Zehn, and she automatically countered it with her own, pleased she could do so.

  Zehn ignored everyone but Mike. He yanked the male up by his arm and dragged him to the south exit. Then he threw the man out of the building. Mike landed in an undignified heap in front of several other humans, likely men he’d arrived with. Near them, Lore stood, watching with satisfaction.

  Mandy, along with Franklin and Natla, hurried to the open window to watch the rest play out.

  “If we find you in any restricted area,” Zehn warned, “you will meet a harsh death. Not a swift one, but a painful one. Do you understand, Earther?”

  The men with him glared, and hands went to where they no doubt hid a few weapons. Odd how the scanners weren’t picking up a lot, lately. But Mandy needed to think about what had just happened.

  The Francisco family on Earth catered to the dirty work for several big money conglomerates that continued to grow thanks to the work of families like the Franciscos, who forced good people to pay exorbitant prices and work for cheap. Unfortunately, the Francisco family happened to own her ass. The only bright spot in this whole mess was that Ussed didn’t have any kind of extradition treaty with Earth. They were a pleasure resort owned by offworlders from the Raiegn Galaxy, and only some of those owners happened to be human.

  But Red Francisco had the power to make a lot of people turn a blind eye to human rights and decency. Mostly because the Franciscos owned people like her, humans with jacked-up militant psychic abilities. Her ancestors had spent their lives in the military, but when the world had declared peace, sectioning the remaining lands into territories, those serving the past United States had been farmed out to companies with money. On Earth, it seemed as if never-ending greed ran the planet.

  She wondered if the barbarians could be bought. Probably not, but they could be threatened. With enough pressure, even the Vyctore clan would bow to Franciscos’ might.

  Saddened by the knowledge she’d definitely have to leave, she turned back to work and made a mental note to gather her pay, her secret stash in her grotto, and to say her goodbyes to Natla when they had a moment together.

  Mr. Franklin strode outside to give Zehn a piece of his mind while apologizing to Mike and his men. Mollified by several perks, including free drinks, drugs, and pleasure workers, the Francisco party dispersed.

  Of Lore and Zehn she heard no more.

  “Oh my suns, what was all that about?” Natla hurried back to her. “Are you okay? That looks like it hurts.”

  Her wrist was more than bruised, Mandy realized. Mike had to have some telekinetic power, because no way his grip in so short a time should have induced such pain.

  “I think he fractured it.” Nervous, scared, and grieving the loss of her stability, Mandy burst into tears. “I’m s-sorry. I just need a minute.”

  “You go rest. I’ll take care of this.”

  “No. I mean, no. I’ll stay.” At Natla’s expression, Mandy explained, “I’m safer in here with you than by myself.”

  “I knew you were running from something. Soon as I met you, I sensed it. What’s the story?”

  Mandy hiccupped on a laugh. “Really?”

  “Yep. I know things about people. From the beginning I knew there was a lot more to you than a grieving Earther. Tell me.”

  Mandy sighed. “I belong to the Francisco family. On Earth, big money rules the world. The Franciscos do the dirty work for a bunch of big companies fighting to control the seedy side of the southeast territory in North America. And I’m supposed to be part of the power behind them. I’m small potatoes, but they don’t allow rebellion or escape. Ever.” She held out her good hand and allowed a fireball to dance upon it. Then she closed it, extinguishing her power.

  It scared her a little how good it felt to let go. Burn, baby, burn.

  “Oh, wow. So all those mishaps with people burning things the past year. That was you?”

  “Guilty.” She swore. “My power is miniscule, but Red Francisco doesn’t like to lose anything he considers his. Now I have to go on the run again. I can’t stay here. They’re going to take me back.”

  “But you can’t own people on Ussed.” Natla scoffed. “Well, not in the west. I’m not sure what the barbarians get up to in the east.”

  Mandy gave her a wan smile. “You’d think I’m safe enough. But all Mike and his thugs have to do is drag me away when no one’s looking. They’ll buy their way back through Earth’s abysmal security, and once again I’ll be an undocumented slave.” She huffed. “No, not a slave. Technically, I’m property. My parents sold me to forgive a debt. Now Red Francisco owns me. I’d heard rumors he planned to marry me to distant relatives, but I never believed it. I mean, who’d want to marry me?” Her laugh turned into a sob, and she forced herself to be calm. “I can’t stay here.”

  “You won’t. We’ll hide you.” Natla nodded. “My people aren’t powerful like the Franciscos, but I have some connections at home.” Natla frowned. “Although, since you can command fire, you might have to register as a lethal agent. And that could take some time. We could always smuggle you in, though.”

  Mandy appreciated the thought. “I’m going to finish working, then figure things out. I have a feeling Lore and Zehn will keep an eye on Mike and his friends, at least long enough for me to figure out my next move.”

  Natla gave her a hug Mandy had needed. “You stick close to me. I’ll have Forgen swing by and keep an eye on you. Well, maybe two eyes. He can spare them.” Her husband, Forgen, had four eyes, so she had a point. “He’s my best fighter. A protector at heart.”

  “Thanks, Natla.”

  “No, thank you for providing such an entertaining afternoon.” Natla chuckled. “Watching Franklin fall all over himself was fun. But watching your barbarian toss that asshole around was even better.”

  The rest of the day passed swiftly since everyone suddenly had a reason to be in the admin building. More speculation about the barbarians ran wild, and the Welcome crew helped by putting word out to watch for the rude Earthers. It gave Mandy a good feeling that not everyone was out to get her. Although she had to wonder. If the Franciscos flashed enough money around, how many of her fellow employees would be so loyal in the end?

  After they wrapped up for the day, she gave Natla a wave goodbye and walked back to her hut with Forgen under Zehn’s watchful gaze.

  Once in her hut, she organized the funds she’d gathered from admin—money she’d earned, not stolen. She glanced around, tucked the bit of blue glass that Lore had given her earlier that week into her sack, along with provisions to last her long enough to find a way to leave the planet. A good ten days worth of rations should do the trick. Her plan to leave Ussed in a glider was the only thing she’d come up with. She didn’t know how to fly any of the aircraft in dock, but the next mail run back to the Raiegn Galaxy would light out in the morning. She planned to stowaway before then and pray no one found her before they left.

  It was a good plan—and all she had.

  But first she had to get the emergency bag she’d stashed in her grotto.

  Where Lore and Zehn would be waiting.

  She felt a rush of sadness, not wanting to leave the sexy barbarians who’d given her such pleasure. Both beautiful to look at and kind, if she was to believe Zehn’s behavior earlier.

  Mandy didn’t want to leave them, but she had no choice. Still, she could have a memory to take with her. A sight she’d never forget.

  She waited until the moons took position directly overhead then quietly left her hut via the back window, sure the Franciscos would have someone keeping an eye on her place. Once outside, she scurried through the jungle to her grotto. It took little time to crawl through her entrance and peer through the shrubs.

  As expected, her barbarians—Zehn and Lore, she hurried to correct herself—stood waiting, their gazes focused on her.

  Mandy stood, knowing she had no need to hide.

  “Ah, there you a
re.” Lore frowned at her wrist wrapped in a healing bandage, courtesy of the medic Natla had called earlier in the day. Already her wrist felt nearly healed. “The Earther did this?”

  “Yes. But I’m fine. The healing here is advanced.”

  Lore nodded. “Good.”

  They stared at her. She stared back at them.

  When they made no move to undress, she sighed. “I’m waiting.”

  Zehn turned to Lore and said nothing, but Lore’s eyes crinkled, as if he smiled. “Would you join us?”

  “I don’t know…”

  “At least come closer,” Lore said. “We don’t bite.”

  A pause, then Zhen added with a chuckle, “Much.”

  Mandy felt nervous, out of her element. But she moved closer, skirting the water to sit on a rock near them. “Okay.”

  Lore watched her as he removed his boots and bracers.

  “How did you repel a blaster with that? It’s animal hide, isn’t it?”

  He nodded. “Xechelln pelts resist your technology. They are soft yet firm underneath.” He walked to her side and handed her one of his bracers. The thing would take up most of her arm yet only covered his forearm. She stroked it, surprised at the supple material under the dense fur. A glance up at Lore froze her.

  His eyes glowed, both now green with darts of red at their center. On his chest, patterns flashed, then deepened into a black web of tribal marks that stayed.

  Before he could take another step closer, Zehn stepped behind him and put his arms around Lore’s middle. He slowly dragged his hands lower, resting over Lore’s hips.

  Mandy shivered. They were so damn sexy.

  “Would you like to see all of him?” Zehn asked, his voice husky with seduction.

  “Y-yes.” She clenched her legs together, not surprised to feel her body responding. Readying to receive two very well-endowed males.

  Lore stood stock still as Zehn slowly removed the loincloth from his body. The loose fabric over his groin protected another covering, which kept his phallus tight to his body. A good thing, because Mandy had a hysterical notion of Lore tripping over his “third leg.” Good Lord, they sure didn’t make them small on planet Ussed.

  Zehn tossed Lore’s loincloth away, leaving him completely bare.

  She stared, unable to help herself. He had no hair down there, which made him seem just huge. There was no way that thing could fit inside her. Although…

  She stopped herself from suggesting they try a few things. Goodness, she’d come to grab her things and go. Maybe a peep show before leaving, but nothing more than that. Yet already she felt the fire blazing inside her and sensed herself readying to go nova if they touched her.

  So she drew on her control, feeding the flames to her frustration.

  “So much power,” Lore murmured and sucked in a breath when Zehn grabbed his cock, holding him with a large, powerful hand.

  “Oh.” She licked her lips, wondering what he tasted like.

  “Would you like to touch?” Zehn asked.

  Mandy felt like an addict being given free license to overindulge.

  An odd lassitude settled over her, a wash of pleasure that drugged her common sense.

  “Very much,” she admitted. “But I shouldn’t. I don’t want to hurt anyone.”

  “I’m already in pain, nueshka,” Lore whispered, his eyes bright, beckoning.

  Mandy would only have one night with them. She wanted this, wanted them. Worst case, if things got a little too out of control, she had all her anti-viral and anti-pregnancy vaccines up to date. What was the worst that could happen?

  “Touch him,” Zehn said. “He needs you.”

  “We need you,” Lore said, and held out his hand.

  Chapter Five

  ZEHN DIDN’T KNOW if he could last much longer. He took off his clothes. Now standing with his dick pressed against Lore’s fine ass while he played with his bond-mate in front of their third, he was close to spending his seed without much more than a few pumps.

  Mandy smelled so sweet. Her cream saturated his senses, and Lore’s as well. A fine sheen of need covered Lore’s cock, making him nice and slick, ready to penetrate their small mate. She would be so tight.

  He groaned and rubbed against Lore’s ass, finding a groove in the crease between Lore’s cheeks.

  Lore pushed against his hand, close to orgasm from the delicious energy seething among them; Zehn could feel it.

  If Mandy took any more time, she’d have to watch as Lore came instead of experiencing it with him.

  “Okay.” She blew out a breath. “I’d like to touch, if that’s all right.”

  Zehn released his mate’s cock, and Lore took a step toward her.

  Mandy blinked. “You’re so big. And…wet?”

  “Our females are smaller than we are, so our bodies provide a natural lubrication. The more we desire, the more slick we become.” Lore’s voice sounded like shards of black rock dragged against his throat. “And it’s especially helpful for pairing with Zehn.” He stared at her, his gaze blinding, his hand outstretched once more. “Mandy… Please.”

  “That’s as close as I’ve ever heard him to begging.” Zehn was entranced by Mandy’s hand reaching for Lore.

  When she put her hand in his, Zehn felt a burst of heat licking him from top to bottom. Mandy gasped, and Lore groaned.

  Lore drew Mandy close for a kiss, and Zehn watched with all the hunger inside him.

  Lore had to bend down, Mandy was so tiny. But the passion scorched Zehn through his connection to his bond-mate, and now to Mandy.

  When Lore pulled back, it was to show Mandy his fullness. To Zehn’s surprise, it appeared as if Lore’s shaft had grown thicker.

  “Oh.” Mandy reached out a hand toward him, then drew back, hesitant. “Can I touch you?”

  As if they hadn’t been begging her to before. “Yes.”

  Zehn watched, mesmerized, as Mandy’s small hand stroked Lore’s cock from tip to stem. Lore widened his stance, and the gracious female cupped his full balls.

  “I’m close,” he warned in a growl.

  Mandy didn’t seem to heed him, or she was too taken with Lore’s member to care. Like Zehn, who just wanted to watch his mate explode.

  “Stroke him again. Hold him, like this.” Zehn stepped aside to show Mandy what to do, using his hand on himself.

  She gaped at him as she saw that he too had grown larger than usual, his body slick with need.

  “I’m—I just—I think I felt that. In here.” She lowered a hand to the space between her legs. “How is that possible?”

  “We’re tied. Phelthar,” Lore rasped, impatient. “Female, again.”

  Worried Lore might have scared Mandy with his fierce desire, Zehn watched as she obeyed with seeming pleasure. She nibbled her lower lip, and he wanted nothing more than to lick the sting away.

  Then she rubbed Lore’s balls and wrapped her small hand around him, her fingers not quite touching. One tug, and Lore gasped, his seed shooting over Mandy’s belly. The climax lasted longer than it should have, and Zehn was stunned to see Lore’s second seed soaking into Mandy’s clothing before it disappeared.

  “What happened?” She sounded fascinated, not put off at all, thank the Maker.

  “Lore gave you his second seed,” Zehn murmured, feeling his bond-mate’s embarrassment to have lost such utter control. “It’s a gift, and no higher praise to a worthy female.”

  Mandy had released her hold on Lore and stared at her hand. “It’s gone.”

  “It absorbs into the skin. A marker of sorts. But our first seed, that which I would give you, is different. Would you like to see?” he managed, painfully aroused.

  “Can I pull it from you, like I did with Lore?”

  “Please.” He must have lived a very good life to have earned such a reward. He watched as she put her small hand on him and, like Lore, surged into her heat. She pumped him no more than three times before he came over her belly. But this time the seed remai
ned, as did his erection.

  A glance at Lore showed him ready to go again as well.

  Mandy was truly their mate.

  “Wow. You made a big mess.” She grinned. “That is so freakin’ sexy, you two getting off.”

  “Yet you felt less than you should, Mandy.” Lore drew closer, and they watched Mandy’s beautiful brown eyes widen. “You hold your fire too tightly. Let it go, I’ll contain it.”

  “You’ll get hurt.”

  “He won’t,” Zehn corrected her. “He held it last time. And you felt such pleasure, did you not?”

  “I did,” she rasped, her excitement impossible to miss. Her nipples looked like stiff points under her thin tunic, and the scent of her arousal had become unbearable.

  “Mandy, please. We need you.”

  “And you need us,” Lore added. More right than Mandy could know.

  The instinct was upon them, and Lore and Zehn grew stiffer, hungrier. The need to protect and mark their female overwhelming.

  “Well, I am protected. I mean, I won’t get pregnant or a disease or anything.” She blushed. “I’ve had my shots.”

  Which would do her no good against barbarian life-force, but neither Lore nor Zehn would ever force a female to bear their child.

  “We will hold back our second seed,” Lore said, echoing his sentiment. “Zehn, let it go.”

  That would help him keep control, releasing his second seed outside her body, as Lore just had. Yet he wanted to mark her in the worst way.

  “I would not give you a child,” he agreed. “But Mandy, I need my scent on you.” He felt the instinct again rising. Disrobe our mate, he sent Lore.

  Lore nodded. Mandy hadn’t yet given consent, but she hadn’t disagreed either. Zehn was close to losing it.

  Lore took a step closer to her. Then Mandy removed her sandals. They waited, their breaths drawn, as her clothes followed her shoes. The tunic hadn’t done her justice. Her petite frame, full breasts, and curved hips were everything feminine. Such large globes with rosy nipples, begging him to taste. And her sex had a thin strip of hair guarding it, the petals of her folds milky white.

  He and Lore didn’t wait. They gently led her to the ground and covered her, each at her breasts.