Salvaging Abby (Marks Mercenaries Book 4) Read online

  She hadn’t even touched him beyond kissing him and stroking his shoulders. That was unforgiveable. She excused her lapse by reminding herself she was a virgin, and one about to have her first lover.

  He paused as though waiting for her to object. She might be scared, she might have just had an orgasm that had to have been the most spectacular since the beginning of time—not that she had a frame of reference, only a sense of wonder and knowing—but she still ached inside, still yearned for more.

  It might kill her, but what a way to go.

  He pressed inward, the wider head of his shaft pushing past the natural resistance of her body. She was wet and willing, but it still wasn’t easy.

  Panting hard for an entirely different reason this time, she gripped his biceps and held on. The pressure was intense but stopped just short of pain.

  “Relax,” he told her.

  She scowled. “Easier said than done.”

  He chuckled and slid a bit deeper. Her breath caught in her throat, and she held on as another wave of intensity washed over her. She was torn between pleasure and pain, riding the sharp edge of desire.

  He began to move his hips in a backward and forward motion, not big movements, but subtle ones. The head of his cock stroked the walls of her inner passage, stimulating them. She was getting wetter by the second.

  She was empty, and only he could chase that feeling away.

  “Do it.” The waiting was becoming almost too much. Not just physically but emotionally. She wanted to laugh and cry, scream and sing all at the same time.

  “Not yet.” It was said between clenched teeth, which told her he wasn’t as in control as he was pretending to be.

  Desperate to just get it done, she locked her legs around his waist and arched up. His cock rammed inward, stretching her core, filling her. She cried out as pain shot through her.

  Vaden swore, and his entire body shook. He held her so close she knew she’d likely have a few bruises. A small price to pay for his passion.

  The ripples of his shaft sent a burst of pleasure thought her. She held on to him, allowing herself the connection to another person. It was the most intimate and beautiful moment of her life.

  Then Vaden raised his head. “What in the depths of Gravas were you thinking?”

  Chapter Five

  Had he hurt her? That was his first thought when he was finally able to gather one. His cock was still hard and buried deep inside Abby, her pussy squeezing him. He’d just come but was perilously close to doing so again.

  “I’m not sure what you mean?” The edge of anger in her tone pulled him back to the present. “What do you mean by the ‘depths of Gravas’?”

  Had he really said that? He must have. “It’s a curse word, denoting the fiery pit at the center of the planet, thought by many to be the resting place of those who forego their honor during their lifetime.”

  “I see.”

  He knew enough about women to know whatever she was thinking wasn’t good. “I hurt you.” He brushed his fingers over the soft skin of her cheek. “I didn’t mean to do that. I wanted to take things slowly, make them good for you.”

  “Any better and I might have disintegrated.” Her wry tone made him laugh.

  “Really?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Your ego is big enough. I don’t think you need more praise.”

  All laughter fled. “You’re wrong.” He needed it from her.

  She ran her fingers through his hair and then down to rub over his beard. “You gave me great pleasure. Your beard is so soft against my skin.”

  His entire body shuddered. Having her touch him eased him in ways he didn’t fully understand. He only knew he wanted it for a lifetime.

  She tapped him lightly on the shoulder. “Aren’t we done?”

  His Abby had been a virgin. He had to remember that. This was all new to her. “Are you sore?”

  She gave an experimental wiggle that almost had his eyes rolling back in his head. “Not really.”

  “Then we’re not done.” It would be the proper thing to ease from her body and tend to her, but he’d never claimed to be gentle or proper. He was a warrior. His instinct was to claim her again and again, until she would never think of leaving him.

  He was also a natural tactician. With his goal in mind, he rolled onto his back, taking Abby with him. She gave a small shriek and then laughed when she ended up on top of him. He cupped her breasts, enjoying the freedom this new position gave him. He could touch her everywhere.

  “How did you ever pass for a boy?” It seemed ludicrous to him. He’d known almost immediately that she was a woman, having only been fooled for a brief moment. The long thick lashes that emphasized her unique eyes, the smoothness of her skin, even her slender build all screamed female to him.

  She shrugged. “Most people see only what they expect to see.”

  She wasn’t wrong. He’d noted over the years that most other cultures often seemed oblivious to what was right in front of him. Gravasian warriors saw everything.

  “Doesn’t it hurt to keep your breasts bound?” He ran his thumbs over her sensitive nipples, smiling when she moaned. Her pussy automatically tightened, and he had to grit back a moan of his own. His cock was ready to explode again, but he wanted more time.

  “Not really. I’m used to it.”

  “Why?” Maybe now wasn’t the best time to talk. Or maybe it was. With her guard down, she might be more likely to share.

  She placed her hands on his chest and began to knead the heavy muscle. The strength from her hands penetrated, easing the tension from his upper body but creating even more below.

  “It was just safer.” She leaned down and flicked her tongue over a flat nipple. He hissed as the erotic caress made his balls clench. For a virgin, she was a natural seductress, following her instincts without question.

  He left her breasts and traced the slender planes of her sides and the curves of her hips. There was a subtle strength beneath her soft skin. This was a woman who was no stranger to hard work.

  She nuzzled his chest and then his neck. When he tilted his head to one side, she took the invitation, licking and sucking on the tender area.

  He was a warrior. It was as natural as breathing for him to be on his guard. His own people respected him and his family, but much was expected in return. He was required to comport himself in a certain manner at all times. He rarely let go, even among the men he called friends.

  But Abby knew nothing of him or his position on his home world. To her, he was simply Vaden. For the first time in his life, he experienced true freedom.

  It was more addictive than the finest Andalusan wine.

  He, who had always been moderate in his behavior, weighing every action and word, now threw himself into his lovemaking with Abby without holding back.

  “You are perfect in my arms,” he told her. He squeezed her hips before sliding around the grip her curved ass. She retaliated by nipping his earlobe. Shivers raced down his spine.

  “You’re not so bad yourself,” she told him.

  It wasn’t enough. He wanted, needed more from her. He adjusted his grip and slowly raised her up before lowering her again. “This time, you’re in control.” He knew that would appeal to her independent spirit.

  “Hmm, I really like this position.” She sat back and began to experiment. She moved fast and then slowly and deliberately. She went deep and then kept the thrusts shallow.

  Vaden began to wonder if a man could go insane while having sex.

  He was hanging on by sheer willpower, his shaft about to explode, his balls ready to burst. Determined not to go without her, he found the nub of nerves at the apex of her thighs and teased it.

  “That’s not fair,” she moaned.

  “Come for me.” He wanted to see her as she found her release, as her pussy rippled around his cock again. “Now, Abby.” He pressed his thumb against her clit and surged upright, capturing her mouth with his. He caught her scream as she came a
nd gave her his yell of release.

  He banded his arms around her, holding her close to his heart. She shivered and shook against him while he gave her everything he was.

  When it was over, he lay back down, keeping her head on his chest. To his delight, she didn’t jump up and run to the bathing chamber. She snuggled closer, seemingly unconcerned they’d both sweat and were sticky. Her fingers toyed with the smattering of hair on his chest before she finally placed her palm over his heart.

  Content, as he rarely was, Vaden lay there and simply enjoyed having her with him. He was beginning to wonder if she’d fallen asleep when she raised her head.

  “That was wonderful, but we should get to work on your engine. You have places to be and so do I.”

  Vaden didn’t like the reminder or the assumption she would be leaving him. He disengaged and rolled out of bed when what he wanted to do was fuck her again.

  A strategic retreat, he reminded himself, was what was needed right now. He needed to refocus, which was hard to do with Abby all rosy and sexy lying on his bed.

  “You want to know how I recognized you, how I knew who you were?” He stroked her head, tangling his fingers in the short lock of white at the front.

  “Yes, I do.”

  “The white hair is a family trait, is it not?”

  Abby sat up in bed and wrapped her arms around her legs. She shivered before dragging the top cover of his bunk over her. “It is. How could you know that?”

  “I know your brothers.” Maybe it wasn’t fair of him to shock her like this, but there really was no easy way to do this.

  “You knew them, you mean?” Her gaze took on a faraway look, as though she was seeing into the past.

  “No.” Hand on his hips, he stared down at her. “I’ve run into Flynn before.”

  She shook her head, seemingly in shock. “No, that’s impossible. He told me they died. They were all dead in the explosion.” Her voice was so low it was almost a whisper he had to strain to hear.

  Vaden knew little of Flynn’s past, but he did know that the man had been severely injured in an explosion. “Who told you Flynn was dead?” The more he knew about Abby the better he could protect her. She was obviously on the run from someone. Otherwise why would she disguise herself as a boy and make her home on a salvage ship? She’d been scared earlier when she’d discovered Vaden knew who she was.

  He couldn’t protect her if he didn’t know his enemy.

  “Jasper Freeman.”

  “And who is this man?” From the way she all but spat his name, Vaden already didn’t like him.

  “He took me from my home after the explosion, told me my family was dead. There was no one left. I was in shock. Next thing I knew I was on a ship bound for an agricultural planet named Eden.”

  Vaden sat on the bed next to her, unconcerned about being naked. He took her chin in his hand and raised it until she was looking at him. “You didn’t stay there.”

  Her eyes hardened. “Hell no, I didn’t. I managed to escape when I was fifteen. Jasper is a petty tyrant masquerading as a benevolent leader. He’s a charismatic bastard and a liar. Didn’t take me long to figure that out. I didn’t like the way he looked at me or the things he said.”

  Vaden’s gut clenched. He wanted to roar with anger, but kept his emotions hidden and his tone mild. “What did he say?”

  “That I was his. That he’d marry me as soon as I turned sixteen.”

  A low growl started low in Vaden’s chest. The urge to kill was almost uncontrollable. Abby was his. No other man would touch her and live.

  “Look at me,” he ordered. As much as he wanted to know more about Freeman and her time with him, something else took precedence. “Your brothers are alive.”

  “No. They can’t be.” She not only shook her head, her entire body was trembling with denial.

  “Why can’t they be alive?” He didn’t understand the problem. Why wouldn’t she be happy?

  “Why didn’t they look for me? Why didn’t they find me?”

  Now he understood. Normally he wouldn’t care if Flynn and his brothers looked good, but he did not want to hurt Abby.

  “They were all severely injured. Flynn lost his right hand and eye. Kal has scars on his face. Amos is missing a finger on his left hand and has a robotic left foot and lower leg. I’m not sure about Garth. He has no outward signs.”

  “You really know them?” There was something in her tone that gave him pause. He understood she was almost too afraid to believe the truth.

  “I’ve known Flynn for years.” Vaden brushed the white lock of hair back before grazing his fingers over her face. “You share the same eyes as well as the unique hair coloring. For as long as I’ve known him, he’s been searching for you.”

  “Really?” She began to tremble hard, her teeth chattering.

  Vaden lifted her into his arms, a sense of satisfaction falling over him when she turned into his body for comfort. “What is wrong?” Because something was.

  “What if they don’t like me? I’m not the little sister they knew.”

  “They will love you,” he promised. “Flynn is stubborn and foulmouthed.”

  She almost choked on a small laugh. “I see that hasn’t changed.”

  “He was always like that?” Vaden asked.

  “Oh yeah. Momma used to say he could teach stubborn to a mulkey.” Vaden knew the beast of burden was often used on arid mining planets because it didn’t require much water. It was known for being able to work hard and also for its stubborn nature.

  “Yes, that does describe your brother.”

  “You know how to contact him?”

  He kissed the top of her head. “It’s already done.”

  ****

  Abby wasn’t sure if she should be excited that her brothers were on the way here or angry at Vaden for being so heavy-handed. “You had no right,” she began.

  He pressed one finger to her lips. “Their deep-space trading vessel is called the Abigail.”

  That gave her pause. “Really?”

  “Yes.” He stood with her in his arms. “We must get cleaned up and dressed. Then we will talk more.”

  “I should have been with them.” The thought of her brothers being so badly injured hurt her to her very core. “They needed me, and I wasn’t there. I didn’t abandon them.” It was important Vaden understood that. “Jasper took me during the confusion.”

  Vaden carried her into the bathing chamber and stood her on the floor of the gel cleansing unit. “I’m sure they understand that.” He stood behind her and pressed the controls. A fine gel mist sprayed over them. It was followed by a blast of heat. Neither of them spoke until the drying light went off and the door to the unit opened.

  “You were a child,” he continued as though the conversation had never paused.

  No matter what her brothers thought, she couldn’t go back and change things. It didn’t take them long to dress. Abby raked her fingers through her hair, knowing it was a mess. There wasn’t much to be done about it, in any case.

  “How long until they get here?” Now that he was wearing his battlesuit again, Vaden was all Gravasian warrior. He was still the same man she’d had sex with, only more remote.

  What was she doing? She didn’t need promises. They were going to go their separate ways … as soon as her brothers arrived. She was going to be sick. Her stomach churned with a combination of excitement and a huge dose of fear.

  Large hands rested on her shoulders and she was spun around. “You are thinking too much,” he informed her. Eyes dark and serious, he leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I will be with you,” he promised.

  “Thank you.” She barely knew him, but it no longer felt that way. They’d been as intimate as two people could get. “I’m being silly.” And she hated that. Better to be a realist. “Even if they don’t like me, I have my own ship and business.”

  Vaden snorted. “Good luck with that.”

  Brows lowering, she fro
wned. “What do you mean by that?”

  He took her hand and led her to the small engine room. “Do you honestly think your four older, very protective brothers are going to let you go off on your own?”

  He was right. They’d make her stay with them. Her chest constricted, making breathing difficult. She’d be on their ship, not hers. They’d decide her life, not her.

  She’d worked too hard for her freedom to give it up now.

  “Abby, breathe.” Vaden’s order broke through her fear. She tried to suck air into her lungs. It took a bit, but she finally managed. She was an adult, not a helpless child. She didn’t have to do anything she didn’t want to do.

  Her brothers were alive. A part of her wanted to run toward them and let them take up the heavy burdens she’d carried all these years. What would it be like to sleep one night without fear? She hadn’t had a night like that since she was twelve.

  She had so many questions about them but was afraid to ask.

  “I’m fine,” she told Vaden when he continued to watch her like she was some incendiary device just waiting to explode.

  “You are better than fine.” He kissed her, plundering her mouth until all she could think about was him.

  She twined her arms around his neck and tangled her tongue with his. While she was sore from the unfamiliar activity, she was more than ready to do it again. His cock was hard against the front of his suit. The man was insatiable. She liked that about him.

  “We could go back to your room.”

  He gave a huff of frustration. “Don’t tempt me.” He cupped her face in his huge hands. “That would hurt you. And I would not do that for all the worlds.”

  Her heart expanded, and warmth settled over her. “Okay. Later?”

  He dropped a quick kiss on her still-tingling lips. “Definitely later.” He released her and then gave her butt a swat. “We need to get to work.”

  Surprised, she gave a small yell and frowned when the heat from her bottom expanded in a way that wasn’t entirely unpleasant. When he started to walk away from her, she smacked his butt.

  He froze and then slowly turned. The shocked expression on his face made her laugh. “You hit me,”