Liberating Lacey (Marks Mercenaries Book 3) Read online

  His gaze softened. “I know it’s a big change, but you’re safe here.” He stood and removed his weapons, storing them in custom holders on his wall. It was the first time she’d ever seen him unarmed.

  She was safe for the moment, but for how long? Flynn didn’t want her here, was in fact planning to drop her off at their first stop, wherever that was. Panic threatened again, but this time she shoved it back. If her time with Garth was going to be short, she didn’t want to waste a second of it worrying about what might happen when they parted ways.

  She’d always promised herself that if she ever managed to get away from Jasper and the Simplistics’ community on Eden, she’d live life to the fullest. There was no better time to start than right now.

  She got to her feet, reached out, and grabbed a fistful of the shirt he was wearing over his body armor. Garth frowned but allowed her to pull him closer. He was still frowning when she pressed her lips to his. She wanted to kiss him, to experience the heat that arose whenever they touched. And this time, she didn’t want to stop.

  She was enjoying the touch of his mouth against hers so much that it took her a few moments to realize he wasn’t returning the embrace. Just the opposite. He was as stiff as a board.

  Oh God, did he not want to kiss her? Had he kissed her on Eden only to ensure she cooperated with him? She hadn’t thought so, but what did she know about men? Her experience was severely limited, even if it was by choice.

  Totally embarrassed, she released him and cleared her throat. “Sorry about that.” She pushed away and took a step back. What must he think of her throwing herself at him like that?

  She only made it a single step before she was dragged back onto his arms. Garth’s frown made him look almost as scary as his older brother. “Why did you kiss me?”

  She shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant, but knew that was impossible. “It was nothing.” A hot flush crept up her face, and she knew she was blushing.

  But Garth wouldn’t be placated. He caught her chin between his thumb and forefinger, applying subtle pressure until she tilted her head up. “You don’t have to kiss me,” he told her.

  Now it was her turn to scowl. “I know that,” she snapped. She’d thought she’d gotten better at it, given their last heated encounter, but obviously she was mistaken.

  He huffed out a breath and leaned toward her until their foreheads were touching. “No, Lacey, you don’t know.” He ran his thumb over the curve of her cheek, and she naturally leaned into his touch. “I’ll protect you, no matter what. You don’t have to kiss me or do anything else you don’t want to.”

  His words slowly sank in. He wasn’t rejecting her. He just didn’t want to coerce her into anything. She hadn’t known him long, but she understood all about male pride.

  Some of her embarrassment melted away. It would be easy to leave things as they were, to step away from him once again. This time he’d let her go, assuming she didn’t really want him.

  But that was a lie.

  You promised you’d live life to the fullest, she reminded herself. Take chances. Garth was worth the risk of being embarrassed all over again.

  She ran her fingers over his chest, noticing how he sucked in a deep breath. And now that she was paying attention, there was no missing the erection pressing against her stomach. Garth wasn’t immune to her touch. He wanted her.

  “I know I don’t have to do anything.” She touched her lips to his hard jaw. “I want to.”

  Before she had the last word out, she was flat on her back on the bed with him looming over her. For a big man, he moved pretty darn fast. “Be sure,” he told her.

  So fierce. So guarded. She saw so much of herself in him, recognizing the emotions of someone used to protecting themselves. In that moment, her heart was lost. “I’m sure.”

  A muscle in his jaw twitched, and his eyes were blue flames of desire. She expected him to pounce, to take what she offered without delay. But when he finally kissed her, there a reverence about it that made her eyes fill with tears and emotion threaten to spill over.

  He pressed soft kisses along her cheekbone and over her forehead before coming down the other side. “I’ll go slowly,” he promised.

  There was no other man she’d ever trusted more than Garth. It was a miracle he’d come into her life. She wasn’t about to waste a precious second of their time together, nor would she have regrets.

  Latching on to his mouth, she kissed him with every ounce of pent-up passion she possessed. He groaned and slid his hand down her neck, over her collarbone, stopping when he cupped her breast.

  It was perfect. His touch ignited even more arousal, leaving her wanting more. She didn’t think she’d ever get enough of him, but she was more than willing to try.

  Starved for attention her entire life, she sought it now, wanting that physical and emotional connection to another person. But not just any person—Garth.

  There was something special about him that tugged at her heart.

  His palm easily covered her small breast, warming her through her clothes. She grabbed his wrist and dragged his hand away. When he went still, she knew he’d misunderstood her intention.

  “I don’t want anything between us,” she told him as she thrust his hand beneath her tunic.

  His fingers were callused and warm as they found her breast once again and caressed her bare skin. Pure pleasure shot through her, exploding throughout her entire body. This was what she wanted, what she needed.

  Frustrated with his clothes, she yanked at his damaged shirt. He growled and surged back on his knees long enough to yank it off and toss it aside. Then he peeled his body armor down to his waist, exposing his bare chest. The muscles in his thick arms rippled. Every inch of him appeared to have been carved by a very generous god.

  He was perfection.

  She made a low sound of need and spread her hands over the large expanse of warm male flesh. His muscles flexed beneath her palms.

  When he reached for her tunic, she raised her arms over her head to make it easier for him. Her breasts weren’t overly large, but she wasn’t the least bit embarrassed. Couldn’t be with the heat from his gaze practically singeing her skin, and the way he licked his lips as he stared at her taut nipples.

  He positioned her so she was straddling his legs, her bare breasts pillowed against his chest. His erection nestled against her, hard and hot, even through the material still covering him. She wanted to rub her mound against it.

  She bit her lip to keep from moaning. It wouldn’t take much for her to come, and they were only getting started.

  Chapter Seven

  Garth had died and gone to heaven. That was the only explanation for him having Lacey in his arms, her hands clutching his biceps, and her naked chest pressed against his.

  He’d almost never had this.

  And that was a crime he wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to forgive himself for. But she was here now, and he planned on loving her the best way he knew how. He was big and rough, not suited for a woman as delicate and lovely as his Lacey, but she wanted him. And he was too damn possessive to give her back now that she’d given herself freely to him.

  He wanted to rip her clothes off and mount her, marking her as his. The primitive urge was so overwhelming he began to tremble. Lacey pressed a kiss to his right pec and petted his upper back. “Does it hurt?”

  His cock? Hell, yes, it hurt. But somehow, he didn’t think that’s what she was referring to. “Does what hurt?”

  She pulled back a scowl marring her face. “Your back. You were shot.”

  “Oh that.” He’d already forgotten about that minor inconvenience.

  “Yes, oh that.” She pressed her hands against his chest until he reluctantly released her. “Let me see.”

  He didn’t want to do this, knowing it wouldn’t just be a bruise she saw. Scars from the mine explosion that had changed his life were still evident, the skin hard and ridged in places, shiny soft in others.

  H
e’d wanted to make love to her one time without risking seeing distaste or horror on her face. Still, maybe it was better this way, to know how she was going to deal with the reality of him, the true him. It would certainly kill any lingering hero worship she might have over him helping her get off Eden.

  And maybe he was lying to himself.

  He’d be just as happy if she never saw his scars.

  “Garth?”

  Knowing she wouldn’t relax until she’d been reassured, he lifted her off him and swiveled around in the bed until his back was facing her.

  “Oh, Garth.” She lightly skimmed her fingers over his spine. He shuddered as her innocent touch sent a lightning bolt of lust blasting through him. There was a slight hesitation, and then her soft lips skimmed the bruise.

  He swallowed heavily. Not since he was a very small child had anyone cared enough to kiss away his injuries, to treat him as though he could actually be hurt.

  When she lightly stroked his old scars, he groaned. She pulled her hand away. “Did I hurt you?”

  That innocent question sealed her fate. He whirled around and was lost in the tender expression on her face and the unshed tears in her eyes. “No, baby, you didn’t hurt me.”

  She nibbled on her bottom lip. “What happened?” She touched a faded scar on his chest. He’d forgotten about them since they were nowhere near as bad as the ones on his back. He’d been walking away when the blast had hit.

  “An old mining injury.” He didn’t want to talk about it now, not with Lacey half naked on his bed. When his gaze lowered, she crossed her arms over her chest and looked up at him through thick lashes. He was charmed by her sudden shyness. Until now, she’d been very open about her sensual wants and needs.

  Fury filled him when he glimpsed the bruise on her arm. The skin was dark and mottled—the exact shape of a man’s hand. Ian Reader had done this. Garth wanted to turn the ship around, go back, and kill the man for what he’d done.

  Lacey swallowed hard and scooted back slightly.

  “Does it hurt?” he turned her early question back on her.

  She followed his gaze to the bruise. “A little, but not too much.”

  He might not care if he was hurt, but he damn well cared about Lacey. Ignoring the throbbing of his fully erect cock, he shoved up off the bed and went to the bathroom. It was small, but it had its own gel cleansing unit, a sink, and a cabinet with supplies. He grabbed a small box from the bottom cabinet and went back to Lacey.

  She had her legs bent to her chest and her arms wrapped around them. She looked so small in a bed that was barely large enough for him.

  He sat beside her and opened the basic aid kid. “Let me.” He held up a numbing spray that would reduce the pain, get rid of any swelling, and speed healing.

  Her smile was tentative as she held out her arm. “Thank you.”

  It almost killed him that she thanked him. It was because of him she’d been hurt in the first place. The spray was quick and painless. Then he pointed to her ribs. “You hit hard when the shuttle took off.”

  She slowly lowered her legs and lay down, allowing him to look at her torso. Her rib area was slightly bruised, but nowhere near as bad as her arm. He applied the spray and tucked the medication back into the box, setting it on the built-in shelf by the bed.

  “You should probably rest.” As much as he wanted to make love to her, he didn’t want to add to her pain.

  “Don’t you want me?”

  If he hadn’t already been sitting, he would have fallen to his knees. “Baby, I want you more than I want my next breath.”

  A slow smile curved her lips upward. Pure delight glowed in her green eyes. “If you’re up for it, so am I.”

  He sent up a short invocation of gratitude to the gods he’d stopped praying to a long time again. “I’ll be careful.” He wasn’t anyone’s idea of a gentle lover, never had been. The professionals he’d paid and the women he’d picked up in bars had wanted sex hard and fast, seeming to take pleasure in his almost animalistic urges. But Lacey made him want to be better than he was.

  “I just want you to love me.” Her soft words sent a shudder through him.

  He unlaced his boots and set them aside before standing and removing the rest of his clothing and battlesuit. Naked, he came down on the bed beside her. “May I?” He skimmed his finger along the waistband of her pants, noting the way she sucked in her stomach muscles when he touched her.

  When she nodded, he almost yanked the garment away, but stopped himself. Not only didn’t she have any more clothing, he wasn’t an animal. Taking his time, he unwrapped the most exquisite gift he’d ever received. He eased her pants down, stopping long enough to remove her boots and socks. Clad only in her underwear she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.

  Her limbs were slender, but strong, her years of hard work evident. Her hips were slightly rounded, and her breasts were small, but perfectly formed. She was sheer perfection in one tiny package.

  When she fisted her hands in the sheets, he slowly lowered himself beside her. Fuck, going slow was going to be the hardest thing he’d ever done. His cock was ready to explode and his balls were ready to take up residence inside his body.

  He wanted her more than he’d ever wanted any woman in his life.

  It should scare the ever-loving shit out of him. Instead, it made him feel blessed.

  ****

  Garth was watching her like she was some odd creature he didn’t quite know what to do with. She wasn’t sure what she’d been expecting, but it wasn’t this tentative man beside her. Where was the earlier passion, the relentless need?

  It was as though he’d leashed a part of himself.

  She didn’t like that. Not at all. She wasn’t some hothouse flower that needed special tending. She was like the weed, that no matter how many times it was beaten down, it would poke its head out of the ground again and reach for the sky.

  Lacey didn’t want a controlled Garth. She wanted the real man, the one that thrived on danger and grinned as he hung out a moving shuttle and blew up stuff.

  He’d already been hurt enough in his life. The horrible scars he wore were a testament to that. She didn’t want to add to them by making him think he had to hide his very nature in order to be with her.

  It was up to her to break through this facade to the man beneath. She might not have much experience when it came to sex. Okay, scratch that, she had none. But she wasn’t stupid. She’d watched the native animals on Eden her entire life and seen enough sex and mating to know when a man wanted her.

  Garth was fully aroused, his cock hard and heavy against her side, his lips parted, his chest rising and lowered quickly, his nostrils flared, and his pupils dilated. All she had to do was figure out how to push him over the edge.

  She placed her hand over his heart, the beat strong and steady against her palm. “Lacey,” he began, but she shook her head. They could talk later. Right now, she wanted to feel.

  Scooting closer, she kissed his jaw. He swallowed heavily. She did it again, this time moving upward and dragging the tips of her teeth over his skin. A low growl escaped him, and his hand clamped down heavily on her hip.

  Emboldened, she licked at his lower lip. He tasted hot and spicy and masculine. She couldn’t get enough, so she slipped her tongue inside and kissed him.

  A low sound of pleasure escaped her, but she didn’t care. She wanted him to know how he affected her. Touching him heightened her arousal. Her nipples ached, and she was wet and throbbing between her legs.

  Fully dressed, Garth was formidable. Naked, the male animal was revealed in all his glory. And he was magnificent.

  The scars didn’t detract from his looks, not as far as she was concerned. If anything, they highlighted just how tough he’d had to be in order to survive. His biceps were bigger around then her thigh, but she knew he’d use that strength to protect her.

  It was his nature.

  He was still holding back. Determined to have h
er way, Lacey nipped at his bottom lip. Then she skated her hand down his chest and wrapped it around his erection.

  Before she could fully enjoy herself, she was flat on her back once again with him looming over her. His lips were compressed. His upper arms trembled with the force he was exerting over himself.

  She looped her legs around his hips and arched up, rubbing herself against his hard cock. It slipped over her panties, teasing rather than assuaging the ache inside her.

  Lifting herself up, she anchored her arms around his neck and kissed him. Just when it seemed as though he would get himself back under control, he snapped. She could almost hear the sound of something inside him letting go.

  “Fuck,” he muttered. Then took her back down to the mattress, melding his lips to hers, grinding his erection against her pelvis.

  This, this glorious wildness was what she craved. Then there was no more time to think as instinct took over. All she could do was hanging on as his passion and heat overwhelmed her.

  ****

  Slow down. He had to take his time and be careful with Lacey. He was so much bigger than she was, stronger. A part of him called out the reminder while the more basic side of him ignored the warning.

  He had a warm willing woman beneath him. My woman. He wanted to throw back his head and roar in triumph, but that would have meant he’d have to stop kissing her, and that wasn’t happening.

  He had to taste and touch her everywhere, to reassure himself that she wasn’t just some vivid dream brought on by too much cheap ale and far too long in space.

  He drank in her moans, tasting them, devouring them. Her short nails dug into his skin, the tiny bite a reminder that she was indeed a flesh and blood woman.

  Leaving her lush lips behind, he worked his way down, exploring her slender neck and delicate collarbone. He growled when he reached her breasts. Her nipples were perfect and pink. They were also puckered with arousal. He nuzzled the slight mound before licking at the nub.