Hathor Legacy: Outcast Page 10

  All he could see, besides the sand and beach grass, were several rectangular-shaped houses along the shore. Other than that, it looked pretty desolate. He couldn't imagine why anyone would come to this place, much less live here.

  "It's been years. Maybe you're mistaken," he said, as he wiped away sand that had blown in his face.

  "No. I'm sure of it. It was over there."

  A light came on in one of the houses to their right. Through the long narrow window on the lower level, he could see someone moving around. It looked a hell of a lot more inviting than standing out here being pelted by sand.

  "Maybe someone in that house can help us. The local people might know where we can find Matt's," he suggested.

  "I don't know. They might call security."

  "We can't just stand around thinking." They had to do something, and he was running out of ideas.

  "Perhaps if we'd figured things out first, we wouldn't be standing around." Nadira bristled.

  "I wanted to take the aircar. At least then we would've been here sooner and looked around in the daylight." Was she blaming him for this?

  "You couldn't fly one!" She snapped.

  "It would've been better than riding on a boat for hours!"

  "You said you knew where Matt's house was. So where is it?" Nadira asked, motioning around her.

  "I said it was in the North. You're from here. Why don't you know?" he retorted.

  "Just because I'm from here doesn't mean I know where his house is!"

  "And if you'd blasted Ilana back at Matt's, we wouldn't be stuck out here chasing them!"

  As soon as he said it, he regretted it. If she got pissed, she might either blast him or leave him out here to figure things out on his own.

  Neither of those options would be good for him.

  "Look, I'm sorry," he began. "I didn't mean to say--"

  "Are you lost?"

  Jonathan froze, who was that? Looking in the direction of the voice, he saw a man standing on the stairs of the lighted house. He waved to them to come over.

  "It's getting colder. Maybe he can help us find out where Matt's place is." He pulled his jacket tighter, though there wasn't much excess fabric to pull.

  Nadira didn't respond, in fact she didn't even look at him.

  He sighed. With night coming and the temperature dropping, he had no interest in wandering around without a destination.

  She didn't protest when he led her down the walkway and over to the house. Guided by the light of the moons, it was easy to find a path through the velvety fronds of beach grass.

  15 No More Rules

  "You're here from the city, aren't you?" the man asked as he stepped aside to let them enter the house. "My name is Jason. I heard you outside. It sounded as though you needed assistance."

  "Yes we sure could," Jon said as he led the way inside. The foyer was darkened, but bright light flooded in from the connecting room. "I'm Jon and this is Nadira."

  He wondered if giving their names was a smart thing to do. But it wasn't likely anyone would be looking for them out here. "We came to visit a friend of mine, Matt Bento. We wanted to surprise him, but the directory out there isn't working and we're not sure where the house is."

  "The name is not familiar to me. Come in." Jason motioned for them to follow him.

  The dining room had a large wooden table that could seat at least 10 people, and colorful woven hangings on the walls. Jonathan was surprised that the furnishings were as modern as he would've found in his own apartment. He'd been expecting something a lot more rustic.

  A three-quarter wall divided the room, with an opening at one end providing access to the other side. He could hear people moving about and the aroma of food being prepared.

  "I manage this guest house. Company managers usually stay here during the season, but it's quiet now." Jason rubbed his hands against the long, blue apron he wore over his shirt and pants. "You work for the company, don't you? Are you on holiday?"

  Short and compact, Jason's shirtsleeves were rolled up, revealing his sinewy arms. Wisps of grey hair on the sides of his head kept him from being completely bald. Except for his height and his cheerful expression, he reminded Jonathan of the Sentry Leader, Brant.

  Jonathan waited for Nadira to sit before he joined her at the table. "We're just visiting for a few days."

  "I used to live in the North Country many years ago. Wasn't there a big house out there on the other side of the kiosk?" Nadira asked.

  "Oh, that has been gone for many years." Jason stroked his chin. "It was destroyed oh…about…yes, almost 20 years ago."

  "What happened?" Nadira asked.

  "It was a fire." Jason's smile faded.

  The crash of a metal object hitting the floor reverberated from the other side of the wall. Jason closed his eyes in exasperation, quickly forcing a smile to his lips. "There is a small problem in the kitchen." He hurried to other side of the dividing wall.

  "What's so important about that house? Did you live there?" Jon asked.

  "No."

  Instead of elaborating, she stared straight ahead, her lips tight. So, she was still angry. Well, she'd have to get past it.

  "Did you check him out with your powers? Is he okay?" Jason seemed friendly, but it was best to be sure.

  "Yes, I used my 'powers' to read him when we walked in," she snapped.

  "Look, we can't use our credits or we'll be identified. I'm not in the mood to wander around tonight. If you talk to him in that dialect, he might help us out."

  He did want to keep going. But, after what Ilana had done to both of them, he had to admit that rushing to confront her again without a plan would be incredibly stupid.

  Their host returned, his easygoing manner back in place. "New workers make mistakes at times. All is well now. Would you like me to try to locate your friend?"

  Nadira held up her left hand. "Jason, can we stay here tonight? It is a private matter. Katu?"

  Jason's smile grew wider, causing creases to cut across his forehead. "Yes, of course. You are welcome, Guardian. Please honor me by staying. Our largest room on the top floor is quite comfortable."

  "Thank you. Perhaps we can have something to eat."

  "Yes, of course! I will see about the meal." Jason clasped his hands together and headed back to the kitchen.

  A moment later Jon heard him shouting instructions to the workers as the sounds of activity increased. In spite of his earlier nausea, Jon's stomach growled as he caught a whiff of a pleasing smell from the kitchen.

  "All you have to do is ask and it's done? I'm impressed."

  Nadira looked into his eyes, her brown ones intense and unwavering, a small smile on her lips. She was used to giving commands and being obeyed. But so was he.

  "Here we are." Carrying a pitcher and two cups, Jason emerged, followed by a younger man and woman carrying trays of food. "These are my assistants, Jare and Lora. So far tonight you're our only guests, so you will get our best."

  "Grasi," Nadira said.

  "Thanks. This is a nice house." Barely waiting for the woman to set it down, Jonathan reached for one of the platters. The steaming mix of vegetables and meat was still sizzling, making his mouth water. He didn't recognize any of the dishes, but it didn't matter. He was hungry.

  "The company owns most of the houses facing the sea. I've been managing this one for several years. Many people come here on holiday from the city."

  "Why?" Jon asked, ignoring the sharp look Nadira gave him. Though he'd grown up in a home overlooking the sea, he'd never understood the attraction.

  "Ah, I see you prefer a faster pace," Jason observed, a hint of amusement in his bluish-green eyes. "Well, we will try to make you comfortable while you are here."

  *****

  A couple of hours later, Jason led them to the upstairs bedroom. Not only was the room large, it had a huge bed that sat on an ornately carved platform. A dark blue, plush couch wrapped around the opposite wall. Above it, the window spanned th
e wall, from one end to the other.

  From where he was standing by the bed, Jonathan could look out and see the ocean waves shimmering in the golden light of the moons.

  Jason pulled back the velvety bed covers and fluffed the long pillow. "I'm sorry I could not locate Matt Bento's home for you."

  "We'll see what we can find out tomorrow." Jonathan took off his jacket and tossed it on the bed.

  "Fine. Be rested." Jason nodded at them and left the room.

  "Which side do you want?"

  Nadira didn't respond as she stood at the foot of the bed, staring out at the sea.

  "Something wrong?" he asked.

  "I'm fine."

  Still tight-lipped. What was it going to take for her to stop being angry at him?

  "Nadira, I'm sorry about the things I said out there."

  "Are you?"

  "Look, you're right. We need to think first before we do anything else. From now on, I'll listen. I promise."

  "Jon, we should get some rest. We'll need it." She went to the other side of the bed and began undressing.

  He pulled off his shirt, kicked off his boots, then added his pants and underwear to the pile. Climbing into bed, he saw that Nadira was still undressing.

  Neatly folding her jacket and pants, she laid them on a nearby chair. Her shirt came next. Then she was down to her underwear, just as she had been that morning back in her apartment. Her sleeveless tank top hugged her rounded breasts and stopped above her midriff. Below that, all she had on was a triangle of sapphire-colored fabric.

  Suppressing a groan he thought about the last time she'd allowed him to touch her there. It'd nearly driven him crazy.

  Nadira slid under the covers next to him but remained on her side of the bed.

  "Why don't you move over?" he asked. "I won't do anything I shouldn't."

  To his surprise, she moved close enough for him to put his arm around her waist.

  "That's better, isn't it?"

  "Yes," she replied.

  "So you haven't been in the North since you left with Zina?" He wasn't sure if this was the subject to bring up right now. But he was curious.

  "No, I haven't. Being back here doesn't feel the same. I thought it would."

  "There's something I don't understand. When we were back at your place, how was I able to see your memory of Zina taking you from your mother?"

  Nadira didn't say anything. All he heard was her deep breathing, then a sigh.

  "I'm not sure, Jon. Maybe it's our connection."

  All this time he'd assumed that she'd purposely stayed open to him. But she'd had no control over it.

  "Why didn't your mother want you to become a Guardian? Do you know where she is now?"

  She shifted her body away from him. "Too many questions, Jonathan, and I don't have the answers right now."

  "I'm sorry. Don't move away. It's cold. The closer you are the warmer we'll both be."

  She laughed. It was a small sound, like she had to force it. But she did move close enough to press the length of her body against his.

  As much as he enjoyed it, it would be torture to continue to start something that couldn't be finished. A little foreplay wasn't so bad, but at some point they had to get to the destination.

  "Your skin isn't itching anymore?" she asked.

  He'd almost forgotten about the fake skin. "Guess it's healing," he replied. "Just like you said it would."

  "Lights 0%," she called out. The ceiling lights went dark, leaving the room lit only by moonlight. "That's because I'm always right."

  He closed his eyes, enjoying the feeling of her presence so close to him in the warm, comfortable bed. Always right? He'd have to wait until morning to give her an answer.

  *****

  Hours later Jonathan woke up with a start. He'd been dreaming that he was running. But he must've actually thought he was running, because his body had jerked and he'd woken himself up.

  "Can't sleep?" Nadira asked.

  "Did I wake you?"

  "I've been awake for a while. It's hard to relax."

  Nadira draped her leg across his, setting his nerve endings on fire. What was she doing? He sighed so deeply he startled himself.

  "Are you all right?" she asked.

  "Why do you keep asking that?"

  "You sounded like something was hurting."

  "Nothing's hurting." She had to know why he was reacting the way he was. Or maybe she was deliberately teasing him. If so, he had a way to turn the tables. He reached under the covers and rested his hand on her bare thigh.

  "What are you doing?" she asked.

  "What do you mean?"

  "Your hand. Why is your hand there?" Nadira asked. "And now what are you doing?"

  His hand was now curved around her backside, and while it was there he was going to make the best of it.

  "Does this bother you?" he asked, kneading her hip. He might as well keep going until she told him otherwise. No matter what happened, he didn't expect to have a restful night.

  "No, it doesn't."

  Maybe the situation was improving. She didn't seem uncomfortable. But how far would she allow things to go?

  "Nadira, what is it? You can't be with someone who's not a Guardian? Are there rules?"

  He felt silly for asking, but he did wonder. Guardian rules for sex: what not to do and who not to do it with.

  "It's hard to experience my own emotions as well as someone else's. Staying in control of my energy is important. If I don't, I won't be able to focus it properly."

  "But what does that have to do with sex?"

  She laughed. "Everything is energy, Jon. It's all connected. Do you understand?"

  "So if you lose control you could blast me?" he asked, hoping she could tell he wasn't entirely serious.

  "No. It's different."

  "That's good to know." He chuckled.

  "What we're feeling right now…the arousal we're feeling…it's probably only because I'm shielding you."

  "I doubt that. And I don't think you believe it either," he said, as he continued to caress her. "It doesn't matter to you that I'm not a Guardian?"

  "It doesn't."

  "Do you trust me?" he asked, his heart racing.

  It took a few moments for her to answer, but finally she did. "Yes," she whispered.

  Without hesitation he pressed his lips against hers. She returned his kiss, opening her mouth and giving way to his probing tongue.

  Guiding her so that she was on her back, he continued kissing, playing, and biting, while he lost himself in the vibration from the moans that escaped her lips. She'd driven him to distraction since that first chase, and now it was his turn.

  Anxious to remove any barriers between them, he gently lifted up her top and pulled it over her head, discarding it to join his clothing on the floor. Trailing kisses down her body, he captured her full breasts, running his hands over them, grasping and gently squeezing. He found her nipples, enjoying her reactions as he caressed them into hardness.

  Encouraged by her soft sighs, he ran his hand across her stomach, then down to that triangle of fabric that had caused him so much consternation. Pushing back the fabric, he found her nub and ran his thumb over it, squeezing it between his thumb and fingers. She tensed, her breathing deep and ragged.

  "Do you want me to stop?" He had to ask, to be sure she was still with him.

  "No."

  Lingering over her for a moment more, he hugged her to him. Feeling her body pulsing against him, tingling in anticipation, enjoying the power he had over her reactions.

  Jon moved back down her body, planting kisses as he went, deliberately making his progress last as long as possible. With each contact of his lips and tongue against her skin, he could feel her emotions churning within her.

  Though he was taking his time with her, his own desires were setting him on fire. With one quick pull, he was able to free her from the sapphire blue triangle of fabric. Positioning himself at her moist opening, he tea
sed her with his tongue, driving her until her moans became cries, and she was writhing under his firm grip. He knew she craved release but he wasn't going to let her have it just yet.

  Continuing to tease her, he flicked his tongue over the sensitive mound, gently nipping and sucking. By remaining open to him, she was allowing Jon to experience her desires in addition to feeling his own.

  Her moans grew louder and deeper, vibrating within him, driving him to the edge. As much as he delighted in pleasuring her this way, he also wanted more. But first, he'd let her have what she was desperate for.

  It only took a moment more to coax her to the brink. As her body tensed, his did too. He gripped her tighter, holding on to her as she trembled and pulsed, almost sending him over the edge. After a long, deep sigh she relaxed against the bed cushions, her body still.

  Unable to hold back any longer, he positioned himself, one hand under her hips. He eased into her slowly, waiting for any sign of her discomfort. But there was no resistance. Instead she pressed her legs against him, her hands braced on his shoulders.

  Being inside her was almost enough to send him to the point of exploding, but he forced himself to gently pull back, then ease in again. Her slickness made his movements easy; her tightness surrounded him, cocooning him, accommodating him.

  Her emotions flooded him to the point where he wasn't sure which were hers and which were his. All he knew was that he was completely engulfed, and yet it wasn't like drowning. It was a joining between them, connecting him to her even more than he'd been before.

  With a loud cry he released himself, and was instantly struck by an energy rebound that left him gasping. As his body jerked he felt Nadira's arms wrap around him, holding him close as he felt a second and third rebound hit him. Through their connection he felt her body reacting as well. Their combined energy moved between them, each time with less force, like an echo that eventually faded and left them spent.

  With a groan he rolled onto his back, his arms and legs outstretched, his sweat-drenched skin sticking to the bed covers. As he returned to awareness, he felt Nadira's presence next to him. Touching her, he immediately withdrew as the connection between his fingertips and her skin lit up his nerve endings.