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  “Let’s try something a little different.” He stood and then sat back down behind her. “We’ll try positions until we find something that works. Why don’t you lean back against me? We’ll try this position first.”

  She leaned back against his chest. It was better than sitting without something bracing her. Her ribs didn’t ache as much, and there was an added benefit. She could feel his chest pressed against her back and she thought he might be more muscular than she first thought. Most of her attention focused on him and the warmth of his body and her mind drifted away from the discomfort of her side. His hard chest rose and fell against her back. She tried to relax.

  “Is this better?” His hand lightly rested on her forearms.

  “Yes, but I’d really like to see you when I talk to you.” She liked the feel of his hands stroking over her skin. Maybe too much.

  “How about you turn and I’ll try supporting your back and ribs with my arm,” he suggested.

  His arm was certainly big enough, muscled and firm. She slowly turned and lifted one of her legs across his thigh and leaned back against the arm behind her. Although there wasn’t as much surface against her back, the support was good. His hand rested low on her hip, but there was no pressure on her.

  “How are you now?” He smiled down at her.

  “Good.” After how accommodating he’d been, she was glad that she could tell him that honestly.

  “That’s wonderful. Now, I want to know more about you. You said that you go visit your family. Tell me about them.” Jagger’s hand trailed across her cheek.

  “My mother, Thea, just recently remarried. My sister, Lara currently lives with her fiancé. Chaina, the youngest of the family is working on her career. She’s in finance and last time I talked to her, she was taking more courses so that she could get a promotion.” Ada smiled. She loved her family but knew that short visits were best when it came to her mother. She just didn’t understand her and the confusion was reciprocated. “Tell me about your family.”

  Belatedly, she realized he might have more than mothers and sisters as a family. She hadn’t even thought that he might be married. She blanched at the thought of what might have happened if she hadn’t been hurt. She was so attracted to him that she might have fucked him before asking that question. It mattered to her. She wasn’t going to be a woman on the side or the woman who destroyed a marriage.

  “I have three brothers and a sister, although they don’t live on the planet where I do now. My sister is still on the planet where I was raised and where my parents still live. Of my brothers, one still lives there as well, but my other two brothers work on ships as I do.” Jagger brushed her hair back behind her ear.

  “Do you have a woman of your own?” She looked up at him through her lashes. His answer mattered and she watched him carefully.

  “No, there’s no woman in my life right now.” His lips curved into a smile. “So is there someone in your life?”

  “No, I’m not in a relationship now.” She shrugged. It was normal when she was on a long trade run.

  His smile widened even more. He looked satisfied. Maybe the answer had mattered as much to him as his had to her. She relaxed a little more. Her fingers brushed over his arm. His muscles tightened beneath her hand. She’d like to unbutton his shirt, but they were just getting to know each other.

  “How long have you worked on the trade ship?” He trailed his fingers down her arm before lifting her hand.

  Her fingers tightened around his before she turned her hand to tangle her fingers with his. “About six years, I think. It was my third posting.”

  She stared up at him. With every breath, she felt pulled to be closer to him. She wanted to touch, but she also needed to know him. He was certainly handsome and his body built for sex, but she’d be happy sitting here and learning about his life and what he thought. That part confused her a little. She’d thought it was physical. She wanted it that way. No promises of a future that wouldn’t happen.

  “Has Captain Thomas been the captain for all that time?” He drew her hand to his chest.

  “Yes, the Setona was his ship. I really liked working there.” She let her fingers splay across his chest. She didn’t know where the Setona was or if they’d destroyed it. Even if it was in one piece, a salvage vessel would find it. Getting it back from them might be more costly than getting another ship.

  “Liked. Did they destroy it?” Jagger frowned down at her.

  “I don’t know, but it was damaged badly. I don’t know if they took it or destroyed it or simply left it somewhere.” Ada sighed.

  Everything about the future of the Setona and her crew seemed uncertain. She couldn’t predict what the trade company would do about the ship. Even if the vessel was replaced, that would take time and then the assignment of a trade route wouldn’t be immediate. Other ships would take over the Setona’s routes in the interim. When the replacement ship was put into service, that schedule would have to be shuffled again. She didn’t know if the ship’s crew would be released or reassigned.

  Her fingers trailed around the collar of his shirt. She wanted to run her fingers down the seal of his shirt and push it wide. The feel of the hard muscles beneath the fabric made her want to see and feel it without that covering. Warm, slick juices gathered between her thighs as she thought about feeling his body moving against hers.

  “Are you still feeling good? No pain?” His hand cupped her cheek so that she had to meet his eyes.

  “No pain.” She bit her lip. She really wasn’t in any shape to follow through, but she needed to feel his skin. “Jagger, I want to touch you and maybe kiss you, but I’m pretty sure we won’t be able to do more.”

  “We have time for more. If you want to kiss me, I’m more than willing. When you want to stop, I’ll stop.” He drew his finger across her lips. “Let me come to you.”

  Tingles spread over her lips from that simple touch. She relaxed against his arm. She didn’t want to move and aggravate the ache in her ribs. She had a feeling that he’d stop the moment she showed the first sign of pain.

  His arm tightened against her back. He leaned down. His fingers threaded through her hair, tilting her head up. Her mouth opened as his lips brushed slowly over hers. She thrust her tongue into his mouth, wanting to discover his taste. A spicy tang burst over her tongue.

  She lifted her hand and worked at the seal to his shirt. It parted down to his waist. Her hands spread over his broad chest. The heat of his skin almost seared her palms. His tongue stroked against hers. His fingers combed through her hair and brushed over her shoulder. She sank into the kiss, savoring the feel of his tongue and lips. She didn’t want it to end. A low groan tore from her as he pulled back to nibble on her lips.

  “You taste so good.” He licked at her lips before once again lowering his head to kiss her.

  His fingers trailed over the curve of her breast. She shivered and her nipple tightened. She wanted to feel his hands on her skin. The fabric felt abrasive to her suddenly sensitized skin. She eased back from the kiss to look at what she’d exposed.

  A tattoo spread across his chest but under it, two stripes swept out of sight over his ribs and around to his back. She didn’t know if those were tattoos as well, but they were different from the elegant design on his chest. She drew her fingers over his chest and found the hardened, flat nubs of his nipples before she eased in for another kiss. She pulled at them.

  He groaned. The sound flowing into her mouth was almost as sweet as his kiss. She wanted to provoke him into slipping his hands inside her clothes. His thumb swept across her nipple. Her back arched.

  Pain slashed through her side. She flinched and moaned. He immediately pulled back, but his arm remained steady behind her. A blush heated her cheeks. It hadn’t been a great idea, but she wouldn’t go back and change it if she could. She’d enjoyed that kiss even if she hadn’t liked the pain that stopped the moment.

  “Are you all right?” He drew his fingers over her che
ek.

  “Yes, the pain surprised me.” She gripped the sides of his shirt that she’d opened.

  Dropping her eyes, she looked at the muscled expanse. It was a shame that she wouldn’t be able to enjoy it more right now. He smelled so good. Part of her wanted to plaster her body to his and just breathe him in. After the kiss, she knew that she’d want more than to simply lie there though. Even now with the pain still lingering, she wanted to explore.

  “”Why don’t we eat our fruit as we walk back? I don’t want to put too much strain on you or cause you to reinjure yourself.” He rose to his feet and helped her to stand as well.

  Damn it, Ada inwardly cursed. She didn’t want to go back yet. She wanted to be alone with him. He was concerned for her, but she didn’t want to rejoin the others. She’d like more time to touch and learn about him. Although touching was definitely at the top of her list.

  He handed her the pini fruit or kisla as he called it. She took a bite of the red fruit. The sweet taste burst in her mouth and juice ran over her lips and down her chin. She groaned with pleasure at the delicious treat. Wiping at her chin with her free hand, she glanced at the succulent fruit in her other. The light-reddish-orange inner flesh dripped with juices. So good. She lifted the fruit for another bite.

  Well, she could enjoy this, at least, even if she couldn’t enjoy Jagger.

  Chapter Five

  Jagger smiled as they walked back into camp. Ada strolled easily at his side. She didn’t appear to be in any pain. He couldn’t smell any pain. He’d known that it wasn’t exactly the best idea to kiss or hold her. His scent would draw her to him. He’d known that, but he’d thought that he could be close to her and resist the urge himself. He’d underestimated the draw to her. She might not have the pheromones of a Zarain, but he felt the drive to claim his mate and change her so that she’d be safe.

  She seemed to have relaxed around him. That had been his main goal today, although when she’d taken the initiative and asked for a kiss, he’d been very encouraged. He didn’t have to rush in and make at the very least a verbal claim. That extra time offered a little relief.

  He wanted her to come to him of her own volition. If the Vigilant had arrived hours after Jagger and the other Zarain had landed, verbally claiming her as his mate would have been the only way to keep her in Shifter-Protected space legally. On this side of the boundary, shifters had their own laws. Mating took priority. She wouldn’t be allowed to leave as long as he claimed her here. Even though she hadn’t come into Shifter-Protected Space of her own will, it was a well-known law. When inside Shifter-Protected space, any female could come under the claim of any shifter she met if she was his mate.

  He escorted her back to her tent. She went inside and he took a stroll around the camp. Overall, everything looked normal. Even the trade ship crew looked in good spirits. Jagger saw some of his men working around the pump to the shower that had been erected.

  He paced over to the group to check on any problems, although they were probably simply tinkering with the flow or water pressure. After discovering that they were trying to improve the pressure, he left them to their job. He continued on his way around the camp, noting a couple of lines that looked to be loose. Stopping, he tightened them, even though they wouldn’t cause huge problems unless there was a strong wind or rain. He finished at the medical tent, which was set up close to where they’d landed the shuttle.

  A low moan drew him around to the back of the tent. Kairn sprawled on the ground alongside a woman. The hair on the back of Jagger’s neck stood on end. His hand lifted and rested on the grip of his rusu stunner. Jagger looked around for sign of what or who had done this.

  His muscles relaxed a little when he saw no indication of anyone close to him other than the two people sprawled on the ground. He didn’t spot any clue to warn of danger. Taking a deep breath, he quickly tried to identify any strange scents. He didn’t smell anything out of the ordinary other than the light scent of blood. There wasn’t even any sign of struggle. Both of them appeared to have been ambushed.

  The back of the tent flapped in the light breeze where someone had cut it from about head height down. Even from just his brief glimpse of the inside of the tent, he could tell that someone had been looking for something. Small boxes littered the tent floor. Equipment had been moved.

  With a last glance around for a nearby threat, he knelt. He turned Kairn over and saw a lump on the side of his head and blood trickling from the wound. The woman’s dark hair covered her face. He rolled her over to check for wounds. She didn’t seem to have any obvious bump or head wound, but she was out cold.

  Jagger lifted his head. He’d need help getting them both into the tent and Dafin, a trained medic, would have to start treating Kairn and the woman. Jagger’s mind focused on one question. Who did this?

  “Cort!” Jagger remained beside them but kept an eye on the area around them. Someone had hurt these people and they might still be close.

  A slight scuff behind him drew his attention. He turned his head. Something hard hit above his ear. Pain exploded through his skull. He stumbled and crumpled to the ground. Blackness tinged the edge of his vision. He blinked, trying to clear away the blurriness. The sound of running footsteps drew his attention. Turning his head, he saw someone running away. The person wore dark brown clothes and had dark collar-length hair. The figure appeared to be thin, but Jagger couldn’t see well enough to gauge his build or height well. If it was a man, it was a short man.

  He pushed to his hands and knees. Where in the hell were his men? “Cort, Burris, I need some help here.”

  He rose shakily to his feet. The world spun in front of him. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He swayed unsteadily. For a moment, it felt like his body was swinging or he was in a rocking boat.

  The sound of rapid footsteps sounded. Finally. What had taken them so long? He straightened. The pain in his head throbbed with every beat of his heart and his stomach lurched with each movement. He breathed slowly and strove for control. The last thing he wanted to do was lose his breakfast. He would find whoever had done this and deliver a few lumps to match his.

  Cort and Burris rounded the tent. They skidded to a stop. Their eyes rounded and then they burst into movement again. They rushed over to the woman and Kairn.

  “What happened and did you know you’re bleeding?” Cort shot a look at him.

  Jagger put his fingers up to the side of his head. He winced as his fingers encountered the bump and came away wet. He hadn’t realized it or even felt the sticky wetness of his blood.

  “Found them on the ground, called for you to help me with them and then was hit from behind. Where were you?” Jagger narrowed his eyes. “After we get these to the treatment tent, I need one of you to check on those damn pirates and make sure that they haven’t come this way.”

  “We’ll check. Do you need some help?” Burris looked at him as he picked up the woman.

  “No, I can walk.” Jagger frowned at Burris. He hadn’t missed that Burris hadn’t answered the question.

  “We were talking with some of the other men and a few of the trade crew. We heard something but didn’t realize it was a name until the second call,” Burris said as he started around the tent.

  Cort carried Kairn, and Jagger followed him. He focused on walking in a straight line, his steps slow but not quite steady. He knew he probably looked drunk. There was too much to be done to let the symptoms overwhelm him. His vision blurred. He shook his head, trying to shake off the weakness. Pain exploded through his head and he stopped to let the sensation pass. When he could see without the horizon tilting in front of him, he went into the medical tent.

  Kairn began to rouse as Jagger entered. Hopefully, he could shed some light on what had happened. Jagger hadn’t thought the pirates would want anything to do with such a large group of men. The attack made no sense. They were all stuck here until the Vigilant arrived.

  “I’m going to check on the pirates. I’
ll be back as soon as I get a visual from the satellite in orbit.” Cort put the woman down on the bed and briefly looked to Jagger as before walking to the opening of the tent. “I’ll also send in Dafin to take care of all of you.”

  “Good.” Jagger sat on a bench. Every sound seemed to bounce inside his head, especially his own voice. Moving his head only made the pain worse.

  Dafin arrived quickly. For a moment, he stopped in the entrance and looked around at the mess. He began treating the woman first. She was still unconscious. Kairn sat quietly with a hand to his head. Jagger watched and waited. He wanted to know where the pirates were, both of them. Then if they were where they were supposed to be, he had to rule out an unknown person on the planet. Although he couldn’t think of why someone stranded or staying here would attack without any kind of confrontation.

  Many groups of shifters used this planet for recreation or training occasionally, but it remained undeveloped because of its isolation. No one was supposed to be here. If there was no sign of a crash, that left one possibility. The attacker came from within the camp. He’d have to wait to speculate on why someone from within this group would attack until he knew if the pirates were still where they had been.

  The woman woke and Dafin diagnosed a concussion. She’d need to be watched. Impatience built in Jagger. He wanted the answers, and the headache wasn’t making the wait any easier. They’d come into the medical tent. Had that been a deliberate choice or coincidence? Had they been looking for something specific or taken the opportunity when they found it?

  Cort returned as Dafin began treating Kairn. “The pirates and their shuttle are still where they were when we landed. I checked back to earlier in the day and last night to be certain that I hadn’t missed something. They haven’t moved.”