Worlds Apart (Men of Orion Book 1) Read online

  Frightening her? Try terrifying.

  “Let Doc check her over and after we have a shower and something to eat I will tell you everything, okay?”

  “Nearly finished,” the doctor said. “Both of you are malnourished and exhausted. You need some regular, healthy meals and plenty of rest as well as a good dose of vitamins which I’m going to give both of you now.” He smiled down at her. “This won’t hurt a bit.”

  Kalia tensed but she barely felt it as he shot something into her arm.

  “And the baby?” Talon asked as the doctor gave him a shot as well.

  “Baby? What the hell?” Garret said, looking shocked.

  “Relax,” Talon replied, sending Garret a sharp look. “Doc?”

  “The baby appears to be fine. Probably a little smaller than we’d expect at this stage, but every baby is different. Babies are amazingly resilient, they tend to take everything they need and what’s left over goes to mom.”

  He patted her shoulder reassuringly. “Which is why we need to concentrate on getting you up to fighting form again, okay? Plenty of rest, food, and fluids.”

  She nodded, tears filling her eyes. “Thanks. I was so worried, I didn’t know if the baby was okay, I was locked up for so long…” She sniffled, working hard to keep her tears at bay. She’d been taught from an early age that showing too much emotion in front of others was a sign of poor breeding, but she couldn’t seem to stop the tears from dripping down her cheeks.

  “Hey, you’re okay. The baby’s okay. This is good news, right?” Talon said, climbing off his bed and coming over to sit beside her.

  He drew her into his arms. She tucked her face against his chest as he ran his hand up and down her back. Eventually she got herself under control and pulled away slightly, looking up at Talon. “Thanks, I’d never have made it without you.”

  Talon smiled and winked at her. “You’re a survivor, darlin’. You’d have found a way out of there with or without me. Besides, it was Garret and the others who did all the rescuing, not me.”

  She glanced over at Garret who scowled at her. She immediately scooted away from Talon. How stupid could she be? Garret was obviously possessive of Talon; he wasn’t going to take kindly to someone else touching him.

  Especially someone he didn’t like.

  “Maybe someone could show Kalia to a room where she could shower and get some rest,” the doctor suggested.

  “Good idea, Doc. Come on, darlin’.” Talon stood and held out his hand to her.

  “I’ll show her to a room,” Garret said. “You need to be checked over.”

  Talon looked between the two of them in obvious concern.

  “It’s okay,” she said, pushing herself off the bed. She swayed a little as black dots danced in front of her eyes.

  “Don’t stand up too quickly,” the doc warned.

  He could have told her that before she stood up.

  “Take a very quick shower,” the doctor said. “Make sure it’s not too hot. If you feel ill at any time I want you to com me, okay?”

  “Umm.” She didn’t have her personal com anymore; her father’s personal advisor had taken it from her before handing her over to the slavers.

  “There will be a wall com in your room,” Talon told her.

  “Thank you, Doctor…?”

  “Just call me Doc, everyone else does.”

  “Come on, princess,” Garret said abruptly. “Let’s get you to bed.”

  Kalia kept her face expressionless. Whatever else happened she was not going to let this man know what she was truly thinking. For the first time she thanked her mother for all those decorum lessons she’d had to attend. At the time, she’d detested them, she’d much rather have been outside playing with her sisters.

  Kalia followed Garret as he strode down the corridor. He soon outpaced her, disappearing around a corner. Well, she wasn’t going to sprint to catch up with him. She had no idea where she was, but she was certain she’d eventually find her way back to the infirmary. This ship wasn’t that big. Definitely not as big as her father’s favorite ship, that she’d gotten lost in for three hours trying to find the dining room.

  She was nearly bowled over by Garret as he stormed back around the corner. He reached out and grabbed her arms, preventing her from falling flat on her ass.

  “What are you doing?” he growled.

  “Trying to follow you,” she replied grumpily, pulling herself free from his hold.

  “Well, keep close. I’m not having you wandering around by yourself, sticking your nose into things. I don’t know who you are or what your agenda is, but until I do you’re basically here as my prisoner, got it? You don’t go anywhere by yourself. Not unless you want to find yourself shoved out an airlock. You might have Talon wrapped around your little finger, but I don’t trust you. I don’t see the best in people, I look for the worst. So be warned, I’m watching you. I see anything I don’t like and you’re out of here.”

  “Don’t worry; I have no interest in you or your precious ship. I know you won’t believe me, but I do care about Talon. I would never do anything to hurt him.”

  “Just see that you remember that, because you hurt him and I won’t think twice about retaliating. And I don’t care that you’re a woman or pregnant. Harm my mate and you will pay.”

  “Oh, I believe you,” she said fervently. “How the hell did you ever end up with a mate like Talon?”

  His gaze narrowed. “Believe me, I ask myself that all the time. I know I don’t deserve him, but I have no intention of ever letting him go. You might want to remember that.”

  He grabbed hold of her arm and tugged her down the corridor. Stopping outside a door, he pressed his palm against a pad. The door opened with a loud clang. Garret grimaced, muttering something about repairs. Inside was a small, but clean room with an attached bathroom.

  It might have been old and worn, but compared to what she’d been living in for the last few months this place was a palace.

  “The door will be locked. If you need something, use the com. The rest of the crew will be informed that you’re not to be left alone. I’ll send some food in.”

  Before she could say another word, he was gone. Kalia sat down on the bed, rubbing her arms. She should be happy, she was alive, she was free of the slavers, and her baby was healthy.

  So why did she feel so sad?

  Maybe because she’d grown used to having Talon around to help her. Well, she’d just have to get used to being on her own. It was up to her to look after herself and her baby.

  Garret walked down the corridor toward the infirmary. He couldn’t put his finger on it but there was something about that girl that irritated him. He didn’t like that she was on his ship, nor how close she and Talon obviously were.

  Yet, he didn’t get any dangerous vibes from her.

  Lost and scared? Yes.

  Sent to harm him? No.

  Not that he was letting down his guard. As soon as he could get rid of her, he would.

  Still, there was something about her…

  When Talon had drawn her into his arms, Garret had expected jealousy; instead he’d felt a curious urge to join them.

  He’d obviously been without his mate for too long, he was going crazy.

  He walked into the infirmary to find Talon sitting up on the bed, his chest bare, arm in the air, while Doc examined a large bruise over his ribs.

  Talon winced as Doc pressed down on the bruise and Garret growled. He hated seeing his mate in pain.

  “What’s the damage?” Garret asked.

  “Bruised ribs,” Doc said to Garret. He stood up and Talon lowered his arm. “Luckily they’re not broken, although it will still be a while before you’re feeling normal again. No heavy lifting or exercise. You need to take it easy as well. You’ve lost weight. I’m going to give you a shot of vitamins and pain relief.”

  “Do you have to?” Talon complained.

  Garret’s lips twitched. His mate became a big baby wh
en it came to getting shots. He sat beside Talon who turned and pressed his face against his shoulder as Doc gave him the two shots.

  “All done,” Doc said cheerfully. “You can take him away now, Cap. He needs food and sleep.”

  “And a shower,” Talon added tiredly as Garret stood and helped him down off the bed.

  Garret led him to their room, waiting until they were both inside with the door closed before he pulled Talon into his arms, holding him close.

  “I’m okay, Garret. I promise.”

  “No, you’re not. You’ve clearly lost weight; you have bruises all over your stomach and chest. They beat you, didn’t they?”

  Talon sighed. “Yes, but I’m all right now. You rescued me.”

  Garret pulled back, cupping his mate’s cheeks. Leaning in, he kissed his lips. Never had he thought he’d care about someone the way he did Talon. He was his whole world. Without Talon, Garret knew he wouldn’t survive.

  He leaned back, staring down into his mate’s eyes. “You know you can tell me anything, don’t you?”

  Talon frowned slightly.

  “Whatever happened to you in that dungeon is not your fault. You did what you were supposed to, you stayed alive until I got to you.”

  Understanding filled Talon’s eyes. “Garret, they didn’t rape me.”

  “I understand if you don’t want to talk about it—”

  Talon reached up and grabbed hold of Garret’s wrists. “Garret, I promise you that I’m telling the truth. They beat me, starved me, kept me locked up but they did not rape me. I have no doubt they would have if I’d been there much longer, but you got me out in time.”

  Garret searched his face, trying to read how sincere he was. But there was no hint that he was hiding anything.

  “Thank God,” he whispered, pulling Talon against him once more. “I spent the last ten days thinking about you hurt, alone, in pain. It was pure torture. I never, ever want to experience that again.”

  Suddenly, Talon was comforting him, running his hand over his back as he murmured to him quietly.

  “I’m fine, Garret. I’m here now.”

  “You were hurt. That is completely unacceptable.”

  Garret pushed him to the bed and began pacing, running his hand through his hair.

  “I should have protected you better. This had to be because of those slaves we rescued. This is my fault. They should never have been able to get close to you—”

  “Garret, calm down. I know this was hard—on both of us. But it wasn’t your fault.”

  “You were taken because of me!” Garret yelled, stopping to stare over at his mate. He placed his hands on his hips. “How is that not my fault?”

  “I was there when we rescued that ship of slaves, too. We all were. There was no other option than to do what we did. We’ve all made enemies. It could very well be you taken in revenge for something I’ve done.”

  Garret snorted.

  Talon’s lips twitched. “Yeah, you’ve pissed off a lot more people than me, there’s no denying that. But you can’t beat yourself up over this. It’s a wonder the crew hasn’t jumped ship, I bet you’ve been a total ass to put up with.”

  “They survived,” Garret growled. Although he owed them, they hadn’t given up either.

  “I’m going to protect you better from now on,” Garret said.

  “Hey.” Talon stood, wincing slightly. Garret jumped over and grabbed hold of his shoulders, holding on to him. “Don’t go getting all over-protective on me. We have a deal. You don’t smother me and I promise to keep you informed about where I am and what I’m doing. I might like you ordering me around during sex but that doesn’t extend to every part of our relationship.”

  “I’m the Captain, you have to follow my orders.”

  “When I need to follow orders as part of the crew, I do. But I’m your mate first, Garret.” Talon cupped his face. “I’m know you’re frightened, babe. I was too. But I always knew you would come for me.”

  “Of course I came for you. I will always come for you,” Garret replied in a forceful voice.

  Talon leaned his head against his shoulder. “I really need to sleep, but I’m not climbing into bed filthy.”

  Garret silently cursed himself. Instead of freaking out, he should have been looking after his mate.

  “Come on, let me take care of you.” Garret led Talon into the bathroom. He’d had a double shower installed in his bathroom soon after mating with Talon.

  He stripped Talon, dropping the filthy clothes into a pile. He’d throw them out with the refuse later.

  Turning back, he hissed as he looked Talon over thoroughly. Besides the huge bruise over his ribs, he had a number of other bruises. Some of them had completely faded, but a number of them were still vivid and painful-looking.

  “I’m okay,” Talon repeated tiredly, his shoulders slumping with exhaustion.

  “Shh, I know you are,” Garret told him, turning the shower on. He led his mate under the cascading spray.

  Talon threw his head back in delight. “Damn, you don’t know how good that feels. I was beginning to think I’d never feel clean again. Kalia must be enjoying it.”

  Garret grabbed some soap and began washing Talon gently. Each touch eased the tight knot inside him as he ran his hands over his mate’s shoulders down one arm, then the next.

  “Griz said you were both hidden in a cell away from the other prisoners,” Garret commented as he ran his hands over Talon’s flat stomach. Talon wasn’t thick with muscle, but he was still well-defined. He’d lost weight though, his hip bones stuck out further than they had and he had a gaunt look he hadn’t had before.

  “Didn’t they feed you?” he snapped as he turned Talon around to wash his back.

  Talon shook his head. “Not much. Usually just bread and water. I had to coax Kalia into eating; she’d been there much longer than me.”

  “You trying to make me feel sorry for her?” Garret asked, guessing his game.

  Talon’s shoulders stiffened and Garret rubbed them for a few minutes until he relaxed.

  “Look, I know you don’t want her here. And it had to be a bit of shock, my insisting that she come with us, but I have my reasons.”

  “Who is she?” Garret asked, kneeling to wash Talon’s legs. “She’s not the slavers usual pick.”

  Garret grabbed hold of his ass cheeks, massaging firmly.

  “I don’t know,” Talon said with a sigh. “She said her father gave her to them.”

  “Her father gave her to them? For money?”

  “Don’t know. Don’t think so. There’s more to the story, but she won’t tell me.”

  He’d get the story from her, one way or another.

  “Gods that feels so good.”

  Pushing Kalia to the back of his mind for now, Garret pulled Talon’s butt cheeks apart, washing between them. He pressed his finger against Talon’s puckered hole.

  “Garret, I don’t think I can—”

  “Shh, just relax and let me take care of you.”

  Talon nodded.

  “Part your legs.”

  Garret cupped Talon’s balls, massaging gently. He didn’t have any lube, so he didn’t thrust his finger inside Talon’s ass; instead he simply rubbed his finger over Talon’s hole until Talon groaned.

  “Turn and sit,” Garret told him. There was a built-in seating area which Talon rested on as Garret finished washing him and then kneeled between Talon’s legs.

  The water ran over his back as he leaned forward and took his mate’s half-erect cock into his mouth.

  “Garret, you don’t have to,” Talon said, staring down at him through half-lidded eyes.

  “I want to,” Garret replied before sucking Talon’s cock back into his mouth. He drew back and licked his way from the base to the tip of Talon’s shaft, pressing his tongue into the slit at the top.

  He clasped hold of the base of Talon’s cock as he licked every inch. By the time he was through, Talon’s dick was hard an
d fully erect and his breath was coming in harsh, low grunts.

  “Please, Garret, I need to come. I can’t hold on.”

  “Shh,” Garret told him. “Come when you need to, my mate.” He took the long shaft into his mouth, sucking strongly before pulling back. Moving faster, he pumped the shaft with his hand as he took him deep into his mouth.

  “Garret, Garret, I’m coming.”

  Talon thrust his hips, driving his cock deeper into Garret’s mouth before he came. Garret swallowed him down, relishing in his mate’s slightly tangy taste.

  When Talon was completely spent, Garret drew back and stood, turning off the water. He held out his hand, supporting his unsteady mate as they climbed out of the shower. Grabbing a towel, he quickly dried Talon before running it briefly over himself.

  He helped Talon over to the bed. Poor guy was dead on his feet. Talon flopped back on the mattress with a groan, allowing Garret to tuck him in. Garret ran his hand over Talon’s long, dark hair. It was very rare that Garret got to care for him like this.

  “Garret, what about you?” Talon asked tiredly, opening his eyes.

  “Me? I’m fine.”

  Talon glanced down at his thick erection, raising his eyebrow. “That doesn’t look fine.” He tried to fight his way out of the blankets. Garret quickly tucked him back in.

  “Lie still,” he growled. “I’m fine. No one ever died of an erection. Now, go to sleep.”

  “Such a bossy bastard,” Talon muttered tiredly.

  Leaning in, Garret kissed him gently. “That’s right, and you know that I always get my way.”

  “Garret,” Talon said as he turned away.

  “Yes, my own?”

  “Hold me? Just for a minute.”

  Garret’s heart skipped a beat at the vulnerability in his mate’s voice. “I’ll hold you as long as you need.”

  Talon rolled over into the middle of the bed and Garret snuggled in behind him, spooning him.

  Talon let out a deep breath. “I know you’re mad that I insisted Kalia come with us, but I had my reasons.”

  “Shh, go to sleep, we’ll talk about this later.”

  “Don’t take your temper out on her, Garret. I’m the one who insisted she come with us. She’s important, I can feel it.”