Love's Beguiling Healer Read online

  Tera froze. Illam. Taking a deep breath, she continued to tap information into the data collector.

  There was a whisper of soft boots on the floor, and then she felt the heat of his body right behind her. He was standing close. Very close.

  "Not hungry?” he purred.

  "Wylin's getting me some food,” she returned expressionlessly.

  "I'm hungry."

  "Goody for you."

  "I'm hungry for you."

  That did it. Straightening up she turned around in the chair and glared up at him. And nearly did a double-take. He looked incredibly hungry—sexually hungry—and he was looking right at her. Those golden eyes of his were glowing, and the black threads were pulsating slowly in his irises.

  He was less than a foot away, forcing her to tip her head back to look at him. Refusing to give him the pleasure of knowing how much at a disadvantage she felt, Tera stood up and brushed past him to one of the containers on the pretext of looking for something.

  Leaning over the container, she asked, “You wanted something?"

  "You. Naked. On your stomach."

  Shooting stars of Cyran! Jerking around, she glared at him. “Subtlety isn't your thing, is it?"

  He grinned, succeeding in looking dangerously amused. “My kind don't believe in pretense."

  Folding her arms below her breasts, Tera scowled. “Let's get one thing straight, Felys. I might have come over as easy last night, but my kind doesn't consider a healthy sexual appetite to be degrading or being the sign of an easy lay."

  "Nor do mine. How convenient.” He stalked towards her with a loose, graceful tread. “We agree on something."

  Her mouth went dry at the heat in his eyes. “Listen, Illam, what happened last night was nice but—"

  "Thank you. I'm pleased you enjoyed it.” He stalked closer still.

  She backed up to the table. “I think we need to talk."

  "Oh?” His eyes glinted.

  Anger flicked through Tera. Anger that she should even feel the stirring of desire for this insolent fur-ball, and anger that he thought he could have her. “Hold it right there!"

  Amazingly he stopped, but he was balanced lightly on the balls of his feet. Waiting to pounce. Suns!

  Eight

  Taking a deep breath, she flicked her hair back over her shoulders and opened her mouth to start talking.

  His gaze fell on her neck, and that slow, rapacious smile crept over his face again. The man actually licked his lips. “Nice mark."

  "Speaking of which,” she snapped, “There's the little matter of your scenting me last night!"

  Satisfaction blazed in his eyes.

  "Don't look so pleased. I'm not."

  "You were last night.” His scorching gaze trailed down her body and came to a stop at the juncture of her thighs. And, God above, the man licked his lips again.

  "Last night we might have come close to having sex but—"

  "Last night was just a taste of foreplay, makit. When we mate, you'll know what it truly feels like to have a Felys male mount you.” His expression totally carnal now, Illam took another step forward. “To have me mount you."

  Fire sparked along her nerve-endings. Oh, this would never do! “Illam, stop!"

  "Why?” The threads in his eyes writhed in slow anticipation.

  Anticipation was roiling through her, too, but she clamped her thighs together and tried to get her thoughts in order.

  "Do you feel it, makit?” The words came out in a low, deep purr.

  "I'm feeling something, Felys.” Hot. Hot, hot, hot! Oh bugger.

  "Then let me feel it as well.” His hand came out, reaching for her breast.

  She grabbed his wrist. “Touch my boob and you loose your hand!"

  "I nearly lost more than that last night.” His grin was totally feral. “In fact, I do believe I filled a jar as proof."

  Hoo boy! “Your prowess is amazing. Illam, we need to talk. Now!"

  He stared intently at her.

  She was certain she knew how to make him listen. “Nothing happens until we talk.” Yep, that works. Thank the suns. She watched in relief as he folded his arms and angled his head to one side, his gaze never leaving her.

  "Talk,” he stated.

  And his eyes continued to burn with leashed, unmistakable, hedonistic passion. The man was a walking carnal bomb.

  And he wanted to explode inside her.

  Tera mentally fanned herself.

  "Talk,” he repeated. “Unless you wish to wait until after we—"

  "Don't go any further.” She pointed to the chair. “Sit down."

  "Why?"

  Because you make me bloody nervous, all wired up to pounce. “Just sit."

  He didn't just sit. He slithered into the chair, loose-limbed and deceptively relaxed. But not totally relaxed she saw. Trying to ignore his blatant arousal—how in suns name he remained confined in his pants, she'd never know—Tera leaned back against the table and eyed him. Having him positioned lower than her made her feel better. More in control.

  Until he lowered those thick eyelashes and eyed her from beneath them. The gold of his irises peeped fascinatingly through the lush length. The man was lethal.

  Get a grip! “All right, Illam, we shared something last night—"

  "Foreplay."

  "Whatever. But I don't want you thinking that just because we did it once, we'll do it again.” Feeling more sure of herself, Tera relaxed a little.

  "Next time we'll mate?"

  Okay, not relaxed now. “Do you think I'm a whore?"

  His eyelids snapped fully open and he scowled at her. “No!"

  "You played with me last night, and then you just walk in and expect me to have sex with you later. That's treating me like a whore.” She grimaced. “I'm not a whore."

  "I don't think any such thing.” No longer casually stretched out in the chair, he folded his arms across his chest and scowled even more darkly at her.

  "Many species consider Argon women sexually easy, Illam. You wouldn't be the first."

  "Because your species takes enjoyment in sex?” He cocked an eyebrow at her, interest appearing to mingle with the leashed desire in his eyes.

  "It's more than that. Argons are known to have an effect on other species. They say we exude a sexual aura, I guess you could call it. It draws people to us when they're on our planet, or we travel to another planet. It's why we tend to stay close to our own home, and only visit a few species we trust."

  "Like us,” he stated quietly.

  "Exactly."

  "So we've more in common, it seems.” He grinned.

  "Illam, try to keep your mind above your crotch, all right?"

  "Sure.” His eyes gleamed again.

  "Many of us are sexually active."

  His nostrils flared.

  The man really needed help. “Just because we're known to have sexual relations if we're not wedded, doesn't mean we'll have sex with just anyone. Do you understand?"

  "Yes. It's the same with the Felys.” He met her gaze steadily. Hotly. “What's the problem?"

  Handsome and sometimes, very dumb. “It doesn't mean I'm going to have sex with you, just because you want it."

  The smile that crept across his face was epicurean. “But you want it, too."

  "What?” She glared at him. “I do not!"

  "Your scent tells me differently."

  "Suns! Are you sniffing around me again?"

  "Your scent is always with me. I can smell your arousal.” His gaze dropped to her breasts. “Your nipples are hard, and you're moist, your body readying itself for me. You—"

  "Not another word!” Cheeks red, Tera stabbed her finger in his direction. “I only share my body with someone I desire!"

  He went still, his pupils dilating. “So what was last night?"

  "I—uh...” Tera floundered. “A mistake?"

  "No mistake. You fell apart. You screamed.” He was on his feet, stalking her once more.

  "Yo
u lured me outside, Illam."

  "You could have called for your bodyguard."

  Refusing to back down, her heart starting to pound, Tera met his eyes unflinchingly. Eyes glowing a hot gold, Illam stopped directly in front of her.

  "Now let me tell you something,” he said in a dangerously quiet voice. “I do not think any the less of you. I've tried to deny my attraction to you, but last night was a revelation. Your scent called to me. You're inside me all the time."

  Tera gulped.

  "Last night I went into full mate-hunting mode—"

  "M-mate hunting mode?"

  He moved forward a bit more, and she would have leaned back, but he caught her shoulders and leaned forward to place his mouth at her ear. His breath whispered hotly over the sensitive skin as he breathed huskily, “I hunted you, Tera. I hunted you instinctively as a male hunts his mate. And I got you."

  "If that's true,” she croaked, “Then why didn't you have sex with me?"

  "Because you weren't ready. I wasn't ready. The hunt is part of the foreplay, little healer.” His tongue scraped the spot he'd marked below her ear, making a streak of desire shoot straight to her loins. “And the hunt is still on."

  God above, she was going to not only go up in flames, but go off like a muted explosion. Tera's breathing was becoming faster, her skin felt prickly, and her knees were starting to shake.

  Mainly because she had them squeezed tightly together to stop her wrapping them around his waist and begging him to put out the fire then and there.

  Oh God, oh God, oh God!

  "You don't like me!” She managed to get out. “You haven't liked me since the first time we met."

  "Ah, when you called me a chocolate point.” His teeth scrapped her ear lobe, and she bit back the moan. “I admit you didn't endear yourself to me. You were just another outworlder who seemed so superior."

  "I've never thought that."

  "You always had me in knots. I didn't understand what was happening.” His nipped her ear lightly, and then laved it with his tongue. “But I do now."

  "You do?"

  "You're my mate."

  "What?” She jerked her head around in shock to stare at him. “Your mate?"

  "Oh yes,” he breathed, and crushed his lips to hers.

  He took her mouth in a kiss so hedonistic, she lost every thought but the sensation of his silken lips on hers, his tongue sweeping into her mouth and forcefully taking her essence, and the predatory gleam in his eyes right before those thick lashes swept down and hid his hot irises from sight.

  Illam was some kisser. Dominating, taking from her everything she could possibly give in a kiss. He took, plundered, and drank from her ravenously. He nipped at her bottom lip, sucked it gently, and plundered the tender depths once more.

  He literally took her breath away and then breathed it back into her.

  When he released her, she nearly fell to her knees. Catching her upper arms in time to stop her, he smiled at her stunned face, leaned down, and rasped his tongue right along the seam of her lips. When he reached the corner of her mouth, he angled his head and rubbed his own mouth along her cheek, marking her again with his scent.

  "Tonight,” he whispered in her ear. “Tonight I'll be hunting you again."

  With that last promise he swung on his heel and slipped out the door with a sure stride, leaving her slumped back against the table.

  Breathing hard, Tera swallowed. Her breasts were tight and aching, her womanhood was wet with desire, and her limbs were trembling.

  With just his mouth and a few carnal words, Illam had made her so aroused that she felt like hunting him down herself and having her wild way with him.

  Raising a shaking hand to her hair, she pushed the heavy length back over her shoulder. A strand of gold hair was entwined in a thick lock of her hair, and she drew it out and held it up. Illam's hair.

  She could smell him on her skin. Male, fresh, a touch of the wild.

  So now what was she going to do?

  Voices drawing nearer made her look up. Wylin and Denyon. She could hear them.

  And here she stood, lips no doubt swollen from Illam's kisses, nipples pushing brazenly out against her blouse, and she was so slick that if she sat down in a chair, she was liable to slip right off it.

  So she high-tailed it out the back door and took shelter in the bushes behind the hut. Using the cover, she made her way to the house and dove inside.

  By the time she had herself looking presentable and was calm enough, she made her way sedately to the healers’ hut again. Wylin was just coming down the steps, a frown of concern on his face. Behind him came Denyon.

  "I was wondering where you'd gotten to,” Wylin said.

  "Oh, I forgot something and went to the house for a hunt.” She winced mentally. Hunt! Do not think of hunting!

  "Didn't find it?” He looked at her empty hands inquiringly.

  "I must have left it back on the scout ship.” She gave a small laugh. “I'll have a look for it when I take the data collector back there tomorrow."

  "You have everything you need?” Denyon was studying her closely.

  "Information to send, yes. While Father and Hanna are studying that, I'll start to get soil and food samples."

  Wylin went up the steps and back into the hut, saying as he did so, “I brought you some sandwiches."

  "Great.” She started up the steps, only to have Denyon place his hand on her shoulder and stop her when she drew level with him.

  He studied her closely before inhaling deeply. His pupils slitted and the black threads in his eyes writhed. He didn't say anything.

  Tera gave him a bold look back and continued up the steps and into the hut.

  Argons were never embarrassed by their sexuality.

  "By the way, Tera,” Wylin said conversationally. “Did you hear any growling and snarling last night? I reckon there must have been a lycat or something in the bushes nearby, hunting something."

  Okay, they were almost never embarrassed.

  * * * *

  "The Felys still have visitors.” Mitzi twirled around in her chair. “The red light denoting the presence of the visitors is still on the screen in the Felys’ settlement."

  "So what?” With a grunt, Calean hefted the drill onto his shoulder.

  "I want to know what they're up to."

  "So does Ropar, so just keep watch on things. My personal point of view is that as long as the Felys stay on their side, and we stay on our side, all is well with our world."

  Mitzi sniffed.

  "I know, I know,” Calean said. “I'm too easy going."

  "Another thing to worry about. If they find out what we're doing, Calean, we won't be popular."

  "They won't."

  Mitzi sniffed again.

  "If you don't stop that, you can sleep outside tonight,” Calean growled.

  She waited until he'd left the room, then she stuck her finger up rudely in his direction. Ignorant bastard. Someone had to worry.

  Turning back to the radar, she scratched her ear idly while watching the settlement light. Normally the only thing on the settlement light was the settlement. The Felys were under surveillance only for the sake of staying on their own side of the boundary. The only time an alarm went off was when a Felys stepped over the boundary, which hadn't happened in years.

  The red light, however, was the visitors. So who were they, and what were they doing at the Felys’ settlement? The Felys didn't welcome outsiders. And why was Ropar so curious about them? It wasn't like him to be too interested in the Felys and their movements, as long as they kept their feral arses on their side of the boundary.

  Curious, Mitzi ran her finger over the radar screen. It couldn't tell her any more than that there were visitors in the settlement. Damn it. She didn't like secrets. Scowling, she pulled on a whisker.

  * * * *

  "I trust you have a good explanation.” Denyon strode into Illam's kitchen.

  Illam didn't look up from c
utting a hunk of meat from a roasted haunch.

  "Tera reeks of your scent, Illam. It's all over her.” Placing his hands on the table, Denyon leaned forward. “Well?"

  "I'm not denying it."

  "Shit!"

  Illam flicked a glance at him. “You yourself said I should consider that I was attracted to her."

  "Oh, double shit!"

  "I have come to the conclusion that I am attracted to her."

  "By Jocat!"

  "So attracted, in fact, that I hunted her last night."

  Denyon's mouth fell open.

  "Come, why do you look so surprised? It was your suggestion first that I might be attracted to her."

  "You said you couldn't stand her!"

  "Changed my mind."

  "You hunted her?” Denyon dropped down into a chair and stared at his friend disbelievingly.

  "I stalked her with only one thought in my mind.” Using his teeth, Illam tore a piece of meat off from the hunk he held. “I lured her out into the bushes and—"

  "By Delcat!"

  "We haven't mated properly yet. It's still the hunt."

  "Well, can't you stop it?"

  Illam gave him a droll look.

  "This is not good."

  "It's not bad from where I'm standing.” Illam grinned a little.

  Blowing out a deep breath, Denyon slumped back in the chair and looked at his friend.

  Illam regarded him calmly.

  "Wylin will castrate you if he finds you diddling with Tera."

  Illam's face darkened. “I am not diddling with Tera."

  "Whatever. If he finds out—"

  "I somehow doubt there will be a problem,” Illam returned. “Their race is sexually active.” Score one for me.

  "So are we, but mostly with our own kind. What am I supposed to tell Sarcan and Kiile? ‘Thanks for all your help. And, oh yes, your daughter and healer is now having sex with one of my Felys males.’”

  "That ought to do it.” Illam chewed on the meat cheerfully.

  "You bastard! How can you be so calm?"

  "I've met my mate—"

  "Your mate?"

  "Oddly enough, that's exactly the same words and expression Tera used when I said that to her."

  "You told Tera?” Denyon looked like he was going to choke.

  "I gave her fair warning of the hunt.” Illam tore off another mouthful of meat.