Eve Vaughn (8 page)

“That’s fabulous news.” Holly hugged her.

Bella smirked. “I knew you two had the hots for each other.” Sydney didn’t mind their playful ribbing. In the past it might have embarrassed her, but letting go of her inhibitions had opened her up to a whole horizon of emotions.

“Yes, you did. I’m probably the only one who didn’t see it.” Holly placed her hand on Sydney’s arm. “So tell us what happened. That jerk Bennett told us about Jack getting wounded and you staying behind, but he wouldn’t give details.”

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Sydney relayed the events, giving as much description as possible without including the more intimate moments between her and Jack. They were personal and she wanted those memories for herself.

“Wow. You two have come a long way,” Bella observed.

Sydney shook her head. “No.
We’ve
come a long way. Who would have thought out of such adversity we’d find the men of our dreams?” Holly’s cheeks colored to a becoming shade of red. “You’re right. I don’t know what I would do if it weren’t for Chase.”

“And I feel the same about Dar.”

“It certainly makes our upcoming task less daunting with them by our sides.” Sydney knew there were rough times ahead, but somehow she was no longer afraid.

“Come on in, Chase,” Jack called out when he heard the tap on the bedroom door.

To his surprise it wasn’t Chase, but Anna. She stepped into the room hesitantly.

“Chase was called away for something. I hope you don’t mind my bringing the things you’ve requested up to you.”

Jack stiffened. He knew Anna well enough to realize she had an ulterior motive for coming here and frankly, Jack wasn’t in the mood for any more drama. “What do you want, Anna?” Wary of her presence, Jack knew he’d have to exercise some caution when he spoke with her.

She nibbled on her bottom lip, her eyes downcast. “There was a time when you wouldn’t have minded my coming to talk to you.”

“That’s when you weren’t being so hard to deal with. Look, Sydney will be up here any minute so if you have something to say then please get it over with and leave.”

“Do you mind if I join you?” She pointed to the bed.

Jack scooted over to allow her room to sit while ensuring there was enough distance between them. “Come on.”

She placed the items in her hand on the nightstand and sat next to him. Anna clasped her hands tightly in her lap. “I’m not sure where to begin.”

“The beginning would be nice.” Jack spoke through gritted teeth, hoping Sydney wouldn’t come anytime soon. He didn’t want her to get the wrong idea.

“I’ve not been acting like myself and it probably has a lot to do with the fact that I lost my family around this time of year. Remember?” Jack groaned. How could he have forgotten? He’d always been a shoulder for Anna to cry on. This time around he’d been so wrapped up in taking down the

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Cyrellians and dealing with Sydney he’d completely forgotten. “I’m sorry. Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I never needed to before.”

“You’re right. I should have been more aware of what was going on around me, but it still didn’t give you the right to lash out at everyone the way you did.”

“I know that and I’m terribly sorry for the way I’ve acted. I don’t want to be angry anymore, Jack, but it hurts to let go of you.”

“But you never had me, Anna, at least not in any romantic terms. I’d made it clear from the beginning that I didn’t think it would be a good idea for you and me to jeopardize our friendship. I should have stood by my principles although it’s really no excuse; I am a man and you’re a very beautiful woman.” A blush colored her cheeks. “I didn’t think you noticed.” Jack chuckled lightly. “Oh, I’ve noticed. What hot-blooded man wouldn’t?”

“You never said anything.”

“What would that have accomplished? You already know you’re gorgeous. Yes, I acknowledged your beauty, but it didn’t mean I had any amorous feelings toward you.

In the back of my mind, I guess I always kind of knew you felt more for me than I did for you. I didn’t want you to get the wrong impression.” She placed her hand on his arm. “But we made love.”

“No. We had sex. I’ve only ever made love to one woman in my entire life, and that was Sydney.”

“You sure know how to crush a girl’s ego.”

“Maybe if I were more honest with you to begin with, it wouldn’t have come to this. But would you really want someone who can’t love you back in the way you deserve?”

“I’ve wanted more than friendship for so long. I took advantage of your good nature when I suggested we could become lovers. I know I said I could handle a no strings attached affair, but I thought if we made love, you’d fall for me too.” Anna looked at him wide tear-filled eyes.

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“What happened between us shouldn’t have, and I’m sorry for hurting you, but I love Sydney. If you’re going to be angry with someone, be angry with me. I shouldn’t have let the little head think for the big one.”

“How can you love someone you haven’t known that long?”

“I don’t know, Anna, but if love is based on the amount of time you know someone, I’d be in love with you. Don’t blame her for my feelings. She doesn’t deserve it.”

Anna pointed to her bruised eye. “And I deserved this?”

“I’m not saying you did, but if you push someone far enough, they’re likely to snap. I’m not asking the two of you to become bosom buddies, but I’d appreciate it if you could at least be cordial with one another. Sydney is willing to make the effort if you are.”

Anna pouted mutinously. She didn’t seem as though she was willing to relent.

“Please, Anna.”

Her face fell, and a tear dropped from her eye to land on her lap. “You’re never going to love me back, are you?”

Jack shook his head. Hurting her hadn’t been his intention, but he refused to apologize for loving Sydney. “No. I love you, but as a friend. Your friendship means a lot to me, Anna, and seeing you upset makes me unhappy.” She lowered her head. “After I lost my family, I clung to you for support.” Jack placed his good arm around her shoulder. “And I’ll still be here if you need me.”

Anna sniffed. “When you didn’t show interest in any other woman, I believed I still had a chance, but that changed when
she
came along.”

“Her name is Sydney.”

“I know, but give me some time to get used to the idea of you and her together.

I’ll eventually accept having her around, but I doubt I could handle losing your friendship.”

“You never will.”

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She leaned over and kissed his lips. “Thank you, Jack.” Sydney chose that moment to show up. When the door opened, Jack stiffened, not knowing what she’d think when she saw him and Anna together.

“Am I interrupting anything?” She didn’t sound upset. Jack removed his arm from Anna’s shoulders and scooted away from her anyway.

Anna stood up. “No. I was just leaving. Thanks again, Jack.” She brushed past Sydney and closed the door behind her.

Jack stood up. “It isn’t what you think.”

“Oh? And what am I thinking?”

“That something inappropriate was happening?”

“Actually I wasn’t. Will you need help taking off your shirt or can you do it on your own?”

“I think I can manage. So does this mean you’re not upset with me?” She raised a brow. “Should I be?”

“No.”

“Good.” She took a clean cloth and dampened it with some rubbing alcohol. “Off with that shirt. We’ve probably gone long enough without taking care of your wound.” Jack slowly removed his shirt and untied the makeshift bandage, gritting his teeth through the pain.

Sydney moved behind him to examine his injury properly. “It doesn’t look too bad actually. This will probably sting a bit.” She pressed the alcohol-soaked rag against his wound.

“Son of a bitch!” he yelled.

“I said it would hurt.”

“A bit, not this damn much.”

“You’ve been a trouper up until now. Don’t spoil it with your whining.”

“Let’s see how you handle a piece of metal shoved in your back.”

“It was just a flesh wound.”

“You should at least kiss it and make it better,” Jack grumbled.

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“Will you feel better?”

“Most definitely.”

Leaning forward, she gently pressed her lips against his injured flesh. “How’s that?”

“I feel better already.”

Sydney didn’t speak again until he was patched up. “There. You’re all set. You should be as good as new soon.”

“I know what else will make me feel better.”

She took a seat on his lap. “Oh? And what’s that?”

“Another kiss.”

“I think I can accommodate that request.” She ran her tongue along the seam of his lips before pressing her mouth against his. “How’s that?” He scrunched his face, pretending to contemplate her question. “I’m not sure. I think I’ll need another to decide.”

Sydney giggled before kissing him again. She cupped his face between her palms and speared her tongue between his slightly parted lips, dominating and exploring his mouth. When she finally pulled away, he was breathless and rock hard.

“Wow. If I get any more of those, I think I might recover a lot sooner.”

“Well, there’s plenty more where that came from.”

Jack pulled her close to him, nuzzling the silky texture of her neck and reveling in the heady scent of her. He knew now without a doubt he had her absolute trust, heart, body, and soul. With Sydney by his side, nothing would stop him.

Children of the Dust…

Jack surveyed the carnage around him. He lifted his eye patch to scan the city with his bionic eye to determine how much of an effort it would take to rebuild things.

It looked like an absolute wasteland. Lowering his eye patch once again, he bowed his head to pay respects to his lost comrades.

Chaos reigned supreme.

It had been several months since the first attack on the Cyrellians began, led by a band of brave freedom fighters. Their numbers were small at first, but soon the people of Earth began to realize the harm caused by their alien “benefactors.” Unfortunately there were those who sympathized with the creatures who’d restored Earth to its former glory. They stood at the side of the Cyrellians, unaware they were being used as pawns. The aliens planned to use them in their war to finish what the Cyrellians had started. Destroying the Earth.

They’d already bled the Earth of most of its natural resources, but they were far from finished with what they’d started and were not willing to give up without a fight.

Having access to deadlier weapons, they had the early advantage, discouraging those who would rise up against them. Because most people now knew the truth about their plans, they no longer worked in secrecy.

The freedom fighters continued, despite the seemingly insurmountable odds against them.

Days turned into weeks, which flowed into months. For each Cyrellian casualty, a dozen humans fell. Were it not for a core group of fighters led by Jack, hope would have been lost. Rallying his forces, he inspired in others the will to take up the cause.

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More fighters joined their ranks, willing to give their lives for the freedom they’d been long denied. The technology they’d come to depend on was no more, destroyed as a consequence of the war. Lives were lost, and despair was never far behind, but the people of Earth continued to fight on.

Soon mini-battles were won throughout the cities of Earth and the Cyrellians realized though they might have had the firepower, the people of Earth had the heart.

The brave people of Earth eventually defeated the enemy after taking over key command posts. No mercy was shown to the Cyrellians who’d given them none.

They’d finally won what they fought for and for so long hadn’t realized they’d lost.

Their independence.

A hand fell on his shoulder. “We’ll rebuild our home and make it better than ever,” Sydney whispered softly.

Jack nodded. He took her hand in his and held on tight. Their world was in ruins, but the Children of the Dust would live on, and Operation Resurrection would begin.

has enjoyed creating characters and making up stories from an early age. As a child she was always getting into mischief, so when she lost her television privileges (which was often), writing was her outlet. Her stories have gotten quite a bit spicier since then! Eve likes to read, bake, make crafts, travel, and spend time with her family. She lives in the Philadelphia area with her husband and pet turtle. She loves to hear from her fans, so feel free to contact her at [email protected], join her Yahoo!

group at [email protected] and visit her website at http://www.evevaughn.com.