Unending Desire: Outlawed Realm, Book 1 (26 page)

His expression revealed nothing. Regina’s hand went to Nikoli’s back. She whispered, “Who is it?”

“My father.”

At the shame she heard, Regina turned to Nikoli, wanting to tell him he’d done nothing wrong. He’d helped his people.

His father spoke before she could, using E2’s language, his manner neutral, as though he were speaking to a stranger, not his son.

Nikoli answered in kind, without emotion.

Regina looked from one to the other, helpless to understand what they discussed. It was only when the pace of their words quickened that she sensed they were arguing.

Nikoli’s father had the final word. The men stared at each other, neither speaking. At last, the older man turned to Regina and continued in English. “My son understands what you refuse to accept. He has no right to love you, not only because of our people, but also for your continued safety and his. Nikoli’s feelings will only bring harm to each of you.”

Regina’s throat tightened.

“Do you want him to come to harm?” the man asked.

“No,” she cried. “Of course not.”

“Then tell him you understand,” the man ordered her. “Tell him he’ll always have to hide from those on your side or be taken prisoner and studied like an animal. Tell him his life is here on E2 with his—”

“Father,” Nikoli cut in, also in English. “Enough.”

Not heeding his son’s warning, the man continued, “This woman has nothing to offer you except uncertainty and pain. You have nothing to offer her but continued fear.”

“That’s not true,” Regina argued. “I’m willing to go through anything as long as I have Nikoli at my side.” Reaching up, she touched the edge of his jaw, turning his face to hers.

“Anything,” she whispered to him.

He swallowed. “I don’t want to bring you pain.”

“You won’t,” she insisted, then spoke to his father. “I love your son more than you could ever know.”

The older man’s expression hardened. “Your kind knows nothing. That’s why you’re plagued with poverty, chaos, endless wars. You want that kind of existence for Nikoli? You want him to come to harm to gratify your own needs for the futility of what you call love?”

“I want him to be happy,” she countered. “I want him to be safe. Can you promise Nikoli that on your side?”

“I know Sazaar bit him,” he said. “I’ve already explained to Nikoli that we have the means to rid him of her poison.”

“Only if you risk your position,” Nikoli cut in, then shook his head. “I can’t do that to you, Father. I won’t see you lose everything you’ve worked for. To have you marked as a traitor, the same as me. The only way to spare you would be to deliver myself to the authorities and face—”

“No!” Regina turned to his father. “Nikoli risked his life for your people and for me. He’s no traitor. You know that. Tell him that.”

“She speaks the truth,” the older man said to Nikoli, a hint of desperation creeping into his words. “Come home, please. I give you my word, my position will protect you.”

“That’s not what I meant,” Regina cried, “and you know it.”

The older man ignored her and spoke to Nikoli. “If you love the woman, do what’s right by her. Together, you have no future. You were not meant to be. You have no home on either side. Leave her to her life over there. Allow her to find some happiness and peace.”

Uncertainty filled Nikoli’s eyes. Regina’s stomach twisted at what else she saw. Longing not only to be with her but also to keep her safe.

“I’m all right,” she insisted, taking his free hand. “I want this, Nikoli. I want you.”

“She claims that now,” his father argued, “but what of the days to come? What happens if you can’t adapt to her side? If you’re found out? What will her people do to her? Please, show her what your love really means, how much you do care for her.”

Anguish flooded Nikoli’s features.

Regina tightened her fingers around his. He didn’t respond to her touch.

“Use your device to return,” his father coaxed. “It’s as I told you before—with the monsters gone, our security will allow it. Go on, use it.”

Nikoli poised his thumb over its screen.

At the thought of never seeing him again, Regina begged, “Please don’t do this. Certainty doesn’t matter to me, Nikoli. I want you.”

“Our realm needs you,” his father said. “I need you.”

Nikoli stared at his device.

“Please,” Regina repeated.

He pulled in a ragged breath. “I never wanted to hurt anyone or for matters to end like this.” A world of pain tinged his words. “I wanted only to protect, to—I’m sorry.”

A helpless cry caught in Regina’s throat, the same as when her mother had died. Then, she’d had no power to change events, no different than now. The choice lay with Nikoli.

At last, he made it, pulling his hand from hers.

Regina’s hand flew to her mouth.

His father shouted, “No!”

With Nikoli’s throw, the instrument sailed through the air, landing in the center of the fire. Flames melted and consumed it, giving him no means to return. His father had opened a portal but only to view his son, to reason with him, not to allow Nikoli entrance into E2.

For that, his son would have to act on his own.

Regina could hardly believe that Nikoli had chosen them over honor, duty, the only world he’d known. Even though the truth was indisputable, she couldn’t stop shivering.

Pulling her into his arms, Nikoli spoke to his father. “Forgive me, I can’t leave her. No matter what we face, I’ll never leave her.”

Regina clung to him. Past Nikoli’s arm, she saw his father’s grief, an emotion he’d been trained to suppress from birth. One he could no longer deny given the enormity of his loss. He seemed ready to argue, to reason, but in the end said nothing, all of his energy seeming to have drained away. Glancing at one of the monitors, he moved his hand over it.

“Father,” Nikoli called out as the portal began to close.

The older man looked up.

“I love you,” Nikoli said.

He regarded Nikoli for a long moment, as though memorizing his son’s face, then murmured, “I will miss you, my child.”

He sounded so forlorn and lost.

As the last of the gateway sealed, keeping him forever on this side, Nikoli hugged Regina even closer.

Moments passed in silence. She didn’t know what to say, what she could say to soften his pain. At length, she whispered, “I’m so sorry.”

He pressed his cheek to hers. “For us?”

“Oh God, no. Never.” She held him tightly, wanting to protect, desperate to show her love. “You’ve given up everything you’ve known, Nikoli. Your family, your people, your world.”

He inhaled so deeply his chest pressed into hers.

Releasing his air on a tattered sigh, he said, “I’m not sorry. I’ll never be sorry.” He brushed his mouth over hers, his breath warming her lips. “Whatever happens in the future, wherever our journey takes us, know this—you are my world.”

About the Author

Tina Donahue is an award-winning, bestselling novelist in erotic, paranormal, contemporary and historical romance for Samhain Publishing, Ellora’s Cave, and Kensington
. Booklist, Publisher’s Weekly,
Romantic Times
and numerous online sites have praised her work. Three of her erotic romances were named finalists in the 2011 EPIC competition. The French review site, Blue Moon reviews, chose one of her erotic romances as their Book of the Year 2010 (erotic category). The Golden Nib Award at Miz Love Loves Books was created specifically for one of her erotic romances, and another of her titles recently received an Award of Merit in the RWA Holt Medallion competition (2011). She was the editor of an award–winning Midwestern newspaper and worked in Story Direction for a Hollywood production company.

Email:
[email protected]

Website/blog:
www.tinadonahue.com

Twitter:
www.twitter.com/tinadonahue

Facebook:
www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000458023097

Look for these titles from Tina Donahue

Now Available:

The Yearning

To break this curse, they’ll have to turn the heat up. Way up…

The Yearning

© 2011 Tina Donahue

Jasmine Dante prowls Key West’s nightlife, fighting a losing battle against a jealous rival’s curse that forces her to seek carnal pleasure, no matter the danger. Weakened from lack of sleep, driven by insatiable lust, she spots a man who stirs her desperate craving, and begins yet another dance of seduction.

Except the dark stranger who returns her direct stare is no ordinary lover. Inside his powerful body lies a raw sexuality that just might be enough to break her curse. There’s only one way to find out: imprison him in her bed and feed on his passion.

Former U.S. Marshal Mike Stearn is many things, but he’s no woman’s sex slave. The deadly telekinetic power he ruthlessly suppresses comes alive again at Jasmine’s touch. Beneath her bold, potent sensuality he senses vulnerability and desperation. He may be in handcuffs, but she’s the one who’s enslaved.

As Mike resurrects his power to free himself so he can find the curse’s source and defeat it, Jasmine revels in his masterful rule. Her ravenous yearning evolves into rapture as she surrenders to his hunger, her darkest needs—and the emotional connection that lies beyond. Unless the curse takes her life first…

Warning: Tons of steamy sex, smoldering passion and a to-die-for love story with a hot Alpha hero who finds himself imprisoned by one sultry and desperate babe.

Enjoy the following excerpt for
The Yearning:

Desire compelled Jasmine forward even as a thread of panic stole up her spine. Had Violet and Lily seen them leave the floor? If not, how long would it be before they noticed? Where was he taking her?

His earlier comment nagged. He didn’t have anything planned for the next couple of days or nights.

Jasmine forced down a swallow. She’d asked about work to learn if he’d be missed immediately. Too easily, he told her he would not. Her sisters would be pleased if she lured him to their house tonight. If not, where would she end up?

Dizzy with ambivalence, she allowed him to lead her past the restrooms and a small, cluttered office. He paused at the opened back door where two club employees enjoyed a smoke and shared laughter. The young men cast them a look, then exchanged knowing glances. Sly smiles plumped their youthful cheeks as they discarded their cigarettes and moved past, returning to their jobs.

Mike brought her outside. Late-summer air, humid and heavy with the ocean’s tang, enveloped her. The dimly lit alley stretched the length of this establishment and the other businesses. Her heart jumped at the metallic clack of the door closing. She heard traffic whooshing by on the next street. Faint music pumped from the club. Laughter floated on the gentle breeze, coming from an unknown place, since she and Mike were the only ones around. She asked, “Why are we back here?”

His mouth captured hers. Her apprehension fell away, turning into stark need. She tried to slip her arm over his shoulder. He stopped her, taking her wrist and tearing his mouth free. “Not here.”

Her heels clicked on the asphalt as he led her to the adjacent building, set back from the club and closed for the night. He stopped next to a door stenciled with fading white letters stating: Delivery Only. If the same young men or others came outside for a smoke, they wouldn’t see her or him.

Without warning, images of Travis sped through her mind. Him ordering her to undress in the secluded apartment above his shop. Her wrists and ankles lashed to his bed. His frightening smile.

Jasmine’s heart crashed into her chest. She looked at Mike, her emotions torn between worry and craving.

“I won’t hurt you,” he said, reading her fear. Holding her face gently, he studied her, his dark eyes concerned. “Have you been raped?”

It never got that far. Her sisters had arrived and—she shook her head, not wanting to think about it. “No.”

“But someone hurt you.”

Her mind saw the belt in Travis’s hand. She recalled its whistle as it hit the air. “He tried. I got away.”

“A boyfriend?”

She lied. “Yes.” Her voice sounded strange, strangled as she next offered the truth. “He seemed fine at first. I didn’t know he was doing meth and that he’d injured another woman. He got crazy and—” She couldn’t continue.

Mike’s thumbs skimmed her jawline, stoking her pulse, making her limp and restless for more.

“Why did you choose me tonight?” he asked.

Her smile wobbled, feeling weird. “Like I said before, I liked the way you handled that young woman. You were the perfect gentleman.”

“That may be, but I wasn’t the only one showing restraint. The bouncer was a regular sweetheart.”

Her smile widened. “I’m sure he’s a nice guy and really I don’t want to sound unkind, but he’s not you. Haven’t you seen yourself in a mirror recently?” She could scarcely hold back her wonder. “You’re freaking awesome.”

He barked a laugh. “Bullshit.”

“You are.” She touched his bottom lip with her fingers, breathless at its silkiness. Her words rushed out. “I spotted you the moment I reached the dance floor. It pissed me off when the redhead got to you first. The server told me there were a dozen other women interested in you. Could be she was lying. It might have been more. That’s why I sent you the beer. It was the only way I knew to get you to notice me.”

His eyes rounded in amazement. “You wouldn’t be putting me on now, would you?”

She reached for her purse. “I have a mirror. You really should look at your—”

“Fuck that.” He lowered his head and captured her mouth.

An indecent grunt tore from the back of her throat. Lips parting, she accepted his tongue, needing its wet warmth more than she required oxygen or food. She tasted a hint of the beer he’d drank, along with his flavor, which spoke of cleanliness and good health. His chin and upper lip rasped hers with his beginning stubble.

She wound her arms around him. Eager to touch, her hands moved up and down his muscled back.