She ran her tongue over his hip bone and he shuddered under her with a fierce groan. A smile curved her lips as she continued to suckle the skin over the sensitive bone. His sharp intake of breath sent a thrill through her. He reached his hands down and lifted her up to his lips where he kissed her fiercely, his tongue dancing across her lips, her throat.
Nykyrian jerked her gown off, over her head. His hands returned to play across her breasts, their touch burning her with their restrained strength. His eyes glowed warm ly as he stared at her. Kiara thought he wanted to say something, but instead, he dipped his head down to her neck and nipped her throat, sending waves of chills over her.
Her body throbbed for him, ached for him. She ran her hand over the scars on his back, wishing she could breach the scars of his mind until he admitted she m eant something to him, that he did love her. Her throat tightened in pain. Even if he did, they both knew he would have to let her go.
In desperation to banish the reality of life, she pulled his lips to hers and urged him to soothe the one ache of her body that he could. She gasped as he slid into her, holding him close, reveling in the brief time they did have.
They made love slowly as the sun set on their isolated little planet. Kiara welcomed the feel of his strength in her and around her.
She touched his face, trying to memorize every perfect line. She gripped him tightly as she found her physical release. Nykyrian joined her. His arms tightened around her ribs to the point she couldn't breathe, but at the moment, she didn't really want to.
He pulled away from her and opened his mouth to speak. Kiara waited, hoping it would be the words she longed to hear from him.
The link's whistle rent the air. "Nykyrian!"
He frowned at her before reaching for his link on the bedside table. "Caillen? How the hell did you get another one of our links?"
"I found this one at Shahara's along with a contract signed by her for yours and Rachol's lives. I haven't seen her, Rachol, or Kasen for weeks. I came over here to find Shahara, and I find all this. Just what the hell's going on?"
Kiara studied Nykyrian's frown. "Do you think Rachol's alive?" she asked.
He shrugged. "Where are you?"
"Shahara's flat."
"Is there anything else of Rachol's there?"
The pause stretched out. Nykyrian's body tensed under her hands.
"Yeah. I've got his flight jacket. You don't think Shahara's hurt him, do you?"
Nykyrian clenched his teeth and looked at Kiara. "How should I know, she's your sister."
"If she'd killed him, she wouldn't have taken trophies. That's not her way. They have to be together."
Nykyrian sighed, whether from relief or frustration, Kiara couldn't tell. "I've got somewhere I need to be in a few hours. Why don't you meet me at Jayne's around ten and we can try and figure out this mess."
"All right. I'll keep trying to contact Shahara and Kasen until then."
Nykyrian tossed the link aside and rubbed his hands across his face. "It just keeps getting thicker," he mumbled.
Kiara frowned. "Isn't this good news?" she asked, stroking his hair away from his face.
"Rachol's alive."
Nykyrian sighed. "Who knows what this means."
Kiara grabbed the pillow from the bed, and lobbed it upside his head. "Lighten up!"
He stared at her in startled am azement.
"You deserved it," she said defensively. "If you say one more negative thing, I'll wallop you again!"
One corner of his mouth lifted. Before she could figure out what that signified, he had her down on the bed tickling her.
Kiara laughed, her sides aching. "Enough!" she said, trying to squirm out from under him.
He quit tickling her. His breath fell against her cheek, his naked body pressing against hers. "I don't know how I'm going to let you go," he whispered in a ragged voice.
"Then don't," she said, toying with the blond hair cascading over his shoulders. "You don't have to."
His eyes went dead. "We both know that's impossible."
Kiara traced the line of his lips. "I bet if someone had told you six months ago that you would smile for me, you'd have said the same thing."
Nykyrian moved to pull away, but Kiara wrapped her arms and legs around him, holding him close to her. "I'm not giving up on you. I have a feeling people have done that your entire life. I intend to fight for you, Nykyrian. I'll die for you if I have to."
"That's what I fear," he said quietly, and slipped out of her hold.
Kiara lay there, listening to him enter the bathroom. Her heart beat a painful rhythm in her breast. She had always thought love was supposed to be easy. Why hadn't someone warned her that love didn't answer all of life's problems, it just created more.
Turning over onto her side, she heard him enter the shower. There had to be some way for them to be together. She vowed to herself to find that way, no m atter what.
Fourteen
The line at Camry's was huge, as usual. Kiara's stomach rumbled hungrily. She dreaded the long wait. Pausing at the end of the line, she was surprised when Nykyrian tugged her elbow and led her to the front.
"What are you doing?" she whispered.