The Space Colonel's Woman (Dragonus Chronicles Book 1) Read online

  “What’s in the fridge?”

  She was hungry, but not enough to get dressed and go to the Mess hall for dinner.

  “Zefeiran ale.” He chuckled as she tickled his ribs. “Chocolate.”

  “Now, that’s more like it.” She murmured as visions of tasting the combination of chocolate and Mark as she explored his mouth, drifted through her mind…

  Chapter 14

  “Do you want to meet up for lunch?” Julia asked as she adjusted the waistband of her BDUs and pulled her jacket from the chair.

  “Meeting Coop.”

  “In the gym?” She chuckled, already knowing what his answer would be.

  Mark raised an eyebrow in her direction and she bit her lower lip to keep back her laughter.

  “Yep, last time I stayed on my feet for an entire four minutes.”

  The reluctant grin playing on his lips drew her into his open arms. Julia hugged him tight and low around his waist.

  “My poor colonel. Would you like some moral support?”

  He cupped her face in his warm hands, resting his forehead against hers. She stilled, caught in the hypnotic stare of his whiskey eyes.

  “You just wanna watch me get my ass kicked.”

  He shook his head and laughed; the mischievous twinkle in Julia’s eyes giving her away. She hadn’t denied his accusation.

  “I love watching you move.”

  “Well…” He paused, words elusive against the husky warmth of her lips pressed to the underside of his freshly-shaven jaw. “When you put it like that…who am I to deny you pleasure?”

  She relished in the knowledge that her kisses were capable of scrambling his thoughts, just as effectively as his scattered hers. Mark arched his neck, giving her all the access she wanted.

  “You’re my pleasure. But I have to go. Shift starts in fifteen minutes.”

  He ducked his head into her hair and breathed in her scent. “You sure about that, Beautiful?”

  His hands cupped over the curves of her ass and ground Julia in against his hips. She could feel how aroused he was, and groaned with a need that would have to wait.

  “Yes…no…ah…can I have a different question, please?”

  Her body responded eagerly to his coaxing; hands and lips skilled at making her forget everything, except him. She moaned her surrender and stood between his legs as he sat back on their bed. Her hands dragging up the length of his spread thighs as she kneeled.

  “Plenty of time.” He gasped, breath coming in short sharp exhales of anticipation.

  “I think you might be right, Colonel.”

  Julia let her tongue lick over the shape of her lips, hands busy undoing his BDUs. He shuddered when her hand encircled him; eyes amber-rimmed pools of black as she lowered her mouth.

  “Oh, fuck!”

  Mark arched into the warm heat surrounding him; took his weight on his straightened arms. His eyelids fluttering closed, lashes dusty fans over flushed cheeks as Julia’s attention to detail sent him climbing. He fisted a handful of fiery chaos where it spilled across his lap and thrust once, twice, and again before collapsing back on the bed; chest heaving beneath the soft black of his tee.

  “Damn, Beautiful.” He praised between ragged inhales, his flanks trembling. “Give me a minute and I’ll…”

  Julia smirked, licked her lips as she pressed her weight along his body to kiss him. “No time.”

  “Pay you back tonight.” A spark of eager determination flared in his eyes, sparking off the last tendrils of his afterglow.

  “I’ll hold you to that.”

  She winked and pushed herself up from the bed only to stoop for her jacket, where it lay on the floor at her feet. Then, crunching into an apple from the fridge, she headed for the door. “See you later, Colonel.”

  Mark’s head fell back onto the mattress and he stared up at the ceiling; a stunned expression on his flushed face.

  “Amazing.”

  ~*~

  Julia bumped into Ange in the corridor outside Colonel Archer’s office, each woman grasping the other’s shoulders to right themselves.

  “Hey, can you get to the gym at lunchtime?”

  Ange nodded; color blooming hot and bright across her cheeks as she tucked her hair behind her ear with a shaky hand.

  “I’ll meet you there.” She winked over her shoulder and continued on her way to the Birdcage.

  Julia realized word had got out when she strode into the crowded gym at twelve-thirteen and sat in the space Ange had saved for her. Like sharks, the Marines had smelled blood in the water and wanted front row seats for the feeding frenzy. Mark liked to win, but if he had to lose, at least it would be to Hayden. There was no shame in having your ass handed to you by the six-foot-five ex-commander of the Thuranian Knights.

  It was highly probable Hayden had forgotten more about hand-to-hand combat than any of the Earthers would ever know. The only question was how long it would take Hayden to drop his team leader and Phoenix City’s military commander to the mats.

  Mark stood to his full height of six-three, body tense, expression clear and focused. He had blocked out the audience, gaze fixed on Hayden across the three feet of mat between them. A wooden staff held like an extension of his right arm.

  Hayden smirked and twirled his staff between long dexterous fingers. The muted light teased the whorls of body art where they curled over the flexing tendons in his wrist.

  “You ready?”

  “As I’ll ever be.”

  Mark crouched, his body coiled to spring at the first sign of Hayden’s attack; refusing to fall into making the first move.

  They circled the floor of the gym, gazes locked. A dance both men had done many times before. Hayden lunged, silver-white hair flicking around his shoulders as he brought his staff down; blur of speed and brute force. Mark reacted just as fast, raising to deflect, grimacing at the jarring impact and shoved, breaking the contact. Hayden perfect teeth glowed bright in contrast to his caramel tan. He’d been testing Mark’s reactions, and now, the real fight would begin. Judging by the look on Mark’s face, he’d come to the same conclusion. He rolled his shoulders, tipped his head to each side, then crouched – staff poised and waiting.

  Hayden exposed his flank in an overhead move he repeated in a relentless onslaught, Mark held on the defensive, unable to deflect and attack at the same time. He parried, stepping back to keep his balance under each new assault. Hayden just kept at him. The air filled with the short sharp cracks of wood on wood.

  “Oh God, I have to have me some of that!” Ange whispered huskily, more to herself than to anyone in particular. The expression on her flushed face suggesting she’d have no trouble at all devouring Hayden whole. Julia nodded, unable to form words as she tugged at her tee and shifted her ass. Ange had a point.

  When she glanced at her watch, Julia gave a little fist pump of glee. Three minutes and twelve seconds in and her colonel was still on his feet.

  With the next attack, every spectator witnessed the deadliness of a panther striking its prey. Mark sprang forward the moment Hayden’s arms were past his shoulders, caught Hayden’s midriff, shunting him back a couple of steps, a second before Hayden brought his staff down on Mark’s undefended back.

  Julia pulled her knees up, wrapping her arms around them and grimacing, eyes squished shut. Her belly churned in sympathy. Damn, that had to have hurt.

  Mark stumbled, regained his feet and spun to face Hayden. He held his staff like a sword, his knuckles white around its girth, lips pressed in a thin tight line. Fury at being chastised in front of his men dimmed from Mark’s eyes as he ratcheted it back, refocused on Hayden, and tried to read the next move in the muscular lines of his friend’s body.

  The smirk playing on Hayden’s lush lips did nothing to help matters. He was enjoying this far too much. Like an exotic cat playing with a mouse. Hayden attacked from above too fast for even Julia to catch the movement. Mark stretched to the limit of his reach, thrust up his staff and spu
n so his back was to Hayden, rammed his elbow into the rigid twelve pack hard enough to make Hayden grunt, ducked under his arm and away.

  “Yes!” Julia offered another fist pump in support of her man.

  It was Mark’s turn to smirk and twirl his staff. Hayden arched a brow, the realization that he’d have to work for today’s win easing the lines of cheek and chiseled jaw.

  Six minutes and forty eight seconds.

  Mark thrust his staff straight out, and Hayden met it with a glancing blow. Repetitive hollow clunks filling the air as both men traded quick blows. Drawing it out for the sake of their audience. There was no advantage for a minute or so, until Hayden circled his staff; twisting Mark’s arm at an awkward angle before thrusting his thigh into his team leader’s abs. Doubled over and clutching his middle, Mark staggered out of Hayden’s immediate reach; pouting as he gulped in short shallow breaths. But, he was still on his feet.

  Hayden leaped into the air, torso and arms flexing to bring his staff down in a deadly arc, the follow through carrying him round in a circle. Mark had seen it coming and ducked; the moment Hayden’s back was to him, he charged, ramming shoulder into broad back. Hayden grunted, shunting back his elbow and clipping Mark under the chin with enough force Julia heard teeth clack together. Mark lay sprawled on the floor, staff rocking gently a foot from his loose fist, eyes rolling in time beneath closed lids.

  A hubbub of amused voices had risen around the gym.

  Mark groaned something unintelligible but accepted Hayden’s hand to clamber to his feet.

  “There is room for improvement still.” Hayden grinned, amused, and took his staff – along with Mark’s – to the storage rack on the wall.

  “Think we’d better wait till my eyes stop spinnin’ in their sockets before you give me any more…lessons.” Mark complained, palms braced on his hips as he stretched out his back.

  “You continue to learn.”

  Mark eyed him, wary, searching for signs of mirth and found none. “Thanks.”

  Hayden nodded, pivoting as Julia approached them.

  “Nine minutes, twenty-two seconds.” She whispered into Mark’s ear. “That’s an achievement worth celebrating, I think.”

  Mark made a noncommittal sound in his throat, his palms grazing up and down her forearms. “Did you enjoy yourself?”

  She ducked her head and leaned into the sweaty crook of his shoulder. “A little, yeah.”

  He scoffed, his laughter trickling hot and shivery down her spine. “Well, I aim to please.”

  “Keep that in mind tonight, Colonel. You’ve a debt to settle.”

  “I haven’t forgotten.” He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her into his side.

  The warmth of his breath added to the sparks of heat low in her belly.

  “I have to get back to work.”

  “I’ll see y’ later then.” Mark waggled his eyebrows and she laughed; a sound so full of happiness it made both men smile.

  “As soon as my shift ends.” Julia called over her shoulder and walked out the doors; the weight of Mark’s gaze warm on her ass.

  ~*~

  They sat at the edge of the quay, the remains of their picnic next to them. Her head resting on his shoulder and his arm wrapped around her, as their feet dangled above the calm water below.

  “You know, me watching you isn’t just about how sexy you when you move, right?” Mark made an interested sound in the back of his throat and waited for her to continue. “You never give up, no matter the odds, you always keep fighting. No matter what.”

  She could tell he was embarrassed by her words, but there was pride in the way he held himself too.

  “I feel safe when I’m with you, Mark Holden.” Mark tightened his hold around her shoulders and pressed his check to the top of her head. Julia left it at that; allowing him to process her words in his own time.

  It was twilight. The three visible moons hung luminous in a sky awash with pinks and oranges. Early stars twinkled in the last of the setting sun’s light. She closed her eyes and tilted her face into the gentle perfumed breeze as it lifted the hair from their faces.

  “Happy?”

  “How could I not be?” She sighed, a slow exhale of utter relaxation. “I’m here in this astonishing place. With you.”

  Pressed against his warmth like she was, with the weight of his arm across her back, there was nowhere in two galaxies she’d rather be.

  “You?”

  Mark did not answer immediately and Julia opened her eyes to look up at him.

  “I didn’t think I would ever feel like this again.” He murmured. “I wasn’t very good at it last time.”

  He picked up her hand and entwined their fingers.

  “Somehow.” Mark kept his gaze on the orange flames of the dying day as if looking at Julia would prevent his thoughts from being said. “Without realizing it, I’ve spent my life waiting for you.”

  Her breath caught in her throat at his sincerity. One year later and the feelings ignited on a tiny beach in an alternate reality, millions of light years away, had not only fused but intensified into something neither could explain. Two halves at last made whole.

  “Yeah, I’m happy.” He whispered, still avoiding eye contact as his confession tumbled out in a rush. “And it scares the crap outta me.”

  “I’m here.” She traced the shape of his ear with her fingertip. “You’re not alone anymore.”

  He shuddered as if letting go of a burden long-carried, and sagged for a brief moment into her arms.

  “It’s been a long journey for both of us.”

  Mark lifted her into his lap and pressed her head into the crook of his shoulder, black leather soft and warming beneath her cheek. She relaxed into the feel of him, ran her palms inside his jacket and around his back; snuggling closer.

  “Julia?”

  His whisper was loud in the tranquility. The sky was turning from plum to ink and more of the stars he’d traveled to, began to twinkle silver.

  “Mmmm?”

  She would never tire of hearing the sound of her name on his lips. He gazed into her eyes. Brought their entwined hands to his mouth and kissed her knuckles; his breath a warm caress over her bare skin.

  “Will you marry me?”

  Just as she had when Mark’d asked her to abandon her life for the exhilarating possibilities of the unknown; Julia answered with her heart, without a second’s hesitation to cloud the moment. She trusted everything would fall into place - as long as they were together.

  “Yes.”

  Mark grinned, teeth bright in the growing shadows, and lowered his mouth to hers. He kissed her with everything he was; heat, love, strength, passion, and above all, hope. When he pulled back, a single tear sat in the laugh lines at the corner of his eye. Julia kissed it away, a grin splitting her face as she cradled her fiancé’s head into her shoulder.

  As he held her tight in his arms she could hear his heart beneath her ear and she whispered her thanks to the universe for the bold, beautiful, and brave man; she’d travelled into an alternate reality to claim.

  “This is for you.”

  Mark reached into the leg pocket of his BDUs and brought forth a small box of red polished wood inlaid with delicate carvings of flower vines, and placed it in the palm of her hand. He opened it to reveal the glint of an unknown metal.

  “They’re beautiful.” Julia gasped, her hand shaking beneath her gift. Mark tugged the wider of the two rings free from its brace and with trembling fingers, slid it onto Julia’s outstretched finger. A perfect fit.

  She’d never seen anything like it. Finely hewn from a silver-blue metal, the ring had a wavy edge, like the ocean that had witnessed their promise. Julia could feel the double grooves where the thinner ring would sit to complete the design. When she tilted her hand, waving her fingers to feel the weight, a kaleidoscopic pattern flared into existence; colors fracturing into purples, blues, and pinks in the lights from the city above.

  “Made
especially by the palace jeweler.” He chuckled with satisfaction at her stunned mullet expression. “Turns out, being friends with the Zefeirian Queen has its perks.”

  “I’d say so.”

  Julia went with him when he laid her on their blanket, his body pressed along the length of her side. He supported her neck in the bend of his elbow and leaned into Julia’s touch as she traced her fingertips over the arch of one dark brow. “Just so you know, Colonel Holden, I’m expecting a hell of a lot longer commitment than nine minutes twenty-two seconds.”

  “I do believe you’ve got yourself a deal, Miss Swift.” He laughed, deep and long, his body convulsing with mirth until Julia tugged him in by his lapels and grazed his lips with her own.

  “I love you.”

  Mark leaned in and whispered against the delicate shell of her ear.

  “Love you too.”

  Chapter 15

  “Rescue one to the conference room, immediately.” Julia’s earpiece squawked Mike’s summons.

  Julia allowed the relocator in the FOQ common room to atomize her across two buildings and up ten floors to the conference room level. She arrived in time to take the seat between Brendan and Levi, just before Kate and Zeb joined them. Colonel Archer, accompanied by Major Dawson and Lieutenant Flynn, took her seat at the head of the silver and glass table as the doors slid closed; sealing them in sound-proof privacy.

  “Wings, everyone.” Colonel Archer nodded in greeting.

  A courteous Colonel was echoed by everyone as they settled into their seats, and waited for their Commander in Chief to speak.

  “Colonel Holden’s team glided to Alonac-57 earlier today. Their mission was to confirm Intel on an element rumored as a possible substitute for oil; find out how viable it is to mine, or to open trade negotiations with the indigenous peoples.”