Free Dana Cartwright Mission 3: Kal-King by Joyz W. Riter Page B

the fog from the sedatives disappear and the flame of desire burn.
    “Why do you tease me?” she whispered, her face pressed against his neck.
    “Tease you?” he grinned, “I have only just begun.”
      He admitted, from the depths of his soul, “I love you, Dana J. I have loved you all these years, with all my heart…”
    A rush of energy flowed through them both.
    “Say, yes?” he pleaded, pinching the back of her neck a bit tighter. “Be my life-mate? We could do it right now. We could join together and become one — forever…and…always.”
    He offered the greatest gift an Alphan male could ever offer.
    “You never wanted entanglements,” she reminded, suddenly afraid.
    The thought made him wince and he nearly withdrew his hand. “Fourteen years ago, I was not ready, nor were you. Fourteen years ago, we were fools. We’re wiser now. The years have been so lonely. We could be together.”
    His kisses coaxed; he felt her yielding. They were so close — so very close — to forming the unbreakable telepathic bond of union.
    “I’m not Alphan,” she reminded, with such sadness he nearly broke into tears.
    “Oh, Dana!” He let down his guard for just an instant, reaching telepathically deeper, deeper than the pleasure, so very close to the edge of his soul, to that hidden place.
    “Stop!” She pleaded, “I’m afraid, Kieran, I’m afraid.”
    He withdrew both mentally and physically, obeying her command. To proceed would go beyond rape. He dared not cross that line.
    He slid aside and removed his hand from her neck, but coaxed her to rest, nestled in his arms. It took long minutes before she could relax after the encounter.  
    “I’m sorry,” she whispered, truly apologetic. “I could feel your thoughts.”
    He nodded and kissed her hair.
    “I would know your…your secrets.”
    That’s what it means to be one… he reminded telepathically.
    She protested, “You’re an intelligence officer…I would know it all.”
    “As my mate, you would become an officer, too.” He grinned, “You do need a job.”
    She frowned. “I…oh, Kieran, don’t tempt me now. I’m too…”
    “Fragile?” He shut his eyes and sighed. “My love could help you heal. My strength would fill you. Together, Dana,” he caressed her cheek, “the possibilities are endless.”
    She clutched his right hand, pressing the palm flat against her cheek. “We came very close, just now.”  
    He opened his eyes, admitting, “I love you. There is no one else, but you are not Alphan. For you, it is not forever. For me, my life force would be linked to you — and only you — until I die. I could never touch another — ever.”
    She saw in his eyes the level of commitment and devotion. He was ready to trade it all — even his career — for this unbreakable bond. The temptation was overwhelming. “I have no one but you,” she whispered as he kissed her lips.  
    Then say, yes.
    She wavered.
    Let me show you another glimpse .  
    He touched her gently, allowing his memories to flow. They flashed through her mind like one continuous stream, rushing through her, becoming hers, until an image of Janz Macao flashed before her mind’s eye and she screamed so loudly and with such horror that he instinctively withdrew, breaking the mental energy flow.
    Her body went ridged. With all her might she pushed him away, eyes accusing, “You killed Captain Macao! You killed Janz? I saved your life and his and then you killed him!”
    She sobbed uncontrollably, her fists clenched, pounding against his chest.  
    Kieran stared. He blinked.  
    What memory was that?
    He tried to recall the scene, instantly regretting   having shared only a part of himself and not all. Short of breaking a sacred vow to Janz Macao, he could not explain; nor did he think she would believe words that contradicted what she thought she saw.
    Dana suffered in silence, grieving. Serving aboard Lancer with Captain Janz Macao had been the turning point in her