Eland and Jeanne (Tales of the Shareem) (2 page)

Not only would they take control, but they planned to start killing off the Shareem “experiments.” Shareem had fled the chaos of the factory as soon as they could, splitting up and melting into the city.

Eland had been wandering the streets, trying to keep out of sight while looking for the Shareem called Rees, who’d successfully escaped DNAmo a few weeks ago. His escape had been the catalyst for the shutdown—a truly dangerous experiment gone wrong.

DNAmo had declared that Rees must have found a way to flee the planet, but rumor among the few Shareem who’d known him was that he was still on Bor Narga. Eland’s friend Rio had advised Eland to seek him if he needed help.

But Eland was exhausted, thirsty, and near to heatstroke, and he hadn’t found any sign of Rees. He’d been hiding in a nearby alley today, trying to stay out of the heat, then, as the night wore on, trying to keep warm.

He’d decided to take a chance asking for water at this apartment. He’d seen, from the way the woman who lived here had treated the boy who’d been loitering outside her door all day, that she was kindhearted.

And gorgeous. Curly black hair, wide brown eyes, a strong and supple body. He couldn’t deny that this had been a factor in his decision to ask for her help.

Jeanne.
The name rolled off his tongue.

Eland’s cock was hard and high. He hadn’t released today, and he could die if he didn’t. Shareem metabolism was such that they’d burn up if they didn’t release at least once or twice a day—the brilliant scientists at DNAmo had decided it a good idea to create men who had to seek pleasure, be desperate for it. The result was a factory full of males who had to spend most of their time jerking off.

Eland wished he had lube, but he’d have to make do. He slicked his palm with soap and closed his hand around his cock.

He’d love to invite Jeanne to step in and watch, but he was certain she wouldn’t. The look in her eyes as he’d pulled off his loincloth told Eland she wanted to, but she was wary, as were most Bor Nargan women.

The women of Bor Narga had been taught that sex was unnecessary, disgusting even. In a world where children could be created by mixing genetic material outside the body, there was no need to couple like animals. The Shareem had been made to be sold off-world, not to the women of their own planet.

So Eland was very surprised when he heard the door softly open behind him.

He kept his eyes closed, simply enjoying the feel of Jeanne’s presence. He could scent her, warm and moist, her female pheromones tingling in the air.

He didn’t have to open his eyes to know she watched him. Eland could feel her gaze, had been programmed to know when a woman liked what she saw and couldn’t look away.

He pictured Jeanne’s red lips parting, her mouth forming a round
O
. If this had been a session at DNAmo, he’d soon have her on her knees, her lips forming the same shape as it slid over his cock.

But for now, her standing and staring at him was enough. Eland liked being watched—that was one of his specialties. He got off on a woman merely standing and staring at him. Didn’t matter whether he was alone as she observed him, or with another woman A little exhibitionism made it all the sweeter.

The thought of Jeanne’s gaze fixing to him as he worked himself made him harder than ever.

Fuck.
Eland stroked faster, parting his legs. Every inch of his body heated as he felt her focus on him.

Jeanne liked it, he was sensing. Maybe she was a woman who enjoyed a little voyeurism as much as Eland liked exhibitionism.

His breath coming faster, Eland snapped open his eyes.

Jeanne stood just outside the shower, beyond the spray of water but close enough for him to see that her nipples behind her sleep shirt were hard little buds. He wanted to lean down and bite them.

She didn’t notice him looking at her at first, because her gaze was riveted to his cock, watching his fist go back and forth on it, faster, faster.

When she saw him watching her, Jeanne’s face went brilliant red. She dragged in a breath and turned to flee.

“No,” Eland said, his voice hoarse with need. “Wait.”

Jeanne hesitated at the door, her hand poised over the control to open it. Her face was scarlet, but Eland saw the indecision in her eyes.

After a long moment, she let her hand fall and deliberately moved back to the shower.

Eland groaned softly.
Thank you.

“I need this,” he said, his words grating. “Stand right there, and just
look.
”

Jeanne did look, and a smile touched her mouth.

The smile did it for him. Eland’s hand moved, his breath coming faster, his fingers rocketing fire through his body.

He focused on Jeanne’s eyes, brown like those of most women on Bor Narga. Jeanne’s were sultry, flecked with a lighter brown. Beautiful.

All he could see was her lovely face, her warm gaze drinking him in, as everything in his body squeezed to one point.

“Gods help me,”
he moaned, and then he came.

Ropes of come shot over his hands, hotter than the water and steam. He heard Jeanne’s intake of breath, which made him come harder. Sweet, sweet woman—all she had to do was look at him.

Eland groaned again, then he let himself go, his seed carried away by the cleansing shower and disappearing down the drain.

***

Jeanne leapt forward as the blond giant’s eyes closed, and he started to collapse. Releasing himself seemed to deplete his strength. Jeanne caught him, slick with water, as he fell out of the tiny shower.

Eland’s eyelids fluttered as he regained control. With a jerk, he righted himself and put hot, wet hands on Jeanne’s face.

“You all right?” he rumbled.

“I was about to ask
you
that.”

His hands were heavy and gentle at the same time. His strange blue eyes were as deep azure as the desert sky, his lashes pale at the tips, feathering to darker blond. His hair, now clean and heavy with water, slicked back from his forehead, making the features of his square, hard face more prominent.

Eland’s thumbs brushed her cheekbones as he looked straight into her eyes. Jeanne’s limbs loosened under the gaze, the blue depths catching her.

“
Are
you all right?” Jeanne whispered.

“Shh.”

The command was soft, but Jeanne’s mouth clamped shut in response.

Odd. She wasn’t the obedient sort. When her shift leader snapped at her to do something she didn’t think necessary, Jeanne didn’t jump to attention and salute. She’d argue about it. If she lost the argument, she’d do the task, but she’d make sure everyone knew she’d given in only so she wouldn’t get fired.

Eland said
shh
, and Jeanne instantly obeyed.

She didn’t want to stop talking, because she wanted to ask him all kinds of questions. Where was he from? Who was chasing him? Why was he hiding out here?

One hushing noise, and that was it.

Jeanne drew a breath, trying to make herself form words, but before she could, he leaned to her and kissed her mouth.

His lips were smooth, warm, sending that warmth all the way down Jeanne’s body to her bare toes. Caressing, kissing the corners then the curve of her bottom lip.

Eland’s tongue gently touched between her lips, parting them. His heat brushed into her mouth, searing gentleness.

Such tenderness from the large man who exuded vast strength. When Jeanne had followed him into the bathroom, to see the water streaming all over his body, the muscles of his arm working as he pulled at himself, she’d almost fallen to the floor.

Watching him pump himself had made her go watery-weak, made her want to put her hand to her own intimate places. She imagined being brave enough to lay her fingers over her hot, moist clit, and mimic his rhythm. They’d come at the same time, both of them ending up on the shower floor in a kiss.

The same way Eland was kissing her now. His mouth held a contented heat, as though they
had
come together, as if Jeanne weren’t itching for release.

If she asked him, maybe he’d touch her, bringing her off as she’d learned to do to herself. But how much better if his blunt, strong fingers released her?

The thought, coupled with his mouth slanting across hers, made her legs buckle.

Her legs
were
bending, but it was all right, because Eland caught her in his arms and lowered her to the floor with him. She arched up into him, her entire body seeking his, the hot place between her legs wanting to rub on him.

“Hush, sweet Jeanne,” Eland said. “I’ll take care of you.”

She believed him. This man had crashed into her house, drunk her water, used her shower, brought himself off in front of her, and now held her as though he had a right to.

Eland cupped her breast over her shirt, thumb bringing her nipple to a tight point. He leaned down and took her breast into his mouth, through the fabric, his teeth teasing, lips hot.

Jeanne pushed herself up into him, her hands twining his wet hair, loving its sleekness.

“Please.”
Her word came out a groan.

Eland raised his head. His irises had spread through his eyes, blue starting to blot out the white.

“Not tonight,” he said, his words filled with sadness and deep regret. “Not yet.”

“Please,” Jeanne repeated, begging with her body for what her brain hadn’t quite figured out she wanted. Him, and only what he could give her.

“You’re not ready,” he said. “And there’s no time.”

“Why not?” Jeanne twined her legs around his where they tangled together. She wanted to touch him, be touched by him, and more. So much more. She wanted every part of him touching every part of her, to feel the rough strength of his hands, to let his deep voice tell her what to do. She’d obey, no arguing—well, she was pretty sure she wouldn’t argue.

“No time,” Eland whispered. He kissed her face, her eyelids. “I wish ...”

He didn’t finish telling her what he wished. His hand slid between her legs, his fingers rocking on the tight berry of her clit.

The small touch triggered Jeanne’s need. A hot wave shot over her, a groan of pleasure leaving her mouth. Eland watched her as he stroked, teased, and brought her to the most intense climax she’d ever experienced in a few practiced moves.

Jeanne clung to him, her body rocking under his hand, wishing it would go on forever.

Eland kept his gaze on her as he rubbed her, winding her up into yet another wild place, then he eased her back down.

Jeanne struggled to breathe. Then lassitude flowed over her, as though Eland’s hands and his lips carried it into her. Jeanne’s body went limp, her feverish wanting easing as though cool water touched and refreshed her.

“That’s it.” Eland’s soft rumble filled up the empty spaces inside her. Warm strength, comforting, soothing. “Sleep, sweet Jeanne. Dream of me.”

“Don’t want to sleep,” Jeanne mumbled. But the wakeful night, the shock of him, and the calm he now poured over her brought slumber crashing down on her.

“Yes, you do.” His warm chuckle brushed her. “You’re a hell of a woman, Jeanne. I hope ...” Eland trailed off before he completed the thought. “I’ll never forget you. Thank you.”

Jeanne had a few seconds to wonder what he thanked her for, then dark sleep rolled over her. She felt herself being lifted, then nothing.

Chapter Three

Eland made sure Jeanne slept, curled up in her bed, her eyes closed. He sent another wash of his soothing pheromones over her, and just to make double sure, he found a medicating tranquilizer in her bathroom and injected her with a light dose.

He tossed his loincloth into her sterilizing clothes cleaner, then he washed out the shower, as well as the container in which she’d brought him the healing drink of water. He dried it and put it into her cupboard next to like containers, then went into the bathroom and wiped it down. By that time, his loincloth was clean. He wrapped it around his hips then tossed the towels into the sterilizer.

Eland removed every trace of himself from the apartment—he couldn’t risk patrollers turning up with DNA trackers and discovering he’d been here. Then he returned to Jeanne’s bedroom to look at her again.

He didn’t want to go. Eland had found refuge tonight with a woman who’d gazed at him without fear and found him fascinating—and not in the way DNAmo researchers or the women who’d participated in sexual experiments with him had. Jeanne had looked at
him
.

Refreshing. Eland didn’t want to abandon that.

He made himself turn away and leave the room. He didn’t let himself stop walking until he’d opened the front door into the coming morning and slipped into the shadows of the street.

***

When Eland reached the end of the block, he had to duck into the darkness to miss four patrollers marching by with precision, sidearms at the ready.