Atonement (Earth Evolution Series Book 3) Read online

  He started to follow her but his brother Kyle was waiting for him. “Wow, I guess I should have seen that coming.”

  Jared glared at his younger brother. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “You and Ms. Lily Tyner.”

  Jared didn’t respond but started to walk back to the living quarters trying to ignore Kyle, but his brother wasn’t one to give up easily. He followed him.

  “I have to admit though, I was starting to think you were not into females. I would have been fine with that choice but father and Liam would have needed time to accept it.”

  Jared stopped to turn around and glare at his brother. “What are you talking about?”

  “I was thinking that you had a preference for males,” Kyle’s face was serious but there was a crack of a smile on his lips.

  Jared was speechless. Why would he think that? He must have asked that out loud because Kyle answered him.

  “Because, I never see you with them. It’s not that far fetched to assume you might not like them.”

  “Of course I like females.” He especially liked one in particular, Lily. “I’ve been with females on the command ship.”

  Kyle snorted. “Like who?”

  “It’s none of your business.”

  “Then why keep your relationships so tight lipped? You don’t have to make this up.”

  “I’m not making anything up. Just last evening I was with Tinley.” Or more accurately he attempted to be with Tinley.

  “Mediko Tinley Lazar?”

  “Yes.”

  “Sugar lips Tinley?”

  He frowned. “Sugar lips?”

  “Yeah, it’s what we all call her because she tastes so sweet.”

  “You’ve shared sex with her?”

  “Who hasn’t slept with her?” Kyle snorted.

  “Slept with who?” Liam suddenly appeared.

  “Sugar Lips Tinley.”

  Liam blinked. “You too?”

  Kyle bent over laughing, “Priceless. She slept with all three of us.”

  “We didn’t sleep much on the nights we shared.” Liam admitted with a smirk on his face.

  Jared ran a hand through his hair. “Are you still—?”

  “Of course not! I’m happily mated. That was way before I met Maggie.” Liam growled out.

  “It was over way before I even met my Rachel.”

  “Well, it’s been a while since I was last intimate with her myself.” Jared admitted.

  “I thought you were with her last night?” Kyle asked straightening back up.

  “I tried but I didn’t really want her. I couldn’t get into it, Tinley wasn’t please about it either.”

  “Aw, you were trying to forget about your thing for Lily.” Kyle nodded his head in understanding.

  “What thing? Damn it Kyle, you are using so much Earth slang I can barely understand you.” Liam frowned in confusion.

  “Our brother Jared here has fallen in love with the lovely Lily.”

  Liam didn’t look happy about it. He crossed his arms over his chest. “Don’t mess with Lily.”

  Jared felt himself getting angry. “Don’t tell me what to do.”

  Kyle, sensing his brother’s change in moods, jumped up to get in between them. “Let’s not fight.”

  Jared paced back and forth with pent up emotions. “You don’t get to tell me what to do. I’m the eldest.”

  “I’m warning you, if you hurt Lily, I will hurt you. She is Maggie’s best friend. They are more like sisters and that makes her my family.”

  “I don’t want to hurt her I want to mate her.” He looked just as shocked for having said it as the others looked at having heard it. They stared at him. Then, Kyle smiled.

  “I knew it was a matter of time. You two have been eyeing each other for a while now. Rachel owes me since I told her it would happen within 3 months.”

  “Crap, I was hoping you could hold out another six months.” Liam reached into his pocket pulling out a card with credits loaded on it and giving it to Kyle.

  “You placed a bet on me?” Jared was outraged.

  “Just a little one.” Kyle smiled tucking the card into his shirt pocket.

  “What would your mates think about you doing such a thing?”

  Liam snorted. “Maggie’s the one who started the poll. She got twenty people involved in the bet.”

  “Twenty! Who? No, never mind. I don’t want to know. I can’t believe people are placing bets on my love life.” Jared shook his head.

  Liam put a hand on his shoulder. “No one meant any harm. Everyone wants to see both of you happy. Is she the one for you? You need to be sure, it’s not fair to lead her on if you’re not serious.”

  “She’s the one. She’s my hala asawani.” Just saying it out loud made it more real for him. “Lily is everything that I ever wanted and more. I don’t know how I even existed without her.”

  “Well then, let’s get back so you can get started on convincing her that you are everything for her too.” Liam motioned for him to start walking.

  Jared hoped it would be that simple, but he knew it probably wouldn’t be. Lily was a stubborn woman. He looked forward to convincing her. He smiled remembering how she responded to his kisses. She wasn’t unaffected by him in the least. She might give him a hard time but her body didn’t lie. If Kyle hadn’t interrupted them, he would have taken her against the wall. Lily deserved more than that. She deserved to be courted properly.

  *****

  Frazier watched as the aliens walked back to the dome leader’s home. These scumbags acted like they owned the place. Once again they were making moves on one of their women. This one, Lily Tyner, was supposed to be with one of his followers, Taylor. He would have to inform Taylor that the alien doctor was taking what belonged to him.

  Frazier might be able to turn this to his advantage. Yes, he would use the aliens’ weakness against them. Taylor would do whatever Frazier needed him to and as payment, he would make sure that he got to have the woman. Maybe not right away, the woman was beautiful. Perhaps he would keep her for a little bit before handing her over.

  He walked around the square area of the dome looking at his people. He would save them from their own ignorance. They would honor him for it and praise his bravery. He would be heralded as the greatest leader Earth had ever seen.

  Chapter 10

  Lily tried to ignore Jared, but he was sitting next to her on the ride back up to the command ship. His body heat made her whole body tingle in places that hadn’t tingled in quite a while. She glanced at Maggie hoping to have a conversation with her, but the whole trip must have been too much for her friend because she’d had fallen asleep and Liam was holding her in his lap. When Liam bent down and kissed Maggie’s forehead, Lily had to turn her head away and wipe away a tear. It was just so sweet. Why was she so emotional lately?

  She felt Jared take her hand in his gently rubbing her knuckles, and she looked up at him in surprise. Common sense told her to pull away, but she couldn’t make herself. It felt too nice to have someone touch her affectionately. He leaned closer and whispered in her ear. “Come back to my place for a little bit.”

  Lily felt heat rise to her face. She glanced over at Liam but he had closed his eyes and wasn’t paying any attention to them.

  Should she go with him? There was no doubt in her mind what would happen if she did, she wouldn’t deny him if he pressed her to have sex. She wanted to, only she was hesitant to take it to the next level.

  “I need to check on Thomas.”

  “We’ll call Mrs. Gordon on the communicator from my quarters.”

  She bit her lip because she really wanted to go with him so much. Sometimes a person has to take a leap of faith. “As long as Mrs. Gordon is okay with me coming back a little later.”

  He brought her hand up to his lips and placed a kiss on her knuckles. That one small gesture made her desire him even more. Jared could be so sweet and sexy. If he had a pair of glasses
on at that moment she might have melted at his feet. Something about a smart sexy guy with a pair of nerd glasses did it for her every time.

  Once they landed on the command ship, Liam woke Maggie and they said their goodbyes. Lily walked next to Jared as he escorted her to his own quarters. She was nervous, really nervous. She clutched her hands together in front of her.

  Jared wrapped an arm around her shoulders pulling her closer to him. “Lily relax, nothing will happen unless you want it to. I just want to be alone with you, without interruptions.”

  She felt some of the tension leave her. That was Jared, always reassuring others to put them at ease. It was one of the many things she admired about him. She waited while he entered his security code to his quarters. The lights came on automatically when they entered the room.

  “Here, use my communicator to call Mrs. Gordon. You should probably explain that if she needs you to simply pick up the communicator and tell it to call me.”

  Lily took the communicator from him and dialed the code to her own communicator. Jared went to the kitchen to give her some privacy.

  “Hello? Is this thing working?”

  “Mrs. Gordon, hi it’s Lily.”

  “Oh Lily dear, did you have a good time? Are you back yet?”

  “I’m—I had to stop by Mediko Estro’s place for just a bit. Is everything all right? Do you need me to come back right away?”

  “We’re just fine. Thomas picked out a movie for us to watch. I hope you don’t mind if he stays up just a little bit late. Then I’ll make sure he goes off to bed.”

  “Sure, he can stay up. I won’t be too long.”

  “Take your time. In fact—take all night,” Mrs. Gordon whispered into the phone.

  “Mrs. Gordon!” Lily felt heat rising to her cheeks. She glanced behind her and watched Jared come back into the room carrying two glasses.

  “Come now my dear, I was once young and beautiful. Many men wanted to date me and I had two offers of marriage before I settled down. I was considered quite the catch back in my day.”

  “I’m sure you were, but it’s not like that.”

  “I’m not judging you honey. You have nothing to feel bad about. You’re a grown woman with needs. I remember how my husband could barely keep his hands off of me when I was younger. That Jared of yours is going to be the same way. If I was just a little younger I’d give you a run for your money over that one.”

  She laughed; she couldn’t help it. An image of Mrs. Gordon chasing Jared around the medic table was just too funny. “I won’t be long, but don’t wait up on me.”

  “Have fun dear.” Mrs. Gordon hung up.

  Lily pushed the end call button on the communicator. She stood completely still as she felt Jared moving up behind her.

  “I have some Earth wine. My father negotiated with Maggie’s father for a few cases. Our scientists are learning how to recreate it in the replicators. We’ll return the supply three-fold.”

  She took the glass of red wine. She hadn’t had anything that pretty or clean since before the nukes struck. Sometimes they would be lucky enough to find a few cases of beer or a couple of bottles of wine here and there in the tunnels, nothing of this quality though. Lily smelled the liquid before she lifted it to her lips. A warm dark rich flavor filled her mouth. It was a little sweet and a little spicy.

  “Mmmm—this is delicious.”

  “I like the red ones better than the white.” He took a sip and ran a hand through his dark hair. It was a nervous gesture and made her realize that he was just as anxious and unsure as she was. It made her feel more at ease.

  She set her glass down and walked around the room. She hadn’t been to his new place. She stopped to pick up a picture from Maggie and Liam’s wedding. Lily was standing on one side of Maggie, and on her other side was Liam, and then Jared, who was his best man. Everyone in the picture was looking straight ahead at the camera, everyone except for Jared. He was looking right at Lily in the image.

  “You looked so beautiful that day, I couldn’t keep my eyes off you.” Jared whispered behind her. He was so close she could feel his breath on her neck.

  “You looked very handsome in your uniform. I didn’t know that you had been in the military until that day.”

  He reached up and moved her long hair from one shoulder to lay across her other shoulder. “All Drastan men are expected to serve for a short period. We train to fight the same as those who make a career as a warrior. You’re late husband was also in the military?”

  She turned and found herself pressed close to him. She closed her eyes and inhaled his scent. Whatever soap or cologne he used was damn sexy. “He was in the air force, a pilot.”

  “He must have been a special man.”

  “He was, but he wasn’t perfect.” She stepped closer pressing her breasts against Jared’s chest. “Did you bring me here to talk about my dead husband? Or was there another reason?” She didn’t want memories of Shawn to ruin things again.

  He took the hint and leaned down to kiss her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and opened her lips for him. His tongue sought entrance and then danced with hers. With a release of her breath she felt any resistance she had left, vanish. She was surprised when he pulled away from her a little.

  “I want to share sex with you. If you stay, that is what is going to happen. I want to make sure you want this a much as I do.”

  He was being completely honest with her, and she could do no less. “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t want you.” She gasped when he bent down and lifted her up into his arms before walking down the hallway.

  “Where are we going?”

  “I want you in my bed, I have since the moment I first saw you.”

  She laid her head against his chest and sighed. That’s exactly where she wanted to be.

  Chapter 11

  Jared was trying to keep his breathing under control. He had never responded to a woman like this before. He was full of anxious excitement, like it was his first time or something. Lily was so beautiful, like a Goddess; sweet, untouchable beauty. She was everything he ever wanted.

  He carried Lily into his bedroom, frowning at his bed. He wanted to make a good impression but wasn’t sure if his home was tidy enough. He had a shirt lying on top that he’d meant to put back in the closet. Maybe he should have had the cleaning staff stop by while he was away. He didn’t because he had brought home some work and left it on his home desk. He didn’t want anyone to disturb it. With a sigh he placed her on her feet.

  “What’s wrong? Have you changed your mind?”

  “No, I haven’t changed my mind. I just wished I had picked up my mess this morning before I left for Earth. It’s not a very good impression. I swear I’m usually better at keeping things in their place.”

  She reached up and touched his cheek. “You are always so organized, I like that there are times you don’t have it altogether. Makes us mortals feel not so—weak.”

  Jared took her face in his hands. “You, weak? You are the strongest woman I know. You survived a nuclear disaster and protected your son. You took in a teenager, befriended her and made a little family for yourself. Now, you have brought with you a dying elderly woman, not related directly to you to your home, to care for. You take care of everyone else around you, let me take care of you this night.”

  He bent down and kissed her again. Her lips were so soft and sweet; he could kiss her forever and never get tired. When she moaned and opened up to him he growled with a primitive feeling of victory. Their breaths mingled and he could swear he felt connected to her, more than just the physical. He loved kissing her, loved how she responded to him, and loved how she said his name breathlessly.

  He trailed kisses down her cheek, to her chin, stopping to nuzzle her neck.

  Her arousing scent increased in that spot, and he wanted to bathe in her intoxicating aroma. He nipped her delicate skin right underneath her cute little ear. He had never noticed a woman’s ear before, much less tho
ught it was cute, but Lily’s ears were simply adorable.

  His fingers lifted the hem of her pretty flowered dress slowly up her long legs, and he skimmed her skin lightly as he raised the dress higher and higher. Excitement was building in both of them when he finally got the material off of her. Jared was so eager he couldn’t wait any longer, and he tossed the material behind him on the floor.

  His hand trembled a little as he gently caressed the material covering her breasts. It was a soft pink material so thin he could see her nipples. It matched the covering over her woman’s mound. His people didn’t wear undergarments, but he had to admit, they were damn sexy on her.

  “How do I get this off without tearing it?” He wanted to see her wearing it again. Did these come in different colors?

  She laughed. “Yes they do.”

  He blinked at her in confusion. “What do?”

  “You asked if they came in different colors.”

  Damn, he hadn’t realized he had said that out loud. He traced the little patterns on the material making her nipples pucker in response. “I really like the way it looks on you.”

  “I have several pairs, in different colors and patterns. My favorites are the ones with little white lilies on them.”

  “I can’t wait to see those on you, but right now, I want to see you without them.” He knelt down on his knees which brought his head level with her navel. He put his hands on her hips and moved her closer so that he could take a covered nipple in his mouth.

  “Jared.” She moaned his name wrapping her arms around his neck to hold him closer to her. “It’s in the back.”

  “What is?” He moved to the other nipple giving it the same attention.

  “The hook to my bra.”

  He immediately let go of her hips to reach behind her and fumbling with it. He growled with frustration before gripping the back straps and yanking them apart. The thin material gave way easily. She gasped.

  “You ripped my bra.”

  “Sorry.” He wasn’t really sorry, if he had his way Lily would never wear the offending material again.