Atonement (Earth Evolution Series Book 3) Read online

  She bit her lip thinking about what she should do. Her son was sleeping down the hallway. Was this appropriate behavior? Should she ask Mrs. Gordon to watch over Thomas while she went with Jared to his place? If Jared was going to be a part of their lives, then sleepovers were going to happen sooner or later.

  “Stay.”

  *****

  Jared followed Lily to her bedroom. She closed and locked the door behind them and was reaching for the light switch to turn on the lights, but he couldn’t wait any longer. He took her hand and pulled her to him.

  “I have to taste those lips of yours, I had to fight not to drool most of the evening; every time you licked them or bit your bottom lip.” Jared admitted as he nibbled her lips.

  She melted in his arms. He took it to a whole different level. The few men she kissed in the past did a quick job of it before moving on to the heavy petting. Not Jared. He took his kissing seriously, like it was the only thing in the world.

  Lily wrapped her arms around his neck and responded back enthusiastically. His hands were all over her body but it wasn’t what she wanted. She wanted their clothes gone, and she wasn’t going to wait any longer to have it.

  She pulled his shirt over his abs, up to his arms. He lifted them so she could finish pulling it over his head. Her fingers sought out his bare chest, she loved running her hands all over him. He was tall, broad shouldered with tight abs and a great ass.

  His body temperature ran hot; all Drastans did compared to humans. She would never need a blanket sleeping with him next to her every night. She giggled at the thought that she would most likely get very little sleep if he were next to her every night.

  “Laughing is not the response I was going for.” He had been busy unbuttoning her shirt. He pinched her nipples through the thin material of her bra.

  “I wasn’t laughing, it was more of—well, giddiness. You make me feel giddy.” She gasped when he released her bra and freed her breasts.

  “Giddy, is that a good thing?” He cupped her breasts.

  “Yes, a very good thing.” Lily wanted them naked and in the bed, like right now. She fumbled with his pants. She finally got them opened and reached inside taking him into her hands. He was hard and ready to go. She stroked his shaft causing him to groan in pleasure. She found his cock fascinating and so smooth.

  “Clothes off now.” He growled out. He made quick work of undoing her pants, dragging them down her legs kneeling at her feet. Jared looked up at her and ripped her panties off tossing them behind him.

  “I might need to find me more clothes if you keep ripping everything off of me,” she giggled.

  “I’ll get you all the clothes you want. You are so fucking beautiful. I don’t think I can wait to have you.”

  “Don’t wait, I’m ready,” she whispered.

  He rose to his feet lifting her up into his arms, carrying her to her bed. The feeling of their bodies connecting was delicious, and when his cock entered her it felt, sweet, wonderful and—right.

  “Lily.” He growled out her nuzzling her neck.

  “Jared.” She raised her legs up on his hips and arched her back. It gave him a deeper angle. Every stroke into her he rubbed against her inner g-spot. She wasn’t going to last long.

  “Please…” She needed just a little more. She felt her body starting to ripple with the climax coming soon. “Yes! Jared!” The exquisite release poured through her and Jared reached his climax at the same time.

  “Mine!” Jared shouted out as he poured his seed inside of her. He held her to him as he turned them to their sides.

  Lily felt languid, her body was heavy and she felt at peace for the first time in a long time. She felt safe in Jared’s arms. She loved that feeling, being skin-to-skin and heart to heart. She sighed as she started to drift off to sleep. “Love you.”

  *****

  Love you. Jared stared down at Lily’s lovely face as she slept on his arm. He hadn’t been able to move or even go to sleep since she had said those words to him. Would she remember what she said? Did she mean it?

  He touched her face gently so that he wouldn’t disturb her sleep. She was so beautiful it hurt to look at her sometimes. His heart was filled with so much love. It hit him hard and left him dizzy. He should have told her he loved her too, but she had fallen asleep so quickly, and he was stunned at how it made him feel to hear those words from her. He never realized how empty his life was until now. Having Lily and Thomas around showed him what he was missing, a family. He wanted that, he wanted them, and he wanted Lily for always.

  He felt restless, needing to do something so he eased out of the bed and began to get dressed. Tomorrow, he would tell her how he felt about her tomorrow.

  “Love you.” Jared whispered kissing Lily’s forehead. He made it to the door when she stirred.

  “Jared?”

  “Liam asked for me to meet him this morning.”

  “Before breakfast?” She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and sat up.

  “Yes, he messaged me on my communicator. It sounded urgent.”

  “Do you need me?”

  He went back to her and leaned down to kiss her soft lips. “I always need you sweetness. How about you stop by my office and we will have lunch together.”

  “Yes, then you can come over again tonight for dinner.”

  “That sounds like a great plan. Tell Thomas not to finish the puzzle without me.” He headed back to the door pausing to look at her one more time. “See you later, beautiful.”

  “Bye Jared.”

  Chapter 17

  A half hour later

  “Liam, what was it that you wanted to meet with me about?” Jared asked with frustration sitting at his desk.

  “Wow, I must have interrupted something.” Liam chuckled sitting down in the chair across from the desk.

  “Yes—you did.”

  Liam shrugged. “It couldn’t be helped. Father asked me to do something that he wants to keep the humans from finding out about. I’ll need your help to do it.”

  Jared felt uneasy. “What is it?”

  “He wants to set up surveillance.”

  “Where?”

  “Pretty much everywhere; the domes, the subway tunnels, and even on our own ships.”

  “Why?”

  “The resistance rebels are up to something and we can’t seem to find them. We’ve asked the Earth government’s permission, but they have been dragging their feet. Dad feels like it’s a safety issue for our people so he’s given the unofficial order to install our own surveillance.”

  “The humans are not going to be pleased we went behind their backs to do this. What about Maggie’s father? Does he know about all this?”

  “Unofficially, yes. He’s going to make up excuses for our people to be in the domes. The ringleaders seem to be only in this area but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other sympathizers in other locations as well. If we could get these guys here, we might have a chance at squashing an uprising that could be devastating for all of us.”

  “What do you need from me?”

  “I need you to set up a new mediko team to go down to the subway tunnels. They’ll have a security detail with them that Kyle and Quinn will be in charge of. This will give our people time to set up the cameras.”

  “When do you need the team?”

  “Tomorrow.”

  “Damn it Liam, that’s really short notice.”

  “The sooner we get this done the sooner we can get this situation under control. There have been threats against Maggie and the baby. No one else knows that Rachel is pregnant except for both families and the mediko treating her. She is showing now so it won’t be long before threats will be made against her.”

  “The humans are threatening our family?”

  “That’s the thing, it’s not just humans we have to worry about. Drastan weapons are finding their way to the tunnels, which means Drastans are involved in this too. Dad’s setting up extra surveillance on our weapons sup
ply area that I will be in charge of.”

  “Okay, it’s quick notice but I’ll pull some medikos who were scheduled for the next rotation, people I trust. I’ll go with them too to keep an eye on things while Quinn and Kyle are working on the security stuff.”

  “Thanks Jared.” Liam stood up and headed for the door but paused. “One more thing, keep it quiet about why we are going. I’m not even letting Maggie know just in case someone on board is a leak.”

  “Okay, then let me go to make the arrangements and calls. I will personally see to it.”

  *****

  “Spill the beans.” Maggie insisted sitting at Lily’s kitchen table next to her sister Rachel. They had met up for brunch, but it turned into a bunch of questions about her and Jared.

  “There’s nothing to spill.”

  “Mrs. Gordon said that Jared stayed all night and didn’t leave until early this morning.”

  Lily knew she was blushing. “That’s my business.”

  “You might as well tell her, you know she won’t let this go.” Rachel warned her, winking and taking a sip of her coffee.

  Lily did know that. She sighed, giving in. “Yes he stayed the night. He would have had breakfast this morning, but Liam called for him.”

  “Yeah, sorry about that. Liam is setting up extra security to go with the next mediko exchange.”

  “Another crew isn’t due to go out until next month.” Lily frowned wondering why Jared didn’t say anything about it.

  Maggie shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t have all the details but it seems pretty serious this time.”

  “Kyle is going and I’m pissed because he refuses to let me come.” Rachel complained.

  Maggie patted her sister’s hand. It was clear to Lily even though the two had been separated during the nuclear disaster; they were forming a very close bond.

  “I don’t blame him. I don’t want you to go back to the tunnels either after you were taken. You’re preggers now, so all the things you want to do are going to be overridden for the safety of the baby. Get used to it. Also, I think Dad threatened to beat the shit out of Kyle if he let you back down there right now.”

  Rachel gasped. “He didn’t.”

  Maggie laughed. “Yes he did, Mom told me. Dad has also refused to let mom go to the tunnels now.”

  “I bet mom isn’t pleased about that.”

  “Nope. She went on a sex strike refusing to put out.”

  Rachel covered her face with her hands. “I don’t need to know about that.”

  “Oh the strike didn’t last that long, mom got horny and caved.” Maggie smiled when Rachel spit out her drink.

  Lily couldn’t help it, she broke out into laughter. The sisters joined in and laughed too. “Your family is a little bit crazy.”

  “Well, you’re part of it now so that makes you just as crazy. Just think Lily, if you marry Jared it will make us sisters.”

  “We already are sisters, honey.” Lily smiled at her dear friend. She owed her so much. She wasn’t going to touch the subject of her and Jared getting married. Hell, they just started dating—sort of. It didn’t stop her from thinking about it and she found that she liked the idea—very much.

  Lily checked the time. “I have to get going.”

  “Why? We just got here.” Maggie tried to cross her arms over her chest but her swollen breasts were keeping her from doing it.

  “I promised to stop by the med facility to see Jared. You guys can stay as long as you want.” She hugged her friends and walked to the door.

  “Give him a kiss for me!” Maggie called out to her.

  Lily just rolled her eyes listening to Maggie and Rachel laughing. Lily thought about how good it felt to sleep in Jared’s arms, and it made her feel wonderful inside. She couldn’t stop herself from smiling.

  The more she thought about a life with Jared, the more excited and happy she became. He made her feel alive for the first time in years. She didn’t want to lose that. She couldn’t wait to see him again.

  Chapter 18

  Lily was so excited about seeing Jared. She paused outside the closed door to straighten her blouse and skirt. Maggie’s mother had supplied her with a few items that she hadn’t seen in a while, like high heels. She liked the way it made her legs look even longer. Jared liked her legs. She moved forward and the door opened automatically with a soft whooshing sound.

  She looked around but didn’t see Jared. She was about to head toward his office when someone came out, it was that bitchy woman, Tinley. As soon as she saw Lily the smile on her face fell.

  “He’s not here.”

  “Do you know when he’ll be back?”

  “He’s too busy to deal with your alien ass right now. He’s setting up the next mediko team to go down to your planet. I, of course, will be going with him. We work well as a team.”

  Lily could not believe the woman’s attitude. She obviously knew that Lily and Jared were dating, but she was trying to get on Lily’s nerves. Despite that, she wasn’t sure why Jared wouldn’t have told her about the mediko team going back down. Why didn’t he tell her?

  “If he comes back, let him know I’m looking for him.”

  “Yes, I’ll do that,” Tinley said sarcastically.

  Lily glared at the other woman who turned her back to ignore her. Oh she definitely didn’t like this woman. She would have to have a talk with Jared about the woman, especially if he planned to go on these trips with the bitch while leaving Lily behind. Lily wasn’t going to put up with sharing him with other women. Hell no.

  She walked out of the med facility determined to find Jared. She used her handheld communicator. He answered immediately.

  “This is mediko Estro.”

  “Jared, where are you? I need to talk to you right now.”

  “Lily are you okay? I’m on supply deck C.”

  “I’m coming down there.”

  Lily hung up without saying goodbye. She took the lift to the C level where the supply deck was located. She had so many thoughts going through her mind, and images of that bitch and Jared together were plaguing her.

  She stepped off the lift and found Jared waiting for her. He had a concerned look on his face, it wasn’t fake, he really was worried about her. That eased some of her anger.

  “What happened?” He took her arms gently in his hands.

  “Can we go somewhere private?”

  Jared looked around then motioned toward a door a few feet away. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and led her away from prying eyes. The door opened and they entered. It was some kind of linen closet with shelves full of towels and rags. His communicator beeped but he ignored it.

  “What’s wrong honey?”

  “Are you taking another team down to the subway?”

  “Yes, that’s what I am doing now is organizing the supplies.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “It’s a last minute decision to go down. I already have a team picked out to go. Besides, you just came back from visiting.”

  “So, you decided to take Mediko Lazar but not me.” She stepped away from him.

  “What does Tinley have to do with anything?”

  “You’ve dated her haven’t you?” She questioned him. Her communicator beeped but she didn’t want to answer it at that moment. She wanted answers.

  “I did—but it was before you and I were together.”

  “How long ago was it that you were with her?”

  Jared hesitated which made her feel sick inside. “It’s irrelevant, I’m not with her now, I’m with you.”

  “How long ago?” She wasn’t going to let him get around answering her.

  “She had come over to my place the evening before we left for Maggie’s baby shower. Nothing happened, I sent her home. I haven’t touched her since. Talk to me, honey. What’s wrong?”

  “I just wanted to let you know that I’ll be going with the team.” She headed for the door not hesitating like usual until the door open
ed.

  “Wait Lily, you’re not coming on this trip! You can come on the next one.” He started to follow her.

  She turned so fast that he almost knocked her down when he bumped into her. She settled herself then poked him in the chest. “You don’t tell me what I can or can’t do!”

  . “I’m in charge of this mission—so I can say who comes or doesn’t come.”

  She glared at him with her arms crossed over her chest. He glared back but got distracted when he glanced down at her breasts. They were pushing up out of her shirt, giving him a view of her cleavage. His face softened and he lowered his voice. “Lily, I just want to keep you safe.”

  She heard the sincerity in his voice. If he had spoken to her with a macho superior attitude, she would have slapped him where he stood. He caught her off guard with his sincerity.

  “I can’t live in a bubble Jared.”

  “I don’t know what you mean by bubble, but I don’t want you to go down to Earth at this time.” Neither of them heard the footsteps of someone approaching until a throat cleared.

  “Actually, she may need to go.” His younger brother Kyle spoke from behind them.

  They turned to look at him. Jared frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “Come with me, both of you, to father’s quarters. He had me come to look for you because neither of you were answering your communicators.” Kyle motioned for them to follow him.

  “What’s this about?” Jared asked while they waited on the lift.

  “I think Dad should tell you, not me.”

  *****

  Kyle let Lily walk off the lift first and walked next to Jared as they made their way to their father’s quarters. Kyle didn’t knock but just opened the door and entered.

  “I’ve brought them!”

  Jared shrugged when Lily looked at him questioningly. His father came out of his bedroom wearing a stretched shirt and loose pants. It was unusual to see his Dad out of uniform.

  “What’s going on?”

  “Maybe Lily should sit down first.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest and glowered. “I don’t need to sit down. I want to know why Jared suddenly doesn’t want me to go down to the subway and why Kyle interrupted us saying that I may need to go anyway.”