A Warrior's Heart: Marastin Dow Warriors Book 1

Chapter 4

Ben sighed when he felt the warm body in his arms finally relax against him. He gently rubbed his chin against Evetta's silky hair. A soft moan escaped him when he felt her slender arms slide up his chest. He started to release her, thinking that she was pushing him away before his eyes snapped open in surprise as they stopped on his broad shoulders.

"I do not understand why, but I want you to... kiss me," Evetta whispered. "I have never felt this urge before. What power does your species have that makes me want to touch you, taste you... hold you?"

Ben pulled back just far enough to look down into her puzzled eyes. With another groan, he lowered his head and captured her lips. The moment she opened for him, he took advantage and deepened the kiss. She tasted as sweet as he knew she would the first moment he saw her in the doorway.

He broke the kiss when she buried her hands in his hair. The sound of her soft whimper of frustration pulled at him. He pressed soothing kisses across her temple and down along her face to her jaw. He wanted to taste every part of her.

"Ben!" A sharp, deep voice called out, startling them.

Ben shielded Evetta with his body as he turned toward the male standing in the doorway frowning at him. Even though he knew it was Behr, he didn't relax his protective stance. He had no idea what the huge Marastin Dow male would do to their unexpected visitor. He relaxed when he saw it was surprise, and not anger, that darkened Behr's voice.

"This is Evetta," Ben said in a calm voice.

"I know who she is," Behr replied with a deep frown. "What I don't understand is why she is down here," he paused for a moment before his eyes narrowed on her. "Unless you are the cause of a dead maintenance worker my men found three levels up."

*.*.*

Evetta trembled and would have pulled away if not for the tightening of Ben's arms around her. She tilted her head in challenge, refusing to back down. She would fight before she allowed the officer standing in front of her to abuse her for protecting herself.

"He attacked me. I defended myself," Evetta responded stiffly. "If I had not killed him, he would have either attacked or killed me at another time."

Evetta watched as the Chief Science Officer regarded her. His eyes did not hold the cold, calculating look she had seen in others. Instead, she felt like he was peeling away the layers of protection she surrounded herself with to see deep into her soul. She finally had to look away. She was afraid he would see the fear deep inside her and use it against her.

"Evetta," Behr murmured, waiting for her to look at him again. "It is important that you do not mention that you were down here or that you saw Ben. Many of the other officers have forgotten he is here. It would be dangerous for him and his brother if others knew about them."

Evetta glanced up startled when she heard the warmth in the Marastin Dow's voice. Seldom, if ever, did a Marastin Dow male speak in such a way. In fact, the only males she could remember were her father and the others from their village who sought out a different way of life other than violence.

"I won't tell anyone. Would it... would it be possible not to report what happened above?" She bit her lip before looking back up at Ben. "I would also like to know how you came to be here."

Ben glanced at Behr, who nodded. "You might as well tell her. I'll have one of the females among my staff escort her back to her level in a little while. Until then, keep her here while I let the others know that she is not a threat," Behr said. "I'll also have them dispose of the body. It will be documented that the maintenance worker had an allergic reaction to something he ate."

"Thank you," Ben responded, curling his arm protectively around Evetta's waist.

Evetta watched as Behr nodded once before turning to leave. She turned back toward Ben, suddenly realizing that she was leaning into his embrace. She reluctantly stepped back and folded her hands in front of her.

"So, how did you come to be here and what power does your species have that makes me react to you?" Evetta asked, raising her chin in determination to understand why she wanted so desperately to be back in his arms.

Ben chuckled and raised his hand to brush her cheek with the back of his knuckles. He enjoyed the way she unconsciously leaned into his touch. A wave of unexpected longing hit him hard. He wanted her. The unexpected intensity of need and protectiveness confused him.

"It is a long story, but an interesting one. If you'd like to hear it, I'd be happy to share it with you," he murmured, as he dropped his hand back to his side and nodded toward one of the chairs. "As for the power I have that makes you react to me the way you do, I could ask you the same thing. I've never felt this way about a woman before. Perhaps it is you who has the power."

Evetta could feel heat rising in her cheeks. She bowed her head to cover the sudden feeling of shyness that swept through her. Taking a deep breath, she released it and moved to the chair that Ben indicated.

Over the next hour, Ben told Evetta about his and Aaron's life before and after their kidnapping. He tried to relate only the amusing things that happened, but soon found he was telling her about some of the darker times as well. He didn't understand why he was sharing things he never would have with anyone else but Aaron. It was as if a floodgate had opened with just a quietly asked question.

He was soon asking her questions of his own. He listened as Evetta hesitantly shared the story of her and her sister, Hanine's, life with him. He was surprised by the silent rage that built inside him when she told him of her mother and father's death and the subsequent enlistment into the military. He knew from what he learned from Behr and the other warriors how difficult and dangerous life aboard a warship was, especially for the female recruits.

All too soon, Behr returned with Inez, one of the female medics. Ben reluctantly rose from his chair. He didn't want Evetta to leave, but he knew they had no choice. She must return to her duties in Engineering or someone might become suspicious. He fought with the desire to ask to see her again. It was a hopeless situation. Not only did he not have anything to offer her, he and Aaron were living on borrowed time. Eventually, someone would say something and bring them to the attention of the other officers. Once that happened, there was no telling what would happen to them.

Ben glanced at Behr and Inez before turning back to Evetta who had risen as well. "I....," he began before breaking off with a curse. He drew in a deep breath before releasing it. "Be safe," he said gruffly.

"I will," she replied softly before walking over to the door where Inez stood waiting for her. She turned to look at Ben. "I wish to see you again."

Ben stood stiffly, his fists clenched by his side. He knew he should tell her no. He knew it was too dangerous for both of them, but he was helpless to resist. He had to see her again.

"I want to see you as well," he responded quietly.

The moment he saw the small smile that pulled her sweet lips up and the glimmer of shy pleasure in her eyes, he knew it was worth the risk. He would fight every warrior on board for the chance to spend just a few minutes in her company. He ignored Behr and Inez who stood just outside the door staring at them. Stepping forward, he pulled Evetta into his arms and crushed her lips with his in a fierce, possessive kiss before releasing her.

Ben swallowed down the howl of rage as he watched Evetta walk away from him. He clenched his fists again when he felt Behr's hand on his shoulder, keeping him from following her. Drawing in a deep breath, he fought for the calm that he practiced years to acquire.

"You know that it will be dangerous if you see her again," Behr commented.

"I'm a man, not a machine, damn it. Some things in life are worth the danger," Ben responded in a cold, quiet voice.

He shrugged Behr's hand off his shoulder and stepped back. Turning, he retreated down the corridor toward the lower training rooms set up by Behr and the other warriors. He needed to release some of his frustration. Since Aaron was still working, he would have to be content with pushing his body through a hard workout.