Stolen Moments (A World Beyond Book 8) Read online

  Stolen Moments

  A World Beyond

  By Michelle Howard

  Published by MH Publications

  For All Time Copyright © 2019 by Michelle Howard

  Moment in Time Copyright © 2019 by Michelle Howard

  Better Every Time Copyright © 2019 by Michelle Howard

  Table of Contents

  Copyright Page

  Stolen Moments (A World Beyond, #8)

  For All Time

  By Michelle Howard

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Moment in Time

  By Michelle Howard

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Better Every Time

  By Michelle Howard

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  License Notes

  This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. The book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this novel with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please buy an additional copy for each recipient.

  No part of this book may be distributed in any format, in whole or in part without the express written consent of the author.

  Thank you for respecting the author's hard work.

  This is a work of fiction and is not a reflection or representation of any person living or dead. Any similarity is of pure coincidence.

  For All Time

  A World Beyond Novella

  By Michelle Howard

  Published by MH Publications

  Chapter 1

  The front door opened and closed. Anticipation sizzled through Joni as she settled back on the bed, adjusting her clothing for the best effect. Steps came down the hall, paused then continued. Holding her breath, she waited as the knob turned then the bedroom door opened. A large shadowy form stepped into the room and flicked the wall switch. The table lights next to the bed gave off a dim glow.

  “Joni?” He scanned the room until he spotted her and froze.

  Exactly the reaction she had hoped for.

  “I’m glad you’re home.” Joni had taken extra special care with her appearance tonight. The body of the corset in blinding white was a stark contrast to the red hair she knew fascinated her Chosen. Lace discretely covered her nipples, matching the same design on the front panel of her white bikinis.

  “Did you miss me?” Kyele taunted as he regained his composure and slowly began to undress out of his uniform.

  He’d only been at a training for most of the day. But she had missed him. Joni’s breath caught in the back of her throat. Sometimes she forgot how hot he was when removing his clothing. First, the knives from his thigh sheaths were placed on the bedside table. Next, he removed the laser holstered at his hip and toed off his well-worn boots. Buttons on his high collared black shirt were undone with no signs of haste, then his hands lowered to the flap of his matching cargo pants and paused. His dark brows lifted in inquiry and she realized he wouldn’t finish until she answered.

  “I did miss certain parts.” She kept her voice low and teasing, gaze on the part of him she missed the most.

  Green eyes glittered in pleasure, flickers of passion blooming to life. Joni had big plans for Kyele. He’d been unusually quiet after her announcement about being pregnant. That had been two days ago. Two days of her worrying if he now had second thoughts about having a baby.

  Kyele shrugged his broad shoulders and the shirt fluttered to the floor. He hooked his thumbs at the waist of his pants and lowered them without a hint of shyness. Tanned skin from head to toe layered over rippling muscles. Not even the jagged scar on the left side of his face could take away from his appeal.

  Completely naked, he made his way toward their bed and stretched out on his back. She caught his smug grin before he masked his expression to one of dark neutrality. Of course, he could be smug. She didn’t hide the effect he had on her. Joni fucking loved him and didn’t care who knew it.

  Kyele’s grin was wolfish as he reached down and stroked himself from base to tip. “So quiet now. What do you want, Earthling?”

  “You know what I want,” Joni growled, crawling across the bed on her knees toward him.

  The corners of his lips twitched and there was no mistaking the humor glinting in his gaze. His smirk defined sexy and Joni rejoiced in the fact he belonged to her. Every delicious inch.

  Kyele tilted his dark head to the side, eyeing her with a smoldering glance. “Why don’t you remind me?”

  She did better. Joni lowered her head before he could react and mouthed the round head of his thick erection. Kyele shuddered. With her gaze on his face as she sucked him deep, there was no missing the lust that gleamed in the green depths. Her thighs grew embarrassingly damp as desire warmed her middle. There would never be a day she tired of wanting him.

  He ripped her corset down the middle. Rough hands burrowed into the loose waves of her hair and tugged. Tiny stings tickled her scalp. Joni moaned and laved his shaft with her tongue. The musky scent of him filled her nostrils, his taste familiar and masculine.

  “You are trying to undo me, Earthling.”

  Kyele’s voice was a rasp against her senses. His thighs grew taut, fingers now locked around the strands of her hair as he guided her head up and down in a manner they both enjoyed. Joni because of the control he exhibited by never going too far and hurting her, Kyele because he’d discovered giving blowjobs increased her arousal.

  Another groan warned of his impending climax. Joni smiled around his thickness and eased up the sucking pressure. When he growled and tried to lead her back with a firm hand to the back of the head, Joni chuckled and pulled away. She patted his inner leg. “Not yet. We’re celebrating.”

  “Celebrating?” Curiosity and wariness layered the deep voice rich with his lingering desire.

  Joni swung her leg over and straddled his lap. The shaft between her thighs twitched, rubbing in exactly the right spot. She gasped and arched her back. Kyele clasped her waist and rocked her back and forth. Joni locked her legs about his hips to still the motion guaranteed to push her right into a devastating orgasm.

  “Yes, celebrating. I visited Dr. Maku today.” Just thinking about what the medic for the Jutak team shared gave Joni a tiny thrill. A little bit of fear as well, if she was honest.

  Kyele’s fingers tightened with brutal force on her waist. His face grew serious. “Is something wrong with the baby?”

  Joni flinched and eased up to her haunches to relieve the painful grip. Kyele’s fingers gentled instantly, going into a soft stroking motion to erase the minute pain he’d caused. “My apologies, Joni. What did Maku say?”

  His intense gaze stayed on her face, the look reflecting a dash of fear. It was the fear that soothed Joni’s own nerves.

  ***

  Kyele tried to hide it, but it was never far from his thoughts that something could take Joni from him. He’d lived so long with the idea he’d never find a woman able to love him as he was. Full of darkness, and not fully Enotian. His legacy was one of death and a mass killing so violent the memory of the brutality enacted carried a weight of warning to others to this day.

  General Azar of the Spectar was his papan and one would be hard pressed to
find a more savage opponent. The world of Spectar had once warred hard and often, striking a deep seeded root of fear for any who sought to go against them.

  “We’re having a boy!”

  His lack of immediate reaction proved how far into his thoughts Kyele had gone. He jolted when the words actually penetrated.

  He jerked up, cradling his Chosen in his lap and stared. Her happy grin had fallen and now she chewed her bottom lip. He didn’t like the sign of nerves. Joni was the only one who didn’t fear him and he’d never do anything to change that. He kept one hand at her lower back, supporting her weight and used the other to tip her face up to his. “Tell me again.”

  He didn’t care if he barked the command. His heart thundered in his chest as he waited for her answer.

  “The baby. It’s a boy according to Dr. Maku. I thought it was too soon to tell but apparently you all can know right away.”

  Kyele hated the tremor in the statement but still couldn’t speak as he stared into the worried amber eyes watching him closely. After much pleading, he’d given in to Joni because she wished to carry a child at the same time as her friend Sylvie. The Earth women found one another at a slave auction and became close friends despite their situation.

  “Are you angry?” Joni leaned forward and braced her hands on his shoulders. Hard nipples stabbed at his chest, reminding him of what they’d been doing before she dropped her news on him.

  Was he happy? Kyele didn’t answer right away. Having a Chosen was a novelty that had yet to settle in. Maybe never would. As a result, he hadn’t thought in terms of children. Ever. But as much as he wanted to pretend otherwise it was a reality. He was going to have a son. The image of a rounded Joni, plump with a child they created together overlaid the inquisitive face in front of him and Kyele’s heart took flight. But not in pleasure.

  “What if something happens to you?”

  What if he lost her? Would fate cruelly snatch this newly found love away from him?

  Joni cupped his clenched jaw. “Nothing’s going to happen to me.”

  Kyele bit back the need to recite all the ways females died, including birthing a baby.

  Her brows lowered and her back stiffened. “I’m getting the feeling you are not pleased with this.”

  She struggled in his lap, attempting to move away. Kyele held her in place easily. He wished he could say what she wanted to hear. He wanted to be jubilant, but how could he when death hovered over his shoulders every waking moment? His heart hammered out a frantic beat. Joni’s death would shove Kyele back into the void of loneliness he’d existed in before the day he and his teammates had rescued her.

  Kyele clutched Joni close, almost crushing her with the force of his hold. He spoke words he’d never imagined he’d say aloud to anyone. “I’m scared, Earthling.”

  Puffs of breath hit his neck. The scent of fresh cleanser wafted from the hair he buried his face in. His eyes burned as he closed them then snapped them back open when flashes of a dead Joni played in his mind.

  “Kyyy.” She dragged out the shortened name only she used for him on a soft sigh then ran her hands over the curve of his shoulders and back. The touch did nothing to lessen the impact of her news. His nerves were fucked. “You’re not going to lose me. I haven’t fully trained you yet.”

  An unexpected snort of amusement escaped him. Leave it to Joni to shatter the moment with humor. “Train me? A dedicated Jutak warrior?”

  “Pfft.” She pulled back from his hold, only succeeding because he allowed it. Joni pressed a finger to his lips and her expression turned serious. “No negative talk. We’re having a baby and I’m excited to begin this phase of family life with you.”

  Family. Joni was his family. His shifted his gaze to her flat stomach. The baby would be his family. He smoothed a section of red-gold hair from her face, the curls bouncing then slipping forward again. “If you seek to leave me, I will hunt you to the ends of this world and the next.”

  Joni grinned and tugged at his hair. “How about we get back to celebrating our good fortune?”

  Distraction. She wanted to distract him from the dark thoughts that still lingered at the back of his mind. Only time would ease his fear. Kyele rolled Joni onto her back and hunched over her. Pink nipples taunted. He ran a hand down her side before going back up and placing a palm over the fullness of a plump breast.

  “Mmm.” Her lashes fluttered, lips pursed in pleasure.

  Kyele lowered his weight to her body with a rough glide. Curves aligned to the muscled plains of his frame. Familiar. Welcome. No more talk of death. He needed to connect with his Chosen. He planted teasing kisses along the side of her face, lips. Claws raked over his back, but he continued his path down her throat, sucking lightly as he went. Long slim legs entwined his hips as Joni used her heels to prod him faster.

  “Don’t play with me, buddy. You know what I want.” She swiveled her hips around, grinding their groins together in case he missed her meaning.

  Laughter slipped free. She was sweetness and light but with a sharp edge. He snapped her underwear with a flick of his fingers. Too bad he had no intentions of going faster. “I know exactly what you want, Earthling.”

  Kyele took his time kissing every inch of the body beneath him, flicking the beaded belly ring. Golden lean muscles went taut as he stroked a sleek hip, a testament to the training she maintained with rigid focus. His Joni had been a victim once, enslaved during a process meant to ensure a happy future. She worked out diligently to prevent ever being that helpless again.

  Sliding down between her thighs, he forced her legs to unlock and held them spread aloft. Joni’s squeal brought a wicked grin to his face. Smiling was a daily occurrence with his Chosen. Her humor and brightness balanced the dark intensity he battled internally. Proving he deserved her love was a life goal.

  “Hold strong, little Earthling, I’ve yet to begin.”

  As expected, the taunt caused her to snarl and struggle. She tried to push away from him but Kyele stilled her efforts with ease. Gripping her calves tight, he lowered his head to the apex of her thighs. The wet center of her with the thin strip of bright red curls called to him. One long lick had her arching, fingers latching on to his hair. He did it again, loving the taste of her. Feminine musk, sweetness and all Joni. Kyele would know her blindfolded.

  “Ky-ele, don’t tease.”

  He nuzzled her warmth and did more than tease. He licked, tongued and sucked until the folds of her sex swelled and glistened with the creamy evidence of her enjoyment. He continued to work her, mixing nips to the tiny bud with gentle nibbles. All too soon her pleas became broken cries and gasps.

  Kyele’s hard shaft was one big ache he wanted to grind into the sheets. When he sensed her on the cusp of crossing over, Kyele stopped and lifted.

  Face flushed, Joni met his gaze with parted lips and eyes of amber narrowed to slits. “My turn?”

  She made no attempts to hide the hunger and eagerness in getting her mouth on him, but Kyele knew he’d never last. He stroked his length, the thick weight pulsing in his hand. The moment her hot tongue touched him again, he’d be done. He wanted to come deep inside her. “Not this time.”

  “Scared?” She stretched her arms above her head, fiery red hair an explosion over their pillows as she arched to put her body fully on display.

  Kyele eased her legs down and leaned over her. With his arms braced by her shoulders, he loomed over her. “You would like to believe that.”

  He nudged her entrance with the head of his erection, dipping in and out, coating himself until the tip gleamed. Joni rocked on a moan and thrust her hips up. The action served to slide him in deeper. Wet heat. Sucking, snug grip. Nothing and no one felt like Joni.

  Kyele growled and gave up all pretense of dragging this out. He started fast with steady pumps which left the both of them covered in a sheen of sweat. The room echoed with the sounds of their passion. Rhythmic pulses fluttered up and down his cock as he labored for breath. A quick
glance revealed Joni about to crest. Her moans came louder and louder, strumming his own desire higher.

  “Harder, Kyele. Harder.”

  He powered forth, teeth gritted and neck strained. Joni reached for him and pulled him down until their slick chests rubbed together. Frantic, he pounded into her depths, sensations rolling down his spine, leaving him choking out each breath. His sac drew up as he burned for release. Not yet.

  He leaned up and drove into her harder. “Mine. My Joni.”

  “Yes! Yes! I’m coming!”

  Her legs came back up and locked about his waist. Kyele fell forward, planted one hand by her head to watch. It was a glorious sight. Joni’s neck bent back, dark splotches of red spread across her throat and chest, nipples a deep berry color. Below, her inner muscles became a vise and clamped down on him making it difficult to move but Kyele grabbed one of her thighs and pushed her knee back while slamming his hips forward. Joni screamed.

  Blinding lights exploded behind his eyelids. Coming at the same time as Joni added indescribable textures to their sex sharing. Unable to stay upright, Kyele collapsed on her, hips on automaton as he rode the wave of her orgasm. Face on the pillow beside her head, Kyele groaned over and over as he spurted. Beneath him, her body trembled and twitched. He found himself mumbling her name over and over. There were no other words. His mind was blank.

  Soft fingers brushed the hair from his temple. “You’re the best thing to ever happen to me, Kyele Bastien.”

  He gathered her close, rolling them to the side with Joni’s weight settled in front of him. “Thank you for choosing me.”

  Her hand reached back to rub his hip, the tension in her body lessening until she slept. Kyele stayed up long past Joni nodding off. He slid his hand to her flat belly. A son.

  Chapter 2

  6 weeks later

  Kyele staggered into the living area after another bout in the cleansing room due to his upset stomach. Heat rolled through his body in random waves, leaving his skin damp and flushed.