HeartStorm (HeartFast Series Book 3)

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  About the Author

  HeartStorm

  Book 3 of the HeartFast Series

  By

  Linda Mooney

  HEARTSTORM

  Copyright © 2014 by Linda Mooney

  ISBN 978-1-941321-19-5

  Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 (five) years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.

  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.

  Cover Art: Ash Arceneaux

  Other books in this series:

  HeartFast

  HeartCrystal

  Chapter One

  Homecoming

  Doctor Devorah Perlakian sat in the middle of the huge transport bay and waited for Guardian Three to return. Crossing her arms over her chest, she slowly rocked from side to side as she tried to calm herself. She still had trouble accepting, trouble dealing with what had happened months before when Commander and the others on Transport Two had disappeared inside that wormhole. Now she had to anticipate what was to come, when the rest of the Guardians had suddenly taken off to return to that same area a few days ago, and were due to arrive back at any moment.

  Deceiver wouldn’t tell her what the outcome of their mission had been, which both confused and worried her. She was always given a report, good or bad. And if someone was seriously injured and needed immediate medical help, he was very adept at sending ahead the person’s specs, so she would be ready to provide expedient care.

  But not this time. Other than the cryptic “We’re on our way home,” she’d heard nothing. Worse, it was taking them longer than usual to get back, even though the Guardian leader had told her they had sustained damage to the ship, and weren’t able to use the hyperlight drive. What was delaying them?

  A shiver went through her. A warm tear slid down her cheek. She allowed herself to cry when no one was around to see her. She didn’t want the others to see her weakness, afraid it would cast her in an unfavorable light among the superheroes. Which was why she’d done as much crying as she needed these past few days, since the rest of the Guardians had left to pursue reports of pirate activity in the Caperonda cluster. She figured that if she got it out of her system, there would be no more tears left when they returned. No tears for the others to see. Her professional countenance would remain intact, and give them the reassurance they needed from her that they were in very capable hands.

  Another tear glided down in the path of the first. Silently, she cursed herself.

  Commander was gone. Forever gone. Sucked through that wormhole. That was almost five months ago, yet every time she thought back to that day, her heart caved a little bit more. Just when she had hoped she had turned the corner and was ready to walk the long road of recuperation, something would remind her of him. A look, a sound, a memory, or the mere mention of his name, and her carefully constructed mask would come crashing back down around her.

  I think what hurts the worst, the reason why I can’t resolve myself to you being dead, is because I never saw you die. Neither did anyone else. One moment you, and Hunter, and Seeker, and Disaster were fighting those pirates. Moments later, the wormhole ate Transport Two, and it was as if you had never existed.

  Her soul felt fragile. It had shattered at the news of Commander’s demise, and only existed now because she’d somehow managed to hold it together with pieces of determination and strings of practicality. Her last hope at finding some kind of consolation had hung its head in shame and shrunk away to the darkest caverns in her heart, leaving her as barren as a lifeless planet.

  Overhead, the enormous bay doors ponderously began to open, sliding back to reveal a cloudless blue sky. Somewhere above Guardian Command, the largest ship in its fleet was descending.

  Wiping tears from her face, Devorah sniffed and got to her feet. She pulled on her stoic face, then signaled the emergency cart to hover nearby in the event someone had to be lifted to the clinic.

  She heard the big ship before she spotted it. After several seconds, the shiny silver hull appeared, long, tapered, and magnificent looking. Before long, the upper half of the ship came into view. As it always did, the Guardian crest emblazoned on the tail sent a little thrill of pride through her. It reminded her of the miracle that had brought her to Guardian Command, and sealed her fate to become the group’s first on-site physician. So far she couldn’t spot who was piloting the craft, but it didn’t matter. Right now, her primary concern was StarLight and her unborn child.

  The ship slowly settled into its cradle before it began to power down. Devorah moved closer, bringing the cart with her, to wait for the hull door to open.

  Seconds ticked by without any sign coming from the ship. Frowning, she wondered what was preventing them from exiting. She glanced over at where the communications console was located, and debated whether or not to call over and see if there was a problem, when she heard the familiar hiss of the airlock. The door slid to the side, but no one appeared to be waiting to disembark.

  Devorah took another step toward the ship, now that it was safe to approach, when Disaster halted in the doorway. He stared at her for a moment, then walked onto the small platform and took the short flight of stairs to the floor. Her eyes widened when he began striding toward her with an unfathomable look on his face. This behavior wasn’t like the Guardian leader. That realization raised her level of alarm.

  “What’s wrong? What’s happened?” she whispered, and glanced at the ship, but no one else appeared to be leaving the vessel. She gave another good look at Disaster, this time with her medical eye. Other than exhaustion, she could see no outward signs of injury.

  “Doctor. Dev.” His voice was low, soothing. A little smile quirked the corners of his mouth.

  By this time, her temper was beginning to flare. “If there’s something you need to tell me, spit it out. What’s wrong? Is there anyone needing my assistance?”

/>   “Nothing’s wrong. In fact, everything’s right. I just…” He stopped and took a deep breath. “I just don’t know how to tell you this.”

  “Tell me what?” A thought raced through her mind, and her heart sped up. StarLight and the baby. She had vehemently protested Star going on this mission because of the risk involved, and the possibility of her losing the baby. “Did Star give birth out there? Is she all right? Is the child all right?” She started to advance toward the ship, when a figure appeared in the hull opening. A figure that shouldn’t have been there. That shouldn’t have existed. That hadn’t existed in nearly five months.

  Her mouth dropped open, and the blood rushed from her body as Commander walked onto the landing platform, then paused to stare at her. Her mind refused to acknowledge his return, his presence. What she was seeing wasn’t really him. He was a part of her fevered imagination. Or a hologram. Or something not of the flesh.

  The figure took the steps, his boots making little hollow sounds. At some point, Disaster moved away, giving her room to take it all in. Giving her space to breathe, although her lungs were refusing to cooperate.

  “Devorah.”

  It was his voice. His face. His eyes that were riveted on her. That thin little worry line he always got above the bridge of his nose was present.

  “Devorah?”

  He reached out, and warm hands grasped her arms at the shoulder. This close, she could smell his sweat and the tang of old air that always surrounded them whenever they had spent a long time inside a spacesuit.

  “Devorah, speak to me.”

  “Paol?”

  “Yeah. It’s me. Don’t faint on me, woman,” he added softly, teasingly. He cupped the side of her face to connect with her, letting her adjust to his touch. Feel him. Accept the truth.

  Tears fell over her lower lashes, but she was unaware of them until his thumb brushed one of them away. Carefully, almost fearfully, she placed a hand on his jaw.

  “H-how?”

  “Long story. I’ll tell you all about it later. But now, I need to get something off my chest.”

  She couldn’t wait for his confession. Throwing her arms around his neck, she lifted herself up on her tiptoes and hungrily pressed her lips to his. His muscular arms surrounded her, the warmth his hard body engulfing her to the point that her mind whispered, It doesn’t matter the story. You’re back. Another miracle has been granted, and you’ve come home. My Paol. My love.

  Chapter Two

  Passion

  She buried her face in the crook of his neck, rubbing her forehead against his skin until she could feel his pulse echo in her skull. She didn’t know he was carrying her out of the bay until she heard the soft hiss of doors opening and closing around them. Opening her eyes, she realized he was heading for the living quarters area, and his room.

  “Paol, wait. Your room is no longer there.”

  He came to an abrupt halt. “What? No. Hold it.” He frowned. “But it makes sense.”

  Devorah laughed softly. “It doesn’t matter. Let’s go to the clinic.”

  Commander grinned. Without responding, he turned and took the corridor leading to the medical clinic where her private chambers were located in the rear. When she had first arrived at Guardian Command, she had originally bunked in the woman’s section, until she realized that sometimes she needed to remain close to her more critically ill patients. Agreeing with her, Disaster arranged for her to have an apartment built adjacent to the medical lab.

  Commander strode through the main hospital area, straight through to where her private rooms were located. Bypassing the small outer living area, he took her directly into the bedroom where he placed her on her feet.

  “I think we’ve been dancing around the fact that we mean something special to each other far too long. Devorah, I love you, and I want to remain part of your life for whatever time we may have together,” he bluntly stated. He was breathing heavily, and she knew it wasn’t because of the brisk walk he’d just taken.

  They remained standing there for several moments, never taking their eyes from each other, yet still hesitant. Waiting for the other to make the first move. At long last, Devorah reached out and fingered the fabric of his dark blue uniform. She tugged on it, noticing how skin tight the material was. No wonder he looked sculpted. The uniform only enhanced what he already had.

  Her gaze dropped to the juncture between his legs. The bulge was noticeable, but not protruding. Apparently he wore some form of protection.

  They had gone no farther than kissing and holding each other close. A few furtive caresses were the only steps they had taken toward lovemaking. It was time they made their arrangement permanent. It was time they sealed their words with action.

  “How do you take it off?” she managed to ask in a hoarse voice.

  After he unbuckled and dropped his belt, he began pulling the top out of his waistband and drawing it over his head. She didn’t wait. Her outfit consisted of the typical green jumpsuit that identified her as a member of the medical profession. A simple flap in the front sealed and opened it.

  She stripped and stood naked before he bent to remove his boots. Commander stopped to stare at her body. Smiling gently as he observed her smooth, flawless skin. Her full breasts. The lush growth between her legs. Slowly, his eyes crawled up to her face, and his breathing was noticeably faster.

  “By the stars, you’re beautiful.”

  She smiled and pointed to his pants. “Need a hand with those?” She was surprised to see his face flush. Without waiting for his reply, she kneeled and held the boots as he slipped them off. When he reached for the waist of his pants, she put her hands over his and smiled. “Allow me.” He removed his hands, holding them out to his sides.

  Gradually, she lowered his pants over the firm buttocks, the powerful thighs, and down his muscular legs where he stepped out. As she’d suspected, his genitals were enclosed in one of those protective cups that most of the Guardian men wore. A little squeeze around the sides, and the gear nearly fell into her palms.

  Immediately, his erection sprang thick and full, nearly parallel to the floor. Devorah found herself almost eye to eye with the flushed head. Impulsively, she gave it a lick, and Commander trembled at the touch. She started to take it into her mouth, when he laid a hand on her shoulder.

  “I desire you now. The rest can wait until later, but at this moment, no more foreplay,” he roughly demanded in a soft voice.

  Before she could reply, he bent and lifted her back into his arms to carry her over to the bed. They went down together, and this time he claimed her mouth.

  His hunger matched hers as they tried to chase away the nightmares that had plagued them ever since the wormhole disaster. One hand lightly squeezed her breast, the fingers capturing her taut nipples between the knuckles to tease and pinch until she gasped. She could feel the storm gathering inside her, her need and desire growing dark as clouds before the lightning. She squirmed beneath him, and along her leg his erection quivered and burned.

  His mouth slid down her throat where it seared her neck and shoulder. She was on the verge of begging him to take her when his hand left her breast, and his nails scratched their way down her belly until his fingers found her mound. After lightly stroking the soft hairs there, his hands slid between her thighs, reaching her clit where he parted the swollen lower lips to roll and squeeze the hardening nub.

  Devorah arched her back as she tried to breathe. The storm was all-consuming, blanking out her mind as it heightened every nerve in her body. Her hands found his shoulders, and she tried to pull him on top of her.

  “Paol. Paol, love me.”

  “I do. I always have. I always will,” he murmured into the hollow of her throat. In the next moment, he brought himself over her, spreading her legs with his knees. And paused. When she opened her eyes, she found him staring at her, passion and anticipation flooding his face.

  He lowered himself, pressing the tip of his erection against her entranc
e. Then, gradually, he slid inside her, taking care not to hurt her with his greater strength. Allowing her cream to ease his passage as his thickness filled and stretched her. Watching her reaction, ready to stop or withdraw at the first sign of distress. His infinite care touched her heart.

  “Paol, I’m not made of glass. Make love to me.” To emphasize her point, she raised her knees to give him better access. He closed his eyes and bowed his head as he reached underneath her buttocks with one hand to steady her.

  His strokes came faster, longer, and more forcibly. His rhythm increased, until Devorah felt her nerve endings tingling. She squeezed her inner muscles, now slick and hot from their combined friction, and her body shivered as the intensity flared within her. Small bolts of intense pleasure zipped through her bloodstream, signaling the sweet promise of release soon to come.

  He was panting, his breath hot and moist against her skin. They were both slick with sweat as he continued to pump her. Pushing her toward the brink. Relentlessly driving himself inside her in order to reach his own peak.

  He was no longer treating her as if she was some fragile object. They were caught up in the midst of down and dirty sex. She dug her fingers into his back and shoulders in order to hold on, urging him to take her harder as she jutted her hips upward to meet his downward plunges.

  For a split second she derided herself for taking so long to accept his advances. For not initiating their relationship to go to the next level before now. For not enjoying this pleasure with him countless times in the past. Her mind barely glossed over the wonder of how incredible this was, when everything within her erupted in a blaze of white hot ecstasy. Devorah cried out as her body jerked beneath him. Relentlessly, Commander continued to ram himself into her, forcing himself through her silken inner chamber that suddenly tried to strangle his member and squeeze all the blood from it. A dozen more thrusts, and he vaulted over the precipice, filling her with his release.