The Genesis Project Read online

  “You do not.” She said harshly.

  “I can protect your secret, I would never betray you.” His father would not accept her. Possibly all of society, but what did that matter, as long as they were together.

  “How?”

  “Taste me, let me taste you. No one will ever know your secret.” That kind of sounded like blackmail. But if it worked in his favor, he would use it.

  “If I taste you, I will become ill. Father has told me so.”

  Of course Vaggo would say that. The bastard must have been waiting for her to come of age, before he himself would claim her.

  “It’s a lie. It’s because he doesn’t want the council or the Chancellor to poke holes in you.”

  “You really do know, don’t you?”

  Xander only nodded his head.

  “But what about the ritual? You’re not wearing your bands.”

  “Doesn’t matter, we will have our own tasting.”

  Chapter 14

  Xander Treegold knew she was engineered and didn’t care! This didn’t change much, but it was still baffling. Gens brain rationalized twenty different scenarios and only one good one came of it. If she were to trust him, it would not only be with her life, but the life of her father as well. How could any good come of this?

  “You do realize what this means? We shouldn’t do this unless we both feel the same.”

  How did she even feel about Xander? Everything was too new. Things were hugely out of focus for her.

  “There will be no secrets between us Genesis.” His voice was serious. “None.”

  As her mind tried to wrap itself around the concept of no secrets, and be matched to someone like Xander Treegold, the room began to spin. The air was clouded with the scent of fire and something more. Had the Phorem not worn off? She needed to be smart, not stuck. What if this was some kind of emotional black mail? Xander’s reputation was well known. Her father would be more than unhappy with her choice of male. She’d be stupid if she didn’t think about this. Genesis Blackmore, Genesis Treegold. Did it even have a nice ring to it? Her life suddenly felt like it was on a crash course collision with chaos, head on. She wouldn’t be nicked in the side, she’d be decimated.

  She was already out of sorts because of Xander. Her room was in disarray. Clutter scattered everywhere with no room for walking. The transformation from order to chaos was already taking root in her living quarters. Could she really trust Xander with her secret? He claimed he already knew. But why did he still want her? She was a clone, a genetic mutation to further their species. Her thoughts were everywhere and nowhere. Her mind was jumping from one thought to another. Processing the situation made her head hurt.

  “I don’t think we’re a match. How could we be?”

  The smile she received for her question disturbed her. It also made her stomach do some twisting of its own. It created an effect that made her nauseous. More nauseous than the Phorem had.

  “Taste me Gen. That’s all you have to do.”

  She’d get sick if she did. Her father had warned her. Gen pulled back from Xander and gathered her knees to her chest and tried to think. She pushed herself to the head of her bed and crossed her arms. This wasn’t some hard equation or a strand of foreign D.N.A. This was Xander trying to seduce her and trying to control the outcome. Why was he rushing this?

  “Why are you rushing me?” Gen tilted her head to the side and listened for signs of un-truths. She could hear the slightest change in his body’s functions, nothing escaped her notice.

  “Seriously, who wouldn’t? I only want to protect you. Covet you.”

  Covet. To desire wrongfully. He wanted to wrongfully desire her?

  Xander was now on the bed, his head resting on her knees and looking up at her through his thick eyelashes. Electric blue eyes focused on her, intent to try and gain entrance. She still hadn’t gotten over him wanting to wrongfully desire her. Was she such an anomaly that it would be wrong to want her? A question formed on the tip of her tongue. But then Xander was on his knees making his way towards her in slow movements. She tried scooting further back, but there was nowhere else to go. His muscles flexed with each move. He didn’t look the least bit calm. There was something brewing just beneath the surface of his skin. Determination was there in the sleek lines of his face. He had no intention of stopping his pursuit. Gen’s head hit the wall and Xander was there in her face. Eyes half open, and dark with want. The blue now a bottomless black.

  “Trust me,” Xander said against the corner of her mouth. His lips barely touching her skin. “Let go.” The words now against her forehead. He placed open mouth kisses across her face, down the side of her jaw and along her neck.

  Gen rested her forehead against Xander’s. Neither of them moved. She realized he was waiting for her to make the first move. It was her choice. The end of his braid was resting on his chest. His hair tempted her in a way that wasn’t normal. She wanted to see the platinum strands tangled with her black ones. Her golden skin next to his milky white skin as they lay tangled, together. That was the word she saw flash through her mind. Tangled.

  Reaching out, she untied the material that was tied on the end. His breath caught and Gen stilled. She didn’t want to mess up, whatever it was that they were doing.

  “Is this wrong, what I’m doing?” Gen asked hesitantly. He moved his face so his lips were pressed to her forehead for another kiss. He leaned back instead of answering her and unwrapped the braid at his neck until it rested on his knees. His hands gently guided her as he helped her to unbraid his hair. Soft, silky bliss was the only way to explain the beauty of Xander’s hair. Long waves cascaded down his shoulders and piled between them. Her fingers started at the top and worked their way down sifting through the strands. He made small growls in the back of his throat every time she pulled her fingers through his hair.

  “Do you like what I’m doing?”

  Xander pulled her legs forward and positioned his head in her lap.

  “No one’s ever touched my hair like this. It feels amazing.” The words were slurred on a moan. Gen didn’t know how long she fingered his hair, but it was long enough to put him to sleep.

  # # #

  Xander woke to the light snore of Gen. He was still in her lap. Her fingers tangled in his hair and the rhythmic breathing coupled with her light snore was adorable. Having her pull her fingers through his hair was the most erotic thing he’d ever felt. It was no match for his sexual appetites but it was right up there in his top five most sexy moments. She was sitting up and that couldn’t have been good for her neck. He tried to sit up but her grip tightened in his hair. Even in sleep, she clung to him. He could only take that as a good sign. Even if she was being stubborn and had temporarily steered him away from his intentions last night. He enjoyed falling asleep in her lap. Normally he followed through with his words. He’d meant to taste her last night. The plan hadn’t changed. Gen was only going to prolong the inevitable. They would happen.

  He again tried to move, and this time her grip tightened and the pain was almost too much. She was unbelievably strong for a female and she wasn’t letting go. Xander moved his head into the apex of her thighs and bit softly. Her legs opened and closed as she tried to move him in her sleep. He smiled against the inside of her thigh. There was an artery there. A huge blue vein that had smaller gold veins that webbed in intricate patterns. The smell between her thighs was stronger than her normal scent and his instincts were on high alert. He needed to taste. Devour each part of her skin. He wanted to see his bites marring every inch of her flesh.

  Messing things up with Gen was not an option. Possessiveness dark and hungry tried to seek shelter in the light. Xander pushed it down. She wouldn’t like his primitive side to rear its ugly head. She’d already been locked away for a huge part of her life. He wasn’t going to go prehistoric on her. Genesis Blackmore was human. The last human ever. He had personally trekked the galaxies hoping to come across one such as her. Not to have, but to
capture and bring back to New Earth. He’d not encountered one human. Even at Sanctuary where they’d been taken to live in peace for the rest of their short lived lives. His father would have been proud of him. Would have praised him for the discovery of Gen. The thought was torn from his mind the moment it had surfaced. He wanted her for himself. Didn’t want her to be subjected to tests and blood work. She’d never be free. He’d take her far away from here if he had to. But as long as everyone kept assuming she was one of them but with Southerner’s blood, they’d be fine. He wasn’t sure if she was aware of what it meant to stay secret. She had to know the implications. Otherwise, what were the supplement shots for? Xander licked the vein he wanted to penetrate with his fangs and groaned as he tried to settle deeper into her warmth. She was so inexperienced in the ways of males. Even if she hadn’t been, she’d have still captured his attention.

  Chapter 15

  Heat surrounded Gen and woke her from a deep sleep. She tried to push the massive blanket off her body and stilled. She didn’t own any large cover blankets. Xander didn’t leave. Panic slid through her bones as she jolted up right. Xander was thrown from the bed. She’d slept with a male, actually slept with Xander, who was currently sprawled on the floor looking up at her with dazed sleepy eyes.

  “Oh my.” Gen whispered. How long had they slept? Her father would kill her. She looked at the door and sighed in relief. She’d locked it. Xander quickly righted himself. Grumbling under his breath, he slid back in bed. On top of her. Of all the things!

  “Stop moving,” Xander said into her stomach. His lips were warm on her skin. Her camisole was bunched beneath her breasts. Giving him full view of her stomach. Startled, she tried to right her clothes when her nail clipped his lip.

  “Ow! Genesis stop moving.” Xander growled as his arms tightened around her waist. Was he serious? “Sleep now.” He mumbled against her skin.

  She tried to move again without hurting him. She wiggled unsuccessfully and made no progress. After a few more struggles his head snapped up and he glared, actually glared at her. Xander waking up in her arms would have been nice, if not for his blatant disregard for his safety. Her father was going to rip him in half. His hair was mussed and his eyes were slightly puffy. Xander Treegold still looked amazing.

  “You can’t stay here.” Gen said through clenched teeth.

  “Your father slipped a note under your door. He’s out working on Project Harvest and said he’d meet you at the Luna gathering.”

  Xander yawned wide showing perfect teeth and sharp incisors.

  “Sleep, beauty. We can go back to my place and I’ll let you use my bath for a nice long soak.”

  A bath? Water was rationed. No way! Could he have hundreds of gallons of hot water?

  “You’re lying.”

  Xander arched a brow as the corners of his mouth lifted.

  “Hmm hmm, sure I am.”

  Xander drew lazy circles on her belly, causing her skin to jump beneath his fingers.

  “You’re not ticklish?” Xander’s eyes were wide with surprise. Was she supposed to be? And what was ticklish?

  “I’m sorry I don’t understand.” Gen said sheepishly. There were a lot of things you couldn’t learn or read about in the book, and being ticklish was one of them. She’d never read anything anywhere about being ticklish.

  Xander moved so fast, she wasn’t ready for him to snatch her leg up and bring it to his face. She watched confused. What was he doing? He hid behind her foot. She could see nothing but his hair and broad shoulders. Her vision impaired by their distance. If she closed one eye she’d see him to her left, if she closed the other, he was completely gone from her right. She could see the smile on his face, but not his eyes. His smile was playful and sweet.

  “What are you doing Xander?”

  His hand tightened on her ankle and his other hand was slowly making its way to the sole of her foot. Okay, so what was that supposed to accomplish?

  “I realize now, why you’re so hesitant where I’m concerned.” He said softly. His hand slowly trekking a path toward her foot.

  “I see that you’ve only seen the arrogant Xander. Not playful Xander.”

  His hand reached the bottom of her foot and was now wiggling her toes. Her foot gave an involuntary jerk, but he just held firmer. When his fingers continued to pull on her toes a sound escaped from her mouth. Faster he began to move and more of the sound escaped until she couldn’t stop it. Her foot started to shake and soon Gen was squirming and pleading for Xander to let her go.

  “Stop! Stop!” she was losing her breath, gasping for air. “Let go!”

  “Let go of what?” His fingers began scratching the bottom of her foot and Gen couldn’t stop the sounds that were coming out of her mouth. These were foreign, but not foreign. She’d seen the recruits at the Academy doing the same thing, but from something they found hysterical. She’d giggled before, even smiled when she found something funny, but this laughing. Laughing so much it hurt her stomach had never happened. She’d never experienced anything like it. It was amazing. A shrill of laughter left her almost speechless. It was loud and unpracticed.

  “Who. Are. You?” she said between gulps of air.

  “Yours.”

  “Mine?” Hers? Now they were talking about something completely different. When did things get so serious? She couldn’t keep up with his mood changes. The smile he gave her was arrogant.

  “If you’ll have me. You have a beautiful laugh.”

  Xander’s voice was sincere and full of emotion. Had anyone ever come face to face with the real Xander? The gentler side of him? Or even the playful side? She’d never have guessed that he was this way behind closed doors. He always exuded confidence. A brashness that held no promise of ever asking for forgiveness. This Xander was caring, and concerned about her overall feelings. He was either a very good liar. Or he was serious.

  “No one has ever gained your absolute attention, even I know that. How do I even know if you’re serious? If you’re sincere?

  She wasn’t trying to ruin the mood. Honesty was something Gen was use to and felt it should be returned on all sides.

  “Gen, in case you’ve not figured it out, no female has ever seen me with my hair down. My hair is a bit of a no touch zone.”

  A no touch zone? What did that mean exactly?

  “I find that hard to believe Xander.”

  “If I can get you to laugh my beauty, I’ll eventually gain your trust.” Xander dropped her leg and fell on top of her, caging her in. “For now Gen, I’ll steal another kiss.”

  This kiss was more than the other two kisses combined. Xander melted into her mouth and body. He was kissing her senseless. Their tongues danced over and over and over again until she felt as if she couldn’t catch enough air. A slow burn started at the base of her spine. It curled its way up and spread, growing into multiple caresses. Seeking hands soothed her into submission. His hands walked along her skin leaving her in an excited state. Xander bit her lower lip causing Gen to hiss in pleasure. She was building up to something powerful, and in her euphoria her fang nicked Xander’s lower lip. Before he’d controlled their kisses and she’d just taken them. But with that one drop of blood, she’d quickly turned the tables and became the aggressor.

  The effect of his blood was immediate. The exotic taste exploded onto her tongue and ignited something dark, hidden. She was so consumed with want, she tried to suck more blood from his lips and found the wound had closed. She growled into their kiss, frustrated that she was no longer able to taste him. His was a flavor she was quite familiar with, but not. The bold flavor of his blood shocked her senses awake. Live wires were exploding all over her skin. She was left wanting more than she could have ever imagined. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she told herself to stop before things went too far. But a baser, more primitive part of her warned if she stopped, she may never know pleasure this good again. The baser part won out and Gen became a primal creature. Seeking what was now take
n from her. His blood.

  “I need more.” She moaned against his lips and tried to puncture it again with her fangs, but Xander was quicker. He pulled away. His body still on top of hers, supporting his weight on his elbows. She tried to pull him back, but he pulled away from her again. His expression was dark, but playful. He pulled his bottom lip between his teeth and cast his eyes lower. Was he really going to play games with her now? At a time like this. She could have him if she wanted to force him, but she wanted him to come to her on his own. She didn’t want to have to exude her strength in order to get her way. That didn’t seem at all sexy to her.

  “You can only have more-” Gen arched her body against his. Cutting off his speech. Her hands were at his waist grinding his lower body against hers. An animal like sound rumbled from his lips before he had her pinned beneath him in such a way she could barely move.

  “Only if you activate the bracelets and allow me the honor of a match.” He finished through tight lips. It was daylight outside and if he didn’t mind that the sun was out, she didn’t mind either. Tastings were performed at night. It was a way they honored Luna. She’d heard of daylight matches, but very few Pars performed the ritual in daylight.

  “Fine.” Gen growled.

  “Activate the bracelets.”

  Xander moved out of her way and Gen sat up. Agitated and still wanting to taste his blood, she turned the bracelet on her right hand counterclockwise and watched as the first rivulets of blood began to slide down her arm. Xander watched as the blood dripped on her shorts soaking into the material.

  “You’re sure.” He asked again. His nostrils flaring wide. His eyes narrowed into tiny slits that only focused on her arm. He watched her bleed, riveted by the sight and barely registered her answer when she voiced it.

  “Yes.” If it was the only way she would get the amazing tasting nectar back into her mouth, then yes. If he tasted like this all the time, she’d have no problem being stuck with him. It wasn’t a bad deal at all. Warning bells were going off in her head. Her brain was rejecting the idea of being mated. Somewhere deep down, she doubted this was something that needed to be done. But her body had other plans. She wanted to feel that amazing rush of adrenaline. Revel in the electricity that thrummed through her body when the taste of him exploded on her mouth. It was the only thing that made sense.