Jacinda's Challenge (Imperial 3)

  "You were an Assemblyman's wife!" Jotham argued.

  "That the Queen had taken an open dislike to. No one was foolish enough to go against Queen Johanna."

  "Ancestors, Jacinda, I'm sorry."

  "You have nothing to apologize for, Jotham. It was nearly forty cycles ago and had nothing to do with you." Before Jotham could say more, she went on. "And in the end it worked out for the best."

  "How can you say that?"

  "Because I met Mister Pittaluga and fell in love with his coffee. To keep me from coming there, he would deliver beans to me." Jacinda smiled as she remembered. "Several cycles later his business burned down."

  "That happens quite often in the Trunt District."

  "Yes, Stephan told me it happened when business owners wouldn't pay protection credits."

  "Yes."

  "Well, when Stephan learned of the fire he offered to sell Mister Pittaluga a piece of property he owned in central Pechora that had been vacant for cycles."

  "Pittaluga's."

  "It is now. Because of that, Mister Pittaluga sells me his special blend."

  "I'd say that's a good reason."

  "Pfft," Jacinda waved a dismissive hand. "That building was just sitting there empty, doing no one any good. Mister Pittaluga did all the work to make it into the special place it is today. We only sold it to him."

  "I think Mister Pittaluga would see it differently."

  "We only repaid his kindness to me."

  "You did more than that. You gave him the chance to succeed."

  ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

  Jotham wasn't sure when he had a more enjoyable, relaxing night. After their walk in the garden, they had returned to the patio. Jacinda curled up into his side as they sat on a lounger, sipping wine and watching the third sunset.

  Uninterrupted.

  When was the last time that had happened?

  "It's really beautiful here, Jotham."

  "You know, it's been cycles since I've watched third sunset."

  Jacinda just snuggled deeper into his side saying nothing. She knew what he wasn't saying. He hadn't seen the sunsets because he would always be in meetings. Stephan had missed many too, just not as many as Jotham had. Her sudden yawn caught her off guard.

  "Oh, I'm sorry,” she said covering her mouth.

  "I think it’s time we get you into bed. My bed. For the entire night." The possessiveness and satisfaction in his voice was unmistakable.

  "You really like the thought of that, don't you?" she smiled up at him.

  "Yes." Standing Jotham swept her up into his arms, striding through the open doors. "I hardly slept last night because I kept reaching for you and you weren't there."

  "I'm here now," she reassured him wrapping her arms around his neck.

  "Yes, you are, and I'm going to take full advantage of it."

  The wicked smile on Jotham's face told her there would be a lack of sleep tonight as well. "Lucky me," she told him, kissing his neck in response.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Jacinda raised her arms over her head stretching her slightly sore muscles, a satisfied smile breaking across her face. It had been an amazing night in Jotham's bed. A night filled with laughter and loving, gentle touches and whispered words.

  Rolling over she reached for him, intending on starting the day on the right note, only to find him gone. Frowning, she sat up and looked at the time. While first sun had fully risen, second had just started to. Jotham was up early, but not as early as he could have been. They were making progress.

  Getting out of one of the most comfortable beds she had ever slept in, she reached for her robe and went in search of her man. That put a smile on her face. Her man. She had a man again.

  "Jotham, that better be Pittaluga's coffee I smell," she teased entering the living room only to freeze. Oh, ancestors! What had she done?

  ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

  Jotham had risen with the first sun. He'd wanted to make sure Safford had gotten his message about Pittaluga's coffee, and that he had told Pittaluga it was for Jacinda. He had, and now there was a steaming pot of coffee and a table full of food waiting for Jacinda. A knock on his private door had him frowning. He had ordered they were not to be disturbed. Walking over, he jerked open the door.

  "Barek! What are you doing here?" Jotham quickly glanced at the closed door of his bedroom.

  "After you called, I had Lucas drop me off at the Bering space station. There was no reason for me to continue on to the border only to turn around and come back. The High Admiral sent the Arrow to bring me home. I only just arrived and came straight here. Oh, wonderful! First meal, I'm starving."

  Barek started pouring himself a cup of coffee then frowned as he realized the table was set for two.

  "I thought you didn't know I was coming?"

  "Barek..."

  "Jotham, that better be Pittaluga's coffee I smell."

  Barek spun around to see Jacinda Michelakakis entering the room from his father's bedroom, wearing a silky robe. It was obvious she had just gotten out of bed. When she saw him, she froze.

  "Barek..." she whispered, a dark flush growing on her cheeks as her eyes flew to Jotham.

  Jotham was immediately across the room, wrapping his arms around her; knowing she thought she had just created a problem. "It's okay."

  "This is why you called me home? Why you withdrew me from the Coalition? To tell me you have become involved with Jacinda?" Barek couldn't believe it.

  "No!" Jotham instantly denied. "Not entirely," he amended.

  "Then why?" Barek demanded.

  "I'll just step out so you two can be alone." When she started to step out of Jotham's arms, they tightened around her.

  "No. I've talked alone nearly all my life. I don't want to be alone anymore. Come. Sit down and have some coffee. It's from Pittaluga's."

  Barek silently watched as his father settled Jacinda in a chair, even going as far as pouring her coffee himself, before turning his attention back to Barek.

  "I ordered your return because it's time for you to start assuming some of the duties of the future King."

  "What?" Barek found he was slowly sitting down in the other empty chair at the table. "You said you weren't ill."

  "I'm not," Jotham immediately told him. "But I want to be able to spend more time with Jacinda and I don't want you to go through what I did if something should suddenly happen to me."

  "You want me to start dealing with the Assembly, to actually be involved in the ruling of our House?" Barek couldn't keep the disbelief out of his voice or the hope.

  "Yes."

  "Finally,” Barek quietly said.

  Jotham frowned as Barek leaned in and looked at him with an expression he didn't understand.

  "What do you mean, finally?" Jotham asked.

  "I never thought you would ever allow it, that I would never be worthy enough in your eyes."

  "What?!!" The word exploded out of Jotham. "Why would you ever think that?!! You've always been more than worthy, Barek."

  "Then why have you never given me more than the most basic of ceremonial duties? Why have you allowed me to stay in the Coalition longer than any other heir ever has?"

  "Because I thought you loved being there and because...."

  "And because?"

  "Because I needed something to fill up my empty days and nights. Something to make me feel my life had some meaning after your mother died."

  "It wasn't because you thought I wasn't capable?" Barek found himself asking.

  "Ancestors no! Barek, with your knowledge of the law and your experience in the Coalition you will be the most well-rounded King this House has ever had."

  "You truly believe that?"

  "Yes."

  "And you're willing to let me learn, to start fulfilling my destiny."

  Jotham's throat tightened at the thought his son believed he was holding him back from being what he could be. "Yes."

  "Thank the ancestors," Barek switched his gaze
to Jacinda. "And thank you, Jacinda."

  ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

  Jacinda silently ate as she listened to Jotham and Barek talk. An extra plate and cup were quickly delivered for Barek. It had been a little uncomfortable at first, sitting there in her robe, knowing that Barek knew she'd spent the night in his father's bed. But Barek seemed to have no problem with the relationship, unlike her children.

  Soon the conversation turned to what duties Barek would be assuming and Jacinda was somewhat surprised at how eager Barek was. There was an excitement in his eyes she'd never seen before. Looking at Jotham, she knew he saw it too.

  This was how Stephan and Danton would have looked if Stephan were still alive. Stephan would have loved to be able to guide Danton through the intricacies and nuances that were the Assembly. Working together, the two would have been unstoppable, just as Jotham and Barek will be.

  "Jacinda?"

  Jotham's question pulled her from her thoughts and looking from Jotham to Barek she realized he must have been trying to get her attention for some time.

  "I'm sorry. What were you saying?"

  "I was just telling Barek about Stephan's investigation into the Sokol Corporation and how I wanted him to look into it."

  "Oh, yes. I did ask Ethan what he had heard about Sokol." Jacinda wiped her mouth and set her napkin aside. "His first response was that Keane Sokol had Assemblyman Pajari in his pocket and because of that Sokol is guaranteed all important government contracts."

  "That's not right," Barek told her.

  "Right or not, it is what's happening. Pajari chairs the contracts committee, so he has the final say. Ethan also said there were rumors of Sokol's substandard practices causing accidents." She looked to Jotham. "I did get into the safe and Stephan's files were still there. I brought them with me. I'll just go get them."

  Jotham enjoyed the gentle sway of Jacinda's hips as she walked away and knew if Barek weren’t there he would be following her.

  "You really need to learn how to be more subtle, Dad," Barek told him shaking his head.

  "Really?" Jotham's eyes remained on Jacinda until she was out of sight before turning to his son. "Why?"

  "Why? Because if you're not, everyone will know."

  "I plan on everyone knowing. That's why Jacinda will be at my side when we enter the Royal Ball."

  "Really?" Barek's eyes sharpened on his father. "You know that's going to cause a stir, especially among the purists. It's one thing for you to be involved with a woman from another House, but it's an entirely different matter for you to publicly acknowledge her."

  "Be that as it may, there's nothing they can do about it."

  "They can make Jacinda and her children's lives miserable."

  "Then they will answer to me." Jotham's eyes became hard as he spoke.

  "Only if Jacinda tells you." That had his father giving him a questioning look. "From what I've seen, Jacinda is a very independent woman, Dad. She isn't going to come running to you if someone's rude to her. She'll deal with it herself."

  "Here they are," Jacinda announced re-entering the room carrying several folders and stopping Jotham from responding.

  ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

  Jacinda quickly found the files she'd brought and thought about changing clothes before returning, but quickly dismissed the idea. Walking back toward the open door, she paused hearing Barek.

  "You know that's going to cause a stir, especially among the purists. It's one thing for you to be involved with a woman from another House, but it's an entirely different matter for you to publicly acknowledge her."

  "Be that as it may, there's nothing they can do about it."

  "They can make Jacinda and her children's lives miserable."

  "Then they will answer to me."

  "Only if Jacinda tells you," Barek reminded him. "From what I've seen Jacinda is a very independent woman, Dad. She isn't going to come running to you if someone's rude to her. She'll deal with it herself."

  "Here they are," she said pretending she hadn't overheard their conversation. "Stephan had several files and I haven't had time to go through them." She set them down in front of Barek.

  "I'll read through them and see what I can find. You said you talked to Ethan about this?"

  "Yes, Ethan now runs the Zhao Corporation for his father-in-law."

  "They deal with producing mining equipment too, don't they?" Barek queried.

  "Among other things, yes."

  "Would he be willing to work with me? To answer questions?"

  "I'm sure he would, he was quite upset with the deaths on Nuga."

  "And Danton? Do you think Stephan ever talked to him about this?"

  "I... that I don't know. They talked all the time, but Danton had just turned thirty when Stephan died. I don't know if Stephan would have discussed an ongoing investigation with him."

  "I'll speak with him." Barek stood gathering up the files. "Jacinda, I just want to say how truly wonderful I think it is that you have entered our lives." He leaned down placing a kiss on her cheek. "If this old man gives you any problems, let me know and I'll take care of him."

  "Old man!" Jotham exclaimed in feigned outrage causing Jacinda to laugh.

  ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

  Jotham leaned against the doorframe of the bathroom and simply watched Jacinda and knew he never really appreciated watching a woman get ready for her day before. He had always been too busy getting ready for his own.

  Jacinda slipped out of the room when Chesney had called. By the time he finished, she had showered and wrapped herself in a towel and begun rubbing lotion into her dewy, golden skin. She started at her feet, resting first one and then the other on the edge of the large tub he never used, slowly working her way up her legs.

  Jotham had never seen anything as erotic as watching her hands glide over her own body. Seeing her fingers massaging the lotion into the golden skin, he groaned silently, torn between the desire to be touching that silky beautiful skin and watching her touch herself.

  Where would those hands go next?

  He found out as she moved on to her shoulders, working her way down her arms before she reached as far as she could over her back.

  "Here, let me help you with that." His words had her head spinning around, her eyes widening as she looked at him; her long, gorgeous hair piled high on her head, exposing the delicate curve of her neck.

  "I thought you were on the comm."

  "I was. Now I'm with you." He picked up the bottle she set on the counter and squeezed a generous amount into his hand. The scent of roses that he always associated with her filled his senses.

  Slowly, he began to spread scented lotion over the soft skin of her shoulders, working his way down until he reached the towel barrier. Slipping a finger underneath, it gave way exposing her slender back. Unhurriedly, he ran his thumbs down her spine the rest of his hands followed, caressing the outside curves of her generous breasts, and then narrowed in over her ribs and her svelte waist, before stretching out again to caress her hips. Hips that twisted slightly under his attentions.

  "Do you know what you do to me?" he asked as his hands slowly made a return trip up her back. "I watch you walk in front of me, and I can't take my eyes off you. Off how gracefully you move, the gentle sway of your hips. It makes me so hard." Jotham couldn't stop from pressing his enlarged shaft against her buttocks proving it. "Even Barek noticed."

  "What?" Jacinda asked breathlessly, trying to understand his words.

  "He caught me watching this luscious ass as you walked into the bedroom." His hands had worked their way back down to knead said flesh. "And told me I needed to learn to be more subtle or everyone would know."

  "What did you say?" she asked pressing back against his hands.

  "I told him I planned on everyone knowing. I'm not going to hide how I feel about you, Jacinda. About how much you mean to me." His hands, slick with lotion, slid around and up to cup her breasts. "How much I want you."

  Jacinda's h
ead fell back onto his shoulder. "Ancestors, Jotham! That feels amazing!"

  "It will only get better," he promised squeezing her breasts one last time before his hands arrowed down her soft stomach to the curls between her thighs, pulling her back against him, his cloth-enclosed shaft pressing up between her cheeks.

  "I'm going to hold you to that." Reaching behind her, she turned her head as she grabbed the back of Jotham's neck and pulled his mouth down to hers for a searing kiss.

  Jotham turned her in his arms, lifting her as he did, setting her on the vanity, causing her to shriek at its coolness.

  "Jotham!" she cried out even as her legs wrapped around his waist.

  "I will never give you up, Jacinda." Ripping open his pants, he set the tip of his shaft at her wet entrance. "Never lose you." Slowly he pressed into her, his muscles shaking with restrained desire. "You are mine!"

  "Yes, Jotham!" Tightening her legs, she pulled him home. "Yours!"

  Shouting out, they found heaven together.

  ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

  Barek frowned over what he found in Stephan Michelakakis' files. How could this have been going on for so long undetected? Ethan had been right, at the time Stephan had compiled this information. Sokol had been awarded every major contract for over ten cycles. It had been nearly another ten since then, was it still true? He needed to find out.

  Rising, he went to find the one man that could help him, his father's aide, Chesney.

  "Good morning, Mister Chesney," Barek greeted, walking into his father's outer office.

  "Prince Barek!" Chesney was instantly on his feet. "I didn't know you were on planet."

  "Permanently, Chesney."

  "Excuse me?"

  "Has my father not told you yet? I have left the Coalition and will now be working along with my father in the ruling of our House."

  "Really? No, the King has not yet informed me of that." As he spoke, a smile broke out across Chesney's face. It seemed Jacinda was having a bigger effect on Jotham than he'd thought.

  "Well, I'm sure he will be but right now I need your help."