Jo's Journey by S. E. Smith Page A

felt the warmth of his body, she turned in her sleep and snuggled as close as she could to him. His body gradually relaxed. They were finally on their way. The next four weeks would be interesting. He just hoped there would be no more surprises. As it was, his crew was fascinated by the creatures, both human and otherwise, that were aboard.
    The last two weeks had been extremely stressful to him, though he would never admit it. He had gotten into a heated argument with Walter when he saw the male known as Tony working among the other humans. Manota had told the ringmaster that it would be a cold day in their hell before he allowed the male go with them. Walter told him to ‘grow a set of balls and get over it’. That Tony was part of the family and Manota needed to get over his jealousy. Personally, Manota was ready to just kill the male who grinned at him whenever they crossed paths.
    “ Manota?” Jo said sleepily.
    “ Yes, sweetness,” Manota responded quietly, rubbing his hands over her back.
    “ Thank you,” she said softly. “For everything.”
    A deep sigh escaped him as he thought of the menagerie of creatures on his warship. He wasn ’t sure what was going to happen or how his father and brothers were going to react but if it made his mate happy then he was glad he had given in – not that Walter gave him much choice. A deep grumble escaped him as her hand caressed his chest. The exhaustion he was feeling earlier suddenly dissipating.
    He rolled over, caging her beneath his body. “Maybe you can show me how happy you are,” he suggested as his lips came down to taste the sweet honey of her appreciation.
    Jo opened beneath him like a flower to the sun. His touch burning a path over her skin as he ran his fingers down along her neck to her shoulder. Her lips parted with a gasp as he pulled away to follow his fingers with his lips. Arching upward, she moaned and turned her head so he could reach her neck.
    “I love it when you kiss me,” she admitted huskily as he brushed his lips along the long column. “Your lips are so warm.”
    Manota let the tip of his tongue run along the rapidly beating pulse on her neck. His cock swelling as her excitement washed over him. He nipped her gently on the neck, drawing another moan. Her legs parted as she moved restlessly under him. Unable to resist the temptation any longer, he aligned his cock with her hot channel. He knew he should take her slowly, making sure she was prepared but the sudden need to bind her to him overwhelmed him.
    Manota slowly pushed forward, a deep groan escaping him as he sunk into her velvet sheath. He buried his head in her neck, holding himself still as a shudder swept through him at the emotions threatening to overwhelm him. He had been terrified that Jo’s parents would change their minds. He knew if they did, Jo might decide not to return with him. He would have been forced to take serious measures that would have made life very difficult for both of them. He admitted he wasn’t too upset when Walter, Nema, Ricki and the rest of the circus decided to come as he knew that Alan and Tami would be happier having the comfort of their friends with them. No, the only one he did not want on his warship was the human male who seemed determined to challenge him for Jo’s affection.
    I will just have to kill him, Manota thought out loud as he began rocking back and forth. He is so annoying, surely no one will really miss him.
    “ You can’t kill anyone,” Jo whispered in his ear as her arms came around his neck. “You feel so good,” she moaned as her hips moved with his. “So, very, very good.”
    “ Jo,” Manota muttered hoarsely as he began to move faster.
    Jo turned her head, locking her lips to his. She threaded her fingers through his hair, pulling him down at the same time as she wrapped her legs around his waist. She wanted him to think of nothing but the feel of them locked together as one. She tore her lips from his as her first