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mine and the strength of the House of Kassis by your foolish act this morning.”
    Jo rose stiffly from her chair. “You are right,” she replied quietly with a slight bow of her head. “For that, I apologize. There is no way to turn back time and correct the decision I made. I can only learn and move forward. The fact remains, you did not kill me and there is nothing I can do to change what has already happened. But, I can make sure that it does not happen again,” she added woodenly. “That is why I have come to the decision that I think it is best if I leave.”
    Manota ran his hand across the back of his neck in aggravation. “Do you think going to stay with your sister or River will change things?” He asked in frustration.
    Jo shook her head. “I’m not talking about staying with Star or River,” she said softly. “I’m talking about going home. I want to return to my world. I… I want to be taken back to Earth.”
    Manota ’s breath exploded out of his chest as he stared in horror and disbelief at Jo. He had not expected her to request that she be taken back to her world. Anger built as fear of losing her swept through him.
    “ No,” he growled out quietly, the look of determination glittering in his eyes as he took a step toward where she was standing. “No,” he said again, this time with a thread of steel in the word. “I will not return you to your world. You are mine! I have claimed you. I have tried to give you time to adjust, time to accept your new life. You leave me no other choice, Jo.”
    Jo stepped back as he advanced toward her. Her hand fluttered to her throat as his expression changed from anger to a calm determination. The look in his eyes scared and excited her. Her eyes widened when his hands began to undo the stays holding his shirt closed.
    “Manota,” she whispered, raising her hand out to ward him off. “Please, you have to understand. I have to return. I don’t belong here. My parents …” Her voice died as he shrugged his shirt off and tossed it on the back of the chair. “I can’t….”
    “ You can,” he whispered as his hands moved to the buttons of his pants. “You must. I claim you, Jo. I should have taken you back on the warship months ago but you were not ready to accept my claim then. I have tried to give you time to adjust but I can wait no longer. You are mine,” he said. “Let it be known I, Manota Ja Kel Coradon of the Second House of Kassis, claim you, Jo Strauss, for my house and as my mate. I claim you as my woman,” he murmured as he toed off his boots, kicking them to the side. “No other may claim you. I will kill any other who try,” he continued as he pushed the black trousers he was wearing down. “I give you my protection as is my right as leader of my house. I claim you as is my right by the House of Kassis,” he finished as he kicked his pants to the side and continued to advance toward her, now completely nude.
    “ Manota,” Jo choked out, her voice fading in despair.

Chapter 4
    Jo’s eyes swept over Manota’s tall, muscular form. He was beautiful. There was no other way to describe him. His body was sculptured from years of training. The dark skin a contrast to her own as he stepped close enough so her palm lay over his heart. His chest was bare of hair, his nipples a dark, dusky brown. Her eyes rose to his as he gently untied the belt holding her robe closed.
    “ Please,” he whispered huskily. “Please do not deny me, deny us, this chance.”
    Jo ’s eyelashes fluttered as he opened her robe and slid his callused palms across her sensitive skin. A shudder went through her as she stepped into his embrace, looking up into his searching gaze. Rising up on her tiptoes, she pressed a tentative kiss to his firm lips. A soft groan escaped her as he deepened it, taking over as she parted her lips to his demand. She felt her robe flutter to the floor as he pushed it off her shoulders. She wound her arms around his neck, suddenly