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…Chella slid into the seat next to Kain and relaxed her head against his arm. The Cruthian planted a kiss on her shoulder then gave the moist skin a steamy lick. “Don’t get too comfortable.” He finished his drink and threaded his fingers through her hair. She prayed the fusion would hold. “I haven’t seen a real woman in months.” His mouth met hers, branding her lips with pure carnal heat. She could taste his need. A finger drifted beneath the thin strap of her gown and grazed the swell of her breast. She whimpered into his mouth and ran a hand up his thigh. A hush blanketed the room. She opened her eyes to the gaze of a hundred sex-crazed men. Having an audience only heightened her desire. A jolt shot through her sex, and her cunt pulsed in response, making her painfully aware of the dampness in her panties. “Let’s go some place private.” He clasped her hand and helped her to her feet. A collective sigh washed over the room, and Chella blew the onlookers a kiss. “I said I didn’t like to share.” The gruffness in his voice startled her. Her curls danced as she spun to face him. “I don’t belong to you.” “Tonight you do.” Possessive green eyes raked over her body. “And I plan to savor every minute.”
CHELLA’S QUEST BY LAURA BACCHI
AMBER QUILL PRESS, LLC http://www.amberquill.com
CHELLA ’S QUEST AN AMBER QUILL PRESS BOOK This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or have been used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental. Amber Quill Press, LLC http://www.amberquill.com All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher, with the exception of brief excerpts used for the purposes of review. Copyright © 2005 by Laura Bacchi ISBN 1-59279-390-8 Cover Art © 2005 Trace Edward Zaber
Layout and Formatting provided by: ElementalAlchemy.com
PUBLISHED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
To my husband, Stephen, who believed in me when I said I wanted to be a writer. And to Crystal Bright, Phyllis Johnson, and the gang at CRW for all the support and laughs.
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Sarto slid a bony finger along her cheek. “You lost it, my sweet. You find it.” Chella resisted the urge to jerk her head away from her supervisor’s touch. “But someone stole it from me. From us.” She looked past his shoulder and focused on her reflection in the mirror. Without her lab coat and goggles, Dr. Chella Ter-Berron might actually pass as attractive. Maybe even sexy. The stylist Sarto had hired was worth every krontar. Her limp brown hair now looked darker than a starless night on Promethia. The stylist had fused ringlets into Chella’s straggly locks and colored her new mane midnight black. Wild spirals framed her face and cascaded down her back. The ebony curls shimmered with purple highlights that matched the violet in her eyes. A tight crimson gown hugged her curves and identified her as a pleasure worker. Creamy flesh, untouched by the suns of her home planet, glowed against the red 1
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of the low-cut bodice. She turned back to Sarto and nibbled her bottom lip. “Why not use a corporate enforcer? This is the kind of thing they live for.” He chuckled. “This little project is top secret. Only you and I know about it.” Something knotted in her gut. The enforcers knew everything that went on at Divuli Industries. Every drug being created. Every prototype being tested. Why would Sarto hire an elite security force and keep them in the dark about their most important project? Chella pushed these disturbing thoughts aside. The possibility of having sex with two strangers—possibly at the same time—worried her more. And stealing back the prototype T-56 file, if the men even had it, could land her in a detention territory for the rest of her life. Sarto had demanded that she leave no paper trail at the company headquarters, and nothing in the file would prove she alone had created a drug so perfect it would make pain a thing of the past. She thought of the knockout pills in her purse and her plan to use them before the sex started. “But what if the KO pills don’t work? What if the men expect to get what they paid for?” Sarto laughed. “Then pod them and enjoy yourself.” His hand reached out for her cheek again. “There’s a reason why they call this orbital a pleasure station.” Cold, trembling fingers trailed down to her neck and toyed with the strap at her shoulder. “And if they don’t satisfy you, you can always come back here…” She ordered herself not to flinch. “I don’t believe that kind of service is in my contract.” “I’m flexible. Think of it as your reward for finding the missing prototype.” “Finding the T-56 will be reward enough.” She hoped Sarto hadn’t detected the quaver in her voice. He practically owned her. Signing on the dotted line without consulting a lawyer was, without a doubt, the 2
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dumbest thing she had ever done. Until tonight. Sarto’s eyes scanned her body and lingered on her chest. She crossed her arms in a lame attempt to cover her breasts and felt a slow burn scorch her cheeks as the pale flesh rose over the bodice. “You’re too nervous, Chella,” he chided. “Do yourself a favor and take an Ardorex. Otherwise, they’ll think you’re a very squeamish whore.” Corporate whore. She wondered how that would look on her resume. She’d practically sold herself to Divuli Industries to pay for advanced semesters at the Academy. And now she was selling herself to two men to get back the thing that mattered most to her. The thing that would put her name down in the annals of scientific history. She held out her palm. “Good girl.” He turned to the berth computer and placed the order. Three small white pills appeared on the console. “How many should I take?” “One every two hours.” Chella gasped. “I thought this, um, encounter would only last thirty minutes. Forty-five at the most.” “Maybe for the puny Rundian named Seth. But Kain Suvan is a Cruthian male in his prime. You may have to order more.” She hobbled gracelessly in her high heels to get the pills and dropped them into her tiny matching purse. With one last look in the mirror at the Chella who had some self-respect, she turned and headed for the door. Sarto caught her arm. “What about your podding device?” “Oh. I, um, forgot.” She prayed hers still worked. The poor podder hadn’t seen any action since her Academy days. The hand-held device lay at the bottom of her luggage. She found it, powered it up, and cringed when a sad little beep echoed through the room. He laughed and dug through his bag. “Here. Take my power pack.” 3
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She snatched it from his hands. The pack was compatible with hers, and she snapped it in place. Then she opened the pod’s latex compartment. Rubbery flakes drifted to the floor. Sarto took the podder and scraped out the remaining chunks of latex. “I didn’t realize you had an interest in ancient electronics.” He slipped a new disc into place and tested the machine. A thin sheath of latex spread over his thumb. He handed the device back to her. “You do know what sex is, don’t you? An inexperienced woman might not be able to handle a whole night with a Cruthian.” She wanted to smack the smirk off his gaunt face. Her anxiety over this whole mess began to peak, and fear gave way to irritation. Sarto had backed her into a corner and, like it or not, she needed to participate in this little drama she’d helped create. Another glance in the mirror reassured her, egged her on. She definitely looked the part. “Your lack of confidence disappoints me, Sarto.” She leaned in close to practice the role she would play tonight. A manicured nail traced a bone protruding from his pasty cheek. “Perhaps you’d rather take my place. Rundians usually go either way.” A frosty glare replaced the smirk. “I don’t think so.” “Well, don’t wait up for me, Sarto,” she whispered. “A night with a Cruthian may last until morning.” Her finger retreated. She turned and put her palm on the ID panel. The door opened, leaving Sarto to fester in what appeared to be unrequited lust. The mirrored corridor was empty. She found an Ardorex and placed it on her tongue. It tasted sweeter than she’d expected. The Ardorex sped through her system, shooting straight to her loins. The humming in her crotch made her feel sensual. Alive. Vibrations rose to her head and filled her mind with a craving for a man’s touch. She watched herself in the mirror while she walked toward the 4
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elevator platform. Liquid fire warmed the flesh between her legs. A quiver rushed through her sex as the platform descended, and when her gleaming stilettos touched down on the plush carpet of the main floor, the sweet chemist known as Chella Ter-Berron had ceased to exist. A meaty male leered and opened the door to the bar. She flashed him a smile and inhaled the smell of liquor and heat and man. Her nipples beaded when she brushed past him—he would be a good fuck. She tore her eyes from the bulge in his pants and entered the room. The shaking of dice stopped. Drinks clinked down on tabletops. All humanoid speech faded to an excited hush. Then the chaos began. Men scrambled for their chit bags and called to her, shouting garbled words of lust. They pulled out fistfuls of paper or waved large, gilded chits. Some simply shook their bags. The deep space orbital they were on sported very few humanoid pleasure workers; most men simply fed their greased cocks to the mechanicals bolted to the walls of their berths. A real live human would fetch a high price. The Cruthian watched from the back of the room. She knew he’d be hot—Sarto had shown her his photo. But the photo didn’t even come close. Wavy hair as dark as hers fell to his shoulders. Broad shoulders. The type made for holding onto when he pounded into a woman’s sex. His intense green eyes bored into hers. She waited for him to entice her with currency. He simply raised his glass. Chella nodded and strolled toward him with newfound grace. A chorus of horny males sounded their disappointment. “Maybe tomorrow night, boys,” she called out over the din. She walked to the table he shared with the Rundian and three other men. They rose and headed toward the bar. When Seth brushed past her, she hooked her arm around his. The small, barrel-chested man barely reached her chin. “You can stay, too.” She bent to kiss his shaved head. He turned 5
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back to Kain. The Cruthian shook his head. “I can cut a deal. Two for one.” Her eyes scanned the short man’s hairy body. “I’ve never had a Rundian before.” The man’s gaze dipped down into her cleavage. He exhaled and sent a shiver of pleasure through her bones. She’d never needed a fuck this badly in her life. If she didn’t get one soon, she’d die. “You won’t get a Rundian tonight.” The Cruthian’s husky voice curled her aching toes. “I don’t share.” The furry man snorted and left. Chella slid into the seat next to Kain and relaxed her head against his arm. The Cruthian planted a kiss on her shoulder then gave the moist skin a steamy lick. “Don’t get too comfortable.” He finished his drink and threaded his fingers through her hair. She prayed the fusion would hold. “I haven’t seen a real woman in months.” His mouth met hers, branding her lips with pure carnal heat. She could taste his need. A finger drifted beneath the thin strap of her gown and grazed the swell of her breast. She whimpered into his mouth and ran a hand up his thigh. A hush blanketed the room. She opened her eyes to the gaze of a hundred sex-crazed men. Having an audience only heightened her desire. A jolt shot through her sex, and her cunt pulsed in response, making her painfully aware of the dampness in her panties. “Let’s go some place private.” He clasped her hand and helped her to her feet. A collective sigh washed over the room, and Chella blew the onlookers a kiss. “I said I didn’t like to share.” The gruffness in his voice startled her. Her curls danced as she spun to face him. “I don’t belong to you.” “Tonight you do.” Possessive green eyes raked over her body. “And 6
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I plan to savor every minute.” *
*
*
The mechanical in Kain’s berth remained unused. Shiny metal glinted under the clear plastic wrapping and a sanitation seal. The pink opening of the wall-mounted unit jutted out, calling attention to itself as if jealous. Chella gulped. The door closed behind them, and his hands and lips launched a sensual assault that left her heady with desire. The effects of the Ardorex began to fade. Her real reaction to him merged with the drug’s waning simulation of lust; it left her breathless. Pure, unadulterated need pounded between her legs, and the intensity of her response brought a flicker of panic to her stomach. Chella ignored the feeling and untangled herself from his embrace. She needed another pill. Something that would keep her confident, aggressive and horny for the next hour or so. Well, maybe not horny— that she could do on her own. “Be right back.” “Forget the pills.” It wasn’t a suggestion. Her jaw dropped. “How did you know?” “I created Ardorex. Your pupils are huge, and your mouth tastes like sugar.” He grinned when her eyes went wide and added, “You must be human.” She felt like an idiot. She had expected a thief, not a chemist. Of course he knew about pharmaceuticals—he was the number one suspect for the theft of the T-56. He pulled her back to him. “You’ll do just fine without it.” His teeth nipped her shoulder. Something wicked and hot unfurled in her womb. The purse slid from her hands, and her nipples burned into the silky bodice, chafing against the soft fabric with every move she made. The dress was history. It spilled to the floor in a stream of red. His finger looped around the elastic of her panties and yanked them down. With as much restraint as she could muster, she unzipped his shirt and 7
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added it to the pile of clothes. He walked backward and lowered himself to the pillows of his bed. She watched, enthralled at the muscles that shimmered with sweat in the dimly lit berth. Kain untied the knot at the top of his pants and placed his hands behind his head. “You can do the rest,” he whispered. “That is what I’m paying you for.” Chella stepped out of her panties. “Shoes on or off?” His eyes traveled down her unclad legs and stopped at the black stilettos. “On.” She leaned over him. His fingers caught a plump nipple, tugging and teasing it until her knees became water. She loosened the laces at his crotch with shaky hands. His cock pressed against the leather and warmed the heel of her palm while she worked. He must have sensed her hesitation. “Nervous?” “No,” she lied. “Just impatient.” He laughed. “You get paid by the hour. What’s the rush?” “Customers like it when I’m anxious for them. Do you want me to slow down?” She thought of the KOs waiting in her purse. “I can fix you a drink.” “No drink.” “Fine by me.” And it was. The whole adventure thrilled her—the deception, the excitement of stealing back her formula once he dozed off—all of it made her want to do things she’d only dreamed of. Things his body was made for. And the steel in Kain’s pants told her he could make those fantasies come true. *
*
*
His cock finally sprang free. She braced her hands on either side of his hips and bent forward to take him in her mouth. It killed him to stop her. “This would probably be a good time to pod me.” 8
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She gave him a sheepish look. Her hand reached down for her purse on the floor and dug out her podder. Dug was an appropriate word. The damned thing looked like a fossil. She kneeled on the floor and fumbled with the podder. A blast of latex coated her stomach. Kain tried not to laugh as she discreetly peeled the layer off. “Want me to turn up the lights?” “No, um, it’s new. I’m used to my old model.” “Your old model must have been from the Zanoic Era.” He chuckled. Her sigh tickled the hairs of his thigh, and he silently chided himself for the wisecrack. The next blast covered the base of his prick and one ball. He couldn’t resist. “You’re getting closer.” She thrust the podder into his palm. “Why don’t you give it a shot?” He threaded her fingers around his shaft to steady his cock. His nuts tightened when her soft palm gripped his length. He pointed the device toward the head of his cock and deftly encased himself. Her fingers released him, and he covered the remainder of his prick in a sleeve of rubber. She started to climb up beside him, but his leg blocked her ascent. “Mouth first, please.” She obeyed. The woman tried to play tough, but just below the surface was a softness, an insecurity, that turned him on. Way the hell on. He wanted to make her do things, push her limits. She would probably submit to anything he asked. And she would enjoy every second of it. Her lips surrounded the head of his cock. A hesitant tongue wiggled against the opening at the tip then laved the broad ridge of his crown. A gush of pre-cum moistened his skin beneath the latex. He arched his hips forward to get more of himself into her mouth, and she widened her mouth in compliance. Her hand fondled his balls as she took him deeper. When his cock 9
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touched the back of her throat, he groaned and guided her head back and forth. She didn’t pull away, not once. Fucking her mouth pushed him to the edge. His prick threatened to explode any moment, so he eased himself out of her warm lips. He pulled her up and tumbled her onto the cushions, then crushed her mouth in a kiss. Her response was strong, furious even, as if she would die if he didn’t fuck her right now. This was Kain’s cue to slow down. To see how long she could hold out. He broke the kiss. His tongue slid along her jaw, and she bucked beneath him, spreading her legs wide. When he didn’t make a move toward her cunt, she raised her hips to make contact. He let his shaft graze the fur of her pussy before retreating. She was human, and humans didn’t get much bang out of Ardorex. He wanted to fuck a woman in the throes of real heat, not someone under the spell of some drug. He checked her eyes in the darkness. They were wide, but not as wide as twenty minutes ago. Hang on. She’s almost ready. He nibbled her earlobe. “How are you feeling?” “Um, horny.” His finger slipped down her belly and between her lips. A rush of air left her lungs when the finger surged inside her. “Are you sure?” he asked. She whimpered in reply. He added another finger, coiling them deep, stretching her gently until she moaned. Her mouth bunched into a pout when his fingers withdrew, and he made it up to her by skimming the ridge of her clit with his slick fingers. Her tits needed some attention. He lapped at the one closest to his mouth while circling her clit. A tiny shudder rippled through her torso. Then she cooed like the doves on Taurin and unleashed pulse after pulse of womanly bliss beneath his hand. He smiled down at her and worked his way between her legs. “My 10
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turn.” She grabbed his hips and pulled him toward her core. He eased into her wetness and felt a throb of warning. Damn, Kain. Not yet. He thought about math and chemicals and the time he dropped a beaker of hot water on his foot. His cock twitched again. Oh, hell. He gave in and slammed into her like a first-year student. The spasms ripped through his body. They rocked his balls, his cock, his mind. He shot inside the latex and coated the head of his prick with hot, sticky seed. Kain watched her breathing slow and deepen. She curled against his body, burrowing the delicate features of her face into his shoulder. Something about her made him want to keep her close, to protect her. He wrapped his arms around her, drawing her near, and gave himself permission to drift into sleep. *
*
*
An alarm beeped, interrupting a delicious dream. The man in the dream spoke. “You must want it pretty bad.” She must have dozed off. When she opened her eyes, she saw her fingers buried in the wiry hair at the base of his cock. She cuddled into his warmth and wondered what time it was. Suddenly, she remembered her role. “When sex is your livelihood, it’s easy to stay motivated.” “I wasn’t talking about sex.” She searched his face in the dim light. “I don’t understand.” Kain trailed a finger over her lips. “You want the T-56.” She pried herself from his embrace and sat up. “You knew all along? You knew, and you still screwed me?” He grinned and played with a ringlet at her nipple. Then he moved on to the nipple. She scooted out of his reach. “I’ve been wanting a piece of you since the symposium last year. I watched you on stage and tried to focus on your presentation. But I 11
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couldn’t. I wanted to lift that conservative skirt to your waist, tear off your panties, and bend you over the lectern so I could fuck the purple out of your eyes.” Chella’s mouth went dry. Her sex, however, throbbed like crazy. She wanted to climb on top of him. Feel him inside her again. Luckily, shock held her back. He propped himself up on one elbow. “I sat there with a raging hard-on, wondering what Chella Ter-Berron would be like in bed. A year is a hell of a long time.” He sat up and cupped her ass. “Good thing I’m a very patient man.” Chella shoved his hands away. “And I’m a very pissed-off woman.” She shot from the bed and scrambled for her clothes. “Whoa, babe. Get back in bed.” When she didn’t, he reached out and pulled her back in. His lips seared her throat, planting steamy, little kisses along her skin. “Those rumors about Cruthian men are true. We just got started.” She did want more, but not on his terms. “You’ll have to earn your next fuck.” That got his attention. His hands froze. “Where is it?” she asked. “It’s not here.” “This isn’t funny. You obviously have it. And it belongs to me.” His mouth felt so good on her throat. Concentrate, Chella, concentrate. “Give it to me.” He rolled on top of her. “Oh, I’ll give it to you.” His teeth captured a nipple, and his tongue flicked against it. She squirmed beneath him. His cock singed her hip, ready for more. His mouth retreated and kissed the sway of her belly next. She intended to push his head away, but instead fisted her hand in his dark locks. The musky scent of her earlier orgasm filled her nostrils and made her crave one more. Just one more before she figured out a way to get the T-56 back. 12
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She gave in. When he tongued the opening to her sex, she cried out into the stale berth air. The hot tongue speared strong and steady inside the walls of her pussy like a brand. He licked his way to her clit and tilted his head, catching the plump ridge between his lips. Kain suckled and nipped the strip of flesh as her bones turned to liquid. The orgasm uncoiled from her womb and spiraled through every cell of her body until she went limp. She only allowed herself a moment’s respite. When Kain rolled over to reach for the podder at the foot of the bed, she rolled with him and deftly got to her feet. He narrowed his eyes at her while she dressed. “That’s not fair.” “I meant what I said earlier. No formula, no fuck.” She waited for him to get mad. He smiled instead. A naughty smile—the kind that made her want to crawl right back into bed with him and do anything he asked. But a flicker of anger returned, reminding her to stand firm. “Why are you smiling?” “Because I will have you again. Sooner than you think.” The hard planes of his body disappeared into his clothes. She held out her hand. “Hand it over, and I’m yours.” “For how long?” He slipped on his shoes and snatched up a traveling bag. The memory of his touch still burned her skin. “As long as you want.” “Hmm. Sounds like a deal to me.” He grabbed her empty palm, opened the door, and yanked her into the deserted hallway. “Where are we going?” “To get your precious formula.” “Can you be more specific?” “Umbria.” She rolled her eyes. The Umbrian Colony. Vice on Ice. Umbria was the farthest planet of their galaxy. Home to every thug and outlaw 13
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imaginable and frigid as hell. And given a choice between hell or no formula, Chella preferred the latter. *
*
*
Chella stopped moving. He tugged harder on her arm, but she didn’t budge. “We don’t have much time. Our rover leaves within the hour.” “I need to tell to my boss—” “You don’t need to tell him anything. Sarto’s the bastard who started this whole thing. Now move.” “Not until you explain.” She planted her hands on her hips and stood firm. He bent and scooped her up at her thighs. When he threw her over his shoulder, she finally decided to move. Arms and legs, wild and frantic, pelted his upper body. He gave her a tap on her pert ass. “Someone’s coming. Act like you’re passed out.” She continued to pound his torso with fists and the occasional knee. A huge security officer blocked the elevator. Kain grinned. “She didn’t want to give me what I paid for.” Her thrashing ceased. The officer stepped aside. “You can report her, y’know. Can’t have the girls tricking paying customers out of their money.” Kain stepped onto the platform and let her slide from his shoulders. Her face matched the scarlet of her dress. She shot him a glare and tucked a nipple back into her bodice. “Don’t worry. I’ll teach her a lesson.” He pulled her close and delivered a firm smack to her backside. Chella jumped, and the violet in her eyes frosted over with rage. The officer glanced down the intersecting hallways then lowered his voice. “If you need any help…” Kain didn’t like the way the man looked at her. He unclenched his fist and waved the guy off. “Thanks, but I can handle it.” He pushed a 14
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button and the elevator doors slid shut. He watched the flash of anger in her eyes give way to a dull stare. She was tired. “You have some explaining to do, Kain Suvan.” Hell, he was tired, too. The trek across the galaxy in search of the file had exhausted him. “Your formula went with me to Promethia—” “You mean, you stole my formula and took it to Promethia,” she corrected. “All right. I took it there, and someone stole it from me—” “You must be a lousy thief.” “Will you let me finish?” She nodded reluctantly. “Anyway, I tracked it to Umbria.” “So we’re going to the most dangerous place in the universe to get it back?” “Yep.” “And why exactly do I need to be there?” “To be sure someone didn’t switch out the real formula with a bogus one.” When she gave him a suspicious frown, he added, “It’s been done before, and I really don’t want to have to visit Umbria a second time.” A silly grin danced on her lips. “Twice on Vice on Ice isn’t nice?” He laughed. The fatigue had made them both a little giddy. “A trip to that hellhole is never nice.” That comment must have brought her back to her senses. Her body tensed and a steely expression hardened on her face. “Then you won’t be surprised when I tell you this is a very bad idea.” He caught her chin between his thumb and forefinger and leaned down to meet her mouth. Her lips responded even in anger, and their tongues tangled until the elevator stopped. His thumb drifted over her bottom lip. “I lost the formula, but I sure 15
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as hell won’t let anything happen to you.” *
*
*
The docking bay held a variety of ships hailing from the farthest reaches of the cosmos. Apart from a few drunks returning to their rovers, the bay was deserted. Kain slowed his pace and stopped in front of the battered hull of a medical transport rover. The pathetic hunk of metal should have been sold for scrap eons ago. She shook her head and walked toward the boarding plank. “So this is our ship?” He nodded. “It’s even older than my podder.” He pulled her back. “Actually, we’re riding with the cargo.” “You really know how to impress a woman.” “You seemed impressed enough earlier.” His hand brushed the back of her ass. Warmth flooded through her again, but she ignored the tingling between her thighs. Kain led her to the back of the ship and toyed with the cargo hatch door. It popped open with a sad squeak. He tossed in his bag and helped her board. Once inside, Kain shut the door and bolted it tight. Crates of medical supplies cluttered the tiny space lit only by a single crystal. His breath tickled her shoulder. “Hope you can handle tight spaces.” Her heart accelerated. A hand stroked her hip while another lifted her wild mane of curls. “I know I can,” he murmured. A hot tongue licked her nape, sending a jolt through her body. “Just let me know if you get bored on the trip.” She gripped the nearest crate for support. Her cheeks burned, and her nipples rubbed against the lining of her dress. He chuckled and stepped away. “If you have a sensitive bladder, you may want to do something about that before we leave. I can get us 16
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onto the main deck. As you could probably tell from the outside of this craft, we’re in for a rough ride.” She took his advice. He helped himself to some fruit in the eating area and a bottle of water. They covered their tracks and settled in below deck. When the food was gone, she peeked into the containers. She lifted a bottle and examined its label. “Umbrians must be in a lot of pain.” Every crate she inspected held some kind of heavy-duty pain reliever, the kinds used by people battling disease or facing death. Most of them were made by her company. “Pain is a way of life on Umbria. You lose a bet and can’t pay, you get beat up. You steal to pay your dealer and get caught, you get beat up some more.” “Why would anyone need to pay the dealer? Wagers are made with the other players—” “I’m talking about drugs, not cards.” “But they’ve all been banished. When I was a child, the government passed the Chemical Health Protocol—” “Laws don’t apply to Umbrians. They make their own rules.” He laughed, then added, “You guys make these chemicals in your shiny little labs without a clue as to what goes on in the real world.” His condescending tone grated on her frayed nerves, but she plowed on. “But how? I mean, we sell our products to reputable companies.” “And Company A claims they never received a shipment. Company B’s freight was damaged. Someone’s making money every step of the way. And it’s my job to find out who’s involved and how to stop them.” “You’re an enforcer?” He nodded. “For which company?” “The biggest one of all.” “The government?” she asked. 17
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He gave a mock bow. “At your service.” “And Sarto?” “Sarto’s the worst of the worst. My advice to you? Start looking for another job, because when he goes down, the whole company’s going down, too.” Well, that’s one way to get out of my contract. “I never suspected a thing.” She tried to gauge his reaction to her naïveté. “You must think I’m an idiot.” “Actually, I think you’re a very brilliant scientist caught in the middle of all this craziness.” He kissed her temple. “And obviously a very dedicated one. Not many pharmaceutical geniuses would trade their bodies in the interest of science.” She bit her lip. Had circumstances been different, she still would have wanted him. “I guess I make a pretty lousy whore.” “Yeah, you do.” Her heart dropped to her stomach. She felt like a fool. He stepped closer. “But you were one hell of a screw.” His mouth captured hers, intensifying the low hum that started every time he got close. She jumped away from him when footsteps sounded on the ceiling. Engines roared beneath her heels, rattling her teeth and every vial in the crates. Chilly air hissed into the room to counteract the heat of the engines. She shivered, and he pulled out a light jacket from his bag. “It’s the best I can do,” he said, slipping it over her shoulders. He led her to the back wall where the engines rumbled loudest, sat on the floor, and guided her onto his lap. He smelled of sex. The scent of her pussy wafted from behind her left ear and made her squirm. He shifted her bottom against his crotch. “Sorry.” She turned to the side to see his expression. “Am I hurting you?” “Not at all.” The shifting fell into a rhythm. 18
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She could feel the hardness building in his pants. “What are you doing?” “Passing the time.” He rubbed his chin into her shoulder. “I told you what happened to the file. Doesn’t that count for something?” “I left my podder in your room.” “That’s the best you could come up with?” He reached into his bag and plopped his podder onto her lap. “And I know how to use mine.” She spun to face him. He groaned and adjusted her weight. “Careful.” “How long do we have?” “About an hour.” His eyes blazed with anticipation. She could restrain herself for an hour. Any more than that and she’d have to pod him herself. *
*
*
The wicked light in her eyes faded. “You have a short memory. Until I get the formula back, my body’s unavailable.” She climbed off his lap, but he could see the struggle in her face. She wanted him. She had to. What they shared earlier in the night was incredible. He’d nailed a lot of women, but no one had made his brain sizzle like this one had. And it was a safe bet that her snug little pussy hadn’t had any better either. “How does Sarto fit into all of this?” Her attempt to change the subject made him grin. “Sarto sold your formula. When the buyer didn’t pay, the creep wanted you to get it back. The problem is, Sarto didn’t know who the buyer was. When his middleman ended up dead, Sarto sent you after the people he suspected.” He paused and felt his grin disappear. “Lucky for you, he picked me first. Otherwise, you’d be podding half the star system with that ancient device of yours. I got the formula from someone who needs a favor from the High Council. A favor I could arrange.” 19
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He felt his erection wane and relaxed against the wall. “Unfortunately, someone took it from me before I could deliver it to the council.” “Do you know who?” “We wouldn’t be heading straight to the hellish underworld of Umbria if I didn’t have a good idea.” “Who is it?” she asked. “Just a small-time player looking to make a name for herself.” Her eyebrows shot up. “A woman?” “Yeah. Vice doesn’t discriminate. Anyone game enough can jump right in and get a piece of the drug trade.” “How did she get it?” “She told me she had some information to share. When she left, I couldn’t find the file. Then the lead didn’t pan out, so I figured it was her.” Chella explored another crate. Then another. Finally she spoke. “How do I know you aren’t using me like Sarto did? The structure of Ardorex pales in comparison to the T-56. The components are hard to come by, and it takes a year for the drug to crystallize properly. Any little mistake in calculation and all that hard work is gone.” Her eyes met his. “You might want me to make it for you to sell.” “You just have to trust me.” His words didn’t seem to comfort her. She hugged herself in the nippy air and paced the bit of floor not covered by his legs. In a solemn tone he added, “You probably figured out that, when we find the file, you can’t keep it. It’ll be turned over to the High Council and locked away.” “I had a feeling.” She gave him a weak smile. “Thanks for being honest, though.” She looked crushed. He needed to soften the blow. “Before I hand it over, I’ll let you look through it. Just promise you won’t make it 20
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again.” “I promise. And thanks. That project took up three years of my life.” He heard her sniffle when she paced away from him. “It would’ve helped a lot of people, you know.” “I do know. I’m sorry.” Some scientists wanted to play God. They created new things to compete with their colleagues or for the glory of winning a prize. Others simply loved the chemicals, the quest for answers to what-ifthis, what-if-that. Kain had a feeling she belonged to that rare breed of chemists who spent their days and nights hunched over flasks and tubes to actually help people. Kain wished she would turn around and see the admiration in his eyes. He got to his feet and hugged her from behind. “I know this is a big sacrifice for you. I’ll see that the High Council rewards you for all your work.” “I’m not looking for a piece of paper to hang on the wall—” “I was thinking a job might be a good way to say thanks. You could work with me.” He kissed the back of her head and waited for her reply. “That’s nice, but traipsing across the galaxy and risking my life don’t appeal to me at the moment.” “Same here.” She turned to face him. Her lips parted in surprise, and he kissed them closed before giving her an explanation. “My boss asked me to head up the Patent Office when I come back. I’ll need a chemist to supervise the research.” Chella smiled. “I just happen to know an incredible chemist who’s looking for a job.” He returned the smile. “Tell her she’s hired.” Their lips touched, and all hell broke loose. Vials rattled in their 21
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boxes, filling the room with a symphony of clinks and dings while crash after crash battered the ship. “It’s the ice ring.” His voice rang out over the din as chunks of frozen debris slammed into the rover and rocked the ship. He backed her up against a column of crates. The metal shelf holding them was welded to the wall. She clung to him. “Just a little longer,” he yelled. “Then we’ll dock.” Chella leaned back as far as she could and glanced up at him. Trust shone in her eyes. “I’ll keep you safe,” he said. And those beautiful violet eyes told him that she knew he would. *
*
*
Sneaking out of the rover was easy. Getting through the main gate proved almost impossible. Chella barely kept her mouth from gaping as chit after chit passed from Kain’s bag to the grubby hand of an import officer. Heaters roared through the docking station, but her skimpy dress allowed every draft of icy air to climb up her thighs. By the time their fake documentation rolled off the printer, she was shaking all over. Kain snatched the papers from the officer and rushed her to the huge doorway. His hand hovered over the door handle. “Take a deep breath and hold it.” She did as he asked and filled her lungs with frigid oxygen. He did the same. The door swung open, and he guided her through the clutter of humanoid bodies in the trash-filled corridor. The bodies called out to her, plaintive and desperate. They moaned for their drug of choice or money. Some even reached for the hem of her dress. Skeletal arms fed by narcotics trembled and missed their mark. Disgust and fear gave way to sympathy, but when she slowed to look into one man’s eyes, another caught a fistful of red. 22
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She screamed. Filthy vapors invaded her chest, gagging her with a stench so solid she could almost chew it. Kain grabbed the silky material from the male and lifted her off the floor. She shut her eyes and held on for dear life. When he set her down, she willed herself to peek at whatever lay ahead. The odor remained, but vents high above hummed and diluted the foul air. They stopped at a desk. Kain bartered with the man on the other side and slapped down several chits when the man produced a key. They hurried to another door and climbed over more bodies. Men lay slumped on the stairs and blocked their path. Kain stopped moving. “You do trust me, don’t you?” “Yes.” He seemed pleased with the speed of her reply. “Lift your skirt.” “Throw them some chits,” she countered. “If I do that, we’ll never make it out of here in one piece.” She gave in. Her sweaty palms bunched up the dress at mid-thigh. Kain looked like someone had just punched him in the gut. “Higher.” She gathered more of the fabric. It barely covered her panties. But the hallway grew silent. He stepped aside and pressed his hand against the small of her back. She lifted one foot and watched body after body clear their path. She expected to feel humiliated, but her desire to get to their berth conquered any thoughts of embarrassment. They made it to the top of the stairs, and Kain shielded her from the men trying to touch her ankles. She exhaled in relief when the key turned in the lock. He wrenched the metal door open and pulled her into a hallway. The quiet shocked her. His hand rested on her hip as he led her to their room. Once inside, he shut the door and fastened all the locks. 23
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“Sorry about that.” With a smirk, he added, “You can stop showing off your legs now. I’ve already seen them.” She unclenched her white-knuckled fists and let the dress drop. After a few calming breaths, she took in her surroundings. “Not too bad.” The bed would barely hold them both, but everything appeared clean. She walked to the huge window on the facing wall and marveled at the infinite number of gray-stoned buildings. Thick, dark clouds hung low in the sky. Chella searched for signs of plant life, but found none. A labyrinth of cheap, urban architecture blocked the horizon and made her thankful for her modest apartment back home. “Are there any kids on Umbria?” Part of her didn’t want to know the answer. “If there are, they’re kept out of sight. Most of the women here sell sex to feed their drug habit. And many opt for sterilization…probably for the best.” She nodded in agreement. “Come here, Chella.” He stood by the bathing chamber and flicked on a light. A large tub came into view as she approached. “Want a bath?” She kicked off her heels and rested her throbbing arches on the threadbare carpet. The dress drifted to the floor while she walked, followed by the panties. She passed him and noted the bulge in his pants. She closed the door behind her and began filling the tub. The steam welcomed her into its warmth, and she eased her stiff muscles below the water’s surface. She rested her head on the rim of the tub and considered the odds of him giving her a massage after her bath. Not a good bet. They would probably fall asleep the moment their heads sank into the pillows. She cocked her head to the side when the sound of the locks and a 24
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woman’s voice reached her ears. Kain spoke, and the female left. Then the bath chamber door eased open, revealing the luscious body of a very naked Cruthian. “Care for some company?” “There’s plenty of room.” Her leg muscles protested when she moved them aside, but it was worth it to have him near her. He lowered himself into the opposite side of the tub. Her eyes took in every hard plane, every thatch of hair. Unfortunately, her heavy eyelids put an end to the show. “I’m naked in a bath with the woman of my dreams,” he whispered. “And too damn tired to do the wicked things I’ve been waiting all day to do to her.” She managed to raise one eyelid. “The woman of your dreams, eh?” “Yeah.” He cupped her heel in one hand and rubbed her foot with the other. Maybe the odds were in her favor after all. “I bet you say that to all the girls.” She managed a tired smile and began to doze off. But not before she heard his reply. “No, Chella. I don’t.” *
*
*
The water grew cold. He touched her shoulder. “Time to get out.” When she woke, he helped her stand and step out of the tub. He guided her to the drying booth. She huddled close while warm jets of air caressed their skin. The dryer stopped, and he led her to the bed. He had forgotten about the clothes. The woman who’d brought them had laid the sexy gowns on the bed for him to choose. He had pictured how Chella would look in each gauzy dress and bought them all. Hopefully one would fit. She rolled her eyes when she saw the bed. “So I’m still a pleasure worker?” “Yeah, but you’re my pleasure worker.” He moved them to a chair 25
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by the window and turned back the sheets. She climbed into bed, a drowsy grin spreading across her face. “I can live with that.” He joined her under the covers. The weight of his head set off the podder he’d slipped under his pillow earlier, zapping his shoulder with latex. A muffled giggle sounded on her side of the bed. Kain reached for her hips, tickling every stretch of skin along the way. She erupted in laughter, tickling him back before fumbling for the podder. She chuckled and pointed it at his chest. “Stay back or I’ll shoot.” He yanked back the covers. Her eyes roamed over his eager cock in the dimly lit room. “Mine’s loaded, too.” She arched a brow his way. “Then be careful where you aim it.” He went for the podder, but she moved it out of his reach. “I need all the practice I can get.” “Practice, eh? I was hoping for the real thing.” When the last word left his lips, he flexed his arm to keep from smacking himself on the head. Too late. The look on her face told him he’d jogged her memory. “No formula, no fuck,” she mumbled. “And since you haven’t gotten your formula back, I guess we should pack up the podder and call it a night…” Her expression turned hesitant, but his erection refused to wane. He sighed with regret and prayed the ache in his balls would subside enough to let him sleep. The debate raging inside her mind played through her features. Finally she spoke, and a low, throaty whisper heavy with need sent his senses on alert. “I can’t help myself, Kain Suvan. For some stupid reason, I’m powerless to resist you.” Blood slammed through both his cock and his heart. “There must be 26
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a reason. Maybe more than one.” The violet of her eyes gave way to something serious, something that pulled him in and made his heart crash against bone. He crawled closer for a kiss. An impish giggle broke from her throat, shattering the moment. Her fingers held the base of his length. It twitched at her touch. “This is reason enough.” She podded him in two blasts and smiled at her improvement. “Much better, Chella.” The podder fell to the floor. He eased his body onto hers, sliding against her and savoring every pore. She opened for his legs, and he rewarded her with a surge of his cock. He rocked into her with energy he didn’t think he had, and she responded in kind when his hand found her clit. The soft sounds of her pleasure hummed where their mouths met. He gripped the edge of the bed and thrust harder into her sex. His release was met with a groan, then sleep. The sleep hadn’t lasted long. He shot out of bed as the pounding grew louder and grabbed the weapon in his bag. A hole in the door revealed a pale man in baggy clothes. He’d soon be with the others in the hallway, loading his system with narcs and begging for more. “What do you want?” The man raised an envelope to the peephole. “Darva sent me.” Kain unlatched each lock and held out his hand. The addict handed him the parcel and shuffled down the hall. He walked back to the bed and offered Chella the envelope. Her face lit up. “Well, that was easy.” He sat on the bed, weapon still in hand, and waited for her to inspect the papers. “Too easy.” What was Darva up to now? She fanned the papers out on the bed, placing each page in proper order until she came to a small sheet of pink… 27
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Dear K, I know you think I don’t care about you. Here’s proof that I do. Yes, I’ve made copies and sold them to the highest bidder. But I’d hate for you to lose your job kissing the HC’s ass, so turn in the file and save the day like you always do. In the meantime, I’ll be planet hopping in sub-system 519. Or maybe 798. All my love, Darva “Shit.” He set his weapon to safety mode, tossed it into his bag, and flopped down on the bed. Chella finally spoke. “Is Darva a chemist?” “Darva is many things. A chemist, however, she’s not.” She gave his bicep a squeeze. “Then our work is done.” She sprang from the bed and put on an outfit. “Get dressed. We need to get to Promethia.” “I can’t turn this in.” He slowly rose from the bed and grabbed some clothes from his bag. “I’ll take you back then go find her.” Part of him wanted to go back into bed with her and hide under the covers. Another part of him thought about handing it in minus Darva’s cheery note. He didn’t want to hunt her down. And he sure as hell didn’t want to leave Chella. She stopped lacing the side of her gown. “Do you trust me?” “Yes.” She beamed at him. “Let’s go. We’ll catch a rover to Promethia, and I’ll explain later.” He didn’t think she was capable of lying to the High Council. And 28
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he hoped she wouldn’t lie to him. But if she proved wrong about this, Darva would have an even bigger head start. Trusting Chella was a gamble, but her confidence proved contagious. Kain took a deep breath and silently vowed to place his trust in a brilliant scientist who, until yesterday, didn’t know drug trafficking still flourished in their star system. He must be out of his mind. His eyes scanned the room and lingered on the bed. The memory of what they’d shared bypassed his loins and aimed for the heart. Deep inside, he knew this was about much more than trust. Much more than sex. She’d faked her way into his life. If she broke her word, she’d break more than his faith in her. He finished dressing, packed, and got his bag. Chella took a deep breath and opened the door. “I’m ready, Kain. Ready to get this misadventure over with and go back home.” She held out one hand and lifted her skirt with the other. He took her hand. “I’m ready, too.” *
*
*
The shuttle to Promethia weathered the ice ring turbulence just fine. Chella watched out the window as the planet came into focus, its green spots dotting the sphere like the whimsical drawing of a child. Aside from a few raised eyebrows directed toward her clothes, the trip went smoothly. Kain, however, stayed tense. Maybe he didn’t trust her after all. She pushed the thought from her head and hugged the envelope to her chest. The shuttle whisked into a docking station. Chella sought his hand as they exited into safe territory. She’d visited the capitol planet once in her youth and looked forward to getting rid of the file she thought she’d never give up. After handing it over to the High Council, she wanted to visit the places she’d seen long ago. And she hoped Kain would come along. “What’s first on your list to do?” His voice brought her back to 29
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reality as they waited in line for entry. She sighed. “Hot bath, new clothes, and the biggest meal we can find.” “I guess you didn’t like what I picked out for you,” he teased. “Oh, I’ll save them. Who knows when I’ll need to pretend to be a pleasure worker again.” “That’s a role I prefer you play only for me.” She smiled, then looked away. Sure, they might end up working together. But once their lives settled back into something normal, would he still want to be with her? She dismissed the thought and focused on her meeting with the High Council. An official stamped Kain’s papers. The woman then scanned Chella’s palm and issued her a temporary pass. They walked out of the port and into a world flooded with green. Clouds overhead tinged the city in viridian shadows. The effect was eerie at first, and it took a few moments for her eyes to adjust. He arranged for a ground shuttle and helped her on board. She ignored the stares and zipped his jacket up to her neck. He squeezed her shoulder. “First stop, I promise.” The store he chose wasn’t cheap. Most of the clothes on display cost more than she made in a week. He helped her select some basics somewhere between pharmaceutical lecture-wear and prostitute. Life is too short for long, drab skirts, she thought while trying on bold colors and sleek outfits the old Chella would never have dared to wear. The new look suited her; she’d been through a lot in the past two days, and the strength she’d found deep inside resurfaced as she modeled the clothes for Kain. When it came time to pick out some bras and panties, she chose a few that left him pacing the aisles. She led him to a corner of the shop and cupped his crotch. His knees began to buckle, but he caught himself before crashing into the rack of lingerie behind him. She 30
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taunted him for the next hour, fingering sheer camisoles and tickling his nose with feathery bras. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and Chella became aware of the dampness soaking her panties. “Ready?” He gritted his teeth. “I was ready a while ago.” They hurried to his apartment, locked the door, and stripped in a frenzy as they stumbled to his bed. He scrambled for a podder in a bedside table then tongued her clit until she screamed. When he dove into her wetness, Chella soared. His cock nudged the sweet spot high in her sex and sent her over the abyss once again. He plunged deeper inside her, his fist in her curls, his groans ragged against her flesh. She wove her fingers through his hair and rolled with him when he came. Then their bodies intertwined in the aftermath of lust before giving in to sleep. *
*
*
The ceiling of the High Hall towered above her. Row upon row of windows covered the gathering of officials and onlookers with a soft green light. Chella had expected to be intimidated by the members of council. But when the three men and two women looked down from their perches and smiled, she relaxed and smiled back. Head Councilor Der-Bin interrupted her observations. “It must break your heart to know all your hard work will be locked up until the government can better control its dispersal.” Visions of a dank hallway filled her mind. A place without children, without trees. If the T-56 got into the wrong hands, who knew what harm it would bring? “It’s the right thing to do.” She slid Kain’s bag from her shoulder and placed it on the table beside her. The tattered envelope sat on top. She lifted it out and handed it to Der-Bin. He stood and leaned down from his desk to take it, then offered his hand. 31
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Chella clasped it firmly to honor the traditional Promethian greeting and looked back at Kain on the bench behind her. She turned back to Councilor Der-Bin. “This is probably a good time to tell you that the formula is incomplete.” The councilor stiffened. He stared straight at Kain. “And what of the rest of it?” She blocked the man’s glare with her body. “I didn’t write down all of the formula. If it fell into the wrong hands, Divuli Industries would lose the patent.” She brought her fingers to her temple. “The rest is in here. I can write it down when you’re ready.” Councilor Der-Bin’s smile returned. “We’ll get you what you need as soon as we adjourn.” He motioned to the security officer. “Prepare a room for her.” The officer nodded and left the room. She glanced back at Kain. A flash of movement caught her eye. A gaunt man two rows back pulled out a gun and pointed it straight at her. “Sarto!” Kain spun around and tried to block his aim. Sarto’s hands shook so badly that everyone on the other side of the gun became a target. “If I can’t have it, no one can.” His voice bellowed into the vaulted room, high-pitched with need. How could she have been so blind? Sarto had all the symptoms of a drug user—the paleness, the tremors. No wonder he was desperate for her to get it back. “I need the formula, my dear Chella. And I need you alive to write it all down.” His trembling slowed, and determination gleamed in his eyes. “And I’ll give it to you.” She looked to the table. “I have a copy in Kain’s bag.” Kain shot her a look. She stared back and hoped he would play along. When his eyes narrowed, she realized the expression on his face 32
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had more to do with distrust than confusion. The gun wavered in Sarto’s hands. Kain would have to wait. Chella picked up the bag and walked slowly to the empty space beside Kain. She glanced down and shifted the contents of the bag. If she set it by Kain, he could grab his weapon. The weapon, however, never appeared. She cringed when she realized Kain must have left it behind. Firearms were prohibited in the High Hall. Think, Chella, think. She didn’t have much to work with—breath mints, toenail clippers, a few papers. She almost groaned when she spotted the podder. Maybe if she got the device in sight, Kain could use it to blast Sarto in the eyes. She angled the bag toward Kain and waited. He was quick, but not quick enough. A single spark of light rocketed from Sarto’s gun and hit Kain in the arm. The shot created panic. People climbed over benches and clamored for the exit. Sarto aimed for Kain again. The beam struck him in the leg and dropped him to the floor. Chella whipped the podder out and released a spray of latex directly into Sarto’s eyes. He scrambled to scrape it from his face, but Kain found the strength to stand. He lunged over the benches between them and slammed Sarto to the ground. The chaos continued as security officers swarmed the hall. The armed officers took over, and a team of medics attended to Kain. Chella’s body refused to move. A medic led her to the door and into a waiting transporter. Kain entered the vehicle on a stretcher covered in blood. The transporter accelerated. She stroked his forehead and prayed he’d be okay. She could stand to lose anything—her formula, her dignity, her job. Anything except Kain. *
*
*
“You can see him now.” The doctor patted her arm and roused her 33
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from the dark thoughts whirling through her mind. “Is he…is he okay?” The doctor smiled. “Kain’s pretty tough, and the blood was the worst of it.” Relief swept over every cell in her body. She dashed to his room and barged through the door. Kain’s big body filled the bed. She touched his ashen cheek and felt the moisture in her eyes escape. “How do you feel?” “Groggy. Sore.” He tried to smile. “But okay.” She grinned through her tears. “Do you need anything?” “Yeah.” “What?” she asked. “Just you.” His hand opened, and she covered it with hers. A snore escaped beneath his breathing tube. Chella held his hand until it went limp, then curled up in the chair by his side. *
*
*
“Just one day left.” Kain flashed her a smile and gulped down his second breakfast of the morning. His arm was almost back to normal. The knee would need some work. Chella wiped a crumb from his scruffy face. “The doctor said you need to walk—” “It hurts like hell.” She left his side to shut the door. “Am I going to get a lecture?” Something naughty danced in her gorgeous eyes. She hugged the chair she’d slept in every night since his injury and dragged it to the door. She faced him and put her hands on her hips. “Get up.” “But, honey—” Her fingers captured the top button of her blouse. He pushed the bed tray and sent it rolling into the wall. 34
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The first button slid free. Then another. “I think what you need is the proper motivation.” The shirt wisped to the floor. A black sheer bra edged in feathers cradled her breasts and made his palms sweat. She unzipped her skirt to reveal matching panties. “Get up.” The commanding tone in her voice stirred his groin. He pointed to the sheet tenting over his cock. “I am getting up.” Black stilettos clicked on the stone floor as she moved toward him. She teased the sheet off his throbbing prick. Her nails ran the length of his shaft, making him squirm and almost lose his seed. “Too bad I left the podder at your place.” Warm lips captured the tip of his cock. She stopped when he groaned. “Quiet or the medic will come.” He bit his lip. She gave the head of his cock a lick, then walked back to the door. “Time to walk.” Kain eased himself from the bed and winced. The first few steps sent fire through his thigh. By the time he reached her, sweat coated his body and ran like a river down his back. She helped him back to the bed. “Good job,” she said, kissing her way down his stomach. She took him in her mouth, her tongue coiling and swirling, until his seed roared through his prick and into her throat. She climbed up on the small bed. He kissed her deeply, tying his soul to hers with his tongue. When he ended the kiss, she settled next to his body and rested her hand on his chest. “When I go home tomorrow, I’ll need someone to take care of me.” “The injuries are healing fine,” she said. “And I can stay as long as you want.” “As long as I want?” 35
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Chella looked away. “I mean, unless it’s not what you want.” She paused before adding, “I know working together could get a little weird.” He guided her face back to his. “I happen to know a lot of husbands and wives who work together just fine.” Her mouth tried to drop open, but his hand held it in place. “Are you asking me to be your wife?” “Yes, Chella. What’s your answer?” His heart doubled its beat with each second of silence. “Marriage is complicated like a chemical formula. You need patience and love—” “I do love you.” He pulled her closer. “And all we need is you and me.” “I love you, too, Kain. And my answer is yes.” His mouth covered hers again. Two souls united on a single quest kissed under a blanket of green until darkness fell, and sleep gave way to dreams.
36
LAURA BACCHI
Laura Bacchi writes romance, erotica, and everything in between. Her science-fiction erotic romance, The Heart of a Hunter, placed second in Phaze.com’s Phaze One Writing Challenge, and her romantic short stories appear regularly in Sun Magazine. A librarian by day, Laura lives in the Southeast with her daughter and a super-supportive husband who is always willing to read her latest work-in-progress and assist with any “research.” Readers are always welcome to drop her a line at
[email protected]. For more about Laura and her work, please visit her website at http://www.laurabacchi.com.
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