by L H Whitlock
Gloria massaged her lower back and looked over. Lily raced over and peered out at Ulrick’s ship. “She means that the TIP we created can only support our ship, not multiples. If there is too much trying to pass through the wormhole it will collapse.”
“We’re going to die,” Gloria sobbed.
Lily clutched her shoulder. “Hey, don’t—” The ship twisted upright. Lily slammed onto the steel floor, Gloria falling on top of her.
The ship slammed to a stop. Lily rolled onto her back and peered out the floor-length window. A nebula of pink and green gasses floated far away, only a ghost of its true splendor.
Groaning, Lily struggled to her feet. Her back ached, her arms were turning black and blue, but it seemed like nothing was broken, though she would have to soak in the healing chamber for a long time.
“Alberta…you alright?” she asked.
“Fucks…Fine, we made it through. Ulrick ship too,” Alberta responded in a heavy voice.
“Glad to see she decided to quit buggin’ out,” Ulrick mumbled.
“To your stations! Attack him now,” Lily yelled. Bending over, she offered a hand to Gloria. The golden-haired woman brushed her hair out of her face and clasped onto her. “You okay?” Lily asked. Gloria nodded and stumbled to her feet.
Lily turned to make her way to her station. Strong arms grabbed her by the hips, picked her up, and threw her over a broad shoulder. Her arms dangled past a firm, toned back and she kicked and pounded, struggling to get free.
Gloria shrieked and collapsed to the floor. Lily lost consciousness to the image of her body, and that of her captor’s, fading away.
29
Lily tried to open her eyes, but the heavy lids struggled to cooperate. What happened? A vision of her being picked up and Gloria screaming flashed through her mind. Then the vertigo and her body fading away. Ulrick had not been kidding about teleporting.
Lying still on the pewter silk sheets, she examined her body. She was sore, but all of her bruises and cuts had somehow been healed. She tried to lift herself from the soft mattress, but the air was chilly and the fluffy comforter promised warmth. Lily thought for a moment about putting her escape on hold and curling up beneath the silky sheets. But, she would be a dammed idiot to even consider sleeping in this bed, especially since she had a sneaking suspicion it belonged to Ulrick.
She swung her legs over the side and slid off the bed. She took two shaky steps and steadied herself on a small end table.
Where are my shoes? She glanced around the room and found them beside the table. A cool draft brushed over her exposed upper thighs. After a brief inspection of her outfit she noticed that she was not in her own shirt, but a semi-see through lace dress that was much too short for her liking. What the hell? Where are my pants! I can’t strut through this place looking like-like-this! Whose outfit is this? It certainly is not mine. She had to admit it was strangely comfortable, though entirely useless and inappropriate. Thankfully, she was wearing boy-short style underwear that almost covered her entire ass. She pulled down on the material, trying to stretch the fabric to cover more skin. Rolling her eyes, she gave up and looked around the room for her possible escape.
The room had an open floor plan with a vaulted ceiling and wooden floor. The walls were a deep plum and dark gray sheets covered an over-sized bed. Pendulum lights hung from chrome rods, and four closed doors adorned the wall opposite the bed.
She crept to one of the doors, placed an ear against it, and listened. Hearing nothing, she flung it open, only to find a closet consisting entirely of black cargo pants, battle vests, combat boots, and t-shirts. Unfortunately, the pants were much too wide, but, remaining hopeful, she attempted to tie them at the waist. After multiple failed attempts, she kicked them off, leaving them in a twisted pile on the floor.
Stepping up to the next door, she repeated the process. She found another closet filled with lacy dresses like the one she was wearing, though most had even less fabric and were missing crucial areas. One was an extraordinarily bright pink, which she doubted would even cover her breasts, and, the undergarments paired with it, had a hole in the crotch.
“No way in hell,” she muttered, tossing it over her shoulder then continued rummaging through the contents. Finding nothing, she moved back to the first closet and grabbed a tee-shirt. It hung to her knees and she had to roll up the sleeves several times, but at least she was not running around an enemy ship looking like an asteroid belt whore. She shoved her feet in her boots, laced them up, then made her way to the next closed door.
She pushed the open button several times, but the touch screen flashed red with an error message and requested a badge number. Shrugging, she marched back to the bed, grabbed a small, decorative sculpture from the end table and slammed it into the control panel. The door slid open.
Leaving the broken sculpture on the floor in pieces, and the control panel sparking, she stepped into an office with similar décor as the bedroom. A desk sat in the right corner and two sofas, with a matching coffee table, adorned with a burgundy rug in the center. Video screens littered the walls and silver pendulum lights illuminated the room, casting shadows over the dark plum walls.
Lily searched through a stack of papers sitting atop the desk then attempted to hack the computer. Something tickled her leg. She glanced down to see a blood red ribbon spiraling around her calf. She gripped the fabric and pulled. It split in two and wove itself around her arm.
“What the Fuck!” She stumbled backward, pulling at the ribbon. It split again and wrapped around her other arm. Lily scurried back into the bedroom, pulling and tugging on the streamers to no avail. Yanking open a drawer in the end table, she searched for a weapon, but the drawer was empty.
The ribbon split again and jumped to her other leg. Her limbs were now all covered with the satin fabric and it was getting tighter by the moment. She clawed at her left arm and the ribbon’s end elongated, reaching out to wrap round the bed post. It tugged, pulling her across the room. She dug her heels into the floor and fought but the ribbon on her right arm elongated, wrapping around the opposite bedpost and dragged her, kicking and screaming, onto the mattress.
She flailed on the bed but the ribbons only seemed to get tighter and tighter until it was nearly impossible to move. Winded, she gave up and lay limply on the bed. The ribbons seemed to loosen their grip, allowing her to relax.
The door at the far end of the room opened and Ulrick walked in. She couldn’t help but think he looked enticing in his battle uniform and fitted tee-shirt. His thick black hair hung loose around his tanned face, lying handsomely against his broad chin. Hilian markings danced over his arm, the thick bands twisting and spiraling in an alluring dance. Her own chocolate designs heated up and joined with the flow of his markings, calling her to him.
Ulrick looked at her with dark eyes. Her breath caught. Have his eyes always been this soft? He took large, commanding steps, pausing only briefly to look at the destroyed office door. A grin spread across his face, his eyes gleaming with amusement.
“A’ Kilini, I am sorry you woke without me,” he murmured as he approached the bed.
Lily tried to dive off the edge, but the crimson ribbons held her in place.
Narrowing her eyes she gathered her courage. “Let me go right now and I may let you live.” She tried to keep her voice straight and unwavering, but it came out in an embarrassing squeak.
He sucked in a deep, controlled breath, his gaze gliding over her body. “I like you wearing my shirt, surrounded in my scent. You looked gorgeous earlier, but now…by the worlds you look delicious.” He crawled onto the bed and lay on his side next to her.
Lily struggled again, the ribbons tightened around her legs holding her in place. After a few moments, she stopped the exhausting battle.
“Don’t fight them or they will make you uncomfortable.” His gaze dropped as he slowly examined her body, his eyes growing increasingly dark. “I would not want for you to be uncomfortable. We have so
much to discuss.” He trailed his fingers over the necklace of carved rock around her neck, a triumphant smile creeping onto his face.
“I have nothing to discuss with you.”
He trailed his fingers down the slope of her side coming to rest on the hem of the shirt she was wearing.
“You are my Ja’ Keo Gruna. Can’t you see your markings move to match mine?” He demonstrated by placing his arm alongside hers.
Lily’s heart raced as his markings jumped from his arm, joining on hers in an intricate dance. A wild fire spread through her body, heading straight for her sex. She quivered in response. “What the hell are you doing to me?” Lily gasped, overwhelmed by the feelings rushing through her body.
Ulrick sat still during her struggles, observing her silently. She could have sworn she heard the man sigh as he leaned down toward her and breathed in deeply, closing his eyes to enjoy her scent.
Out of the corner of her eye Lily spotted movement. The door Ulrick came through cracked open and Gloria’s head peaked in. Lily almost shouted with joy. That colorful bombshell had somehow made her way onto the ship.
Gloria stood frozen in the doorway, staring at her with wide eyes. Shit! Why isn’t that idiot moving?
Lily motioned with her foot for Gloria to move. Seeming to get the hint, the golden-haired woman slowly made her way toward the closet doors. She tiptoed across the wood floor, pausing as a creak echoed through the room. Gloria’s eyes widened, the color washing out of her face.
Ulrick, who was bent low, nuzzling Lily’s neck, perked up.
Lily strained her neck and captured Ulrick’s lips with hers in an attempt to distract him. It seemed to work as Ulrick immediately responded and took charge. He cupped her face with a large hand, the other braced against the bed, holding himself above her. He deepened the kiss, demanding a response. Lily gasped, pleasure invading her senses. Ulrick’s tongue slipped past her opened lips, conquering her mouth. Her nipples hardened, heat pooled between her legs. She was grateful the signs of her arousal were hidden beneath the baggy shirt. With each swirl of his tongue, waves of heat spread through her body, her desire building rapidly. Ulrick grazed his hand over her breast, finding the sensitive hardened point beneath her shirt. Lily couldn’t help but respond. Her tongue broke free of her will and swirled along with his.
An insistent beeping on Ulrick’s RAB pulled him from his pursuits. With an irritated growl he broke the kiss. Lily lay breathless beneath him, she could not remember a time when she responded to anyone like this. She was achy, weak, and bashful of the wetness that was gathering between her legs. Ulrick stared at her with dark eyes, his nostrils flaring as he took heavy breaths. No doubt he smelled her arousal as a low rumble came from his chest.
When Ulrick finally spoke, his words came out in a forceful rasp. “My apologies, A’ Kilini, I must tend to my crew, we will TIP soon.” He stood, the outline of his hardened member evident against his cargo pants, and hurried across the room. Pausing at the door he looked back at her with a tormented gaze then left the room. The door slid shut, clicking as the automatic locking system activated.
Lily struggled wildly on the bed as Gloria peeked out from inside the closet. After making sure they were alone, she ran to Lily’s assistance.
“Lily! Are you okay? Ulrick kissed you!” Gloria’s face flushed as she scrambled onto the bed and tried to yank Lily’s arm free from her restraints. “You’re stuck!” the blonde girl nearly wept.
Lily felt her ears heat up. “See if there is a button or something that controls these snake things.”
Gloria slid off the mattress and looked around the dark wooden headboard.
“How did you get here?” Lily asked as she watched the tall girl circle the bed, tugging on the ribbons locked to the bed posts. Her makeup had worn off, revealing the natural pink glow of her cheeks.
“I grabbed onto Ulrick’s leg when he was fading away. He was so infatuated with you he didn’t even notice. Was he good?”
“What?”
“Was he a good kisser? That looked like a super-hot kiss.”
Lily felt a swarm of butterflies take flight in her chest. “Just help me up!”
“Oh! I found something!” Gloria tapped at a small box on the side of the bed that was carved to match the harsh angular design trailing down the banister.
“Bust it open!” Lily had to force herself to whisper.
“It’s stuck.”
“Pull out the table’s drawer and bash it open.”
Gloria pulled out the drawer, dumped the contents onto the bed, and slammed it into the box. The drawer splintered and the box broke off the banister. Lily’s arms dropped to the bed, free of her restraints.
“Ah, thank you.” Lily walked around the bed and looked through the items Gloria had dumped onto the mattress. She grabbed a piece of the splintered wood and stuck it into her boot. “Did you see where they put my pants?” Lily dropped to her hands and knees and once again checked beneath the bed.
Gloria screamed, her arms flailing. “They got me! They got me!”
Lily jumped to her feet and pulled at the ribbons wrapped around Gloria’s leg but the ribbons were impossible to remove. Lily took a running step for the office, Gloria’s leg dragged with hers and the two toppled to the ground.
“They have both of us!” Gloria shrieked.
“What the hell!” Lily violently thrashed her leg around, pulling Gloria’s helplessly along with her.
Both girls jumped as a sound came from outside.
“Ulrick’s back,” Gloria whispered.
“Get under the bed!” Without waiting for Gloria’s response, Lily pushed her into her hiding spot then pretended to struggle at the side of the bed.
Ulrick entered into the room, scowling when he saw Lily on the floor. “I told you, A’ Kilini, if you struggle you will hurt yourself. I will let you go if you promise to sit still and listen for a while without trying to attack me or damage my possessions.” When Lily nodded in agreement he pulled out a control from his pocket and pressed a button. The ribbons unraveled.
Before Lily could pull herself up, Ulrick was at her side, lifting her with surprising tenderness. She scrambled away, but Ulrick was too fast. He trapped her between both arms, her back against the bed. She froze as Ulrick gently cupped the back of her neck and crushed his mouth to hers in a deep, heavy kiss. Lily tried to control herself but she was breathless, her knees weak, and mind foggy with desire.
A low growl rumbled in Ulrick’s chest as he, yet again, ended the kiss just before it got to the good part. “Looks like we have a visitor,” Ulrick said, turning to glance at Gloria, who was standing on the other side of the bed, holding an Electro Vibration Gun. The weapon emitted a purple light, which pulsated as blue bolts of energy sizzled over the gun’s barrel. Lily grinned, Ulrick must keep a weapons box beneath his bed, just like she did.
Lily pushed Ulrick hard while he was distracted, jumped onto the bed then rolled off the end, landing a little less gracefully then she intended.
“Move and I’ll shoot you. Give us the keys and tell us how to get out of here.” Gloria’s demand would have been a lot more convincing if her voice weren’t shaking.
Ulrick’s jaw tightened. “You will not shoot that weapon.”
Gloria positioned the gun so it was pointed at the ground. “Back up, tie yourself up with those ribbon things and let us leave.”
Ulrick rushed Gloria. She jumped, shooting off the gun.
The gun kicked back, the blast aimed right at Lily. Ulrick’s large body slammed into her, his arms wrapping around her waist, his body twisting around hers. He grunted, his body jerking with the impact of the electro-beam. His arms tightened around her, his hair brushing her face as he twisted, his shoulder taking the full impact of the fall. His grip loosened, his fingers brushing along her skin before he released her; his body momentarily paralyzed.
Gloria rushed to her side and helped her pull out of Ulrick’s embrace. “El! I’m so sorr
y.”
Lily staggered to her feet. “For the love of…Gloria...Do not put your finger on the trigger unless you are ready to shoot.”
“I’m so sorry!” Gloria’s voice shook. “Are you alright? Please tell me you’re alright.” Tears clung to the corners of her eyes.
Lily hugged her body, quickly patting herself down. She was completely unharmed. She glanced at Ulrick, laying on his side on the ground, his arms still circled as though he were hugging her to him.
“Lily,” Gloria shook her. “Are you okay?”
Lily nodded. “Yes, I-I am fine. He…” Her voice faded away and her stomach fluttered. He had saved her, he had been so quick she didn’t even realize what he was doing.
“I know-he-I could have killed you!” She bit her lip then ran for the door. “I’ll get us out. How do you open this?” she asked, repeatedly jabbing her thumb on the open button.
Lily couldn’t seem to pull her eyes from Ulrick. “There is an activation key.”
“Where is it?”
“Ulrick probably has it,” she murmured.
“I’ll get it,” Gloria said. She approached Ulrick, and nervously reached out with one finger.
“Do not touch him! I will get it,” Lily said, surprised by the snap in her voice. “Search the room for weapons.”
Lily walked over to Ulrick on wobbly legs and kneeled at his side. Although he was unable to move he was still an intimidating form. Reaching out, she slipped her hand in his left pocket…nothing, she slipped her hand in his right pocket…nothing. Then she slipped both hands in his back pockets and, after enjoying a feel of his firm butt, pulled out the activation card. She glanced up at Ulrick who had a grin plastered on his face and a mischievous twinkle in his eye. She tried to maintain eye contact with him but her cheeks heated and she quickly looked away.
“I got him-I mean it!” Lily ran to the door and swiped the card. The door slid open immediately.
A low, disapproving rumble followed them as they left the room. Ulrick’s eyes met hers in a heated gaze. He was already making attempts at moving. They didn’t have much time.
