by Rena Marks
“No,” he panted. “It just feels so good, I could die.”
“Perhaps afterward,” she said, continuing her exploration. But try as she might, every pathway she licked brought her closer to his cock. She may as well go for it.
“I would like to explore your balls,” she said, intending to give him plenty of notice so he could refuse.
“You’re killing me, Shala.” Sure enough, his voice was strained.
“Is that not okay?” Truth be told, she was a little disappointed.
“It is more than okay. It’s just that I have wanted this for so long, and I war with myself to hold still. To allow you to hold the reins. To explore as much as you wish.”
She poked his testicle with a finger, but there wasn’t much reaction from him. She peered up at him from beneath her lashes. Odd, she expected something. But inside, there was an interesting feeling. And the musk from his body lured her in. So she poked his testicle again. With her tongue.
A growl rumbled from deep in his throat, and she fought her smile. That was a much better reaction. So this time she opened her mouth and sucked the entire testicle inside. She squirmed it around in her mouth, testing the weight, while watching the way his fists bunched the sheets. She released it with a pop and explored the base of his cock with her tongue. The skin felt different there, smoother. Delicate.
Serepto shuddered. She placed kisses along the shaft, taking time to explore the strength of the twisting veins with her tongue.
“Shala, my love, I can’t take much more. I’m going to come if you keep this up.”
She looked up at him, along the length of his outstretched body. “I want you to.”
“Baby, do you know what you’re asking for?”
“I think so.” She tugged at the seams of her own uniform, suddenly irritated with the offending fabric. When she was finally free and gloriously naked, she climbed on top of him. The tip of his erection lay against the seam of her lips.
“Are you sure?” he asked, his voice rough, yet hopeful.
Her answer was to plunge on top of him, engulfing him into her body, making them one person. A whole being.
Instant heat enveloped her, making her barely aware of his groan. “Stars, you feel good.”
She knew what he meant. He felt like liquid velvet, filling her with a need she wasn’t sure how she’d lived so long without.
Instead of rutting, of pumping herself up and down on him, she ground down, as if that most sensitive heat of her wished to swallow him whole.
Beads of sweat broke out along his forehead and one finger lazily traced the dots on her abdomen, connecting them. As she continued to grind, his hands left the casual stroking to find her hipbones, pulling her deeper onto him, making her reach for something with her insides.
Everything exploded at once, her body convulsing on top of him. He shouted out, and warm jets of liquid flooded her, soaking them both. She collapsed onto his chest, barely feeling his arms come around her.
There were no words spoken between them. There was no need.
* * * * *
A short while later, she woke to find herself spooned into his side. There was a warm stickiness between her thighs. She slipped from his arms, never waking him, and headed to the cleansing unit.
She washed herself, the swollen folds between her legs. It felt good. She was sore, but in a good way. Satisfied.
Very quietly, she went back to the room where he still slept. Instead of her uniform, she put on a long, flowing skirt and peasant blouse. The kind she liked to wear back at home.
He was exhausted. Apparently the emotional side of him was one thing he hadn’t yet mastered. And after the release of emotions from the unexpected sex they shared, he was down for the count. Smiling softly, Shala kissed his forehead and slipped from the room.
She entered the main hull, where the AI council and Arian sat with the two Cyborgs.
“How’d you shake your puppy?” Jax asked.
The antics between the two men made her smile, while Arian simply rolled her eyes.
“Serepto is sleeping.”
“You’re kidding.” His eyes flashed, along with the council. Apparently, they checked. Or talked amongst themselves.
“Come sit.” Arian patted the seat next to her, directly across from the Cyborgs. “Rush and Blade are telling us about their lives.”
“I don’t know anything about Cyborgs,” she admitted, sliding into the chair.
“We were manufactured to be the ultimate fighting machine,” Rush said, leaning over to catch her up. “We all have different abilities, although we are all marked with the numbers on our face, used so we could be separated from human counterparts. Our model number also discloses our unique traits, which is why we destroyed all information about us when we escaped. We don’t want anyone knowing which of us does what.”
Shala studied their faces. Each man had his model number tattooed on his cheeks in huge black letters. “It doesn’t remove?”
He shook his head. “We have managed to cover them up with a makeup we developed, but they are permanent.”
“What types of abilities set you apart?”
“Some of us can communicate telepathically. Not as a collective, just those certain ones created in that batch. Others can connect with computers. Others have surgical abilities. Those ones are especially wanted by the Zetans, because they can be used to manufacture other Cyborgs. In fact, they were the ones who first removed the chips embedded in our brains used to control us. They were the reason why we were able to escape captivity.”
“You were controlled?” Shala asked.
He nodded. “We were forced into any command. Now that we no longer have the chips, other species force us into doing their bidding by keeping one of our brothers and torturing him. We are all we have. We’d die for our brothers.”
Blade interrupted. “It’s the only way to control us. We’re stronger, faster, and deadlier than any other being. Zetans know this.”
“In the old days,” Rush said. “We died a thousand deaths. We’d be sent to collect bodies of our fallen brothers after wars. It was complete horror. Gouged faces, silver skeletons poking through limbs, the light dimmed from eye circuitry. But if the organic brain and the computer processor didn’t die at the same time, the Cyborg could be resurrected. And frequently were. It was costly, attaching new limbs. But our creators argued that it was cheaper than brand-new programming and training to create new beings. Imagine praying for death and receiving it…only to wake up to a pain-filled world again and again.”
“Maybe now we can give them a second chance at a normal life,” Arian said. “They’ll be reawakened and will no longer be slaves.”
“You know that everyone out there will be after you for this? Cyborgs instill fear because of our strength,” Rush said.
“Pfft. Everyone is already after us.” Arian grinned. “We have a new-found treaty with Cyborgs, remember? We don’t take that lightly. We’re not turning our back on your because of a few threats.”
Chapter Three
Orion’s image appeared on the large screen at the front of the room, from where he tapped in at his laboratory on the ship.
His voice seemed excited. “Bingo. I believe we found the link to your coworker. Two of the cruisers are traveling together on a course set for Zeta. In the meantime, they have a course plotted to stop at a trading post called Benton Six. How much do you want to bet Ghost is awaiting pickup at that post?”
“We can intercept before they get to Zeta,” Arian said.
“Or…” Orion said. “We can wait until they reach Zeta. At that point we’ll hope they transport using the new beam and I can trace the waves, beginning the process of my copycat. Then we’ll beam our own crew, including Rush and Blade, down to retrieve Ghost.”
“Where will the ship dock?”
“We won’t. We’ll stay a safe distance away. From the time I scan the waves of their new beam, we’ll set a course far away. We’l
l be cloaked the entire time, so it’ll be slower moving. But safe.”
“What if they find our ship and beam us onto the planet?” Shala was aware her voice sounded high-pitched.
Rush reached out to cover her hand as it traced a nervous pattern on the table. She appreciated it, because it didn’t seem like the Cyborgs were used to comforting others much.
“They’ll have no idea we’re there, remember? We’re staying cloaked the entire time. It’ll be all right. You’re surrounded by beings much, much stronger than Zetans. One Cyborg can easily take down fifteen Zetans without tiring. And Serepto doesn’t look like much of a slouch, either.” His smile was gentle. “Why don’t we wake him for you? You’ll feel safer with his presence.”
She nodded, hating that she felt weak unless Serepto was always in her space. Here she’d tried to let him get some much needed rest and it backfired.
Before she knew it, the door to the main hull opened and he came in, his eyes gentle and caring as always. He hugged her to him, murmuring softly, barely making her aware that he pulled her away from the others.
“You left me sleeping alone,” he teased.
“I couldn’t wake you when you looked so peaceful.”
“Let’s go somewhere else. Where we can be alone to talk. I have something to show you.”
She nodded, and he led her from the room, taking her up a floor. She knew where they were headed. One floor above them was the virtual reality room. They entered to find a bright white, sterile room with nothing inside. No floors, no ceiling, just an endless room of white matter. Its original state.
“I programmed something for us earlier,” Serepto explained, placing his thumbprint onto a grid panel onto the wall. The scenery changed, rolling like magic across the room. Lush grass and thick, ancient trees with long vines reaching down. A gurgling of water as it streamed cleanly over rocks.
Her favorite place on Apleadian.
“I love this,” she said, twirling around, her skirt wafting up on the air. Serepto caught her to him. She wrapped her legs around his waist.
“Shala,” he said, thickly. “What happened earlier…I did not mean…I would like you to know that it shall not happen again. You are one of the Protected, to be cherished at all costs. You are not here to service me.”
“Silly man! That…sex…is what I wanted to do.”
“Yes, you were curious. Now that curiosity has been appeased. I want you to know I have no designs to—“
He stopped talking when she pressed her lips to his.
She pulled away long enough to whisper. “Serepto, I want to be with you that way. I want a normal relationship with you. In the beginning, when you met me on Apleadian, you made me feel as if I belonged to you. I loved it. I do not want to be a china doll.”
“You are not a china doll.” By the way his eyes flashed, he looked up the meaning.
“It’s more than simply wanting a normal relationship,” she said. “I want you. I wanted to taste you, to watch you reach the peak of pleasure, to see you lose control. I want to share every intimate encounter with you.”
“You wish to do this more often?”
“Yes. I love you. I want you to treat me as if I’m yours again. The way you did in the beginning. I love that you protect me, but I want you to cherish me also.”
“Shala, my love, you do not know how much you mean to me.” His voice was thick. “You’ll never know how much I cherish you.” Slowly, he let her slide down his large body. “May I have you again? Now?”
Shyly, she nodded.
He took her small hand in his. “Come. I want you to see what I’ve added.”
He walked her through an area thickened with more large, dense trees. Just beyond, the woods opened to a small oasis of flowers. The stream gurgled nearby. There was even a pad of thick grass, a natural bed to lay her head.
“Best thing about being here is there are no Pleans to watch us,” he said.
She smiled. The tiny, wild inhabitants of their planet kept a safe distance, but were unabashedly curious.
“I would like for us to remove our clothes.” Her heart pounded. She really did wish to have sex with him again. It was simply amazing the last time. What would it be like now?
He nodded, just once, and kept his gazed focused on her, as if daring her to go first.
Her fingers shook slightly as she unbuttoned her shirt, spread it apart, but deliberately kept her eyes locked with his. He finally tore his eyes away to stare at the valley of smooth skin between her breasts that plunged to her waist. His eyes were stunning, so blue she didn’t want to look away. They were the same color as hers, but of course, for years she had no idea what she even looked like. Not until the ship took them from Zeta.
Then Serepto peeled off his shirt, and her breath caught. Golden skin covered a broad chest, dusky flat nipples and thick bands of muscle. He was perfection.
She pushed the back of her skirt down, over her rounded hips and off her legs. The material dropped to her ankles and she stepped away from it. He softly growled as his gaze roved her body. She knew he liked what he saw, the proof was the bulge in his pants. Her hands trembled as she unfastened her delicate bra, shrugged it off, and reached for her hips to ease her blue panties down her legs. The panties and bra were a matching set he’d gotten her from a trading post.
He moved closer to her, his pants still on, until only inches separated them. She felt totally exposed, standing there completely naked when he wasn’t. But it was also a gritty, sexy feeling. And this was Serepto, her safety.
“You didn’t take off your pants.” She couldn’t help but complain.
A grin curved his perfect lips. “I will soon, but I don’t want to frighten you. This is so new for you.”
Her eyebrows arched. “Why would that scare me?”
“You have no idea how much I want you. I’m fighting hard not to throw you down.”
“You’d never hurt me.” She glanced down. The outline of his cock was clear against the material of his uniform. It gave her more of those naughty, instantly wet feelings.
“I’m glad you always remember. Because I’ll go insane without having you.” Shala dropped to her knees on the plush grass. It was thick and cushioned beneath her. It felt so real, even though she knew this image—this land—had been created for her. She shook her head, trying to remember the blank, sterile room this should have been.
Then she forgot about the room as her guy continued to strip.
From her angle, she was able to watch as Serepto pulled his pants down his muscular legs. Immediately he spread out to cover her. She gasped when he suddenly had her pinned down flat, with him half over her, until their mouths were nearly touching. So very close. Their bodies were pressed up against each other, bare flesh to heated skin. She wasn’t sure where he ended and she began.
“You feel so good.” His voice came out gruff and sounded a little raw. “I’m trying to slow down but it’s so difficult, Shala.”
Her hands cupped his face. “I want you, too. This is insanely crazy, isn’t it? The need?”
He nodded. “I never expected this. I was prepared to set this aside.”
“That would be a shame,” she admitted. “I want you. Let’s enjoy it.”
“I’ll try to slow down.”
“You don’t have to.” She wanted to share with him. “I ache for you. You—deep inside me—is the best thing I’ve ever felt.”
His mouth came down on hers and ended any further conversation between them. She explored every inch of his chest. He groaned at her touch. It was amazing, this power she had over someone else. To know he needed her as much as she needed him.
One of his legs lifted and she spread hers to make room for him as he slid it between them.
Her back arched to press more firmly against him. She needed this, her bare skin against his. He pulled his mouth away, leaving them both panting. His palms flattened on the grass below her.
She had to remember to breathe.
But the most wonderful, thick ridge was pressing against her belly, and her insides clenched in anticipation. She reached down between them to palm it. The shaft was thick and long, and the head of his cock curved upward, even larger than the rest of him. She could feel the veins twisting along the length.
“Wow,” she murmured. “You’re so sexy.”
“Your hand feels so good,” he said, his voice gruff. “But I need to do something.”
Very gently, he pulled away from her touch, reached for her ankle and lifted. The motion spread her thighs wider and his gaze fixed on her.
“Beautiful. Everywhere.”
Raw, gritty desire burst inside her. She had an overwhelming need to impale herself on him.
He let go of her ankle and bent over until his face was right above her spread thighs.
She gasped.
She’d never had a man do that before but it seemed to turn him on, to be right there. One of his hands gripped her inner thigh and his calloused fingertips made her shiver.
“I want to taste you. Will you allow it?” His gaze lifted, waiting for her answer.
This was what he wanted? Jerkily, she nodded.
His mouth felt amazing. There were no words. Her head fell back, her brain trying to understand the intense heat and pleasure emanating from his mouth to her core. She couldn’t hold still, squirming away, but pulling him closer. Her sounds were of desperation, small keening cries an animal would make. Then she was so close, and she couldn’t get enough of him, his wet tongue, his lips as he worked her, the sharp edge of his teeth. She squeezed her thighs, knowing she would never let go of his face between her legs, when her world exploded from the inside out.
“Serepto!”
His mouth stayed still over her as her body jerked, convulsing on itself. Finally her muscles relaxed and she realized he was pressing soft, calming kisses on the inside of her thigh.
He’d torn her entire world inside out. She looked down at him in wonder.
“More, please.” She didn’t want this…this wonderful intimate sharing between them to end. Not yet. Maybe not ever.
He crawled over her and lowered his weight carefully until she could feel the heat of his thick cock against her inner thigh. Then they were belly to belly and his mouth sought hers. He locked onto her, so feverish and frantic it ratcheted her desire even higher. She knew the need he had, because she’d just been there. She lifted her legs to wrap around his waist, wanting to lock him to her. Her hips wiggled, trying to get him inside. She moaned when he adjusted his body a little higher and the rigid length of his cock pressed against the seam of her body.
