Pale Stars in Her Eyes [The Starlight Chronicles]

by Annabel Wolfe, Emma Wildes

  "Speaking of female officers, here comes Liale, Colonel.” Larik looked past her shoulder, and Jerra fought the urge to turn and look, held in place by the sudden change in Ian's expression. After months of sharing quarters, meals, and her body with each one of them, she had begun to know them quite well individually. She hated to admit Lieutenant Herad was right about anything, but she had grown to feel honored to be chosen for the assignment given to her. Though they were not at all the same, her three lovers were all inherently nice, in and out of bed. They enjoyed her, but truthfully, only with the provision she enjoyed them, too. The giving of pleasure was a mutual journey, and she was not just the convenient receptacle for their lust.

  In her mind, she had categorized them more than once. Larik was completely intellectual, yet constantly irreverent, and he considered sex light-hearted play, often tickling and teasing her, and they laughed together frequently even in bed. They had become fast friends also in a platonic way, and played games in the afternoons, usually squabbling over the results. He loved to make the most outrageous sexual wagers on the outcome, and she had learned to not press her luck, for with his mathematical inclinations, he could figure the odds and bet with uncanny accuracy.

  Ian Helm was the opposite, serious, straightforward, and extremely capable. He rarely smiled, but she found when he did, it was compelling and lightened his normally stern expression. As a lover, he was careful, surprisingly gentle for such a large man, and often he liked to indulge in long periods of foreplay before the actual act of sexual intercourse.

  As for Ran Kartel ... well, Jerra found she thought of him the most, and knew a different excitement and enjoyment in his arms. He was naturally sensitive due to his special gift, and she experienced not only heightened pleasure when they made love, but also an almost disturbing sense of belonging. The way he kissed and held her made her feel not just wanted, but cared for, and she had the dismaying feeling she was falling in love with the handsome diplomat even though she tried to maintain a neutral distance. There was something about his self-assurance, his quick, seductive smile, and the weight of the responsibility he wore so easily that made him fascinating to an unsettling degree.

  "Mind if I join you?” A female voice, husky but unquestionably higher in pitch, interrupted her reverie, and Jerra glanced again at the sudden impassive expression on Ian's face.

  Ran nodded. “Hello, Captain Liale. Please, have a seat."

  "Thank you.” The new arrival sank into a vacant chair. She was like most S-species and very tall, probably almost as tall as Ran and Larik. Shoulder-length honey-colored hair brushed her shoulders and she had crystalline gray eyes. Her uniform tunic did not hide the fact she was statuesque in build, not just her height, but in her impressive breasts and the full flare of her hips.

  Jerra was not gifted with any modicum of Ran's talent for reading the emotions of others, but in this case, she did not need it. The S-species officer looked at her and it was easy enough to read the emotion in her crystal clear eyes. Since the dislike couldn't be personal, Jerra assumed it had something to do with one of the males sitting at the table with them, and it was not difficult to guess which one.

  Ian cleared his throat, but it was Ran who said quickly, “This is Jerra, Captain."

  The female officer smiled, but there wasn't much warmth to it. “Yes, I know. She is rather hard to miss by both her attire and the staring eyes directed this way. Who can blame them, I suppose, for it isn't everyday one of the human females is brought into the officer's recreation area. In fact, it never happens."

  Larik murmured in his easy way, “There isn't a rule against it, though."

  "No.” Captain Liale inclined her head and accepted a glass from one of the silent but efficient waiters. “I suppose there isn't, though this particular one might cause a small riot. They tell me she isn't surgically altered in any way. It is a bit hard to believe with those tits."

  "I am sitting right here.” Jerra kept her voice mild, but she wasn't about to be discussed like an inanimate object. “I'm pleased to meet you, Captain. It's pleasant to see another female after being surrounded exclusively by males so far this journey."

  The show of spirit made the beautiful captain finally meet her eyes. “I am sure it has been quite a ... trial."

  Ian blew out his breath at the silky sarcasm in her tone and his eyes glittered. “Captain."

  The word was a warning, and Liale smiled thinly before picking up her drink and taking a sip. “Don't worry, I will behave myself, Colonel. I was merely commenting on her exceptional beauty, but it isn't necessary, is it, for you have already noticed."

  Jerra glanced at Ran uncertainly at the acid tone of the comment, but he seemed more amused than anything, and so did Larik. It was Ian who looked profoundly uncomfortable, and she never would have thought to see his normal formidable composure shaken.

  It was her turn to have her composure rattled because Ran reached over and took Jerra's hand, twining his fingers with hers and—very publicly—lifting it to his lips. He gently kissed her fingers. “I've certainly noticed."

  It seemed like the hum of voices faded away as Jerra looked into his green eyes and all at once, she felt completely breathless. The affectionate gesture also seemed to take the jealous captain by surprise, for she suddenly found a great interest in her drink and she looked away.

  If Jerra hadn't already been in love with him, she would have fallen into that particular abyss and gladly at the soft light in his eyes.

  God help her ... she was lost.

  Though they had barely just arrived, he stood then, and since he still held her hand, pulled her to her feet. “We're going back."

  Larik laughed, his blond hair gleaming in the subdued light. “I take it Ian and I need not rush our evening."

  "Stay out as long as you like.” Ran grinned back. He inclined his head. “Good evening, Captain Liale. I'm sorry to leave so abruptly, but—"

  Dryly, she interrupted, “I think I understand your sudden urge to depart, Ambassador.” She glanced at Ian, and for a moment, her expression was full of unguarded longing. “Believe me, I understand."

  * * * *

  What was it about her?

  It was too much to try and decipher their lovely captive's intangible draw, but it existed, and over the past month, he had found himself sinking deeper and deeper.

  Sinking deep, yes. It was exactly what he wanted to do. Between her legs, in the wet, hot heat he knew would consume him with perfection. Maybe it was the news he'd received that morning, but he felt a sexual hunger like he never remembered.

  "My legs are not as long as yours. Can we slow down a little?"

  The amused but very real protest made Ran realize he was striding down the hallway and practically dragging Jerra with him. Her scantily clad body looked small and graceful in the artificial light, and he wondered why the hell he'd ever thought he would be comfortable letting a battalion of soldiers gawk at her near nakedness. Sharing her with Larik and Ian was hard enough. He slowed down and abruptly swept her up into his arms. “Sorry. This will be faster."

  "Ran!” The protest was said in a breathless laughing voice, but she pressed seductively against him and he could feel the voluptuous fullness of her soft breasts against his chest through his tunic. Her azure eyes were veiled by thick lashes, but he caught the gleam of excitement in those entrancing depths. The thin short dress she wore barely covered her luscious body anyway, and as he carried her through the hallway, she tugged it down as best she could over her thighs.

  When the door to their quarters opened, he took her inside and straight into her room. Without much finesse, he deposited her on the bed and stripped off her gown. Full ivory breasts quivered enticingly with her quickened breathing and she watched him jerk off his clothes with a small smile on her soft mouth. Her lissome nude body was all pale curves and inviting shadows, especially the apex of her long slender legs, and he couldn't wait to touch and taste every inch of her. What's more, because he
sampled her unequalled sexuality this past month as often as he could, he knew she was just as eager and probably wet and ready as hell.

  His cock, already fully hard, stiffened further as he got in bed and pulled her against him. As they kissed, he rubbed the stiff length against the soft plane of her smooth stomach and groaned against her mouth. Ran rolled over to his back, moved his mouth to the sensitive hollow below her ear, and whispered against her neck, “Suck me, Jerra. I need relief before we can even start."

  Obligingly, she started to scoot down the length of his body, but he caught her arms. “No.” His voice was raspy with sexual arousal. “Like this."

  He urged her into the position he wanted, lying on top of him face down the opposite way, her legs parted so her delectable pussy was visible. Letting his hands rub her ass, he could smell her arousal and his nostrils flared slightly at the same moment he felt her small hands caress his engorged penis and the first swirl of her tongue over the head. Usually, he liked to watch as she took him in her mouth—the sight almost as exciting as the exquisite heat and suction—but this way, with her golden hair spilling over her graceful back and the wetness of her open pussy against his chest was good, too.

  Really, really good.

  Too good, actually.

  Jerra stroked his balls and the base of his shaft as she ministered to the tip of his cock and as much of the length as she could take. He could feel the pressure of the back of her throat as she slid downward, and see the up and down motion of her head. A low growl came from his chest. The pleasure of it was so much. The heat of her mouth, the brush of her tongue, and the skillful stroking of her hands worked him quickly into a fever pitch, and at the very last second, he wrapped his hand in her long hair and tugged her upward. His discharge was too much for her to swallow without choking, and he never came in her mouth. He groaned as he felt the rush of ejaculation rise through his pulsing cock and spurt out of him, covering her breasts and torso. She continued to stroke his flexing cock until he began to soften, and Ran could feel the warmth of his semen slick and slippery between their bodies.

  "You have such a beautiful ass.” His hands ran over the mounds of her buttocks, teasing the crack, and finding the small puckered hole there. He felt a fleeting moment of regret that the one thing he could never do with her was penetrate her anally with his cock. He was simply too big for her tiny orifice, but since there were a myriad of other pleasures they could give each other, the regret was only that. Extremely fleeting.

  "Bring this a little higher, sweetheart.” His fingers slid lower and found the wetness of her pussy, just tracing the seam of her labia. “I crave a taste."

  As usual, Jerra did not need much urging. Like most females, she loved oral gratification. She wiggled backwards the necessary distance, his discharge making her slide easily, and Ran lifted her hips so she was on her hands and knees above him and her pussy poised over his waiting mouth.

  "So pretty,” he murmured, parting the soft, moist folds with his long fingers and seeing the vulnerable pink tissue beneath. The small bud of her clitoris in its protective sheath looked slightly swollen already and he reached out the tip of his tongue and lightly teased it.

  Her reaction was immediate. She shuddered and murmured his name in a way that was an unmistakable plea.

  "A little lower,” he told her and she obediently opened her legs wider and sank down so his mouth was in direct contact with her heated center. She tasted divine as he skillfully began to bring her climax with his lips and tongue, and he savored her sexual fluids. Different from the S-species females he usually took to bed, her juices were sweeter, like honey and woman. Making love to her was different too, and it wasn't just the tantalizing tightness of her warm pussy, or her matchless beauty and responsiveness. Maybe it was the way she managed to be both captive and seductress without surrendering anything of herself she did not want to give. Just earlier, he had seen her challenge Captain Liale for treating her like an object. She wasn't one, and refused to be thought of that way.

  Maybe that had been the moment he knew he had to take her back to their quarters because he couldn't wait to feel that same fire in bed.

  Or maybe it was the way all the men in the room wanted to fuck her and he resented the hell out of it and wanted to whisk her away and keep her for himself.

  That was the trouble. He wanted to keep her for himself. Forever. The realization made his hands tighten on her hips and for a moment, he went still, arrested by the notion of permanent possession.

  Jerra moaned and moved in protest. “Please ... please..."

  Pushing the revelation from his mind, he concentrated on giving her what she wanted, knowing from the way she reacted as he lightly pushed his tongue into her pussy, she was close. When he stimulated her clitoris by sucking on it with gentle pressure, she went over the edge and cried out as her slim body tensed and began to shake in open carnal release.

  She sank down on his chest finally, as if her arms could no longer hold her. For a while they stayed that way, and Ran waited for her to recover, content with stroking the elegant curve of her spine. He could tell the moment she noticed the returning swell of his erection for she slightly raised her head and gave a muffled laugh. “You have admirable stamina, Ambassador."

  "I'm inspired.” The promise was made in a light-hearted tone, but he wanted to make love to her. Face to face, so he could kiss and hold her as they reached for the ultimate pinnacle together.

  * * * *

  There was something different, but she couldn't quite figure out just exactly what it was. From the moment Ran had taken her hand and lifted it to his mouth in front of a crowded room, the gesture so gallant and reverent she was almost moved to tears, she had sensed a subtle shift.

  In power.

  Before, she had none. It had been made clear to her from the moment she had been taken and put on the ship. She'd been forced to give up her family, her clothes, her body, and most of all, her freedom. Confined and helpless, she'd done everything possible to make the best of her fate, and it had worked to a certain extent. Her only true resentment of the current situation was the fact she still had no say in her future.

  Perhaps it would be better to worry about that when she wasn't sprawled on top of Ran Kartel's splendid muscular body with his cock lengthening before her eyes. Jerra reached out, closing her hand around his impressive length and squeezing gently. She traced the line of his stiffening penis with her fingers, and cupped his balls. They felt heavy and full, and if the evidence of his very recent climax wasn't spread all over the upper part of her body, she would have never thought he'd come not long ago.

  There was something to be said for S-species men. They truly were Superhuman when it came to sex. All three of her lovers could regain an erection in a very short time and she had been informed it took an ordinary human some time to recover from orgasmic release.

  "On your back.” Ran easily moved her so she was supine and he adjusted himself over her. It was both habit and instinct to automatically spread her legs, and he settled there naturally as he leaned down and nibbled on her lower lip with just the slightest playful pressure of his teeth. His eyes closed as he prodded her vaginal opening with his cock, and Jerra took in a long breath and relaxed her inner muscles like she had learned to do in the past weeks. The conscious act eased his entry, but she found each time, she still was amazed at how disparate in size they were and yet could come together with such acute pleasure.

  Aflame with the rush of her desire as she felt him ease inside her, Jerra ran her hands up and down the bunched muscles of his back. “You feel immense,” she whispered, lifting her knees to give him complete access to her willing body.

  "And you feel ... perfect.” His eyes opened as he slowly pushed toward total possession. “And so damned ready for me."

  She was ready. Primed and ready from their mutual, earlier love play. And it was just as well. If experience served, they would spend most of the night in each other's arms. Of th
e three of them, Ran was most definitely the most demanding, insatiable in his need for her, and since she felt the same way about him, it was hardly a problem to accommodate his desires.

  I love you.

  The thought, which she normally tried to guard, or at least keep at bay by concentrating instead on the act of sex itself, sprang to her mind. To her dismay, she saw a reaction as his eyes narrowed and his inexorable advance halted. “What?"

  "I didn't say anything.” She quickly averted her gaze.

  "You know you don't have to speak it out loud. Not with me."

  She knew. That's why she consciously didn't allow anything but physical sensation to be in charge when they were together. To try and distract him and herself, she lifted her pelvis and tried to absorb more of his erection.

  "Jerra.” He didn't move to help, only half-penetrating her, his arms braced by her shoulders. “Look at me."

  She shook her head, suddenly afraid. Of what, she wasn't sure, but definitely afraid.

  "Look at me."

  Finally, she obeyed, meeting his emerald eyes with defiant challenge, her heart feeling tight in her chest. “What?"

  The set of his mouth was tense, as were the powerful muscles of his shoulders under her hands. “I would like to hear you say it."

  A human captive in love with one of the most powerful males of the entire S-species? A male who manipulated nations and policies, who interfered in wars and held the ear of the entire government? It was ridiculous, and she knew it.

  "No.” Her refusal was decisive. “I won't, Ran. I think we both understand why."

  Still unmoving, he smiled in a slow curve of his lips that made her breathing hitch to a higher notch. “You have the most damnable stubborn pride of any female—human or otherwise—I have ever met. And you are wrong, I don't understand. What's wrong with telling me?"

  "Maybe because it's hopeless.” She didn't want to feel anything but pleasure right now, and certainly not despair. “Just fuck me and forget it, please. I'm here and you can tell I'm ready for it, can't you?” She wriggled her hips, feeling the unsatisfying depth of only half his rigid cock.