Pale Stars in Her Eyes [The Starlight Chronicles]

by Annabel Wolfe, Emma Wildes

  "Stop trying to distract me.” His expression was a mixture of tenderness and censure. “I want to talk about this."

  "Now?"

  "When better than when we are making love?"

  Flippantly, she said, “I thought we were fucking."

  "Then you were wrong. Have I ever used that word once in front of you? Even in the beginning, I have never referred to what happens between us that way."

  In retrospect, he hadn't. Larik did often enough, but to him, sex was a game, and even he used the crudity only to tease her.

  "No,” she admitted.

  "Is that what you feel I do to you?” His verdant eyes were dark, and his mouth a little tight. “Just use your body so I get off? Admit it, Jerra, from our very first time, you knew that wasn't true. Now, tell me."

  He was right. He'd been sinfully tender, giving generously as well as taking, and the culmination of any woman's romantic dreams as a lover. Handsome, intelligent, sensitive, and solicitous; the list of his attributes went on. They all treated her more as a friend than a mistress, but Ran most of all. No wonder she'd been supremely foolish and tumbled into her current state. Inexperienced and alone, it was naïve for her to have dreams of forever, but maybe a romantic fantasy wasn't so surprising. At least she was pragmatic enough to realize it was just that—a fantasy.

  But it didn't stop her from loving him.

  "Fine.” She said the word with quiet resignation. “I love you. I'm surprised you haven't sensed it before, but I've been doing my best to keep it hidden."

  "I have sensed it before."

  "There, you see, so why did you make me say it? Can we please just continue?"

  "Yes, we can. In a moment.” He stared down at her, holding her gaze. His thick hair was ruffled attractively against his strong neck and his muscular, bare torso glistened in the soft lighting. “First, I have something to tell you. I asked to be the one to inseminate you on our return voyage. This morning, my request was granted. I'll father the child you are scheduled to breed."

  Jerra felt a burst of joy, for she had been apprehensive over the event she knew was destined to be initiated once they were headed back to the home planet of her captors. Larik was frank with her on any subject she cared to discuss, and the way he described the process made her feel both cold and nervous. She could be shuffled off to some unknown male, for the sperm donor had to want to breed with a human, and be responsible for the resulting child.

  Slaves—like her—did not get to keep their children.

  At least Ran would have theirs and she would know the child would be safe in his hands.

  His face blurred as her eyes filled with tears and she felt the warm rivulets run down her cheeks. “Oh, Ran."

  "Don't cry.” With the pad of his thumb, he brushed her wet cheek. “That means we will have most of the next year together, Jerra."

  "I know. Do you have any idea how relieved and happy I am?” She gave him a watery smile and touched his face, tracing the sensual curve of his lower lip. “Now, make love to me. I want to feel you all the way inside me."

  At last, he obliged her and slid forward until she was fully impaled with his glorious length. It always felt good, but this time it was a heightened experience, and when he began to withdraw and sink back into her, Jerra felt a fierce elation that was both physical pleasure and emotional relief.

  It was only a reprieve, she knew it, but a year was a long time.

  As usual, she climaxed first, easily, her body arching into a long thrust as the erotic joy of it exploded in her brain, her nerve-endings, and centered between her legs. Ran didn't stop but continued to stroke his large cock in a carnal rhythmic motion into her pussy, and before long, she felt the contractions begin again. This time, he went with her, a guttural groan coming from his throat as he stiffened and his seed spilled in a forceful flood that coated her inner walls and filled the mouth of her womb.

  Replete, she lay in his arms afterwards as he kissed her with slow, rapturous movements of his tongue and lips. They were both sticky with his sperm, and she was filled with it also, the warm liquid seeping from between her legs in decadent evidence of their lovemaking. He carried her to the cleansing room and they showered together in the warm spray, washing their bodies of the residue, touching, kissing, and whispering to each other. He took her there once more, holding her in his arms, her legs wrapped around his lean waist as the water flowed over their joined bodies and they came together again.

  Her happiness might be temporary, but Jerra refused to think about it as she rested against his broad chest and felt the mutual wild beating of their hearts.

  * * * *

  Ian watched as Armada rose and left the table to join a group of engineers nearby. He gave an inward curse at being left alone with Liale. Larik could have a little more loyalty, but maybe the tension was making him as uncomfortable as it made Ian.

  "Don't bother to conceal your feelings, Colonel.” The words were said sarcastically and in a low tone.

  He glanced over and pretended to not understand. “What do you mean?"

  "Oh, please.” Captain Liale's long perfect fingers smoothed her glass. “Your scowl could melt the inner core of Minoa. You don't want me here."

  "You know, Captain, you have a very forthright approach, especially since I'm your commander."

  "The trouble is, Colonel, you don't scare me the same way you intimidate everyone else.” Her gaze was level and fearless.

  "Is that so? I could order you to go.” Ian growled the words, knowing he would never say them. Despite his resolve, his gaze dropped to the swell in the front of her tunic. By the stars, the woman had glorious breasts.

  He wished he didn't know firsthand what he was missing.

  "You avoid me."

  There was no denying it, so he didn't. “Yes."

  "Why?"

  Giving her an exasperated look, he drank from his almost empty glass and said nothing.

  She leaned forward a little, her blond hair, regulation length, at her collar, her lovely face set. “Are you sitting there thinking about what you are going to do to your pretty little human when you return to your quarters, Colonel? Tell me, how does such a slender small female manage to handle your immense cock? I've seen it at full attention, remember?"

  He remembered, that was the trouble. Her obvious jealousy was flattering, but not what he needed at the moment. “What I do with Jerra isn't your business, Captain."

  "The men talk about how good it is with the Earth captives. Certainly Kartel seems to think so for it was pretty obvious exactly why he dragged her off so quickly. The girl barely had a chance to sit down."

  "You saw them. There is a unique bond there. I'm sure they'll spend the night enjoying the hell out of each other."

  Her brows were a darker shade than her honey hair, and she lifted them a fraction. “So you will be alone tonight? It needn't be that way."

  "You know the rules, Kia.” The words came out fiercely and he almost stood up and walked away from the table. Almost. But somehow he couldn't quite do it, for if he couldn't have her, at least he could be near her. “I'm not just protecting myself. We'd both be fools to risk it again."

  "I know. But I'm still willing.” Though normally she was cool and professional in every way, and an ideal soldier with her natural air of competency and resolve, her mouth trembled just slightly as she spoke. “Does it tell you something about how I feel, Ian?"

  It did, for she was also a career soldier. He shook his head, but his gaze locked with hers. “We can't."

  Through the music and hum of voices, no one could hear what they were saying anyway, but she suggestively dropped her tone. “Follow me to my quarters in a little while. I'll be waiting, naked, wet and ready for you. Remember, with me, there is no need for restraint. I can take all of you in any way you wish to have me. Yes, I am sure your beautiful captive gives you pleasure, but does she give you passion? I can give you both, and you know it."

  It was true. With Jerr
a, he had to be very careful and gentle. Her lovely responsive body accommodated him, and he thoroughly enjoyed every minute they spent in bed together. But he had fallen for the off-limits captain long before Jerra had been assigned to them. In bed, Kia was a match for him in every way, and her aggressive approach to lovemaking really turned him on.

  She liked it a little rough, fast, and hard—and she was exactly right, she was passionate as hell.

  His treacherous cock swelled, but he said firmly, “No."

  She stared into his eyes as if oblivious to the crowd around them. “I'll be waiting."

  "I won't come,” he said, not at all certain he was telling the truth.

  Liale gave him a slow smile and stood. “Yes, you will. We'll both come, Ian. Think about it."

  Damn the woman. He watched her walk away, admiring the shape of her ass, and fought the urge to jump up and put his fist through the wall. Or maybe use his rock hard dick instead. He was embarrassingly aroused so quickly, he couldn't believe it. Normally, he would go back to their berth to Jerra and take care of it. After all, she was there for that purpose, but things had changed in the past few weeks. He didn't have to be told—neither did Larik—that their lovely roommate and the ambassador had moved beyond a purely sexual relationship. One had to only watch them together, in and out of bed, to see the emotional connection. It made him feel guilty now if he wanted her, and if he could satisfy himself in another way, he would.

  He could actually.

  With the female he really wanted.

  Fuck!

  The minute he shoved himself to his feet, he knew he would fall from grace and fall hard. Yes, he wanted to honor the strict guidelines that governed his job, including those that stood in place to make sure senior officers did not get involved with their subordinates. He understood the risk of feeling more for one of his soldiers than the others, and how it could compromise tactics in battle.

  The trouble was whether he went to her or not, he already felt that way. He would die to protect Jerra as he had promised her. He would die a hundred times to protect Liale, and that was just that. Abstinence wouldn't change it.

  If anyone noticed his distraction as he left, he didn't care. Ian strode off and made record time as he navigated the long corridors and lifts, the image of Kia, nude and waiting, embedded so firmly in his mind, his cock ached with every purposeful step. There were few enough female officers that she had her own berth. He scanned in, his position as commander giving him access to any room on the ship.

  The door slid up and his heart stopped for a moment.

  The beautiful captain was true to her word.

  He stepped inside, his mouth going dry as he surveyed the image of her nude, gleaming body on the all-too small bed. The single room was simple and compact, and it made the impact of her graphic, sexual pose all the more dramatic.

  Kia's eyes glittered as she watched him step inside. Her long legs were spread suggestively apart, and her hands held her lavish breasts lightly, as if displaying their sumptuous fullness. It was temptation incarnate, just as she meant it to be.

  She was wet in anticipation of his arrival. He could see the moisture glisten on her labia. Ian said roughly, “You win, Kia. I hope we both don't lose."

  If she felt the same worry, she didn't show it. “I can't lose if you're inside me. Hurry, Ian."

  Hurry did not describe the way he shed his clothes. Frantic was much closer. When he freed his cock, she sucked in an audible breath and stared at his rampant length. “Bring that here. You know I want it."

  "Don't worry, you're going to get it, all right.” It was almost a threat the way he said it, for his need was such he could barely breathe. She'd pushed him on purpose—and it had worked—now he was ready to push back. Into her.

  A moment later he did. No tender words, no persuasive kisses, but instead he lowered himself between her open thighs and thrust his cock into her waiting pussy with insistent need.

  She arched and gripped his ass, forcing him in all the way, her breathy exhale a hiss of pleasure and exultation. “Yes ... just like that. I love how big you are. No one feels like this."

  He didn't want her to think about any other male, and in response, he leaned down and took possession of her mouth, his tongue graphically plundering. Kia battled with him in predictable ferocity, cupping his head and tangling with him in a war for dominance as they rolled on the bed and almost fell to the floor.

  It was so hot and he was so damned aroused, he had to move.

  "Fuck me,” she whispered against his lips. “Really hard, Ian. I like it that way."

  Well ... shit, he knew she did. It was what made her irresistible enough he could throw away half his life for a single night of pleasure. He slid backwards and surged forward deep, feeling her nails score his buttocks, marking him. His lower body pumped fast, giving her what she wanted, and she gave it back to him with the roll of her hips and the strong grip of her thighs.

  Arms braced, he stroked inside her, and watched the transformation of her expression as her orgasm rose. Her face grew beautifully flushed, tinting the smooth skin, and the color of her eyes seemed to actually darken as she stared up at him. Low, sexy moans came from her throat, and her tight nipples brushed his chest as he pounded into her.

  It was a damned good thing the berths were all soundproof for she screamed as she came, her body arching wildly. The grip of her pussy as it tightened around his cock sent a jolt right down to his balls. Ian let the giant wave of release crash down, no longer holding back, and the rapturous rush of sperm exiting his body made his eyes shut tightly and his muscles shake.

  The downward spiral back to reality was gradual and he became aware he was sprawled on top of her body. Although she was tall and fit, he was still considerably bigger, and with a small apologetic grunt, he shifted his weight.

  Kia laughed and peered at him through her long lashes. “Believe me, you have nothing to be sorry for, Colonel. On my part, I hope you aren't bleeding."

  At a guess he was, for he could feel the stinging scratches on his back and ass. “If I am, I don't care.” He could still feel small pulses ripple through his cock, the sensation acutely pleasurable. No, she wasn't as exquisitely tight as Jerra, but he and Jerra weren't meant to be life partners, anyway. He had the unsettling feeling he and Kia were and they came together in a perfect fit. He'd known females in a sexual way since he was old enough to get an erection. The woman looking up at him with a confident, satisfied smile was different. She was his equal in many ways, and her audacity took him off-guard. She'd now managed to get him to forget duty twice, and he had a feeling it was going to happen again.

  Ian stroked her cheek. “We'll arrive at Septinium in less than two weeks. Kartel has a bad feeling about this mission. I share it."

  The feline-like contentment faded from her face. “If we can get a clean landing, we've enough soldiers to take control, don't we?"

  "By all reports, yes. But this is a planet that frequently does not follow the rules. We have no idea if the information they have fed us on population and military installments is accurate. Scans show more organic forms than what we thought, though they deny taking slaves or hiding armies."

  She frowned. “I don't like the sound of that."

  "Neither do I.” Ian eased his cock out from between her open legs and rolled to his back. He stared at the ceiling. “I don't want you to go with the diplomatic guard, Kia. I'm sorry. I know you thought it was your assignment, but things have changed."

  Her reaction was predictable, for she shoved up on one elbow and stared at him. “What's changed? I'm a damned fine officer and my men expect to escort Kartel and the government emissaries off this ship and protect them. We're ready for it, Ian, believe me."

  "I know you are. Your command will still go. I'm taking them. You'll stay onboard and help guard the vessel.” His voice shifted to the implacable tone he used when issuing orders.

  "Is this because I'm female? If so, you're violating
regulations, Colonel,” she said icily.

  "It's because you're my female.” He clamped one hand on her shoulder and pushed her back down on the bed. In a swift, fluid motion, he rolled on top of her lush form again. “And in case you haven't noticed, I'm breaking regulations right now because of you, Captain Liale. So don't spout official rules to me when my come is all over your thighs where it is definitely not supposed to be."

  She seemed momentarily speechless and he grinned lazily. “What? No smart-assed comment? That isn't like you, Kia."

  "Your female?” The comment was made breathlessly.

  "I'm not this damned stupid for anyone else.” He hadn't really lost his erection even after his forceful climax, and he rubbed his cock against her hip.

  "I'll have to resign."

  "I know. I'm sorry, but we can work out the details later. Besides, if we breed, you'd have to, anyway. Once officers become mothers, they have to take permanent leave, you know that."

  Her hand came up and touched his face and her eyes looked luminous. “You wish to breed with me? I was afraid you'd ask to be the one to inseminate your beautiful little human.” She made a rueful face. “I'm jealous as hell of her."

  "I noticed, but in case you haven't been paying attention, Kartel applied right away for that privilege. Besides, I doubt she could safely do it for me. You, on the other hand, will have no problem carrying my child. I like the idea, though it has never occurred to me before to want to share my genes with any female."

  "It has certainly never occurred to me to resign my commission for some arrogant male, either."

  Ian's brows shot up. “Arrogant?"

  "Immensely arrogant.” She reached for his erect shaft, wrapping her fingers around the stiff length of it and making him suppress a groan. “Although I admit you might have cause to be proud of this, Colonel Helm. It's a very magnificent cock."

  "I'm glad you think so. Care to test how much you like it again?” He leaned down and kissed her, and all dark thoughts of the upcoming landing at Septinium were banished.