Nebula Nights: Love Among The Stars

by Melisse Aires

  He slipped the restraints off and pressed a kiss to each of her wrists. Then he rolled onto his side and pulled her close, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "My sweet little cat. You please me very much."

  With the weight of his strong arm draped over her, his heart beating under her ear, she basked in his praise, pushing away the guilt at submitting to him so completely. So she was as twisty as he was—she'd worry about that tomorrow.

  * * *

  Kiri walked into the elegant pastel foyer of Maitresse the next day with her head high. A young Serpentian she'd never seen before bowed politely and led her back to the dressing rooms. There were other clients looking at clothing, women with the ageless beauty that wealth could buy, and several employees working, all clad in the fitted cream smocks with the signature 'M' on one shoulder. Taara was nowhere in sight. Perhaps she was in one of the dressing rooms.

  Haassea herself was waiting for Kiri in the small sitting room. Once again a pot of tea and small tray of treats awaited, this time airy beige scrolls dusted with sugar. The Serpentian looked up as Kiri walked in, and although she smiled with perfect grace, for some reason the hair on the back of Kiri's neck stood up. This might be a truce, but it was an armed truce.

  Kiri sank onto the divan across from the Serpentian, crossed her legs, and waited. Quarked if she'd be rushed into some gauche utterance.

  Haassea leaned forward to lift the tea pot and poured two cups. She handed one to Kiri, who took it, but shook her head at the graceful offer of the sweets. She took a careful sip of tea.

  "Logan was so disappointed that you weren't able to find anything you liked here," the Serpentian said smoothly.

  So they were going to play it that way. Kiri looked the other woman in the eye. "I was very disappointed in the selection I was offered."

  Haassea made a moue of regret. "That was unfortunate. I can assure you it won't happen again."

  Kiri raised a brow. If she spoke, she'd just say something else to irritate Stark.

  Haassea's eyes twinkled with humor. Despite her anger, Kiri relaxed a little. The woman was certainly charming. No wonder Stark had sponsored her.

  "I see from your ensemble today that you like things with a bit of dash." Haassea tipped her head to one side, looking over Kiri's slim leggings of deep chocolate, and matching high-neck sleeveless top. Her poppy throw lay across the divan behind her. On her feet were a pair of short chocolate boots with tassels. "I think we can find you several things you'll like. And of course, a few gowns."

  "Gowns?" Kiri took a sip of hot tea, hoping the motion hid her shock. Stark wanted to dress her in evening wear?

  Haassea's arching brows lifted. "Of course. You do realize that Logan is a very wealthy man. He attends the finest functions here and on the other planets where he has homes."

  Of course he did. Quark, why couldn't she have hooked up with a man who was a simple business owner like herself? Of course then they could have had a fine affair, but he wouldn't have had the credit to invest in her business and hire Finder again without blinking an eye.

  Kiri managed a smile. "He did mention we'd be traveling a great deal." Not that she wanted to go, but she wasn't going to admit that to this woman.

  Haassea's lashes veiled her eyes as she set her cup down. "Yes. Now, do come along and we'll begin."

  Kiri rose. "I'm ready." She didn't like tea anyway.

  She was disappointed to see that when they entered the large dressing room, already hung with garments, the attendant was a stranger.

  "Sari will help you," Haassea said, gesturing at the slender, dark young woman.

  "Taara's not here?" Kiri asked.

  "Not today. I leave you in Sari's hands. Do have her call me if there are any problems."

  She undulated from the room. Kiri thought back to the evening before. Taara hadn't answered the comlink Kiri sent her, so Kiri had left a message. She hoped the bubbly blonde wasn't ill.

  Sari had all the personality of a droid, but she was very attentive.

  Kiri loved clothing and shoes, and someday she'd like to have jewelry. She slipped into the ensembles Sari offered one after the other, taking several along with some black leggings and jacket to wear until her new smocks arrived. Stark had said he didn't want her working, but their liaison wasn't going to last forever. She had to be ready to slip back into her old life.

  Then Sari swung out a new section of the floating racks. Kiri stared. Shimmering lengths of stardust and moonshine drifted in the breeze of movement.

  Silently, hardly daring to touch it herself, Kiri allowed the attendant to wrap her in a slick column of gold fabric. The woman tugged at the fabric over Kiri's hipbones and stepped away.

  Kiri turned slowly, eyeing her reflection in the holovid mirrors. Her image moved with her, the fabric accentuating the curve of her breasts, nip of her waist and the swell of her ass, then clung to her legs. The neckline rested demurely just below her collarbone, but no one would label this garment modest. It left her arms and shoulders bare and hugged her graphically everywhere else, with diagonal slits in the fabric at the waist and above her breasts. She might as well be naked.

  "Miss is lovely," the attendant said, finally emerging from her shell enough to nod, her eyes gleaming.

  Kiri glanced at her, her cheeks flushed. "You don't think it's too ...?"

  "Oh, no. It is most alluring. Here are the shoes and the wrap."

  Kiri stepped into the metallic gold shoes, and admired her slender foot in the pointed toe. The shoes appeared to have been made of beaten gold, but they were soft on her bare feet.

  The wrap was a float of diaphanous gold shimmering with tiny beads in a swirling pattern, like a nebula. "The fabric has insulative qualities," Sari murmured. "Very warm."

  "Okay," Kiri said, tearing her gaze from her reflection. "I'll take this one. You can put the rest of those away."

  Sari's dark, liquid eyes widened in distress. "Oh, no, miss. You are to select several gowns."

  Several of these lovely, frivolous garments? Stark must plan to spend nearly every night going from one fancy event to the next. She was so quarked.

  At least she didn't have to parade out of the store with her purchases. She was already embarrassed by the quantity of clothing she was amassing, like some mercenary creature who cared only for Stark's credit. Sari assured her everything would be delivered to Stark's penthouse, including the clothes she'd worn into the store. Kiri donned her new black jacket and leggings to spend the afternoon at Kiri's Kaffe.

  Haassea appeared to say goodbye as Kiri was leaving. The woman smiled, standing in the midst of the elegance that was Maitresse. "Thank you for coming, Kiri. I'll look forward to seeing you one evening soon."

  "Thank you." Kiri hugged her poppy wrap around her even though the climate in the store was warm.

  "Stark will be so pleased," Haassea purred.

  Kiri's hackles raised. She smiled back. "He certainly seems pleased ... so far. Goodbye."

  Haassea's face tightened, her eyes narrowing. Kiri gave her look for look and then turned on her heel.

  She strolled out of the store, head high. Inside she was simmering. Bitch, implying that of course she knew Stark better than Kiri. So what if they'd slept together in the past? He wanted Kiri now, didn't he? At least she'd gotten in one good shot. The Serpentian had understood exactly what Stark was pleased about, and it had nothing to do with clothing.

  A trio of exquisitely clad and coiffed women passed her on their way into the store from the podway. "I do hope Haassea is here today," one of them said. "She knows just what flatters my coloring."

  "Unlimited credit is what flatters your coloring," another retorted dryly.

  "Girls, girls," the third woman hushed them. "No arguing. You never know who may be tucked away in one of the waiting rooms."

  "Ooh, come to buy an ensemble and take home a husband," the sarcastic one muttered.

  Huh. Kiri grinned to herself as she stepped out into the podway. She wasn't
the only one here to please a man.

  Chapter 23

  Kiri spent a few hours at the coffee stand, working alongside Maury. The older woman looked well, her flyaway gray hair tucked into a neat chignon. She'd bathed too and smelled of herbal soap.

  The new smocks arrived, and Maury donned hers, brushing away non-existent dust and straightening her shoulders. "What do you think?"

  Kiri nodded. "Very professional. You'll have all the males under one hundred and fifty flirting with you."

  Maury waved this away with pink cheeks. "Wait 'til you see the new logo Fava created. That will bring in customers."

  While Maury served a trio of pilots, Kiri studied the logo idea. A mischievously smiling woman rode the tail of a comet, holding aloft a steaming mug. 'Kiri's Kaffe—you'll soar,' read the slogan.

  "Hey, this looks like me."

  Maury finished wiping the counter. "Well, of course, dear. You're a very attractive girl."

  Kiri laughed. "It's fun. And it makes the point that our coffee will give you a lift. But how did Fava make her look so much like me?"

  Maury winked. "Holovids can be tampered with, you know. My nephew did that part."

  "Scary," Kiri said. "Hope he doesn't take to a life of crime."

  "Not if I've anything to say about it. Keep watching. Fava designed a logo for the mugs and smocks, too."

  "Love it all," Kiri pronounced. In the cartoons, Fava had emphasized the slant of her eyes, and the mischief in her grin, while exaggerating the size of the mug and the comet tail. "I'll go ahead and order the new signage. Glad I got to your niece before she becomes famous and too expensive."

  Something thumped against the wall of the stand, and both women jumped. Kiri slipped off her stool, opened the counter and walked out onto the concourse, peering into the darkness of the empty space next door. She could see nothing behind the security grid however.

  "Saw movement in there before," she told Maury. "Normally I wouldn't worry, but after the gambler was murdered in the back hallway ..."

  Maury nodded. "Better call port security."

  Kiri grimaced. "I was afraid you were going to say that."

  "Or you could have your handsome pilot do so," Maury said, gesturing at the hoverway. "Here he comes."

  Kiri was waiting for Rak with an expectant smile. He gave her a suspicious look, but she ignored it. "Just need you to call port authority. I want to know who's in the empty shop next door with the lights off."

  Rak nodded, one hand on his utility belt, where his laser was holstered. "I'll take care of it."

  He walked over to sit on the bench under the hoverway where he had a clear view of the empty shop and brought up a link.

  Kiri's link chimed. "That will be Stark, reminding me I have to get ready to go out this evening."

  "Really? Have a wonderful time wining and dining with that handsome man. And don't worry about me, I remember how to close."

  "Well ... if you're sure. Just don't forget to power down the coffee maker before you lock up. And make sure all the old coffee goes into the recycler, or we'll have to flush the system in the morning."

  Maury nodded patiently, and Kiri realized guiltily they'd already gone over this twice.

  Rak came back. "Just workers getting a new business ready to open up," he said.

  "What sort of shop?" Kiri asked eagerly.

  "Dunno. Didn't ask."

  Kiri exchanged a look of feminine exasperation with Maury. How could anyone be so incurious? "I don't suppose you could link back and ask?"

  He frowned at her. "No. The helmets have better things to do."

  "Yeah, like a murder to solve." Kiri shivered as she looked over his shoulder at the shuttered gambling kiosk. She'd sure feel a lot safer when they caught whoever had killed the gambler. She turned back to Maury. "Remember, don't use the back passageway after you close. Going down the concourse takes longer, but you won't be alone."

  "We gotta go," Rak reminded her, opening the counter.

  Kiri followed him obediently but turned back to Maury. "And link if you have any problems."

  Maury nodded solemnly, but her eyes were twinkling.

  "The lady will be fine," Rak said. "You're new to bossing, a blind Bartian could see that. Gotta give your employees room to work."

  "Okay, okay." Kiri followed him away along the concourse, struggling not to look back. Logically, she knew Maury would do well enough, but Kiri's Kaffe was her business. It was the only thing that was all her own.

  * * *

  Back at Stark's penthouse, Kiri shower-dried, applied cosmetics and fixed her hair for the evening with a mixture of trepidation and excitement. As she slipped carefully into the gold dress and smoothed it over her hips, she heard a noise behind her and turned.

  Stark stood in the doorway of her dressing room. Instead of his signature charcoal, he wore a suit of dark brown, the same hue as his hair. Of some soft fabric, the vee of the snug collar was trimmed in satin, as was the front fastener. Freshly shaven, his hair damp, he was the picture of urbane sophistication. And dead sexy, too.

  His gaze dropped over her in assessment.

  "Do you like it?" she asked, nerves knotting her insides.

  "Very much." He twirled his fingers. "Turn."

  Kiri spun slowly on the slick soles of her beaten gold slippers and he nodded. Happiness fluttered, dispelling some of her nerves.

  "However," he said. "I do believe that dress calls for one or two more things."

  He held up a slim container and flicked it open. Kiri stared. A necklace that appeared to have been spun of filigreed stardust lay on a bed of midnight velvet. Stark lifted it out and stepped closer. He nudged her to face the mirrors, stood behind her to lift it over her head.

  When he put it on her, she saw that it was made to fit high around her throat. He fastened it in the back, and cocked his head to look at her in the mirror.

  Kiri touched the necklace, tracing the delicate links with her fingertips. "It's beautiful. Looks like something a faery should wear."

  His eyes hooded with satisfaction, he pressed a possessive kiss to her bare shoulder, making her shiver with pleasure. "The necklace ... will do, for now."

  He set his hands on her upper arms, and met her eyes in the mirror. "Do you know what it means?"

  His hands were warm, but premonition skated under his touch. "No."

  "It's a collar. It means you're mine. Everyone who sees you tonight will know you belong to me sexually."

  Kiri frowned at him, taken aback. "You mean, they'll know—that you like to … tell me what to do in bed?"

  He nodded. "And that you enjoy submitting to me."

  Oh, just quarking great, now she was going to be wondering what everyone was thinking when they looked at her. She scowled at him. "Afraid I can't say no if someone else puts a move on me?"

  He smiled slightly. "I move in a very ... sophisticated strata, kitten. Jaded may be a better term. Beings who are used to taking what they want, because they have wealth and power." He stroked his thumb over the collar. "This says you aren't available. And that if they try to touch you, they'll answer to me."

  "Holy quark," she muttered. "Sounds like you hang out with criminals like Tal."

  His grip tightened, almost painful. She looked at him uncertainly.

  "Darkrunner is out of your life now, Kiri. But he does specialize in getting people what they want, so some of these people likely have an acquaintance with him, yes. Ah, one more thing."

  He looked down, and she watched curiously as he pulled another piece of jewelry around her waist. A gold chain with two shimmering balls and a ring hanging from it. Kiri's tension ratcheted up to fever pitch. She shook her head, pressing back against him, her hands on his wrists. In his arms, she felt at once safe and on the edge of some precipice.

  "Oh, no." As she shook her head, her hair brushed his chin. "Oh, no you don't."

  Laughter gleamed in his gaze. "You recognize it? I said you'd wear it for me."

&nbs
p; He fastened the fine chain around her waist. Kiri shook her head pleadingly. "Logan, no. I can't wear that in public. I'm nervous enough as it is."

  "Shh, it's all right," he soothed. "It's simply ornamentation for the gown, kitten."

  Watching over her shoulder, he lifted the ring and fastened it to a loop on the lower center of the collar, so one length of chain lay between her breasts. Then he found one of the slits at her waist, and dropped the two balls into it. They fell over the plane of her belly and dangled between her thighs, hidden by the dress.

  "There, you see?" he chided, smoothing the fabric over her hips. "Just another piece of jewelry.

  Kiri had to admit that while unusual, the chains made a pretty belt and the length down between her breasts lay in the folds of fabric, blending with the gown. She was so relieved he wasn't going to make her wear the balls in her pussy she didn't complain that they tickled her thighs.

  "One more thing," Stark whispered and kissed her ear, nibbling softly on the shell as he cupped her breasts in his big, warm hands and then pinched her nipples. Kiri gasped as they sprang to instant attention, and he made a low sound of approval as he worked them hard.

  Then he let go, and smiled at her in the mirror. "There. You look supremely fuckable, kitten. Let me know if you get … bored this evening, and I'll take care of you."

  Kiri didn't answer. She was too busy staring at her nipples, poking through the thin fabric like little spears. The fabric abraded them, and she had the horrid suspicion they weren't going to subside anytime soon—not with him touching her.

  Stark tugged her away from the mirrors. "Come along, No more time to admire your pretty self."

  "I'm not admiring," she sputtered. "I'm—I look almost naked."

  "Yes," he agreed."I certainly won't be bored this evening."

  He gave her just time to grab the evening cloak and bag, and they were on their way out to the cruiser. Kiri wanted to dash back into the penthouse and hide in bed. The evening ahead made her night out at Le Tigre seem as tame as a ride on the spaceport hoverway.