Wild Card (The Drift Book 3)

by Susan Hayes

  “I can’t dance,” she protested quietly.

  “No one’s looking at us. All you have to do is hold onto me and move to the music.”

  He swept her around, guiding her across the shadowed floor with surprising skill.

  “Where did you learn to dance? I know that wasn’t something you picked up during the war.”

  “There wasn’t much to do on the trip out here but watch vids, read, and spend time in the sim pods. One of the sim programs was an introduction to dancing. It was more fun than playing cards with Mack. He can’t bluff to save his life.”

  “Good to know. If I want an honest answer, I’ll make sure to ask Mack.”

  He slid a hand down her spine, drawing her in close enough she could feel the hard line of his cock pressed against her. “I’ll never lie to you. If you ask me a question, I’ll tell you the truth about anything you want to know.”

  “I won’t lie to you either. I’m tired of secrets.”

  His head bowed so that he could whisper his next words in her ear. “Thank you for keeping ours. I’m sorry it cost you so much.”

  “It was worth it,” she whispered back.

  By the time the song ended she was breathless and giddy with laughter and the effects of the champagne. Dash gave her one last twirl and escorted her back to their table. She watched Mack take a bow, wondering how long it would be until he rejoined them. She wanted to tell him how much his song had meant to her. This entire evening had turned into something so special, she would remember it for the rest of her life.

  Mack usually enjoyed his moment in the spotlight, but tonight he couldn’t wait to get off the stage and back to Lieksa. He jumped off the stage with the guitar still in his hand and headed straight for the VIP section.

  Lieksa met him on the stairs, her face alight with happiness. Veth, she was beautiful.

  “You were amazing!” she declared and threw her arms around him.

  The joy of hearing her approval was eclipsed by the pleasure of having her back in his arms, this time of her own volition. “You liked it?”

  “I loved it. The lyrics, your playing, the way you sing, all of it.”

  “Thank you. When I wrote that song, I never imagined I’d get to play it for you one day.”

  “It was beautiful. You made me sound beautiful. I know it was just a song, but thank you.”

  “You are so beautiful. And you’re welcome.” He was out of words, so he simply kissed her until she melted against him with a sweet little moan that fired his blood and had his dick harder than hull-plating in a matter of seconds.

  “If you drop T’arv’s guitar he’s going to be pissed at you,” Dash said via their internal channel.

  He had a point. Not to mention the middle of Amped wasn’t exactly the most private spot for a seduction. Not that he was going to seduce her. That wasn’t the plan. Tonight was about getting to know each other, not getting her naked.

  “Dash is getting jealous,” he told her after stealing one last kiss.

  “There’s no chance he’d admit any such thing, but if you think we should head back to the table, I’m in agreement. Between dancing with Dash and kissing you, I’ve made enough of a spectacle of myself for one evening.”

  He guided her back to where Dash was waiting for them. He’d refilled their glasses with the last of their second bottle of champagne while he was waiting.

  “You sounded good tonight, Mack. Maybe you should borrow T’arv’s guitar more often,” Dash said by way of greeting.

  “Are you wearing T’arv’s clothes too? Where did you get the new outfit?” Lieksa ran a finger along the sleeve of his leather jacket, and he idly wished she was touching his skin, instead.

  “I keep a few changes of clothes in the back. We both do. That way we can come here after a shift and not have to worry about going home first, or sitting around in our uniforms all night.”

  “This place really is like your second home, isn’t it?”

  Dash’s voice sounded in his head. “Let’s tell her.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I promised her there wouldn’t be any more secrets.”

  “In our line of work, there will always be secrets,” he reminded Dash. “But yeah, we should tell her.”

  “It’s a little more than that, actually. We’re T’arv’s silent partners. Amped is half ours.” Dash grinned at her. “Surprise.”

  “You own half this place? But, how? I mean, it’s one of the biggest draws on the station!”

  “It wasn’t always a big draw. T’arv and Nadia had the know-how to make this place work, but there weren’t many customers early on.”

  Dash snorted with laughter. “There weren’t that many potential customers on the whole fraxxing station back then. They needed cash flow, and we had the scrip the corporations owed us in back pay, so we invested. You’re the only one who knows outside of the four partners.”

  She looked around the crowded bar with a dazed expression on her face. “If this is half yours, then why do you two work at all?”

  “When we were freed, Dash and I spent a lot of time talking about what we wanted to do with our lives. Drifting around, looking for a home wasn’t something that appealed to me. I wanted a purpose, a goal.”

  “For the record, I was suggested an intergalactic pub crawl while we figured out what we wanted to be when we grew up,” Dash said, then raised his glass to Mack. “I still think we should have done that, ya killjoy.”

  Lieksa giggled. “You bought half a bar instead. All the booze, none of the boring space travel. I think you made the right call.”

  “It didn’t take long for her to get you figured out, did it?”

  Dash shrugged and took a drink before answering. “I’m not the complicated one in this friendship. Complicated and broody are your domains.”

  “I’m not broody, I’m thoughtful. There’s a difference.”

  “So, you work because you want to. And you chose Corp-Sec.”

  He nodded. “We wanted to do something that made a difference. I know it’s a cliché, but to protect and serve is a noble purpose. After the war, we needed to do something good.”

  “We spent most of our time skulking in the shadows, gathering data. I’d trick people into giving away information, relay it to Mack for analysis, and then we’d end up running like hell when they eventually figured out I wasn’t supposed to be there. Fun times.”

  “That was something I always wondered about. I know you were programmed to act more human than most cyborgs, but how did you hide the barcode?”

  Dash held out his hand so that the barcode on his inner wrist showed. “Like this.”

  The barcode faded away, leaving his wrist bare. There was a time Mack had envied that ability. Dash had enjoyed a freedom few cyborgs dreamed of during the wars. He could slip off the collar and be completely human for a few hours now and then.

  “You shouldn’t be able to do that.” Lieksa was staring at Dash’s wrist with fascination.

  “My designers violated quite a few regulations when they created me. I was a spy, remember? Blending in was necessary, and to do that, they ignored, bent, or flat out broke the rules governing cyborg development and behavior.”

  “I heard whispers, but none of us knew anything for sure. How long does it last?”

  “One hundred and eighty minutes. That’s the maximum anyone felt comfortable letting me pretend to be human.”

  She reached for their hands, gripping them tight. “I’m glad neither of you has to pretend to be someone you’re not anymore. When I thought you were dead, it always haunted me that you never got a chance to live a real life. I’m happy you’re getting that chance, now.”

  “We got that chance in part because of you,” Mack reminded her. It was something he would never let her, or himself, forget again.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Nadia had delivered dessert in person, setting down a tray filled with bite-sized versions of their most popular confections before be
aming at Lieksa and introducing herself. Dash half expected her to explode with happiness. Nadia had fussed and clucked at them for years to find a nice girl, and it was clear by the way she was looking at Lieksa that she had the older woman’s approval. Nadia and T’arv were the closest thing to parents he and Mack had ever known, and it pleased him no end to be able to introduce Lieksa to them both.

  It was late by the time they left the bar, but none of them were ready to end the date, yet. They wandered the main concourse of the station with no real destination in mind for almost an hour before finally making their way back to Lieksa’s residence cubby. It wasn’t any better the second time he saw it.

  “Have you ever considered living in another part of the station?” Mack asked, as direct as ever.

  “Not really. I know it’s not the nicest area, but rent is cheap.” She shrugged slightly. “And to be honest, it reminds me of home.”

  “This reminds you of Earth?” Dash asked, gesturing to the deteriorating walls and dank shadows.

  “A little, yeah. Have you ever been there, or have you just seen vids and sims?” she asked.

  “Never been there.”

  “Not the most welcoming place for cyborgs,” Mack added.

  “It’s not like the vids. Blue sky and lush green spaces, shining cities of glass and steel. Those exist, sure, but most people live in hive cities. Huge, self-contained superstructures crammed full of people living in cubbies a lot like the one I’m in. That’s the world I knew. My family didn’t have a lot of money. Too many mouths to feed, clothe, and educate.”

  “You’re from a big family? I didn’t know that, sweetheart.”

  “I’m the oldest of five kids.” She hesitated for a second before adding. “My parents are in a triad, my mom, and my two dads. That’s not as accepted on Earth as it is out here, so I don’t talk about it much.”

  “Well, that explains why you didn’t freak out the first time we both kissed you. I confess I wondered about that.”

  She laughed and glanced up at him. “You know, it never occurred to me to freak out over that. I was too busy trying to process the fact Mack wasn’t obeying orders and both of you were secretly human to worry about anything else.”

  Mack stopped in the middle of the corridor and turned to face her. “It doesn’t bother you, does it? Dating both of us?”

  “Of course not. If it did, I wouldn’t have spent tonight holding your hands and kissing you both,” she pointed out. “If we’re doing this, then I assume we’re doing this together, the three of us.”

  “That’s the plan. Does this mean we’re going to be going out for a second date?”

  She tipped her head to one side and tapped a finger to her lips. The motion sent her hair spilling over her shoulder in a fiery cascade, tempting Dash to wrap it around his fist and pull her in for another kiss.

  “If I say yes, what are you going to come up with to top tonight? You’ve set the bar pretty high,” she said.

  Mack chuckled. “I’m glad to hear it. Next time, I want to dance with you, too.”

  “I’d like that. So, I guess that means we’re going out again.”

  “Yes, we are. Soon.” By the time they reached her door, Dash had a plan…of sorts. Mack would no doubt argue it was barely a concept, which was why he had no intention of sharing his plan until it was already in motion.

  “Good night, sweetheart,” he pulled Lieksa into his arms and kissed her. Veth, he was never going to get tired of having her in his arms again.

  She kissed him back, her arms twining around his neck and her soft body rubbing up against his in ways that had him hard, hot, and aching with need.

  Mack moved in behind her, pressing her between them. She turned to kiss Mack without letting go of Dash, and it was the most erotic thing he’d ever experienced.

  By the time she wished them good night and vanished into her cubby, all of them were breathless, rumpled, and aroused.

  Mack ran a hand through his hair and groaned. “I know we agreed that tonight was about reconnecting, but fraxx, I’m starting to question that choice right now.”

  “Glad to hear it, because I’m about to put my brilliant plan into action.” He pulled out his comm and called Lieksa. All she had to do was say yes.

  * * * *

  Lieksa felt like she was dancing on air. The door slid shut behind her with its usual grinding sound. She floated over to her kitchenette and buried her face in the flowers they had given her earlier. Their delicate perfume had filled the small space while she was out, and their vibrant red, orange, and yellow petals added a splash of color to her otherwise dull quarters.

  Her happy mood was curbed by the incessant chime of her comm. There was only one person who could be calling this late. Zale. No doubt he wanted to know if she would come into work tomorrow, despite it being her day off. She hadn’t set foot in her workshop yet, and the work would be piling up. She didn’t even bother checking the incoming ID before answering. “Hi, Zale. No, I’m not coming into work tomorrow, and there’s nothing you can say to change my mind.”

  “Does this mean you’re free tomorrow?”

  “Dash? Yes, I have tomorrow free. I’ve been taking care of a certain cyborg for the last few days, and I’ve earned some time off.”

  “The way I figure it, we said good night, and you closed the door. That means our first date is officially over. So…. Want to go out on our second date?”

  “Now?” Her heart did a triple flip in her chest at the idea of seeing them again.

  “Right now. Say yes, angel. We’re not ready for this night to end.”

  There were probably a dozen good, valid reasons why she should say no, but at the moment she couldn’t think of a single one. “Yes.”

  She could hear Dash cheering from the other side of the door and grinned. It was nice to know she wasn’t the only one losing her mind.

  “Where are we going?” she asked, turning back to the door to open it for them.

  She expected Dash to be standing there, but it was Mack’s big frame that filled the doorway.

  “That depends,” he said, stepping inside and pulling her in close. “We can go anywhere on the station you want, or if you’d prefer, we can stay right here.”

  “My bed’s not big enough for all three of us,” she said, then slammed a hand over her mouth. “I—I mean my place isn’t big enough for us. Not—I didn’t mean—“

  Mack cut off her mortified babbling with a scorching kiss while Dash laughed in the background.

  “Sweetheart, I think I speak for both of us when I say we’re really hoping you did mean what you said the first time.”

  Mack lifted his head so that their mouths were a scant inch apart and stared into her eyes. “Did you mean it?”

  She nodded, not trusting herself to speak in case she started to babble again.

  He caught her chin in his hand and tipped her head back so that she was looking into his eyes. She was fascinated with the way they changed color depending on his mood. Right now they were a vivid green and gold, the brown shades lost to the fires of desire that burned in his gaze.

  “You have to say the words. Say you meant it,” he told her in a low rumbling tone with a hint of command to it. It reminded her of the first night when he had refused her order and kissed her instead of letting her go.

  “I meant what I said the first time.”

  “Do you want us to take you to bed?” Mack prompted.

  “A bigger bed than the one here?” Dash added.

  Her cheeks felt like were on fire, but she managed to get the words out. “Yes, please.”

  “Anything you want, angel. All you ever have to do is ask, and we’ll try our damnedest to make it happen.” Mack rubbed the pad of his thumb over her lower lip, released her, and stepped back.

  Dash moved in to take his place, his stormy blue eyes dancing with gleeful satisfaction as he swooped in and kissed her. He buried his hands in her hair, holding her in place as his mouth slanted
across hers. His kisses were hot and hungry, his touch firm but insistent, keeping control of her as he took the kiss deeper. He didn’t relent until her knees threatened to buckle and the room was spinning.

  “Thank you for saying yes,” he whispered when he finally lifted his head to smile down at her.

  “After that kiss, I’m pretty sure I should be the one thanking you,” she said, holding tight to his shirt as she struggled to catch her breath.

  He chuckled. “You say the nicest things, sweetheart. Do you want to pack a bag before we go?”

  She blushed again and nodded. “I should.”

  “Don’t take long.”

  She managed not to laugh. It wouldn’t take her long to pack even if she took everything she owned. She lived simply and sent what little scrip she saved back to her family on Earth. They needed it more than she did. She squeezed past Mack and pulled open one of the storage panels that lined the walls. It didn’t take long to find a bag and fill it with a change of clothes and a few other items. She wanted to be on her way before she started second guessing herself.

  “Ready,” she announced.

  “Then let’s go home.” Mack took the bag from her and slung it over his shoulder. She followed them out, and for the second time that night she was certain her feet weren’t even touching the floor.

  * * * *

  By the time they got home, Mack was close to his breaking point. Every step ratcheted up his anticipation, and he knew he wasn’t alone. The three of them were sitting on a powder keg, and it would only take a spark to set them off. Once that happened, there would be no turning back, no changing trajectory. He didn’t have enough data to know where they were headed, and for once, he didn’t care about the outcome.

  “You two are full of surprises,” she said as they arrived at their home.

  “How so?” Dash asked.

  “Your lives have changed so much.” She glanced up at them, and Mack saw a flicker of doubt in her ice-blue eyes. “Are you sure you want this? I don’t really fit into your world anymore.”

  “Are we sure? Re’veth, woman. I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life,” Dash said, echoing Mack’s thoughts of only a moment before.