Vicious hoped that was true. General Thorn reached into his desk and retrieved a black envelope with silver lettering. Vicious recognized it as the type sent out by the war council when promotions were made.
“Here. I think you’ll find this man’s dossier quite interesting.”
General Thorn tossed the envelope at Vicious, who caught it easily. He lifted the seal and retrieved the documents. His gaze scanned the cover page. His belly clenched. His gaze lifted to the general who grinned at him.
“Well, Vicious?”
Vicious stared at the promotion orders raising him from colonel to brigadier general. He’d spent his entire military career striving toward this moment. He’d clawed his way through the ranks, shedding blood and risking his life, in the hopes of someday attaining this pinnacle. To reach the level of general in the Harcos land corps was no easy feat. Twenty-four years of his life had been given to reaching this goal.
“I don’t know what to say.” Vicious tore his gaze from the official paperwork. He gulped as emotion threatened to swamp him. “Thank you, sir.”
The general shook his head. “None of that, Vicious. You’ve earned this. I’ve watched you since you were a little boy at the academy. Even then, you were a leader. These last few weeks, especially, you’ve shown that you’re willing to do whatever it takes to make things right. You’re a man who will look after the soldiers and their families. In a protracted campaign like this, that’s absolutely paramount.”
General Thorn sat forward. “Speaking of families, I’d suggest you talk this over with your wife before you make a decision.”
Surprise rippled through Vicious. “You think I should discuss my promotion with Hallie?”
The general laughed. “I know what you men think of me. I know what you think of my attitudes toward women. You couldn’t be more wrong, of course.”
“I—”
General Thorn held up a hand. “It works to my advantage to have everyone terrified of me. The truth is that woman of mine has me eating out of the palm of her hand. Just as I’m sure your Hallie has you eating out of hers.”
Vicious shifted uncomfortably. “I wouldn’t go that far, but yes, we’re more equal than not.”
“That’s the dirty little secret, Vicious. Most of us are ridiculously, stupidly in love with our wives. I’ve mastered my wife but I value her opinion and respect her advice. These women? They may wear our collars and do what we tell them in public but at home?” The general shook his head and smiled. “They have all the power.”
A strange relief swamped him. It was good to hear that he wasn’t the only man who struggled with the traditions of their people. “When do you need your answer?”
“Soon,” General Thorn replied. “It would be good to know before the end of the week whether you’re taking the promotion or not. Either way, you have my blessing.”
When Vicious left the general’s office half an hour later, he was still in a daze. Him? A brigadier general? It was almost too good to believe but he held the envelope in his hand. He squeezed the paper between his fingertips to reassure himself it was all real.
As he rode the elevator down to their floor, the reality of the promotion hit him. He wouldn’t just be in charge of the men aboard the Valiant. No, four thousand men, four battalions strong, would look to him for guidance and leadership. Their wives and children would count on him to keep their men safe and to bring them home alive.
It was a huge responsibility.
So big, it would take time away from his new life with Hallie. If they were successful in conceiving a child, it would mean even more sacrifice from his new family. Vacations and downtime would be few and far between. The perks would be nice, but he didn’t think Hallie cared much about a bigger, nicer home or elevated status.
Inside their quarters, he quietly locked the door and made his way to their bedroom. He stood in the doorway and watched her slumber. She’d left the lights dimmed for him. Naked and turned on her side, she looked like an erotic tableau with the sheets twisted around her hips and her breasts bared. She was the most delicately beautiful thing he’d ever seen.
Could he really choose his career over Hallie?
Chapter Fourteen
Hallie rolled onto her back and strained to hear. Vicious had come home almost an hour earlier. She’d been dozing when he took his customary night shower. She’d expected him to join her in bed but he’d left the room quietly. At first she’d been miffed but then decided he was probably hungry. Noises from the kitchen had confirmed her suspicion but he still wasn’t back.
She glanced at the clock on his side of the bed. Worry gripped her. Maybe something was wrong. Had he gotten bad news at his meeting with General Thorn?
Hallie sat up and slid off the bed. She didn’t bother getting dressed. Vicious liked her better naked anyway. If he was in a sullen mood or upset, seeing her nude curves might brighten his mood.
She left their bedroom and entered the main living area of their quarters. He wasn’t there or in the kitchen. She saw a faint light coming from the slightly ajar door of his office. When she reached the door, she listened for a moment. She wanted to be sure he wasn’t taking a call with someone. The last thing Vicious needed was his naked wife barging into a live call.
She pushed the door open a little and stepped into his office. The lights were dimmed and it took her vision a moment to adjust. Vicious sat at his desk. He glanced up at her and frowned. “Are you all right? Is something wrong?”
She shook her head and walked over to him. “I’m fine. Are you okay? You didn’t come to bed.”
Vicious reached for her, his hand sliding along her hip to cup her bottom. “I didn’t realize you were awake. I just needed some time to think.”
“Oh. Well I can go—”
“Don’t.” He patted her butt and then pulled her close. “Sit with me.”
Nodding, she let Vicious haul her onto his lap. She kissed his jaw and snuggled close to his warm chest. Her head seemed to fit so perfectly there. He stroked her arm and stared at the wall. He seemed so pensive. She didn’t want to interrupt his thoughts. Being held by him was more than enough.
“I’ve been offered a promotion.”
Her head popped right up and she grinned at him. “Vicious, that’s wonderful!”
He seemed grim. “Is it?”
She frowned at his lack of enthusiasm. “Of course it is. You’ve worked so hard for your career. I don’t know a lot about the military, obviously, but I know enough to understand just how hard it is to get to where you are right now. To be promoted from colonel? That’s huge.” Her chest threatened to burst with joy. She kissed him long and hard. “I’m so proud of you, Vicious.”
His worried expression faltered. A smile curved his mouth. “Are you?”
“Yes.” She hugged him tightly. “Incredibly proud.”
“You’re not angry that I’m considering accepting the promotion to general?” Fear flashed in his pale-blue eyes. “I won’t take it if you don’t want me to, Hallie.”
She gawked at him. “Vicious, if you don’t take the promotion, I’m going to be mad you.”
Surprise brightened his face. “Really?”
“Yes!” Rolling her eyes, she sighed. “Why in the world would you think that I’d want you to give up this chance for me?”
“Because it means I’ll have to put in extra hours. We won’t be able to take as many vacations or have as much time together. It’s an incredible responsibility, Hallie.”
“Vicious,” she asked carefully, “do you love me?”
“Yes.” The answer was swift and sure.
“That’s enough for me.” She kissed him. “I don’t need vacations and I don’t need you home every night for dinner. Would I like those things? Yes, of course. Are we going to argue every now and then? Um, yeah. Will we have to compromise and make sacrifices? Yes, absolutely. Is it worth it? Yes!”
He regarded her for a long moment. His voice thick with emotion,
he finally spoke. “I don’t deserve you.”
“Hush,” she whispered against his lips. “We both deserve each other.”
She smothered his laugh with another kiss, this one slow and easy. Vicious took control of the kiss in that way that she’d come to love. His warm hands caressed her naked skin and made her shiver. He petted her lovingly and cupped her small breast in his big paw. “I can’t get enough of you, Hallie.”
She shared his sentiment. He’d become a drug that she craved more and more every day. She whimpered as his masterful hands aroused her. A little wiggle of her hips told her she wasn’t the only one aroused. Feeling brave, she reached between their bodies and grasped his erection through the thin fabric of his sleep pants. Vicious groaned at her intimate touch.
A naughty thought occurred. There was one thing they hadn’t tried yet. During one of Lenny’s visits to the apartment, she’d shown Hallie the channels in the 900 range of the entertainment console. At first, she’d been appalled that people videoed themselves having sex. After a little more study, she realized it was an easy way to learn new tricks. Some of the things she’d witnessed on some of the more extreme channels would never happen but what she had in mind right now? Oh yes. She really wanted to try that.
Hallie slipped off Vicious’ lap and knelt at his feet. His brow furrowed and he swept long strands of hair from her face. “What are you doing, Kitten?”
“What do you think?” She reached for the waistband of his pants but his fingers gripped her wrist. Her confused gaze snapped to his face. “What?”
“You don’t have to do that.”
She licked her lips and smiled up at him. “I want to put my mouth on you, Vicious.”
His eyes widened slightly and his nostrils flared. He released her hand and caressed her cheek. “If you don’t like it, that’s fine. You can stop at any time, Kitten.”
“All right.” Fingers trembling now, she reached for his pants and tugged them down in the front. His cock sprang free. She gazed at it for a moment and wondered how in the world she was going to get the thick, blunt tip all the way into her mouth. He looked so much bigger this close.
Tentatively, she grazed her fingertips over his hot skin. She heard his slow inhale and watched his abdominal muscles working. She couldn’t believe her lightest touch had affected him so. He seemed to be experiencing the same excitement and anticipation she did when he parted her folds with his fingertips and put his tongue on her clit.
She grasped his big cock and stroked him from the tip to the base. She kept her fingers loose and light, just teasing him a little. He made a low grunting noise that drew her gaze. He looked almost pained, his mouth drawn tight and his cheeks twitching. She quickly recognized the expression though. It was one he often wore when they made love and when he felt extreme pleasure.
The fingers of her other hand moved even lower. She wanted to touch his sac but his current position made it difficult. As if understanding her quandary, Vicious rose on shaky legs and leaned back against his desk. He widened his thighs and granted her more access. She noticed his white-knuckle grip on his desk and almost felt sorry for him.
Almost.
She often felt a bit out of her depth with him. In the bedroom, he had all of the knowledge and dominated her so easily. Not that she minded much. She rather enjoyed being completely at his mercy. That didn’t mean she didn’t want her chance to be the one in control every now and then. Holding his cock in her hand and cupping his plump sac transferred that power to her.
“Oh hell!”
Hallie grinned as she caressed his balls. They were heavier than she’d expected. She rolled them gently in her palm and gave them a curious little tug, not enough to cause pain but enough to make him groan and drop his head back.
With Vicious staring at the ceiling, she made her move.
“Hallie!” He shouted her name when her tongue glided from the wide base of his erection to his ruddy cock head. His taste, the slight bitterness of his soap and the salt of his sweat, delighted her. She’d never felt more intimately connected than at this moment.
She took her time exploring him with her tongue. She licked his velvety skin with long, leisurely swipes. She flicked her tongue along the underside of his crown and wet her lips before sucking his cock between them. He growled now, the sound so rough and needy that it made her clit pulse. She could feel her pussy growing wet as she tormented Vicious with her tongue and lips. She wondered if he experienced the same heady excitement when he licked her.
“Hallie! Oh—Kitten!” He grunted and shuddered as she took more of him into her mouth. She didn’t think she’d be able to do that deep throat maneuver she’d seen in one of the pornographic flicks but she could try. Lips stretched around his massive cock, she relaxed her jaw and took him a bit deeper on the down stroke. She eased off and tried again, sucking him deeper and deeper into her mouth with each successive stroke. At the first flutter of panic she retreated, certain that he wouldn’t want her gagging around him.
Vicious touched her cheek and smiled down at her. “It’s all right, Hallie. Don’t try that yet.”
She nodded and watched in fascination as he stroked his cock, the ruddy skin now glistening with her saliva. With his hand working his shaft, his sac was perfectly displayed. She remembered another scene from the film and wondered if Vicious would like that.
Leaning forward, she flicked her tongue over his balls. He groaned so loudly it made her belly wobble. Well, that answered her question! He liked it very much. She lavished more attention on his sac while he fisted his cock in his big hand. When she sucked on his sac, he let loose a string of expletives that shocked her—and made her smile. He was normally so controlled. Apparently, she’d just figured out how to shatter that control.
“I’m close.” He breathed so hard now. “Do you want me to—?”
“Come in my mouth, Vicious,” she begged. She mimicked the same rough language from the film she’d seen. “Let me taste your cum.”
“Hallie, you dirty girl.” He grinned down at her, his smile mischievous. She licked his plump sac again, and Vicious growled, the sound deep and raw. His hand moved over his wet shaft faster and faster. He concentrated on just the top of his cock. She knelt with her mouth open, her tongue stealing out every few seconds to flick at the head of his cock.
“So beautiful,” he murmured. “So fucking sexy.” He inhaled sharp, quick breaths. “I’m coming.” He groaned and leaned forward a little. “I’m coming!”
She wrapped her lips around his cock the second his hand moved out of the way. She bobbed hard and fast on his shaft. The first spurt of semen hit her tongue. It stunned her and she faltered but quickly recovered. His cum tasted sweet with the slightest hint of salt. She moaned in excitement as he jerked above her and growled her name again and again.
When he finally quieted, he fell back against his desk. She let his cock slip from her mouth and swallowed. He gazed down at her with such love and adoration. His thumb brushed her lower lip. She sucked it into her mouth and bit down. He chuckled and reached for her, pulling her onto his exposed lap as he dropped into his chair.
He kissed her then, his tongue stabbing deep. He stole her breath away as he devoured her mouth, her lips still swollen from sucking him. When his hand moved between her thighs, she parted for him. Draped across his lap, she trusted him to hold her as he entered her pussy with two fingers. He strummed her clit with his thumb.
“Kitten, you’re so wet.” His fingers thrust in faster now. She gasped at the wild sensations he evoked. “Did sucking my cock turn you on?”
“Yes.” She moaned as his thumb found just the right pace over her clit. “Vicious!”
“Hold on, Kitten. Hold on to me.”
She gripped his forearm as he fucked her pussy with his hand. His fingers curved inside her channel and she saw stars. Delirious with lust, she bounced on his lap and rode his hand. His thumb worked faster and faster over her clit. Finally, she shattered and ca
me with a howl of ecstasy.
When it was all over, Vicious gathered her close and kissed her forehead. “You never cease to amaze me.”
She smiled mischievously. “Give me time. If I can sneak in some more viewing time in that 900 range, who knows what I might want to try next.”
Vicious stiffened. “Did Terror show you those channels?”
Aghast, she peered up at him. “No!” Her cheeks grew hot. “I’d die if Terror talked to me about those channels.”
Vicious relaxed. “Good. I don’t want him corrupting your mind.”
“Because that’s your prerogative?”
He laughed and kissed her. “Yes. Exactly that.” He nuzzled her temple. “Are you ready for bed?”
She nodded and slipped off his lap. He stood and pulled up his sleep pants. She gestured to his cock. “Did I do all right for my first time?”
“Are you serious?” Vicious tipped her chin and gazed down at her. “I almost came the second your tongue touched me.” He embraced her and rubbed her back in a loving way. “You did extremely well.”
“For my first time, you mean.”
“Well, there’s always room for improvement.” He smiled wickedly before scooping her right up and tossing her over his shoulder.
“Vicious, put me down!”
“Quiet.” His big hand smacked her backside as she tried to wiggle free. He headed for the door. “We’ll just have to make sure you get lots of practice.”
Chapter Fifteen
“Do you see her?” Hallie stood on tiptoes to try to see over the crowd at the bustling depot. They’d landed at the port on the Jesco colony half an hour earlier and had finally made it through customs. Now they were trying to find Bernie in the sea of arrivals swarming through the terminal.
“Not yet,” Lenny replied and craned her neck.
Hallie turned to her left where Terror stood. He wasn’t wearing his usual uniform but civilian clothes. He looked rather strange to her in the gray cargo pants and dark-blue shirt but he seemed to be blending in as well as he could with his scarring and height. She smacked his stomach. “Hey, make yourself useful and look for my sister.”
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