“Angelo…” Her smile endeared her to him, sinking into his heart.
“Did you enjoy—”
“Oh, my, yes. Now, come here…let me pleasure you.” Her gaze bore into him. Without a doubt he’d discovered what he’d searched for…love.
***
Elle’s body tingled in places she never knew existed. The intensity of her orgasm had built under Angelo’s tenderness, but what had really sent her over the edge was the passion in his gaze. He’d held on to her, both in body and in spirit, and the pure adoration in his eyes was what finally sent her over the edge into an climax unlike any she’d ever experienced. Even now, her heart pounded.
Still on her back, she tugged on his arm and tugged him to her. He wrapped her in his embrace and brought his mouth to hers. The taste of her still lingered on his lips and that only sparked her desire once again. This time, however, she wanted to please him.
His firm erection pressed against her abdomen, and she longed to have him inside her. A shiver of anticipation started deep within, culminating into a thin film of sweat along her arms. She stroked her fingers over his shoulders and down his back, and his hard muscles bunched beneath her touch. His reaction sent a thrill between her legs. This wonderful man…Angelo…had burned his way past her defenses and into her heart.
Their fevered kisses only stirred the flames brighter between them. She slid her fingers down his chest, and pressed against the hard muscles of his abdomen, encouraging him to give her access. He obliged, and she scooted her hand lower until she could get a firm grip on his length. A fleeting bit of worry crossed her mind. Could she take him? The moan that eased from his throat was one of pure bliss, chasing away her doubts.
She stroked him, up and down, rubbing her palm against the soft skin that covered his hardness. A rush of wetness coated her sheath, as her desire for him…for Angelo…solidified the bedrock they had built, forming a firm, unbreakable foundation.
She nipped his earlobe, tugging on the soft flesh with her teeth.
A shiver racked his body, and he groaned. “You tease me, Elle.”
“I want to please you, as you did for me,” she whispered, tickling him all the more.
Still cradling her in his arms, he pulled back enough to watch her. “I would love that, but what I really want…is to join with you.”
She bit her lip. Caught in the grasp of her unease at his size, she couldn’t speak.
His features darkened, and creases formed around his eyes. “Elle?”
He thinks I’m rejecting him. That was the last thing on her mind. She kissed the tip of his nose, and gave him a gentle shove. “Roll over.”
He blinked, and then a broad smile brightened his face. With a quick flip, he rolled onto his back. His shaft was long and firm. She ran her fingernail from his base all the way to the tip.
He groaned. “Elle, you’re killing me.”
She giggled and straddled him, placing one knee on either side of his hips. As if it had a mind of its own, his shaft strained toward her. She grasped him tight and centered herself over him. A low groan escaped his lips. He gripped her thighs, and his face tightened. His control was razor thin.
With slow circles she rubbed herself on him, dipping his shaft between her slick folds, teasing him. The muscles in his abdomen tightened, and a moan rumbled in his chest. She smiled, happiness filling in the empty place in her heart.
Slowly, she lowered herself, taking him in. He stretched her, and she stopped, giving herself time to adjust to his size. Working her way down his shaft, she kept her gaze on his. He didn’t rush her or try to control what they did. His patience and tenderness had earned her trust, and she loved him all the more.
When she finally adjusted to him, she moved her hips and he picked up on the rhythm. Their tempo increased, along with her heartbeat. Before she knew what happened, an orgasm hit her again, sending a celestial round of stars through her vision. He cried out, his grip on her thighs tightening as his own release crested.
He opened his arms, welcoming her into his embrace. She lay on his chest. This was where she belonged—in his arms.
“Angelo…” She relished in the tender way he stroked her hair. As her heartbeat calmed and she soaked up everything that was Angelo, she closed her eyes.
In the ensuing silence, the muscles in his chest and arms tightened.
She raised her head to glance at him.
His brow furrowed. “Elle, why do you call me that? My name is Angelo Thirteen.”
Her breath caught in her throat. Did he not see that he was unique? She traced her finger over his marking. “This isn’t you. You’re more than just a number, more than a clone. You’re one of a kind, Angelo, and I refuse to call you anything but your real name.”
His gaze penetrated into her, reaching deep into her soul. “Thank you,” he whispered.
Chapter Eleven
ELLE WOKE TO THE DISTINCTIVE SCENT OF COOL RAIN. Angelo. A smile played along her lips, and she rolled over in the bed. Instead of his warmth, only the cold sheets caressed her back. She tensed. What time is it?
She sat up and glanced at the vid-screen display. Good lord, I almost overslept. After her time with Angelo, she hadn’t intended to fall asleep, but she’d felt so good cradled in his arms. The knot in her gut tightened. She had just enough decitons for a shower before heading to the bridge.
“Angelo?”
She threw back the covers and headed for her private bathroom. The door was open a crack, but only darkness greeted her. She pushed open the door. The dampness of his shower still lingered, condensation droplets coating the mirror, but Angelo was nowhere in sight. Where did he go?
She didn’t have time to dwell on his whereabouts. With a quick wave over the array, she opened an audio channel to the bridge. “Montoya, any word from Malachi?”
A soft huff echoed through the connection. “No, Elle, but I’m glad you called. I was worried about you. When you left so suddenly… Is…is everything all right?”
No. Her nerves were shot, and she was a hot mess, but she wouldn’t tell her friend that. “Thanks, Montoya. I’m fine. Tell Adalyn I’ll be on the bridge shortly.”
“Yes, Captain.” Even through the vid-screen’s audio, Elle could hear the discontent in Montoya’s voice.
Elle couldn’t worry about her friend right now. She needed to get cleaned up and back on the bridge for the meeting with Malachi. If she weaseled him down enough in price, and with the extra coffee from Angelo, they might pull off this transaction. She could only hope.
After grabbing a fresh towel from the closet, she headed into the shower. As the water sluiced over her body, visions of Angelo touching her, caressing her, making love to her filtered through her mind. Why had he left? Where did he go? Why hadn’t he woken her? The questions tormented her, and as she dried off, a restlessness burned inside.
Still towel drying her hair, she walked into her bedroom. The scent of cool rain intensified. Her heart picked up speed, but she was still alone. With more force than she’d intended, she tossed the towel onto one of her chairs. The slight breeze of the movement stirred something small on her table, pushing the object off the edge. As it fell to the floor, she focused on the tiny piece. Details emerged—a small, folded green Lipidite Ornithium.
Her gut tightened. She rushed to pick it up. The edges were rough and the tail was bent at an odd angle, but to her, the tiny symbol was the best gift she’d ever received. With careful intent, she brought the tiny token to her chest. Her heart swelled.
She dressed as quickly as she could. After folding the edges with care, she placed the tiny object in her pocket. Maybe the Lipidite Ornithium would bring her some luck. Goodness knows she could use some.
Filled with a mixture of hope and trepidation, she left her room and headed for her destiny. One way or another, today’s events would shape her life.
Chapter Twelve
ELLE TRAILED HER HAND OVER SANTEK’S WALLS as she walked down the corridor. He
r body ached in places she’d never felt before, the soreness a pleasant reminder of her time with Angelo. The thought of him made her chest swell, and a smile tugged at her lips, but even his warmth and stability couldn’t chase away the gnawing dread in her gut. I need to obtain the numitite crystals from the Sandowins—for Toman.
As she rounded the last bend, the air crackled with the opening of the com-link.
Montoya cleared her throat. “Elle, Malachi has pinged us twice. Where are you?”
“Entering the bridge now.” The door hissed open and Elle walked across the threshold. She glanced from her second in command to her navigation expert. Other than the two of them, the bridge was empty. A heaviness settled onto her shoulders. She’d hoped Angelo would be here, but she didn’t have time to deal with her disappointment. There was a transaction to broker.
She sent a quick glance toward Adalyn. Her friend gave her an encouraging smile, bolstering Elle’s determination. “Adalyn, bring up the holo.”
The giant orb shimmered to life in the middle of the bridge. Malachi’s green malevolent eyes gleamed from his stoic features. Bile rose in Elle’s throat. She wanted to spit the vile fluid at his feet, but all she could do was swallow the bitter taste.
“Ah, Captain, so good to see you again.” He leaned forward in his seat, and one of his antennae spun around until the dark, hairy probe pointed at her. His numerous eyes scanned her bridge. “I’d like to conduct our agreement in private.”
Elle clenched her hand. As much as she didn’t want to give in to his demands, she needed to get those numitite crystals. She focused on her crew mates. “Montoya, Adalyn, please…”
“Fine, but don’t trust him, Elle.” Adalyn scooted from her chair and headed for the exit.
Montoya placed her hand on Elle’s shoulder. “Be careful.”
When they were alone, Elle returned her gaze to Malachi. “Let’s get this over with—”
“I take it you have come up with something to sweeten the bargain for the numitite crystals?”
She ground her teeth, but wouldn’t drop her gaze. “Of course—”
The door hissed behind her. She turned toward the sound. Angelo strode through the entryway carrying two large sacks, one in each arm. His biceps bulged from the strain, tightening around the smooth edges of his scrubs. Her fingers tingled at the memory of his firm, taut muscles beneath her palm. Don’t get distracted! Easier said than done.
A warm smile formed on his lips. His confidence bolstered hers. She turned to face the Sandowin once again.
Malachi’s antennae twitched. “I said no one else—”
“So, Malachi…have you ever smelled the fine, rich aroma of Earth’s most coveted drink—coffee?” She smirked, and tapped her finger against the side of her lip. “Have you ever tasted its smooth, savory flavor as it washes over your tongue?”
He narrowed his eyes, all ten of them, but the two largest, the ones that graced his large, bulbous nose held a hint of interest. Good, this just might work.
He glanced from her to Angelo and back again. “I had a derivative once, a watered down version. Seems to pack quite an…electric punch to the nervous system. Does it not?”
Angelo stepped closer, into the vid-screen’s range, the bags still in his arms. The coffee’s delicious aroma filtered into her sensitive nose, and she purposefully inhaled, making a big production in her movements, teasing Malachi. “Ahhhh…that smells sooo good, and indeed, coffee is a stimulant, a very potent one.”
Malachi’s attention focused on Angelo. A tic pulled at his jaw. “How did you come upon this…coffee? How do I know if it’s real?”
Angelo placed the bags at his feet and unraveled the end of one sack. He thrust his hand into the opening and pulled out a handful of rich, dark beans. The kernels shined like small black pieces of rock from her planet, reminding her of the mines and the importance of this deal.
Resolve hardened in her gut. “Angelo, please tell Malachi how you acquired these wonderful bags of coffee.”
He pursed his lips, no doubt unhappy with her using the shortened version of his name, but then he focused on Malachi. “I am from Earth. There are two more bags of similar size on my pod.”
“Your pod?” Malachi glanced away, studying something off-screen, before returning his attention to Angelo. His antennae stood on end. “I don’t believe you. There’s nothing in the galactic vicinity.”
A small smile tugged at Elle’s lips. Malachi wasn’t happy. Good, more bargaining power for her. She opened her mouth, eager to conclude this arrangement, but Angelo spoke first.
“Unfortunately, my ship was hit by some floating debris, splitting it apart. Elle found me in my cockpit, floating through the galaxy. My pod is in her cargo hold.”
Malachi’s eyes widened for the briefest moment and that devious grin returned. “Does your pod have a functional navigation system?”
If the Sandowins’ navigation system needed repairs, maybe she was the one with the upper hand. She peered at Angelo. Would he be willing to part with his pod?
As if sensing her thoughts, he gave her a quick nod and whispered, “If it will help you, use my pod in the negotiations.”
A flutter lightened the weight in her chest. His willingness to aid her meant more than she cared to acknowledge. She returned her attention to the hologram, and focused on her haggler’s eyes. “Perhaps I’m not the one that needs to bargain, Malachi.”
He laughed, the deep sound low and menacing. “Our navigational system needs repair, but there will be plenty of others who would assist us to gain access to these crystals. You are here now, so I’m willing to negotiate, but if you don’t like the terms of our deal, we can end the conversation. What’s it to be?”
She wanted to lash out, pound her fists into any one of his many eyes, but she couldn’t reach him, nor would that help her release Toman from prison. Instead, she gritted her teeth and raised her chin. “Well, Malachi, are we back to the coffee then?”
He tsked. “Elle, Elle, Elle, the coffee is a nice bonus, but it won’t cover the price of the numitite crystals. Now, if you include the coffee and the pod that might suffice. So, I’ll ask again. Is the navigation system functional?”
Her stomach curled into a tight ball, and she mentally reviewed her options. One vision kept her moving forward—Toman working in the mines. As much as she wanted to walk away from these unreasonable terms, she couldn’t. She glanced at Angelo.
He studied her. After several long moments, his features hardened, and he focused on Malachi. “The navigation system works.”
Malachi leaned forward. “If your pod sustained damages, how do you know it functions?”
Angelo crossed his arms, his lip drawing into a thin line. “I checked out my entire pod after arriving on Elle’s ship. The on-board navi-screen needed a minor repair, but I fixed it. All systems are functional.”
Malachi clapped his dark, hairy palms, the sound skittering over Elle’s nerves. “Excellent. I think we are close to sealing our bargain, Altonian.”
Elle’s breath bottled up inside as an invisible weight lifted from her chest. She wanted to run to Angelo and give him a kiss, but she held herself in check.
“Just one last thing…” The overly sweet tone of Malachi’s voice echoed around the room.
Elle’s shoulders tensed.
Malicious intent sparkled from his eyes. “We seem to have…misplaced our navigation system engineer. To finalize the deal, I want him,” Malachi nodded toward Angelo, “to come with us.”
Elle’s pulse raced, her heart pounding loud in her ears. No! Not Angelo. The Sandowins were known for their cruelty. Once Angelo did the necessary repairs, he’d be extra baggage, relegated to the slave pits. That would be worse than returning to Earth. Her chest constricted so hard, spots formed in her eyes.
“I’ll do it.” Angelo’s low, firm response made her still.
The lines around his pursed lips indicated his determination, but he didn’t know what he
risked.
“Angelo, it’s not safe to go with them. You’ll end up—a slave, one of the many.” …and lose what you value most—your identity. The coil in her gut tightened.
Tender creases formed around his eyes, and a sad smile pulled at his mouth. “You need to help your brother, Elle.”
She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t speak. That he would sacrifice himself to help her tore at her heart, shredding it into tiny pieces.
His gaze flicked to Malachi, his features hardening. “I agree to these terms.”
Malachi slapped his hand against something hard and the sound reverberated through the holo. The unyielding look on his face brokered no argument. “Send him first as collateral, then we’ll transfer the numitite crystals.”
Indecision ripped Elle in two—Toman—Angelo. Her head spun, the pain so great, she didn’t process that Angelo was no longer by her side. Several steps away, he headed for the corridor.
Resolve, hard and fast bubbled up from her soul. This can’t happen. I love him.
There was no way she’d let Angelo sacrifice himself for her or her brother. She’d find some other way to help Toman. But he would end up in the mine and she’d lose her ship, her own independence. That didn’t matter, nothing mattered except Angelo.
“No! I don’t agree to this deal.” Spittle flew from her lips.
Angelo hesitated in the doorway, the muscles in his back bunching beneath his thin shirt. He glanced behind him. His brow furrowed. “Elle…your brother?”
Her chest ached as love for him welled inside. “We’ll find some other way to help him…together, if you’ll stay with me.”
He raised his eyebrows, and a broad smile bloomed on his face. “We have much to discuss, Captain.”
Tears threatened as a wave of relief swept through her.
“You can’t bail on our deal now, Altonian. It doesn’t work that way.” The low menacing tone in Malachi’s voice raised the hairs on Elle’s neck. “Hand over the male and our cargo as we discussed. Just so you know…our weapons are fully operational.”
Baby, it's Cold in Space: Eight Science Fiction Romances Page 6
