Caught in Amber

by Pegau, Cathy

  Of course, she wouldn’t have been within a klick of Guy to begin with, but here she was now. Sterling was counting on her to get to his sister, to save Kylie from the kind of hell Sasha had endured. Or worse, the fate of those two women Guy discarded because they hadn’t pleased him for some reason or another.

  Because they weren’t you, that’s why.

  A wave of dizziness dimmed her vision. Sasha stopped and closed her eyes, drew a slow breath through her nose to steady herself.

  “You okay?” He laid his hand on her shoulder, and she fought the urge to shrug him off and run.

  She managed a shaky smile as she looked up at him. “Just a little lightheaded. Haven’t eaten since this morning.”

  Guy shook his head, lips pursed in reproach. “Why didn’t you say something?” He withdrew his comm from his pocket and tapped. “We’ll have a late dinner by the pool. South Island coho all right?”

  Her favorite fish dish, he knew, and an item she could never afford on her grocery-store salary. Perhaps one she couldn’t afford now. “Thanks, that’ll be great.”

  Guy grinned at her and opened the glass door to the conservatory. “The pool is past the bar.”

  Under the steamy green canopy, the rich scent of earth and flowers filled her, the only illumination from soft lights along the path. She gazed up through the center of the clear domed roof at the spiraling snow. Rivulets ran down the plasti-glass.

  “You’d spend hours here,” Guy said, his voice hushed as if in a church, “lying on the ground under the most open spot, staring up at the sky.”

  Sasha nodded, her throat suddenly felt thick, making it difficult to speak. He knew she’d spent time in the conservatory, but did he realize why? Did he know she’d come in here if he’d denied her amber and she couldn’t find Marco to slip her some? The only thing that helped calm the craving—temporarily, at least—was the warmth and humidity that enveloped her. By staring at the falling snow or following the trickle of melt, she could forget the pain. The need. The humiliation of begging him for more.

  “Through here.” Guy pointed at a door to the right of the stone bar. Bottles on the glass shelves gave off faint reflections of the path lights.

  He opened the door to a short, curved hallway and she was met by the sound of voices and laughter. Sasha blinked as her eyes adjusted to the brighter lighting. The color on the walls ebbed and flowed from emerald to aqua to teal to a blue so pale it was almost white.

  They emerged from the curve of the hall as a young man launched himself off the board at the far end of the pool, executing a perfect dive into the deep end. At the shallow end, several people applauded. In rainbow-colored lounge chairs beside the pool, four young women and a dark-haired man chatted and laughed. Two of the women were blonde; the other two had light auburn hair. None of them looked like they’d been near the water.

  “Jimmy was colonial diving champ his last four years at university,” Guy said, sounding like a proud father as the diver cut through the water. “He almost made it to the Outer World finals this year. Shoulder injury just before qualifiers took too long to heal.”

  Sasha wondered how much of his recovery was hindered by amber.

  “Guy,” called the man sitting beside the pool with the four women, “we need you to settle something for us.”

  Guy smiled his bright smile and took Sasha’s hand to lead her over to them. The man grinned, but three of the women had smiles that didn’t reach their eyes. Did they fear Guy was adding to the competition for his attention? The fourth woman had her head turned, watching Jimmy climb out of the pool.

  The two blondes were identical, down to their strapless, white one-piece suits, and about ten years younger than Sasha. They quickly shifted their gazes to Guy and smiled. Sasha guessed the redhead was closer to her own age and, she realized, they had similar features. Wearing skimpy blue bottoms and a matching gauzy blouse, the woman toyed with the single button, popping it open to reveal the tops of generous breasts. Well, they shared some features. Sasha felt a trickle of sweat travel down her back beneath her sweater.

  The other redhead wore only a pair of plum-colored shorts. A dry towel was draped across the back of the chair. Fair, freckled skin was in no danger of sun damage under the protection of Guy’s home. Or anywhere on Nevarro, come to think of it.

  “What’s the question, Billy?” Guy asked.

  The younger redhead looked up.

  Kylie.

  She grinned, her smile more genuine than the others. And in her blue eyes—so much like her brother’s—the glaze of amber.

  Sasha’s chest twinged. She knew the mere presence of the girl in Guy’s house meant she was probably using, but seeing it for herself made Sasha’s heart break a little. What had gone through Sterling’s head when he’d seen his little sister here last night? How had he managed to keep from grabbing her hand and hauling her out to the car? Sasha could only imagine the torment of his inability to act at that moment.

  Billy gestured toward the blondes. “Maddie and Rhianna think Ronson is going to take the title this year, but Jillian and I say Littlefield. What do you think?”

  Guy made a pensive face and paused before answering. The name Littlefield sounded familiar to Sasha. Guy owned interest in several cage fighters’ careers when she was with him. She’d spent plenty of evenings at the arena, mostly ignoring the blood sport playing out before her, or in Guy’s suite of rooms upstairs while he watched holo matches taking place on the other side of Nevarro. Surely Billy and these women knew Guy’s preference.

  “Well,” Guy said, drawing out the word as if he needed to consider his opinion, “Ronson is quick and strong, but Littlefield is bigger and more experienced.” He nodded sagely. “My money’s on Littlefield.”

  “Told you,” Billy said to Maddie. Or Rhianna.

  The blonde twins giggled. Jillian smirked at them and settled back against the lounger.

  “Who’s Littlefield?” Kylie asked.

  With her hand still in Guy’s, Sasha felt his grip increase briefly. “My fighter,” he said.

  Kylie’s eyes widened, and her grin evaporated. “Oh.”

  “I get them confused all the time.” Sasha smiled down at the girl. “They start to look alike after a while.”

  “You used to know them,” Guy said. The tension eased from his hand.

  Sasha shrugged. “It’s been a few years.”

  Sasha noticed Jillian’s eyebrows quirk upward then relax back to into an expression of cool appraisal. “Who’s your new friend, Guy?”

  Guy released her hand, but not to let her go. He slid his arm around her shoulder. Sasha kept herself from squirming or shrugging him off. “Old friend, really.”

  He introduced everyone.

  Billy gave her an enthusiastic hello but stayed seated. The three women murmured greeting. Only Kylie rose, snatched the towel off the back of her chair, draped it over her shoulders to cover herself and extended a hand. “Hi. Nice to meet you.”

  Sasha shook her hand, unable to keep a smile off her face. Old-fashioned politeness, as she’d expect from someone in Sterling’s family. Like him seeing her to her door or holding her arm as she navigated a slick walkway. Little things that made him who he was. Even an amber haze couldn’t completely erase something so deeply embedded in her makeup.

  “Nice to meet you, too,” she replied, and meant it. “It’s good to know I’m not the only one who can’t tell one brawny boxer from the other.”

  Kylie gave a nervous laugh, her gaze flicking to Guy then back to Sasha. “I know Guy loves the sport. I need to learn more about it.”

  “No worries.” His earlier irritation seemed to evaporate. He smiled at the girl. “It’s not important.”

  But Sasha knew it was important to Guy that his entourage kept up with his personal interests. From the
faltered grin on her face, Kylie knew it too.

  “Maybe we can brush up on the fighters’ stats together,” Sasha suggested.

  “Are you sticking around?” Jillian asked. She sounded uninterested, but suspicion and jealousy lined her face.

  “Sasha and I are getting reacquainted.” Guy moved Sasha away from the group, forcing her to release Kylie’s hand or drag the girl with them. “I’m sure you’ll get to know each other soon enough.”

  Sasha waved to Kylie and was rewarded with an answering wave and smile before she sat down again.

  “We’ll eat over here,” Guy said, pointing toward a circular table for two away from the pool. “If you want, we can swim after dinner.”

  He held out the chair that faced her away from the others, and she had no choice but to sit with her back to Kylie. “That sounds refreshing.”

  “Don’t mind them,” he said as he took his seat. “They’re a little wary of new people.”

  “They seem...nice.”

  What a lie. Kylie might be nice, and Billy seemed happy another female was around. The twin blondes virtually ignored her, and Jillian was just short of being openly hostile. As the oldest woman among them, did she feel threatened by Sasha?

  “They’re mostly ass-kissing amber hounds.” A sneer flickered across his face as he stared at the group by the pool. “But keeping them around draws the right demographic.”

  Sasha ran her fingertip over the etched pattern in the glass table top. “Is that all you use them for? To bring in business? They’re all so beautiful, I thought maybe—”

  Guy’s gaze snapped to meet hers. “No. I’ll admit to sleeping with a few of them, but nothing more. A man has needs, Sasha.”

  “So do women.”

  As the words slipped out, the memory of sharing a kiss with Sterling caught her breath. His mouth on hers, his chest pressed to her breasts, the fire that zinged through her when his fingers grazed her bare skin. The need. There had been no one to fulfill her needs in the last five years. Too busy trying to stay clean, she hadn’t realized she even had them. Until Sterling.

  “I know.” Guy covered her hand with his, stopping her fidgeting. “And right now, you need me as much as I need you.”

  The feel of his skin on hers doused her desire like ice water. Sasha slid her hand out from under his. “For business. That’s all.”

  He sat up straighter, his fingertips pressed white against the table. He smiled, but it was strained, bordering on frustrated. “Of course. Whenever you’re ready.”

  That would be never. “I appreciate that.”

  Sasha turned her head, breaking eye contact with him. Breaking the connection she felt he was trying to develop.

  A woman in a white tunic and trousers emerged from the hall, carrying a covered tray. She approached their table with purposeful strides. “The wine is on its way, sir.”

  “Thank you,” Guy said as she uncovered the tray and set two plates of steaming, pink-fleshed fish and assorted vegetables before them. From a pocket in her tunic, she produced linen napkins and heavy silverware. “Smells wonderful.”

  The chef smiled. “Thank you, sir. Miss.” She gave Sasha a quick nod and walked away with the tray.

  The aroma of the perfectly cooked fish wafted under Sasha’s nose. She inhaled and her stomach rumbled in anticipation.

  “Dig in,” Guy said.

  Sasha cut a morsel with the edge of her fork and took a bite. The succulent flesh was moist and lightly seasoned so the natural flavor of the coho shined. She closed her eyes in appreciation as she swallowed.

  “Like it?”

  She opened her eyes and smiled. “I haven’t eaten anything this good for a long time.”

  He grinned. “If there’s anything special you want, just ask.”

  There was more to his offer than dinner options. Sasha lowered her gaze to her plate and ate without another word.

  In a few moments, Genevieve Caine, wearing a snug, black jumpsuit and carrying a green bottle and two crystal glasses, approached their table from the blue hallway. She put the goblets down and filled them with pink wine.

  “You’re the sommelier as well?” Sasha asked, looking up at her.

  Genevieve grinned. “It’s more of a hobby.” She turned to Guy. “Actually, Mr. Christiansen, there’s a matter that needs your attention.”

  Guy sipped his wine and carefully set the glass down before replying. “Can’t it wait? We’re eating.”

  Genevieve clasped her hands behind her back. “Not really, sir.”

  He sighed as if in frustration, but something else gleamed in his eyes. Anger? Anticipation? Whatever it was, it was enough to cause him to stand up and lay his napkin beside his plate. “Sorry, Sasha. Eat your dinner before it gets cold. I’ll be right back.”

  “I’ll be fine.” His absence would give her the chance to talk to Kylie.

  “Let’s go.” Guy led his assistant out of the pool area.

  Sasha glanced at Kylie and the others chatting and laughing. Jillian’s gaze met Sasha’s. The redhead glared then turned her attention back to Billy. Sasha wanted to assure her she could have Guy, but she doubted Jillian would believe her.

  Sasha drank the rest of her wine in a few swallows, stood and walked toward the group. Billy and Kylie looked up as she drew near. The two blondes and Jillian kept talking as if she wasn’t there.

  “Guy does that a lot,” Billy said with a grin. “Poor man barely gets the chance to enjoy his own parties sometimes.”

  Sasha suppressed a snort. Poor man. Right. “I know, but I wasn’t really in the mood to sit by myself.” She smiled at Kylie. “Mind if I join you?”

  Kylie shifted to make room on the lounger, her movements slow and deliberate. “Sure. We’re all one big happy family here.”

  Sasha caught Jillian’s skeptical glance but ignored her, though she didn’t believe Kylie’s statement either. “Thanks.” She sat beside Kylie.

  “How long have you known Guy?” Billy asked.

  “We go back a few years,” Sasha said. “I’ve been away for a while. The pool wasn’t here last time I visited.”

  “That must have been before,” Kylie said and yawned. When she finished, her eyes opened only halfway. Coming down from an amber rush? The whiplash change from exuberance to exhaustion was familiar.

  “Before what?” Sasha noticed the younger woman struggle to stay focused on her.

  Her eyelids lowered. “Before—”

  “Kylie.” Jillian’s sharp tone made Kylie and Sasha jump. “Why don’t you take a nap, sweetie? I’m sure Sasha won’t mind.”

  Kylie’s brow furrowed but her eyes closed. “But I wanted to talk to her.”

  “Some other time,” Jillian said.

  Kylie nodded, and her breathing and body settled into almost instant sleep. How much amber had she taken to make the downward spiral pull her under so quickly? Sasha hoped someone would be with her when she woke up. Coming out of such a potent high could be frightening, as well as make one deathly ill.

  Sasha turned and asked Jillian, “Before what?”

  Billy and the blondes said nothing, deferring to Jillian.

  “Before all the renovations. I met Guy when he decided to update. After you left, I guess.” Jillian’s mouth curved into a sardonic grin. “Out with the old and in with the new, you know.”

  Was that how she wanted to play it? Bitch. But Sasha didn’t dare let anything show on her face. A woman like Jillian would use any perceived weakness to her advantage.

  “So you’ve known him about four years,” Sasha said. Guy certainly hadn’t wasted time finding another redhead. While a relief, to her chagrin, her ego torqued a bit.

  “He hired me to design the architectural as well as the tech changes.” Jillian shifted on her lou
nger and sipped a frothy purple drink from a tall glass. “The house was amazing before, and now it’s a marvel. I also fix it when someone touches something they aren’t supposed to.”

  Sasha couldn’t help giving her the same mocking smile. “You’re the handyman.” Jillian’s eyes narrowed and she opened her mouth to retort, but Sasha cut her off. “I’m teasing,” she said as sweetly as she could muster. “It’s incredible. Guy was quite enthusiastic about all the changes when he was giving me a tour.”

  That seemed to placate the woman, but her sensitivity toward her professional and personal positions with Guy meant Sasha would have to pick her battles carefully.

  “Are you going to stay for a while?” Billy asked. “There’s always room for another beautiful woman around here.”

  “Guy and I have a business arrangement to work on.” She watched Jillian out of the corner of her eye. “I’ll be around for a bit.”

  Jillian pressed her lips together, creating less than flattering lines at the corners of her mouth. Cosmetic nanos were sure to be in her future sooner rather than later if she kept scowling like that.

  “Good,” Billy said, still smiling brightly.

  His boyish looks did little for her; she preferred men with a little more life experience. Sterling’s face, the long, white scar and deepness of his eyes, came to mind, but she pushed it away. Sasha sensed Billy’s attempt to charm and be friendly was genuine, and she smiled back.

  He rose and stretched, swinging his arms in a scissor pattern. “Do you want to take a swim?”

  Sasha gestured at her sweater and trousers. “I didn’t bring a suit.”

  He winked. “Not a problem. No one here would mind.”

  She laughed and waved him off. “Another time.”

  As Billy headed toward the pool, Sasha felt Kylie’s hand grip hers. She looked down at the girl. Kylie’s eyes were half closed, trying to focus on her.