Tangled Indulgence
Tina Christopher
Book three in the Celestial Surrender series.
Reassigned to the nether-end of the galaxy and facing her last night on the planet, Adira knows exactly how to spend the evening—at an exclusive sex club, where she’s determined to confront the Vampire who’s never far from her mind. She only has a few hours, but surely she can entice the sexy bartender to share them.
Malachy is more than he appears. Working undercover has him ready for anything…except Adira. The moment he laid eyes on the Sentinel, he knew he’d found his lifemate. Unfortunately, the prickly mortal has a wall as hard as a spaceship’s hull around her heart.
Only hours remain to convince her she belongs in his arms, and his bed. As the heated night turns molten, duty and desire collide. Following their hearts will only complicate matters.
Inside Scoop: Our heroine gets the shock of her life when she discovers her voyeuristic nature—and the fact that male-on-male action really gets her juices flowing.
A Romantica® futuristic/sci fi erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave
Tangled Indulgence
Tina Christopher
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank my amazing editor Grace Bradley, for her trust in my writing and her support every step of the way. And her knife-like precision at finding what needs work.
A big thank-you to Victoria Davies for her critique. Emotions vs. explosions and everything that goes with that. A ginormous thank-you to Gina X. Grant and Bonnie Staring for their unconditional support. I couldn’t do this without you guys.
And thank you to my readers, who once again go on a trip with my characters. Have fun with Adira and Mal!
Chapter One
Adira Kapur parked Kaali, her transport, and slumped over the control panel, her eyes closed. Jade, what a freaking fuckup.
Her captain’s face—no, damn, her former captain’s face—appeared before her inner eye. He’d looked so bloody happy when he’d told her she’d been transferred to the Outer Planets, that she’d be based on Hadamard, the arse of the galaxy. His grin had stretched to the moon and back when he said, “I told you so.”
Bastard.
With a groan, Adira rose from the pilot chair and strode to her cabin. Her career was in shambles and this was the last chance for her to visit Indulgence.
Her last chance to see Mal.
His laughing sea-green eyes, gorgeous face and mouthwatering body flashed through her mind. That first night she’d met him she’d been prepared to shoot him down as soon as he opened his mouth. In her experience men were either married or jackasses, sometimes both, her former captain a particularly stellar example. Then Mal offered her a drink on the house to make up for the singularly bad pick-up line she’d had to endure only moments before.
Laughter had flickered in his eyes, but he was laughing with her, not at her. Against all her plans she responded to him and at no point had he been anything other than friendly. For once Adira had relaxed and enjoyed the company.
Their friendship had resulted in her visiting Indulgence far more often.
She growled. But then Mal utterly confounded her. As they grew closer sparks began to fly between them and sometimes she’d catch a glimpse of burning heat in his eyes.
But he’d never asked her out.
And she never took the next step herself.
Should she have risked it? For once she’d actually liked a man, enjoyed his company and his energy. What if sex would have ruined that?
Adira exhaled, dragged her thoughts back to the present and pulled on her jacket. She’d changed out of her Sentinel uniform as soon as she returned to Kaali after the disaster at headquarters.
For a moment she’d been tempted to ball up the uniform, throw it into a corner and resign, but that was exactly what they wanted. She’d asked too many questions and pushed for answers no one cared about. She’d made them uncomfortable, showing up their shoddy police work.
And for that she was punished.
With a sigh she stroked her fingers across her uniform lapels. Then she grabbed her bag and strode into the cargo area. Her baby waited for her. Its glorious metal blue-and-black body gleamed under the lights. Adira stroked across the deep black leather seat as if it were a lover’s body.
She snorted as she stowed her bag. As if she could remember the feel of a man beneath her hands. She couldn’t recall a time when sex had actually been a regular part of her life.
That was your decision.
Adira pushed the thought aside as she lowered the ramp and swung onto the bike. As soon as her hands curled around the handlebars the scanners read her DNA and the engine purred to life with a deep rumble. Adira put on her frames and flicked open the lenses before she leaned over the powerful body of her hovercycle and left her transport. As soon as she was inside the hangar she flicked the switch to lock up Kaali. The hangar was huge, but with her baby it took her only a couple of minutes to reach the entrance. She swiped her wrist across the scanner to pay for Kaali’s parking.
As soon as the transaction cleared the massive door before her slid open. Parvati’s muggy air surrounded her like a wet blanket. Adira pulled up her collar and initiated the sec-field. For a second it surrounded her like a bubble before it became invisible again. She didn’t worry about her driving, but the other idiots on the road. She pushed the accelerator and sped toward the bar on the western side of town.
Parvati was a mainly human city on Dahir, a planet close enough to the central core to make travel easy, but not so close to be within easy reach of the core’s politics. The Naemas, a race some humans likened to angels because of their wings, stayed away because they preferred to be close to the political and business happenings of the core. Vampires, the third dominant race in this galaxy, preferred somewhat run-down areas with a lot of history. Parvati had been built and populated less than a century ago, meaning it lacked the historic parts Vampires favored.
That didn’t mean Vampires weren’t around, but they were more of an exception than the rule. Overall Parvati always reminded Adira of images she’d seen of early twenty-first century Earth metropolises, a hodgepodge of buildings, residences mixed together with businesses, and streets connecting them all.
The speed of her ride had the air whizzing past her, alleviating the earlier mugginess. She weaved in and out of traffic, having to use her vertical boost a couple of times to avoid the boneheads cluttering the lanes. Finally she left the annoying streets behind and turned off the main road. Fifteen minutes later she reached the club’s parking lot, surrounded by greenery.
Adira parked her baby at the far end of the cycle lot. Not everyone was as concerned about their bike’s welfare as she was. She snapped her shades closed and opened her jacket. With a flick of a button the sec-field jumped to theft prevention measures, a few of which were available on the open market, a few which definitely weren’t.
Once certain her baby was secure, Adira grabbed her bag and slung the strap across her chest. She walked to the big white double doors and swiped her wrist across the scanner. She’d become a member of Indulgence as soon as she’d been posted to Parvati. Being a Sentinel gave her the law enforcement discount on the monthly membership and a great place to relax after work.
The scanner ID’d her and the doors swung open. Adira stepped into the foyer. Cool air filled with the aroma of liquor surrounded her. The doors swung shut and all outside sound disappeared. Only the low hum of background music was left. She kept her jacket on and walked down the steps into the wide-open bar area.
Indulgence looked like no other bar she’d ever been to and she saw her fair share of watering holes in her job. Instead of dark wood, alcohol ads or crooke
d stools, Indulgence was all white walls, comfortable white leather chairs and low tables, and a bar that always reminded her of a cloud floating in the sky. Continuously changing mood lighting in the colors of the rainbow illuminated the white and gave it the character and depth it missed on its own.
In one corner images of all the Indulgence clubs through history filled the wall. Jackson Willer, owner of this incarnation, once told her his family had always owned a club called Indulgence since one of his Earth ancestors started with an airship named Venia. She always enjoyed studying the results of different times and locations, but tonight she wasn’t in the mood.
Adira slowed down and studied the room on the way to the bar. Most of the tables were occupied and the bar had only a couple of empty stools. The red door to the dance club opened and a short blond man exited. For a moment the thumping bass of the dance music echoed through the room, but the door sealed closed, shutting out the music. He leaned against the wall and studied a group of single women at one of the larger tables. There was something off about him, a maliciousness and a need to hurt that sent tension curling through her body as if preparing her to be ready.
Adira’s senses tingled, but she had no reason to question him. She couldn’t detain him for looking at women. She would keep an eye on—
A shiver ran down her spine. She didn’t have to look to know who just stepped behind the bar.
Malachy Dorven.
As soon as Mal stepped out of the stockroom a buzz screamed across his senses. Adira is here. Unerringly his gaze found hers. Her amber eyes widened and her pupils dilated.
For a brief second their connection shone like a beacon between them.
Then it was as if a shutter came down and severed their link. Mal’s heartbeat settled back down. Too bad he couldn’t make his erection go down quite so easily. He sighed.
Even after weeks of instances like this Mal still didn’t know if she cut the connection on purpose or if it was an instinctive response.
Adira smiled and walked up to the bar, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes. The blue light around the bar gave her gorgeous copper-toned skin a soft shimmer. Her black hair with the dark-red streaks was in its usual intricate braid, the end tucked under, probably around the spiked blade. She’d shown him an image once. It looked like a cross between a knife and a hedgehog and meant anyone trying to use her braid in a fight against her would end up with a useless hand.
“Adira,” he said, glad the counter hid his erect dick. It was nearly impossible to contain the energy crackling between the two of them, but until he got a sign that she was ready to move their relationship to the next stage he did his best to control it. He wouldn’t risk the inroads he’d made, the trust he’d earned, by pushing her.
At least until he’d made his way over, around or through the barrier Adira carried around her core.
“Mal.” She climbed onto the high-backed chair before the bar. “Busy night?”
He nodded as he poured her a Classic over ice. The soda fizzed and foam built on top. He handed her the glass and a few drops spilled across their fingers. He lifted his and licked them clean, not releasing her gaze. As if in a daze, she took a sip of her drink, but used too much force. Soda spilled across her hand. With a curse she set the glass down on the counter and licked off her fingers.
Mal clenched his teeth against the heat racing through him at the sight of her tongue peeking out from between her dark-rose-colored lips. She would kill him. No doubt about it. He’d just hoped it would be with pleasure instead of pain.
The minute they met he’d known she could be his lifemate. Never before had he felt such an immediate connection to another being. Unfortunately, the only way to know for sure was to make love to her. And so far she’d maintained the barricade between them.
“I’m such a klutz.” She shook her head as she grabbed a napkin to clean up the last bit of moisture.
“Not at all.” Why did they always sound like distant relations when they first met? “I shouldn’t have filled it so full.” Jade, could he sound any more like a moron?
Adira smiled and for the first time tonight the darkness lifted from her eyes. “How’s it been so far? Anything interesting happen?”
Mal chuckled and shook his head. “Not really, just the usual crowd. How have you been? I haven’t seen you around for a week or so.” And it had nearly killed him not knowing if she was all right or not. His duty kept him at Indulgence. He couldn’t leave and risk losing the thin leads he had. Risk more girls disappearing.
A customer waved him over before she could respond. The black cloud returned to her eyes. He gave her a quick nod, strode over to the couple and poured their drinks.
He needed to get back to Adira. Something was wrong. The shadows in her eyes surrounded her like a dark mass. Their connection was only active intermittently, but strong enough for him to know something had upset her. But the orders kept coming. Having a Vampire bartender who mixed the drinks by hand was one of the highlights in the bar.
He watched her out of the corner of his eye. She shot down two guys with a look and another with a look and a sharp comment. The fourth, however, didn’t seem to want to take no for an answer.
Mal narrowed his gaze. The man appeared familiar. Jim something or other. Not quite a regular but in often enough to ping Mal’s radar. And not in a good way, even if the standard background check had brought up nothing. Maybe he’d have Sam take a deeper look.
Adira’s gut churned.
The blond man she’d noted earlier stood beside her. His presence raised the hairs on the back of her neck. The malice she’d sensed was still there but contained and pushed down.
“Your legs must be tired because you’ve been running through my mind all night.” He leaned closer, a swarthy smile on his face. “I’m Jim.”
Her brows shot up. “Seriously? That is the best you can come up with?” She stood and towered nearly a head over him. “My legs are just fine and will kick your sorry ass to kingdom come if you don’t step out of my space.”
He flushed and straightened. His muscles bulged under his tight shirt. The malevolence bubbled closer to the surface. Adira flexed her fingers, waking up her enhancements.
Jim took in her stance and must have realized she wasn’t kidding. A vein flashed at his temple. “Whatever, bitch.” He stormed off.
“Back to charming the natives, Adira?”
Mal’s deep voice stroked across her senses and dispelled the rage and frustration Jim had brought up. She sat back down and smiled into his handsome face, his green eyes shining with laughter and heat.
Heat he never did anything about.
Her smile died. If there was one man she wouldn’t kick in the balls for propositioning her it was Mal. But he hadn’t asked. The mixed signals between the fire and the friendly manner threw her.
“Adira?”
She shook herself. “Sorry. Yes, I should wear a sign saying, ‘Talk to me and die’. Maybe then I could enjoy my drink in peace.”
Mal held up a compad. “I can rig it so it stays on your jacket. We can use fancy colors and all.”
Adira laughed. “Thanks. Hopefully they’ve caught the drift.”
He smiled and filled a couple of orders.
She slumped deeper into the chair, the reality of her situation sinking back in. Desperate for distraction, she rested her chin in her hand and studied Mal.
His smile lit up the room and more than one customer, male and female, stood a little straighter with his attention centered on them. His tall, muscular body was clothed in a tight white shirt and black pants, which followed every line of his powerful body. He made her mouth water. She wished Indulgence was a little less classy and had him only wear his pants and maybe a vest, something that would show his naked torso.
His movements were lithe and fluid as he prepared and poured drinks. His martial arts expertise gave him the grace, but at the same time kept everything tight and precise.
He threw his head
back and laughed at something a customer said. His fangs flashed, reminding Adira the strong and sexy man before her was a Vampire. Parvati’s Vampire population was small, same as in all the other postings Adira had. Sentinels patrolled in human areas, Guards looked after Naemas and the Vampire Council’s agents controlled the Vampires.
And none of the law enforcement agencies ever worked together.
She’d seen members of the Guard when high-ranking Naemas came to visit, but the Vampires worked completely in the shadows. If a Vampire needed to be taken out it was done quickly and discreetly, usually leaving the Vampire’s body outside the closest Sentinel office with no hint of who was responsible.
No, she didn’t know a lot about Vampires. But she wouldn’t mind learning more if Mal was the teacher.
He disappeared into the stock room and came back out followed by a bot. The bot took orders and Mal walked around the counter to sit beside her.
“I’ll take my break now.” He set another glass of Classic down before her and a Fizz before himself.
“Thank you.” She played with the condensation dripping down her glass, painfully aware of his scent surrounding her, of the feel of his knee bumping hers below the counter. Adira hadn’t been this connected to a man in years…no, ever. She had no idea why he made her heart race and her pussy moisten.
In the beginning she would have shot him down like any other male, but by now he had to know she would welcome his pursuit. Didn’t he?
She froze. Maybe her signals were as mixed as his. Jade, maybe they’d both been waiting.
Mal turned so he sat facing her, his side leaning against the tall back of the chair. “Will you tell me what happened?”
She frowned and tried to push her horrible realization aside. “What do you mean?”
“You’ve walked in here with a cloud of doom hanging over your head. Is it work?”
Adira wasn’t certain how she felt about Mal being able to read her, but a part deep inside her, the part that wished for a partner who understood and cherished her, was happy about it.
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