by Calinda B
Then he reached over and put one finger under her chin, closing her mouth. Scala barely noticed. She’d known he was wealthy. The Z was the most deluxe craft she’d ever been aboard, apart from the Orion. But no credit limit? At all?
“Starry,” she managed. “Haven’t been shopping in a while.”
“Then have fun,” he said, and patted her on the ass. “And remember, I like lace. Black lace.”
“I don’t,” she said sweetly. “And you want a bitch, Darkrunner? You got one.”
This time she walked out on him.
* * *
Scala paused in the center of the enclosed plaza of the Lure Valley Resort shops to strike a pose, hands on her hips and a petulant scowl on her face. She wore her black tights with a black tank borrowed from Trix, and a pair of gold flats Kiri had sent her. They were the least shabby clothing she owned, basics that a wealthy woman might have in her wardrobe.
She surveyed the selection of shops and then strode into the nearest, displaying one orange dress in the window, a stunning piece of lii silk that shimmered in the muted sunlight pouring through the protective glass roof of the plaza.
An elegant Serpentian emerged to meet her. The woman cast an encompassing glance over Scala and smiled tightly. “May I help you?”
Scala frowned at her. “I don’t know yet. Depends if I like what you’ve got. I want everything for a long weekend here. From the skin out.”
The woman raised her thin brows. “Certainly. And to whom will I be charging this?”
Scala handed over the com device Darry had given her, in the name of one Haarl Taghar, a businessman from Gavial City.
The sales clerk used her com to check the account, and her eyes widened. She turned to Scala, beaming as if she’d suddenly realized they were long-lost friends. “My dear. Do come with me.”
* * *
Darry let out a long, low whistle. Tal looked up from the Flash’s financial reports he was studying via holovid. “What?”
His lieutenant was sprawled in one of the cabin chairs, his feet up on the arm of another. Darry jerked his chin at the surveillance holovid open before him. “I’d say Scala put your credit to good use. What do you think?”
Tal stared at the woman strolling out of one of the fancy-ass shops in the resort, a hovercart close behind her, laden with bags.
“That is fine,” Darry muttered. “Sure hope Trix did some shopping too.”
Tal didn’t answer. He was too busy taking in the view.
She was sex walking, from her head to her toes. She wore a tiny halter top made entirely of gold lace, cut so low he could see the inner curves of her breasts from top to bottom, and the slender, muscled perfection of her arms and shoulders. Scarlet tights clung to every nuance of her swinging hips and long legs, and on her feet were gold sandals so thin and strappy they merely highlighted her high-arched feet. Over one shoulder was draped a jacket of scarlet leather.
Pride and admiration spread through him as he looked back to her face, now adorned with cosmetics that made those golden eyes look huge and mysterious, and her lips wet and inviting. She looked like a wealthy man’s mistress, all right. And she was his.
“Might have known she’d find a way to change that pendant up,” he muttered, smiling at her slender throat. She still wore the device, but now it was gold-plated. And instead of the choker, around her neck was tied a thin scarf of fine lii silk.
“I wanna fuck her,” Darry groaned. “So bad.”
Tal knew the feeling. His cock was hard as one of the rocks out on this quarking desert. He wanted her on her knees before him, while Darry took her from behind, and then vice versa. He wanted to watch her and Trix together, while he directed every kiss, every touch and then reaped the sweet benefits of their lust.
“You will. Have patience.”
“Promise?”
Tal cupped the other man’s head in an affectionate grasp as they both watched Scala slip aboard one of the hovercycles, packages tagged on behind her. Straddling the sleek vehicle in her brief costume, the blazing sun gilding her, she looked like a desert princess, dangerous and desirable. Hells, she wasn’t even squinting in the brilliant light reflecting off the sandstone of the patios around the resort.
“There’s Trix,” Darry said. He chuckled. “She looks a little different than our Serp.”
Trix emerged from the plaza, clad in a pair of dark sungoggles, a broad brimmed hat and a light but enveloping cloak. Sun protection gear for the non-native. She also towed packages.
“Maybe we can have us a fashion show,” Darry suggested. “The kind where they take the things off to music.”
“Later, mate,” Tal said, giving Darry’s short ponytail a gentle yank. “We’ve got work to do.”
No matter how big a hard-on they both had, they’d celebrate after they sprang their trap.
“Wait,” Darry said, leaning forward. “Scala’s linking someone.”
“Volume up,” Tal ordered.
The Serpentian leaned back on her cycle, propping one leg up on the seat as if she were in a shaded loggia instead of sitting in the brutal heat of the sun, wind swirling sand across the ground at her feet.
They listened as she greeted the Serpentian she’d linked the day before. Her cousin, who took a few moments to marvel over the new clothing and makeup.
“Hey,” Scala said after a moment. “I need a favor, if you can.”
“Sure,” the other woman said.
The skin on the back of Tal’s neck tightened.
“Shit, what is she up to?” Darry breathed, echoing Tal’s thoughts with eerie precision.
The video fuzzed and then straightened, but now they could no longer hear what Scala was saying.
The Z moved, rocking slightly.
“Damn it,” Darry said, slapping his hand on his knee. “Wind is interrupting the link. Must be this fucking sand or something.”
“Could be this sun,” Tal said. “Earth tech may not be built to withstand it. Lot closer than ours.”
Darry snorted. “Not to mention we rarely see it in New Seattle.”
Tal didn’t take his eyes off Scala as she spoke, gesturing gracefully with her hands. She had no idea anyone was listening in, of course. Or did she? Did she have some new tech to foil his surveillance?
“Only one way to find out what she’s up to.”
Darry groaned. “You’re gonna use your mojo on her, aren’t you? Tal, no!”
Tal smiled faintly. “Relax. She won’t feel a thing.”
“No, but the rest of us will have to catch you when you crash.”
Tal waggled Darry’s head from side to side. “Make it a soft landing for me, right?”
Chapter 11
Scala expected to be summoned for questioning the sec she stepped onto the Z, but instead the cabin was empty. Dalg was in the cockpit, but only Darry lounged in one of the cabin chairs. He looked her over and smiled, twin dimples appearing in his cheeks. His hair was pulled back from his face, emphasizing his eyes. He wore a tank shirt that revealed his slim but strong shoulders and arms.
“You clean up well,” he said. “I like.”
“Same goes, handsome,” she replied. “Where’s Tal?” She wanted to share her idea with him—that is, the edited version.
Darry pursed his lips, biting his inner cheek as he considered her. His gaze slipped to the small, flat object he was flipping over his knuckles and back again. “He’s busy. Sit down, we’ll have a drink.”
“Thanks, but I need to talk to Tal.” She peered at his toy. “What is that?”
He caught the thing and presented it to her on his palm. “It’s a coin. What they used to use for credit on Earth I, back before the tech. This one is really old. Solid gold.”
“Nice,” she approved.
He nodded. “Gift from Tal.” He looked up at her through his lashes. “He treats us well.”
She gave him a look. “That’s great for you. I’m just here and gone. Where is he? In his bunk?”
The blond sighed. “Yeah. That’s where he is.”
“See, that wasn’t so hard.” She turned on her heel and pushed the hovercart down the passageway to her bunk. Shoving the packages into the storage bins, she paused to survey them with satisfaction. There, that was better. Nothing useless as an empty clothing container.
She used the lav, paused, and then rapped on the hatch that led to Tal’s bunk.
The hatch sprang open, surprising her. But not as much as what she saw when she looked through it. Although, she didn’t know why she was surprised. It had been clear from the start that Darkrunner’s crew were more than just that. She just hadn’t seen it in graphic action yet.
Tal lay back in the mounded crimson and black cushions on his big bed, nude. Except for the small woman draped over his lap. Trix, clad in a tiny, shimmering green dress, had her hands full of his balls, and her mouth full of his cock.
She was working him with slow, lavish movements. His shaft glistened as she lifted her head, keeping only the tip in her mouth and then took him back in again. Although she could only take him half-way, Scala noted with a zing of spiteful satisfaction.
She wanted to turn and stalk away. But somehow she couldn’t stop watching the couple. Trix clearly liked what she was doing. Her eyes held a secret smile as she looked up at Tal, studying his reactions. Tal had one hand in her hair, a gentle grasp that spoke of affection and care. His other arm lay relaxed in the pillows, his hand palm up. Ready to have a kiss placed just there, in the center.
Scala tore her gaze from what Trix was doing and blinked. Goddess, she was aroused just watching them. And yet at the same time, a tight, burning knot was lodged in her chest. It felt uncomfortably like jealousy.
Jealous of Darkrunner? Oh, hells no. That wasn’t happening. Not now, not ever.
And she was not going to crawl onto that bed and join them. That would imply she wanted to be part of his entourage … and that way lay heartbreak. Because nothing ever lasted.
She forced herself to meet his gaze. He was watching her, of course. The man was like a quarking Indigon, always trying to poke into her brain.
“I’ll come back later,” she said. “Link me when you’re done.”
Trix lifted her head, her wet, swollen lips curving up in a welcoming smile. “Don’t leave,” she coaxed.
Scala shook her head, but she smiled back. “Another time, babe.”
Tal took his hand from Trix’s hair, and touched her bare shoulder. “Trix.”
The little blonde sat up with a regretful moue, and slid from the bed, straightening her dress as she stood. It looked good on her, displaying her lush breasts and narrow hips. She waggled her fingers at Scala and sauntered from the room, smiling mischievously as she passed.
Scala turned on Tal, who lay back in his pillows, a little smile playing about his mouth as he watched her. She wanted to hit him, she wanted to leap on him and find out what he smelled like with another woman’s scent on his skin.
And she wanted it to be her stroking his cock, still glistening from Trix’s mouth, not him. His long fingers enclosed his engorged shaft and glided up and down, his rings glinting in the light.
“So how many people are you fucking?” she asked, curiosity outweighing caution.
His eyes narrowed, and she reacted defensively. She lifted one hand and began to tick off on her fingers. “You have sex with Darry. You have sex with Trix. You have—had sex with me. Anyone else? Dalg?”
“Dalg, never. Anyone else? No, not on this trip.” Which he’d only been for a couple of weeks at the most.
She set her hands on her hips and frowned at him. “You’re definitely part Serp. What else are you?”
“Who cares? I like to fuck. I want to fuck you. You want me to fuck you. Where’s the problem?”
“The problem is—” she fumbled for words. She crossed her arms over her bare midriff, glowering at him. “I don’t know, you’re like—like one of those Sirens of Aquarian legend, or something. Seducing everyone who comes into your orbit.”
His smile was back, as if she’d paid him a fine compliment. “No, only those I find attractive.” His gaze stroked down over her and back up again. She swore she could feel the heat of it, like a physical touch. Goddess, how did the man do that?
“And,” he went on, “you’re the most attractive being I’ve seen for a long time. I want to fuck you every way possible. And invent a few more in our honor. And when you’re ready, I want to share you with those I trust, and give you pleasure greater than you ever dreamed.”
His beautiful eyes gleamed and his beguiling voice coiled around her, so that her legs trembled with the effort to stand, and not fall to her hands and knees on his bed. Everything sexual in her wanted to crawl to him and entreat him to take her.
She tried to swallow, and discovered her throat was too dry. Probably because her mouth was hanging open, and no wonder, because he was stroking his cock harder, his grip tight, his cock jerking in his grasp, the tip glistening now with his arousal.
She closed her mouth with a snap. Tried to look away from him, and found her gaze entangled with his in a sensual battle of wills.
“I’m not one of your playthings, Darkrunner. And you’re not gonna force me into anything.”
He actually laughed. “Force you? Where would be the fun in that?”
He watched her watching him. God, his cock was magnificent, so long and thick, and she knew exactly how good that silky length would feel driving into her.
“The fun, sweet fire, is in getting you to want whatever I want.” He held out a hand to her, a lord inviting his concubine to join him. “Come.”
She shook her head, but somehow, her will was slipping away. Her protests were unimportant. All that mattered was going to him.
A small part of her remained alert. She shook her head, trying to wake from her fugue state. “No. Wait ... what are you doing to me?”
“Nothing, babe. I’d never hurt you.” He beckoned, curling his fingers. “Just want to talk.” His eyes glowed with an unearthly light. She craved that light, she wanted to get closer to bask in it.
“That’s right,” he soothed. “Come to me.”
With a sigh, Scala gave in. She dropped to her knees on the end of his bed. It was soft and springy as she crawled slowly to him.
“Closer,” he said, pulling her to straddle his thighs. With her palms on his chest, it was the safest perch in the galaxy. Warm, and strong and enticing.
“Your eyes are so blue,” she whispered. “Like one of those resort pools.”
Had she thought him warm? He was hot, perspiration blooming on his skin. “Then come in, Snake Eyes. The water’s fine.”
He grasped her wrists and brought her closer to him, arching her forward at an uncomfortable angle.
She solved this by collapsing on his chest. She gazed into his eyes. “Your scent is addictive,” she told him. “I could eat you up.”
His grip shifted to her shoulders, and she slid her arms around his neck, nestling close. “I’ll start with your mouth,” she decided, and kissed him.
“Not yet.” He groaned and dragged her head back, one hand in her hair. “I need to know what you and your cousin—no, stop that—what you talked about today.”
She stopped nibbling on his neck long enough to speak. She was drunk on his scent. “Good news. I had an idea. I can still go and play mistress tomorrow, but I thought, why not ask Daarla to find out who owns all the houses here? She can do it—she works for a security company.”
“Is that all?” He liked it when she sucked on the cord of his neck, she could tell. He was trembling in her embrace.
“Mm-hmm. Oh,” She lifted her head and smiled. “And clothes. We talked about clothes. I spent a lot of your credit today. Do you like this top?”
She was tired of talking. She only wanted to think about his body under hers and what she wanted to do with him.
His face was flushed, his groin hot and damp under her, his palms
damp. She wriggled, and he groaned. “Yeah, I fucking like your top. Stop that and listen—”
She moved again, riding him so that his cock stroked her through her tights. “I’m wet, Tal. For you.”
He grasped her hips and his fingers dug in, stilling her. “You didn’t tell her anything? About me, about what we’re doing here?”
“No. I didn’t … have to.” She shook her head, concentrating on the right angle so her clit rode against his shaft. Tiny movements because his grasp was so tight. But just looking into his eyes was enough to throw her over the edge. With a happy moan, she came, squirming against him.
“Fuck,” he snarled. “I’m only a man. Enough.”
He filled his hands with her breasts, stroking them through the gold lace, which scratched her nipples.
“Get your tights off,” he ordered, nipping at her throat. “Or I’ll tear a hole and fuck you through them.”
“No. I like them and they cost you a lot of credit.”
She got them off of one leg before he pulled her back astride him and thrust up into her. They both moaned with relief.
“Now,” he said hoarsely, pulling her head down to his. “Now you can ride me. And give me that dirty mouth.”
She had never felt such erotic abandon. She rode him with sinuous movements of her hips, feeling ever centimeter of him inside her, raking every pleasure nerve in her pussy and then some.
He held her ass so hard she would have bruised if she were human, and his mouth took her ravenously.
“You ... are ... mine,” he told her.
“Yess.” She came so hard her body convulsed, and her mind flew into a place of black velvet, where there was only him.
“Good,” he murmured from far away, his arms holding her close on his chest. “So good. Best ever.”
They fell asleep together like divers plummeting through a hatch into oblivion.
* * *
Waking took some effort.
Tal knew, even before he opened his eyes, that something was wrong. Lying very still, he carefully catalogued what his senses told him. Ship—running, temperature and oxygen normal. It was quiet, only the light thump of someone working out in their bunk and the hiss of the air vents. His body was rested, still lax with sleep and sexual satiation. Ah, yes. He’d had her, again and again, so hard she’d cried out.
