by JAX
“Let me consult with the council. I’ll contact you again in ten minutes.”
Dani met Dare’s gaze and held it. “A little presumptuous, aren’t you? I haven’t accepted your offer yet, and who else is going to keep weapons from going to both sides of the war? Otherwise, this war is going to last another four generations.”
“I think Dare was trying to convince them rather than cornering you into a certain action.” Carl glanced back and forth between Dare and Dani until finally Dani nodded.
“You’re right, I’m sorry. I just don’t think I can leave the Gavin planets on their own long term. I know the plan involves a little time away, but I’ll have to think long and hard about my convictions and what I want my future to hold.”
“Fair enough, Dani. But to get past this part of the plan, we need them to buy the ship and accept the idea that we won our freedom.”
“What are you going to tell them you did with us?”
Dare grinned. “We released you on Gavin 1, of course. Especially since you grew up there and have friends there, that won’t be too far-fetched of an idea for them to take in.”
Dahlia nodded. “I could see the residents of Gavin 1 protecting you and even the crew after everything you’ve done for them over the last five years and even before you took over as Red Death.”
“MacFadyen ship,” the snide voice came over the intercom again.
Dare hit the com button. “We’re here.”
“The council has agreed that we will purchase the ship for five hundred thousand space credits. Is this acceptable?”
Dare took a long moment to answer, even though their offer was much better than he expected. “Agreed. If you send a small shuttle-craft convoy, we’ll turn over the ship before we break orbit.”
“Just one more thing: what happened to Red Death and her crew?”
“We released them on Gavin 1.”
There was a long pause before the president said, “Acknowledged.” The disappointment was clear in his voice. “Stand by to receive our shuttle craft.”
Dare hit the com channel to close the connection and then glanced over at Jared. “As soon as we turn the ship over, lay in a course for MacFadyen headquarters … unless you’re ready to turn the controls back over to Dahlia and Carl.”
Jared grinned like a child with a new toy. “If you don’t mind, I’d love to fly her, at least for a while. The journey will take approximately sixteen hours, and I’ve never had a chance to fly anything like this before.”
“I’ll keep you company,” Dahlia offered, reminding Dare of what Dani had said about Jared and Dahlia.
Carl cleared his throat. “I’ll relieve you in four hours. I need a good meal and a hot shower after letting Dahlia kick my ass down on the planet.”
* * *
6
Jared’s expression turned sheepish and Dani frowned down at him. “What aren’t you telling me, Jared? There’s guilt written all over your face.” She let the corners of her mouth curve to take any sting out of the comment. Jared had always taken good care of her, so whatever it was couldn’t be that bad.
“Well … boss, there was one other thing that happened while you were gone that you might not be too happy about. And we’re all very sorry.”
Dani’s blood chilled as dozens of possibilities for disaster flashed through her mind. “All? Jared, just tell me and get it over with. You’re worrying me, and besides, it’s obviously bothering you, so there’s no use putting it off any longer.” She glanced over her shoulder at Dare, who gave her an encouraging smile. She appreciated his strong presence of support behind her and warning bells clanged inside her brain.
When had she come to rely on his presence? Did she dare trust him? Things were happening too fast between them and even though it scared her, she wasn’t sure she wanted them to slow down. It had been too long since she’d allowed herself to care about a man—even a tiny bit.
Jared cleared his throat, bringing her attention back to him. “Well, since you weren’t here when we were moving everything to this ship from ours, I packed your quarters and brought everything over here. You were kind enough to share your quarters with Mr. MacFadyen last night, so I figured he wouldn’t mind sharing his quarters here with you. At least until you both work out other arrangements. So that’s where you’ll find all your things.”
Confusion speared through Dani. When was he going to get to the worrying part? She had a bad feeling about this and was just waiting for the other shoe to drop. “Go on,” she prompted.
“Anyway … to get right to the point, I shot your pleasure probe.”
“Damn,” Dare muttered from behind her. “I wanted to shoot that damned thing.”
Mortification flowed through Dani and heat flowed into her neck and face. She remembered him saying all. Did the whole crew on both ships now know she had a pleasure probe? And probably much more than that thanks to the mouthy device.
“Anyway, it kept asking to see my cock and kept telling me that mine couldn’t possibly be as well designed as Mr. MacFadyen’s. So finally I got fed up with the thing, ended up chasing it around half of the ship while it taunted the rest of the crew, and then I shot it. It’s a smoking pile of debris and I left it on the other ship in the trash bin.”
“That’s it?” Dani tried to play off her embarrassment but was sure both Jared and Dare knew her reaction all too well from her instinctive blush. Damn curse of being a true redhead, she couldn’t hide her blushes.
“You can take the cost out of my next paycheck. I just feel horrible for letting it taunt me into killing it, and letting it flit around the ship destroying your privacy. But it’s done now.”
“I’m not too worried about it,” she lied. “I was about to toss it out the air lock myself. I will never again buy the talking model.”
Dare laughed. “Jared, if I would’ve had a laser pistol last night, it would’ve already been a smoking pile of debris before you found it.”
Dare’s amused words from behind her nearly made her smile. She still remembered their pact not to talk about Pussy-do outside of her cabin, but she guessed the silicone was out of the bag, so to speak.
Dani turned to face Dare. “I don’t know about you, but I’m tired, and like Carl, I could use a hot shower and a hot meal, and not necessarily in that order. Care to show me around? I’m sure one of your crewmen can handle the turnover of the ship. Especially since my crew and I aren’t supposed to be aboard anymore.”
Dare grinned with mischief in his gaze. “I’d consider it an honor. Jared, can you make sure the transfer of the ship goes smoothly? From a distance, of course. We don’t want to give away our game.”
“Absolutely. Leave it to me.”
Dare gestured toward the door. “Turn right and follow the corridor around until we get to the lifts.”
Dani followed his instructions and tried to keep from gawking like a tourist. Every inch of the ship was elegant and screamed of class and sophistication. Nothing like her poor Spartan ship. Dare took her up in the lift to a large dining room where they ate steak, vegetables, fresh baked rolls, and the most sinful chocolate cream pie she’d ever tasted—not that she’d had it more than twice in her life previously.
“If you eat like this regularly, you must have to work out constantly; otherwise, you’d be close to four hundred pounds by now.”
Dare ran his hand over what she knew was a muscled stomach and winked. “The crew and I have regularly scheduled workouts, even during voyages with customers. And sometimes the patrons like to watch or join us. It’s quite a draw actually.”
Dani’s insides clenched with far too much eagerness at Dare’s implication. She could totally see a bunch of pampered rich women wanting to watch Dare and some of his crew sweat and flex. She wouldn’t mind watching a few sessions herself, although after that meal she would need to participate—unless she could talk Dare into more calisthenics like last night. She was sure they burned off at least two entire chocolate cream
pies. And if they kept that up, Dani would be in the best shape of her life, even with the overindulgent food on Dare’s ship.
“Are you ready for that shower now?” Dare asked when she pushed her plate away and drained the rest of her drink.
“Most definitely.” She tried not to think about just how many calisthenics they could do in the shower, depending on the size of his shower stall.
“My cabin is two floors up on the port side. Shall we?” Dani followed Dare back to the lifts and then to his cabin when they reached the correct floor. He led her to a hardwood door that displayed a plaque that had CAPTAIN emblazoned on it. He placed his palm on the security keypad and waited while it scanned his finger and palm prints to prove his identity.
The lock clicked open and Dare opened the door, pushing it wide and gesturing her inside.
This time Dani did gawk. Dare’s personal quarters were like nothing she’d ever seen. The entire room was done in rich maroon and hunter green with hardwood accents to match the hardwood floor. There were silver handles on the drawers and doorknobs that led to rooms she figured were the restroom, the closet, and a few she couldn’t even guess at.
“Do you like it?”
“Like it? This is amazing. You actually live here when you’re in space?”
Dare chuckled. “It’s good to be the captain. Although the crew and passenger quarters aren’t bad either. I’ll have to show you so you can see the difference.”
Impatience snapped through Dani. “Tour later, shower now. And then I believe you mentioned something about thanking me properly for saving your life?”
Dare’s smile turned to high wattage, and moisture dampened Dani’s thighs in anticipation of what was to come. Apparently there would be more calisthenics like last night, so she didn’t need to worry about the rich lunch she’d just eaten.
“This way, Dani.” Dare made a wide gesture toward one of the doors and then turned the knob and pushed it open.
More than likely grinning like a fool, she managed to contain a gasp. The bathroom was just as elegant as the bedroom, with wide marble counters, double ceramic sinks, and all silver hardware. The mirror took up nearly the entire wall, and when she stepped farther into the room she could see the glass-fronted shower was big enough to hold six full-grown men. There were spouts on all four sides up and down the wall at various intervals, and the far wall held a long cushioned bench that brought to mind all kinds of interesting ideas that tightened Dani’s nipples and made her sex clench. There was even a small viewport so the occupants could see out into the blackness of space dotted with twinkling silver stars and planets. She could see how rich couples would find this romantic and tantalizing. Hell, she found it romantic and tantalizing, and she was jut a guest here, not to mention Dare wasn’t hers.
Her toiletries were already in the shower and arranged on the counter next to Dare’s, and Dani suddenly felt like she was on a luxury vacation rather than on a ship fleeing bounty hunters.
She whisked her shirt off over her head and tossed it on the toilet lid before turning to Dare. “I hope you’re not going to mind me being straightforward, but a shower sounds amazing right now and I’m not in the mood to wait.”
In answer, Dare stripped off his own shirt and then started on his shoes, pants, and underwear.
Dani caught up stripping off the rest of her clothes, slid the large glass door open, and stepped into the cavernous shower, gesturing for Dare to join her. A few bruises already peppered his torso from their fake fight earlier and she wondered if she’d sustained any but didn’t want to waste time to ask. Dare’s generous cock already jutted out from his body, and she took a moment to playfully run her fingernails down the shaft.
Dare groaned and lightly tweaked one of Dani’s nipples before pulling her close for a searing kiss. He explored her mouth thoroughly with teeth and tongue and lips, nipping at her lightly as he kneaded her lower back and ass, and pulled her flush against him so his full cock pressed against her stomach and made her sex clench in protest of still remaining empty.
Dani sucked in a breath as she realized what she’d started and where. She’d never had sex in a shower before, but chances were she was about to, and nothing but pure excitement and arousal speared through her at the thought.
Dare turned the twin spouts and warm water suddenly jetted from all sides, soaking Dani’s skin in wondrous pulsing waves. She groaned and Dare laughed.
“Not all the cabins are equipped with this shower, however. I had this specially installed. After all, like I said, it’s good to be the captain.”
“It’s much better being captain on this ship than on mine. I was lucky if my shower even worked half the time. That along with the toilet were always breaking down, forcing me to borrow Dani’s or Jared’s, which were also always broken.”
“That’s another great thing about this ship. I have crewmen dedicated solely to maintenance and keeping everything running smoothly. After all, the rich and powerful expect fully working showers and toilets when they vacation with us.”
Dani stepped back just far enough to reach between them, wrap her fingers around Dare’s cock, and gently cup the heavy sack that hung just underneath.
Dare responded by running his fingers through the springy curls at the juncture of her thighs and finding her sensitive clit.
Dani made an mmm sound in the back of her throat and tipped her pelvis against Dare’s seeking fingers.
He skimmed his lips over her neck and around to her shoulder, turning her and placing his hand behind her knee. He lifted her leg and placed her foot up onto the padded seat, then leaned her forward and placed her hands against the tile wall.
Dani caught her breath as the large, swollen head of his erection pressed against her aching slit. Water cascaded over her ass and against the sides of her breasts as Dare slowly pressed inside her, his large hands on her hips keeping her anchored and still.
As he slowly filled her, heat spilled through every inch of her body, teasing to life nerve endings that hadn’t been used in far too long. She’d thought last night had been amazing, but when Dare’s stomach finally pressed against her ass and he was firmly seated inside her, she knew today would make last night seem pale by comparison.
Dare reached around to find her clit and she shook her head. “I want you to pound inside me and make me come that way. My clit can wait for its turn.”
Dare made a sound deep inside his throat that was part arousal and part primal male possession. Dani was both thrilled and scared by the possessive sound, but only tipped her ass higher so she could take him deeper.
Dare apparently took her at her word because he slid nearly all the way out and then thrust back inside her until the swollen head of his erection bumped against her cervix, sending waves of heat and arousal through her pelvis and on a straight path to her clit and both nipples, which all swelled in anticipation of a very large orgasm.
“More, Dare. Please.”
His grip tightened on her hips and he began pounding inside her as she’d asked, the sound of flesh slapping against flesh loud inside the echoing chamber.
The wave of sensations built within her, churning and twirling tighter with each thrust. Dare’s fingers dug into her hips harder as he pounded inside her, and she gloried in the sensations of both his rough grip and his pistoning cock hitting her cervix.
She gasped as the wave reached her chest, making her pant to take in enough air. “Almost,” she gasped and nearly shouted when Dare adjusted his grip on her ass and lifted her until her other foot was above the tile floor of the shower. The angle of his penetration deepened and ecstasy spilled through her as he continued to pump in and out. Four hard thrusts later and the wave engulfed her, causing her world to explode in silver sparkling diamonds behind her eyelids. She was dimly aware of shouting Dare’s name even through the continuing thrusts. A few more hard thrusts later and Dare came, his emission sending more warmth through her body. Even through the ringing in her ears she hea
rd Dare shout her name before she collapsed bonelessly on the padded seat, not caring that the water continued to pound down on her.
Dare gently pushed her hair back away from her face and then surprised her by taking the soap between his large hands and tenderly washing her from foot to face. When he reached her hair, he gently sat her up on the seat and then pulled down her shampoo from the upper shelf and soaped up her hair, lightly massaging her scalp until she nearly purred under his attentions.
Dare towered over her as she lifted her head. She gazed at him through errant strands of hair as her heartbeat began to slow.
After brushing back her hair, he bent down to kiss her, just a brush of his lips, but so tender. A smile curved his lips as he took the soap and lifted her foot to the platform he made with his knee. Starting with her little toe, he soaped her foot. The slow massage of each digit turned her inside out and upside down.
By the time he finished both feet and legs, and made it to her now overly sensitive sex, her breathing came fast again. He had her lathered up in every way possible. However, he didn’t stop there.
The effort he put forth to clean her breast was admirable. Such a nice man … or evil depending on point of view. She couldn’t decide if he was being tender or calculating. A quick glance at his unaffected cock told her. The man was caring for her.
She’d never had a man be this tender and attentive, especially after sex. Once they came they were usually done with her, or wanted her to minister to them. It caught her off balance and forced her to examine him closer.
When he gently tipped her head to the side and rinsed the soap from her hair, she sighed and realized she felt pampered and cherished for the first time in her life.
She expected the warning bells to clang inside her brain again, but then she realized it was too late. While she wasn’t quite in love, she was definitely smitten, and the rest was a slippery slope. Not that she minded landing atop him.
Dare brushed a gentle kiss across her forehead before pulling back and soaping himself and washing his hair.
