Captives of the Kratzen (Hearts in Orbit)

by S. C. Mitchell

  “Tina.” Carter’s cock, rising to full staff for the first time in weeks, begged to be set free from his slacks. That thing she was wearing. For him? All sleek lines and perfection. Gods, how would he ever find a way to prove himself worthy of her?

  “The doctor said . . . we can . . .” A half kilometer of jogging and he’d been fine. One look at Tina and he couldn’t catch his breath.

  A glorious smile spread across her luscious lips. “I know.”

  Those lips. He didn’t want to watch them. He wanted to taste them—needed to kiss them. He closed the distance, drawing her into his arms.

  Sweet, sexy sensations rocked him to his balls as she returned his kiss, making his head whirl and his cock pulse with desire.

  He pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her. Her taught nipples pressed against his chest. She was as excited as he was.

  This moment had been put off far too long, but he wasn’t about to rush it. This would be her first time, and he was determined to take it slow and make it special, no matter how badly his throbbing cock wanted to speed things along.

  His tongue probed her lips and she opened to him, giving back enthusiastically. Warm, exciting, everything he’d been dreaming about for months.

  ~ ~ ~

  Tina melted into Carter’s embrace, the strength of his arms, the heat of their contact, causing an excited tremor deep in her core. His mouth ravished, in the very best way, taking and giving so much. It lasted forever and not long enough.

  When he pulled away, he held her at arm’s length, his gaze raking up and down her body. “You look amazing.”

  He let her go and she spun. “You like?”

  The gauzy material twirled with her as she pirouetted.

  “I love it. Now, let’s work on taking it off you.”

  She couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face.

  Then carter upped his anti by pulling his shirt up and off.

  Gods, even with all his inactivity over the past weeks, his stomach and chest remained flat and toned. Rippling abdominals supported the flat plains of his expansive chest muscles and broad shoulders.

  Her hand reached out of its own accord, itching to touch all that male perfection.

  Then she pulled it back, not sure if she should.

  But he took her hand and placed it against the hot skin of his chest. “Yes. You may touch me all over. Anywhere you wish. I certainly plan to do the same to you, if you allow me.”

  As if to prove his point, he ran his finger down her cheek, along her jaw line, and then down the front of her neck to the top of her breasts, toying with the thin material there.

  Her nipples tightened, her core clenched. She took his hand and placed the palm over her right breast. “Yes, please. Touch me. All over.”

  His smile spread wide as he scooped her into his arms and carried her toward his bedroom. “As you command, my princess.”

  A chill coursed through her gut suddenly. Could he know?

  No. She’d never told anyone. He’s just playing. And it didn’t matter anyway.

  She forced a smile. “Don’t treat me like a princess. Treat me like a courtesan.”

  “Oh, I plan to, my lady. I plan to.” Dropping her on the bed, he undid the magna latch at the waist of his slacks. His pants dropped and his cock sprung free, bold and erect.

  He toed off his shoes and pulled stockings and pants from his feet, then joined her on the bed. “Now, what part of me would you like to touch first?”

  Her eyes were on it. She’d seen him naked before. Seen his cock going hard. But never like this, boldly erect, pulsing with desire. She wrapped her fingers around the shaft, squeezing softly.”

  “Ohhh. Good choice.” He rolled to his side, facing her and giving her more access, then pressed the palm of his hand against her cheek. “That feels amazing.”

  All her romance reading appeared to be paying off. Some of the novels she’d read had been quite explicit in their descriptions and made her wonder if real life could match up. So far . . . yes.

  His mouth closed on hers and the world tilted sideways. Words hadn’t really done justice to this sensation. Her head whirled and an erotic burn sparked.

  Carter’s hand slid over her shoulder, blazing a trail down her arm.

  His fingers toyed with the hem of her top as he broke the kiss. “I do love your outfit, but it has to go.”

  His eyes thinned as she propped herself up and pulled the silky material over her head, baring her breasts to him.

  He sat up, facing her, then cupped her breasts with his palms, running his thumbs over the peaked nipples.

  Ripples of pure ecstasy shot from the tips of her breasts straight to her core. “Oh.”

  Placing her hand on his chest, she ran her index finger around the tightly pebbled nubbin she found there. Did that have the same effect on him?

  “Gods, woman, you’re killing me.”

  I guess so.

  Carter leaned forward, taking the tip of one breast into his mouth. His tongue flicked as he sucked gently on it.

  Somewhere inside her, damp heat moved like magma in a Jovian lava tube as erotic pressure built. So much more intense than she’d expected, and they’d barely started.

  She drew her hand down, skating her fingertips over the wonderfully articulated ridges, examining the densely-muscled contours of his abdominals. Then lower still, taking his cock in hand and gently gliding her fingers up and down the rigid shaft.

  The rumble of his excited groan rippled through her breast. Her core tightened in response. She gasped for breath as he continued to lave her nipple.

  So good. So incredibly good.

  He sucked in hard, then released her breast, his mouth moving with purpose to once again cover hers.

  He guided her back down to the mattress, laying her on her back without ever losing contact with the kiss.

  She drank him in. The erotic thrumming throughout her core, the hot skin and hard lines lying against her, and the passionate ardor with which he kissed her created a fire between her legs that quickly built to an inferno.

  His knee prodded her thighs and she spread her legs to accommodate his new position. His erection pulsed heavily against her abdomen as his knee pushed against her womanhood through the thin panties she wore.

  Her core clenched at the intimate contact. Desire rippled through her.

  She took the opportunity to cup his sac, cradling his balls gently. She wanted to touch him all over and he so freely offered her access.

  He broke the kiss. “Oh, baby. I’m not going to last long at this rate.”

  He moved off her to the side, and slid his fingers under the material of her panties at each hip. “You’re sure about this?”

  How could he even ask? “I’ve never been surer of anything in my life.”

  As he slid the last barrier to her sex down her legs and off, his eyes widened. What did he see down there? Was he pleased? Was she—?

  “Beautiful. So beautiful.” His hand slid up her thigh to cup her at the apex. His mouth descended to the tip of her breast. Ripples of desire washed through her. Something she’d never experienced before. Nice yet urgent, like water boiling in Magda’s sonic tea pot right before it begins to whistle.

  His fingers slid along her slick folds and around her pulsing clitoris. He stroked, then rolled the nub between his thumb and forefinger.

  Passion exploded inside her, “Oh, oh, oh my.”

  She writhed under his ministrations, unable to remain still under the shock waves of pleasure that rolled through her.

  With a final caress of his tongue across her nipple, Carter released her breast. “Yes. That’s it. Ride it. Enjoy it.”

  “I’ve never . . .” She couldn’t find her breath
. So amazing. So wonderful.

  His fingers then probed inside her. Gliding in and out of her slick channel and pushing her even higher into the throes of orgasmic delight. “Oh yes, oh yes. Please.”

  She didn’t even know what she was asking for. Her mind refused to respond logically to anything. She could only feel and react. This was beyond anything she’d ever experienced.

  Carter moved to kneel between her thighs, positioning his cock at the entrance of her channel, gliding the tip along her folds.

  Then he pushed in.

  “Carter. Oh gods. Yes.” The wonderful pressure of him inside, filling her so completely. It felt so good. So right. So wonderful.

  “Tina, my love.” His breath was as ragged as hers.

  His hips pumped, each push igniting fireworks throughout her core.

  “Carter!” His name tore from her lips as the action pushed her higher. So much higher.

  With an animalistic growl, Carter plunged one last time to the hilt and emptied himself into her, as the walls of her resistance crumbled and an orgasm rumbled through her on a level she’d never thought possible.

  Wave followed wave, impossibly, incredibly intense and wonderful. Not being able to breathe really didn’t matter.

  He dropped to her side, pulling her with him into a soft embrace.

  “Wow.” He puffed hard. “Wow.”

  Her heightened orgasm diminished into a gentle, amazing buzz.

  Cocooned in his big arms, she snuggled into the warmth and protection they offered.

  His lips brushed her forehead. “You all right?”

  “Never better.”

  She could stay like this forever.

  Chapter 20

  The first thing to register in Carter’s sleep-fogged mind was the scents of honey locust and musky lovemaking. His nose buried in the bed sheets, he breathed it all in and reveled in the essence of their incredible night. His body tightened as visions of Tina’s intense response to his efforts swept through his mind.

  So sweet. So wonderfully sweet.

  His mouth lay in a thoroughly drenched knot of bedding. Gods, he’d been drooling.

  Not sexy. Roll over.

  Elbowing his way up, he pushed. Agony lanced across his shoulders as he collapsed back.

  “Ahhh. Oh.” Right. Last night’s strength and normalcy had only been an illusion brought on by that drug. This morning he was back to normal.

  On the third attempt he managed to flop over. His vision swirled and his ears rang, as he panted for breath. He was back to near invalid status.

  The bright light cascading across the bed blurred his vision and set his head pounding. He squinted and it helped . . . a little.

  He was alone. Tina had probably left him hours ago. Maybe she hadn’t even stayed the night. He’d gone completely out after they’d made love that second time.

  Through his frustration and agony, he couldn’t stop smiling. Warmth filled his chest. The drug had worked, allowing Tina and him to consummate their relationship in a most pleasant way. Would there be any lasting effects?

  Not that it wouldn’t have been completely worth it even if his health had taken a step backward, but the doctor had indicated that this drug and their activity should actually help speed up his recovery.

  The aches were back, but it did seem in lesser quantities. Movement appeared less painful. Joints felt looser.

  “Hey, handsome. I thought I heard you roll over.” Tina stood in the doorway holding a tray, wearing that gauzy negligee.

  Carter’s cock rose to full mast, pulsing with almost no discomfort at all except for the painful desire that stirred deep in his balls. Oh yeah, he was healing. Maybe . . .

  Tina’s gaze swept down the bedding to the tented sheets at his crotch. She shook her head as she dropped the tray next to him on the bed. “No, no, lover. Doctor’s orders. Not until he checks you out.”

  “I’m feeling much better this morning.” He elbowed up to a sitting position as she fluffed pillows and raised the back of the bed to support him.

  A sexy smile slid across her luscious lips. “So am I.”

  Gods, she was so beautiful.

  The breakfast tray wafted tempting aromas his way, but nowhere near as tempting as the woman who’d brought it.

  “Maybe I’m hungry for something other than food.”

  She picked up the tray and settled it across his lap, then gave him a chaste kiss on the cheek. “Breakfast first, then doctor, then we’ll talk.”

  ~ ~ ~

  “A week?” Carter’s stomach tightened. “But I feel much better.”

  Dr. Hank tilted his head and raised an eyebrow. “Good. Let’s keep it that way. Let me test the results over the next week, and if you keep improving, we’ll give you another dose. Until then, its back to rest, therapy, and recovery. No strenuous activity. Of. Any. Kind.”

  Tina’s sigh echoed his own. But she patted his hand. “We’ll make it.”

  She’d come with him to the appointment. No reason to leave her home waiting for the diagnosis they were both anxious to hear.

  Pacing in front of them, Dr. Hank pointed at Carter. “Remember, the cure only neutralized that bug toxin, it didn’t undo the damage that vile stuff caused. You were in pretty rough shape when you got here. Take the time you need to heal. Try and rush it and you’ll only be heading backward.”

  A whole fracking week?

  Carter pulled in a deep breath, using the effort to relax his anxiety. “Okay, Hank. You’re the doctor.”

  Frack!

  ~ ~ ~

  Tina slipped into her more modest swimming suit. No reason to tempt Carter, not that she probably would have had to. Her body still tingled from his skilled lovemaking from the evening before.

  Even better than in the books. And some of those had been . . . wow.

  She couldn’t wait for more, and was finding it hard to figure out which of them was more disappointed in the doctor’s announcement. She was attempting to put a stoic face on things, for Carter’s sake. She certainly understood what was at stake here. His health, hell probably his life. That toxin had really ravaged his body, leaving him susceptible to disease, infection, and debilitation. A full recovery would take time and patience.

  Carter, being Carter, had planned on gutsing it through on the ship. Thank goodness Rik had forced them to come to Caprica. The specialists here had shown them how dangerous that path would have been.

  Tina threw on a wrap, further covering herself. It wasn’t like she could tan anyway. Quendorians had developed their deep coppery skin tone as protection from Quendor’s intense red dwarf sun.

  She did appreciate the healthy bronzed glow Carter’s body had achieved under Caprica’s warm yellow star.

  Popping into his room to check on him, she caught him pulling a loose shirt over his finely-toned shoulders. Thanks to frequent physical therapy, his musculature hadn’t diminished much during his recovery. He still retained those sexy bumps and ridges that begged her to run her fingers over them.

  Gods!

  This just wasn’t fair.

  “I’ll meet you out on the beach with a couple of Jepson beers.” It was Carter’s favorite, and she’d developed a taste for the brew in their time here.

  Using the food processor, she called up two frosted mugs of the foamy ale. One in each hand, she made her way toward the side door which opened out to the beach area. The apartment boasted doors that didn’t open automatically as a throwback to an earlier age. Quaint, but inefficient when her hands were full. At least the door swung both ways, so she could use her hip to nudge her way through.

  Warm sunlight lit the red sands and a light breeze offered just the right amount of cooling. She’d come to associate the salty tang in the air with relax
ation and comfort. How many days had they spent soaking up sun and chatting?

  She’d never had a vacation like this and was so grateful Rik had imposed it.

  Carter was just settling himself into one of the form-fitting loungers under the wide umbrella on the beach. There did seem to be a bit more spring in his step, but his jerky movements told her he still had a ways to go for his recovery.

  We can’t rush it. That wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

  She set the beer on the table between their chairs, and dropped into her own lounger. A lazy afternoon in the sun, with the sea breezes wafting over them would be a perfect way to spend some time. If Carter dozed off, which he was prone to do, she’d go get her data pad and read.

  “A whole frackin’ week.” His grumble made her giggle. He wasn’t any happier about it than she was.

  “Just think of the fun we’ll have making up for all this lost time.” And there most certainly be some make-up sessions if she had anything to say about it.

  He groaned. “That’s what I’m thinking about, and it’s making me hard as a rock. There’s got to be something we can do about it.”

  Yeah, he was feeling much better.

  “Drink your beer.”

  Sliding her leg over the side of the lounger, she idly dragged her toes through the warm sands while relaxing deep into the cushions. She sipped beer and let the cool liquid slide down her throat.

  Heaven.

  Movement down the beach drew her attention. They’d had this stretch to themselves for most of their time here with few interruptions. As he approached, the man’s silhouette came into focus. A spar figure, primly dressed in a black and periwinkle uniform Tina instantly recognized, though she hadn’t seen one in over sixteen years. Sunlight winked off insignia and medals of gold, silver, and bronze.

  This was a member of the private guard of House la Cross.

  Or at least, had been.

  Tina rose from her lounger.