by Stone, Ciana
“Baby?” Leonidias asked.
Shilah’s hands knotted on the napkin in her lap. Damn him. She rose and reached up to untie her dress when it knotted behind her neck. It slid faster than she anticipated and she just managed to catch it as it headed for her hips. Exposed to nearly her crotch, she leaned over Leonidias, her eyes pinned to his in what she hoped was a clear signal that she would get even for this.
His smile was wicked as he lifted the glass, encompassing her nipple in the dark wine. When he lowered it, his smile was every bit as wicked but seemed to her to hold more heat.
With his eyes locked on hers he leaned forward and ever so slowly laved her breast, starting just below the nipple, working up and over it then taking it in his mouth. Fuck me, upside down. That felt way too good. Little sparks of sensation were radiating out over her breast making it difficult to remain still.
And you shouldn’t. Her most wise little inner voice reminded. She wasn’t Shilah the V’Kar agent, but newlywed Shilah who was hot enough for her honey to eat him with a spoon. “Hmmm, baby that feels so good.” She didn’t even have to pretend. Her voice came out husky of its own accord.
Which was enough to have Leonidias’s eyes narrow ever so slightly and his tongue to stop its action on her nipple. It didn’t, however, stop him from biting down lightly before releasing her.
She pulled her dress up, cupping it over her breasts. “My turn.”
“What?”
Woo hoo! Score one for the home team. She’d gotten him. “It’s only fair,” she cooed in a sweet gooey tone. “Come on baby. Let me see if it tastes good on your dick.”
For a moment their eyes warred. Then he smiled. “Later sweetie. Right now we need to let these people do their jobs. It’d be rude to hold them up any longer.”
She cocked one eyebrow, mouthing “chicken”, then retied her dress and reclaimed her seat. The rest of the meal passed without further challenge, the two of them making small talk about the places they planned on visiting.
Both declined dessert and retired to the balcony as the serving staff cleaned up. Leonidias stood beside her, his arm around her as she looked out over the city. The moment the staff departed he stepped away.
“Don’t ever pull that shit again.”
She scoffed at his tone. “Ditto, dude. You’re the one who was so fired up to get a taste of my breast. I was just following your lead, playing the dutifully excited bimbo.”
“Bullshit. You were trying to push my buttons and you know it.”
“Like you weren’t?”
“I told you I wouldn’t tolerate disobedience.”
“Fuck you, Leonidias. We’re not in hostile territory and there’s no danger of our cover being blown. You’re the one who started this. You could’ve just flirted with me. Which, by the way, you need to do more of. You’re supposed to be hot for my bod, uber happy that an old fart like you landed a hot ticket like me. So you need to make a point of verbalizing it. Otherwise people are going to see through your act.”
“Don’t try to turn this around.”
“I’m not. It was a flaw in the façade and I pointed it out.”
She thought from the way his jaw twitched and his eyes narrowed that he was going to light into her. Instead he nodded shortly. “You’re right. I’ll correct that.”
“Good.”
“Get some rest. We have to be at the airport at seven.”
“Will do.”
“Goodnight.”
She watched him walk away, his back ramrod straight. Damn he was a hard nut to crack. He’d completely overreacted to what she’d said at dinner. But why? That was the sixty-four thousand dollar question. What was Big Leonidias scared of?
Chapter Four
Constantine sat at the head of the conference table. To his right was Octavian Vazanti, Chief Operating Officer and head of strategic planning. Acccompanying them were were the directors of the various program offices that fell under the dictate of Strategic planning.
Ignatius Cromwell was the Director of TTO, The Tactical Technology Office. He had held the position for the last four years and was highly respected for the work he and his team did. TTO was the office that engaged in high-payoff and high-risk advanced military research. Their emphasis was in the system and subsystem approach to developing space, aeronautic and land systems along with control systems and embedded processors.
Galenus Bromwell sat next to Cromwell. As Director of the DSO, the Defense Sciences Office, Oaks headed up the personnel who pursued the most promising technologies in science and engineering, working to develop those technologies into new military capabilities.
Stanis Jons was the current director of the IPTO or Information Processing Techniques Office. In Jon’s operation the focus was on inventing computing, software and network technologies vital to enduring military superiority.
Minos Zayne was the newest Director present, heading the Strategic Technology Office, the STO. His office complemented the TTO and STO as one of the two system offices.
Last there was Robertus Antony, Director of the Microsystems Technology Office, or MTO. MTO was another high-risk, high-payoff area of technology whose focus was on the heterogenous microchip-scale integration of photonics, electronics and microelectromechanical systems or MEMS. Their aim was solving the problems of protection on a national level against chemical, biological and information attack, as well as providing operation dominance for mobile distributed command and control. Added to that was combined manned and unmanned warfare coupled with adaptive and dynamic military planning and execution.
The purpose of today’s meeting was to discuss the first phase of the operation to trap and eliminate the super hacker and destroy his network.
Thus far no one had a workable theory as to how the superhacker or SH as they’d dubbed him or her had been able to intercept secure V’Kar data. Much effort was being put into sealing the leak and stopping SH.
The plan that had been agreed upon would be set into motion this day. The first packet of false data would be transmitted. Alerts had been sent around the globe. If the information was intercepted and put up for auction they’d soon know. And if lucky, the viral code stored within the data packet would lead them to SH.
Meanwhile, Leonidias and Shilah were about to board a private jet in route to Miami where they would board a private yacht that would take them to Caracas, Venezuela. From there they’d travel by air to Portugal. If SH had not been apprehended by then they would proceed on through France by train to the UK where they would make delivery in London.
Constantine listened as each of the office Directors gave reports pertinent to the operation then filled everyone in on his end of things. The level of confidence was high. They had a good solid plan. Soon they’d have SH in hand.
*****
An alert diverted his attention from the web-streamed news report of a hooker and what appeared to be her john found dead in a cheap motel. Police were currently looking for the prostitute’s pimp for questioning. HE turned his back on the ongoing story to focus on the alert.
Excitement coursed through him and his fingers began a lightning fast dance on the keyboard. The window of opportunity was small. Only a few seconds to breach security and tap into the data packet transfer.
There were maybe two other people in the world with the skill and expertise to execute such a feat and he was quite sure neither of them had the balls required to try. HE smiled to himself as the data started streaming in. Bingo.
Satisfied that he’d intercepted the entire packet, he twirled in his chair, congratulating himself on yet another success. Yet even as he did so, he couldn’t ignore the hollowness inside. It was all too easy. There were so few challenges.
Perhaps that was the price of superiority. HE knew himself to be one of the most superior of all humans, if not the superior. Others might view his name as a manifestation of a super inflated ego. HE laughed at the notion. If his ego was super inflated it was only because he deserv
ed it. HE was no manifestation. It was simply his name. Or his initials, anyway. He never used his full name. What need did anyone have to know who he was? He’d give them whatever identity he chose at the moment. HE would remain as always, private and protected.
But back to business. Verifying the data and setting up another auction. Another fat deposit to an account that would automatically be erased as the funds were diverted to other accounts around the world, leaving no trace of the original.
Yes, he covered his bases. Only a fool would leave himself open to being traced. And HE was no fool.
The voice from the newscast caught his attention. Authorities had uncovered more than two murder victims. It appeared as if the entire motel, a frequent haunt for prostitutes was being used as a make-shift pornography studio. Prostitutes and their customers were filmed in the sex act and the footage sold to online porn sites.
HE scowled. It’d taken time and effort to set up that little operation. Now he’d have to secure another location and new personnel. Arranging for stimulation was getting more difficult by the day. Peak performance in his many endeavors demanded perfect concentration. Something that was not possible without sexual release.
As soon as he completed the data verification and initiated the auction he would have to set his mind to the task of setting up another operation to feed his need. Perhaps this time he would focus on a darker theme. Snuff films could be quite satisfying and there were more than enough deviants in the world willing to provide the stimulation he needed. He had only to locate them. And that was one of his specialties.
*****
Obviously, V’Kar International was sparing no expense on this mission. The Challenger 604 jet she’d just boarded was one sweet ride. Forget the avionics, which she knew to be impressive, the interior was luxurious.
An expanded cabin boasted of seven rows of windows with four forward executive club chairs complete with foldout executive tables. Two berthable four divans aft came with a slide-out dining table under the divan. Soft white leather and rosewood wordwork gave it an expensive and tasteful appeal.
There were separate lavatories for guests and crew, a forward galley with a TIA oven, microwave and coffee maker, along with a stocked bar.
Aside from having to keep up the pretense of being a googly-eyed newlywed, Shilah had no doubt that the flight would be enjoyable.
“Would you care for a drink before we take off?” the attractive blond attendant asked as Shilah tossed her handbag onto a table.
“I think I can manage that myself,” Leonidias responded. “Right now, I think the Missus and I would like a little privacy.”
He gave her a sexy smile and added, “If you get my drift.”
She returned the smile. “Of course. If you need me please use the intercom located on the left arm of any chair”
“Will do, honey.”
Shilah watched the attendant turn and head for the galley. As soon as the woman closed the door, she looked up at Leonidias. “Turning on that ‘down home charm’ a little thick, aren’t you, honey?”
Leonidias’s expression did not mirror the teasing sweetness of his words. They both knew there was always a chance that, despite all precautions, their cover was blown and they were under surveillance. Keeping in character was essential.
“You jealous, darling?”
Shilah rolled her eyes then gritted her teeth as he continued. “Come on over here and let’s break this ride in properly.”
Break this ride in? If he thought for one minute she was going to do the wild and nasty with him with the attendant listening he was very mistaken.
Fortunately, she could resort to the jealous wife routine. “You sure you haven’t already broken it in?”
That didn’t faze Leonidias. His eyes gleamed as he responded. “Not with you, sugar.”
Fuck me.
It was hard not to respond to the challenge in his eyes. Shilah considered it for a few moments. Was this simply part of the act, or was Leonidias testing her to see how far she’d go?
Maybe a better question was how far would he go? Maybe she should turn the tables on him.
She gave him a smile then ripped open the white silk blouse she wore, sending buttons flying. “Then what are you waiting for, stud?”
Leonidias’s eyes widened ever so slightly before narrowing. The smile on his face turned feral a split second before he advanced on her. Shilah almost stepped back from him. Almost. Later she’d tell herself that she only stood her ground because she was keeping in character.
In other words, she’d lie to herself because the truth was, having him advance on her with that dangerous glint in his eyes made her blood run hot.
Not that she had much time to think about it because the moment he reached her, his hands closed around her wrists, pushing them behind her and bending her back. He clamped one hand around both her wrists and used his free hand to pop the front clasp of her bra.
Shilah felt a moment of nervousness when she tried to free her wrists and realized she couldn’t. The moment was shattered into something far more powerful when he cupped one breast and lowered his mouth to it.
Oh fuck me. Her mind went blank. Was the damn man good at everything? Her body was betraying her, pressing into that delicious sensation, biting down on her lip to keep a needful moan at bay.
His hand left her breast to tear at her skirt. In moments it was pooled around her feet along with her thong. With her held firm in his grasp, he switched to the other breast, teasing the nipple with a soft scrape of teeth before closing on it to suckle.
Shilah nearly screamed when his hand moved between her legs, parting her to work two fingers inside her. He raised his head to look at her and lust turned to ire. It didn’t take a genius to figure out she wasn’t just acting. No woman gets that wet from putting on an act.
He knew she was turned on.
And that pissed her off. She opened her mouth, intent on delivering a scathing remark when sudden realization delivered her salvation. It was pressing quite firmly against her belly. Leonidias had a hard on.
Thank god.
Their eyes locked. If anyone had ever told her that looking into a man’s eyes could drive her to orgasm she would have laughed. But she damn near came. Hunger and something so supremely male burned in his eyes. It was enough to have her pussy spasm around his fingers.
Which did tend to give him a lead in the battle. He smiled and stoked faster, never breaking eye contact.
Shilah fought against the rising flood of sensation, struggled not to let the feelings take control but it was too strong. A small cry escaped her lips at the first wave and she crashed, letting the climax carry her.
Shit.
He’d had it pretty much under control until she came. Sure, he had a world-class hard on, but a man would have to be dead not to be turned on. Still, he’d known he could stop. Until she came.
Then he lost it. That soft cry and the warmth that wet his hand wiped away his control. Before he knew it his mouth was crushed to hers, his fingers still sunk inside that delicious wetness and his thumb circling her clit.
She almost struggled. He could feel the moment of tension when their lips met. But it vanished and she returned the kiss, pressing into his hand with a soft sound in her throat.
Leonidias released her wrist to gather her breasts in his hands. Her arms wound up, pulling him more firmly into the kiss. Her hands tugged at his shirt, working it up his body.
“Now,” she breathed against his mouth.
Shilah thought he was going to step back. For a moment he froze, then his hands tightened on her breasts, thumbs tracking back and forth over her nipples and groin pressing more firmly to her.
To hell with what he or anyone else thought. There was no way she was stopping now. Later she’d insist it was all just an act, but right now she wanted him. Badly.
“Fast and furious?” he growled in her ear as he squeezed her breasts. Hard enough to entice a thrill but not hard enough
to hurt.
“Not too fast, I hope.”
While she undid the buttons of his jeans a short stab or remorse lanced through her. When this mission was over would they pretend it really was all an act or would either of them have the balls to admit that the chemistry was real?
The hard mass he crushed against her pelvis obliterated that question and any other that might have come to mind. With a low sound in her throat she slipped a hand inside his fly and fisted him. Oh god, was he hard. And big.
Leonidias backed her up until she was pressed against one of the windows.
She knew what was coming. Even if she had been inclined to at least put up the appearance of a fight, it would have been useless. Leonidias entwined his fingers into hers, and forced her hands out wide, pressing them into the fucilage before she had time to think fuck me.
There weren’t many men who could pen her like this and on a purely female level she loved it.
Leonidias trapped one of her earlobes between his teeth, growled something she didn’t get then released it so he could suck at her throat.
“Now,” she urged with a pelvic tilt that had him grinding his erection against her.
His lips glistened when he pulled away to look down at her and he licked his bottom lip.
“Lift your leg.”
Had it been any other man, and maybe any other situation, she’d have sent him crawling home to mommy with his balls in his hands. But this time was different. This man was different. She raised one leg, bent at the knee with her foot pressed against the wall of the plane.
“Spread your legs.” He said as he freed one of her hands.
With eyes locked to his she parted her thighs then moaned when his fingers parted her.
“So wet,” his voice was a low rumble.
Shilah would have replied. Would have said something if her brain had been able to process anything aside from the riot of sensation claiming her. Leonidias’s middle finger circled her, just a little rough and hard. Just as she felt him about to slide in she hucked against him, taking him up to the knuckle.
