Return to Dark Earth

by Anna Hackett

  He groaned. “Now, you’re just being mean and torturing me.”

  She hid a grin. Hmm, maybe she was. She liked it. “And be warned, I like to be on top. I like control, and I might hold you down.”

  He groaned again. “I don’t care how I get you.”

  She ran a hand down his chest. Soon, she’d get to see him all, but right now, she was enjoying seeing a strong, good man’s reaction to her. She scooted backward a bit. “Well, we’ve agreed no fucking, but I think we can…do a couple of other things to while away the time.”

  His face turned wary. “Nera…”

  “Undo your pants, Niklas.”

  ***

  Four words and his semi-firm cock went hard as space rock. Nik swallowed, trying to retain some shred of his control.

  But that was always impossible around Nera. And when she was like this, almost playful, he couldn’t seem to find any semblance of control.

  “Niklas.” Her tone was firm. “Undo your pants.”

  “Why?” God, he sounded like a wary schoolboy.

  “I want to see your cock.”

  He closed his eyes. Damn. She was going to torture him. His hand, of its own accord, drifted lower. Somehow, he blocked out where they were. They were safe enough for now, and couldn’t move for hours. He flicked open the flexible fabric of his trousers.

  “I’m guessing sensible, but snug, black boxers for you, Dr. Phoenix.”

  He’d never heard that teasing tone from her. Damn, he really wanted to hear it more. But he wondered if she was aware of the faint tremor of excitement in her voice, or if she realized her breathing had quickened.

  He wasn’t the only one affected. He slid his hands inside his boxers, keeping his gaze on her face. He pulled out his cock.

  Her eyes widened. “I—” she cleared her throat “—I had no idea you were hiding that in there.” She inched closer, but didn’t touch him. “So long…so thick.” Her gaze met his. Desire burned in them. “Impressive. Now, stroke yourself.”

  Her voice was like liquid silk, and he could no more deny her than stop breathing. He got a good grip and pumped his cock.

  Nera made a sound, her gaze riveted to him. He found a rhythm, enjoying having her watch him with that look on her face. God, he was going to come far sooner than he wanted.

  He kept pumping, his strokes firm and rough. He felt his release growing, tightening the muscles in his lower body. Nera’s hands were by her sides but they’d curled into fists. She looked like she wanted to touch him, but her back was rigid. She was holding herself back. Then her eyes drifted closed and she licked her lips.

  “Watch me,” he commanded, keeping his voice low.

  Her gaze flew to his face.

  “You wanted this, you’ll watch to the end.” He reached out with his other hand and pulled her closer. He never stopped the steady strokes. He tugged her close enough that the head of his cock bumped the armor over her belly.

  Damn. He really wished it was her skin.

  He slid his hand down until it touched hers. He stared at her face. Even in the low light, he could tell her cheeks were flushed, her eyes a little dazed, her mouth open.

  He pulled her hand closer to him, but he didn’t force her. It had to be her choice to come to him. And not just for a fast roll that got them both off. He wanted the intimacy as well as the sex.

  He let her hand go and it hovered over his cock. Then she lowered it.

  He groaned. Her slim hand closed over his, their fingers meshing over his rock-hard cock.

  “Niklas.” She helped pump him, found the rhythm, and worked him.

  It didn’t take long. “I’m going to come.” A growl tore from his throat.

  “Come,” she said. “Come for me, Niklas.”

  He did, with a loud groan, his come splashing over the front of her armor.

  Chapter Twelve

  Nera cleaned her armor and was surprised to find her hands were shaking.

  Desire was pumping through her blood, hard and hot, and it left her shaky. She wanted Niklas stripped naked beneath her. She wanted to taste that thick cock of his, take it deep inside her, and ride them both to pleasure. She rubbed her thighs together, trying to ease the ache. Damn, she was going to suffer for the rest of the night.

  A hand settled on the nape of her neck, and it gently tugged her face upward. His mouth took hers, lazily, but she felt the edge beneath the kiss.

  “Thank you,” he murmured.

  “It was my pleasure.”

  His teeth were white in the darkness. “But not enough, right?”

  She shifted again, that impatient need eating at her. “How do you know?”

  His fingers tightened slightly on her neck. “Because you are never restless. No wasted movement. Ever. And right now you look like you’re sitting on a nest of Zerzuran fireants.”

  “I want you.”

  He groaned. “I want you, too. When we get back to the ship tomorrow…”

  The promise hung in the air between them. “Yes.”

  “Time for the anti-radiation injections.”

  She nodded. “I’ll take first watch. I don’t think we can both risk sleeping here.”

  “Agreed. Those zombies appear to have some intelligence. If they figure out a way to get up here…” He shook his head.

  Yeah, not good. She opened the fastening on her trousers and shoved her waistband down, turning on her side. “Wish I was baring my ass at you for another reason.”

  He pulled out the pressure injector, but first he ran his palm over her skin. “So amazingly soft.” He injected her.

  She returned the favor, letting herself drink in the sight of his firm ass. She was sad when he pulled his trousers back up.

  “Come here.” He pulled her over so she rested between his legs.

  Nera had never snuggled or cuddled. Maybe she had as a young child with her family, but she didn’t remember it. She settled back against him, wriggling to find a comfortable position.

  “Quit that,” he said with a growl.

  She smiled to herself. The opportunity to snuggle up with Niklas made being trapped by zombies almost enjoyable. “Sleep,” she told him.

  He nodded, his jaw brushing her hair. “Wake me for the next injections and then I’ll take the watch.”

  That was how the night progressed. Nera was used to broken sleep. She’d been trained to cope with it, and then later on hunts she’d needed to stay awake so she’d had practice. Luckily, she didn’t need a lot of sleep to function.

  “It’ll be dawn in a few hours,” she told Niklas after they’d injected each other again. The bubble had worked and limited the worst of the exposure. She felt the tiniest hint of light headedness and fatigue, but nothing too bad.

  “Rest,” he murmured. “When you wake next, we should be able to get out of here.”

  She fell asleep in seconds, amazed that she trusted him enough to know he’d watch over her while she slept.

  When Nera woke, she stayed still and enjoyed the moment. She was wrapped in Niklas’ arms and he was stroking her hair. She heard the deep, steady beat of his heart beneath her ear. She moved a little and saw murky sunlight filtering through the dome above.

  “Zombies are gone,” Niklas said quietly. “They slowly shuffled out once the sun started rising.”

  Nera sat and peered down. The lobby was empty. “Where do you think they go?” She stretched her arms up, working out the kinks. Her palms brushed the dome. She’d slept in far worse places.

  “No idea. Not sure I want to know.” He ran a hand through his hair, leaving it ruffled.

  She hid a smile. It made him look younger, less serious. Without thinking, she reached over and touched his face. His cheeks were covered in a sexy stubble. She liked the smart doctor looking rough and just a little dangerous. He grabbed her wrist.

  “Nera.”

  She smiled. “We’ll be back at the ship soon. I’m looking forward to getting this grimy armor off and taking a shower. Stand
ing naked under hot water.”

  “Tease,” he growled.

  But she noticed he was looking a little pale. Her smile dissolved and she stroked his cheek. “How are you feeling?”

  “I’ll make it.”

  “Niklas—”

  “It’s not bad, Nera. Headache and a touch of nausea.”

  Static came through their earpieces. “Phoenix? Darc?” More static. “…are en route to you… Stand by.”

  “Here comes our rescue,” Niklas said.

  “I’m surprised Ryant didn’t abandon us.”

  Niklas’ jaw tightened. “He was a decent man, once. The best man I knew.”

  She stilled. “You were friends?”

  “Best friends. Until I uncovered the black-market ring, and found out he was right in the middle of it.”

  She could tell it still hurt him. “I’m sorry.”

  “We’ll land at the back of the museum,” Ryant continued. “Take the eastern exit out.”

  “Land?” Nera raised a brow.

  Niklas shrugged. “I don’t care if he comes in riding a bicycle, as long as we can get out of here. Let’s go.”

  He climbed down first and Nera watched, keeping her laser pistol up and aimed.

  When he reached the bottom, he turned in a slow circle, then waved her down. “Clear.”

  Nera jumped. Her boots hit the tile and she touched the floor in a low crouch before standing. “We need to head through that corridor to meet Ryant.” She pointed.

  Niklas nodded and lifted his pistol.

  They moved as quietly as possible, but their footsteps still echoed faintly on the marble. Alcoves, which had probably once displayed some of the museum’s treasures, lined the corridor they followed.

  Niklas slowed and Nera noticed one alcove still held an artifact. The multi-colored jewel sat on a stand. The gem was huge, about thirty centimeters long, and glittered in shades of blue and green, with smaller bursts of gold, orange and red.

  “Oh, my God,” he murmured. “I think this is the Olympic Australis.”

  “Which is?”

  “The largest opal ever found. It was discovered in Australia.”

  Opal. Nera blinked. It was a jewel that only formed on Earth, so it was prized throughout the galaxy.

  He grabbed it, and gestured for her to turn. With a roll of her eyes, she did, and waited while he nestled it in her backpack.

  “It reminds me of all the colors in your eyes.” His jaw rubbed against her shoulder. “Let’s get out of here. It’s too dark in this hallway.”

  It was pretty dark. Nera hoped the zombies were holed up somewhere, hibernating, or whatever the hell they did when they weren’t eating people.

  They’d gone three more steps when a loud crash echoed ahead, the sound reverberating down the corridor.

  They paused. “Ryant and his team?” she whispered.

  “Maybe. Or maybe something just fell over.”

  A low moan echoed down the hall, followed by the now-familiar sound of shuffling footsteps. The first zombie lumbered into view, its dark gaze on them.

  “Dammit!” Niklas’ laser pistol whined as he fired. He aimed at the creature’s legs.

  The zombie fell, but kept coming, dragging itself with its arms along the floor.

  Three more zombies appeared at the head of the corridor.

  “I suggest we head back.” Nera said, lifting her own pistol.

  “I concur.”

  Even more of the creatures starting pushing into the hall.

  Niklas and Nera backed up, then spun, and sprinted.

  Nera’s heart was thundering. She heard the zombies’ moans and footsteps close behind. There were a lot of them.

  “It’s a trap!” Niklas was yelling into his earpiece. “We’re headed back to the lobby. Repeat. Back to the lobby.”

  A trap? She suddenly realized the corridor was the perfect location to trap them. And one single artifact still in place would have been the perfect bait to slow them down.

  But surely the zombies weren’t capable of that? Were they?

  Nera burst back out into the lobby. The sunlight was bright now, making the place glow with a gentle golden light. It looked almost peaceful.

  But not for much longer.

  “Phoenix!” The comm line crackled, obscuring Ryant’s voice. “Don’t go out the front. More zombies are headed that way.”

  “Shit.” Niklas glanced around.

  “…roof. Get to the roof. We’ll land…pick you up from there.”

  Niklas looked up. “We can make it back to our ledge but not to the roof.”

  The first of the zombies reached the lobby. Some were growling, others moaning. Niklas and Nera both shot their laser pistols. Soon thick, black blood coated the tiles.

  “I can get us to the roof.” Nera grabbed her grappler. It had a weight limit, and with Niklas’ big frame, that limit would be tested. She shot two incoming zombies in the head. They didn’t have much choice. She aimed the grappler. “Niklas.”

  He wrapped an arm around her waist.

  The grappler hook shot through the dome with a crash. Broken pieces of glass rained down around them like some sort of lethal confetti. Niklas was still shooting at the mass of creatures, but they were getting closer.

  Come on. She willed the grappler hook to find purchase.

  A zombie came within arm’s reach, swiping out at them. Niklas yanked a thermo knife from his belt and slashed at the creature. It yanked its arm back and howled.

  Clang. The grappler line went taut. “Got it.” She pressed the retract button.

  Nothing happened. Her gut cramped. They were too heavy.

  Then the line retracted and they were jerked upward. The ascent was slower than usual, but soon they reached the hole the grappler had made in the dome. Using her elbow, Nera smashed more glass to make room for them, and a second later, she was climbing onto the roof, Niklas beside her.

  “Damn.” He sat there for a second, his eyes closed.

  “Close call,” she murmured.

  He opened his eyes. They burned bright blue. “When we get back to the ship…” A muscle in his jaw flexed. “Just be warned, I plan to fuck you. Hard.”

  Her pulse tripped, far crazier than when she’d faced the zombies. “I don’t think so.”

  He went still. “No?”

  She retracted the grappler. “Because I plan to fuck you hard first.” She leaned in and nipped his ear.

  She saw the flash of fire in his eyes as she stood.

  “You drive me insane,” he mumbled. “Why couldn’t I be attracted to some schoolteacher?”

  “Or a perky astro-archeologist like Avril?” Nera wondered if he heard the edge in her voice.

  He grabbed the front of her armor and jerked her close. “I don’t want Avril. I don’t want anyone but you.”

  “Same goes, Niklas.” The words slipped out and she saw savage satisfaction cross his face. She shook her head. “Come on, let’s get to the rendezvous point.”

  They started out across the vast roof, skirting around holes made by the passage of time.

  “Careful. It doesn’t look very stable.”

  He nodded and leapt over a gaping hole. “Got it.”

  They jogged and jumped their way across. Ahead, she saw four dark shapes up in the sky. “What the hell?”

  Niklas paused and lifted an arm to shield his face from the bright morning sun.

  Nera studied the black shadows. They looked like large birds. They had a huge wingspan and a sleek, compact shape.

  “Gryphon aeropacks,” Niklas said.

  “I’ve never heard of them.”

  “They’re experimental. The GSS had a secret project to work on them. It’s a powered flyingpack. The wings extend out or fold away.”

  Nera watched two security agents come in to land at the far edge of the roof. They looked graceful and really maneuverable. She really, really wanted to try flying with one of these aeropacks. But she was sure Agent Ryant
would rather drop her from a great height before letting her touch one.

  She took a step, and the roof fell out from under her feet. She jumped, but her leap was awkward and lacked power.

  “Nera!”

  She fumbled for her grappler, but it slipped and fell down through the hole. Shit. Niklas grabbed her arm and hauled her in. She slammed into his chest and held on. Her heart thumped hard against her ribs. “Thanks.”

  Groans and growls reached them. They looked down through the hole. It was pitch black inside, the sun casting a single circle of light below. Everything beyond it consisted of black shadows, but she could see dim shapes moving.

  “Come on.” Nik tugged her onward.

  He moved cautiously, testing the roof panels. Not too far away, Agent Ryant was a dark silhouette against the sun.

  Nera followed the route Niklas had taken. The roof was really badly decayed here.

  She heard a groan of metal and a cracking sound. She froze.

  Niklas spun, and his gaze caught hers. He was already moving back toward her.

  “Stay still,” she hissed. “And stay back. I don’t want you to fall.”

  She could feel the roof bowing beneath her weight. Her mind raced, trying to think of a way out.

  “Nera.” He was getting closer, one arm outstretched.

  But she knew it was too late.

  The roof gave way.

  She fell.

  Strong fingers circled her wrist and she jerked to a halt. She was dangling over the hole, and below she could hear the zombies. They were becoming agitated. Anticipating a feed.

  She looked up into Niklas’ strained face.

  “I’ll…get you…back up.”

  The edge where he lay flat on his stomach crumbled a little, and it made her heart leap into her throat. No way in hell would she let him fall. And definitely not to try and save her. She’d leap into a chasm full of zombies a hundred times over to save Niklas’ life.

  A lump formed in her throat. He wouldn’t be able to pull her back up. She was too heavy, and his grip and purchase on the roof were too awkward. She let herself have a second to feel the pain, the sorrow, the helpless anger at the unfairness.

  To find everything she’d ever wanted, only to have to let him go. Life was cruel. That was one truth her existence had taught her over and over again.