by Ivy Barrett
“Move down the tunnel—now!”
“Your nipples are hard, little rebel. I bet you’re soaking wet too. Did they tell you to fuck me or do you just want to?”
“Shut up!”
She darted behind him and gave the middle of his back a forceful shove. Ashton laughed. “Feel the front of my pants, sweetheart. They’re setting us up. Why are they dangling you in front of me like red meat before a lion? Make that soft, pink, succulent—” She slapped the back of his head, but Ashton only smiled. If she’d really wanted to hurt him she’d have used her magic wand. “Maybe they just want to watch. I’m game. Are you?”
Despite his provocation, she simply marched him out of the tunnel and toward the entrance to a long, low structure. Again Ashton had only a moment to survey his surroundings before they entered the building. There were other, similar barracks arranged in neat rows.
“Where are we? What world is this?” He wasn’t sure why he bothered asking. He knew she wouldn’t answer. The building was constructed entirely of gray concrete composite. She activated lighting with a voice command and directed him down a corridor on their right.
“Why are you doing this? What do you hope to accomplish?” More questions he knew she wouldn’t answer. “What have I done to deserve your animosity?”
“Don’t flatter yourself. You’re a means to an end, nothing more.”
“I realize that, but a means to what end? How did you get mixed up—”
“With what?” Her sharp tone made him turn around. “Vicious rebels? Radicals? With people not content with the status quo? I assure you there are legitimate reasons for our unconventional actions.”
“Explain them to me.” If he could just get that damn wand away from her, the dynamics of the situation would change drastically. “What’s driving this rebellion?”
“Revolution,” she countered. “Walk.”
Ashton resumed his trek down the dank corridor. She wanted to tell him. He could sense the emotions seething beneath her façade. She longed to rail against the injustice and validate her position, but something or someone held her back.
They entered a dismal cellblock. This building appeared derelict, far older and more neglected than the complex from which they’d come. If they were still in coalition space, this was Borrelly. The other five colonies sent all their criminals to Borrelly for punishment and rehabilitation. If a criminal element controlled the rebellion, Ashton’s fate was dubious at best.
She motioned to the cell directly in front of him. “Step inside.”
Not likely. He lunged for his captor, aiming a downward blow at her forearm. His head spun and his vision blurred. She sidestepped the attack and shoved him into the cell, activating an energy barrier before his equilibrium returned.
“You really do think I’m a fool, don’t you?” she snapped. He braced his hands on his knees and glared at her. “It will take at least twenty-four hours for your body to metabolize the sedative. You’ll be weak and slightly disorientated. Any sudden movement will cause vertigo.”
“Thanks for the rundown. I’d figured out everything except the timeline.”
The cell’s only illumination came from the lighting in the corridor. It was smaller than his guestroom closet and the only furniture to speak of was a flat metal bunk, devoid of any form of bedding.
With an impatient hiss, the woman touched a flat control panel attached to her forearm and his shackles released, dropping noisily to the bare floor.
“Tell me about your mother. Why would the premier’s wife have an interest in our cause?”
He rubbed his wrists and watched her impassive face for any spark of emotion. How had she heard his comments to Palmer? She’d been dealing with Danette. Someone must have prompted her to ask the question. He didn’t see an audiocom hooked around her ear, but the panel on her arm likely controlled communications. Ashton had seen similar devices on other worlds.
“What has your research revealed?” She crossed her arms over her breasts, her smile more of a smirk. “Do you know all our secrets?”
The rebels must be desperate if their actions had escalated to kidnapping. Desperate people were notoriously unpredictable. His mother was more likely to get him out of this alive than the executive council. Was it cowardly to give his captor a nudge in the right direction?
“Many revolutions have been won by the accuracy of information as opposed to brute force. It can be more beneficial to identify potential allies than to overpower enemies.”
“Potential allies?” Mockery sharpened her tone. “The premier’s wife sympathizes with our cause? Theirs must be a harmonious marriage.”
“Don’t take my word for it. Do some research of your own.”
She was silent for a moment. Leaning back against the wall, she studied him. What was she thinking? Did he dare scan her again? Each time he touched her mind, the bond intensified. At some point she would feel him there. It was inevitable.
Pushing away from the wall, she stepped closer to the barrier. She clasped her hands behind her back and the hint of a smile hovered about her lips. Her voice was low and caressing as she said, “Take off your clothes.”
Chapter Two
Corry had to pinch the inside of her wrist to keep from laughing. Ashton’s brows drew together in a confused frown. His eyes widened and his lips compressed as anger burned away his confusion. A deep flush crept up along his neck.
Served him right after the shit he’d pulled in the tunnel. She should’ve used the motivator on him, but she was too busy squirming. What was it about this man that kicked her hormones into hyperdrive?
VinDerley is the personification of your wildest dreams. She had to stay on guard. He’d already guessed she was attracted to him. Clearing her throat, she squared her shoulders.
“Did you hear me?” she asked.
“I heard you.” He made no move to undress. “There’s a barrier between us now. Why didn’t you have me strip in the tunnel?”
“I wasn’t in the mood then. I am now. Get busy or I’ll make you dance.” She raised the wand, making sure he understood the threat.
His expression hardened and his ink-black stare bore into hers. Another moment passed in tense silence before he reached for his bowtie.
She watched him silently as he shrugged off his jacket and untied the wide satin sash. He kicked off his dress shoes and went to work on the row of studs on the front of the crisp white shirt. His gaze never left hers and his cold expression never changed.
He was gorgeous. There was simply no way around it. The shadowy light in the cell made his hair look darker and accented the sharp angles of his high cheekbones. And those eyes—she felt captivated and surrounded by his night-black gaze.
The bunch and flex of his muscles fascinated her—the rippling definition of his abdomen, the solid thickness of his thighs. She wanted to explore the beautiful symmetry with her hands and her mouth. Heat curled through her body in a tingling spiral, lodging with demanding intensity between her thighs. Stars above, he was tempting.
As he removed each item, he turned to the bunk and folded them into a neat stack. He mocked her with his careful movements and his blistering glare. Only his black silk boxers and socks remained. “Step into the corner.”
“What? You don’t want the underwear too?” He slid the boxers low on his hips, drawing her attention to the unmistakable protrusion of his erect cock. Even through the black silk it looked enormous.
He’s manipulating you. This is not about sex. It’s about control.
She pointed the wand at the center of his chest. “Back.”
With an insolent grin, he moved into the corner. She deactivated the energy barrier, grabbed his clothes, exited the cell and reactivated the barrier in an unbroken series of movements.
“I’ll see if I can find you a blanket for the bunk,” she muttered.
“How about a sandwich and some coffee?”
His playful tone drew her gaze back to his mostly naked bo
dy. Desire slammed through her, literally knocking the breath from her lungs. The constant turmoil in her life hadn’t left much time for lovers. Still she’d never encountered anyone who appealed to her on this elemental level. Ashton reached beyond the dreary isolation and made her feel alive.
A vivid image filled her mind. She saw the gaunt faces and haunted eyes of the children in Shanty Town. Corry expelled a ragged breath. She was not important. The cause must take priority over her cravings.
“You can stare all you like,” he whispered. “Hell, I’ll even let you touch if you go get me something to eat.”
She dragged her gaze away, shame dousing the last of her unwanted desires. “I can stare as long as it pleases me and I’ll arrange for provisions when it’s convenient.”
He responded with a throaty chuckle and sat on the edge of the bunk, obviously reluctant to touch the cold metal. “Whatever you say.”
It took Corry a moment to realize she’d just been dismissed.
* * * * *
Ashton was sitting on the middle of the bunk with his legs crossed in front of him when Corry returned to the cellblock. He looked remarkably at ease and rather bored.
“Back to your corner.”
He stood and crossed the small cell in two long-legged strides. She tried not to gawk, but his mocking smile told her she’d failed.
Setting her zippered bag near the wall, she removed several food items from the tray before placing it on the floor near the energy barrier. With the motivator poised and ready, she deactivated the energy field and slid the tray forward with her foot. Ashton didn’t move until she triggered the barrier again and lowered her weapon.
“What’d you bring me?”
He lifted the tray to the bunk and examined its contents, so she didn’t bother to reply. This was a dangerous man. She couldn’t allow herself to be drawn in by his easy manner and practiced charm. He had never known the hardships and neglect of the people she championed. She must remain focused on the cause.
“I brought blankets and clothing, but you’ll have to barter for them.”
His brow rose and he grinned. “Now you’re ready to barter? What do I have that you want?”
“Information.” She managed to sound calm despite the tightening in her stomach. He wielded charm like a weapon, with skill and lethal accuracy.
“What can I tell you that you don’t already know?” His attention focused on the food. She’d provided the requested sandwich, two pieces of fruit and a large cup of coffee.
“I think it might be interesting to hear a description of this conflict from the perspective of a citizen of Halley Prime. Start at the beginning. Tell me about the formation of the Comet Coalition.”
He took several bites of the sandwich and sipped the coffee before he bothered to respond. “You want a history lesson?”
“History through the eyes of the premier’s son.”
“Perception has no power to change documented events.”
“Oh I disagree. Perception has everything to do with how events are documented.”
“Fine.” He relented with a shrug. “I don’t appear to be going anywhere. But conversing in my underwear is a bit uncomfortable. If I promise to relate historical events with as much detail as you care to hear, may I have one of the blankets?”
She considered her options for a moment. “Back to your corner.” Once he’d obeyed, she tossed the uniform bottom into the cell.
“So you hadn’t meant to keep me naked?” He pulled on the simple garment. The material was grayish-blue, and elastic at the waist and ankles made it possible for one size to fit most every inmate.
Corry didn’t miss the speculative light in his dark eyes as he dressed. He was doing his best to figure out where he was. She sat and crossed her legs in front of her.
“Talk,” she prompted, picking up her own cup of coffee.
He munched on the remainder of his meager meal then began. “The Comet Coalition was formed by necessity just over twenty-five years ago. Our homeworld Shardrake was struck by a massive comet that obliterated life on the entire planet.”
Corry sipped her coffee silently and watched the play of light and shadow on his muscular torso.
Ashton shoved the tray to the foot of the bunk and picked up the coffee mug. He paced the breadth of the small cell, looking very much like a caged animal. “They had fourteen months to decide how to reorganize the entire population and six outposts far enough removed from the homeworld to survive the destruction. So the coalition was formed and the population of Shardrake relocated to the six outposts.”
“No one I know will dispute those events, but some of the details are not quite so clear,” Corry told him. “The reorganization of the collective population seemed to benefit some groups far more than others.”
He didn’t argue the point as she’d hoped. He nodded stiffly, the gesture not so much an agreement as an acknowledgment of her opinion. “Each outpost had been engineered for a specific purpose. The location, natural resources and so forth determined the focus of the outpost.”
“What’s the focus of Halley Prime?”
“Halley Prime is the heart of the coalition.” His gaze narrowed just a fraction as it moved over her face. “It offers order and direction, social structure and justice.”
“Justice?” she mocked. “Apparently your definition of the word is vastly different from mine.”
“There have been social distinctions and class disputes since the beginning of time.” He stopped directly in front of her, his hands clasped behind his back. “Those still working for a living have always resented the wealthy. You act as if the destruction of Shardrake brought about the financial security of those living on Halley Prime. We didn’t exploit the catastrophe. The citizens of Halley Prime had power and wealth long before the formation of the coalition.”
“Only those privileged few who had wealth and power were allowed to settle on the only outpost sophisticated enough to provide the sort of lifestyle all of us had before the comet hit Shardrake.”
“How does that differ from life in general?” His posture relaxed and he kept all traces of challenge from his tone. “Wealth equals power, and power, by definition, allows one more control over any situation.”
Her fingers itched to offer him a more advanced demonstration of the motivator. He was standing in a dilapidated containment cell, the prisoner of revolutionaries, yet he spoke with calm aplomb. What would it take to rattle him?
“So you subscribe to the ancient adage?” she asked.
“Which adage would that be?”
“The golden rule.”
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you?” he quoted with lazy curiosity.
“No. Those who have the gold make the rules.”
He had the audacity to laugh. “I’d never heard that before, but it’s far more accurate than the sentimental version, wouldn’t you agree?”
“Accurate—and tragic. I don’t consider kindness to be a useless sentiment.” She rose and glanced down at the bundle of supplies she’d brought for him. “It’s too bad all your wealth and power can’t help you now.”
With careful deliberation, she unpacked the zippered bag, arranging each item along the wall in front of the cell. He could see the promised warmth of the blankets, the light source offered by the lamp, the comfort and modesty of the uniform top, but the energy barrier would prevent him from reaching them. Without a backward glance, Corry left the cellblock.
* * * * *
Her haunting floral scent penetrated the darkness, drawing Ashton from a fitful sleep. For a moment his brain couldn’t separate reality from the sensual images lingering in his mind. He’d wrapped himself around her in his dream, warming his icy flesh with the heat of her naked body, thrusting into her brutally while she writhed beneath him.
The subtle shuffle of clothing and a metallic scrape jarred his senses to full alert. He opened his eyes. Unable to focus, he reached across their telepathic li
nk and found her with his mind.
She crouched in the corridor outside his cell. He could see her clearly. Years of training had strengthened his psychic abilities and increased his control. NV goggles allowed her to maneuver in the dark. She reached toward the portable lamp, hesitated, and shook her head. He fought back a smile. Why surrender her best advantage? She was nobody’s fool.
Closing his eyes, he lay perfectly still, curled on his side, his head near the barrier. She took the blanket and the uniform top and turned to face his cell. After making some adjustment on the side of the goggles, she unsnapped her motivator and moved soundlessly toward the cell.
Ashton eased his arm beneath him and found the back wall with his feet. Wadding the shirt inside the blanket, she prepared to toss the bundle into his cell. She deactivated the barrier and he sprang. His body collided with hers, the momentum driving her back against the corridor wall. He found her wrist and twisted. Her cry echoed down the hallway as her weapon clattered to the floor. Whipping the goggles from her face, he plunged her into the same oppressive darkness she’d inflicted on him.
She tugged against his hold. “I was giving you a blanket. Let go!”
“You risked your life to give me a blanket?” He firmly grasped her throat. “Are you really so stupid?”
“You must think so.” She punctuated her words with the point of a knife perfectly positioned between his ribs. “I don’t want to kill you, but I will.”
Her warm breath puffed against his bare chest and a violent shiver shook Ashton. He’d never been so cold in his life. Didn’t she realize hypothermia could kill in a matter of hours? His thumb moved from her windpipe to the soft underside of her jaw. Her skin felt like velvet, warm, inviting velvet.
Anger and desperation drove him on. Knocking her arm away from his body, Ashton kicked her legs out from underneath her. She hit the concrete floor with a grunt. Her knife skittered out of reach. He came down on top of her, straddling her hips. She struck out at him blindly. He easily avoided her flailing fists. He was freezing and she was warm. Nothing else mattered.
