by Gini Koch
Alexander still looked like this was a discussion he’d never imagined having and never wanted to have again. “I’m sure my mother isn’t interested in the Councillor. He’s old enough to be her father.” He sounded just this side of horrified.
“You’d be surprised at the age gaps some happy couples have.” Alexander’s look of horror increased. I considered sharing that his parents had done the deed in order to have him and Gregory, too, but decided to take pity. “But if you haven’t seen any romantic sparks, let’s assume there aren’t any.”
We were heading back up the Strip. “Not that anyone asks the driver’s opinion,” Tim said, sarcasm knob up to full, “but I think the fact that we have A-C spies around who can tell the incoming A-C space cruiser filled with A-C warriors exactly where to attack is a bigger deal than playing the royal dating game.”
Alexander looked uncomfortable. “I doubt it will be filled with Alpha Centaurion warriors.”
The way he said it made all of us look at him, including Christopher, who turned around in the front seat. “Just who would it be filled with, then?” he asked Alexander, Glare #1 in full force.
Alexander gulped. “The best warriors in the system. The Free Women.”
Before anyone could freak out, Gower’s phone rang. We all let Alexander’s pronouncement sit on the air while Gower gave some one-word replies and did a lot of grunting and Tim drove us back to the Mandalay complex.
Gower hung up. “That was Richard. The Diplomatic Corps is on site in full force. Only Robert has been allowed to talk to Gregory.”
“Thank God for small favors,” Martini said. “I’m calling them the least of our worries right now, though. Let’s deal with the question of what to do when the Free Women army arrives.”
There was a lot of silence. “Renata could call them off,” Chuckie said finally.
“Not if they believe her to be a traitor.” Alexander looked miserable. “I know Councillor Leonidas wouldn’t send a battle cruiser after us. I doubt he’d send any ship. He knew we were coming to Earth to ask for your help, under the guise of the Wedding Protocols.”
“Queen Renata thought there was a ship after you, though.”
“There was.” Alexander gulped again. “I believe my great-uncle sent it, though. And if I’m correct, then he would have told the Free Women that their queen was a traitor . . .”
“And that would mean they’d consider themselves, what, honor-bound to kill her and anyone she was with?” I knew I’d guessed right by the look on Alexander’s face. “Oh, goody. How far behind you were they?”
“Far.” Alexander perked up. “We received a transmission when we left our solar space, advising us that a ship was being sent to follow.”
“Leonidas giving you fair warning?”
“I believe so, yes.”
“One ship to handle three?”
Martini snorted. “If Kyrellis was any example, Renata could take every one of the rest of the Planetary Council and all of us besides all on her own. God help us if we actually have a regiment of Amazon warriors coming here.”
I looked at Gower. “Well, we’ll fall off that particular bridge when we’re pushed.”
He nodded, and I had a feeling he knew what I was thinking. “Exactly. Or as we like to call it, routine.”
CHAPTER 41
MARTINI AND I WERE BACK IN OUR HUGE SUITE in the hotel. C.I.A., A-Cs, Chuckie, and Martini had all gone over it—it and all the rest of the two floors our personnel were on—and came up with nothing.
Tito was installed in a room for his own protection. He’d gone home to get some things under heavy guard. We didn’t want to lose another power piece.
Per Chuckie, my mother was briefed, had discussed the situation with Queen Renata, had the P.T.C.U. on high alert, and was doing all sorts of other high-level, need-to-know stuff Chuckie and Mom both felt I didn’t need to know.
The rest of my family, having heard thirdhand that I was all right, were all back inside the casino. I felt the love. Then again, I figured my mother had a good idea of what state my hair and clothes were in and had decided discretion to be the better part of scaring the crap out of my grandmothers.
I settled the Poofs on one of the couches with instructions they were to be good and get some rest. Many purrs and mewls earned them some lovies, then they went to sleep. They snored, but it was low and cute. Everything about them was cute. Hey, I was all over cute with huge teeth when it was protecting me.
The bathroom had a gigantic tub. It said it was big enough for two, but it looked big enough for ten. It was set up for soaking, too—not only were there inclines to lean against, but also inflated pillows strewn about. “When was the last time we showered?”
“No idea, baby. The hours are all running together.”
“I don’t want to find out how bad I smell. You still sore?”
“Yeah. And you smell like roses, as always.”
“That bad, huh? Let’s take a bath, okay?”
He grinned at me. “I think I can manage to enjoy that. Just have to make a phone call. Be right back; get the water running.”
“Make sure the line’s secured and all.” I was getting paranoid.
“C.I.A. took care of that. I figure Reynolds will hear my conversation, but no one else will.” He left the bathroom, and I started to fill the tub. They had some great stuff in the bathrooms here, and I dumped all the expensive bath salts in. They foamed, scented, and relaxed, per their packaging. I’d worked as a marketing manager before I’d joined Centaurion Division, so I didn’t expect much from the hype. But there were instant bubbles, and the scent was nice. I was hoping Martini would help with the relaxation part, so I didn’t care as much about that being accurate.
I got out of my clothes. They were filthy and ripped—thankfully I’d been in the Armani fatigues and not my Aerosmith shirt. I was amazed I hadn’t been arrested as a vagrant. But it made it easier to see why Chuckie hadn’t trusted the football players. I risked a look in the mirror, was glad I hadn’t looked earlier, and thanked God the family was distracted by the lure of the slot machines. Considered that I looked damned good for falling off the top of the Hooters’ tower and decided to take that as a win.
Martini was still on the phone—I could hear him talking but not what he was saying. I decided I didn’t want to wait any longer. I stepped into the tub and settled under the water and the bubbles. It felt great. Leaned my head back against a pillow and closed my eyes. Felt even better.
The water turned off and my eyes opened. Martini was standing over me. His upper body looked completely healed, no bruising remained, which was a relief. “Sorry to wake you.” His voice was a purr.
“Was I asleep?” He was still in his pants, which I found disappointing.
“Yeah. The tub’s so huge it didn’t overflow.”
“Water’s nice. You coming in?”
He gave me a slow, sensuous smile. “I plan on it.” My breathing got heavy. He undid his pants slowly. By the time they were unzipped, I was starting to writhe in the water. By the time they were off, I was panting for him, and I could easily confirm that all his equipment looked better than fine and completely operational.
He sat at the edge of the tub. “You need anything? Before I come in?” His voice was low and silky.
“Oh . . . Jeff . . . please . . .” He was good. I was ready to go over the edge and he hadn’t even touched me yet.
Martini put one hand on either side of the tub by my head and shoulders. “Please what, baby?” His face was near, his eyes locked with mine, his mouth close, but not touching me.
I licked my lips. “I need you.” I gasped this out.
The predatory smile that made me weak was on his face now. “You sure?” He moved his mouth slowly around me, almost kissing me but not quite. My mouth followed his, trying to get his lips to touch mine.
“Jeff, please . . . don’t . . .”
“Don’t what?” he said near my ear, his breath hot aga
inst me.
“Don’t . . . don’t . . . I can’t . . .”
“Can’t what?” he purred. I felt his breath on my neck.
“I can’t wait any longer.” It came out like a wail.
Martini put his face in front of mine again. His eyes were smoldering. “Never let it be said that I made you wait for anything.” He put his mouth onto mine so quickly I jerked back unintentionally. But his hand was there and caught my head as his lips covered mine and his tongue slammed into my mouth.
He’d had me on the edge, and this was all it took. I screamed my climax into his kiss, while my whole body shook. I barely registered as he came into the tub with me and put his knees on either side of my hips. My arms went around him automatically and my hands clutched at his back, and still our kiss went on.
Martini kissed me until my body’s spasms subsided. Then he slowly pulled away. “Water’s nice.” He sat back and settled in. He never took his eyes off mine, and his expression was still predatory. He put his hand toward me. “C’mere, baby.”
I took his hand, and he pulled me to him. I slid on the porcelain, and he flipped my legs over his thighs, wrapped his other hand around my waist and pulled me up onto his lap. I slid my lower legs back so I was straddling him now. He had both hands on my waist. I grabbed his shoulders, back to panting for him. His smile was the sexy half-snarl he got where he reminded me of a jungle cat ready to eat me. I moaned. I wanted him to take me in any way he wanted, as long as he was inside me.
He knew, of course. Either I was already gone enough to satisfy him or he was being kind to me, because he didn’t make me suffer any longer. He pulled my hips down and slid himself inside me.
My head fell back and my back arched. My wailing started immediately. Martini kept his hands on my waist and moved me up and down. He shifted a bit, and his mouth was on my breasts, one then the other. He licked, sucked, nipped, and easily caused another orgasm to crash over me.
I managed to straighten up. He leaned away from my breasts and gave me another half-smile. I grabbed his face in my hands and kissed him, hard and frantically. His hands slid off my waist and up my back while I thrust on him wildly. He growled and pressed my body down in time with my wild rhythm. It didn’t take long before another orgasm slammed through me.
Martini slid his hands up, over my breasts and neck to my face. He gently pulled my mouth away from his. “Turn around.” He lifted me, spun me, and put me on my knees in front of him. I grabbed the side of the tub, and he slid back inside me while I moaned his name. His hands roamed my back then slid around my body, to stroke my breasts and stomach. He pulled me up slowly, so that my back was against his chest. I reached up and grabbed his shoulders.
One hand still toyed with my breasts, but the other trailed down my stomach, as his fingers traced circles on my skin. They slid over me, in time with his thrusts. My head went back against him, and my breath came in gasps, interspersed with short, sharp cries of pleasure. I couldn’t tell how long he kept me like this—the feelings were too intense for me to be able to focus on anything except how he felt on and inside me.
He changed his rhythm a bit and rocked me inside and out—I started to wail in earnest. “That’s right, baby,” he growled softly. “You know what I want.” His thrusts and strokes became harder and faster. I screamed his name as he roared and erupted inside of me, triggering an orgasm so intense I thought I would go insane from pleasure.
Our bodies shook together, each throb from him causing shock waves to course through me. We were locked together in this erotic frenzy for what seemed like hours. Finally, though, our bodies slowed and the feelings subsided and, with them, my ability to stay upright.
I started to slide down into the water, but he was ready for it, and his arms cradled me. Martini turned me back around and held me against him. I nuzzled the hair on his chest as he slid us back under the water. He slid me between his legs, and I wrapped one arm around his waist while the other held his shoulder. He stroked my hair and kissed my forehead.
The water was cool, and I felt him shift and fill the tub up again. The warmth of the water and his body, the sound and feel of his heartbeats, and complete erotic exhaustion made my eyelids heavy. I wasn’t asleep, but I was so relaxed I could have been.
Martini’s hands slid over my skin as he stroked and massaged me. He shifted me again, so my back was against his chest, my head against his shoulder. I was sitting on his lap with my legs between his. He kissed the side of my head while his hands continued to perform a sensual massage.
“I should be doing this to you,” I murmured.
“Later.” His voice was low and silky again. “I feel fine, and right now, I want to feel every part of you.”
“Okay, whatever you say.” I reached up one arm so I could run my fingers through his hair and stroke his face. He kissed my hand as it went by, then went back to nuzzling the side of my head.
“I say you’re mine to take care of. In all ways.”
“Yes, Jeff. Only yours. Only and always yours.”
“Good answer.” I could feel him smile against my skin. “I think I might like baths as much as showers.”
“Mmmm, me too.”
One hand slid between my legs, and he started to massage there, while his other hand rubbed and teased my breasts as his tongue traced my neck. My moans started and didn’t stop until I again sounded like a cat in heat. He didn’t stop until my climax subsided and I was limp against him.
We considered washing off, but the shower for twelve was right there and we didn’t want to make it feel slighted. In deference to the fact he’d only made me orgasm about six times in the tub, Martini ensured that I still loved a shower and a variety of screaming orgasms were had by all.
A human man would have been close to dead after this kind of performance, but Martini was just getting started. His theme seemed to be to see how long he could keep me screaming and docile at the same time. We dried off, if I counted his tongue running all over my skin as drying. By the time he was carrying me out of the bathroom I was helpless to do anything other than mewl or whimper and let him do whatever he wanted with me. What he wanted was to make love on the humongous bed. I found the strength to go on and have a few more mind-blowing orgasms, just to show I was a team player.
We were collapsed around each other when there was a knock at the door. I groaned. “Can I wake the Poofs and just have them eat whoever’s there?”
“Nope.” Martini kissed me deeply and got up. This room had everything, including nicer bathrobes than I’d ever seen in my life. He put one on and headed to the door.
“Jeff, you want to take a gun or something?”
“Nope.” He sounded amused.
Men. I heard him open the door and talk to someone. There were so many people trying to hurt us, I got worried. What if it was a shapeshifter? A rogue imageer? Some lunatic with a loaded pineapple? I dragged myself out of the bed and put on the other robe. It felt like velour or silk or silk velour. It was huge on me, but I decided not to care. It was comfy as all get-out.
Martini was still talking to whoever it was, and I figured I’d better see if I needed to bring him some pants or a Glock or something. Gave my hair a fast brush—didn’t want to give the visitor heart failure by looking at me.
Martini’s voice was friendly and cheerful, and, as I walked out, the thought that maybe this was someone he knew, like, God forbid, his mother or father, waved weakly to me from the fuzziness that was my overclimaxed mind.
I got to the living area and, sure enough, it was his father.
CHAPTER 42
“HI, KITTY,” ALFRED SAID with a wide smile. “Nice to see you.”
I had nowhere to run, so went for casual. “Hi, Alfred. How goes the gambling?”
“Not as well as things up here,” he said with a wicked grin. The exact same wicked grin his son had. Martini was a little taller than his father, but otherwise, he was an exact replica, including personality.
; “Dad, stop drooling at my fiancée.” Martini shook his head. “Does Mom know you lust after my girl?”
Alfred rolled his eyes. “Always with you it’s the jealousy. I don’t lust after Kitty, Son. I’m just pleased you’re marrying so well.” He winked at me. “Don’t tell him about our trip to Aruba, okay?”
I couldn’t help it, I laughed. “Secret’s safe with me.” I noticed Alfred had a large clothing bag with hangers in it. “Doing some shopping for Lucinda?” It was from the same store where I’d sort of bought my naked-in-fabric outfit.
Alfred grinned and handed the bag to me. “No. Picked up some things for you.”
“For me?” I took the bag and looked at both of them. “Um, why?”
Martini shrugged. “Why not?”
They both had the exact same expression on their faces: they were pleased with themselves but a little worried about my reaction. I thought about mentioning how exorbitant the prices at this store were, but it dawned on me that if Martini cared about it, he wouldn’t have had his father pick up whatever it was he’d picked up.
“Okay. Um, I’ll just go into the bedroom and take a look.”
I sort of backed away, resisting the urge to look in the bag. Truth be told, there hadn’t been anything in that store that wasn’t sexy and appealing. As I walked past the sofa, there was a mewling and the Poofs put their heads up. They saw me and started purring. I picked Harlie up and petted it. As I did so, it spotted Alfred.
Confirmed the Poofs had hyperspeed, because Harlie gave a huge mewl of what sounded like joy to me, then all the Poofs were all over Alfred, purring and rubbing on him.
“Where did you get these?” he asked me.
“Long story. Jeff, you want to cover it or want me to?”
“Check out the bag. I’ll bring my dad up to speed.” I could tell he was getting worried that I wasn’t going to like whatever was in the bag, so I nodded and trotted into the bedroom.
I resolved to love whatever it was, because even if it was somehow hideous, Martini had clearly gone to some effort, and so had his father. I poured the bag’s contents onto the bed and started to laugh.
