by Lili Zander
“Don’t you dare.” Her voice sounds stern, but her cheeks are flushed with pleasure. “Stay where you are. It took me thirty minutes to do my makeup.” She twirls around again. “What do you think? It’s not too young for me, is it? Not too mutton-dressed-as-lamb?”
What do farm animals have to do with her dress? The humans have some strange expressions. “You will be the most beautiful woman in the room,” I tell her sincerely. She’s always the most beautiful woman in the room.
“Flatterer.”
“Is that a ‘no’ on peeling the dress off you?”
She laughs softly. “The mission, remember?” She stands on tiptoe and brushes a kiss on my cheek, and her perfume washes over me, spice overlaid with citrus. My cock hardens at once. “Let’s make a deal. We go to the dinner, and when we get back, you can peel the dress off.” The tip of her tongue swipes over her lower lip. “Inch by inch.”
I suppress a groan. It’s going to be a very long evening.
We get to Rannzar’s house. Most of the guests are already there. I recognize Falgol, Noturn’s on-site mining supervisor and Zulzen, the technologist who keeps the systems running. Kenia is in attendance, as is the healer, Sidrx, and the geologist, Hari. To my surprise, the two Lowborn miners we’d met in the port, Resi and Afain, are also there. Good for Rannzar.
As soon as we walk in the door, Rannzar presses drinks into our hands and introduces us to everyone. Kenia gives me a searching look as I greet her. “How are you doing?” she asks, her voice low. “Any ill-effects?”
“None,” I lie. I turned down her request to study my genes, of course, but if she’s sore at my refusal, she’s hiding it. “I’m doing great.”
She gives me a skeptical look. “If you say so.” She turns to Naomi with a warm smile. “Thank you for sending me the curry recipe,” she says warmly. “I loaded it into my syn and made some curry yesterday, and it was divine.”
I turn to Naomi with a smirk. “How nice of you to send Kenia the recipe, diya.” Not jealous anymore?
She returns my smile with one of her own. “Hari asked for it too,” she says, her voice sweet. “I should ask him if he’s made it yet.”
I choke back my laugh. I love it. She can give as good as she gets.
Rannzar, who is within earshot, turns around with an intrigued look on his face. “You have a syn recipe?” he asks eagerly. “What does it taste like? Could I get you to share it?”
Naomi laughs. “Of course,” she says. “Danek made me a bowl of gugni last night for dinner. It tastes a little like that, I guess?” She looks up at me. “What do you think?”
“Gugni is sourer,” I reply. “But yes, now that you mention it, I see the similarities.” I wrap my arm around her waist. “My bondmate has a very keen palette.”
Rannzar claps his hands in delight. “Then I’m eager to hear what you think of dinner. It’s only syn-made, of course, but I’ve collected recipes from all over the galaxy.”
“I can’t wait,” she says sincerely.
Zorahn and human digestive systems are very similar, and there is nothing here that would harm Naomi. At dinner, she tries everything and pronounces it all delicious. She’s not lying. Rannzar downplays the meal by calling it syn-made, but everything is excellent and of impeccable quality. I can’t decide what I’m enjoying more, the meal, or Naomi’s obvious enjoyment of her food.
It’s only after dinner that I get a chance to slip away. We move from the dining area to the backyard. Rannzar has strung the space with hanging lights that cast down a soft glow. People refresh their drinks and gather into small groups, and I see the perfect chance to melt into the shadows.
I squeeze Naomi’s hand so she knows what I’m about to do, and she gives me a slight nod in response before turning to Resi with a bright smile. “Resi, you have got to tell everyone about the time you got stranded in Verr. I swear, I’ve never heard a funnier story.”
Resi agreeably begins her narrative, and everyone draws closer. The distraction is exactly what I need. Perfect.
She’ll cover for me; I know it. If there is danger, she'll do her best to alert me. She is a good partner, a good person to have at one’s side. The scientists tortured her and nearly broke her mind, but they haven't been able to erase her adventurous spirit, and her kind heart. Despite everything she’s been through, she's not bitter, she’s not angry, and she’s not swearing for revenge, bathing herself in hatred. She is simply making the best of the situation.
I make my way quickly to Rannzar’s study. The door isn’t locked, and none of the cabinets are either. My heart sinks. I didn’t think I’d find anything here, but on some level, I must have hoped.
Still, I’m here, and I need to be thorough. I do a quick scan of the room to see if there are any hidden compartments or traps. There aren’t. I open the drawers and flip through the paperwork. There’s no time to read through anything, and anyway, I’d be shocked if the contents weren’t encoded. I make copies of everything that looks important, figuring that I can always work on cracking the cipher back at home.
I’m lost in what I’m doing when I hear a footstep outside. I go completely still. With any luck, whoever is outside the study will go away.
The door cracks open, and Naomi sticks her head inside. “Danek,” she hisses. “Are you here?”
“Yes.”
“Good.” She slips inside the room, her eyes flashing urgency. “Rannzar was looking for you. I think we need—”
Another footstep. Without thought, I press her against the wall, and my lips crash down on hers. Then her tongue is in my mouth, and her fingers are in my hair, and she tugs me closer and kisses me with passion and heat and reckless abandon.
I know I’m bad for her.
I know I should leave her alone.
But the instant her lips touch mine, just like it has every time I’ve kissed her in the last ten days, all thought disappears.
Nothing is left but Naomi.
23
Naomi
I’m talking to Resi and Afain when I see Rannzar look around, his expression puzzled.
Shit.
He might not be looking for Danek, but I can’t take the risk. I mutter something about needing a drink to the two miners, and sneak into the house before the administrator can catch sight of me.
It’s a large house, the largest in the dome. I bypass the rooms we’ve already been in and start to search for Danek.
He’s in the second room. “Rannzar was looking for you,” I tell him urgently. “I think we need—”
He doesn’t let me finish the sentence. He lifts me off my feet and presses me against the wall, and then his lips crash onto mine.
Every time Danek kisses me, my brain short-circuits. Every single time. Even now, when Rannzar might be looking for us, when danger nips at our heels, the second his mouth finds mine, nothing else matters.
I whimper in pleasure and slide my tongue into his mouth, boldly seeking his. In response, he nips my lower lip, groaning in pleasure, a groan I echo. His arms tighten around my waist, drawing me into the warmth of his body. “What about now?” he whispers. “Am I allowed to wrinkle your dress? Am I allowed to kiss the stain off your lips?”
“Yes.” Yes, to everything. Just don’t stop kissing me.
“What if someone hears us?” he teases.
“I don’t care.”
His voice is light, but I can hear the desire threading through every word. He’s pressed into me, I can feel his thick erection against my hip, and the events of this afternoon seem very far away.
I want to bury them even deeper. I want to forget my reaction and lose myself in this. In him. In the pleasure he gives me so freely.
I know I’m using sex as a crutch, but so what? I’m painfully aware that whether we find the prison or not, we’ll be departing Noturn in four days. Mirak and Diana are already in range. The instant we give word, they’ll get us out.
And then my life will go back to normal, and this little inte
rlude will end. It has to. I’m not delusional. Danek’s desire is real, but I have no reason to believe his heart is involved. When we return to the Rebellion, there will be other women. Younger, prettier, less broken.
Our affair has an expiration date, one that’s rapidly approaching. Call me reckless, but I’m determined to make the most of what little time I have left.
I reach down and slide my palm against his cock. A growl rumbles in his chest and he drops his head to my shoulder, sliding my dress’ tiny strap down with his teeth. He does the same to the other one and peels the top of my dress down below my breasts. My chest is heaving, and I clutch at his neck as he lowers his head and swirls his tongue around my left nipple. I arch helplessly against him.
“Danek.” I keep my voice down, fighting to remember that there are partygoers outside. People might be looking for us. But I can’t stop my hand from delving into Danek’s pants. My fingers find his cock and close around its thick weight. It throbs in my palm.
I don’t have much room to maneuver, but I slowly move my hand over his erection. Danek sucks my nipple into his mouth and I gasp, pressing my face against his neck to muffle the sound.
I tug at his pants, trying to jerk them down. He shifts his hips and I’m able to free his cock. Yes! I close my fingers around his thick length and pump him, savoring every delicious shudder of his big body against mine. His smoky scent rises around us and his chest rumbles. His dragon growls with need.
Danek leans back, still propping me against the wall, and rolls my nipples between his clever fingers. It’s my turn to shudder and moan, even as I work his cock faster. I can’t get enough of him. I can’t get enough.
“Naomi,” he growls and grips my wrist, stilling my hand. He’s hard and jutting and so close to spilling his seed all over the midnight folds of my dress. My fingers strain, still reaching for him. But he sets me on my feet and drops to his knees instead.
“Got to taste you,” he murmurs. “Lift your skirts.”
I blink down at him, dazed. He grins up at me, his big hand gliding up my bare leg, past my knee, heading straight to my pussy. Oh yes! I grab handfuls of the frothy skirt and hold it up.
Danek lays a forearm over my lower belly, pinning me to the wall. His head bends and his face disappears between my legs. I can’t see; I can only feel. His nose swipes along my folds and he inhales deeply. His fingers hook into my panties and draw them aside. I’m trembling, fighting back gasps as his tongue glides all over my pussy, exploring me, stoking the flames of my arousal…
I whimper, digging my shoulder blades into the wall. His hand is on my hip, pulling me close, squeezing my ass. His tongue flicks against my clit, hummingbird fast flutters that make my knees weak.
He slides a finger inside.
“Danek,” I whimper, clapping a hand over my mouth to stifle my cries. He’s got two fingers inside me now. They’re thick enough to fill me and long enough to rub the needy spot on my inner walls. I rock helplessly as pleasure builds in my lower belly. My legs give out and I start melting down the wall. He’s holding me up now, anchoring me in place with his mouth. I’ve lost hold of my dress and it’s everywhere, bunching around my waist, falling down over his shoulders. He pushes it back, keeping it out of his face, and eats me out like he’s starving.
I’m so close. My orgasm is right there. One more thrust of his fingers, one more lick on my clit, and the dam is going to burst. “Danek—”
I’m so close. My orgasm is right there. One more thrust of his fingers, one more lick on my clit, and the dam is going to burst. “Danek—”
That’s when the lights snap on.
Danek moves. In an instant, he’s on his feet and shielding me from view. I hastily adjust my dress so my boobs aren’t hanging out. “Administrator Rannzar,” he says, sounding sheepish.
“Danek.” There’s a frown on the man’s face, one that fades as soon as he catches sight of our obvious dishevelment. “I was wondering why there was someone in my office,” he says with a chuckle. “I should have realized. Ah, newly bonded couples.”
I emerge from behind Danek’s back. “Sorry,” I murmur, my cheeks hot with embarrassment. There’s no hiding the fact that my dress is wrinkled, and my lipstick’s long gone. “We were just—”
The administrator lifts his hand. “Please, there’s no need to explain.”
“I didn’t realize this was your office,” Danek lies easily. “The door wasn’t locked. I’m so sorry. Please forgive the intrusion.”
“No, no.” Rannzar waves away the apology. “No harm done. Now, since tomorrow’s a rest day, we’re about to begin a game of lachwa. Any chance the two of you are interested in joining?”
I glance at Danek. “What’s lachwa?”
“A strategy game,” he replies. “It can go on for hours.” He runs his hand through his hair, smoothing it down. “Administrator Rannzar, we’re going to respectfully decline.”
Rannzar chuckles again. “Of course, of course. I totally understand.”
We take our leave. On the skimmer back, I glance at Danek. “When we were making out, did you know Rannzar was outside?”
“Yes. He walked by the door shortly after you came in. He was probably headed to the refresher, but I wasn’t sure if we’d have enough time to make our escape.” He shrugs. “This way, he just thinks we can’t keep our hands off each other.” He places his hand on my thigh. “And he’d be right.”
I grow cold. I knew that Rannzar might come looking for us, but Danek not only knew, but he’d also evaluated two plans, chosen one, and acted on it.
All while getting a hand job from me.
While going down on me with every appearance of enjoyment.
The desire is real. That much, I believe. But Danek is still focused on the mission. He’s still playing a role.
I’ve been foolish to let myself forget that.
24
Danek
Naomi’s shoulders are tense, and her face is a mask. She’s clearly upset.
My brain starts to work a little too late. Fuck. Naomi thinks that the only reason I kissed her was because I'd heard Rannzar in the corridor.
Danek, you’re a fucking idiot.
Bast. Naomi doesn't realize that the second I touch her, nothing else matters. Not Rannzar. Not this mission. Not the wounds of the past. Not even the Draekons that could be imprisoned on Noturn until they lose their minds. Nothing in the universe is as important as Naomi.
We pull up in front of our house. Naomi opens the skimmer door and jumps out. Inside the house, the three floofs chatter in excitement—their favorite person is home. As soon as the front door slides open, they tumble out in a rush of brightly colored fur. Pumpkin stands on his hind legs, wraps his arms around her knee and starts to climb. Either that, or he’s humping her leg. Plague and Pestilence wait for her to scoop them up.
I program the skimmer to return to its parking pad. As soon as it slides away, I follow her inside. “Naomi,” I begin.
“I’m exhausted,” she says, not meeting my eyes. “I ate too much and drank too much. I’m going to take a quick shower and fall asleep.”
No. Not okay. She’s pulling away. Panic bubbles in my gut. She can’t go. She can’t leave me.
Before she volunteered for this mission, I might have been able to remain stoic. I might have been able to let her go. But now, that’s impossible. Not when I’ve shared her bed. Not when I’ve seen her smile, and I’ve heard her laugh. Not when I know that no matter what position she starts the night in, she’ll end up sprawled diagonally across the bed, her legs over my hip. Not when I’ve memorized the spark in her eyes when she tries eating something new. Not when the scent of her is etched into my heart.
“I heard Rannzar,” I blurt out from behind her. Plague—or is it Pestilence?—snarls at me, showing me her sharp little teeth. Can’t say I blame her. “And then I kissed you.”
She stops in her tracks but doesn’t turn around. No matter. It’s easier this way. See, I
’ve never done this. I’ve never, ever put my heart on the line. It’s terrifying.
“I don’t have to pretend to be crazy about you,” I continue. “I never have to pretend.”
There’s a long moment of silence. Naomi breaks it. “I don’t believe you.”
I’m still talking to her back. “Do you think I could lie about something like this?” I grind out, stung. “Do you think I respect you so little that I would toy with you this way?”
She whirls around. Her eyes flash dangerously. “I think,” she says, throwing the words at me, “that you can make anyone believe anything.”
I go very still. Did I hear her correctly? How did she find out my deepest secret, my darkest shame?
She reads my expression perfectly. “That’s right. You can make anyone believe anything. That’s your superpower, isn’t it? I think it’s in your best interests to keep me happy, because I’ll make a more convincing newlywed that way and yes, Danek, I think you’d do whatever you could to succeed at this mission.”
“I have a talent, yes. I’ve never used it on you.” Now that it’s sinking in, it’s honestly a relief that she knows. I don’t want to keep secrets from her, not even the ones that plague me with guilt. “You heard me. The first day, when I was talking to the others. What else did you discover?”
“That’s the part you’re choosing to focus on?” Her voice is thick with frustration. “Fine. I overheard pieces and parts of your conversation. You promised someone you would be their warlord. But you failed and they were all killed.” She lifts her eyes to mine. “I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop.”
“I know.” It wasn’t her fault. I’d been angry and agitated. I’d breached the cone of silence more than once.
“You sounded really upset.”
