“I assume there’s a bedroom?”
“With a large bed, no less.” He picked her up and carried her through a small living room and down a narrow hall, being careful not to bump her head. She kicked off her shoes as they went. Laughing, he paused for a moment to toe off his footwear. Turning right, he entered the bedroom.
He laid her on the bed tenderly and came over her, his arousal pushing at the closure of his dress pants, heavily insistent against the vee of her thighs. Keeping his weight on his elbows, he smoothed her hair off her face, plucking an errant seedpod from the tendrils and showing it to her for a second.
“Don’t lose it,” she said in protest as he flicked it to the side. “It’s a gift.”
“We can find it again. Later.” He kissed her as if she was the most delicate woman he’d ever met, gently stroking her lips with his tongue and then plundering her mouth with increasing urgency as she allowed his entry and responded in kind. Much though she enjoyed his tender caresses, she was riding the adrenaline of the night’s events, stoked by her mounting desire over the previous days, each encounter adding to her attraction for this man. Miriell craved his strength and power, and she let him know her wants, adjusting under him, exploring his mouth and his body with passion, encouraging him to loosen the reins on his own desire to match hers.
Miriell held him as close as she could, running one hand through his hair as they kissed and slipping the other under the edge of the crisp, starched uniform shirt so she could enjoy the feel of his warm skin under her palm, circling the flat nipples and moving on to caress and explore. She realized he bore scars, old wounds badly healed, signs of the rough life he’d led, but now wasn’t the time to ask questions. She shifted her hips under him to force the pressure of his cock closer to the place she wanted it to be and pressed herself against the unyielding, hot arousal, impatient to be skin to skin with him.
She and Conor alike were breathless and disheveled when the kiss ended. He rested his forehead on hers, then suddenly rolled off her body and sat up on the bed, looking down at her.
Trying to pull him to her, she asked anxiously, “What is it? What’s wrong?”
“Before we go any further, I have to tell you something.”
“All right, but you won’t change my mind.” She ran her hand over his arm, savoring the definition of the powerful muscles, the implicit strength of him. “Whatever it is you feel compelled to share, we can handle it.”
“This is an SCIA emergency safe house.”
Thinking she’d heard him wrong, she did a double take and slumped against the pillows. She’d been dreading a revelation that perhaps he had a wife somewhere, not this.
He met her eyes but took a deep breath. “I’m a police officer, Miriell. A deeply undercover cop.”
“I don’t understand.” Now she sat up to face him, drawing her knees to her chest and clasping her hands around her legs. “How—how can you be a policeman and work for Opherra? How can you commit the crimes you carry out for her?”
“I have a warrant on file at the SCIA headquarters that allows me to take any action I see fit, from petty larceny to murder, in the pursuit of this case. I have blanket immunity, although I’ve been as careful as I can be and try not to target innocent civilians. But certainly I have caused collateral damage with some of my actions, and the guilt is my burden to carry.” He reached out to unlock her hands, kissing her palm while he kept his focus on her face. “My life is in your hands now. If Opherra ever finds out—”
Miriell shivered, putting both her hands around his and squeezing. “I’d never tell. I’m excellent at keeping secrets, especially those concerning people I care for.”
“I have no doubts.”
Given the immense nature of the revelation he’d shared, Miriell wondered why she wasn’t more shocked. But I’ve always known he was one to be trusted. She was definitely still aroused and full of desire for this man. “That explains the blue flames.”
Brow furrowed, he asked, “Blue flames?”
“I see the colors in a person, an aura to tell me who they are at their core. When I scan you, the clear cobalt blue marking a warrior of Thuun shines to my inner eye. Brave, one to be trusted. One who fights evil.” She stroked his cheek with her free hand, enjoying the rasp of the stubble against her fingertips. Tulavarra males had no facial hair. “Of course, you hide your true nature well, behind obsidian shields so strong even I can’t break through.”
“I don’t want shields against you. Any barrier between myself and you is the last thing I want.” His grin was rueful. “When I first saw you, when Jareck took you out of the infernal cryo-sleep container, I literally had only two thoughts—you were the most striking woman I’d ever seen and I already hated the way you were being treated. The more I got to know you—you have guts and smarts, both of which I admire. Running away from the hotel that first morning when you had the chance, not knowing more than a tiny bit of our world, barely able to keep yourself on your feet—I was amazed by your determination.” He cupped her cheek. “I hated not being able to protect you, get you away from the trouble you were in.”
Mind made up, she scooted closer, resting a hand on his arm. “Are there more secrets we have to discuss right now? Do you know what happened to my home base?”
He shook his head. “I wish I had some information on that for you but being deep undercover, I don’t get intel or updates on any operation, not even my own. Too dangerous. I couldn’t make love to you under any kind of false pretenses. You mean too much to me for continued deception.”
“I’m sure I’ll have more questions later. For now, my only issue is why are we still wearing all these tattered, sooty clothes stinking of smoke?” She started unfastening his borrowed uniform shirt, one closure at a time. He sat patiently enough, but the moment the edges of the garment fell open, he shrugged out of the shirt and pulled her to him for another of those intense kisses. Miriell lost herself in the warmth and strength of his embrace.
Eventually, he pulled at the fastening of her dress, and she crawled from the bed to wriggle out of it while he watched with appreciation gleaming in his eyes and showing in his smile. “I liked this black gown the best of any you’ve worn, but now that I see what was underneath, I like the underpinnings better.”
Kicking the ruined dress aside, she pivoted, arching her back to give him a better view of her breasts, accented by the provocative black lace of the undergarments Tamlu had insisted on. “I wished it was you watching me today when I got dressed, not Tamlu,” she confessed. “I wanted you to see me, not just a woman wearing one of Opherra’s castoffs.”
“I always saw you, only you.” He drew her closer, back onto the mattress, unfastening the front closure of the bra, easing the straps from her shoulders so the lingerie fell aside. Cupping her breasts, he teased at the nipples with his thumbs, while Miriell shifted under his touch, the ache between her legs and deep inside making her want so much more from him than simple touching and erotic caresses. He took one nipple into his mouth, tongue swirling around the sensitive bud, which immediately pebbled. She moaned in sheer delight and pressed his head more firmly to the sensuous task he’d chosen.
In response, he laid her on her back and transferred his lips to the other breast, doing things with his hands and clever tongue that had her writhing on the bed in response. Pleasure and rising impatience warred in her mind and body. She wanted her chance to explore the aspects of his body that particularly fascinated her.
Conor kissed the base of her neck, grazing her skin ever so slightly with his teeth as if tasting her. She took the opportunity to fumble with the fastening of his trousers. He rolled onto his back, reaching up to lock his hands around the top of the headboard. She drew his pants and briefs past his hips, admiring the impressive length and girth of his cock as it jutted from his body, ready for her. Finishing the job of rendering her lover naked, she pushed the discarded clothing to the floor with one foot, running her hands up his thighs until s
he could fondle his balls, drawn tight against his body. She caressed the sensitive area, rewarded by his groan of pleasure and the creaking of the headboard as he kept himself from touching her for the moment. She wrapped her hands around the base of his arousal, stroking root to tip, her clasp firm and caressing, while he fought not to buck under her touch. Lowering her head, she took him into her mouth, swirling her tongue over the head, sucking and licking. Conor fisted his hands in her hair, careful not to hurt her, and murmured encouragement.
After a few moments of enjoying the taste of him, she allowed his cock to slip from her lips. Keeping her hand wrapped around him, stroking slightly, she said, “I think, my warrior, you’re ready for more than kisses.”
“But you aren’t.” He shifted her onto her back, cupping one breast and laving his tongue over the nipple, teasing her, while using his other hand to caress her soft stomach, before sliding it under the edge of the scanty black lace covering her most intimate parts. One finger parted her folds, stroking and caressing. He murmured a sound of pure male satisfaction as he discovered how wet she was for him. Switching his attention to the other breast, he kissed, using his teeth with utmost care just enough to inflict a flicker of arousing sensation, not quite pain, while he used two fingers to penetrate and tease the sensitive flesh of her inner folds, creating a bonfire of sensation. Ripples of arousal and pleasure had been cresting inside her ever since she’d realized they were going to make love, but now his sure touch drew a more intense reaction.
She couldn’t resist the orgasm he was striving to give her a moment longer. An ecstatic sensory overload swept through her from the inside out, her spine arching from the bed, muscles clenched in an effort to contain the delicious waves and prolong the sensation.
“Now,” he said as he removed the last bit of lacy lingerie and spread her legs, “we can dance, no music required.”
“We move well together.” She fought to kiss him as he guided himself into her body, then thrust carefully. Throwing her head back, hands fisting against his back, she gasped. Conor stilled. “Are we all right, sweetheart?”
“I haven’t been with anyone in years, not since before the festival on my homeworld where I was kidnapped. You fill me so completely. Give me a moment to grow accustomed to you.”
Hand on her breast, kneading and teasing, he said, “Take all the time you want. We have the entire night.”
She shifted her hips a bit, clenching her muscles around him before releasing the pressure to draw him farther toward her center. There was no question about her body’s readiness to welcome him. She’d never had a lover so skilled, or so well equipped to give utmost pleasure, and she wanted him seated as deeply inside as it was possible to penetrate. Nerve endings she’d never known existed were pulsing, firing their own explosions of ecstasy as Conor thrust.
He caught the rhythm she wanted, pushing and retreating, and then Miriell felt as if the two of them were flying, locked together in one unified whole, the pleasure taking her into the next state of being. She held him close, heard him say her name in that wonderful deep voice as his climax ignited her own, and the world splintered into blue and purple flames of passion and love.
Afterward, they lay tangled together, cozy under a blanket he’d dragged from the closet.
“I should check your back, make sure the healing was complete,” she said drowsily.
Obediently, he rolled onto his stomach, pillowing his head on his arms so he could watch her with heavy-lidded eyes. She ran her hands across the broad, strong expanse of his back and shoulders. “Feels nice,” he said, flexing his muscles as she stroked along his shoulder blades. “Your touch is like a gift.”
“Everything’s fine. The skin healed properly.” She let her hand drift along his spine and lower, to his butt, squeezing.
He went to his side, pulling her into an embrace, holding her against his chest, where she could hear the strong beating of his heart. “Are you warm enough?”
“Toasty and content. I could stay here with you forever. If only the real world didn’t have to intrude when the sun rises.” She sighed, kissing him. “Is your name even Conor?”
“It is now. That’s all I can say. The less you know, the better for you.” His tone was mild enough, but it was clear he wasn’t going to give her more details.
His semi-erect cock rested on her thigh with the promise of another bout of lovemaking soon. He regains his strength rapidly. Conor nuzzled her neck, giving her goose bumps as he kissed his way up to her lips and demanded entry, his tongue sliding between her parted lips to explore. Adjusting, she responded eagerly to his caresses, allowing her hands to roam across his chiseled muscles and then lower, where his arousal grew under her attentions.
This time, she straddled him, and the pace was more leisurely, exploring, enjoying, until finally the passion became too hot, and Conor groaned and flipped her to her back, plunging into her depths with abandon. Miriell met his powerful thrusts with pleasure, using her inner muscles to squeeze and caress him, heightening the intensity for them both. The climax brought her to an even higher plateau of pleasure than the first time, and well contented, she lay in his arms and drifted off to sleep.
CHAPTER SIX
The smell of freshly brewed coffee woke her up as Conor sat on the mattress next to her, carefully holding two mugs. “Care for a cup? Genuine Terran blend. The SCIA spares no expense, so we might as well enjoy the privilege.”
“Coffee in the middle of the night?” She sat up against the headboard and wrapped the blanket around herself before she reached to take the offering. She cupped her hands around the warm mug.
“Why not? I couldn’t sleep and I heard you stirring in here. Sorry if I woke you up.”
She shook her head. “I was only lightly asleep, and having bad dreams. Better to be awake! Do you think anyone survived? Saviano maybe?”
“You saw the bodies inside the room, enveloped in flames. And judging from the blaster fire we heard, even if someone else was lucky enough to make it out alive, they didn’t get far. This was a well-planned hit all right. I’ve checked the news and so far they’re not saying much.” He sipped his coffee. “ If you’re hungry, there are rations I can heat up. Not too tasty but sustaining.”
She shook her head. “We had such a huge dinner.” Patting the mattress beside her, she said, “Come sit.”
“Take this for a moment, please.” He handed her his mug and bent over, picking something off the floor. When he rose and came onto the bed, he had the seedpod from the ancient tree. “I think you said you wanted to keep this? What was going on with the tree at the end anyway? I thought I was going to have to throw you over my shoulder and force you to leave it. Here, trade.” Conor took his coffee back and gave her the seed, with its tiny leaves like miniature wings. Sipping his brew, he got under the blanket with her and drew her to lean against him.
“The tree was going to suffer an agonizing death by fire,” she said. “It was a sentient too, not like us perhaps, but I couldn’t run away to save myself and abandon it. So I sang it into the next life.”
“Sang it—”
“The tree gave me energy, and I gave it the song, so it was able to reproduce to make these.” She held her hand out, the seed resting on her palm.
“I watched the new shoots, the leaves and then the flowers bloom. It was an amazing show, hard to believe my eyes. I was more worried about the explosions and the blaster shots, honestly. And you not getting killed.” He eyed her over the rim of the cup. “You have incredible powers, don’t you? Much more than the Combine suspects.”
“At times, if Thuun wills it to be so. And as you observed, if I have the living energy to pull from.” She studied the seedpod. “I hope at least a few of these will find open ground. It was the best I could do.”
He smoothed her hair away from her face and kissed her cheek.
Afraid he would be concerned after the remark about her power, she said, “I’d never hurt you, never use my gifts a
gainst you.”
“I know.” Closing his eyes, he leaned his head back.
“How long have you been doing this dangerous job of yours?”
“Five years. Like I told you, I got a job as a low-level enforcer and kept my eye out for someone on the rise in the Amarotu structure, someone I could tie in with and use to work my way into the inner circles. Opherra was running a high-class whorehouse by the spaceport, but even then I could see she was hungry for power and utterly ruthless. She had more side deals and schemes going on than I could count. I engineered a situation or two where I was able to save her ass, and we became a team.”
Miriell pondered how close a team, remembering what Tamlu had said. “How can you stand to carry out the acts demanded by your role in the Combine? I heard you discussing all those drug deals, the gambling and the rest earlier tonight.”
“It’s necessary.” After finishing his coffee, he set the mug aside on the floor and ran his fingers through his hair. “I’m not proud of the things I’m good at, the things I’ve done. I do what you did at the restaurant the first night, as often as I can without blowing my cover.”
“What do you mean?”
“I know you tripped the waiter somehow, averted an innocent woman’s suicide. I’ve had a few civilians pulled out and sent into witness protection over the years. It’s dangerous, but I do what I can. If Opherra insists on killing Bazin’s girlfriend, I’ll get her extracted and set the crime scene to indicate a successful hit went down.” He rubbed his forehead, face set in grim, tired lines. “The sordid and reprehensible acts I’ve been forced to carry out in the past five years will all be worth it once we pull down a major branch of the Combine.”
“Was there an undercover cop in my Sector’s Combine organization? Do you think such a person might have had something to do with the explosion and takedown Opherra told us about?” She was angry, wondering if any of the thugs and enforcers surrounding her had secretly been law enforcement, people who could have saved the prisoners. How many had died needlessly?
Danger in the Stars: (The Sectors SF Romance Series) Page 9