Terraformed Skies

by Anna Lewis

  The man looked at her, a low sound building in his chest, a dark chuckle as he shook his head. “You have guts, sweetheart. Name’s Ajax.” He nodded by way of introduction. “And I’m here to talk business, so either you shut up and listen, or your business closes pretty damn quickly.”

  He turned back to Charlie and Janice found her mouth opening and closing in surprise. Anger soon found its way into her words and she frowned. “What are you talking about—what has that got to do with anything?” She was bristling but Charlie looked at her with a serious expression.

  “Janice, let’s hear him out.”

  Janice couldn’t believe what she was hearing—her sister wanted to hear this maniac out and Janice didn’t know what she was meant to say to that. So she folded her arms and fixed Ajax with a glare, refusing to let him out of her sights for even a second.

  Ajax seemed satisfied with that and looked back at Charlie. “The Black Dragons are close to winning the turf war.” Janice was surprised at how overt he was being—most people danced around the issues, but he was direct in a way that Janice hadn’t seen out here, or in the city.

  For a moment, it stunned her, but Charlie was nodding slowly, “So what does that have to do with me and my bar?” There was worry written all over Charlie’s face, even though she was trying to hide it.

  Ajax continued, “It means that I need you to help us finish the Reds once and for all.” He smirked, “Choke the life out of them.” He leaned forwards. “You refuse them patronage, and they don’t have the middle meeting ground that they need. You do that, you have guaranteed patronage from us, plus and additional payment. You gain money instead of losing it, and when we inevitably win, you’re already on our side.”

  Janice was surprised. She hadn’t expected this, no matter what she had expected. She didn’t think the turf war was going to impact their business in this way. The fighting had been inconvenient and she knew that the result might slow business down a bit, but never had she expected this.

  Charlie looked pale. “And what if you don’t win?”

  Ajax laughed, and the sound was more menacing that any Janice had heard before. “Oh sweetheart. We don’t lose. So either you’re with us, or you’re against us. Which is it?”

  Janice could see Charlie turning it over in her mind, trying to make an on the spot decision and she jumped in. “Are you guaranteeing our safety too?” she challenged.

  “Sure.” He smirked. “We’ll station a couple of guys around and make sure none of the Reds get in and cause you problems.”

  Janice couldn’t argue with that, but she could feel her heart racing none the less. She wasn’t used to this. This was a world that she didn’t quite fit into, didn’t quite understand. She didn’t like the idea of blocking anyone from the bar, but she also didn’t like the idea of the bar going under.

  They had been working so hard to get it back in the black and they were just starting to make some serious progress. Now was not the time to back down and have it all go to waste? Janice swallowed, feeling sick at the thought. Her heart was racing and she suddenly realized how close Ajax was.

  She could smell his aftershave and something else, something smoky and dark and exotic. She felt warmth flood her body and she chalked it up to adrenalin. After all, this was a dangerous situation all around, and she needed to make the right choices.

  Charlie was nodding too and she could see that her sister had come to the same conclusion. They didn’t have much of a choice. Refusing him would probably end in the loss of the business and then they’d both have no income and nowhere to go.

  Janice wasn’t about to let that happen, but she wasn’t going to give this man free rein either.

  “Okay, we’ll do it.” Charlie’s voice sounded meek and Janice wasn’t used to that. Her sister was so confident when arguing with patrons, but Janice supposed that this was a whole different ballgame.

  Janice turned to Ajax. “We’ll help, but there’s a condition.”

  “Are you in any position to be adding conditions?” Ajax sounded amused as he looked her up and down.

  Janice flushed with anger and it crackled between them. “Yes. You let me help you. I want to be a part of this to make sure that everything goes right.”

  “How can you help me?” His eyes bored into her and she smiled.

  “You’ll see. I won’t get in your way but I want to be a part of this. I want to make sure this business stays afloat. That’s the bottom line for me.”

  Ajax surveyed her with a smirk. He didn’t believe that she could help, Janice knew that. She also didn’t care. She needed to keep an eye on him. She wasn’t letting everything her sister had worked for go up in smoke. She wasn’t going to let that happen, no matter what the cost.

  “So, do we have a deal?”

  Ajax chuckled, “Deal.”

  ***

  The next week seemed to pass in a blur. Janice spent her time tagging along with Ajax, and he seemed to spend every spare moment antagonizing her or trying to leave her behind. She could tell that she was getting on his nerves and the feeling was mutual. He refused to take her car and she couldn’t keep up with his bike when she drove alone. That left Janice with one choice—ride his bike with him.

  Janice had shuddered at the thought. She had never ridden a bike and her parents and friends back home would never have approved. Owning a bar was one thing, but risking your life on what they considered a death machine was something else entirely. It was stupidity, and Janice was inclined to agree with them.

  But she had said she would make this work, no matter what the cost was, and she fully intended to keep that promise. Gripping onto Ajax’s jacket, she had straddled the seat and jammed a helmet over her head. Swallowing, her pulse racing, she had no problems clinging on for dear life as the engine had roared.

  Janice could vividly remember the thrum of the engine through her body, the flush of heat that raced through her, the way Ajax’s leather had felt against her, in her hands, and the thrill that had burned through her as he revved his engine, laughed and took off through the streets. Janice had tried not to scream as he tore onto the highway, Janice holding on as tightly as she possibly could. The feelings raced through her at top speed, shuddering through her body and touching a place inside her that she had not known existed.

  Gradually, the panic eased and gave way to something else, something thrilling and freeing. She had dared to lift her head, only to see the world rushing by at dizzying speeds. The ground rushed by beneath their feet, the road pounding along beside them as the scenery blurred into lines and lines of color, all lost to her in the thrill of the chase. It was everything that Janice could have asked for, and she didn’t want to waste a single moment of it. She clung onto him with all of her strength, taking in a few deep breaths and savoring it.

  It had been so freeing. For a moment, the stress of the bar seemed to fall away, the burning feeling of anger at Ajax had eased, the memories of stuffy classrooms and late nights seemed to be a distant memory at best, and Janice was thrilled to find that the heaviness in her chest had lifted and eased and left her with a feeling of being able to take on the world, take on anything.

  After that first ride, Janice had not complained quite as loudly about travelling on his bike. She wasn’t about to admit that she had enjoyed it, but she suspected that Ajax knew anyway, and in an unusual display of tact, was deciding not to say anything about it.

  Janice found herself being taken to meetings of all kinds. She wasn’t sure what they were talking about all of the time, but she listened out for mentions of the bar and considered it carefully. Her sister was refusing patrons who belonged to the Reds and there were Black Dragon bodyguards stationed at the bar at all times. Janice had continued to insist on help for her sister, who was exhausted with all the extra work.

  At the same time, Janice continued to do everything in her power to make sure that no one double crossed them. As time passed, Janice realized that Ajax was not going to be do
uble crossing them any time soon. He might have been harsh towards her, making it clear that he didn’t want her there, but he never did anything that even hinted at deceit. It brought relief to the surface of Janice’s heart and she sighed in quiet relief at the thought that maybe, just maybe, things were going to work out.

  Her feelings towards Ajax started to soften. Sparks still flew, but she found that she didn’t loathe him like she first had. There was something else there, something quiet and considerate, and she wasn’t quite sure what to do with that information.

  Ajax also refused to let her come with him when there was a threat of danger. He would glare at her and say, “You have no place there. I don’t need to be watching some chick and making sure she’s not getting herself killed.”

  Then he would jump on his bike and tear out, and Janice would be left with the conflicting feelings of anger and warmth. Anger that he was leaving her behind, warmth that he was doing it for her safety and her safety alone. Janice didn’t want him to care…she didn’t…and yet she could not deny the warmth that she felt.

  Despite the fact that she never saw these battles, she could tell that most of the Black Dragons were coming back. Winning, just like he had promised they would. The battles must have been fierce, because at meetings afterwards, many of the men looked worse for wear, long scratches and burn marks on their skin that Janice didn’t understand.

  It sent shivers through her, the hint that truly dangerous things were taking place, things that Janice probably couldn’t comprehend, from her suburban world. She wondered if Charlie would have any ideas.

  When she brought it up with her, Charlie had shrugged, averted her eyes and muttered something about going to bed. The thought kept nagging at Janice, making her wonder, making her contemplate the situation as she sat awake at night, considering what she should do.

  But her resolve was set. She wasn’t about to stop, wasn’t about to give up and let the bar go, wasn’t about to let Ajax go back on his word. She wasn’t going to stop watching. Janice told herself that the tingles and flutters she felt in her chest, whenever Ajax was around, was the feeling of being alert, the feeling of danger.

  She ignored the heat that flushed between her legs. There was no future between them and she wouldn’t even entertain the idea.

  She had a job to do and she was focused on that, no matter what the cost, personal or otherwise.

  ***

  “So, what will you do when you win?” Janice was sitting on Ajax’s bike, perched on it while it rested on its kickstand. Ajax was standing, a cigarette in hand. It was late, and they were headed home. The stars twinkled above their heads and Janice was struck by how beautiful it all was. She tilted her head and stared into the heavens, at the velvet black sky and the diamonds that were scattered through it.

  The night was warm and Ajax took a long drag of the cigarette and shrugged. “It’ll be good for the club.”

  Janice nodded. “Yeah, but what about you?”

  “What’s good for the club is good for me.”

  Janice sighed at the answer, looking back up into the night. The highway was abandoned, only a few cars daring to drive through it at this hour. “I know that.”

  “Then why ask?” He looked at her.

  “Because there is more to you than the Black Dragons,” she blurted out, surprising herself at the brashness of her words, not expecting to say it aloud.

  Ajax was obviously not expecting it either, an expression of surprise crossing his face before he shrugged, a chuckle in his throat. “Sure.”

  Janice felt the familiar frustration in her chest. He was absolutely infuriating her at every opportunity and she just wanted to strangle him. “Can’t you just give me a straight answer for once?” She found her voice rising.

  He looked over at her. “Without the Black Dragons, I’m pretty much nobody,” he sneered, and the look was darker than before.

  Janice swallowed and shook her head. “Not true and you know it. Why are you being like this?”

  “Like what?” he shot back. “Like who I am?” he sneered and shook his head. “If you don’t like the answer, sweetheart, then don’t ask the question.” He stared her down. “It’s not my job to make sure your life is all sunshine and roses. If you want that, don’t ask about mine.” There was an edge to his voice and Janice frowned.

  “Well then what is your job, hmm?”

  “Beating the Reds and stopping your shitty little bar from going under. That’s it.” He stared her down, their eyes flashing. Janice felt electricity crackle around them, between them, and she shuddered.

  The urge to grab his jacket and make him see sense burned through her, making her feel dizzy. She gritted her teeth. “That’s it? So there’s nothing more to you than your job, huh?” She tried not to sneer. “Why am I not surprised?”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” She had touched a nerve and she could tell it. Janice stared him down and pressed her advantage.

  “No girlfriend, no friends outside of the club, no interests aside from your bike.”

  “Yeah? Well you’re in the same damn boat.” They were close now, and Janice could smell his aftershave, the scent of him, smoky and warm.

  Without knowing why she was doing it, Janice surged forward, grabbing his jacket in her hands and pressing her mouth to his. She kissed him hard, feeling his lips beneath hers. They were hot, burning with a sweet and salty taste that made Janice’s head spin. She felt his breath shift as she kissed him, but she was in too deep to pull away now.

  Instead, she gripped his jacket harder, twisting the leather in her hands, feeling the anger course through her, something else flashing through her body in time. A moment later, Ajax’s hands came around her waist, circling her and pulling her against him.

  His kiss grew possessive and hot and she parted her lips into his and kissed in return. Their tongues met, tangling and caressing and Janice felt a deep shiver run through her. She groaned, a soft sound and before she knew it, Ajax’s hand was tangling in her hair and pulling her in closer. There was no space between them. Janice’s arms went around him, their clothing the only thing keeping them apart.

  Ajax seemed to have the same idea, because his hands moved to her pants, stroking her through her jeans. Before she knew it, her jeans were undone and Janice was shimmying out of then. She tugged at his jacket, sighing in satisfaction as he shrugged it off and it fell to the cold dirt behind them.

  She felt goosebumps through his shirt and gasped softly as she stepped out of her jeans, leaving her clad in little more than a pair of heels, her underwear and a shirt.

  Then Ajax’s lips were on her neck and she was gasping. He sucked and licked her skin and Janice found herself moaning softly with desire, which surged deeply within her. She wanted him. She wanted him and she didn’t care that they were on the side of the road.

  She didn’t care that she was supposed to hate him—she didn’t. She loved him, and she could feel the thrum of lust burning between them both, connecting them in the most delicious way. She shivered and bit her lip, her hands stroking his skin, finding their way beneath his shirt and running across his tight, defined muscles. She sighed softly as he pulled her shirt off her body, leaving her in nothing but high heels and lacy underwear.

  Janice moaned softly, shivering as a blush made its way across her cheeks. She was almost naked, in the middle of the highway at night. And it was thrilling her in a way that she never could have thought possible before this. It was everything she could never dare to dream about. It was everything that she wanted and so much more.

  Janice gasped as she felt Ajax’s body press against her own. She shivered deeply at the feel of him, strong and defined, muscles tight against her curves. His hands stroked her skin, running down each curve and making her gasp with pleasure and desire. He felt so good. Her mind was spinning with the sweetness of the pleasure that coursed through her veins and she moaned softly as Ajax’s hands came around her back.

  They
brushed along the clasp of her bra and she moaned deeply. He felt incredible. He was everything that she wanted, even if she couldn’t admit it. Wild and strong and confident to a fault. He licked down her collarbone and Janice bit her lip, leaning against the bike.

  Then his hands undid the clasp of her bra and Janice blushed as her breasts spilled free. Ajax kissed her, surging and deep as his hands explored her body without restraint, stroking and cupping her breasts, running his thumb across her nipple and sending sparks shooting through her. She groaned and he tweaked her nipples in response. Janice could feel the heat pooling between her thighs, and she moaned with pleasure.

  The need for him burned through her and Janice held onto him tightly. Her breasts brushed against his shirt and the feel of the fabric sent sparks shuddering through her. It was mind-blowing and she never wanted it to stop.

  “More…” She found herself gasping with shivering desire. Ajax chuckled, a deep, soft sound pulsing through her body. She held onto him tighter and he slid his hands down to her panties. He teased them with a light touch, before hooking his fingers through them and tugging the skimpy lace off her skin completely. It fell to the ground and she stepped out of them without question.

  Janice felt arousal and a blush race through her as she realized she was completely naked, save for her heels, at the side of the road. Ajax smirked and met her eyes and she felt desire shoot through her. He turned her around and Janice gasped as she was bent over his bike, her breasts bouncing in the warm air. She held on tightly, gripping whatever she could as Ajax’s fingers brushed the warmth between her legs. She gasped as she felt his fingers enter her, pushing slowly into her warmth.

  Janice moaned and squirmed, starting to breathe heavy and quick as arousal burst through her and she bit her lip, wanting more, wanting his hands all over her skin. This wasn’t like her, but with Ajax, she just didn’t care. He thrust his fingers within her and she gasped, trying not to cry out.