by Chandra Ryan
“No. I meant, are you certain they were Coalition ships?”
She stopped her explorations to look up at him. “Of course. They couldn’t hide from the view screen.” No one could do that, at least not yet. That bit of technology, when the military finally got the kinks ironed out, was going to be a game-changer. “I was attacked by two Iron Falcons.”
His brow creased for a moment as it often did when he was trying to sort out a puzzle. “Odd for anyone to put state-of-the-art tech on such an obsolete model.”
“The day the Coalition starts making sense is the day I get fitted for a straitjacket.”
He tilted his head to one side slightly as if he was judging the truth of her words. She didn’t take it personally though. It was just his nature to question. It’s what made him the best investigative journalist she’d ever met. And in her line of work, she’d met a lot.
“I wish the real world was as black and white as the one you live in,” he said finally.
“What can I say, I’ve been blessed by the gift of clarity.” It was a running joke. She kept everything and everyone categorized with clear definitions. True, her views were often at odds with those of polite society. But since she was the one who had to live with the consequences of her choices, she’d happily let go of polite society’s expectations a decade or so ago.
“Sorry, but this time I think your vision’s clouded.”
Missing his attention, she tugged on his belt buckle. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“The Coalition doesn’t have stealth tech.” The certainty in his voice shook her confidence but not enough to make her back down.
“I know what I saw,” she said, backing away from him indignantly.
“You saw what they wanted you to see.”
“And who would they be?” She didn’t even bother to hide the skepticism in her voice.
“Now that’s the question, isn’t it?”
“Because you’re sure it’s not the Coalition.” She studied him carefully. “You’re starting to sound like one of those conspiracy nuts.”
“Regardless, I’m positive it wasn’t them. They don’t have the tech and they wouldn’t know your flight schedule.”
She shook her head in irritation. “If the military had a mole, they would’ve had access to both,” she argued.
“But they don’t.”
“According to you.”
“According to my sources.”
His sources. They were the reason she’d jumped here when everything had gone wrong. If anyone knew something it’d be him. But still, she couldn’t believe what he was saying. It had to be the Coalition. She’d been knee-deep in this fight for the past ten years and it was always the Coalition. “When was the last time you talked to these sources of yours?”
“Just a week ago.”
“They could’ve planted a mole since then,” she pointed out.
“The field might as well be a slaughterhouse for them. They’re too busy on defense to worry much about offense. It’s not looking good for their side.”
She hated the dark shadows of sorrow that clouded his otherwise bright-blue eyes, but hated that the uniform she fought in was partially to blame for those shadows even more. They should be on the same side of this argument, but he’d never see the Coalition as anything other than the underdog. And there was nothing he loved more than an underdog. “And you expect me to what? Discount them because they’re losing or feel sorry for them because I’m fighting on the right side?”
“Just because you’re on the winning side doesn’t mean you’re on the right side.”
“I agree, the winning side isn’t always the right one. But fortunately for me, this time it is. And I’m on it.”
“Along with your father, Chairman St. Thomas and Chairman Lowry?”
The growl of contempt escaped her before she realized she was making his point for him. Not that she could’ve silenced her scorn regardless. She hated being lumped in the same group as the career politicians. She wasn’t so naïve as to think that just because the politicians’ motives were wrong meant their war was though. “You don’t have to be a saint to fight the good fight,” she countered.
“Saint? I’d be happy with law abiding.”
“You want to talk about law abiding? Really? When your precious freedom fighters are nothing more than a group of traitorous soldiers who decided they didn’t want to honor the terms of a contract they signed?” She pushed against his chest.
“There’s so much more to the Coalition movement than the disillusionment of genetically enhanced soldiers.”
That was news to her. The last time she checked, the whole damn Coalition military force was made up of the modified soldiers who were looking for a way out of government service. They were no better than toddlers throwing a fit in her opinion. “I haven’t heard anything but the bitching of men who should know better than to sign something they didn’t read.”
“Just because you haven’t heard it, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist,” he countered.
“If it’s out there and nobody’s heard about it, I’d say that’s your fault. You should be doing a better job.”
He pushed her back, leaning over to trap her between the strong wall of his chest and the warm leather of the couch. “Oh, I’m working on it. I’ve been digging so deep into these politicians that I can feel their slime under my fingernails. But I could use a bit of help from my favorite anonymous military source.”
She bet he could. He could always use her help. But the intel she provided came with a price. And all too often in this relationship, it was a price she’d paid. “You have other sources.” The story he’d done a couple of years ago about the sentient life forms that the government created proved that. As high as her clearance was, she had no idea the Subservients existed until she heard it blasted over the universal news channels. “Why don’t you use them?”
“Because you taste better than they do.” He nuzzled into her neck as he said the words and his hot breath tickled her skin.
“Helping you always gets me into trouble. That piece you did on the sex-slave industry nearly got me a tour in the brig.”
His mouth brushed against her neck as he smiled. “Now that’s a story I’d love to cover. I can already picture the footage. You showering, hot water streaming off that gorgeous body of yours when, uh-oh, you drop the soap.” His hand was busy unbuttoning her cargo pants as he spoke.
“That’s really only a problem for guys,” she pointed out.
He pulled away from her and threw a disappointed look her way. “You certainly do know how to take the fun out of a fantasy.”
“Fine,” she arched an eyebrow at him in speculation. “I’m sure we’d have daily pillow fights in nothing but our panties.”
“Thank you.” He tugged on her pants, bringing them slowly over her hips before stopping to look up at her. “But you know it’s a moot point, right?”
The seriousness of his voice and the intensity of his stare made the wall she kept around herself melt just a little. “I know. You’d never give up a source.”
“I’d never give you up.” The kiss on her navel sealed the promise. “We can both come out of this winners.”
She panted as she pictured all the ways she wanted to win right now. And not a single one had anything to do with intel or the Coalition. The military and the resistance were quickly being chased from her mind by Michael’s very talented mouth. “Oh, I plan on it. If you could just make your way a little further south, I’ll be winning at the top of my lungs.”
He sat up and she had to fight the urge to yell at him in frustration.
“Business first.” The gentle rebuke made her roll her eyes but she did nod. “That’s a good girl. I’ll make you a deal. I’ll take a long, hard second look at the Coalition if you promise to keep your eyes open for anything that looks suspicious on your side.”
As much as she believed in the ideals of her government, she was used to keeping
an eye open for fishy behavior from the politicians. It was how Michael had ended up with that now-famous sex-slave story that had sent five councilmen to prison in the first place. But keeping an eye on her own people felt wrong somehow. “I’m not sure—”
“I’m just asking you to keep an eye out, that’s all. For all we know, today was just some rogue pirate that had a lucky break. But keeping your eyes open never hurts.”
He was right. And it wasn’t as if he were asking her to make a list of likely suspects or file a report with her superiors—just be on the lookout. She could do that. She really should be doing that anyway. “Deal.”
“Good.” He finished stripping her pants off her. “Now, are you going to tell me why you brought this young man with you if you had no intention of being shared?”
“It didn’t take you long to get back to that subject.”
“I’m curious. You’ve never brought anyone else to my house.”
She looked back at Sans, who still appeared to be sleeping soundly. “He pulled policy on me. I’m still officially on duty and, as such, need security.” She couldn’t suppress the harsh laugh at the thought of the sleeping man being there for her protection.
“How disappointing,” Michael said dryly.
“That he’s only here because of protocol or his effectiveness as security?”
“Protocol. You can’t really blame him for the other. You trusted me so he gave me the benefit of the doubt. A mistake I’m sure he won’t be repeating.” He smiled brashly as his gaze slid down the gap in the front of her blouse that gave just a tantalizing peek of her bra. “Besides, if I thought I was going to get to watch you with someone, I probably wouldn’t be thinking straight myself.”
“You aren’t a trained soldier.” She ran a finger down her shirt, unbuttoning the remaining buttons as she went. “And I think that concludes the business portion of the agenda.”
“So what’s next on the schedule?”
She pushed her shirt off so she was lying in front of him in her black satin bra and her panties. “Pleasure, of course.” She nodded toward Sans as she unhooked the bra and sent it fluttering to the floor. “Do you think he’ll wake up soon?”
“Why? Were you enjoying the extra attention earlier?” He leaned forward to kiss her shoulder. The flutter of pressure caused her breath to hitch and her nipples to harden. The man was gifted.
“I certainly wasn’t hating it.” She wrapped her arms around his neck to run her fingers through the blond curls that swept rakishly at his nape. “Besides, he’s my bodyguard. What if I should need his services?”
His deep hum of approval thrummed through her as he pulled away from her to look deeply into her eyes. “There may be hope for you yet.”
“And should you need my services, rest assured that I’m capable of providing them.”
They both looked over at Sans, who appeared to be still passed out—except his mouth twitched as if he were suppressing a smile. Damn. How long had he been conscious? She mentally went over everything she and Michael had said while weighing the consequences of Sans overhearing. If he knew she was a source for Michael, the consequences could be steep.
Michael, however, didn’t seem as worried, as he’d already turned his attention back to her and trailed kisses down the sensitive skin on the side of her neck.
“Though you wouldn’t have been so lucky if you’d needed those services a couple minutes ago,” Sans added.
“So you just woke up?” she clarified. But as Michael focused his attention on one of her breasts, she found she didn’t care nearly as much about the answer as she had only a second ago.
Sans opened his eyes and nodded.
“Can’t really argue with your timing,” she said breathlessly.
“The best timing I’ve ever encountered,” Michael agreed.
“Maybe, but that really depends on if she wants me here,” Sans said, looking into her eyes. “Say the word and I’ll wait outside.”
There was no denying that having him watch was adding to the delicious sensations already overwhelming her. And though inviting him to join in would be crossing the line both professionally and personally, him watching wouldn’t really be breaking any rules. Besides, he was supposed to be providing security for her. Something that would be hard to do with a wall between them, as he’d so eagerly pointed out earlier.
Yes, all of her arguments were based on technicalities but she wanted him here and he didn’t seem to object. “Stay.”
Unable to resist the pleasure any longer, she sighed and closed her eyes as Michael took one of her nipples in his mouth. He nipped at it sharply before soothing the almost-pain with the tip of his tongue. Moaning, she arched her back toward him, craving more. And he was happy to comply.
For a few moments she hovered in the state of near euphoria. But when she opened her eyes again and found Sans’ attention focused on the other man’s tongue as it swept across the hardened bead of her nipple, she needed more.
She ran her fingertips down Michael’s hard body until they came to the waistband of his pants. Undoing them, she pushed them as low as she could and rocked her hips against his. She needed to feel his erection grinding against her abdomen.
“Too many clothes.” Her voice was raspy but she didn’t care. The only thing she cared about was satisfying the need that pulsed through her mercilessly.
Michael, much to her relief, leaned back and stripped off the rest of his clothes, which allowed her to stand and make a show of sliding out of her panties. But when she was finally naked, she didn’t join him on the couch. Instead she went to her knees in front of him and nudged her way between his thighs.
Looking up, she caught his gaze before smiling wickedly and then traced the hard length of his cock with her tongue. She went from the base to his tip in one languid stroke and then worked her way around his thick head before taking him all the way into her mouth. His cock resting on her tongue, she wrapped one hand around the base of his erection and cupped his balls with the other before she started moving rhythmically over him. Every time she got to the head, she swirled her tongue around the sensitive skin before taking him deep into her mouth again.
He growled as he wrapped his fingers through her hair and guided her pace and rhythm. “He’s watching you suck my cock. Your lovely ass dancing in front of him.”
She couldn’t help but react to his words. Her pussy, already swollen with need, now throbbed. And she was certain if she ran a finger through her folds, she’d find herself wet and ready.
The thought of touching herself in front of both men made her dizzy with desire. But she couldn’t. Her hands were currently busy pleasuring another. Moaning, she took him deeper until he hit her throat. His cock felt so good sliding between her lips, she never wanted it to end.
“Feels wonderful, darling. But you’ve got to stop.” Each word was said around a heavy breath. He was having a hard time staying in control but even with as much fun as she was having, she wasn’t ready for him to finish.
Slowing her pace, she licked his length a couple more times before standing in front of him.
“You are one of the sexiest women I know,” Michael said, his husky voice sending a fresh wave of desire through her.
She leaned over and grabbed a condom out of one of the pockets in her pants. She tossed the foil square at him and then smiled. “One of?” she challenged sharply as she kneeled on the couch to straddle his hips between her thighs.
“Yes, one of. Now turn around so I can admire that gorgeous ass our guest has been staring at.” He’d already torn the packet open and was sliding the sheath over his cock. Soon he’d be buried deep inside her.
She smiled as she turned to face Sans but the smile was quickly forgotten as Michael adjusted his position and thrust into her. Leaning forward slightly, she braced her hands on either side of him on the couch and allowed him to set the rhythm by guiding her hips. Her gaze stayed locked with Sans’.
“Are you imaginin
g what his cock would feel like in your mouth while I filled this tight little pussy of yours?” He pulled her down on him harder as he tilted his hips slightly. The shift made him hit that spot that would drive her to the brink with just a few more thrusts. “‘Cause I can pretty much bet that’s what he’s thinking about as he’s watching you.”
Damn. Now it was all she could think about. She’d had Sans in her mouth before but not while she was fucking someone else. She had no problem imagining him tweaking her nipples as she took him deep into her throat. Rubbing her back as Michael drove into her. Caressing her shoulders as he came—as they both came—inside her.
She shivered as the images rushed through her. Michael was hard inside her and she was so turned-on. She wasn’t going to last long. Already she could feel the elusive wisps of release gathering around her like an electrical storm.
She tightened her inner muscles around his rigid cock as she slid over its length but it wasn’t until he reached around her and firmly stroked her clit that she found the release she sought.
As the orgasm slammed through her, she threw back her head and cried out at the intense pleasure just as Michael thrust into her roughly and called out her name. They’d come together but it wasn’t Michael she was thinking of as the waves of euphoria carried her away. Or, more specifically, it wasn’t just Michael. No, she wanted them both.
It was an alarming realization, especially given that she never fooled around with crew members. Their first encounter she could dismiss because she didn’t know he was on her crew, this time he didn’t touch her so it didn’t count either, but next time…
She pushed the concern to the back of her head as she took a deep breath and wiggled her hips a little, enjoying the last aftershocks of the orgasm.
“I’d ask if it was good for you, but I’m actually more concerned for your friend,” Michael teased.
“He’s a big boy, I’m sure he can take care of himself,” she said, winking at Sans.