Caleb kissed her hard, bruising her lips, claiming her. She mewled under his onslaught, encouraging him. He trailed his lips over her features, her cheeks, her lips, her nose, paying special attention to her birthmark, letting her know how much he loved all of her. Her nails dug into his back, scraping their way down his skin.
Caleb lowered his head, trailing kisses down her throat to her breasts. Spending time on each one, he tormented her until a cry of pure frustration burst from her lips. Heading lower still, he pressed his mouth against the juncture between her legs. With a gentle nudge, he spread her apart, opening her to him.
Warm and musky, her scent filtered into his nose. His shaft jumped, eager to enter, stretch her, and fill her until she writhed beneath him, begging for more. Wet and slick, her folds glistened in the light. He blew on them, teasing her.
She gripped a handful of his hair in her hand and tugged him forward.
Caleb chuckled. “All in due time, my lucky falling star.”
He pressed his lips against her mound, taking his time, circling closer and closer to her folds and the firm nub at her core. She squirmed, and her grip tightened in his hair. The pain was just another form of pleasure. With a long sensual swirl, he tasted her for the first time.
A breathless cry tore from her lips. “Caleb…please.”
Slowly at first, then faster and faster, he licked her folds, circling his tongue over her taut nub. He couldn’t get enough of her, drinking her in. As he brought her to her climax, she shuddered against him, holding him close, her fingernails digging into his scalp. Her sheer unadulterated pleasure almost made him lose control. Caleb pulled away and flicked his tongue across his lips.
“Come here.” Adara’s voice was low, husky, full of contentment.
Caleb obliged and placed his knees on either side of her hips. His shaft jutted out over her abdomen, straining, painful, ready. The look in her eyes—happiness, longing, love—broke down his final barriers. He spoke before he had time to think. “My lucky falling star, you’re so beautiful. I want to be with you…” …forever.
He stopped himself before uttering the last word. Adara was a space trader. He wasn’t sure when he’d see her again. His chest ached, but he’d given her pleasure, shown her what she meant to him. That would have to be enough.
Caleb’s eyes twinkled, the blue so vibrant, Adara couldn’t look away. She caught her breath. Was this really happening? Almost every trip, she’d run into him at the pool. Although they hadn’t spoken, it was like they’d communicated with shy smiles and admiring glances. Now, she was here with him, and she’d enjoy every moment while it lasted.
Her gaze drew to his large, firm shaft, his heavy balls hanging below. The warm buzz from her orgasm still hummed through her, and she squirmed with anticipation of taking him deep inside. Adara wrapped her fingers around his erection and squeezed.
From his lips came a hiss of pure male frustration. She wanted to shout for joy that she could make him respond this way. Instead, she stroked her fingers down his shaft and cupped his balls.
“Adara, please…you tease me.” His words were rough, tortured.
Adara circled her nails among the fine hairs at his base before following the thin line leading to the deep ridges in his abdomen. Underneath his soft skin, the muscles in his chest tightened, hard as steel under her fingers. The strength in his body was no match for the toughness and compassion embedded in his eyes.
“Come here.” She tugged at his shoulders, bringing him toward her.
He placed his forearms on either side of her head and teased his fingers through her hair. His gaze roamed her face, as if soaking her in. That gorgeous smile that could melt panties formed on his face.
She was lost to him now. “Kiss me.” Her words came out husky even to her ears.
Caleb obliged, taking her mouth with savage force, claiming her. She gave in and let him take control. His erection, hot and firm, pressed hard against her thigh. Spreading her legs, she opened to him, and the tip of his shaft slid along her folds.
Adara gasped.
He stilled for a moment, apprehension lines creasing his brow. “Did I…hurt you?”
She kissed the corner of his delectable mouth. “Oh, no, not at all.”
That wicked smile of his tugged at his lips, burning itself into her memory. “Good, I’m glad.”
Shifting against him, she tried to draw him closer. He held her still, controlling their movements.
“Not so fast, not yet.” With deliberate slowness, Caleb eased his tip between her folds, the head of his shaft slipping inside then retreating, again and again. The sensation drove her insane with want and need.
She drew her nails up his back, encouraging him to proceed. The muscles in her legs trembled.
Caleb nuzzled her neck and kissed behind her ear. A shiver raced down her back, tickling the skin on her bottom. “Caleb, now, please.”
He eased in, inch by slow inch, filling her, stretching her every step of the way. She wasn’t sure she could take much more when he stopped. His kisses tickled her neck, making her shiver, and he eased into her, back and forth in a slow, steady rhythm.
Pinpricks of light formed in her vision. The orgasm started before she could stop it. She bucked against him as the waves hit. Caleb held himself still, letting her writhe on him again and again.
As the ripples subsided, one thought flitted through her mind—Nerves. Of. Steel. How he’d remained still while she came was a mystery. At last, he withdrew until only the tip teased her entrance, then with slow, careful intent he slid back inside.
She shuddered at the pleasure.
Caleb’s tempo increased, faster and faster with each advance. Underneath them, the bed creaked, matching the tempo thrust for thrust. When he looked at her, his blue eyes sparkled, and her heart broke apart, right then and there. I love him.
He stilled, holding her tight, and for the briefest moment, his shaft hardened even more. A cry burst from his throat as his seed spilled inside. Happiness like she’d never known filled her chest.
Spent at last, he rolled to his side and wrapped her in his embrace, spooning her next to him. He placed kisses along the back of her shoulder as he held her. Tears slid down her cheek, dampening the pillow.
Soon, she’d leave him behind, forced to uphold her part of the bargain with Captain Randall. Closing her eyes, she let herself drift into sleep, cradled in the arms of the man she loved.
Thirteen
Adara woke, and as she inhaled, Caleb’s warm scent filtered into her lungs. Draped across her waist his arm tightened. He tugged her close, and his firm erection pressed into her lower back. Warmth filtered into her chest. Gently, she rolled over to face him.
He didn’t wake.
Unable to resist, she studied him. A few stray hairs covered his eyes, hiding his face from her. With a gentle caress, she tucked them behind his ear. Dark, long lashes graced his chiseled features.
The way he’d made love to her, he’d held her as if she were the most precious thing in the universe. The warmth in her chest flooded lower, and as she stretched her legs, her muscles ached from all they’d done. After their initial intimacy, they’d made love twice more. A pleasant soreness beat at her core. She longed for another round, but her full bladder had other ideas.
As if sensing she was awake, he stirred. “Adara…wh…what…is…it?”
“I’ll be right back.” She tossed away the covers and retreated to the bathroom. After closing the door, she had a few moments to think. With a quick exhale, she thanked Cali for encouraging her to get the pregnancy inhibitor implanted in her arm.
A soft knock on the door. “Adara, are you okay?” His deep voice held a tinge of concern.
“I’m fine, Caleb. I’ll be out soon.”
A small beep—his personal device.
Footsteps from the bedroom. The swish of his swim trunks. He’d dressed.
She washed her hands and slid open the door. It rolled in the track, t
he sound as smooth and quiet as a small hovercraft.
“Hey.” The lid on his contact case snapped closed with a soft click. He placed the small canister in his pocket and slipped on his sandals.
“Are you leaving?” She bit her lip, hating the way her voice betrayed the angst in her heart.
Caleb’s gaze tracked over her shoulder then that tic started in his jaw. He was tense. “Got a message from Antoine. Says there’s an emergency meeting at the cabaret. All troupe members are required to attend.”
“I see.” She picked up her bathing suit top from the floor and slipped it on.
He handed her the bottoms from the dresser. She took them, and he held on to her hand, refusing to let go. “If I had my way, I’d stay here with you.”
Her heart beat double time. She shook her head. “You have to go. I understand. It’s not like I’ll be here much longer anyway.”
He released her hand.
She shoved one leg then the other through her swimsuit bottoms, using the material as a diversion from the pain ripping through her. Before she could react, he pulled her into his embrace.
He rested his chin on her head while he circled his fingers over her shoulder. “I don’t want you to leave.” His words were soft, heartfelt.
She gripped him tighter. Tears stung her eyes, threatening to spill over. “I don’t have a choice. When Randall is ready to leave, we go.”
He drew back to look at her, his gaze never leaving hers. “You don’t want to leave, so stay, please.”
“I…can’t.” She slipped away from his embrace, turning her back on him, turning her back on them.
A vision of Prius filled her mind. It had been her mother’s dream to see Prius graduate from the intergalactic medical school. Adara couldn’t abandon her sister now.
Caleb tugged on her shoulder. “Why?”
At his single word, she swiveled to face him. “I’ve taken care of my sister, Prius, since our mother died. Randall loaned me some credits so I could help her finish med school. My father and I both contribute, but it’s barely enough.”
He swallowed. “I’m sorry about your mother. I have some savings. How much do you owe your captain?”
“Eight thousand credits.”
A shadow crossed his features.
She placed her hand on his arm. “I wouldn’t ask you to help.”
He shook his head, his blue eyes locking onto hers. “I know, but I’d do it anyway, even if you decided not to stay. Unfortunately, I don’t have that much.”
Her heart melted at his sincerity. “You have to go to your meeting.”
He gripped her hands and studied her. “Adara, what would you do if you weren’t a trader?”
She stifled a laugh. “Does it matter?”
His gaze shifted between her eyes. “Yes, to me.”
Her throat constricted, and she struggled to breathe. After a long moment, she choked out the words. “I have an aunt who loves to sing. She is well-known and respected on Aluva, my home planet. I used to help her coordinate and handle some of the admin tasks she hated so much. I grew to love it. So, if I could, I’d…” She shook her head.
His grip tightened on her hands. “Wait for me here. I’ll come back.”
She pulled away, unwilling to meet his gaze. “I should check in with Cali.”
He caressed her cheek and placed his finger under her chin, encouraging her to look at him.
“W…will…y…you give m…me your c…contact info?” The reverence and determination in his gaze bore into her, breaking down her resolve.
She sighed. “Hand me your personal device.”
He held out his hand to her, the device ring on his finger expanding.
She brought his palm to her face, and let the scanner track her retina, downloading her contact info. “Ping me. If I’m still here, I’ll see you.”
He wrapped her in his embrace, holding her tight against him. His chest rose as he inhaled.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“Enjoying your scent. Committing it to memory.” He pulled back to look at her. “Are you sure you’re okay? No headache, dizziness?”
She smiled. “I’m fine.”
He scrutinized her again before kissing her one last time. As he turned the corner and strode down the short corridor to the entrance, she held her breath. The door opened on a soft whoosh then closed again.
Alone, she let the tears flow.
Fourteen
Backstage, Caleb leaned against his station and placed his booted foot on his chair. The musty scent of costumes in need of a wash infiltrated his nose. He glanced toward Antoine’s rack of clothes. He shoved the framework, rolling the cart and the outfits out of the way. Wheels squeaked in protest, but the offending smell dissipated.
Caleb wasn’t sure what was up, but Kenton’s message had sounded urgent. After stopping by his place long enough to grab a quick shower and change, Caleb made it here just in time.
Antoine approached, tension lines forming around his eyes. “Do you know what this is about?”
Caleb shook his head. “Nope, not a clue.”
“Something’s not right.” Antoine ran his hand through his blond hair. A tic pulsed in his jaw.
Huddled around their stations, other dancers talked in groups of two or three. Their voices melded together, rising through the backstage scaffolding. Good thing the cabaret didn’t operate during the day. This gave them a place to meet, to discuss whatever business was on Kenton’s mind.
Kenton huddled near the backstage curtain with Alicin, his promoter. He shrugged his shoulders and held out his hands, as if in supplication. She nodded then placed her arms around his neck, giving him a gentle hug. Beneath his thin shirt, the muscles in Kenton’s back visibly tightened. He held on for a long moment before releasing her.
The hair on Caleb’s arms stood on end. Antoine was right, this didn’t look good.
Kenton approached the group, his mouth in a firm line. “Attention guys, attention.” He waited for the group to settle. “I have news…news that will affect you all. My mother is ill. I must return to Horan, my home planet, to care for her.”
Gasps and “no’s” flew from the men.
Caleb’s pulse rose.
“Alicin,” Kenton glanced at her, “has graciously offered to accompany me.” His gaze returned to the dancers, tracking from one to the next. “This means that my position as lead dancer and spokesman is up for grabs. I had a long chat with management. They don’t have a clear successor in mind.”
He strode closer, walking past each man in turn. “I suggested a competition, let the audience crown the lead dancer of the Star-Studded Male Revue.” He smiled, a mixture of sadness and mirth playing along his lips. “They thought that was a fabulous idea, and not to be shared outside this room, they agreed to sweeten the pot with a prize of ten thousand credits.”
Caleb’s mouth went dry. Ten thousand credits were more than enough to pay off Adara’s debt. His chest lightened. She could stay here, with him. A vision flitted through his mind—the crowd cheering, him holding the crown, Adara by his side. This was the answer to keep her near him.
“The competition happens tonight. We’ll be there,” he gripped Alicin’s hand and kissed one of her shiny red fingernails, “to say our goodbyes, but I won’t dance. May the best man win.”
Dancers gathered in groups of two or three, their muffled shouts of excitement filling the room.
Kenton approached Caleb. With a slow wink and a nod, he leaned in. “Don’t bother, my friend. As much as I think you’re the best dancer of the lot, you couldn’t handle all the verbal requirements of the job.”
Adrenaline zipped through Caleb’s blood, fueling his anger. His fingers curled into a fist, but he resisted the urge to throw a punch. Kenton was a good man. He just didn’t know when to shut up. That Caleb hadn’t nailed the guy spoke of his growth, his ability to handle criticism. Thanks to Adara, he’d come a long way by having someone to think about
other than himself, but he was by no means whole.
“My contacts will serve me well.” Even as Caleb spoke the words, a tendril of doubt crept inside, burying itself in his psyche.
Kenton’s mouth curled into a smug grin. “Time will tell. Good luck.”
Alicin tugged on his arm, and he turned to face the other dancers. “See you tonight. May you be light on your feet.” They departed through the doorway and into the corridor.
Caleb’s jaw ached from tension. He rolled his shoulders, forcing his muscles to relax. Could he step up to the mic, address the audience? What about the cameras, the interviews, the promotions? He wiped his hand over his face.
Adara… Her beautiful smile, her soft features, her belief in him steeled his resolve. For you, Adara, anything.
Antoine slapped him on the back. “Hey, wake up. What’s going on in that mind of yours?”
Caleb shrugged. “Always a mystery, even to me.”
Antoine laughed. “I’m going to compete, but who do you think has the best chance to win? Fournier? Kyle? Marcus?”
Caleb evaluated the other men in a new light—the competition. One didn’t become a member of the Star-Studded Male Revue without some skill on the dance floor. Any one of them could win. No…I will win.
Antoine blinked. “Wait a deciton. Are you planning to contend for the title?”
Caleb studied his friend then read from his display. “You think I can’t win?”
“I…I never said that.” Antoine licked his lips.
“But…” Caleb crossed his arms.
Antoine shrugged and smiled, seeming to make light of the situation. “Well, it’s just that there’s a lot more to the job than just dance. You know…the promotion side.”
Caleb nodded. “I’m well aware of what the job entails.”
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