“It seems you are right. But things are in our favor. If you are up for it, I say we pay the ambassador a visit now.”
She moved forward quickly and was halfway across the room when it hit. The world began to swim before her eyes. She reached out blindly and took hold of Ray’s arm, needing support.
“Chief? Are you well?”
Blackness threatened to win out over consciousness. She was able to give her head a shake, but it didn’t help.
“Here, breathe deep.”
She did, the musky odor from something Ray shoved under her nose filled her head. It took a minute, but her vision began to clear.
“Sorry. I haven’t been sleeping well. Guess it’s starting to take its toll on me.” She looked up and smiled her appreciation.
“You’re fortunate that I carry a few essentials on me.” He showed her a small vial that held several small rocks. The odor must have come from them. “The last thing this station needs is its chief of security passing out. Are you well enough to walk or would you like to wait until later?”
Haylie’s chest tightened as momentary panic flooded her at the idea. She needed to see Kamran now.
It took a second, but she managed to calm herself, “Not at all. We’re here and ready. Let’s go.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want you to push yourself.”
“Let’s go, Doc.”
Her feet moved her before her brain had registered what was going on. Ray silently kept pace beside her. When she snuck a quick peek at him, she could see the grim determination on his face. No wonder Sara had a crush on this man. They walked in silence through the bazaar and past the bars. Everything was quiet, with only a few humans milling about. The Briel had all but disappeared. Taber had told her their people mourned in solitude with prayer and song. It seemed strange yet beautiful at the same time.
The fact they were gone was probably for the best. The humans were becoming distrustful, and tensions were running high. Everyone was too scared or too busy with everything that had happened since the explosion.
Haylie frowned. “It’s too empty for this time of day. The night shift is usually unwinding right about now.”
“I heard that production is behind from an explosion in the mines. Something about a malfunction in the laser drill. Administrator Donaldson has requested that everyone pull double shifts. Which explains the massive amount of exhaustion cases we’ve seen in med bay over the past few days.”
She stopped to look at Ray. “How do you know this? Shit, I didn’t even know and I know most everything around here.”
“The Briel community on this station is small. We are close enough that we are all aware of most everything that goes on. I inquired as to the situation in the mines and what was the cause of my full med bay. They told me. Why?”
Good question. Haylie tucked her hair behind her ear and clasped her hands behind her back when she realized she was shaking.
“No reason. But you did answer my question as to how all the Briel on this station seem to know what is going on.”
“Glad I could help.” He smiled once more and led the way to the detention cells.
Something was wrong. The normally dull gray walls looked brighter. Halos outlined objects as she looked at them. She pressed her hand against the side of her head for a moment, easing the dull ache that had formed.
“I have a question, Chief. But don’t feel obligated to answer.” Ray’s deep voice was hushed.
Crap. “Yes?”
“Why are you doing this?”
The pressure in her head increased with each step she took closer to Kamran’s cell. “Going to the cell? I thought it was to help you get in the check your patient.”
Ray slid his hand around her arm to stop her. “I’ve noticed that you and the ambassador have spent a great deal of time together since your arrival on this station. Is there something going on between you?”
She almost blurted out that she was in love with Kamran. Almost. “I know your people have life mates and they are determined by biology. I will admit I am rather taken with your ambassador but, sadly, he said nothing will ever come of my infatuation.”
Ray looked long and hard at her before smiling. “I see. My apologies, then, Chief”
“Not at all. Let’s go see your patient, shall we?”
Warning bells were sounding loud in her head. Why the hell would Ray want to know unless he suspected something? Something must have shown up in her physical. The computers picking up something that Ray recognized. But what? And why the hell didn’t Sara warn her?
The last turn brought them face to face with a rather large pair of security officers, one Briel and one human. Haylie didn’t recognize the Briel, but she knew all of her people at this point. Still, it took her a minute to remember the lieutenant’s name. When this was done, she desperately needed some sleep.
“Hello, Lieutenant Roark, Officer. How are things here?”
“Chief.” Both men nodded a greeting to her.
Roark brought his hand up. “I’m going to have to ask you to stop there, Doctor.”
“Is there a problem?” Haylie clasped her arms behind her back and widened her stance. She hated doing this to her people. They’d grown close as a team in a very short period of time.
“We’re under strict orders not to let anyone in to see the ambassador. The doctor has been down here once already today.”
“I’m merely concerned about the welfare of my patient. I’d be more than happy to stay out here if someone would take some readings on his vitals,” Ray said and pulled out some sort of medical device.
She straightened ever so slightly. “Who gave these orders? And I’m assuming that restriction doesn’t pertain to me.”
This time it was the Briel officer who answered. “Of course not, Chief. And it was Administrator Donaldson. He said he wanted to make sure the ambassador was safe from everyone before his trial. For some reason, the council agreed. I don’t think they fully trust that Taber won’t free the ambassador.”
Haylie heard Ray mutter something under his breath in Briel. She was going to have to learn their language. When she looked over at him, annoyance was etched on Ray’s face.
“Yes?”
When he looked at her, he smiled, clearing away any trace of what he was thinking. “Nothing. I was thanking our lucky stars the ambassador still has some friends. Taber’s reach is quite far and very protective when it comes to his friend.”
She would have to remember that and thank Taber later. “I will go in with the doctor to ensure there are no problems. If one of you would like to accompany us, that should prevent any accusations of mistreatment of the prisoner.”
The two men looked at each other, then back at Haylie. The lieutenant stepped to the side. “You’re the boss, Chief. He’s in the third detention cell.”
He punched in a code and the doors slid open, allowing them to step in before they closed smoothly, the magnetic seal sucking shut behind them. They were forced to wait to let the computer scan for weapons or other concealed items. The scanner beeped the all clean and they were on their way.
Roark led them down the hall to the third cell. The walls possessed an even more institutional feel to them than the rest of the station. The thick gray concrete radiated coldness. The surface was completely smooth, only the occasional electrical console jutted out. There was no mistaking this for anything but a prison. She remembered the schematic and knew there was only one way in or out.
And Kamran was trapped here.
They stopped in front of the closed cell door. The door was solid with a single, small one-way window in the center. Haylie felt Kamran’s pull from inside the cell and felt his surprise. It was odd, but it wasn’t until she was this close to him that she could feel what he was thinking. Their bond had weakened considerably in the past few hours.
Something wasn’t right with that.
Roark released the security lock and opened the door. Haylie stepped into th
e room first. “Good evening, Ambassador.”
Haylie’s breath caught when she finally saw him. Kamran’s normal impeccably clean appearance was now disheveled as he lay in bed. His pitch black hair refused to lie flat against his head, giving him a boyish tousled look. But it was his eyes that stopped her short, being anything but boyish. The silver blue burned as his gaze slinked over her. He was pissed.
When she looked more closely, she realized that his wrists were restrained. Who the hell would do this to him?
“Hello, Chief.” His voice was thick, sounding unused.
She swallowed the lump that had mysteriously formed in her throat. No emotion, keep this professional. “I’m sorry I wasn’t able to come down sooner. I was reviewing the evidence against you.”
“Are you involved with my case?”
“Officially? No.”
“Unofficially?” His eyes darted to the others.
Haylie needed to be alone with him. “Doctor, if you could conduct your exam quickly, I think it might be best for you to spend as little time as possible here.”
“Agreed. Ambassador, this won’t hurt a bit.”
Ray stepped forward and began to scan Kamran, his data pad making various blips and bleeps. He frowned for a second before pulling out an injector.
“What the hell is that?” Roark spoke from the hall.
“Nothing to worry about. I want to help boost his immune system.”
Before Roark could protest further, Ray pushed the injection into Kamran’s neck, took a step back and smiled.
“I’m done. Thank you. I will leave you to your rest.”
The lieutenant spoke up from the hall. “Let me escort you out, Doctor. Chief?”
“I’m fine. I have a few questions I’d like to ask the ambassador. Please see that we’re not disturbed.”
“Yes, Chief.”
As the two men walked away, Haylie reached over and tripped the sensor on the door. It closed with a thud behind her. With the distractions gone, Haylie found she was finally able to relax. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
She was here with him. Finally.
“Haylie.” His voice was thick with emotion.
Her eyes opened and she was faced with the man she loved. She couldn’t help it. Despite her protests, resistance and denials, she couldn’t deny how she felt. The ache returned to her head and she had to move to the bed and brace herself against the edge to hold herself up. This was too much.
“Why are you here? You’re going to get hurt and there will be nothing I can do to stop it.”
She chuckled. “I’ve never needed protection before. I doubt I need it now. I’m worried about you.”
“You’re not feeling well. You should let Sara check you over.” He moved his arms in a failed attempt to reach for her. He swore loudly in his own language. “Can you remove these?”
“Why did they tie you down?”
She reached for his arm and let her fingers brush lightly against his skin. The temptation to remove the restraints was laced with the desire to leave him like this. Knowing he was at her mercy was strangely arousing.
At the brief contact between them, Kamran sucked in a breath. Haylie felt the same jolt that had surely passed through him. Images of them locked together, screaming in a mind-blowing climax blinded her. Her knees weakened and she dropped her full weight against the edge of the bed.
Her vision cleared enough to see that Kamran had felt it too. He swallowed hard but he didn’t look away from her.
“It is meant to humiliate the prisoners as much as it is for security. Though they normally don’t bind people to beds. Let me up.” His breathing was ragged.
Without thinking, she reached over and ran her hand over the sheet. She felt his leg muscles tense at the contact, vibrating with strain. He was at her mercy. And damn her if she didn’t like it.
“Haylie?”
“They knew you needed bed rest, that’s why they have you in bed. I wouldn’t want to you exert yourself and end up back in the med bay. I think you should stay here.”
His groan filled the room as she caressed the base of his cock. She ran her finger around the thick shaft before cupping his balls in her hand. His flesh pressed tightly against the thin cloth, tenting the material.
“What are you doing?” He sounded far away.
“Interrogating the prisoner. Do you have any problems with that, Ambassador?”
“Only if you stop.”
Her laugh was deep, throaty. “I’m not into torture.”
Haylie leaned forward and took the tip of his cloth-covered cock into her mouth. She could taste him though the fabric. His heated sweat seeped through and onto her tongue. Kamran swore again.
She nipped his tip lightly with her teeth and pulled back.
“Then again, torture does have its pleasures.”
Chapter Thirteen
Kamran felt the blood drain from his face and rush into his cock. He was completely powerless to prevent her from doing anything. What he couldn’t tell was if the sudden rush of excitement he felt was coming from him or her.
It took help from all of the goddesses to make his voice work. “What has gotten into you?”
“Hopefully you in a moment,” she said coyly.
As before, images of what she wanted to do to him jumped into his mind. Her mouth on his cock, her breasts in his hands, his mouth on her pussy. Her scent was suddenly surrounding him. Five minutes earlier, he had barely recognized that she was standing in the same room as him, now his senses had kicked into overdrive.
Slowly, she pulled the thin blanket back from his body. The air was cool as it touched his skin. He had been stripped of his own clothing and dressed in a prisoner wrap tunic. Traditionally, it was meant to shame and degrade, barely covering the accused. Practically, it also prevented prisoners from concealing weapons.
For Kamran, it couldn’t hide his arousal, his shaft poking through the opening of the tunic and up against the sheet. His heart was pounding madly and his skin tingled in anticipation of her touch. Their thoughts mingled and Kamran could feel her restrained emotions. She was holding back something, but he couldn’t tell what.
Haylie slid the synthetic material slowly over the tip of his cock, caressing the sensitive skin until he came close to bursting. With a final tug, she flipped the sheet free of his body. His arms were bound down by his sides, but his feet had been left free.
He shivered half a second before he felt her warm fingers touch his chest. He didn’t remember closing his eyes, but he must have. Otherwise he would have been prepared when her mouth descended onto his nipple.
Her wet tongue circled slowly around the now erect nub. He could feel her hair tickle his skin as she moved her head. Had it been pulled up? He couldn’t think when she was doing that. She pulled her mouth back, but not her hair. The silken strands moved across his chest and stomach as if they took on a life of their own.
“How have you been feeling, Ambassador?” Her voice sounded husky.
He kept his eyes closed and swallowed. “Say my name.” He didn’t intend it to sound like a demand, but he was past caring.
Her hair left his stomach and relocated to his face. He could feel her above him. But still he kept his eyes closed. Her breath was warm against his ear.
“Kamran.”
He sighed as she sucked his earlobe into her mouth and ran her tongue around the outer ridge of his ear. There was only the single point of contact between them and he strained against his bindings once more, desperate to touch her. He wanted to possess her but couldn’t. The frustration ate at him, pulling out a growl from deep down.
“Have they hurt you?” Her breath was warm on his face.
Kamran turned his head, rubbing his lips against where he knew hers would be. Soft heaven. He ran his tongue over her lips before plunging it deep into her mouth. He could feel her desperation as her mouth opened wide, devouring him. He could taste it, smell it on her skin. His tongue found
hers, the intimate caress stoking his desire higher.
She pulled back a fraction of an inch out of his reach.
“Open your eyes.” It was her turn to demand.
He did. Concern, desire and some emotion he didn’t recognize were clear on her face. She brought the back of her hand up and stroked his cheek.
“Did they hurt you?” Her voice was soft.
He turned his face, strengthening the physical contact between them. “No. I’m fine.”
He kissed her palm. She flexed her hand wide as he ran his tongue over the flat surface. He traced a pattern of the deep lines that covered the surface.
“Did they tell you anything?” she asked, her voice rising barely above a whisper.
He heard the tremor in her voice. She needed him as badly as he did her. He brought his knee up so it touched the outside of her thigh. Haylie looked at the contact before her eyes darted over to his painfully hard shaft.
“You can’t make me say another thing, Chief.” He smiled and hoped he looked playful.
Most likely, he only looked pathetically horny and unable to do a damn thing about it.
Straightening slowly to her full height, Haylie placed her hands on her hips. She looked at the door, chewed on her bottom lip for a fraction of a second before returning her gaze to him and smiling. It was a slow, mischievous grin.
“I have ways of making you talk, Ambassador.”
His innards did a flip of anticipation. She was so beautiful, embodying everything he wanted so perfectly he ached for her. But he would have to wait for his prize. Despite her earlier words, she seemed more than willing to engage in sensual torture. Taking a single step backward, she was now out of reach of even his knee. He was able to easily see her body and for the first time he really looked at her.
She couldn’t be on duty. She was wearing her uniform pants, but the black, form-fitting shirt she had on was hardly standard issue. The material stretched seductively over her rounded breasts, leaving little to the imagination. Jealousy stabbed at his gut, causing him to ball his fists. Other men had seen her like this.
The Bond That Ties Us Page 18