Deadly Dreams

by Averi Hope

  Great. “Well, have her contact me when she gets in.”

  His mouth twisted into a slight smile. “You can tell her in person. We’ll be joining The Odyssey halfway through her maiden voyage.”

  Her stomach twisted. When her father was in the vicinity, he treated her like a child. She’d be mortified for the crew to see her in such a position. For Caleb to see it. “Ahh…you know I’ll be working…” Her words trailed off. She didn’t want to anger him.

  His smile grew. “As will I. No need to concern yourself with keeping us entertained.”

  She nodded, some of her anxiety easing. The fact that her father wouldn’t be demanding her complete attention was a good sign. Hopefully, she could simply check in with them each day, without being smothered by them.

  “Have you reviewed the files of Lord Dry-fen and Ambassador Eupher yet?”

  Her heart began to beat faster and her palms grew sweaty. “Yes.”

  “Remember, this mission is different than usual. It isn’t just about entering their dreams; it’s about discovering the trail that leads back to Ahmed.”

  “Got it.”

  Although a reminder was the last thing she needed, she was dreading entering the minds of the two criminals with every fiber of her being. She’d be careful, as always, but that didn’t take away the risks. She could still be injured in the dreams, or even worse— end up brain-dead if she is killed within the dream.

  “Just don’t waste too much time.” Her father reached for the button on his screen. “Be safe.”

  Quite abruptly, the screen went black. She stared at it for a while. Her thoughts went back to the earlier conversation with her new captain. Why had he seemed more concerned with her safety than her father?

  She shivered, wrapping her arms around herself.

  And why do I have the sinking feeling this could all go terribly wrong?

  Chapter Nine

  Caleb awoke, panting and sweaty. His dream about Erin had been unlike anything he’d imagined before. He groaned as he felt his wet cock and boxers. Again? It’s as if I’m an untried youth.

  Rubbing at his face, he refused to get out of bed. His legs were still shaking. Why was it that even in his dreams sex with Erin was earth-shatteringly good?

  Even though you punished her.

  He froze, remembering how he’d chained her to the desk, stroking her womanhood into a frenzy as he eased into her ass. Keltairs were known for being passionate and powerful lovers, especially with their mates, but they also made sure to treat their females with kindness and respect.

  Was I kind to her?

  You made her come.

  Yes, but….

  He rubbed his face. Did it matter? It was just a dream. And yet, it did matter. It was important because it reflected his current state of mind. Right now what he wanted more than anything else was to punish Erin.

  You mean to have sex with her.

  No. Well, yes. He wanted her in his bed, but he could never allow it. If they had sex again, he knew the mating bond would tie them together forever.

  What he needed to do was punish her for breaking his heart, for striding back into his life at the worst possible time. He, a half Keltair, was actually a commander of a ship in the Earth fleet. He could not screw this up. But if Erin kept taunting him, adding fuel to the fire of his anger, he was going to explode. Which would ruin the calm, rational reputation he’d worked so hard to achieve.

  What am I going to do? Climbing out of bed, he threw his soaking boxers in the automatic washer and stepped into his shower. The cool water felt incredible over his skin. This was exactly what he needed when the little human female drove him wild: a cold shower.

  After showering, he dressed carefully in his deep green uniform and stared down at his pants. The entire uniform fit him perfectly, other than being a bit snug at the shoulders, but that was to be expected. With how much larger Keltairs were than humans, his uniforms always had to be tailored. But if Erin was going to continue causing him to walk around with a permanent erection, he was going to need pants with a little extra room in front. I’ll have to request some before the day is out.

  Adjusting the front of his pants, he rifled fingers through his dark hair and headed out of his room. The officers’ floor was busy with uniformed people, mostly humans, but also the odd alien here and there. Most gave him a nod as he walked past, while others had a familiar, wide-eyed oh God, he’s coming right at me! expression right before quickly looking away.

  Geez. If I was some blood-thirsty Keltair who wanted them dead, you’d think they’d know I would’ve done it by now.

  Or perhaps it’s just that you’re their commander, another voice reassured him. He hoped.

  As he hit the elevator, a familiar voice called out, “Commander Fallow!”

  He turned as Hunter hurried after him. “You’re up early.”

  His friend and head of security flashed him a smile. “You mean, I’m up late.”

  Caleb smirked. “That bad?”

  “Well…” He rubbed at his golden skin, his trademark silver Keltair eyes going a shade lighter. “Let’s just say not everyone is pleased with the fact that we allowed both a Vuret and a Drysalin on board.”

  Caleb scoffed. “Do they want to go back to having the two races as official enemies?”

  “I know, I know—“

  “We can’t allow a representative of every other species in the Alliance aboard for the maiden flight, except the two worst ones.”

  Hunter put up his hands in surrender as the elevator beeped and opened. “You don’t need to tell me. If the humans don’t like them, they shouldn’t ally with them.”

  They strode into the elevator, and Caleb hit the button for the floor with the food hall. “Keltairs would never align themselves with a species they despised.”

  Hunter cast him one of his obnoxious know-it-all looks. “Like we’re so happy with our alliance with the humans?”

  He drew himself up taller, although the fact that they were nearly of the same height made the gesture less intimidating. “We don’t despise them so much as—“

  “Find them obnoxious?” Hunter’s lips twisted into a rare smile.

  Caleb smiled back. “So why does having Lord Dry-fen and Ambassador Eupher on board result in you staying up all night?”

  Hunter gave a loud sigh, uncharacteristic of the large warrior. “The representatives of the other planets all want increased security, especially around their wives and daughters and sensitive cargo, which has created a bit of a logistical nightmare.”

  The elevator doors opened.

  “Breakfast?” Caleb asked.

  Would Erin perhaps already be there? He wasn’t sure what to hope for or how he’d respond to the sight of her.

  Hunter didn’t answer for a second. “Hard to turn down a meal.”

  “So is that a yes or no?”

  Like a Keltair would choose sleep over food.

  The warrior followed him out of the elevator. “A quick bite to eat, then sleep. Or at least a nap before this nightmare of a day begins again.”

  When they reached the food hall, it was already busy. Several ambassadors and diplomats were already seated at the circular white tables around the room. An entire wall of windows stared out at the stars, giving the room a tranquil feeling, even with so many bodies.

  Caleb and Hunter got in line and took their trays. A screen blinked at them with different options as they slid their porcelain trays along the dark marble countertops. Caleb selected a massive helping of bacon, sausage, eggs, and some Keltairian Burlock, which the computer deposited on a plate and he quickly took. His friend’s plate brimmed with a similar selection, although he’d taken three times as much Burlock.

  Seeing Caleb’s gaze, a slight smile returned to the Keltair’s face. “The one thing I missed about serving on Earth ships was our food. It’s nice that the ‘latest technology’ means we get something from our homeworld.”

  He looked at the dark
green meat, and his mouth practically watered. It was salty, fatty, and had the lingering taste of an exquisitely refined human cheese. New technology might not be all bad, after all.

  “That’s all you miss from home?”

  Hunter’s face darkened, and Caleb immediately regretted his question. Caleb at least had enjoyed a childhood on Earth. Hunter had lived with Keltairs all his life.

  His appetite fled at just the thought of what his friend had endured. Hunter said very little about it, unless he’d drank a little too much, but Caleb knew what it was like when the Keltairs saw a male who was obviously partially human.

  “I miss the Yertene Jell, too,” Hunter said, his voice taking on a humorous note.

  Caleb met his friend’s gaze, knowing he was trying to change the subject. “That stuff tastes like heaven, but doesn’t exactly sit well in my stomach later.”

  They both laughed as they reached the end of the line, and the humans in front of them stepped out of the way. Yertene Jell was one of the best-tasting desserts he’d ever had, but it was also something only Keltairs seemed to have a tolerance for. The first and only time he’d tried it…well, it’d been a long night after that.

  Choosing a table along the window, they sat together and ate in silence until most of their food was gone. At last, Hunter slowed his pace.

  “Do you want to discuss that awkwardness with the new lieutenant commander yesterday?”

  “Not really,” Caleb growled.

  His friend took another bite of eggs. “It must’ve been more than sex. I’ve never seen you that angry before.”

  Caleb clenched his fork, taking a deep breath. Are my emotions concerning Erin really so raw? “I nearly made her my mate.”

  His admission dropped into the room like a heavy stone.

  It took Hunter a long time to answer. “That must have been…interesting.”

  He dropped his fork, food suddenly holding no appeal. “I told her how I felt, and she informed me that she was looking for something more…casual.”

  “Ouch.”

  Caleb nodded, rubbing the spot on his chest that always hurt when he remembered that day.

  “Do you think she led you falsely, or was she just unworthy?”

  Caleb had asked himself that question many, many times in the dark of night when he missed her so badly it was a physical ache. Of all the torture and pain he’d experienced in his life, wanting Erin was one of the worst. Sometimes the loss of her was as sharp as the slice of a knife, while other times it was a gruesome pain, like someone twisting a knife that had long ago been embedded in his chest.

  He tried to tell himself she wasn’t worthy. Or that she’d lied. But it just didn’t feel right. ”Perhaps it just wasn’t meant to be.”

  Hunter nodded. “You’re lucky you were able to severe the connection in time.”

  “Yes,” he answered, too quickly. “I was.”

  “Good,” his friend responded more slowly. “Then as painful as it must be to see her again, you need to be careful.”

  Their gazes met and held. No male would wish for his friend to be forever tied to a female who could not love him the same way. Every male knew instinctively what a terrible life that would be.

  “I’m trying to, but the damned female just can’t seem to—“

  His gaze caught and held Erin as she strode into the dining hall. He’d hoped seeing her in her uniform would ease the need in his cock. He’d told himself that anything would be better than the tight, clinging material of her clothes from the day before.

  But he’d been wrong. Terribly wrong.

  Her uniform hugged every inch of her magnificent curves. The deep green button-up shirt strained around her large breasts. The standard uniform skirt didn’t look standard at all on her. It wrapped around her long legs like a second skin, stopping just above her knees.

  He swallowed. If that wasn’t bad enough, between her pale skin, black hair neatly pulled back, and emerald green eyes, she had the kind of beauty that would drive every other male wild.

  His manhood strained painfully against his too-tight pants. He shifted, but his cock only gave a desperate throb. Bury yourself in her. Spread your female’s creamy thighs and enter her slowly. Torture her as she tortures you.

  He shook his head and cursed. She’s not my female!

  “I don’t envy you,” Hunter mumbled.

  Caleb turned to find his friend’s gaze raking over Erin. “There’s more than one female on this ship, so consider her off-limits.”

  Hunter laughed and raised his hands in a gesture of surrender. “I might look, but I would never touch.”

  Caleb glared. “You sure as hell won’t.”

  Caleb forced himself not to watch Erin. He could not be drawn in by her seductiveness again. He’d eat quickly and leave. When he reached his office, he would send his lieutenant her daily schedule, and hopefully could go the entire day without seeing her.

  Yeah, right. Keep dreaming.

  When he’d forced himself to finish the last few tasteless bites on his plate, he gathered his tray and rose, with Hunter right behind him. But as he turned, he discovered the most improbable sight imaginable. One that stopped him short.

  Erin was eating breakfast with Lord Dry-fen and Ambassador Eupher. She can’t be this stupid. Both aliens were sizing her up as if she was dessert for the breakfast so blatantly displayed before them. Lord Dry-fen’s red eyes ran brazenly over her breasts, which seemed all the more inappropriate because he sat shirtless. Drysalins rarely saw the need to be clothed at all. Usually the wealthy had a slave or two sucking their cocks or rubbing their breasts over their master’s face, whether they sat in a busy room or by themselves.

  And Ambassador Eupher was no better. The half bull, half human stroked the brown hair on his hairy throat, the gesture disturbingly sensual as he eyed the gorgeous woman at the table. The creatures treated women like garbage, to use and throw away.

  These were the last two people Erin should be anywhere near.

  What the hell was she thinking?

  Slamming his tray back down, he stomped across the room toward her. The day had barely begun and already the little human female was making it clear she needed to be told exactly what to do. She needed to learn how to obey him, because obviously Erin simply couldn’t be trusted to make her own decisions.

  Her recklessness ends now.

  She would learn who was in charge, no matter how much he had to dominate her. Punish her. Spank her firm, little… damn it, he growled inwardly. I’m going to need another cold shower before the day is out.

  After I deal with Erin.

  Chapter Ten

  Erin dreaded sitting with the two disgusting criminals, but the better she knew them, the easier it would be to Dream Jump. Already, she was getting a clearer sense of who they were. Reading their files was helpful, but this is what she really needed if she hoped to stay safe during her mission.

  Which is exactly what she wanted.

  “So, Lieutenant Stowe,” Lord Dry-fen spoke her name with an intimate emphasis, “what does it take to become such a high-ranking female in the Earth fleet?”

  She forced a smile. “Hard work and a determination to be great.”

  The Drysalin patted his lips with a handkerchief, wiping away the green liquid he’d been sipping. “I hope my words aren’t meant as an insult, my dear, but I’d been told a woman had to know how to handle a cock to move so highly through the ranks.”

  Erin sighed internally. It’s good to know men of all species are pigs.

  “You’ve got the perfect cock-sucking mouth if I’ve ever seen one,” Ambassador Eupher grunted, staring at her lips.

  The things I do for my job.

  “Eupher!” Lord Dry-fen scolded. “Where are your manners? I apologize for my friend. He doesn’t associate with your class of women very often.”

  Erin hoped her complete and utter disgust wasn’t written all over her face, because she felt like it was oozing out of her. “No
need.” She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. “But to be honest with you both, I’ve done as much cock handling as the men in higher positions. You can decide on your own what that means.”

  The Vuret roared with laughter.

  “What the hell are you doing?” Caleb growled, his breath tickling her ear.

  She froze. She’d been aware of Caleb the moment she’d entered the dining hall. His presence was dominating. Even creatures like the Vuret, who rivaled her half Keltair in size, didn’t dominate a room the way Caleb did.

  But after her dream with him, she’d wanted some time to gather her thoughts and figure out how best to handle him. The last thing she wanted to do was get stuck in an argument with him before she’d even finished her morning coffee.

  Taking a deep breath, she forced another smile. “Gentleman, may I introduce you to Commander Fallow?”

  “Her superior officer,” Lord Dry-fen giggled.

  Caleb’s scowl deepened. “Morning. I’m sorry to interrupt your breakfast, but I need to confer with my lieutenant about an important matter.”

  Erin glanced up at him, rebellion in her eyes. “Of course, Commander, we were just talking about how you rose through the ranks so quickly.”

  “Oh, my!” Lord Dry-fen said, pressing a hand to his lips as another giggle exploded.

  Caleb glared. “And what exactly did she say?”

  Her eyes widened. “Only that you worked long hours, never stopping until the job was complete.”

  Now the Vuret’s booming laughter joined that of his friend.

  If looks could kill, she would’ve been dead.

  “Get up,” Caleb growled into her ear.

  She drained the rest of her coffee. “Thanks for sharing breakfast with me, gentlemen.”

  Striding out the door with Caleb at her heels, she felt a tiny flicker of regret. The last thing she’d wanted was to truly connect herself to the two criminals, especially at Caleb’s expense. But somehow, Caleb always brought out the worst in her.

  “Ready for The Odyssey’s launch tomorrow?” she asked him, nonchalantly.