“Good point.”
“If you’re thinking of sending me away, or hiding me out somewhere, forget it. I’m not running and leaving you vulnerable.”
Tyree’s heart softened. “I don’t want you to go. But I want you safe.”
“I have a suggestion,” John offered.
“What?” Tyree asked, willing to listen to any ideas right now.
“We set down on Wetran. Stay there. The four of us.” His gaze drifted to Sheera, who actually blushed in return.
Hanson’s suggestion surprised Tyree. “Just disappear?”
“Why not?”
“Wetran is a deserted planet. The climate is too volatile for normal colonization.”
“Which makes it perfect.”
Her thoughts raced, mulling over the possibility. “Why the four of us? Why give up your careers for us?” Her gaze switched from John to Sheera and back again. She could tell the two were in lust, but leaving their assignments seemed a drastic move.
“I could use a change.” Hanson raked his fingers through his mop of brown hair. “Besides, I’m an explorer at heart. I’d love to discover that planet’s hidden secrets.”
“It’s a green planet, Tyree,” Sheera added. “Water, dense foliage, as well as open land. Everything you’ve ever wanted. And it’s perfect for my research on natural healing.”
“And there’s no military presence in that sector either,” Adam tossed in. “It’s an interesting idea.”
“But unrealistic. I can’t just disappear. My brother would send his men to find me, and he’s not one to give up.”
“So, tell him,” Adam said. “He’s not going to turn us in. We have the last salvage. Let’s head directly back to Jenway as if nothing’s wrong, dock, tell the Ambassador what’s going on, pick up some supplies, and then head back out.”
After some thought, Tyree nodded. And finally she smiled as hope filled her. This could actually work. She hadn’t felt excited about her future in a long time. Now, finally, the freedom she craved was within reach. All she had to do was take the chance.
“Okay, let’s do it. Hanson, go to the command deck, tell the others I’ve decided we’re returning to Jenway, then head us home. Adam and I will prepare the salvage for transfer and do the reports, so nothing looks suspicious. Sheera, put together whatever we have on board here that we’ll need, anything that would look too suspicious to resupply. I don’t want our departure to look like we’re not coming back. We’ll move to a smaller, more manageable ship when we dock. I have my own personal ship at the station. After we leave, we’ll send a false distress signal, then cut communications. Everyone but my brother will think we exploded, or drifted into the Corian asteroid field or something else equally deadly. We’ll be declared dead and the case will be closed. This might really work.”
Sheera emitted an excited squeal.
Adam and John did some sort of male, hand slapping ritual. “Yeah!” they said simultaneously.
“We welcome your help and company,” Adam told the man. “Thanks for what you did for me and Tyree.”
“I did what I thought was right.”
Tyree smiled at Sheera. “Well, I see we’re all in agreement. I owe you my thanks, Sheera. You’re a good friend.”
The woman glanced briefly toward John, her green eyes sparkling. “I’m looking forward to the adventure.”
“Okay, then. Let’s move it.”
Epilogue
Tyree lay atop her bed, snuggled into Adam’s arms. “Everything is ready and in place. Do you think that fake evidence on Ridgeway will really fool the Space Patrol?”
“No, not for long. They’ll come back looking for us once they figure out we lied. But, with the Ambassador’s help, I think your plan will work.”
“I’m sorry tonight didn’t turn out as we arranged.” She rubbed his bare chest, tugging lightly at the hair there and pressed her breasts against him. Her nipples immediately hardened, and she sighed at the incredible feeling. “I was looking forward to those kinky toys.”
“Ah.” Adam chuckled. “Well, me, too.” He kissed her lips tenderly. “But I don’t think tonight’s the time for that. I do still want to make love to you, Tyree. Soft and slow. I want you close to me, in my arms, warm and safe, all night.”
“I’d like that, Adam. Um…” Confessions weren’t normally her style but she felt safe with Adam, physically and emotionally. She wanted to let him into her thoughts. “I was so scared when the patrol stopped us. I figured for sure you’d be—”
“Shh… Don’t. It’s over.”
She nodded, her emotions still raw. “You thought I was going to betray you, turn you over to them. Didn’t you?”
“Honestly, I wasn’t sure. I’m sorry I doubted you.”
“You never have to doubt me.” She chewed at her bottom lip. Time for another big step in her life. After a hesitant moment, she spoke again. “Adam?”
At her uncertain tone, a frown crossed his face. He caressed the back of her head. “What is it, sweetheart?”
Her heart pounded. She’d never said to a man the words she needed to say to him, here and now. “I’m… I’m falling in love with you.”
His eyes widened, then they gradually darkened with compassion and desire. He pulled her tighter against his body. One hand tangled in her hair and he kissed her gently, brushing his lips along hers. “Show me,” he whispered.
She smiled and leaned down to kiss and lap at his neck. She actually felt a tremor rack his body when her tongue touched his skin.
He didn’t say how he felt about her. But he must care, otherwise, he’d have taken off after the patrol left, to ensure his safety. He could disappear a lot more effectively without her, than with her.
“Get on top of me, Tyree. Now.”
She crawled on top of him and slid over his rock-hard cock. “Oh…” His penetration of her body felt like coming home, as if their joining was meant to be.
Steady and sure, she moved on him. Their gazes locked and held. He looked at her as if she belonged to him. And she liked how that felt. Her pussy tightened, hugging his cock.
“Tyree,” he whispered, his hips surging upward. His fingers curled around her thighs. “Ride me, baby.”
She never took her gaze off his as she increased her rhythm. She could see the pleasure in his eyes. He loved being ridden. “Your cock feels great inside me.”
His fingers tightened. “Tell me. Everything you’re feeling.”
She glided her hands slowly up her body and massaged her tender breasts, then tugged on her nipples. “You make me feel sexy, decadent—”
“Hot?”
“Yes.” She closed her eyes and bounced faster on top on him. “Oh…”
“Open your eyes, Tyree.” He groaned. “I need to see your beautiful eyes. Squeeze my dick with your muscles again.”
Her eyes fluttered open and she followed his instructions, needing to please him more than ever. All these feelings were so new to her. Her pussy held his cock tightly.
“Oh, yeah, that’s great! Tell me you love me, Tyree.”
Her pulse jumped. He knew the truth. She wasn’t falling in love with him, as she’d said. She had already fallen—hard. And she wasn’t going to deny it now. “I love you.”
“Again.” He pumped his hips fast and hard, pushing deep inside her.
“I love you.” She was close to losing control. Her pleasure escalated, coursing through her body.
“I’m going to come!” He groaned, and his semen shot into her.
“Yes!” She came hard, her body trembling with wave after wave of sheer ecstasy.
Adam pulled her down against his chest, holding her close to his heart. After their breathing returned to semi-normal, he whispered in her ear. “Tyree… I love you, too.”
What air remained in her lungs whooshed out of her, and moisture welled in her eyes. She couldn’t stop the tears from rolling down her cheeks. The words she’d longed to hear from him, he’d finally said. Not
hing else mattered.
“This is going to work between us, Adam.” He made her happier than she’d ever been in her life. Even if they had to run forever, he was worth it, as long as they remained together and he was safe.
“Yes. I’ll see to it, Tyree.” He held her close. “I won’t ever let anything tear us apart. I give you my word. Now, go to sleep. Late tomorrow we’ll arrive at Jenway Station and a new adventure begins.”
Tyree snuggled in his arms. Resting her head on his chest, she looked out the porthole into the vastness of space.
Soon Adam’s slow and steady breathing indicated he’d fallen asleep. She didn’t know what the future truly held for them, but she knew she’d made the right decision.
Adam 483, whether man or machine or a combination of both, had captured her heart.
About the author:
Ruth D. Kerce got hooked on writing in the fifth grade when she won a short story contest—a romance, of course. And she’s been writing romance ever since.
She writes several subgenres of romance—historical, contemporary, and futuristic. Her books are available online in many internet bookstores. Her short stories and articles are available on several websites. She has won or placed in writing contests and hopes to continue to write exciting tales for years to come.
You can visit her website at http://www.ruthkerce.com for free short stories and excerpts, or email her at [email protected]—she loves to hear from fans.
Ruth welcomes mail from readers. You can write to her c/o Ellora’s Cave Publishing at 1337 Commerce Drive, #13, Stow, OH 44224.
Also by Ruth D. Kerce:
Diamond Studs anthology
Xylon Warriors 1: Initiation
Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the multiple award-winning publisher Ellora’s Cave. Whether you prefer e-books or paperbacks, be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com for an erotic reading experience that will leave you breathless.
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Adam 483: Man or Machine? Page 8