His pupils had widened, the gold flecks gone from sight. He smiled. With one finger, he traced the curve of her cheek.
“Did I hurt you?”
“No!” She kissed him. “It was so good. So precious.” She sniffed. “It made me happy.”
“I'm glad I could give you what you wanted.”
“Oh, Senth!” She kissed him. “I wanted you. Only you.” She nestled her head against his shoulder and curled beside him, her arms wrapped around him.
Pounding at the door made them both jump.
NarrAy wiped her eyes. “Who is it?”
“Colonel O'Venna, Captain. Open up. Hurry!”
She and Senth shot to their feet, rearranging clothes as they did. They exchanged a look of relief the knock had not arrived moments earlier.
NarrAy opened the door.
“Here.” The Sleeper handed her a slip of paper. “This is what the cryptographers deciphered from the locket you retrieved. Do you have any idea what it means?”
Sugar is sweet. NarrAy set a hand over her heart. “But, I thought the locket held a key to their technology. Their formula. Their secret.”
“Instead…” the Sleeper tapped the paper with a finger, “it's some riddle. Does this mean anything to you? Anything at all?”
She read it aloud. “'Sugar is sweet.' I have no idea what it—Oh no. No.” She sank onto the bed. “She wouldn't have. Surely not.”
“Captain,” O'Venna's voice carried a warning. “If you know anything…”
“What is it, NarrAy?” Senth stooped beside the bed. “What's it mean?”
“There's a holopic of my father right after my folks found out they'd been approved to conceive a Better.” NarrAy lifted the paper with a weary hand. “Me. Mom had this corny poem micro-etched on the bottom of it. 'Sugar is sweet. Babies are too. Our little girl will be like you.' She designed me as a female replica of my father, but she always wanted me to act like him, too. She could never understand why I didn't follow him into science the way she had.”
The Sleeper pointed to the paper. “You're saying their secret is hidden inside a holopic?”
“Yes. I'm afraid so. Most likely as some kind of code. She must have feared the locket would fall into the wrong hands.” She turned to Senth. “And the holopic…”
He hit his forehead in dismay. “Oh, no!”
“Oh, yes.” She crumpled the paper in her hands. “The holopic is back in the warehouse on Tarth.”
Chapter Eleven
Imperial Armada Ship Vandal
Captain's Ready Room
Senth sat beside NarrAy facing the Sleeper. Now that the ship had rerouted to Tarth, all that needed finalizing was a disguise.
“The best cover is to hide in plain sight.” Senth swiveled his chair toward NarrAy. “They'll be looking for a Better and a HalfKin. We shouldn't disappoint them.”
Her elbows rested on the arms of her chair, fingers steepled before her. “Is this more of your union protocols?”
“No, good advice from … well, two uncles of mine. If we make it obvious what we are, then it'll look like we're obviously not what they're looking for.” He tilted his head. “Does that make sense?”
“In a crazy sort of way, yes. But we'll need different IDs.”
“Not a problem.” The Sleeper clasped his hands in front of his mouth. “One thing is certain, Destoiya won't be expecting you to hit the warehouse again.”
“Let's hope not.” Senth tossed his head. “If she's expecting us this time, we're done for.”
* * * *
Tarth, Tarth City
Empire Central Starport
An unmarked shuttle dropped them at the lunar station orbiting Tarth, and Senth and NarrAy took a local down to the planet. Inside the starport, they collected their bagbots as if arriving from an interstellar flight.
NarrAy more than looked the part of a Better. She had used a temporary red rinse on her hair, and wore it down, over her shoulders. Unlike most Betters, NarrAy didn't flaunt her body, so when a human officer her size offered to let her use pieces from her sexy off-duty wardrobe, NarrAy took full advantage.
Walking through the starport in stiletto-heeled white leather boots was a lot harder than she'd thought it would be. The white leather skirt almost covered the essentials, and a plunging V-necked white leather vest was held together in front only by a few links of silver chain.
She ignored the possibility that the vest might burst and kept moving, allowing her full breasts to sway and bounce.
She couldn't resist a peek back at Senth.
Managing the bagbots on his own, he kept up with her like a good little pet. The streaming red silk scarf tied around his waist fluttered against tight black pants that outlined every hard curve of his thighs. His filmy, open-chested silk shirt managed to make him look masculine despite the array of multi-gemmed necklaces he wore. Bracelets adorned each wrist.
As they waited at customs, he lifted one heavily ringed hand to re-tuck several strands of hair back into the decorative metal clasp holding it. The gesture displayed his pectoral muscles to good advantage, and one of the agents inspecting their passcards gave him a long speculative look.
“Tiger.” NarrAy snapped her fingers.
Senth immediately played along. He came toward her, hands behind him. “Yes, mistress?”
“That agent likes your looks.” NarrAy pointed to the flustered woman behind the counter. “Are you available to her?”
Senth's sexy feline smile showed itself, but he did not so much as glance at the agent. “Only to you, mistress.”
NarrAy picked up one of his necklaces and wound it around her fist to drag him up against her. “See that you remember that before you decide to show off.” She planted a kiss on his mouth and pushed him away.
Turning to the thoroughly embarrassed woman, she wagged her fingers. “If you're through playing with my ID?”
She slapped the card into NarrAy's hands and shot one last glance at Senth.
As soon as they were out of earshot, NarrAy whispered, “You played that perfectly.”
He picked up one of his necklaces and rubbed it between finger and thumb. “Why, thank you, mistress.”
“Behave.” She swatted him on the rear, and let her hand linger a moment. “And wipe that smirk off your face, loverboy.”
He made a kissing sound and pursed his lips.
They had reached the ground transportation mall when Senth's bagbot beeped three times and turned itself off.
NarrAy turned back when Senth stooped down to restart it. “What's wrong with it?”
“I don't know.” He clicked its reset button a few times. “It won't come on. I think maybe I messed it up when I…” He glanced up at her guiltily. “You know.”
“Well, drag it then.”
“Okay. Sorry.”
He extended its handle and pulled it behind him.
When they reached the limo rental counter, the bagbot beeped and reactivated itself. “Damage not covered by warranty,” it announced. “Weight limit exceeded.”
“What's this?” the rental agent asked, peering over the counter.
“Just a little bot trouble.” NarrAy slid her foot against Senth's and plastered a smile across her face. “Turn it off, Tiger.”
He knelt to take care of it.
“Weight limit exceeded,” the bagbot persisted. “Damage not covered by warranty. Weight limit exceeded. Damage not covered by warranty.”
“I said, 'turn it off',” NarrAy said aside to Senth. She smiled at the agent.
“I'm trying. It won't disengage!”
“What are you carrying in your bot?” the agent asked. “Security regulations prohibit overweight bots.”
“Weight limit exceeded. Damage not covered by warranty.”
“It's only clothing. Nothing heavy at all.” NarrAy braced an arm beneath her bosom, half-exposing herself to distract the agent. He never noticed. All the rental places in here and I have to pick one manned by an andr
oid!
She nudged Senth's foot with her boot. “Do something!” she whispered.
“I'm trying!” Senth was tugging at the unit. “I can't get the battery out.”
“Weight limit exceeded. Damage not covered by warranty.”
“Ma'am, I need you to open the bot, please.” The agent signaled a security officer.
A silver copbot glided toward them on silent, well-oiled wheels, slapping a nightstick against his palm. “What seems to be the problem, ma'am?”
“Weight limit exceeded. Damage not covered by warranty.”
“Our bot malfunctioned, Officer. It's nothing. Just a misunderstanding.”
“Weight limit exceeded. Damage not covered by warranty.”
Senth hit the bot on the side. “Shut up, you stupid machine!”
“Sir!” The copbot aimed his nightstick at Senth. “Step away from the bagbot.”
“It's just…” Senth whacked it again, “—stuck or something.”
“Weight limit exceeded. Damage not covered by warranty.”
“I said, step away from the bagbot.” The copbot's arm extended. His hand clasped Senth's shoulder. “Do not strike it again.”
Senth shook off his hand. “Why? Are you its brother?”
NarrAy covered her eyes. This isn't happening.
Antenna shot out the top of the copbot's head. “Summoning backup.”
Senth's fist connected with the base of the bagbot, and it beeped twice and went silent.
“Finally.” NarrAy held out a placating hand to the copbot. “You see, Officer? Just a malfunction.” Please, God, don't let them make us open this thing. If they find Senth's cloak, we are in serious trouble.
Senth brushed off his pants as he stood.
At that moment, the bagbot emitted a shrieking alarm and started turning in circles. “Tampering detected!” it warned loudly. “Suspicious activity logged. Summoning owner.”
The remote in Senth's pocket alarmed.
Frick and frack! NarrAy resigned herself to waiting for the trio of officious copbots gliding their way. I wonder if it's too late to try to run in these heels?
* * * *
Tarth, Tarth City
Conqueror's Offices
Rheyn Destoiya straightened her uniform as Alitus returned her desktop to its usual order. He gathered the completed paperwork from the floor and gave her one last kiss before he bowed. At the door, he made a kissing motion her way, and mouthed two words. “Thank you.”
“Mmh, thank you, darling.” She blew him a kiss.
Destoiya opened a closet door and checked herself in the mirror. She chose a different lipcolor from her palette and slid the wand across her lips. Within a few seconds, her lips darkened to the redder shade. A few touches evened it out. She stroked a hand over her upswept hairstyle.
Still more pepper than salt. Just like your love life. She smiled at the analogy. And not a hair out of place. Why would there be? Alitus does all the work.
With a satisfied smile, she shut the closet door and returned to her desk as Prentice entered the room.
“Your scoot has been recovered, Your Majesty.”
“When and where?”
“This morning, abandoned in a dock at Sanity IV.” The android handed her a note reader. “Security has been scouring the area for intruders. Nothing yet.”
“Any evidence on board?” She thumbed through a few screens.
“DNA sweeps showed the usual APLA suspects, the fugitives, and one other person.”
She tossed the note reader on her desk. “Who?”
“Praetorian Stealth Keheyl.”
Destoiya slammed her fist on the desktop. The note reader bounced and hit the floor, and she sent it skidding across the carpet with a fierce kick.
“If Ruffhaus Fasra wasn't so perfectly cat-like, I would call her a bitch!”
Prentice retrieved the note reader and slipped it into a pocket.
She leaned over the wooden desk, bracing her hands against it. “I should never have crossed her, Prentice. It was a mistake to insist on possessing her brother. The Praetorians I sent went way too far.”
“The other Praetorians agreed with you on that. They didn't blame you.”
“Ruffhaus did.” Destoiya hugged her arms around herself. “It won't matter to her that her comrades brought them all to justice. She blames me for siccing them on him. If Stealth convinces any more Praetorians to rebel, it could cost me everything.”
The android made no verbal response; his expression sufficed.
“I know.” She turned from him. “I had no choice, but I can't help feeling this is the beginning of the end.”
* * * *
Tarth, Tarth City
Empire Central Starport, Customs Security
Under the watchful gaze of four Starport copbots, NarrAy sat beside Senth in a glass-enclosed room. On a table in the center, two human workers went through every item in their bagbots.
Did I bring anything that could identify me? Did Senth? What about his cloak? She chewed her lower lip.
Senth pressed his mouth next to her ear, so only she could hear him speak. “I'm your pet, remember?”
She shivered at the warmth of his breath against her earlobe. How could she forget? He was right. She could not afford to blow their cover. But touching him would have consequences for them both.
With their runaway sexuality, Betters often fondled their pets in public. Though law enforcement frowned on outright sex or nudity most of the time, the outrageous behavior of Betters drew nothing more than a few curious onlookers.
NarrAy pressed her teeth into her lower lip as she raked her nails down Senth's abs. His stomach muscles flinched under the tickle in a way that made her want to scratch him everywhere.
He surprised her by scooting closer in the chair, sliding down until his cheek rested against her breast. She felt the heat of his breath on her skin, where her nipple strained for release against the skimpy top.
She gritted her teeth. It's an act, NarrAy, only an act. Her body wasn't in on the joke. Her clit twitched. She stretched out one leg, pressing her thighs together, and felt the seep of moisture. He's making me so damn wet…
Senth draped a hand over her closest leg. She almost squealed when he slid the hand up her thigh and squeezed.
Oh, you naughty boy. You are going to pay for this.
Twirling a length of his dark and lustrous hair around her fingers, she gave it a light tug. He grinned. She pulled harder, until his grin faded and his hand loosened.
“Remember,” she whispered, “who is in control here.”
He patted her thigh.
“That's right.”
She slid her fingers along his jaw line, down his chin and along his throat, into the front of his shirt. When she rubbed a thumb across one of his nipples, she heard a catch in his breath.
You like that, do you? Well, well.
It had been four days since his last dose of Shackle. How much could he respond? She trailed her fingertips inside his shirt, just under the waistband of his pants. His shoulders stiffened. Wonder if anything else did? She moved her hand along his side, up and over his other nipple. When she brushed across it with her palm, it hardened.
Senth squirmed.
Oh, yes. You like that. She cupped her hand under his chin and tilted back his head, bending to reach his mouth with hers. Wait till you see what else I have planned for you.
His lips parted as he pressed up into her kiss.
So open. So willing. Oh, Senth. Her tongue explored his eager mouth. Heat pooled between her legs as she savored him.
“Ma'am. Ma'am?”
NarrAy surfaced into awareness as someone touched her shoulder.
One of the copbots was holding out a note reader. “Your papers are in order, ma'am,” he said, when she took the reader. “Your bagbot seems to have malfunctioned. You should have it repaired.”
“Oh.” NarrAy stood, pulling her vest closed as best she could. “Thank you.”<
br />
“You're free to go. One of the officers is arranging for your limo. Sorry to have kept you waiting.”
“No problem.”
The bagbots were turned on and activated. NarrAy went to the door without a backward glance.
“Bring those, will you, Tiger?” She glanced over her shoulder as she headed for the exit.
Neither said a word until they were seated in the limo and the privacy screen had been activated.
NarrAy sat back and sighed with relief. “I was petrified they were going to find your cloak.”
“If those copbots had found it, I'd have had to prove I had rights to it or be arrested. To be safe, I left it on the ship. That officer who loaned you clothes is going to ship it home for me. The hotel is owned by the Guild, so I can get anything I want by talking to the concierge.”
“That was good thinking.”
“I thought so.”
Neither of them spoke. After a few minutes, Senth slid his hand under hers, and squeezed it twice.
She turned to find his eyes blazing with passion.
NarrAy's breasts tingled as her pheromones let down. For the first time, she saw Senth really react. His nostrils flared, eyes widening. When he reached for her, she climbed onto his lap facing him, knees on the seat, arms around his neck.
Their mouths connected in a searing kiss.
NarrAy claimed his mouth with hers, wanting him closer to her, wanting herself closer to him. Her fingers tangled in his hair; clutched and held him as their tongues thrust against each other.
She pushed open his shirt and slid her mouth over his throat. “Tiger, baby. I want you hot.”
His hands heated her waist. The delicious warmth from them moved across her ribs.
She unlinked the chain holding her vest together and pulled it apart, freeing her breasts.
His mouth made an O of surprise and delight.
When he reached for her and hesitated, a look of worship in his eyes, she cupped a hand under each breast and offered them to him.
“Touch me, Senth. Handle me. I want you to.”
The fingers that worked such magic on impossible locks caressed her as if she were the most fragile of creatures instead of one that wanted to ravish him. His fingertips brushed softly across her nipples, his thumbs rubbing them with gentle, upward strokes. The softness of his hands and his gentle touch made her want his hands everywhere.
At the Mercy of Her Pleasure Page 10