Charming the Snake

by MaryJanice Davidson, Camille Anthony, Melissa Schroeder

  The hot water relaxed her muscles but not her mind. It was jumping from one thing to another, and she really didn’t know if she’d ever get anything straight. She knew her ex was involved in this someway... but how? It wasn’t helping to have Brady around, tempting her at ever turn. When he’d shown the slightest of possessive feelings, she’d felt an undeniable thrill. Which was not good. She was her own woman. She didn’t need a man to be complete and happy.

  Of course, there’d been a time she’d been happy to give it all away, her freedom... her independence, to be near Brady. She’d always been the one to walk the straight and narrow. There had been once or twice...

  “Libby, for once in your life do you think you could forget the rules?”

  Brady was frowning at her again. He always did when she pointed out what he wanted to do was slightly illegal. And it was happening more and more these days.

  “Forgetting the rules could land you in confinement. You know how the Obiscian are about their segregation laws. And we are not allowed to drink here. There are laws forbidding it.”

  He crossed his arms and stared at her. Those blue eyes sparked with defiance, and his frown deepened. It should piss her off that he was even thinking of doing this. Breaking into a store to grab a bottle of wine, in a sector of town they were forbidden to be in. But all she could feel were the telltale signs of excitement heating her blood. Her pulse accelerated, her nipples hardened. Dammit, there was something really wrong with her if she got off on this kind of thing. She was not a thrillseeker.

  “Come on, Libby, live a little.”

  She ground her teeth at her father’s familiar saying.

  “I live. I live to pick up the mess you and my father leave behind.”

  He rolled his eyes. “I think you’re afraid.”

  “That’s not going to work this time, Brady.”

  “Really?” He quirked one eyebrow, and his full lips turned up into a seductive smile. “Maybe you’re right. You’re not afraid.”

  She nodded, but she knew better than to trust his placating tone.

  “I mean, all we’d be doing is sneaking into town, grabbing a bottle of wine. Nothing to be afraid of.”

  “I’m not afraid. I’m smart.” But with each sentence, he was chipping away at her resistance. She could feel it slipping out of her grasp.

  “Smart. You’re sure that. Of course, you’d have to be pretty intelligent to figure out that you couldn’t do it.”

  “What?”

  “You can’t do it. I mean, I know I could get in there and out without being detected. You must know that you’d be the liability.”

  Even though she knew what he was doing, it was hard not to rise to the bait.

  “I can do it. I just don’t want to.”

  He chuckled as he began to walk around her. “Of course you can. I mean, I know that I can do it, get out free, but you must think that you’re lacking in some way.”

  Indignation had her talking before she could think. “I can do it.”

  “No, Libby, I think you should stay behind. Don’t want to be a liability to me, get me in trouble.”

  Her anger soared. She knew what he was doing. Knew it all by heart because it worked all the time, but Libby couldn’t stop her mouth. “Shut the hell up and let’s go.”

  An hour later, with the militia on their tail, Brady led her down a series of alleys until they knew they had made it out without being identified.

  Both of them were laughing so hard, they could barely breathe. Brady lifted her with one arm; his hand held the cheap bottle of wine they’d set out to get, and he smacked her on the lips.

  She laughed louder, thinking she’d never felt that free.

  The bathroom door opening brought her back to the present. Brady opened the stall door and stuck his head into the shower, then pulled the door open. Her breath stalled in her lungs when she saw him. Lost in the memories of their past, she’d forgotten just how potent he was in the flesh. Especially when he was naked. She glanced down at his erection and felt her nipples tighten, already aching for his touch. Her pulse drummed in her head, her body already quickening for him.

  One side of his mouth curled up, and his gaze traveled from her head down to her toes. By the time he returned to her face, her nipples were hard and his eyes had darkened with intent.

  “Got room for one more?”

  Chapter Eight

  The moment he stepped into the bathroom, the clean, fresh scent of Libby clogged Brady’s senses. In the thick mist of fog, he could see her body outlined on the shower-stall door. Need crawled through him. But this was sharper, more powerful than just his usual sexual urges. It had always been that way with Libby. There were plenty of times he’d cursed the affliction that drove him to possess her. It was heaven and hell. Knowing that they were never going to settle their differences didn’t matter. He pulled off his clothes, dropping them on the floor beside hers.

  Anticipation skated along his nerves and sent another rush of blood to his cock. He glanced down, smiling wryly at his erection. Hard and already aching to have her, he should be embarrassed by how much he wanted her... needed her. It wasn’t an option to lust after her. It was a primal urge that drove him. Something in him knew that whenever she was near, he had to have her or go mental, especially from the lack of blood in his brain.

  He grabbed the door and opened it. His breath caught in his throat. Damn, she was beautiful. He pulled the door open all the way. She glanced at his raging erection, and he felt it like a lick. Knowing that her sexual appetite marched along with his made it all that much harder to resist her.

  A lot of people looked at Libby and saw the archeology nerd. Her hair was a tangle of wet tresses and suds, reaching halfway down her back. She turned to face him. His heart about leapt out of his chest as his gaze traveled down her body. Water dripped from her nipples, making his mouth go dry. He continued his perusal, taking in the soap still clinging to her rounded stomach, her bare pussy, and her long, sleek legs. Knowing what they felt like wrapped around his waist made him feel lightheaded. His pulse soared. By the time he reached her feet, his balls ached with want. Catching her gaze, he smiled, although even that hurt.

  “Got room for one more?” His voice was thick with desire. Jesus, if he didn’t have her soon, he’d probably come just looking at her. And what other woman did that to him? Only Libby made him feel like an eighteen-year-old, ready to burst at the slightest provocation.

  She swallowed, then nodded. Turning her back to him, she stepped forward to give him room. After closing the door, he reached around her and grabbed the bottle of soap. He squirted some on his hand and rubbed his hands together after dropping the bottle on the floor behind him. The herbal scent was as familiar as the woman in front of him. He stepped closer. His dick brushed against her wet skin. He closed his eyes and groaned. Just that one touch shot straight to his balls. Capturing her hips, he held her still as he pressed his body against hers.

  Brady slid his hands to her breasts, her slick skin and his soapy hands making it easy.

  “I already finished washing, Brady.” Her voice was husky with a touch of humor.

  “Really?” He opened his eyes and took each nipple, tugging gently. She jerked in reaction. “There seems to be a few places you missed.”

  Bending his head, he skimmed kisses along her shoulder and then moved to her neck as he continued pulling on her nipples. Libby moved her hands to the shower wall, but said nothing, showed no other reaction. He smiled. Libby loved to play games. She saw foreplay as a way to engage in a battle to see who would crumble and beg first. Was it any wonder he had to have her any chance he got?

  “See.” He moved one had down to her pussy. Her breathing hitched. “I’m sure that one or two places might need some extra-special attention.”

  He rubbed his cock in the cleft of her buttocks, almost coming from that one motion. Lord, he wanted to sink into her pussy, lose himself in the feel of her muscles clamping tight arou
nd him, draining him. As he continued to move against her, he slipped a finger into her. She was slick, hot. Not able to help himself, he groaned. Damn, she was always like this. From their first time together... her first time... she was always wet and ready for a good fucking.

  He added another finger and moved his other hand back to her hip. She moved in rhythm with him. Each time he withdrew his fingers, she pushed back against him.

  “Brady.” Her voice was filled with need and surrender.

  He nibbled her earlobe, and she groaned his name again. “Whatcha need, baby?”

  She drew in a deep breath, and he knew she was fighting an inner battle. She wanted him, but she wanted to hold out, push both of them to the point where they couldn’t stand it. To help her make up her mind, he flicked his finger against her clit, and she bucked against him.

  “Oh, yes, like that, Brady. Ohhh.”

  Her muscles tightened against his fingers, and he knew she was close. Damn, he wanted to have his cock buried inside her when she came this time. To draw out the pleasure, he slowed his motions, and she cursed.

  “What’s the matter?” He challenged her with a teasing voice.

  “I -- I was really close, Brady.”

  “You want to come, baby? Want it bad?”

  She bucked again, and another gush of liquid wet his fingers. The movement caused him to jerk against her. Shit. If he didn’t get inside her soon, he wouldn’t make it.

  “You know you want it. Just tell me. Tell me what you want.”

  Pushing back, she tried to increase his tempo, but he wasn’t going to allow that. He held her hip steady with one hand and tortured her with his other. But with each passing second, his control was slipping, and he knew he was just a moment away from begging.

  “I want you. Now, oh, Brady.”

  He wanted to tease her, push her further, but the desperate plea burned through his blood, and he knew if she begged again, it would push him over the edge. Stepping back, he pulled her legs wider.

  “Bend over more, Libby.” She complied immediately, her body fairly quivering with the need for her release. He took his cock in hand and pushed at her entrance, just letting the tip enter. Her muscles teased and tensed around him and he closed his eyes. Damn, that felt good. Slipping into her was like heaven every time. She wiggled, apparently irritated with his slow movements. He knew he might be able to hold out a little longer, but the need clawing at him took over. In one thrust, he planted himself fully inside her. She clamped down hard around him. For just a moment, he held still, enjoying the feel of her sweet pussy. But soon, his body begged for more -- for release.

  He withdrew and began to move in controlled, measured thrusts. Libby continued to moan his name, her voice so husky he could barely hear it above the water. Each time he shoved into her, his stomach slammed against her ass with a loud smack. He reached around to tease her clit. One... two... and she exploded, her vaginal walls clamping tight around him, pulling him deeper. Her orgasm spurred his. His balls drew tight. After two more thrusts, he came, groaning her name, his voice echoing off the walls of the shower.

  Moments later, he leaned back, his cock still inside her, and slid his arms around her body. He kissed the side of her neck and she gave a little contented sigh. He was helpless to fight the warmth that curled into his heart when he heard the little sound. It was if she had never left, and he knew truthfully she hadn’t. She’d been right there all along.

  * * * * *

  They’d made it to bed finally and gotten a decent bit of rest. Brady had awakened her sometime during the night with his mouth on her, her body humming for release. She woke this time with a start, knowing before she opened her eyes she was alone in the bed. Rubbing the sleep out of her eyes, she glanced around the room and noticed Brady’s pack on the floor by one of the chairs and relaxed. He might have thought about leaving her behind for her own safety, but he wouldn’t do it. Because he knew she would hunt him down and hurt him.

  She stretched her arms over her head, trying to work the soreness out of her muscles. It’d been a long time since she’d used a lot of them. She sat up and swung her legs over the edge of the bed. And some other muscles she hadn’t used in awhile, she thought with a wince.

  The door opened, and Brady stepped in. When he saw her sitting on the bed, he smiled. Her heart did a flip-flop. Oh, Lordy, he was gorgeous. He closed the door and approached the bed.

  “I wish we didn’t need to leave so soon.” The devilish look in his eyes let her know exactly what he was thinking of doing. It was then she realized she was sitting there naked as the day as she was born.

  Libby wasn’t a prude, and she definitely had never been shy about her body. Still, her face flushed.

  “Jesus, Brady. Can’t you think of anything else?”

  She got up with a huff and he chuckled. He grabbed her arms and pulled her into his.

  “Not where you’re concerned, lass.” The heat in his voice did funny things to her stomach. He leaned down and kissed her, never closing his eyes. Arousal darkened the blue, but there was something, something that scared the hell out of her. A rush of goosebumps prickled her skin. She could feel his erection against her stomach. Her nipples hardened and warmth pooled between her legs. She wanted to close her eyes, but she fought the urge, or maybe he willed her not to break the connection. Her heart was now doing somersaults.

  Before she could sort out the feelings -- hers and his -- he broke the kiss. He released her and took a step back. He swallowed, hard, and then looked away from her.

  “Why don’t you get dressed?” He drew in a deep breath. “We... ah... we need to get out of here before those bounty hunters know we’re here. Better to be ahead then...” He glanced at her, his gazed roaming down her body. “Do you think you could get something on?”

  The unsteady feelings that had left her breathless just moments before vanished. She giggled, she couldn’t help it. He sounded so put out that she was standing there naked.

  “Sure, Saint.” She drew out his name, and his eyes narrowed. She bit her lip, trying not to laugh.

  “Woman, you don’t know who you’re messing with. Get in there and get ready.”

  He turned on his heel and left. The moment the door shut, she dissolved into another fit of giggles. But as she dressed, she was surprised when a sob erupted and she felt tears well up in her eyes. Stress. That was all it was. Her father, the search, fighting to get Brady to help. It had nothing to do with the fact that she was still in love with Brady. She sat with a thump on the bed.

  Aww, shit.

  * * * * *

  Libby had been quiet since they’d left Hunter’s outpost. Normally it wouldn’t bother him. Women often talked too much and aggravated him to death. Libby had always been different. Sterling had trained her to be silent in the right situations, and she’d always been a quiet girl. But this was different.

  From the moment he returned to the room after she dressed, he sensed there was something wrong. She’d been crying, which was very un-Libby-like. He’d thought about the situation and decided that maybe the stress was getting to her. Worry about Sterling, not knowing where he was or if he was alive -- that could wear on even the strongest individual.

  Two hours later, he wasn’t so sure anymore. There was something distant in the way she talked to him. She wouldn’t meet his gaze. There was something going on there. It wasn’t the sex. He knew better than that. Libby had never been a prude. Even if she regretted what they’d done, she wouldn’t act this way. Or would she? A ball of irritation burned in his stomach.

  The second sun had risen, bringing with it unwelcome heat and a rise in the humidity. They were gaining altitude also, and their trail grew to a narrow overgrown path that they had to clear sometimes to get by.

  “Where are we headed today?”

  It was her first unprompted comment since they left, so he readily grabbed it as a lifeline. “I think we can get to an area they call the Funkainian sector. Problem is, w
e have to avoid the Funkai.”

  “The perverts.”

  He shot a smile over his shoulder. “To each his own.”

  “There’s a difference between sexual preference, and abduction and rape.”

  “I agree.” He faced forward again. “And that’s why they came here. There weren’t that many people settled here. So they could come up with their own laws.”

  “Of course.” Her sarcasm wasn’t lost on him. He agreed. They were scum, but debating whether they should be hunted down by the Intergalactical Strike Force and imprisoned wasn’t important right now. Getting across the area undetected was.

  “I think they should be hunted down and castrated.”

  Leaves rustled behind them. “Shut up.”

  Her footsteps stopped. Shit. Now she wanted to talk. His neck prickled with awareness, as if someone was stalking them.

  “What did you say?”

  He turned and stalked toward her. “Listen. I know someone is here. Someone -- man, alien, or beast -- is following us for some reason. I can feel it in my gut.” Her eyes widened and she nodded. Before he could turn around, footsteps sounded behind him.

  “Now, what do we have here, Joe?” asked an amused male voice. Apprehension curled in his gut and stole his breath. Looking back over his shoulder, he noticed three men, all of average height, wearing what looked like loincloths. All of them were heavily armed. He counted at least two knives on each of them. Their chests were bare, and all of them had tattoos on the right shoulder.

  Shit. Funkai.

  Chapter Nine

  The tension between the group of men and Brady crackled. Libby wanted to step in and try to talk their way out of it. Brady would get pissed. Besides -- she glanced at the newcomers -- she figured they wouldn’t be happy with her meddling. Tall, but not as tall as Brady, the three men were barely clothed. Their bare chests glistened with sweat. All three of them had hair down to the middle of their backs, and each one was barefoot.