by K. D. Penn
“The beads vibrate when it’s surrounded by warmth.” Shade grinned. “The ladies love it. My beads rub against all of their favorite sides and make them come in seconds. You want a try?”
“No way.” I struggled in Epic’s arms. He pressed my back against his hard chest. Shade chuckled to himself and backed away.
“I can’t believe I almost fell for that,” Epic murmured in my ear. His voice was low and sensual, eliciting a reaction from my traitorous body. It’d been months since I’d had anyone worth remembering between my thighs. That fact combined with the very manly, spicy aroma that was emanating from Epic had me contemplating other ways to separate him from my bag of money. I thrashed about and tried to wriggle free in his arms, while very conveniently wiggling my ass against his crotch. I didn’t want to make it too obvious, but I knew I was doing the right thing when a low groan left his lips. His hardness pushed up against my behind.
“Let me go,” I growled—okay, more like purred—but hopefully I would be the only one who could tell the difference.
“I think you and the chains are going to have a surprise reunion,” Epic rumbled.
Oh fuck no. I wasn’t getting chained up again. That’s when I began to fight in earnest.
“No!” I screeched. “I’m not going back in those!” I did everything in my body to get out of Epic’s arms—kicked, scratched, tried to head-butt him, but he didn’t let me go and all I got was exhausted and aggravated.
“Fuck, she looks like a crazed kitten. Need any help with her?” Shade chuckled some more. “I’m good at taming kitties.”
“No. I got her.” I could hear the smile in Epic’s voice. He turned me around and I managed to knee him in his impressive erection. A shame, really, but I wasn’t going back in those chains.
“Fuck.” He grunted and finally let me go. I grabbed the money bag and sprinted down the hallway. A friggin’ ton of bricks hit me from behind and knocked the air out of my lungs. I crashed to the ground. The impact of my body hitting the carpet hurt so much I cried out in pain.
“You’re not going anywhere.” White teeth flashed in Shade’s dark face as he turned me over and dragged me back toward my doom. His bumpy monstrosity rubbed against my legs.
I jerked away from him with dread. “Control that thing.”
“Not even I can control it.” Shade winked.
“I think I just threw up a little in my mouth from your oversized ego. It’s about to get worse if you don’t back off.”
“You throw up in this hall then you clean it up.” Shade lifted me like I was a feather, slung me over his shoulders, and rushed me back into the room I’d been locked up in all night. I still hadn’t quite caught my breath by the time I realized I was back on the same bed, in the same chains I’d managed to escape from earlier.
“Fuck,” I rasped. “These won’t keep me. You know that, right?”
“Say you’ll give me a few minutes to explain the job to you without shooting me in my arm, taking my money, or ramming your knee into my precious balls,” Epic limped into the room slightly hunched over, “you promise that, and I’ll take them off of you right now.”
I bared my teeth at him. “I told you, I already have plans.”
“Not anymore you don’t, if the bag of money is part of your plan. You want out of those chains—agree to listen to me.”
Back to my seduction strategy.
“Maybe you and me can come to some other kind of arrangement.” I rolled my hips off the bed seductively. “How about asking him,” I flicked my eyes in the still-very-naked Shade’s direction, “to leave, so we can, you know, talk?”
“Don’t do it, Epic.” Shade waved his hands from side to side. “That kitty has claws and is definitely going to scratch the shit out of you.”
“I’ll play nice, I swear. Unless you don’t want me to.” I bit my lower lip and let my gaze run over the length of Epic’s large body. Yeah, I could play nice with him to get what I want. Epic scrubbed his hand over his face and his eyes turned from ice blue to burnt orange.
“Why do your eyes shift to different colors?”
“They change with my mood.” He directed those flaming-orange pupils my way.
“What does orange mean?”
“I don’t know.” Frowning, he blinked and his eyes transformed back to blue.
“It means he’s horny.” Shade laughed. “Are you sure you don’t want help with that kitty?”
“No. Maybe I like claws,” he muttered.
“Your body.” Shade left and slammed the door behind him. Immature much?
“Unlock these chains, so we can talk,” I cooed.
But Epic stayed where he was. “First you knee me in my junk, and now you want to what—kiss everything and make it better? What’s your angle now?”
Ignoring his questions, I lifted my ass off the bed in invitation. “Only one way to find out.”
Epic moved forward with the grace of some kind of large predator. I swallowed. My nerves jittered about. I gripped the sheets next to me, not liking the vulnerability the chains forced me into or the possibility that I couldn’t tame this huge man. When he came to sit next to me I arched up my head toward him.
“Unlock me, and then we can play.” I licked my lips and watched his eyes follow the movement.
He chuckled to himself. “First a kiss, and then I’ll release you.”
“No—”
He brought his index finger up to my mouth to silence me.
“I have the key, I make the rules.” His eyes glittered with amusement as he seemed to be waiting to see what I’d do next.
“Fine,” I grated. “One kiss, and then you unlock me.”
He leaned forward, inch by inch, and my breath hitched. Damn if I kind of really wanted him to kiss me. What the hell is wrong with me? Maybe I had a concussion from being knocked out last night? Yep, that could explain it. I wasn’t thinking clearly at all.
When our lips met, an undercurrent of electricity coursed through me, emanating from the point of our connection. I heard myself moan in pleasure as his tongue slipped into my mouth to tentatively explore. He tasted sweet and masculine both at the same time, and raw lust pulsed in my core. Having sex with Epic . . . well would be epic. I internally giggled at my joke just as our kiss deepened. I welcomed the abrasive feel of Epic’s unshaved face as he pressed into me more aggressively, a groan escaping from his mouth to mine when I nipped at his tongue.
In seconds, the full weight of his body was suddenly on me, trapping and confining me to the bed. A sliver of cold panic slid into my heart, serving as ice water to my system. I had no control with him on top of me, and even worse, it reminded me of another, one that haunted my nightmares. I reached the end of the chains but still managed to push at his massive chest and break our kiss.
“We kissed. Now unchain me.” I hissed into Epic’s much-too-close face. Even though I felt trapped and weak, it was so hard to think with his hard body pressed into mine. It took everything in me not to grind against him and ask for more. He dragged himself off me slowly and then walked away from the bed. He muttered something under his breath.
“Where are you going? To get the key?” I asked with hope, but I had a sinking feeling in my stomach, one that told me I was about to be played.
“I changed my mind.” Epic’s voice cracked, an octave lower than normal. He placed his hand under his shirt and clasped his fingers on to whatever little ornament hung on his chain. “I don’t think I can trust myself around you if you’re not in chains. I can barely deal with you in them.”
Without another backward glance, he slipped from the room and shut the door securely behind him.
“You fucking asshole!” I screamed after him. “We agreed! Let me the fuck out of here!” But no answer came.
CHAPTER 5
Epic
Nix stepped out of Toy’s bedroom in a clean pair of jeans and a shirt that formed tightly around those full breasts. Mimi had given her the clothes and was also the reason why Nix wore no chains. After I escaped from Nix’s sweet lips, Mimi had cornered me in the hallway and yapped me into humiliation. She accused me of being an abusive captor and a sadistic torturer. For added measure, she claimed mom was watching and full of shame at my behavior. I unlocked the chains, gave Nix some clean clothes to change into, and waited in the living room with everyone else to do the last thing Mimi demanded.
“Hello, Queen Nix.” I did a dramatic bow. Mimi hit my back and Nix smirked.
She probably thinks she has some sort of power now. Whatever.
As far as I was concerned, the best part of this moment was the sight of Nix’s thick hips in those much-too-small jeans and her breasts bursting out of the shirt. The top of the material looked like it would rip within seconds if she coughed or breathed too hard. I hoped for both as Turtle ran into the room and collapsed on our deer skin rug.
“Go ahead,” Mimi whispered behind me and patted by back.
“Nix, we are very sorry.” I formed fists with my hands where they rested in my pockets. “We now agree to give you one fourth of the money due to our behavior.”
“Only one fourth?” Nix’s black eyebrows rose. Her sensual lips changed into a sneer.
She’ll regret that remark later. As soon as I get her out of here.
“One fourth is all we can give up right now.” I directed my attention to her breasts and blatantly snapped a picture. The flash burst from my irises. Yet perky nipples stiffened under the fabric, begging to be licked and sucked. I trailed my tongue along the top of my lip, just thinking about them. What color are those plump points, bright pink or a darker shade of her olive skin? I heard an intake of breath from her way. Once again my dick hardened—that seemed to be its only action when I was around her. She gazed down at my jeans.
You see what you do to me, don’t you?
I winked. “Your turn, Shade.”
Dressed in his dark green automotive repair coveralls, he remained where he was. Mimi cleared her throat. A rumble thundered from Shade’s chest as he stepped forward. The triplets giggled on our black couch while they watched with everyone else.
Shade mumbled something.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t hear that.” Nix leaned his way and cupped her hands around her ear.
“Go fuck yourself.” Shade turned around and stormed off.
“Shade!” Mimi got in front of him and placed her hands on her hips. “I swear to God, Jesus, and the Duchess of Light, I will not fix the cooker or the cleaning robot if you don’t be nice.”
He faced her. “But—”
“I’m so serious. I mean this is ridiculous. You’re older than me.” Mimi tapped her foot.
Shade’s face snapped to Nix. “I, too . . . am sorry.”
“For what exactly?” An innocent expression spread across Nix’s face. If I hadn’t known the situation, I would have believed the act. She’s perfect for the job. I have to get her to agree.
“I’m sorry for threatening you with my guns and showing you my . . . special beaded guy,” Shade barked. Everyone laughed. Even I had to cover my mouth to stifle a chuckle.
Too bad Toy’s already at work. He would love this.
“Thank you.” Nix bowed at Mimi and curtsied at the kids. They all clapped and cheered as if she’d just slayed two dragons.
I bet they would love to hear us tell them sorry every now and again. Not going to happen. What had Nix called them? Cretins, I think. I like that.
Mimi handed Nix a small silver container shaped like a grape. Two red dots raced within the metal and circled it over and over “I transferred your portion of the credits over to this mini-bank and programmed your DNA as the password. I lifted the DNA from your old clothes. Sorry.”
“Umm . . . thanks?” Nix quirked her eyebrows. “How do I work this thing?”
“I cleaned the currency so there is no trace to whoever the guys borrowed it from.” She pressed the center of the container. Red glowing dots emerged all over the surface. “You can take this in any store, business, or bank to buy stuff or transfer the funds over to your account. Press both sides and it gets smaller.”
Just like Mimi said, the metal grape decreased into a coin. “Press it twice and it goes back to its original size.”
Nix’s green eyes widened in amazement. “And if I happen to misplace it?”
“Or even if some arrogant buffoon tried to take it back.” Mimi glanced my way. “They can’t. It’s drawn to your skin like metal to a magnet. It makes robberies impossible.”
That invention was why my brothers and I kept hits to illegal strip clubs where everyone was mostly human and the places only took electronic currency that could be nabbed and retraced by any smart techie. New technology was making burglaries harder. Soon it would be impossible to steal without being familiar with computer and robot systems.
“Damn, you’re a genius, kid.” Nix turned the mini around in her hand. “Did you put this together all by yourself?”
“Yes.” Mimi’s smile widened. “I always get an A in all courses dealing with cybertronics.”
“Is that what you’re planning to major in when you’re old enough to go to college?” Nix asked.
I cringed at the mention of college. All colleges cost too much. One semester of Mimi’s education would set the whole family back a year. But she has to go. Regular human labor jobs that required a high school education were nonexistent on any planet but ours. An individual couldn’t make minimum wage without at least a bachelor’s degree. Nowadays people built robots and created complex systems to control the robots more efficiently.
Machines did everything else. Those circuit devils packed every factory and plant, making anything that could pass on an assembly line, managing the electronic workers, and loading the docks. They cleaned everything from houses to companies, streets to cars. Few jobs existed for humans, but there were some present—landfill loaders, drug dealers, sex industry workers. Fortunately, old people still refused to use robotic doctors, food service workers, drivers, and child care providers. There’d been reports of robots botching surgeries and lacking in the emotional development department to take care of kids. Plus, a lot of the older generation preferred human-run businesses, but in twenty or so years they would all be dead and the cyber industry would dominate.
Mimi needs to go to college, and the other kids too.
“So nice to meet you all.” Nix shook the triplets’ hands. “Next time use some different colors for the future prisoners. Branch out and get inspired.”
The triplets giggled. Nix high-fived the twins.
“Alright, Nixie baby. Let me drop you off at your motel.” I reached her, hooked my arm around hers, and towed her toward the door.
She attempted to climb out of my grip. “No, I’m good. It looks like I can afford an air taxi now that my financial situation is suddenly looking up.”
“Oh no. It’s really not a problem for me.” Opening the door and yanking her out, I quickly shut it behind us and slammed the cuffs on her wrists. “Scream something and you go back in my apartment. Mimi and the kids would love to have you spend the night.”
“First chains. Now handcuffs?” She stared at the thin lines of blue light clamping her wrists together. “I suspect a fetish. What’s next? Planning on taking me to one of those silicone dungeons where fat nerds beat their pricks to big-breasted androids?”
I wrenched up my shirt to show her the layers of muscle wrapped around my waist. “Do I look like a fat nerd to you?”
She concentrated on the area longer than I thought she would and bit her lip. I released my shirt. It rolled down my body and she watched it drop. What are you thinking about? The very possibility of lusty thoughts swarming through her
mind about me caused me to shiver.
“What do you want?” A sultry intensity laced her words. It sounded so good I almost shoved my hands into my pants to touch myself.
I bet she could make me come with just her voice alone. I shook my head. She’s too dangerous to touch. Keep it all business.
“Let me explain the job to you while I take you home.” I led her down the lime-green hallway and assumed her lack of smart remarks or physical resistance was a sign of her compromising. Sensors lit up around the entrance to the roof. The one in the center scanned my eyes.
“Proceed.” The female voice sounded.
The door opened. Hot air rushed in. Good old Earth. When it wasn’t a blizzard, the sun beat down on the planet without restraint. I resisted the urge to look in a particular direction, like the spot on the roof where my dad killed himself. Although it had been months, the landlord just fixed the ledge last week. But, still, I couldn’t look.
Towering glass buildings surrounded us. Tons of people lifted off their roofs in aerial cars and bikes. Barely anyone drove electric or gas cars, unless they were teenagers with a learner’s permit who were restricted from driving high or the old generation that fixed up and polished vintage sports cars and cruised around in them on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
I kept my back to the area. “I’m parked over here.”
“I hope you’re not referring to that metal monstrosity over there charading as a bike.”
“Don’t be so mean. She’s beautiful.” I laughed. My metal temptress relaxed far away from the other vehicles. A sleek gray paint covered it and shined in the sunlight.
“No way am I getting on that,” Nix said when we approached it.
“Diamond is safe.” I patted the leather seat and slid my hands up against the metal hump in front of it, thinking of the many memories that came from that hump. Many women sat on that spot and enjoyed that area most of all. I glanced at Nix. I shouldn’t do this. I should just have her sit behind me like a regular ride. I swiped a peek at those juicy melons pushing against her shirt. Damn the Duchess. I’m going to hell anyway.