by Shona Husk
“I have to go.”
“Be safe.” Silke threw her arms around him. “We’ll figure this out when you get back.”
“There’s nothing to figure out. We are in this together.” He beckoned Vance over. If they were going to do this, it was going to be properly. Vance joined the embrace.
For a moment they clung together. Then Leo sighed and pulled away. “I’m sure someone will inspect the repairs, but keep an eye on them. Any sign of a leak, call a repair crew.” The barn was dotted with bright orange patches. “I’ll let you know when I get back.”
He didn’t want to be leaving, but he didn’t have a choice. This was his job. If Sprite needed help he had to provide it, now that Siren was stabilized. He’d never transferred ship in space and the idea made him a little queasy. Humans were too fragile for this. They were supposed to be on the ground, not in the airless vacuum of space. The thrill of space travel had worn off and he was looking forward to landing on Solitaire.
He gave them both a smile that he hoped looked confident, then turned and walked away before he got choked up.
At the hatch he paused and called out, “You might want to check on the guinea pigs … I think they survived the decompression.”
He stood for a moment, watching, as Silke and Vance moved toward the cages. He saw her smile of delight and knew that at least some had survived.
It gave him hope that they would survive, too.
Chapter Twelve
Silke had spent far too much on a single bottle of red wine, which may or may not be worth it. She’d also informed the guard that Vance had to work late tonight. Vance had used his hoarded privilege tokens to get a half dozen pieces of hydroponic fruit. And Leo had managed to get dinner and a blanket. She had no idea how many favors he’d called in with the cooks in the mess.
The result was a picnic in the barn under soft red night lights.
It looked more hellish than romantic.
However, it meant they wouldn’t be interrupted. Given that Vance couldn’t wander freely, this had to be the location … it was here or his room, and quite frankly, she preferred the barn to the idea of going into the prison.
Leo spread out the blanket, the one from his bed, and unpacked what he’d brought down. “It’s everyone’s favorite soyroom stew. And I have a few slices of bread.”
“Bread?” She hadn’t eaten bread since she’d left Earth.
“As an officer I get a couple of pieces a week. There’s no butter, though.”
“Anything else you get that we don’t?” Vance picked up a slice and took a small bite.
Leo shook his head. “I still don’t get fresh meat.” The guinea pigs in their cages squeaked, as if on cue.
Aside from a quick visit to say he was back, this was the first time Silke had seen Leo in almost a week. She’d been kept busy making room for some rescued alpacas and some extra guinea pigs, all refugees from the stricken Sprite.
The jump engines had started up yesterday and they were heading toward Solitaire again. The crisis was over, but the ship was now overcrowded. Sprite had been too badly damaged for all five thousand people to remain on board—not that all had survived. Over one thousand had died, either in the immediate micrometeoroid shower or from being trapped when the hatches sealed. Something bigger than a micrometeoroid had hit Sprite.
While Leo hadn’t given details, he’d sketched out how bad it had been over there. She was just glad he was back. She’d missed him. This was his welcome home picnic as well as being a chance to cement what they had.
Every time she thought about it, her stomach tangled and knotted. For the moment, they had agreed on no paperwork of any kind.
Leo pulled something out of one of his pockets. “I made these for you.” He handed the little bundle to Vance. “I figured no one else would be making you any.”
Vance unfolded the bundle. Socks. “You even put my number on there.”
Sure enough, knitted into the sock in a different color was the number 1113.
Leo shrugged as if it was nothing. “So no one can take them.”
“Thank you.” Vance smiled. Silke knew how much something like that would mean to him. They’d talked a lot more over the last week.
So far, nothing had changed between Vance and Leo. They were still friendly, and both of them were making an effort to keep it that way. Vance had confided in her that he was hoping Leo would come around and experiment a little.
Maybe he would … she wouldn’t mind seeing the two of them together. She might have let that slip during that conversation with Vance. Had Leo felt his ears burning while he was on Sprite?
The three of them sat on the blanket and ate dinner. The wine was all right, but more importantly, it slid through her body and took away the edge of tension. They talked about the overcrowding. Many of the classrooms were now being used for accommodation, and Silke no longer had a room to herself. Small changes that, at the moment, were okay. But she had her doubts about the long term.
As she sat between her guys, though, any doubts about their future melted away.
The people she cared about most were with her. They would make this work. Since she was the one in the middle it was up to her to make sure it worked. She glanced at Leo, who was eating an apple, then at Vance, who was sipping his wine. It was the first alcohol he’d had in years, and he was taking it easy.
Choice made, she leaned over and kissed Vance. His lips tasted like wine. And while he didn’t say anything, she sensed his hesitation at doing this in front of Leo. His nerves made hers spike again. What if she was doing this wrong? She drew back a little, unsure what to do next … if anything. She glanced over her shoulder to gauge Leo’s reaction.
“Dinner and a show. Excellent.” Leo stretched out on the blanket and topped up his wine.
“You can join in.” Had she really just said that? But of course, that was what was going to happen. It was what she’d been thinking about all day. It was why they had arranged this picnic. Sometimes it would be the three of them.
“I will, in a little bit.” He smiled. The red lights gave him a devilish look that made her heart beat a little harder.
She drew in a breath and tried to find calm, but it was impossible knowing Leo was watching. Vance touched her cheek and turned her head back to face him. He kissed her softly again. Leo wanted a show … well, she’d attempt to give him just that. He had to be feeling just as awkward about this as she and Vance were, but they had to get past it if this was going to work. And she wanted it to work.
“Let’s give him something to watch,” she murmured against Vance’s lips as she started unbuttoning his shirt. Her hands smoothed over his chest, and while she tried to concentrate on the man in front of her, she was very aware of the man to the side, sipping his wine and eating the apple. She was sure once both were finished he’d join in. That was how these things worked … maybe.
When she glanced over she saw that he was taking very small bites. Leo grinned and took another almost microscopic bite.
Vance removed her shirt so she was just in an undershirt … she’d left her bra off deliberately. They’d taken their shoes off before they’d started eating and lined them up off to the side. Vance traced the outline of her breasts and nipples, teasing them into hard peaks.
“Might as well do this right.” He pulled her undershirt off and then started unbuttoning her pants.
No way was she going to be the only one naked. She stripped off his shirt and singlet, then let her hand glide lower, over his golden skin to where his erection was pressing against his pants.
While she could hear every bite that Leo took, she had no idea if he was making them bigger or if he was determined to drag out his viewing pleasure for as long as possible. Maybe he didn’t want to join in. Doubt lingered, even as she tried to push it aside. She had to focus on Vance. The way his skin was warm beneath her fingers and the way his mouth moved with hers, teasing and tasting.
Vance nudged her onto h
er back and she lifted her hips so he could tug off her pants and underwear in one move. He kissed her belly then moved higher until his lips closed over one aching nipple. As he sucked, her breath caught in her throat.
She fumbled for the fly of his pants. It took two tries before she got them open and was able to push them over his hips, but that was as far as she could reach. He kissed his way over to her other breast and she freed his shaft from his briefs.
Leo inhaled and for a moment there was no sound of apple being eaten. She glanced over. He was watching as she stroked Vance’s length. Comparing size or wishing it was him she was caressing?
Vance drew back and shucked off his pants. He was a lot less concerned about being naked in front of Leo, and knowing that he was watching, than she was … or at least, it appeared that way. He took his own shaft in hand and gave it a stroke while he looked at Leo before kneeling on the blanket between her legs.
She tore her gaze from Leo, back to Vance, not sure she was ready to have sex. Her body was ready. She could feel the slickness and the ache in her belly. But Vance just ran his hands up her legs, stopping just short of her vulva, before lowering his head and kissing her clit.
For a moment she lay there and closed her eyes as Vance’s tongue did all the right things. The crunch of the apple punctuated each breath. Leo was eating faster. He was going to join in. Her belly tightened and she felt the edge of the climax brush against her nerves, but it didn’t happen.
She grit her teeth in frustration and propped herself up on her elbows. Vance lifted his head, his eyes dark and unreadable in the red light. She pushed his shoulder and sat up fully. He got the hint and lay on his back. His shaft lay thick and hard against his belly.
She hadn’t got a proper look at him naked in the lab. It had been too rushed and desperate and uncertain.
Now she took her time checking him out as she moved. He was all lean muscle and golden skin. He had a smattering of dark hair, but not a lot. And his cock was longer, more curved than Leo’s. But she knew that Leo’s was definitely thicker.
Her fingers traced over Vance’s chest, his stomach, and finally his shaft. It twitched beneath her hand. His lips curved in a smile. There was no way Leo was going to resist any longer. Silke got onto her knees, giving Leo a clear view of her ass and pussy.
“Fuck this.” Leo’s voice was rough.
She heard clothing being removed, but didn’t turn to look. Instead, she focused on Vance. She wrapped her fingers around him and stroked a couple of times before taking him in her mouth. He groaned. And she used her tongue to taste every inch of his hot, hard flesh.
His hands tugged at her bun and then freed her hair. He ran his fingers through the long, pale strands. And while he didn’t grasp her head, he didn’t exactly let her go either.
Lips pressed against her spine as fingers trailed up her inner thigh. Her first response was to turn around, but Vance had his fingers tangled in her hair so she couldn’t … which was no doubt part of his plan. She swallowed him deep and then drew back slowly. His hips jerked in response.
“Do that again,” Leo whispered behind her.
As she did, Leo’s finger sank into her, giving her a hint of what was to come. As she sucked Vance’s cock, Leo alternately teased her clit or thrust his fingers into her. The tension in her belly grew and she was sure her legs were shaking. She could barely concentrate on what she was doing.
She moaned around the shaft in her mouth as she came, her hips rocking as Leo kept caressing her clit. She had to draw back and catch her breath. That had been unexpected, almost too easy. Then the head of Leo’s cock was pressing against her core and easing in, the thick length of him stretching her. He gave a couple of thrusts and then pulled out, leaving her aching for more.
Vance’s shaft was still in her hand, clear fluid beading at the top and sliding over the smooth head. She lapped it off, then moved forward to straddle him. If Leo wasn’t going to fuck her, she’d get it another way.
Leo stood, his hand wrapped around his cock. “Think you can do two at once?”
She had no idea, but she was certainly going to try. She nodded, and angled Vance’s shaft so she could take him into her core. His hands gripped her thighs and he groaned, but his gaze was on Leo. As she sank onto Vance, Leo moved closer, his hand stroking his length as she watched. His cock glistened with her juice.
Then he was close enough that if she leaned forward a fraction she’d be able to kiss the head. So she did, using her tongue to circle the crown and taking her time to tease.
She’d forgotten to move. She glanced down at Vance.
He held her still. “If you move, I’ll come. Let me watch you suck him for a bit.”
Silke swallowed and nodded. If she moved, she was sure she was going to come again too. Leo edged closer and Silke replaced his hand with hers. Knowing that she didn’t have to do anything else for the moment meant she could concentrate on Leo. She tasted her desire on him, and the salty musk of his as she licked around the crown and over the slit in the head. When she glanced up his eyes were half closed. His hand stroked her cheek as his hips rocked in time with her movements.
Vance’s hands moved over her thighs to her hips. Slowly, he started rocking her so she rode him. The sensations were almost too much. Every nerve felt too raw. Leo’s breathing became faster and his thrusts more urgent.
She couldn’t think, could only do, and feel. Then she was coming again, her core clenching hard around Vance. He swore as his fingers pressed into her skin. She moaned, but Leo didn’t let her pull away. He gave two more shallow thrusts into her mouth and then he came and she was swallowing, her climax still rippling through her.
Every inch of her was too sensitive and yet she didn’t want either of them to stop touching her. She didn’t want to pull away, didn’t want it to be over.
Vance was breathing hard. His grip softened and became a light rub, as if he were apologizing for holding too tight. Right now she didn’t care. She’d never felt so good.
Leo smiled at her and drew away. After a couple more heartbeats she and Vance separated. She rolled onto her back on the blanket with her eyes closed, pretty sure her bones had all melted and that she’d never be able to walk again.
Someone kissed her … Vance, judging from the stubble. His tongue dipped into her mouth and she responded. But there was no lust this time. Just love.
With a last caress he moved away. Leo kissed her cheek. He nuzzled at her ear. “That was fun.”
“Mmm.” It had been. She had no idea how they were going to arrange to do it on a regular basis. That was just another thing they’d have to figure out.
She lay there, catching her breath. She could hear rustling sounds—someone was putting their clothes on already. She should move. They had to pack up and Vance had to get back to his quarters. They couldn’t spend the night together.
Maybe, eventually. Once they landed.
Silke opened her eyes. Leo and Vance were standing close together. As she watched, Leo closed his eyes and Vance kissed him on the lips. It wasn’t a long kiss, and it was very chaste … but they weren’t in a rush. Maybe one day she would get to see the two of them together before joining in. Her lips curved as she watched.
And if the two of them wanted to experiment without her at first, that was fine too.
As Leo had said, as long as there were no secrets, they would find a way to make this work. She closed her eyes … she’d get up in a moment. Right now she wanted to enjoy the afterglow a little longer. For the first time in a long time, she knew what it was to be happy.
Excerpt: Mine to Keep
Dirty Sexy Space Five
He's all puppy charm, but he smiles like a wolf. Trust him? She'd have to be out of her mind.
All Sandy wanted was some R&R in Sydney before joining the Earth Ship Siren as head of Military Police. What she gets is a night of mystery and pleasure with a man so wickedly fascinating he can't possibly be law-abiding.
For professional con man Peter Stanton, Master Sergeant Alanna Sanderson, with her kick-ass body and cool blue eyes, is the most fun he's ever had. Eight months later, on the Siren, he gets to meet her again, but now he's Prisoner 141, and they're out among the stars, half way to the penal colony on Solitaire.
When a micrometeroid shower strikes the convoy, Sandy and Prisoner 141 are stranded on a stricken ship. Will he pull off the ultimate confidence trick and sacrifice Sandy for his freedom?
If only she could command her heart as easily as her stun gun, because when he betrays her, as he surely must, she's going to have to kill him.
Chapter One
Spring, 2202. Sydney, Australia.
Aussies weren’t a bad lot, mused Sandy, but they couldn’t sing for shit. Every drunk in the pub bellowed along with the karaoke machine. God only knew what the tune was, but they’d killed it deader than the fishes floating in the harbor. A night in the Siren’s brig would do them the world of good—not that she had the power to put them there. Which was a crying shame in her opinion, but they were civilians, not her people.
Hooking a boot heel over the bar rail, she leaned back to tally the prospects. Oh, yeah, she was restless tonight, all keyed up and burning to cut loose. By god, she was due a celebration! Her grin kicked up a notch. Twenty years of sweat and dedication, but she’d done it. Master Sergeant Sanderson. Ah, it was sweet. Master Sergeant. Finally. She rolled her shoulders, enjoying the easy flex of strong, supple muscle, savoring the sense of achievement fizzing through every cell in her compact body.
All she needed was— Her mouth thinned as her gaze moved from man to man. Quickly, she summed them up: falling down drunk; already taken; lard ass; obviously gay; just a kid; passed out on the floor. Dammit, Sydney was a bust. She might be ready to roll, but she had her standards.
The stentorian chorus grew loud enough to drown out the rumble of the air scrubbers, though it wasn’t as if the stupid things were any use. The fog inside the building was only marginally more breathable than the smog outside. No wonder slum-dwellers got chem-lung, especially the young and the vulnerable.