Combustion, p.12
Combustion, page 12
At the sink, he splashed his face with cold water and dried it with a paper towel. He stood there for a moment, staring at his reflection.
The door opened and he was shocked when Tiana stepped inside.
“Can’t you read?” he said. “This is the men’s room.”
“I heard.” She strode toward him, took his face in her hands and covered his lips in a passionate kiss.
Her warm, wet tongue slid into his mouth and Jace groaned.
No way in hell had he been expecting this.
Didn’t the woman hate his guts?
It didn’t seem like it now, with her hands tugging his shirt from his trousers and sliding underneath to caress his chest and stomach.
His cock stiffened and Jace reached down to give himself a quick rub.
“Naughty boy,” she purred, slapping his hand away from his crotch so that she could unzip him. She palmed him through his underpants, then guided his hard cock through the front flap. Her warm hand curled around it and stroked.
“Oh fuck,” Jace breathed, his heart pounding.
Tiana kissed him again while her thumb teased the underside of his cock head.
Taking her face in his hands, Jace thrust his tongue into her mouth. Hers met it and they danced for several moments while she continued fondling his straining cock.
Damn, he was so turned on that he marveled at his self-control. He could have easily gone off then and there, just from her skilled strokes.
Jace took her full lower lip between his teeth and bit it gently, then sucked it, making her moan.
When the kiss broke, Tiana sank to her knees, pushing down his pants and underwear.
Hell, this couldn’t get much better. Jace tried to control his breathing. His heart raced as her gorgeous lips hovered over his cock head. Her warm breath teased the tip, then her tongue flicked over it.
Groaning, Jace braced his legs farther apart and placed his hands on her head, feeling the softness of her hair. He concentrated on the texture of her braid to keep from coming too fast.
This was too much. His cock ached and his entire body tingled. Searing heat -- characteristic of the Pixien mating cycle -- overwhelmed him.
Tiana lapped and sucked, driving him nearly mad with pleasure.
The rest room door opened and a man wearing a business suit stepped in.
Jace glanced at him and quickly left, hoping no one he passed noticed his tremendous hard-on scarcely concealed by his trousers.
Outside the building he gulped deep breaths of fresh air and hurried to his shuttle.
Fuck, what a fantasy that had been.
In the meeting room, he’d been furious with Tiana. It figured he’d have a sexual daydream about a woman who hated him.
“Damn. This mission is going to be hell in more ways than one,” he murmured. For the first time since he’d been hired, he regretted his decision. Maybe he should back out after all.
No way. Miss High and Mighty wasn’t going to push him out of this opportunity. Sure, he had a dark past, but he’d done his best to redeem himself. He’d done his time. Not that he was comparing faults, but he was pretty sure Tiana wasn’t perfect. No one was.
If he started questioning himself now, he’d be lost and he wouldn’t let that happen.
Chapter Two
The second time Tiana and Jace met didn’t go much better than the first. Upon boarding the ship, Jace went directly to engineering. Though a small vessel, with just a four-person crew plus the captain, everyone had their fair share of privacy. According to Carlos, spending all his time in sickbay would be downright lonely. That was why just a few hours into their journey, the doctor stepped into engineering,
“Hey,” he said, approaching Jace. “Mind if I join you for a while?”
“Why not?” Jace glanced out from beneath the power section of the engine.
“I hear you’ve worked for Homeworlds for the past five years.”
Since his release from prison, he had been lucky to get a job as an engineer for a charitable organization that helped the homeless on several planets in the Silver Iris Galaxy. Sometimes the job was even more dangerous than smuggling. He’d traveled to planets at war to pick up and transport victims to shelters on host worlds. Not that he didn’t enjoy the work and felt that in a small way he was paying society back for his crimes, but he really wanted to visit Earth again.
“Yeah.”
“Didn’t you like it?”
“Sure, I liked it, but when I saw a chance to visit Earth, I figured I’d give it a shot.”
Jace had been to Earth dozens of times, though in an unofficial capacity. As an intergalactic drug smuggler, he had visited many places in the known universe, though he couldn’t add the list to his resume.
Jace continued, “Truth be told, I didn’t expect to be selected for this position. What’s your story, Doc?”
“Like you and everyone else aboard, I like Earth. It’s an interesting little planet, a bit like Pixie in the bygone days.”
“Yeah. It’s almost like stepping into the past.”
“And the humans are pretty hot too.”
Jace raised an eyebrow. “Is that a medical opinion, Doctor?”
“No, and call me Carlos.”
“Did you come here just to socialize?”
Carlos looked a bit taken aback. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to disturb you.”
“That’s not what I meant. I just figured that after what Tiana said during the meeting, no one would be keen on having me here.”
“I trust Wyatt. If he says you’re the best man for the job, I believe him. Until you or anyone else gives me reason to think otherwise, I’m ready to consider you guys my friends.”
“Thanks, me too.”
“Great. Now to answer your question, yes I came down here to say hi but also to let you know I’ve looked over everyone’s medical records. I noticed you have problems with certain meds due to your previous drug issues.”
His addiction. Though Jace had been clean long before he was incarcerated, he had to be careful about taking even legal drugs.
“Certain painkillers could prompt a relapse of your condition,” Carlos said.
“I’m not gonna break into the medicine cabinet in sickbay, if that’s what’s bugging you.” Jace tried to sound cool, but he couldn’t keep the anger from his eyes.
“Not what I was going to say.” Carlos held his gaze. “I made sure to have a special stock of non-addictive anesthetics in case of an emergency.”
Jace was taken aback. “Oh… uh. Thanks.”
“No problem. There’s no telling what might happen on a mission like this. I want everyone to be confident that they’re taken care of, medically, I mean. Speaking of that, can you do a check on the backup generator for sickbay when you have a chance? Some of our monthly cycle meds need to be kept cool, or else the supply will lose potency.”
Pixiens experienced a monthly sexual cycle during which they had to mate or else be consumed by their inner fire. In days of old, Pixiens were a violent race, often driven to brutal acts by their cycles. Nowadays, they had found ways to curb their deadly sex drive. Many Pixiens used medication to control their monthly urges and create chemical balance during their cycles. Others chose to use a relief partner -- someone to satisfy their needs in a more natural way.
Although social, Pixiens rarely mated for life and marriage was unusual on their planet. Taking on a lifetime partner was a human characteristic that intrigued Jace. Perhaps because his childhood had been so fucked up, because he had no real family to speak of, deep inside he longed for someone to share his life with.
“I’ll check the generator ASAP, Doc -- Carlos. The last thing we need is to be stuck in space without our cycle meds.”
Without the meds, the crew would be reduced to fucking each other to survive. Jace was sure Tiana would leap at the chance to ease her mating fire with him.
Yeah.
Right.
In my dreams.
Or perhaps in my nightmares.
The woman was as friendly as an eel and just as cold, not to mention she loathed the sight of him. He didn’t find her the least bit charming either, but he couldn’t deny she had a great body. Just thinking about her aroused him in a masochistic way.
Speaking of the proverbial devil, as the humans would say, Tiana strode into engineering.
“Carlos, Captain Wyatt wants to talk to you on the bridge.”
“Don’t tell me someone is sick or injured already?”
“No such luck, doc.”
“Talk to you later, Jace,” Carlos said before leaving.
Tiana remained, her arms folded across her chest and her fierce gaze leveled on Jace.
“What are you looking at?” he demanded.
“Absolutely nothing,” she said, her tone scathing.
He had been kneeling to make adjustments on a filter, but stood and approached her.
“Listen, Tiana, I get that you don’t approve of me, but the fact is we’re aboard this ship and we need to get along. Will you at least call a truce until the mission is over?”
“On two conditions.”
“Name them.”
“That you don’t step a toe out of line and that you don’t talk to me unless it’s absolutely necessary.”
“Well that’s blunt enough,” Jace said. “I’m sure you’ve taken the time to crosscheck everyone aboard, so you know I’ve been walking the straight and narrow for the past five years. As for not talking to you, you’re the one who stuck your snout into engineering, babe. I sure as hell didn’t invite you here.”
“Call me babe again and you’ll be paying Carlos a visit in sickbay. As for what I’m doing here, as the security officer, I’m in charge of seeing that every inch of this ship is kept safe, so I’ll come here or anywhere else I damn well please, whenever I feel it’s necessary.”
Jace gave a snort of laughter. “Silly me. And here I thought Wyatt was the captain.”
“Just stay out of my way.”
“Be glad to.”
“Good.”
She turned on her heel to head for the door.
Jace impulsively slapped her bottom.
Tiana spun, fury in her eyes. “You did not just do that.”
“Yes I did.”
“I think you’re the one who needs the spanking.” She unfastened the belt from around her slim waist, her expression stony but her dark eyes alive with lust.
“So you like it rough?” he asked.
“I like to give it rough.”
“Cool. I can handle the Dominatrix thing.”
She raised a sleek eyebrow. “You sure about that?”
“Give me your best shot, babe.”
“Remember what I said about calling me babe?” Tiana snapped her belt and stared at him with smoldering eyes. “Strip and face the wall.”
He grinned and quickly shed his clothes, then turned and placed his hands against the smooth metal wall. He wiggled his ass at her and a second later her belt snapped across it.
Jace drew a sharp breath.
The lady meant business.
“Ouch,” he said in a teasing tone.
“You want more?”
“Unless your arm is tired already.”
The belt cracked across his ass again. Then again.
It stung like hell, but felt tingly warm at the same time.
Tiana stepped closer and trailed the belt lightly over his shoulders, back and ass.
Her hand splayed over his bottom and she purred in his ear, “Your ass is hot.”
“I bet yours is too.”
“I might let you find out, but first…” She stepped back and peeled off her jumpsuit, baring her long, lean, incredibly sexy body. Dark nipples tipped her smooth, brown breasts. They swayed temptingly as she moved, pushing the jumpsuit over her hips.
She kicked off her boots and removed the jumpsuit completely.
His hands still braced against the wall, Jace stared at her, his heart beating hard and his cock stiff and aching. He could scarcely wait to fuck her.
“On your knees,” she ordered. “I want your tongue on my clit. Now.”
“Oh babe,” he groaned, his voice rough.
He turned and dropped to his hands and knees, crawling toward her, his gaze lifted to hers. There was no missing the raw desire in her eyes and it turned him on so fucking much.
Kneeling in front of her, he caressed her hips, then kissed her stomach. His cheek brushed against the dark thatch of curly hair covering her soft mound, then he rolled his tongue over her clit.
Her head arched and she drew a shuddering breath.
Jace lapped and sucked her sensitive flesh, his hands snug on her hips.
Lost in sensation, she let the belt drop and wove her fingers through his hair.
“Oh yes, Jace, don’t stop,” she panted. “Please don’t stop.”
Moaning he continued tasting her, teasing her, driving her into a quivering orgasm that might have knocked her off her feet had he not been holding her so snugly…
“Whew,” Jace breathed, wiping a hand over his perspiring forehead.
He remained staring at the empty door through which Tiana had disappeared moments ago.
Of course he’d never risk spanking her gorgeous butt, no matter how much he’d like to, and he’d probably never have the pleasure of licking her clit, but a guy could daydream, right?
Unfortunately these fantasies came at the worst times. He wasn’t even in cycle yet and she had his head spinning and his body aflame.
This trip was going to be torture, all because of one self-righteous, incredibly sexy security officer.
Chapter Three
Tiana prided herself in being an honest woman. She didn’t like to sugarcoat the truth and the truth was that regardless of Jace’s skill as an engineer, an ex-con had no business aboard this ship. She had first served under Wyatt in the Pixien army. Though relatively young, Wyatt was a strong leader and a brilliant scientist -- two qualities that should have made him an ideal captain for this mission. She had been shocked to learn he’d selected Jace as their engineer.
After the first meeting with the crew, she had even spoken to him in private, asking again why he had chosen Jace. He’d told her point blank that the crew selection was entirely his choice and he believed each and every member was the best in their field. They were dedicated to a successful mission -- with one reserve -- Trevor. Wyatt had reluctantly agreed to accept him as the communications officer because Skies had been adamant about him being part of the mission. Unfortunately there was something about the man he didn’t like, though he couldn’t place exactly what. Trevor was skilled and experienced in communications and the CEO trusted him.
“Still, I want you to keep close watch on him,” Wyatt had told Tiana. “I will be, but I’m counting on you as my second set of eyes.”
“Yes, sir,” she’d said. In private she also vowed to keep a close watch on Jace. With two suspicious characters aboard, this was sure to be an interesting mission.
Truthfully, she shared Wyatt’s dislike of Trevor. The man was a bit too slick for her taste. He reminded her of a used shuttle salesman.
Jace was another matter. The guy was as blunt as Tiana herself. With his somewhat sarcastic and quirky personality, he was less socially adept than Trevor, but damn it, as much as he grated on her, she almost liked him. Even worse, she lusted after him. When he looked at her with those big brown eyes, she wanted to trust him. Though not tall like Wyatt, he had a sturdy build -- broad shouldered and muscular. She actually itched to run her fingers through his short, dark hair to find out if the shiny waves were rough or soft.
Lusting after a crewmate was bad enough, but why did it have to be the criminal? It was as if fate itself was laughing at her.
The best way to handle her desire was to ignore it.
She’d already laid down the law with Jace and now, weeks into their journey, he still abided by her rules. He spent most of his time in engineering, even taking meals there.
While the others got to know him, in particular Carlos, who seemed to enjoy visiting engineering, Tiana kept to her word and didn’t speak to him unless necessary.
Late one night she had just finished reading one of her favorite action adventure novels and decided to do one last check of the ship before retiring to her quarters.
Wyatt sat alone on the bridge, having relieved Erica so she could get some sleep. Trevor was in his cabin and Carlos was performing some sort of experiment in sickbay.
When she stepped into engineering, Tiana was surprised to find Jace lying on a cot, his forearm shielding his eyes against the dim light. Still fully clothed, he had kicked off his boots. He groaned and shifted uncomfortably.
“Jace?” she asked quietly. “You awake?”
He groaned again and twitched.
He was just dreaming.
Tiana was about to turn away, but he twitched again and grunted, as if in pain.
Why should she care?
Maybe he was sick. If so, that could be bad, should anything happen to the function of the ship.
She approached and shook him. “Hey. Jace. Wake up.”
He shot up so fast that she nearly fell. Prepared to defend herself, if necessary, she narrowed her eyes at him.
“You okay?” she asked.
“Yeah.” He breathed scrubbing a hand over his face. His eyes looked haunted and she felt a pang of --
No. She would not feel compassion for a stinking drug smuggler, a fucking criminal. He deserved nightmares.
“What are you doing here?” he asked.
“I might ask you the same thing. You do have quarters, right?”
“Yeah, but I had trouble sleeping again and figured I’d come down here. I like being around the engine. So why are you here?”
“Doing another security check before turning in.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “You sure you’re okay?”
A strange little smile flickered across his lips. “You give a damn?”
“I give a damn about the wellness of everyone aboard. It’s my job.”
“I thought that was Carlos’ job?”
