Laura Bacchi - The Heart of a Hunter

7/30/2019 Laura Bacchi - The Heart of a Hunter

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A n ero ti c r om an ce n ov el la b y

C i n c i n n a t i , O h i o

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T hi s i s a w o rk o f f ic ti on . N a m e s, p l ac e s, c h a r a c t e r s a n d i n c id en ts a r e e i th e r t h e p r od uc t o f t h e a u t ho r 's

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T h e H e a r t o f a H u n t er 2 00 5 b y L a u r a B ac c h i

A ll r i gh t s r e s e r v e d u n d e r t h e I n t e r na t i on a l a n d P a n - A m e r i c a n C o py r ig h t C o nv e n ti o n s. N o p a r t o f t h is b o o k

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As h e r t oo k o n e l as t d e e p b r ea t h a n d op e ne d t h e d oo r . S m ok e f r om t h e d u mp c a l l ed S a d ie ' s B a r a n d G ri ll


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e s c a p e d , mi ng li ng w i th t h e n i gh t a i r o ut s i de o f H o u s t o n . T h e b r u n e tt e s a t a t t h e b a r . H e r c u r vy b a c k s id e

s h if te d o n t h e s to ol a n d s t op p ed h im c o ld .

T hi s w a s a s im pl e m i ss io n. N o c ri mi na ls t o a p p r eh e nd , n o r u n aw a y s t o r e tu r n h o me . J u s t f in d R a in e

T h om p so n a n d b ri n g h e r t o t h e H i gh C o m m a n d e r . S h e w o ul d c o m e w il li ng ly , h e w a s t o ld . B u t s o me t hi n g

g a v e hi m t h e f ee li ng t h a t e sc o rt i ng R a in e b a c k h o me w ou ld b e a ny th in g b ut s i mp le .

H e climbed ont o t he stool n ex t t o h er a nd de ci de d on t he d ire ct a pp ro ac h. "My n am e i s A sh er T e r -B e r ro n . I 'm f ro m t h e pl a ne t T ur m a, a n d I' m h e r e t o e s c o r t yo u b a c k to "

" G r ea t p i c k- u p l in e . V e r y o r i gi na l. " S h e s m i l ed a n d f i ni s he d o f f t h e r e s t o f h e r d r in k . " I t a k e i t t h e r e ' s a

s ci -f i c on ve nt io n i n t ow n ."

H e r s mi le t oo k him b y s ur pr is e. E ve ry i ma ge b ou nc ed int o s p ac e f ro m E ar th 's s at el li te s s ho we d

A m e ri c a ns w i t h f l a w le s s t e e t h . A f r on t t o ot h a t t h e b ot to m o f h e r m ou th o v er l ap p ed i t s n e i gh bo r b y t h e

s m al l es t m e a s u r e. A s h e r g l a nc e d a r ou n d t h e b a r a n d w a t c h e d a s m ou th a f t e r m o ut h r e v e a le d b o t h d e f e c t s

a n d s t ai n ed e n a me l . T h e 8 ,0 00 k ro na i h e c o ug h ed u p t o p e r f e c t h is m ou th b e f or e l ea vi ng h o me h a d n ot b e e n

m on ey w e ll s p e nt .

" Te ll m e w h y I s ho ul d g o w i th y ou , S p ac e bo y ." S h e t i lt ed h e r h e a d t o t h e s i de . A h in t o f r e d f l i ck e re d o n

h e r d a r k c u r l s w h e n s h e m o v ed .

" M y b o s s , t h e H i g h C o m m a n d e r o f T u r m a , h a s c h o s e n y o u t o b e h i s m a t e . " A s h e r s c a n n e d h e r b o d y t o

s e e w h y I m ar i h a d s e n t h im a c r o s s t he ga l ax y t o g e t t hi s w o m an .

H is c o ck k n e w w hy . I t t wi tc he d t o l if e w h en s h e s w iv el ed t o f a c e h im . T w o ful l b r ea s t s s tr ai ne d a ga in st a

t ig ht p in k c a r d i ga n . H e w a n t e d t o u n bu t to n t h e l o n g li n e o f p e a r l s h o ld in g t h e s w e a t e r t o g e t h er a n d l e t h e r

t it s fi ll h i s h a n ds . R a i ne ' s n i pp le s h a r d en e d u n d er h i s g a z e . H e w a n t ed h is m ou th o n t h e m. H e w a n t ed t o

make her squirm...

S h e c l e a r e d h e r t h r o a t . " W el l, y o u h a v e a l o t i n c o mm o n w i th E a r t hm e n, " s h e t e a s e d . " Y ou b o th l i ke t o

g a w k a t a w o m a n ' s c h e s t . "

H e b r ou g ht h i s e y e s b a c k t o h e r s . H e r p up il s w i d e ne d i n t h e d i m l i gh t . T h e p a l e b l ue s u rr o un d in g t h e m

r e mi n de d h im o f L a k e H u ia m n e a r h i s c hi ld ho od h o m e . H e r f ul l li ps p a r t e d u n d e r h i s s c r ut i n y, a n d h i s c o c k pounded in his tight jeans.

H e k n e w w hy I m ar i h a d pi c ke d h e r . R a in e w a s a R e s po n d er . R e s po n d er s w e r e t ou gh t o c o m e b y o n

T u rm a ; A s h e r h ad m e t ma y be t w o i n h is l if et im e. S h e wo ul d b e f un a n d s w e e t . A nd v e ry go od i n b e d .

" Ti me f o r y o ur n i g ht ca p, R a in e ?" A s h e r t o r e h i s g a z e a w a y f r om h e r a n d g l ar e d a t t h e b a r t e n de r f o r

i nt ru di ng . T h e b a r t e n d e r g la r e d b a c k .

S h e p a t t ed t h e l a rg e m a n ' s a r m . " I t' s o k ay , J o s h . I ' m a b ig g ir l. " T h e n s h e g ot t o h e r f e e t a n d w ob bl ed

unsteadily.

" A nd a v e r y dr u nk g ir l, " J o s h m u tt e r e d .

" Be r ig ht b a ck . G ot ta p e e b e fo r e w e b la st o ff ." S h e g ri nn ed a t A s h er a nd g ra bb ed h e r p ur s e b e fo re

ambling towards the restroom.

J o sh f i re d u p t h e e sp r e s s o m a k er bu t k e pt hi s e y e s on A s h e r . "L e a ve h e r a l on e. "

"Because she's drunk?"

" B ec a us e s h e j us t g o t t w o- ti me d b y h e r a s s ho le b oy fr ie nd a nd h e r b os s i s a p ri ck . S h e d oe s n' t n e ed

a n y mo r e c r a p i n h e r l i fe r i gh t n o w. " H e f il le d a t h i c k p a p e r c u p w i t h c o f f e e t h e n t o p p e d t h e d ri n k w i t h

w h ip p ed c r e a m a n d a l i be r al s p ri n kl e o f c h o c ol a t e c h i ps .

C h o c ol a t e . I t w a s t h e o n e t h in g T u r mi a n s c o ul d n' t r e p l i c a t e . A s y n th e t i c v e rs i o n s o l d w e ll o n h i s p l a ne t

but paled in comparison to the real thing.

A s h e r s w a l l ow e d t h e s a l i v a p oo li ng i n h is m o u t h. " I w o u ld n e v e r h u r t h e r . I p r om i s e s h e ' l l b e s a f e w i t h

me."

T h e g ig gl e b e hi nd h is s h ou ld er a l mo s t m a d e h i m j u mp . H e ' d b e e n s o m e sm e ri z ed b y t h e t in y m o rs e ls

s in ki ng i nt o t h e w hi p pe d c r e a m t h a t h e h a d n ' t s e e n h e r r e t u rn .


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" Yo u' ll k e e p m e s a f e, A s h e r? " S h e n e ed e d s o me f r e s h a ir t o d a mp e n h e r bu zz . W h en s h e s o b e r e d u p a n d

r ea li ze d w h a t s h e h ad a g r e e d to , R a i ne m ig ht n o t b e s o s w e e t .

"I certainly will." O r i t w i ll b e m y a s s. A s h er t ur ne d h i s a tt en ti on b a ck t o t h e s te am in g c up a s J os h

s e c u r ed a l id o n t o p. " C an I g et o ne to o? "

T h e b a r t e n d e r n o d d e d b u t c o n t i n u e d t o g l a r e . A s h e r w e n t f o r h i s w a l l e t . R a i n e p u t h e r h a n d o n h i s a r m

a n d g a v e i t a l it tl e s q u e e z e . " I ' m bu yi ng , S p ac e b o y. " S h e d u g a r o un d i n h e r p u r s e a n d h a n d ed J o s h s o m efolded bills.

" B e r ig ht b a ck . " A s h e r s li pp ed o f f hi s s e a t a n d h e a de d t o w a rd s t h e r e s tr o om s .

Raine surprised him by clutching his hand. She led him down the hallway and pulled him into a dimly lit

c o r n e r . T h e h al l w a s d e s e r t e d , a n d t h e lo ok i n h e r e y e s t o l d hi m h e ' d b e s e a r c hi n g f o r a n o t h e r j ob w h e n h e

g ot b a c k h om e .

H e r l ip s m e t hi s a n d o pe n ed f o r hi s t o ng u e. H e c o ul dn 't r e s is t . H i s h a nd s f o un d h e r h ip s a n d k n e a d ed t h e

s o f t, f e m a l e f l e s h .

H i s c o n s c i e n c e co m pe l l ed h i m t o s t o p , a n d h e b r o k e t h e k i s s . " M a y b e y o u d i dn ' t u n d e r st a n d m e e a r l ie r . "

H e b r a c e d hi s p a lm s o n e i t he r s i de o f h e r he a d a nd f o r ce d hi ms el f a w a y f ro m t h e w ar m t h of h e r b o dy . " My

boss is your mate, not me."

R a i n e l i c k e d h i s b o t t o m l i p . " B u t y o u r b o s s i s n ' t h e r e . " W h e n h e d i d n ' t r e s p o n d , s h e l a v e d t h e c o l u m n o f

h is t h ro a t w i th a ho t t o ng u e.

" Th at 's n ot e xa ct ly t ru e. "

T h at g ot h e r a tt e nt i on . S h e f la t te n ed h e rs e l f ag a in s t t h e w al l . " Th en w h e r e i s h e ?"

" In m y h e ad . " H e k n e w t h is w o u ld g e t c o m pl i ca t ed . R a i n e d id n' t l oo k t o o c o nv i nc e d. " H e c a n s e n s e

things."

" So h e ' s t e l e p a t h et i c ? "

" Y e s . I ma r i i s t e le pa t hi c, " h e c o r r e c t e d .

R a in e g r ab b ed h is w r i st s a n d se t t le d hi s h a nd s b a c k on h e r w a i st . "S o h o w do e s h e f e e l a b o u t w h a t w e ' r e

d oi ng r i gh t n o w ?"

" H e c a n s e n s e w h a t I ' m t h in ki ng , b ut I c a n ' t d o t h e s a m e . I w a s n ' t b o r n w i t h t h is a bi li ty ." H e t r ie d t o

r e m o ve h i ms e lf f r o m h e r g ri p , b u t s h e c u r le d a f i n ge r t h r o ug h a b e l t l oo p . " F or a l l I k n ow , h e ' s p la nn in g t o

kill me when I get back."

S h e y a n k e d hi m c l o s e r . " T he n I 'l l d o m y b e s t t o m a k e t h i s t h e h o t t e s t s e x y o u ' ve e v e r h a d ." S h e k i s s e d

h im a g a i n a n d i n c h e d u p h e r s k ir t , e xp o si n g a s l i ve r o f p i n k s a t i n. H e i n ha l ed t h e s c e n t o f h e r a r o u sa l a n d

k i ss e d h e r b a c k . H a r d .

It's Imari's fau lt fo r sen din g me her e. For mak ing me tra ck do wn a Res pon der . A s h e r g a v e i n . H e

c u p pe d h e r p u s sy , a n d s h e m o a n ed i n t o h is m o u t h . H i s h a n d s l i pp e d b e n e a t h t h e e l a s t i c o f h e r p a n t i e s a n d

parted the folds of her cunt. A finger dipped into the slick heat of her sex and retrea ted before thrusting in

a ga in . H e r h ip s r o c ke d f o rw a rd t o m e et e a c h s t ro k e. A s e co n d f i ng er j oi ne d t h e f ir st a s t h e p a d o f h i s

t hu m b g li de d o v e r h e r c l i t.

H i s c o c k p ul s e d a g a i ns t t h e s t if f d e ni m o f h i s j e a n s . T h i s h a d t o s t o p b e f o r e h e l o st w h a t l it tl e c on t ro l h e

s ti ll h a d l e f t . H e p l u n ge d h i s f i n g er s i n t o h e r o n e l a s t t i m e, a n d s h e w h i mp e r ed i n p r o t e s t w h e n h e t o o k h i s

h an d a w a y . T h e f lu sh o f a t o il et r o a re d b eh in d a w a ll , s ta rt li ng t h em b ot h . A s h e r t u gg e d h e r s k i rt d o wn a n d

stepped back.

" I' m s o rr y , R ai ne ," h e w h i sp e re d .

S h e sl um pe d a g ai n st t h e wa ll a n d sm o ot h ed h e r s ki r t. W h en s h e b e nt d o wn t o r e t ri e v e he r p u rs e , h e r c ur l s

f el l f o r w ar d a n d h id t h e d is ap po in tm en t i n h e r e y e s . T h e r e g r et s t e e p ed i n t h o se p oo ls o f b lu e m a d e h im

w a n t t o h au l h e r i nt o t h e b at h ro om a n d p ut a n en d t o h e r m i se r y. A n d h i s.

H e t u rn e d a n d e n t e re d t h e m e n 's r o om . T h e f l us h er w h o i n t e rr up t ed t h ei r g r op in g h a d n 't l e ft h is s t al l .

A s h e r c o n s i d e r e d t h e a g o n y i n h i s p a n t s a n d t h e u r i n a l s o u t i n t h e o p e n . A q u i c k h a n d - j o b w o u l d c e r t a i n l y


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m a k e t hi n gs e a s i e r f o r h i m.

" Um, h ow lon g a r e yo u go in g t o b e in t h er e ?"

" S or ry , b u d. " T h e m ys t e r y f l u s he r s l u r re d a n ap o lo g y. " G on n a b e a wh i le . "

A s h e r e m er g e d fr o m t h e ba t hr oo m j us t a s R a i n e tu c ke d h e r ce ll p ho n e i nt o h e r p u rs e .

" R e ad y ? " h e a s k e d ." Y ea h, I a m. " H e r e y e s s e tt l e d o n t h e bu lg e a t t h e fr o nt o f hi s j e a ns . "W is h I co ul d s a y t h e s a m e f o r y o u. "

* * *

R a i n e s t a r e d a t t h e m a n s i p p i n g c o f f e e b y h e r s i d e a s t h e y w a l k e d . T h e w h o l e o u t e r s p a c e t h i n g s t r u c k

h e r a s od d, b ut s h e' d p la y a lo ng i f i t m e an t a go od s c r e w .

H e r b oy fr ie nd o f t w o y e a r s h a d d um pe d h e r o nl y a w e e k a g o f o r h e r b e s t f r ie n d. T h e s e x, h o we v er ,

h a d t a p e r e d o f f l on g b e f o r e t h a t . A f t e r h e r t e a r s h a d d r ie d , R a i n e v o w e d t o s c r e w a s m a n y m e n a s p o ss i bl e

before she turned 30. She had six months to go, and Spaceboy here would be her first conquest. Hopefully

w h a t t oo k p l a c e i n S a d i e ' s b a c k h a l lw a y w o ul d n' t b e a n o n- go in g t h e m e f o r th e n ig h t.

"S o w h e re d id y ou p ar k yo ur U F O? "

H e s mi le d d ow n a t h e r. " A f e w bl oc ks f ro m h e re . "

T h e m a n h a d go r g eo u s t e e t h . A ct u al l y, e v er y t hi n g s h e ' d s e e n s o f a r r a t e d a s g o r g e o us . H e h a d a g o o d s i x

i n c h e s o n h e r a n d a b r o a d c h e s t . H i s m e s m e r i z i n g a m b e r - f l e c k e d e y e s r e f l e c t e d t h e l i g h t s o f t h e b u i l d i n g s

they passed. Between his looks and the alcohol, thinking straight proved difficult. Walking proved damned

near impossible.

S h e l os t h e r f oo ti ng w h e n t h ey r e a c he d t he g ra v el p ar ki ng l ot . H e c a ug h t h e r j us t i n t i me w i th h is f r e e a r m

a n d p ul le d h e r c l o se t o h is b od y.

R ai ne r el uc ta nt ly u nt an gl ed h e rs e lf . " S o w h at d o y ou d o o n t hi s p la ne t o f y ou rs ?"

" I' m a h un te r. K in d o f l ike a bo un ty h un te r h er e o n E ar th . I fi nd c ri mi na ls a nd mi ssi ng k ids a ndrunaways."

" An d w o me n t o m a t e w it h y ou r l e ad e r? " S h e g ri nn ed a n d t oo k a n ot h e r s i p o f es p r e s s o .

" No , t h is i s a s p e ci a l m is s io n, " h e l a ug h e d. " A n d w e ' r e a m o n o ga m ou s s o c i e t y . Y ou ' ll b e t h e o nl y w o m a n

he mates with."

T h e po o r g u y n e e d e d a l i f e . P a r t o f h e r w a n t e d t o t r i p hi m up , a s k h i m s om e th i ng h e c o ul d n' t a n s w e r s o

s m oo t hl y . A n o t h e r p a r t o f h e r t h ou g ht i t m i g ht b e f u n t o p l ay a l o n g . M a y b e h e h a d s o m e k in ky l i tt le s p a c e

c o s t u m e s b a c k a t h i s p l a c e . H e co u ld d r e s s u p a s t h e H i gh C o m m an d e r a n d fu c k he r al i e n- s t yl e .

" Yo u s p e a k v e ry go od E ng li sh f o r a g uy w h o j us t l a nd e d o n E a rt h ."

" I w a t c h a l o t o f T V . " R a in e g a v e hi m a f u n ny l oo k, a n d h e c o n t i nu e d . " Sa t el l it e t r a ns m i s si o ns f r o m E a r t hboomerang all over the galaxy. We discovered a way to collect the signals in order to learn more about your

planet."

H op ef ul ly S p a ce b oy w ou ld n' t t a lk t hi s m u ch i n b e d .

T h ey t r a s he d t h ei r e m pt y c u ps , a n d a h ug e b l ac k b ox o n w h e el s c a m e i nt o fo c u s . Ra i ne f r o ze . " I t' s li ke a

H u mm e r o n s te ro id s, " s h e s l u rr e d.

T h e ve hi c le s a t a l on e a t t h e e d g e of t h e pa rk in g l ot . N o s t re e tl i gh t s r e f le c t e d o n t h e v a n ' s s u r f a c e . M a y b e

t hi s w h ol e t hi ng w a s a b a d i d e a. . .

H e m u s t h a v e s e ns e d h e r he s it a ti on . " D o y ou n e e d to m a k e an y ca l ls ? " S h e sh o ok h e r h e a d . " A ny f r i en d s

o r f a mi l y? "

" I j us t c a ug h t m y b oy fr ie nd b an gi ng m y b e s t f r ie n d. M y f a t h er p a s s e d a w a y a w hi le b a c k . A n d m y Mo m,

w el l, s h e h a s h e r o w n l i fe . " T h e l i st o f p e op l e i n h e r l i f e w a s d e pr e s si n gl y s h o r t . I f s h e v a n is h e d f r o m t h e

f a c e o f t h e E a rt h , w ou ld a n yo n e e v e n c a r e ?


5/16

T h e f a c t t h a t h e s u g g e s t e d s h e c a l l s o me o n e r e s t o r e d h e r w a n i n g t r us t i n hi m . A t l e a s t a l i t tl e . A nd h e r

pathetic personal life made her take another step towards the van.

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A s h e r b r e a t h e d a s i g h o f r e l i e f w h e n s h e t o o k a s t e p c l o s e r t o t h e r o v e r . H e k n e w s h e ' d c o m e c l o s e t o

backing out, but she didn't, and now leaned against him as they walked. Her breas t grazed his arm and sent

a j ol t t hr ou gh h is p ri ck f o r t he t hi rd t i me t h a t ni gh t.S w e a t b e a de d o n t h e b a ck o f hi s n e c k . T he a c h e i n h is b al ls t ol d h im t o l if t u p t h a t l it tl e t hi ng s h e c a ll e d a

s k ir t a n d f uc k h e r s e n s e l e s s . S h e w o ul d b e t h e p e r f e c t la y: a s e n s u o us m ou t h, p e r f e c t t it s , a n d a n a s s p lu mp

e no ug h t o h ol d o n t o a s h e d r ov e h is c o c k d e e p i ns id e h e r . H e s ho ul d 'v e w a i te d f o r t h e s ta l l w hi le h e ha d t h e

c h a n c e .

H e l e d h e r to t h e r e a r of t h e s p ac e c r a f t a nd p r e ss e d hi s h a nd t o t h e I D pa n el . A d oo r sl id o pe n, a n d s t e p s

d e s ce n d ed f ro m t h e da r k i nt e ri o r. R a i ne s e a r c h e d h is f a c e a s i f s h e ho pe d t o k no w f o r su r e w h e t h e r h e t o ld

t h e tr ut h a b ou t T u r ma . A bo u t k ee pi ng h e r s a f e . H e p l a c ed a k is s o n h e r f o r eh e a d a n d o f f e re d h e r h is a r m .

A f t e r o n e l a s t l oo k t o w a rd s t h e l i gh ts o f d o wn t ow n H ou s to n , s h e s m il ed a n d c li mb ed t h e s t a i r s.

S h e n o t i ce d t h e c u f f s i m m ed i at e ly a n d g a v e h i m a n a ug h t y s mi l e . T e n s e t s o f h a n d c u ff s s p a c e d e v en l y

a l o n g t h e w a l l s g l i n t e d i n t h e d i m l i g h t . E a c h s e t h u n g f r o m a s i n g l e b r a c k e t a n d s p o r t e d a f e w e x t r a l i n k s

t h a n E a r t h h a n d c u f fs .

A s h e r pu s he d a b ut to n a n d c l os e d u p t h e b ac k o f th e r o ve r .

R ai ne r e ac h ed u p t o t h e pa ir o f c uf f s c lo s es t t o h e r. " H ow d o t he y wo rk ?"

H e a r c h e d a s us p ic io us b r ow h e r w a y . "T he s a m e w a y t h ey d o o n E a rt h ."

A h in t o f s o m e th i ng v u l n er a bl e d a r k e n e d h e r e y e s . H e n e e d e d h e r t o t r u s t h i m. W i th o ut t hi nk in g a b o u t

possible consequences, he shrugged off his jacket and backed up to the wall with his arms in the air,

s ig na li ng t h a t s h e co ul d l oc k h im i n t h e c u f f s i f s h e w a n t e d. S h e d i dn 't w a s t e a n y t i me ; c o ld m e t a l s n a p pe d

a ro un d h is w r i st s b e f or e h e ' d h ad t h e c h a n c e t o s e t s o m e g ro un d r u le s .

" Se e? N o big d ea l. " H e s mil ed d ow n a t h er a nd w ai te d f or a r es po ns e. W he n s h e di dn' t m ov e, h e

w a i t e d a n d w ai t e d a n d t h e n be g a n t o p a n i c. S h e lo o ke d a t hi m t ho ug ht fu ll y, a s t h ou g h s h e w e r e d e ci d in gw h at t o d o. W h a t i f s h e c al le d t h e c o ps ? A m a n c la im in g t o b e f ro m o ut e r s p a ce w it h a m ob il e t o r tu re

c h a m b e r w o ul d g i ve t h e lo c al l a w e n fo r c e m e n t e n ou g h s t o r i es f o r t h e n ex t fi f t y y e a r s .

H e r r e s p o n se f in al ly c a m e . A h a nd m ol de d t o t h e c r ot c h o f hi s p a n ts a n d m a s s a g e d h i s s h a f t . A n e nt ir el y

d i ff e re n t k in d o f p a ni c w e ll e d u p i ns id e h im .

" U nl oc k m e ," h e o r d e r e d .

" I wi ll ," s h e g ri nn ed , " a f te r I h a v e m y w a y w i th y ou ."

T h e e r ec t io n h e h a d f ou gh t s o h a rd t o d e te r w a s b a ck i n fu ll f o rc e . I t s tr ai ne d a ga in st h e r p al m a nd

begged for any kind of relea se. "I'm not joking. Find the key in my pocket and unlock me. Now."

H e r h a nd w o rk e d it s w a y in to a p o c ke t a nd m a de c o n t ac t w it h h is c o c k th ro ug h t h e f ab r i c. " Is t hi s i t? "

A g r o an e s c a p e d h i s t h r o a t . E a c h s t r o k e o f h e r f i ng e rt i ps a g a i ns t h i s s h a f t s e n t a s h o c k t h r ou g h hi s b o dy .

H e tr i ed t o p ul l a w a y , b ut t h e c h ai n s o f t h e c u f f s g a v e h im l it tl e r oo m t o m a n eu v e r.

R a i n e l au g he d a t h i s p r e di c a m e nt a n d f o u n d t h e h e a d o f h i s c o c k . S h e c a r e s s e d t h e t i p w it h o n e f i ng e r,

m ak in g h im p a in fu ll y a w a r e o f t h e p r e - c u m s o a ki n g t h e l in in g o f h i s p o c k e t . W i th o ut w a r ni n g, h e r f i n ge r s

w i t h dr e w a n d m e t h e r t o ng u e .

" I l i ke t h e t a s t e o f y ou , A s h e r . " S h e d r o pp e d t o h e r k n e e s a n d u n f a s t e n e d hi s j e a n s . H e h e a r d t h e z i p p er

e a s e d o wn a nd h el d h is b r ea t h. Y o u b e t t e r c o m e u p w i t h s o m e t h i n g q u i c k . H e r f i n g e r s b e g a n t o s l i d e i n t o

h is b r ie f s .

" As m uc h a s I 'd li ke t o e nj oy t hi s " h e be g an .

" Y ou ' re n ot e nj oy in g t hi s ?" H e r h a n d s r e t r e a t e d.

T hi nk in g qu ic kl y, h e g a v e h e r h i s s e x i e s t s m i le . " I ' m o n e o f t h o s e A l p h a m a l e s . Y o u k n o w . . . t he k in d o f


6/16

g uy w h o ' d r a t h e r h a v e yo u i n c u ff s . "

S he h op pe d u p f ro m t h e fl oo r a s b es t a s s h e co ul d in h er i ne br ia te d s t at e a nd b ea me d a t hi m. " I' m

flexible."

" Gr ea t, u m, k e y 's in t h e l e ft p o ck e t. "

R a i n e d u g a r ou n d i n t h e j e a n s n o w s a g g i ng a r o u n d h i s t h ig h s a n d p r o du c e d t h e k e y . S h e u n lo c ke d h i m ,

h a nd e d hi m t he k e y, a n d h e ld o ut h e r w r i s ts . H e t w ir l ed h e r a r ou n d a n d s e c u r ed t h e c u f f s a r o un d e a c hd e li c at e w r i st .

H i s w o r d s t u m bl e d o ut i n a r u s h . " Y o u h a v e v i ol a te d C o d e 2 1 6 - B . I m u s t n o w i n fo r m y o u t h a t c h a r g e s

m ay b e p r es e nt e d t o t h e Hi gh C ou rt u po n a rr iv al i n T ur ma ."

" Oh , I g e t i t ." H e r g a z e fe l l t o h i s c r o t c h . " I 'm v e r y s o r r y, o f f i c e r . I ' m s u r e w e c a n w o r k s o m e th i ng o u t. "

S h e li ck ed h e r li ps a n d w ai t e d. A s h e r t ug ge d h is j e a ns t o h is w a i st a n d zi pp ed u p .

R e al i za t io n f il le d h e r b lu e e y e s . " W h a t ' s go in g o n ?"

" Ad ul te ry i s a s e r io u s c r im e o n m y p l an et . " H i s t o n e s o f t e n ed a s h e c on t in u ed . " I w o n ' t a c t ua l ly t u r n y o u

i n. " S h e op e ne d h e r m ou th t o r ep ly , b ut h e c ut h e r o f f . " Th is i s f o r y ou r o w n g oo d. " And mine, too .

" Bu t w e d i dn 't a c tu a ll y h a v e s ex . "

A s h e r s ig he d . " No , w e d i dn ' t. B u t t he i nt e nt w a s t h e r e. "

H i s e y e s ma d e o n e l a st p a s s ov e r h e r b od y w hi le h e t r ie d t o i gn or e h is c o c k s tr ai ni ng p ai nf ul ly i n h is j e a ns .

W it ho ut a n ot h er w o rd , h e t u r ne d a n d l ef t t h e r o om .

* * *

R a in e h a d n e v e r s o b e r ed u p t h i s f a s t i n h e r l if e. H e r t ho ug ht s s h if t ed f r om l us t t o a n g e r t o p u re p an i c

w it hi n s e c o n d s . S h e g l an c e d a t h e r p u r s e . T h a n k G od s h e ' d l e f t a m e s s a g e o n h e r a n s w e ri n g m a c h i ne . A t

l e a s t h e r r o o m ma t e w o ul d h a v e s o m e c l u e a b o ut w h a t h a p p e n e d . S h e s h o ul d ' ve g o t t en t h e h e ll o u t o f t h e r e

w h e n s h e s a w a ll t h e h an d c u f f s . H o r m o ne s m a k e p e op l e d o s o m e t r ul y s t up i d t h i ng s .

H o w w a s s h e s u p po s ed t o k n ow t h a t h oo ki ng u p w i th a s c ie n ce - fi c ti o n f r e a k wo ul d g e t h e r th e r e al t h i ng ?A n d t h e k ic k er ? S h e di dn 't e v e n g et t o f u ck h im . H e w a s h ot , a n d t he s e x w ou ld h a v e b ee n e v e n ho t t er . F o r

a w o m a n o n t h e pr o wl f o r co m m it m e n t -f r e e s e x , s h e c e r ta i n ly w a s n ' t h av i ng a n y lu c k .

A n e ng i n e r o a r e d b e ne a t h h e r f e e t . T h e v eh i c le a c c e l e r a t e d a n d lu r c he d t o t h e s i d e w i t h ou t w a r ni n g . S h e

s p r e ad h e r l e g s f o r b a l an c e a n d w o n de r e d w h a t h e w o u ld h a v e d o n e t o h e r i n t h i s p os it io n. T h a t t ho ug ht

r e fu e le d t h e h e a t f a d in g b e t w e en h e r l e gs . S h e p r e s s ed h e r t hi gh s b a c k t o ge t he r a n d s h u d d er e d w h e n a

flicker o f p le as ur e s ho t through h er s ex . A sh er 's v oi ce c ra ck le d f ro m a s pe ak er in t he ceiling a nd

i n t er r up t e d h e r t h o ug h t s.

" B ef o re w e t a k e o ff , t h e w al l s w il l m o ve a r ou nd y o u. D o n' t b e a l a rm e d w he n t h ey d o. "

R a i n e r ol l ed h e r e y e s . S h e c o u l dn ' t p o ss i bl y b e m o r e a l a rm e d t h a n s h e w a s n o w . B e i n g h o rn y a s h el l t o ok

t h e e d g e o f f o f h e r an x ie t y, b u t f e a r s ti ll g n a w e d a t h e r b r ai n .

T h e v e hi c l e j e r k ed t o t h e l e f t , l e a vi n g R a i n e t o d a n gl e l i ke a h e l pl e s s m a r i o n et t e . C u s h io n ed w a l l s b e h in d

h e r e n ci r cl e d h e r b od y. A s h e r ' s v o ic e f il le d t h e r oo m a g ai n . " L et m e k n ow i f t hi ng s g e t t o o t ig ht ."

S h e b it h e r l i p a t t h e w o rd t i g h t . T h e w a y h is c o ck h ad f il le d h e r h an d p r om is ed a s nu g f i t i n si de h e r

pussy...

T h e s p a ce c r af t p ic ke d u p s p ee d . H e r t e et h r at tl ed i n h e r m ou th f ro m b ot h n e rv e s a nd t h e v ib ra ti on s

pulsing through the walls. Metal grated against metal. An annoying humming sound tickled the insides of her

e a r s .

R ai ne o pe ne d h e r m ou th t o a po lo gi ze t o t h e u ph ol st er y f or w h at h e r s t om a ch w a s a bo ut t o d o, b ut

blackness overtook her.

* * *

A m a n ca ll ed o ut t o h e r i n t h e da r kn e ss .


7/16

T h e c o n t e n t s o f h e r s t o m a c h h a d r e m a i n e d i n ta c t d ur in g t a k e -o f f , b ut f r e s h b il e n o w s e a r e d h e r t h r o a t .

S h e st u mb l e d t o h e r f e e t . " B a th r oo m ?"

H e c a r ri e d h e r t o a s ma ll r o om . R a in e s li d a g a i ns t c oo l s t on e , a n d h e r h a nd s f la il ed o ut f o r s om et hi ng

s ol id . T h e m a n h e l pe d h e r a im f o r a n o pe ni ng i n t h e s t o n e' s s u r f a c e . S h e s i l en tl y v o w e d t o n e v er d ri nk

v od ka a g ai n . A c ol d c lo th m a d e c o n t ac t wi t h h e r f a c e a nd d ab b ed a t h e r m ou t h. T h e m a n h el d a c u p t o h e r

lips.

"Drink."

A m il ky l iq ui d w a r m e d h e r i n si d es a n d c o a t e d h e r e s o p h a g u s . T h e b ur ni n g in h e r t h r o a t s u b s id e d . E v e n

t he t hum pi ng i n h e r t em pl es s e e me d t o f a de . H e r a bi li ty t o f o cu s r et ur ne d, a nd t h e m an s h e v ag ue ly

r e m e m b e re d a s A s h e r c r o u c h ed do w n t o p a t h e r b a c k .

" O n e o f t h e d r a w b a c k s o f s p a c e t r av e l, " h e c h uc k l e d. " E ve n w i th o ut t h e al c oh o l. "

S h e s h i el d ed h e r e y e s f r o m t h e l i gh ts a b o v e . " M y m o ut h t a s t e s t e rr i bl e ."

" Ca n y ou g et t o y ou r f ee t? "

R a i n e g r a b be d t h e a r m h e o f f e r e d a n d s h u f f l ed t o a n u p r ig ht p o s it i on . H e p o in t ed t o a s m al l t o ot h br u s h

a n d a t u be c ov e r ed in s t r a ng e sy mb ol s . S h e c ou ld f i gu re o ut t h e r e s t.

" I' ll b e r ig ht o ut s id e. " H e c l o s ed t h e d oo r b eh in d h im .

T h e t o o t h p a s t e t a s t e d l i ke o r a n g e s a n d m i n t. S h e f i ni s he d b r us h in g a n d v e n t u re d a l oo k i n t o t h e m i r ro r .

Not a pretty sight. Shaky fingers combed through her wild head of hair. Her makeup, however, was beyond

r e pa i r. W it h a n y lu ck , t h e H ig h C o mm a nd e r w ou ld s e n d h e r b a c k a t f i r st s i gh t.

S h e op e ne d t h e do or t o s o f t l ig ht s a n d a g o rg e ou s h un k o f m an d r e s s e d i n p a j am a s . T he s h e e n o f t h e s i lk y

f a b ri c h e w o r e c h a n g e d f r o m b l u e t o p ur p le w h e n s h e m o v e d t o w a r d h i m. A l o o se t o p h e ld i n p l a c e b y a

s a s h r e v e a l e d a g e n e r ou s po r ti o n o f hi s c h e s t . H e r f i n ge r s i t c h ed t o t o u ch b o t h t h e f a b r i c a n d h i s s k i n. T h e

k no tt e d m u sc l e s i n h e r a rm , h o we v er , re m in de d h e r o f w h at w ou ld h a pp e n i f s h e d id .

" I s e e y ou ' ve c h a ng e d i nt o y ou r s p a ce - c l ot h e s . A r e yo u s a vi ng y o ur a li en f a c e f o r l a te r ?"

" Wh at y ou s e e i s w h at y ou g et ," h e gr in ne d. " Li ke i t o r no t. "

S h e d i d l i k e i t . T o o m u c h . A n d h i s s m i l e i n v i t e d h e r t o f l i r t . T h a n k f u l l y t h e l a c k o f a l c o h o l i n h e r s y s t e m

h el pe d h e r k e e p h e r m o ut h s h ut .

H e r e l a xe d a ga i ns t t h e w al l . " So w h a t ki nd o f jo b d id y ou l e a ve b eh in d? "

R a i n e c o ul d n 't h e lp b u t s mi l e a t h i s q u e s ti o n. S h e w o u l d g iv e a ny t hi n g t o s e e t h e l o ok o n h e r b o s s ' s f a c e

w h e n s h e d id n' t s h o w f o r w o r k . T h e a s s ho l e p r ob ab ly w ou ld n' t e v e n j oi n t h e s e a r c h w h e n w o r d o f h e r

d i s a p p e a ra n c e g o t o u t .

" I' m i n, u m, was i n p ub li c r e l at i on s ."

H is s mi le w e nt i nt o o ve rd ri ve . W ar m th p oo le d b e tw e en h e r t hi gh s, a nd h e r b ra in t h re a te n ed t o s to p

functioning." S ou nd s hi g h- pr of i le a n d g l am o ro u s, R a i ne . " H e r s e x q u i ve r e d w h e n h e s a i d h e r n a m e . S h e w o n d e r ed

w h a t i t wo ul d s ou nd l ik e a ga i ns t h e r e a r a s h e s a n k h i s c o c k i n si de h e r . H e r n ip pl es g r e w s t if f, a n d s h e

c r o s se d h e r ar m s in a l a me a t t em p t t o h id e h e r re a c ti o n.

" No t a t a ll . I w a s a r e s ea r c h a s si s ta n t. Y ou k no w, g ru nt w or k a nd n o g lo ry ." T h e t ingl ing i n h e r b r a

s u bs i de d , a n d s h e u n f o ld e d h e r a r m s . H i s g a z e s h o t t o h e r b r e a s t s . S h e s t r a i g ht e n e d h e r r u mp l ed s w e a t e r

a nd n a rr o we d h e r e y e s. U n de r n or ma l c ir c um st a nc es , t h e R ai ne e ve ry o ne k ne w a nd l ov ed w ou ld b e

hanging o nt o t he h op e t ha t h is i nt er es t in h er h ad r ek in dl ed . T he R ai ne n ow hurtling t hr ou gh s p ac e

q u es t i on e d h i s m o t iv e s .

S h e to ok a s t e p b a c k . " Ca re fu l , A s h e r . Y o u ' re o n t h e v e r ge o f b ec om in g a t e a s e . "

H e r a n hi s h an d t hr ou gh h is h ai r. T h e t hi ck w a v es d e e pe n ed t o b la ck i n t h e sh a do w s.

" I a po lo gi ze ." H e p a us e d, t h en h e c le a r e d h is t h r oa t . " An d I ' v e go t a c o nf e ss i on t o m a ke . "


8/16

H e r h a n d s f ou n d h e r h i ps . " I ' m l i st en i ng ."

" I 'v e n e v e r m e t a ny o ne q ui te l ik e y ou ."

" I' m n ot t h a t s p ec i al ."

" A ct ua l ly y o u a r e . W e h a v e a n a m e f o r w o m e n l ik e y ou . "

Lik e dr un k slu t? H e c o ul d p r o ba b ly d r e d g e u p p l e nt y o f o t h e r n a m e s l i ke t h a t b a s e d o n t h e i m pr e ss i o ns h e 'd m a d e e a r l i er . S h e w a n t ed t o t e ll h i m s h e w a s n ' t r e a ll y t h a t w a y ; a t l e a st n o t u nt il r e c en t l y. B e in g

d u mp e d f o r h e r b e s t f r i e n d h a d n ' t e x a c t l y b o l s te r e d h e r s e l f - e s t e e m . A l i t tl e b it o f a l co h ol d i d . I t m a d e h e r

bold. It helped her make small talk with men she'd never have the courage to talk to while sober.

He stepped closer. "You're a Responder."

A c om pu te ri ze d v o ic e c u t h im o f f. " We a r e a bo ut t o e n te r t h e p or ta l. A ny c om mu ni ca ti on t o H o me

C om ma nd m u st b e m a d e a t th is t im e. "

A s h e r t wi s t e d h i s h e a d t o w a r d t h e s p e a k e r . " T ha n k y o u . N o c o mm u ni c at i on n e e d e d. "

H e t u r ne d b a c k to R a i ne . "M e n o n T u rm a w il l b e d r a w n t o y ou . T h e w a y y o u r e y e s s o a k i n e v er yt h in g I

s a y . H o w y o u r l ip s p a r t w h e n I l o ok a t y o u. " H i s e y e s l i ng e re d a t t h e h e m o f h e r s k i r t . " D o e s y o ur e n t i re

body reac t when you come? Do you thrash around in the sheet s and scre am? I bet a man could lose hiss e e d j us t b y w a tc h in g y ou c li ma x. "

" Bu t I do n 't r e sp o nd l ik e t h a t t o e v e r y m a n I m ee t . " But I'd defi nit ely be thr ash ing an d scr eam ing with

yo u. " An d I ' m n ot s u r e ho w I wa n t to r e sp o nd t o a m a n w h o p ra c ti c al l y s c r e w s m e a g a in s t a w a l l in a d iv e

t h en p l a c es m e un d er a r r e st . "

" My m in d h a s n' t b e e n t o o c l e a r si n c e I sp o tt e d y ou i n t h a t ba r . I ' m s o rr y ."

S h e c ha n ge d t h e s u bj e ct . "S o i f w e h a v e a n y p ro bl em s i n t hi s p or t al t hi ng y, w ou ld a n yo n e k no w? "

" T he p o r t al i s c o m pl e t el y s a f e . I f s o me t hi n g h a p p e ne d , a t r a ck i n g d e v i c e o n m y s h i p w o u l d i n fo r m t h e

command."

" Bu t t h a t I m ar i g uy , h e ' s s ti ll p l ay in g B ig B r o t h e r i n y o u r h e a d , r i gh t ?" S h e w i s h ed s h e h a d n ' t a s k e d t h a t .J u s t t h a t o n e l i t tl e q u e st i on b e t r a y e d h e r i n te n ti o ns . A n d t h e p l ay f ul s m i l e d a n ci n g o v e r h i s l i ps t o l d h e r h e

was thinking the sam e thing.

" Um , n o . Te l ep a th y d o e sn ' t w o rk i n t h e p or ta l ." T h e a m b e r in h is e y e s g l ow e d.

" An d h o w l on g w il l w e b e i n t h e po rt al ? "

S h e w a t ch e d a s h i s c o c k li ft ed i n h is b ag g y p a n ts . H e s w a l lo w ed h a r d be f o re a n s we r in g .

" E xa c tl y 9 3 E a r t h m in u te s ."

" I c ou ld d o a l ot o f r es po nd in g i n 9 3 m in ut es ," s h e w h i sp e re d .

" So c ou ld I . "

A s h e r c l o se d t h e d i s ta n c e b e t w e e n t h e m . T h ei r l ip s m et , a n d s h e r o s e o n t h e b a l l s o f h e r f e e t t o d e e p e nt h e ki s s. H i s t o ng ue p r e s s ed h a r d an d ho t i nt o h e r s l ik e a b r an d . S h e f l a t t en e d h e r p a l ms a g a i ns t t h e p l an e s

o f h is c h e s t a nd s ki mm ed t h e s of t f a br i c co ve r in g h is m u s cl e s .

H e r n i pp le s c h a fe d a g ai n st t h e l a c e o f h e r b r a , a n d s h e b r us h ed h e r t i t s a g a i ns t h i s c h e s t t o g e t s o m e

r e l ie f . H e t h r e a d e d h i s f i n g e rs t h r o ug h h e r h a i r a n d i n c he d h e r a w a y f r o m h is b o d y . S h e f e l t t h e w a ll , s o f t

a n d s mo ot h, b eh in d h e r . Re mo vi ng h is w a t c h, h e g a v e i t a q ui ck g l an c e be f o r e h an gi ng i t o n a n o p e n c u f f t o

her right.

T h en h e fo un d t h e e dg e o f h er s w e a t e r . I t s s o f t ne s s w is p ed u p h e r bo dy , a n d s h e r a i s e d h e r a r m s t o h el p

hi m t a k e it o f f . S he r e a c h e d f or t h e f ro n t c l a sp o f h e r b r a to f r e e h e r s o r e ni pp le s. I n a f l as h , h e g r ab b ed h e r

w r is t s a n d s ec u r e d t h em in t h e c uf f s a bo v e he r h e a d. H e d ip pe d h is h e a d fo r a ki ss , b u t s h e t wi s t ed a w a y .

" P l e as e te ll m e t hi s i s n' t a r e p e a t o f b ef o re . "

H e g r in ne d b ut d id n' t a n s w e r . H is h a nd t o uc h ed a b ut t on a b o ve t h e cu f fs , a n d h e s t e pp e d b ac k .


9/16

R a i n e ' s j aw d r o pp e d . " Y ou j e rk ! "

T h e wa ll t il te d b a c k u nt il i t h o ve r ed p ar al le l w i th t h e fl o or . A s h e r c a m e t o h e r s i de a n d c a l me d h e r w i th a

k i ss a s h e u n ho o ke d h e r b r a a n d r e m o ve d ev e ry t hi n g e l s e .

H e u nt i ed t h e t hi ck s a s h a t h is w a i s t. "K n ow w h a t I ' d d o i f I go t t h e ch a n c e t o f u ck a Re s po n de r ?"

"Besides the obvious?"

" Y ea h ," h e c h uc k l e d. " B e s id e s t h e ob vi ou s ."

" No i d ea . " T h e w or d s c a m e o ut i n a w hi m pe r a s h is f i ng e rs e d g ed o ve r t he s w a y o f h e r be ll y.

" I 'd t i e h e r u p i n h a n je e ri . " T h e s i lk p o ol e d b e t w e e n h e r b r e a s t s . H e s t r e t c h e d t h e l e n g t h o f f a b r i c d o wn

past her belly button and snaked it acros s her thighs. His hand stopped at the top of her knees. He looped it

a ro un d o n e l eg a n d t i ed a k n ot . T h e r em ai ni ng s il k c i rc l ed t h e ot h er le g a n d g ot t h e s a m e tr e a t me n t .

" Wh en a R e s po n de r c a n ' t m o v e, h e r w h o l e b od y c o m e s a l i ve ." H e n ip pe d t h e m e a t o f o n e t hi gh a n d

f in is he d o f f t h e lo ve bi te w it h a s c r a t c h o f h is u n sh a ve n f a c e . H e r c u n t t e ns e d .

H e t e s t e d t he kn ot b e t w e en h e r k n e e s a n d d r e w i t t o w a r ds h e r c h e s t . T h e n h e t o r e h i s e y e s a w a y f r om

h e r s t o i n s p e c t h e r b o t t o m h a l f . F i n g e r s f r o m h i s f r e e h a n d t e a s e d t h e h a i r a r o u n d h e r c l i t w i t h a f e a t h e r y

t o u c h. H e r t e e t h g n a s h e d t o g e t h er a n d h e ld b a c k a g r o a n .

" Si ng f o r me , R a in e ." H i s b r e at h w a r me d t h e b ac k o f h er t hi g hs . " I w a n t t o h e a r yo u. "

S h e a c qu i e s ce d . S of t s o un ds p u rr e d i n h e r t hr o at , a n d s h e o p en e d h e r m ou th t o s e t t h em f r e e . H i s f i ng e r

r e w a r de d h e r . I t t r a c e d t h e l ip s o f h e r p u s s y t h e n n ud ge d h e r c li t . H e a d d ed a n o th e r f i ng er a n d t o ge t he r

t h ey s u rr o un de d t h e s wo ll e n r i dg e o f f l e sh . I t p l um pe d b e t w e en i t s c a g e a n d p u ls e d.

R a in e m o a ne d w h e n h i s h e a d d i pp ed o ut o f v i ew a n d h is m ou th m a d e c o n ta c t . H i s t o ng ue s l ic ke d h e r

c ap ti ve c li t w it h l ong s t ro ke s un ti l h is f in ge rs s li d d ow n t o t h e op en in g o f h e r s e x . S h e w a s b ey on d w e t . H i s

f i ng er s p lu ng ed i n a n d f o r ce d h er ju ic e s t o t ri c kl e d o wn p a s t t h e t ig ht h ol e o f he r a s s .

H e c a u g h t h e r c l i t b e t w e e n h i s l i p s a n d s u c k e d . S h e w r i t h e d u n d e r h i s m o u t h . H i s f i n g e r s s l i d o u t a n d a

t hu m b t o ok t h e i r p l a c e . I t p u s h ed a g a i n s t t h e b a c k w a l l o f h e r c u n t a s a d a m p f i ng e r b u r r o we d g e n tl y i nt o

h e r a s s . R ai ne c ri e d o ut w h en h is k n uc kl e p a s s ed t h e r in g o f m us c le t h e re . H e e a s e d d e ep e r i nt o t h es e ns i ti ve t u nn el . T h e p ul si ng o f h i s w r is t m a t c h ed t h e l a ps o f h is t o ng u e.

S h e b u ck e d a n d s c r e a m e d w h e n t h e o r g a s m po u nd e d t h ro u gh h e r . W a v e s o f b l is s u n f ur l ed i n s id e h e r a n d

s ho ok h e r to t h e c or e .

R a i n e w e n t li mp , a n d h e r e l e a s e d h e r l e gs . T h e w e t t o u c h o f h i s t h um b o n h e r n ip pl e b r ou g ht h e r b a c k t o

r e al i t y. H e l e is u re l y c o a t e d t h e d ar k pi nk o f h e r b r e a s t wi t h h e r o w n j ui c e, g oi ng b a c k f o r m o r e w h e n i t r a n

d r y . A s h e r t h e n s u c k e d e a c h c h ub b y p e a k . T e e t h c l a m pe d d o w n l ig ht ly o n t h e s e c on d n ip pl e, a n d h i s t on g u e

f li ck ed h ot a n d f a s t ag a in s t i t .

H e m ov ed a w a y . F oi l c ri nk le d, a nd h is c lo th es f el l t o t h e f l oo r. S h e f e l t h i s w ei gh t o n t h e p an el . H e

s t ra d dl e d h e r hi ps a n d ru bb e d h is v el v et y c o c k ag a in s t h e r be ll y.

D e e p r i d ge s m e a n d e r e d o v e r t h e w i d e s h a f t o f h i s p r i c k . H e w o ul d b e a t i g h t f it . A n d t h e r i d ge s w o ul d

f e el go od a s h e r u bb e d a g ai n st t h e wa l ls o f h e r pu s s y. H e r f i ng e rs t w i tc h ed i n h e r r e s t r ai n t s . S h e w a n t e d t o

t o u ch h i m.

H e s m il e d a t h e r i n t er e s t . " Y ou w a n t e d a t a s t e e a r l i e r. H o w a bo u t n o w ?"

R a in e l ic ke d h e r l ip s a n d n o dd e d.

H e l e a n e d f o r w a r d a n d br u s h ed h e r l i ps w i t h t h e t i p o f h i s c o c k . H e r t o n gu e l a p p ed a t t h e s a l t y o p e ni n g,

a n d s h e f e lt h im s h ud d er . S h e nu r s ed h is c r o wn w it h h e r li ps a n d s uc k e d an o t he r in ch o f hi m i nt o h e r m o ut h,

a nd a no th er , a s h e p ul se d i n a nd o ut .

T h en s ud de nl y h e e a s e d a w a y a n d m ov e d d ow n h e r bo dy , p a s t h e r le g s a n d u nt ie d t h e k n o t s. S h e o p en e d

h e r e y e s a t t h e s o un d o f f oi l t e ar i ng b ut c l os e d t h em a ga i n a s h e s p r e a d h er w i d e . H i s c o c k s u r g e d i nt o h e r,f il li ng h e r c o m pl e t el y . E a c h s t r o k e o f h i s c o c k p r o be d d e e p e r i n to h e r w o m b a n d c a r r i e d h e r c l o s e r t o t h e

e d ge . W h en t h e s e c o nd o rg as m r o ck ed t hr ou gh h er , s h e mi lk ed h is p ri ck w it h t h e c on tr ac ti on s o f h e r

r e l e a s e. J o l t s o f s e n s at i on c r a s h e d t h r ou gh h e r b od y, a n d f o r o n e b ri e f m o m en t t h e r e w a s n o T u rm a , n o


10/16

E a rt h , a n d no m a n n am e d I ma r i.

* * *

A s h e r un lo ck ed t h e c u f fs . S h e lo ok ed t o w ar d hi s w a t c h a n d t r ie d t o s i t u p . H e k e pt h e r c l o se .

S h e t u rn e d b a c k t o h im . " Bu t t h e t i me "

" I d i dn ' t l a s t t h a t l on g, " h e c h u c k le d . " B ut I a p p r e c i a t e t h e e g o b o o s t . W e ' v e g o t a l i t tl e w hi l e b e f o r e t h isa ll e n d s ."

"S o t hi s i s o ur f ir st a nd l a st t im e t og et he r? "

" Y es , R a in e ." H i s h a nd s s li d o v e r h e r r i bs a n d s h ou l de r s a n d e a r lo b es . H e w a n t ed t o m em or iz e e v e r y

pore of her skin while he had the chanc e.

S h e t o y e d w i t h t h e h a i r a r o u n d h i s n i p p l e s . " I g u e s s I ' l l h a v e t o f a n t a s i z e a b o u t a l l t h e t h i n g s I w o u l d d o

w it h y ou . A nd to you."

"To m e, e h? "

" Y e ah . I ' d lo ve t o t i e y ou t o a b e d a n d t e a s e y ou f o r h o u rs . " S h e s q ui rm ed b e n e a t h h im . " J us t y o ur c o c k

a n d m y l ip s. A n d a f e w o th e r p ro p s. "

" Y o u 'r e v e r y cr u el , " h e g r i nn e d.

S h e gr in ne d b a c k . T he n a f a r a w a y l oo k c l ou de d h e r e y e s . " D o m o st p e op le o n T u rm a s p e a k En gl is h? "

" N o . Y ou ' ll h e a r i t f r o m p ol i ti c ia ns a n d b u s i ne s s p e o p l e. T h e y m ig ht e v e n w a n t t o p r a c t i c e i t w i t h y o u .

I ma ri w a n t s t o e s ta b li s h c o n ta c t w i th E a rt h ."

S h e g a v e h im a n i mp is h s mi l e. " To t u rn u s a ll i nt o p e ts ? "

" No ," h e l a u gh e d . " T h e r e ' s s o me t hi n g o n E a r t h w e w a n t . "

" B e s id e s w o m e n? "

" C a ca o . C h oc o la t e i s t h e m o st c o v et e d d e li c ac y o n T u r ma .

W e c a n ' t g r ow t h e t r e e s on a n y p l an e t i n o ur s y st e m. "

" An d w h a t w ou ld y ou o f f er u s i n r e tu r n? "

" A m u ch m o re e f fi c ie n t e n e rg y s o ur c e, m y d e a r R ai n e. "

"I l ove it w he n yo u s a y my n am e. "

H e b r us h ed h e r h ai r a w a y fr o m h e r f a c e . " W ha t d o e s i t m e a n a n yw a y ?"

" It m e an s Q u e e n ."

" I l ik e t h a t . I t 's a f it ti ng n a me . "

" W ha t d o e s A s h e r m e a n ? "

H e l a u gh ed . " My f a t h e r w a s a h u n t e r. A s h e r m e a n s h u n t e r ."

" W h a t' s s o fu n ny a b o ut t h a t ? I t ' s t he p e r f e c t n a m e f o r y o u. "

" On ly t e l e p a th s c a n b e h u n te r s . M y p a r e n t s un wi t ti ng ly g a v e m e a n a m e I co u ld n e v e r li ve u p t o . "

" Bu t s o m e h ow yo u d id ."

" I c a n b e ve r y s t ub bo r n. T el l m e I c a n' t do s om et hi ng , a n d I h a v e t o p r ov e y ou w r on g ."

A na ug ht y t wi nk le d a n ce d i n h e r ey e s . "B e t y ou c a n ' t f u ck m e a g ai n b e f or e o u r t i me i s u p. "

H e r o ll e d o f f t h e w a l l p a n el a n d p ul l ed h e r w it h h i m. T h e y k i s s e d t h ei r w a y i nt o h is b e d c h a m b e r . A f t e r a

q ui ck s c r am b l e f o r a c on do m, h e p us h ed h e r do w n t o h is b e d an d fl ip pe d h e r o ve r .

S h e l if te d h e r hi ps a n d pa r t ed h e r le g s t o m a k e ro om f o r h i s. H e f o r c e d t h em b a c k t o g et h e r. H e s t ra d dl e dh e r f r o m b eh in d a n d w o r k e d h is c o c k i nt o h e r s n ug h ol e . H i s b al ls s l am m ed a g ai n st h e r c li t, m ak in g h e r

w r ig gl e a n d c l a m p d o w n o n h i s p r i ck . H e s t r o k ed d e e p e r a n d f a s t e r . R i pp l es o f p l e a s u r e s h o t t h ro u gh h i s


11/16

g ro in . H e g a v e a fi na l g ru n t a n d f e lt h is s e e d r oc k e t i nt o t h e c on do m, c oa t in g h is h e a d i n h ot , s t ic ky f lu id .

S h e f el l f l at o nt o t h e be d , a n d h e d id t h e s a m e . H i s w a t c h b e e p e d o n e r oo m o v er a n d s i gn al e d a n e n d t o

t h ei r s h or t -l i ve d a f f a i r .

A s h e r ga t h er e d h er h ai r i n h is p al m a n d i nh al ed . T h e id e a o f r un ni ng a w a y d ri f te d t hr ou gh h is h e a d fo r t he

h un dr ed th t im e t h a t ni gh t. H e c o ul d d i sc o nn e ct t h e t ra c ki n g d e vi c e a nd t a k e o f f f o r s o m e d i s ta n t p l an e t i n a

s u b - s y s t e m f a r a w a y . H e w a s a h u n t e r ; h e k n e w t h e b e s t p l a c e s t o h i d e . D o m a w a s a p o s s i b i l i t y , b u t t h et e m pe r a tu r e s ta y e d be l ow f r ee z in g m o st o f t h e y e a r . A n d C a r n a t w a s n ' t t o o b a d w h e n t h e w a r ri n g s e a s o n

e n d e d . B u t t h e s e w e r e n ' t t h e ki n ds o f p l a c e s t o b ri n g a m a t e a n d s t a r t a f am i ly .

H e s ho ok t h e se t ho ug ht s f ro m h i s h e ad a s h e k is se d t h e n ak e d b e a ut y b re at hi ng d ee pl y b y h is s i de .

" Ti me t o g e t d r e ss e d . Y o u c an s n oo z e a f t e r w a rd s o r joi n m e u p f r on t. "

S h e g ot t o h e r f e e t . I t w a s da r k, b ut h e s w o r e th e b r ig h tn e ss i n h e r e y e s h a d m o re t o d o w i t h t e a r s t h a n

sleep.

* * *

I m ar i h a d a n i c e v o i c e. T h e c o m p ut e r a n n o u nc e d h i s c a ll j u s t m i n ut e s a f t e r t h e y e x i t ed t h e p o r ta l . W h e n

t h e l e a d er ' s r ic h b a r it o n e c a m e o v e r t he s p e a k e r , g ui lt w a s h e d t hr o ug h R a i n e .

" G re e ti n gs , A s h e r . I t a k e i t y o u f o un d w h a t I w a n t e d w i th o ut a n y t r ou b le . "

I ma ri s li pp ed a n ot ch i n h e r b oo k. " M ak es m e s ou nd l ik e a p a ck a ge o f g oo di es o r s om et hi ng ," s h e

muttered.

A s he r pu t a f in ge r t o h is lips, b ut it w a s to o l at e.

" G re e ti n gs , R a i n e . I w a s r e f e rr i n g t o c h o c o l at e , n o t y o u. " A c h u c kl e c a m e t h ro u gh t h e s p e a k e r . " I k n e w

t h e i ns t a nt A s h e r f o un d yo u ."

S h e s a w t h e w o r r y s p r e a d o v e r A s h e r ' s f e a t u r e s . B e f o r e t h e y l e f t t h e p o r t a l , h e w a r n e d h e r n o t t o t h i n k

a b ou t w h a t h a p pe n e d b e t w e e n th e m . Im a r i c o ul d e a v e s d r o p o n t h e ir t h o ug h t s a t a n y t i m e . S h e d id h e r b e s t

t o b l oc k o u t t h e me m o ri e s , b u t h e r bo d y s ti ll t i ng le d w it h t h e a f t e r s h o c k s o f t h e i r l o ve m ak i ng . S h e s h i ft e d in

h e r ch a ir a n d t r ie d t o i gn or e t h e re ma in in g d a mp n e ss in h e r c un t ." A re t h e t w o o f yo u g et ti ng a lo ng o k ay ? A s h e r i s b eh av i ng h im se lf , i s n' t h e ?"

" H e ' s b e e n a p e r f e c t g e n t le m an . " R a i n e sw a l l ow e d v is ib ly a n d c h a n g e d t h e s u b j e ct . " I c a n ' t w a i t t o m e e t

y ou , I m ar i. " T h e bi g, f a k e s mi le p l a st e re d o n h e r f a c e h e l pe d h e r g e t t h e w o rd s o u t.

" Th e s a m e h e r e. P l e a s e c o me s tr a ig ht t o m y o f fi c e w h e n y ou a r ri v e. "

"Will d o . A s h e r ou t. " H e l e a n e d f or w a rd t o s h ut d o wn t h e c om mu ni ca ti on l in k j us t a s R a i n e t oo k a b r e at h .

T h e sm el l o f hi m m a d e h e r pu s sy t h ro b .

" C an ' t w a i t t o m e e t h im , e h ?" A s h e r s t r e t c h e d b a c k i n h i s c h a i r a n d p u t h i s h a nd s b eh in d h is h e a d . H i s

e y e s s w e p t o v e r h er b o dy . S om et hi ng a ki n t o a n g er d a r ke n e d hi s f e a t u r es .

" Yo u l oo k l ik e a k id w ho j us t l os t h is f av or it e t oy . A r e y ou j ea lo us ?"" A l it tl e, " h e a d m i t t e d.

" I' m n ot a f ra i d o f I ma r i. I c o ul d t el l h im w h a t h a pp e ne d . T h at t h in gs w ou ld n' t w o r k o u t ." I n a q u ie t er t o ne

s h e a d de d , " H e pr ob ab ly w ou ld n' t w a n t m e i f h e k n ew . "

" Th at w o ul d n' t b e f a ir t o y ou , R a i n e . A n d I c e rt a in l y c o ul dn 't b e y ou r m a t e . H u n te r s d o n' t s t a y h o me

m u c h. M o s t o f u s h a v e t r ou b le k e e pi n g a n y k in d o f r e la t io n sh i p. " H e g a z e d o u t a t t h e s t a r s w hi zz in g b y .

" A nd h e w o ul d s ti ll w a n t yo u ."

S h e al m os t a s k e d A s h er i f h e w ou ld s ti ll w a n t h e r no t n e ce s s ar i ly a s a m a t e b u t a s s o me th in g m o re t h an

f r i en d s bu t s h e w a s a f r a i d o f w h a t h e ' d s a y .

" T he n I g u e s s y ou 'l l j u st h a v e t o g e t o v e r t h e j e al o us y t h in g. " H e r w o r d s s o u n d ed t o u gh , b u t s h e a v e r t e d

h e r e y e s . S h e k n e w h e r e x p r e s s i o n w o u l d g i v e h e r a w a y . T h e y ' d s p e n t l e s s t h a n a d a y t o g e t h e r , b u t d e e p

i ns id e R a i n e f e l t l i ke s om et hi ng h a d c l i c ke d. S e x o r n o s e x , t h e p os si bi li ty o f s o m e s o r t o f r el at io ns hi p

t o ge t he r d id n' t s e e m t o o f a r f et c h e d .


12/16

" I ma r i 's a g o od m a n . H e ' l l m a k e y o u f o r g e t a b o u t m e . " T h e n h e w i n ke d a n d a d d e d , " I f y o u w a n t , I 'l l t el l

him w h at y ou l ike i n b ed ."

S h e h ad n 't e x p e c te d s om et hi ng t hi s c al lo us f r om h im . N o t a f t e r w h a t t h e y j u s t s h a r e d . M a y b e h e n e e de d

t o p u t a w a l l b e t w e e n t h e m . A c o m m e n t l i k e t h a t c e r t a i n l y d i d t h e t r i c k . S h e s n a t c h e d h e r p u r s e f r o m t h e

c o nt r ol p a n el a n d p ul l ed o u t a c h o co l a t e b a r s h e ' d b e e n s a v in g f o r a P M S e m e rg e n c y .

" Th an ks f o r o f f er in g, b ut I ' m c a p ab l e o f t e ll in g h im m ys el f ." S h e u n wr a pp e d t h e b a r a n d b r ok e o f f ac h un k b e f o r e t u c ki n g it b a c k i n h e r p u r s e . H i s e y e s d a r t e d b a c k a n d f o r th f r o m t h e b r o w n m e lt i ng i n h e r

h an d t o w h a t s h e h o p ed w a s a w i c ke d s m il e o n h e r f a c e . " T he n a ga i n, I p ro ba bl y w o n 't n e e d t o . C h a n c e s

a r e h e ' s s i ft in g t hr ou gh y ou r t ho ug ht s r ig ht n ow . "

R a i n e p l a c e d t h e c h o c o l a t e i n s i d e h e r m o u t h . S h e r o l l e d i t s r i c h n e s s o v e r h e r t o n g u e a n d l i c k e d h e r l i p s .

T h en s h e s t o o d a nd w a l k ed u p t o w h e r e h e s a t . B r ac i ng h e r p al m s o n t h e a r m s o f h i s c ha i r, s h e l e a ne d

f o r w a r d a n d s li d h e r l eg s b e t w e e n h is .

" J u st r e m e m b e r o ne t hi n g. I ' m a R e s p o n d e r . T h e on ly o n e y o u 'v e e v e r h a d ." S h e d i p pe d a f i n ge r i n to h e r

m o u t h a n d t h e n s m e a r e d i t a c r o s s h i s l i p s . H i s m o u t h o p e n e d t o r e c e i v e t h e c r e a m y l i q u i d . T h e n h e r h a n d

t ra il ed d o wn t o h is r oc k- so li d c o c k . " I w o n de r w ho 'l l m a k e y ou f o rg e t a b ou t m e ."

H i s a m b e r e y e s bl a ze d w i th a n g e r. R a in e pi ck e d u p h e r p ur s e an d le f t t h e ro o m.

* * *

A s h e r f el t l ik e a h e e l. H e r o s e f r om h is c h ai r a n d he a d e d t o w a rd s t h e ba c k o f t h e r ov e r .

S h e s to o d i n t h e t in y b at hr oo m, c a re f ul l y p ai nt in g h e r l ip s. A c r u mp l ed c a n dy b a r w r a p pe r l a y b y t h e s i nk .

H e d id n 't k n o w w h y s h e b o t h er e d t o p u t o n m a k e - up s h e ce r t ai n l y di d n' t n e e d a n y . H e i m ag i ne d t h e g lo w

o n h e r f a c e wh e n s h e w ok e u p i n t h e m or ni ng . I n h is b e d .

H e l e a ne d ag a in s t t h e do o rw a y a s s h e br u sh e d h e r ha i r. H i s w a t c h g av e hi m a w a y . I t ch i me d t o m a r k t h e

n e w d a y t h e n be e p e d ou t a t u n e h e ' d pi c k ed u p f r o m a n E a r t h t r a ns m i ss i o n.

" Is i t s o m eo n e 's b i rt hd ay ?" s h e a s k e d .

"Mine."S h e t ur n ed a n d g a ve h im a s a d s m i le . " H ap py B ir t hd ay t h en . "

" I' m n ot s o s u r e a b o ut t h e h a p py p a r t ." H e c a ug h t a s t r a y c u rl a n d p l ay ed w i t h i t . " I w a s a n a s s , R a i n e .

F o rg i ve m e . "

" I' ll f or gi v e y ou f o r t ha t, " s h e s ai d . " Bu t I w o n' t fo rg iv e y ou f o r h an di ng m e o ve r to I m ar i l ik e s o m e s o r t o f

e xo ti c p la yt hi ng . I t hi nk y ou c a r e a b ou t m e , A s h e r . A nd if y ou h a d an y ba ll s, y ou ' d t el l I ma r i t o f in d hi s o w n

mate."

" I c a r e ab ou t y ou . B ut I c a r e ab ou t I ma ri t oo ."

" H e ' s j us t y ou r b os s "

" H e ' s al s o m y b r ot h er . "R a i n e ' s ja w d ro p pe d , b u t s h e r e c o v e r e d qu i ck l y. " T he n h e s h o ul d u n d er s t a n d a n d g i ve m e u p . I ' m n o t t h e

r ig ht w o m a n fo r hi m, A s h e r . "

T h a t w a s n o t w h a t h e w a n t e d t o h e a r . " H e ' s b e e n lo ok in g f o r a m a t e f o r a l o ng t i m e . I c o u l dn ' t d o t h a t t o

him."

S h e f a c e d t h e m i r r or a g a i n . " A t l e a s t I 'l l g e t t o s e e y o u a t f a m i ly f u n c ti o n s. T h a t s h ou l d m a k e f o r s o m e

i nt er es t in g t i me s ." S h e cl o se d t h e d o or i n h is f a c e . A s h e r s t o od i n t h e d a r k a nd c u r s e d t h e d a y h e l ai d e y e s

o n R a in e T h om p so n 's s w e e t a s s .

* * *

R ai ne w a s n' t p r ep a re d f or t h e b ea u ty or b ri gh tn es s o f T u rm a . A s t he y p r ep a re d t o d oc k, A s h er

pointed out elegant office buildings and religious architecture that soared into the clouds. Each pane of glass

r e f l e c t e d t h e p l a ne t ' s d u al s u n s . S h e p ee k e d th r ou g h h e r f i ng e r s a n d st i fl e d a s n e e z e .


13/16

" Yo u' ll g e t u se d to i t, " h e s ai d .

S h e gl a nc e d a t hi m a n d si g he d . S h e w a nt e d t o s t a y m ad a t hi m b ut c o ul d n' t . H e w a s h e r fi r st f ri e nd i n t hi s

n e w wo rl d, a n d sh e di dn 't w a n t h er a n ge r t o d ri ve h im a w a y .

F ro m h e r v a nt a g e po in t s h e c ou ld t el l t h e s t r e e t s f ol lo we d a g ri d . T r e e s d o tt e d t h e l a n ds c a pe i n a r e gu l ar

pattern, and tidy patche s of green radiated from the cente r of the city. She wondered if Imari expected her

t o l e ad a n o rd er l y l i fe . S h e th ou gh t o f t h e c ha o s a n d cl u tt e r b a c k a t h e r a p ar t m en t a n d h o pe d a p e rs o n i n h isposition could afford a few maids.

H e r p a pe r w or k w a i te d f o r h e r a t t h e d oc ki ng s t at i on . A s h e r ' s u s e o f E ng li sh t hr ou gh ou t t h e i r t r ip h a d

s po il e d h e r ; u n fa m il i ar s y mb o ls p r in t e d o n t h e do c u m en t s j a r r e d h e r in t o r e a li t y . S h e tr u ly w a s a s t r a n g e r i n

a strange world.

S h e s c a n ne d t h e l if e f o rm s s t an di ng p at ie nt ly i n l i n e. W it h a f e w n o ta b le e x ce pt i on s , a l mo s t e v er y o ne

l oo ke d h um a n. T h e l in es s n a ke d a r ou n d t h e p or t a n d e n de d a t a r e ce i vi ng t e rm in a l. H u nd r ed s o f b ei n gs

f il le d t h e te r mi n al , b u t n o o n e sp o k e a b o v e a wh i s p e r .

" Fo r a b u st li ng c it y p or t, t hi s p l a ce s e e m s p r et t y c al m. "

" Tu rm a i s a f a ir ly p e a c ea b l e p la n et . A s t h e h e a d p l a ne t i n o u r s y s t em , i t t r i e s t o m a k e a g oo d i m pr es s io n

o n i t s v is it or s. " H i s e xp la na ti on s o un de d l ik e p r op a ga n da . A s h e r s e e m e d a l it tl e t o o c a l m h i ms e lf . A n d a b itt e n s e . S he w o nd e r ed i f s h e sh ou ld b e m or e w or r ie d a b ou t t h ei r m ee t in g w it h I m ar i .

T h e q u e st i o ns a s k e d o f h e r a t t h e r e ce i v in g d e s k p o s e d n o p r o b l em s . A f t e r a f l ee t in g i n s p ec t io n o f h e r

purse, an official handed it back to her and motioned her off to the side. The examination of Ashe r's prized

s t a s h o f c h o c ol a t e , h o w e ve r , k e p t t h e m w a i t i ng . T h e o ff i ci a l s n i ff e d a n d s i g h e d o v e r e a c h b a r t h e n c a l l ed

h e r c o -w o r ke r s o v er f o r a w h i f f. T h ei r n ei gh bo rs i n l in e b e ga n t o s t ir a n d sh u ff l ed f o r wa r d f o r a c l o s er l o ok .

T h ey b ab bl ed i n t h ei r r e s pe c t iv e l a ng u ag e s a n d g e s t ur e d w i th t h e ir h a n d s . O r t e n t ac l e s . A s h e r w a s r ig ht

chocolate was a big d ea l t o t hi s p la ne t.

" F ak e c h oc o la t e i s a h u g e p ro bl em t h e s e d ay s ," h e w h i sp e re d . " I 'm s u rp r is e d t h e y d o n 't u n w ra p e a c h b a r

a n d l i ck t h e m a s p a r t o f t h e i n s p ec t io n ."

T h e o f f i ci a l s l id t h e b a g b a c k t o h i m . A s h e r c h uc k l ed , r e v e a li n g h i s f l a w l e s s w h i t e s m i le . R a i n e r e al i z edt h a t t h e pe o p le s h e ' d s e e n s i n c e a r ri v in g h a d g a r d en - v a ri e t y s m il e s w i t h c h ip p e d t e e t h a n d o v e r bi t e s .

" Yo u m u st h a v e t h e m os t p e r f e ct m o ut h i n a ll o f T ur m a. " T h e g l ar e o f mu ni ci pa l b ui ld in gs r e f le c t e d on t h e

pavement as they exited the terminal, and Raine shielded her eyes against the light.

" I h a d s o m e d e n ta l w o r k d o ne b e f or e g o in g t o f in d y o u. I w a s u n de r t h e i m p re ss i on t h a t e v e r y on e i n

A m e r i c a h ad a m o ut h l ik e t h is . "

" T ha t 's w h a t y ou g e t f o r w a tc h in g t oo m u ch T V, " s h e l a ug h ed .

" Yo u w ou ld n' t l a ug h i f y o u k n e w h o w m u ch I s p en t ." H e r ol le d h is e y e s a n d o p en e d t h e d o or t o a t al l,

s hi ny b ui ld in g. " W e c a n g et t o I ma r i f r om h e r e . A n d y ou c a n s ne a k i n s o m e s ho pp in g o n t h e w a y ."

T h e b r i gh t ne s s a n d b l an d ne s s o f t h e o u t si d e f a d ed t h e i n st a nt s h e e n t e re d t h e i nd oo r m a r ke t . R ic hl y

c o lo r e d l e ng t h s o f h a n je e r i c a s c a d e d f r o m t h e w a l ls a n d m a r k e d e a c h v e n do r ' s t e r r it o r y.

R ai ne w a lk ed a mo ng t h e s ta ll s a n d s a vo re d t h e b a za a r' s m an y s ig ht s a nd s me ll s. S h e d ro ol ed o ve r

f ru it -f il le d p a s t r i e s a n d ni b bl e d o n s p i c ed n u t s . A s h e r g r a ci o us l y i nd ul ge d h e r e v e r y w h i m.

H e h el pe d h er c ho os e s ev er al o ut fi ts e dg ed in gol d a nd s il ve r t hr ea d. W he n h e o ff er ed t o p ay in

c h o co l a t e, t h e m e r c h a n t s sc r a m b le d t o a d d m a t ch i ng u n d e r g a r me n t s f o r f r e e . A s h e r r a n h i s f i n g e r s o v e r a

pair of sheer hanjeeri panties. Her mouth went dry, and her insides turned to mush. He grinned when she

s n a tc h e d t h e p a nt i es f r om h i s h a n d s . R a i n e q ui ck ly t u c k e d t h e m b e t w e e n h e r p u r c ha s e s a n d g a v e a l it tl e

pout.

T h e y l a u g he d t h e i r w a y t h ro u gh t h e l on g c o rr i do r , b uy in g j e w e l ry a n d s n if fi n g p e r f u m e s a l on g t h e w a y .

W h en t h e y r e a c h e d t h e e n d o f t h e m a rk e tp l ac e , A s h e r l e d h e r t o t h e e l e va t o r. T h e d o o r s c l o s ed a n d h e

pressed a kiss to her forehead.

" I t' s b e e n fu n, R a i ne . I ' ll m i s s y o u. " S h e l e an e d i n f o r a r e a l k i s s. A s h e r b a c k e d a w a y , a n d t h e e l ev a to r

d oo rs o p en e d.


14/16

* * *

T he y s te pp ed int o a s c en e c om mo n t o a ny b us y o ff ic e o n E ar th . W or ke rs s a t a t d es ks o r c ar ri ed

paperwork from room to room. Raine expected something more exotic but smiled at the familiar sight of

h a r ri e d s t a f f a n d f i l es s t a c k e d hi g h. A d d a s c r e a m in g b o s s, a n d s he ' d f e e l r i gh t a t h o me .

A s h e r l ed h e r to a b e nc h an d d e po s it e d h is a rm f ul o f pu r c h as e s . Sh e d id t h e s a m e . A w o m a n c a m e u p t o

t he m a nd s mi le d. H e h an de d h e r h i s b a g o f c ho c ol at e . A f t er s pe ak in g t o hi m i n h is n at iv e t on gu e, s h ed ir ec te d t he m t o a n o pe n r oo m d ow n t h e ha ll .

R a in e s m oo t he d t h e w ri n kl es i n h e r s k ir t a n d t oo k a d e e p b r e at h .

I ma ri g r ee t ed t h em w it h a s m il e. " Co me o n i n. I 'l l b e d on e i n a m o me nt ."

H e m o ti on ed t o w ar d a c h a i r i n f r on t o f hi s e n or m ou s d e s k . R a i n e s a t a n d w a t c h e d h im s i gn s o m e p a p e rs

f o r h i s a s s i s t a n t . W h e n h e f i n i s h e d , h e j o g g e d a r o u n d t h e d e s k a n d g a v e A s h e r a h u g . A s h e r r e t u r n e d t h e

embrace half-heartedly.

I ma ri w a s a h an ds om e m a n. A lt ho ug h h is s mi le d id n' t c o mp a re t o A s he r 's , i t c on ve ye d w a rm t h a nd

s i nc e ri t y. D a r k w a v y h ai r s t op p ed a t h is c ol la r, a n d h i s g r e e n e y e s s t a rt l e d h e r w it h t h ei r i nt en si t y. T h e

c on fi de nt a i r a b ou t h im t ol d h e r h e ' d b e a n i nt e re s ti ng l o ve r . H op ef ul ly s h e w ou ld n' t f in d t hi s o ut f i rs t h a nd .

T h e s he e p i sh l oo k o n A s h e r ' s f a c e m i r ro r e d h e r o w n . T h e y l o ok e d g ui lt y a s h e l l. S h e e x t e n d e d h e r h a n d

a s I m ar i t u rn e d t o h e r . H e c l as p e d i t i n b ot h o f h is w hi le t h e as s i s ta n t ga t h er e d th e p a pe r s a nd l ef t .

I m ar i d i dn ' t s a y a n o t he r w o rd u nt il t h e do o r c l o s e d . " I t a k e y ou t w o go t a l on g w e ll d ur i ng y o ur f li gh t. " T h e

w a r mt h i n h i s f e a t u r e s v a ni s he d, a n d h i s t o n e i m pl ie d t h a t h e k n e w e x ac t ly w h a t h a d h a pp e ne d b e t w e en

them.

S h e b it h e r to n gu e a n d h o pe d A s h e r kn e w th e r ig ht t hi ng t o s a y .

" Th in gs g o t a bi t c o mp l ic a te d ," h e a dm i t t ed .

I ma ri n a r ro w e d h is e y e s a t A s h e r . " Ju s t a b it ?"

" I t' s a ll m y f au lt ," R a in e co n f e s se d . " I s t a r t ed it "

T h e H i g h C o m ma n d e r d is m i ss e d h e r w i t h a w a v e o f h i s h a n d . R a i n e ' s m o u t h o p e ne d i n a n g e r . S h e a n d

I ma ri w e r e d ef in it el y n ot g oi ng t o g e t al o ng .

I ma ri c ha ng e d t he s u bj ec t. " I f or go t t o w is h y ou a h a pp y b ir th da y. H o w ol d a r e y ou n ow , A s he r ?"

"O ld e no ug h t o k no w n ot t o m e ss w i th y ou r b ro th e r' s ma te ," h e m ut t er e d.

" T ha t 's n ot t h e r ig ht a n s w er . " I m ar i b e g an t o s m il e. " I w a s t hi nk in g m o re l ik e, ' O ld e no ug h t o f in al ly t a k e a

m a t e . ' H a pp y b ir th da y, b a by b r ot h er . " H e p u n c he d A s h e r p la yf ul ly o n t h e s h ou l de r . I n a h u sh e d t o n e a d de d ,

" A nd a R e s p on d e r n o l e s s . Y o u ' r e a v e r y l u ck y m a n ."

R a in e w a s t oo s t un n ed t o s p e a k . W h en A sh e r d id n' t r e a c t , I m ar i s l ap p ed h im o n t h e b a c k t h en h e a de d f o r

t h e do o r. " I' m l a t e fo r a m e e ti n g. Y o u c a n th a nk m e l a te r ."

T h e e xc h a n g e t o ok o nl y t w o mi n ut e s, b u t i t l e f t R a i n e a li tt l e c o n f u se d a nd m or e th a n a l it t le p i s s e d . A s h e r l oo ke d t ho ro ug hl y p i s se d . A m u sc l e t w i tc h ed i n h is f a c e , a n d h i s f i st s c o m pa c t ed i n to w h it e -k nu ck l ed b al l s.

" So h e s e n t y ou t o E a r th t o f in d m e f o r y ou , n o t h im ." R a i ne s h o ok h e r h e a d i n di s be l ie f. S h e h o p ed I m a ri

h a d f u n p la yi ng G od w i th h e r l if e . H e f ou nd h e r f o r a m a n w h o d id n' t w a n t a ma t e . It h a d c o s t h e r a d e c e nt

paying job. And she had a feeling she'd be nursing a broken heart before this little adventure ended.

A s h e r s t a r e d a t t h e w al l i n f r on t o f hi m. " T ha t 's e x ac t l y w h a t h e di d. "

R e tu r ni n g h o m e r e m a i n e d a n o p ti o n. S h e c o ul d f i n d a n o t h e r j ob , b u t d e a li n g w i t h t h e m e d ia f r e n zy o v e r

h e r ' a l i e n a bd u c ti o n' w o u l dn ' t b e f u n . T h e n a g a in , s h e c o ul d w r i t e a b o ok a n d m a k e a b u c k o r t w o . I n t h e

e n d s h e on ly h a d he r s el f t o b l am e . S h e ' s t he o n e w h o d r a nk t o o m u c h t h a t n ig ht a n d s a id y e s t o t hi s w h ol e

crazy thing.

S h e t u r ne d h e r t h ou gh t s b a c k t o A s h e r . H i s s t on y e x pr e ss i on g a v e n ot hi ng a w a y . " I u n de r s ta n d i f y ou

w a n t t o t a k e m e b ac k ."


15/16

A s h e r h e a d e d f o r t h e d o or . " L e t ' s g e t y ou r t h in g s. "

T h e s p ee d o f h is r e s p on s e kn o ck e d t h e b re a t h fr o m h e r lu ng s. H e d id n' t e v e n h a v e t h e d e c e nc y t o w a i t a

f e w m i n ut e s a n d p r e t e n d t h a t h e r s t a yi n g w a s a p o s si bi li t y. H e r h e a r t s a n k l i k e d e a d w e i gh t i n h e r c h e s t .

W it h a s m u ch s t r en g th a s s h e co ul d m u st e r, R a in e go t t o h e r f e e t an d f ol lo we d h im i nt o t h e ha l lw a y.

S h e co l le c te d h e r p u rs e a n d t he b un dl e o f c lo t he s h e h a d p i ck e d o ut w i th h e r . A s h e r h a n d s m a d e c o n t a c t

w i th t h e h a nj e e ri s i lk , t h e s c e n e a r o un d h e r f a d e d i n t o ob li vi on . S h e t h ou g ht o f t h e f i r s t t i m e s h e ' d t o u c he dt hi s m a t er i a l a n d h i s b o dy w a r m a n d e a g e r u n d er n e a t h . R a i n e w il l ed h e r s e l f n o t t o c r y a n d s t e p p e d o u t i nt o

t h e li gh t o f T u r m a ' s do u bl e s u n s .

" I d on 't r ea ll y w a n t t o g o b a ck , A s h er ." S h e h op ed h e w o ul d s a y t h e s a m e t o h e r. H e d id n' t, s o s h e

pressed on. "I could teach people about Earth culturethe things that aren't on television. With my

background in public relations, I could prepare others for contact." Raine gave him a weak smile. "You

d on 't w a n t a n ot h e r hu n te r t o s p en d a f o rt u ne o n h is t e e t h b e fo r e h e g o e s lo ok in g f o r c ho c ol a te . "

A s h e r ' s c h uc k le e n c o ur a g ed h e r t o c o n t in u e. " An d I t hi nk w e ' r e g oo d t o g e t he r . I f I s t a y ed h e r e f o r a

w hi le , a n d w e d a t e d th e n ma y be . .. " H e p i ck e d u p h is p a c e .

H e r s a d n e s s g a v e w a y t o a n g e r . S h e w a s m a d a t h im f o r n o t c a r i n g e no u gh t o g i v e t h e m a c h a n c e . A n d

m a d a t h e r s e l f fo r fa ll in g f o r s om e o n e s o s o o n a f t e r h e r b r e a k - up . R a g e bu il t u p i n si d e h e r, b u t s h e k e p t h e r

m ou t h s h u t . Sh e ' d s a v e t h e d r a m a f o r t h e p r i va c y o f hi s a p a r t m e n t .

A sh er 's p ac e qui ck ene d aga in, a nd s he w al ke d f as te r t o c at ch up . B y t he time t he y r ea ch ed his

a p ar t me n t, h e r c a l v e s t h r ob be d a n d h e r a r c h e s a c h e d . T h e d oo r s li d o pe n a t t h e t o uc h o f h is p al m . T h ey

e n te r ed , a n d s h e ki c ke d o f f h e r h ee l s a s i t s h ut b eh in d t h e m.

H e h e a d e d s t ra i gh t f o r t he b ed r oo m . S h e w a t ch e d f ro m t h e ki t ch en a s h is l a rg e f r am e d ro pp e d t o t h e b ed .

" C om e h e r e , R a in e . "

A d r en a l in e h a d k e p t h e r e x ha u s ti o n in c h e c k t h u s f a r , b u t h e r n e r v o u s e n e r g y f a d e d a s s h e a p p r o a c he d

t h e b e d . " D o w e h a v e t i m e f o r a n a p b e f o r e l e av i ng ? "

H e r e a c h e d f o r h e r ha n d a n d m ad e r oo m f o r h er b od y. I nd ec is i on w hi rl ed t hr ou gh h e r . H e r g u t t ol d h e r t os l id e in t o hi s a r m s . H e r h e a r t , h o w e v er , w a r n e d h e r n o t t o l o w e r h e r d e f e n s e s . H e s it a t i on w o r k e d a g a i ns t

h e r , a n d h e p u ll ed h e r d o w n t o t h e b e d . T h e a n g e r s h e ' d b e e n s a v i ng u p u nt il t h e y h a d p r i va c y r e t u r n e d in

full f o rc e . S h e o pe ne d h e r mo ut h t o v en t, b ut h e c o v er e d it g en tl y w it h h is f in ge rs .

" T h e b a d t h i n g a b o u t I m a r i i s t h a t h e ' s a l w a y s p l a y i n g m a t c h m a k e r . H e m e d d l e s i n e v e r y o n e ' s l i v e s a n d

w a n t s y ou r e t e rn a l g ra t it u de f o r h is t ro ub le ." H i s a m b er e y e s q ue ll ed h e r t e m p er a n d a r o u se d t h e f e el i ng s h e

h a d s t i r r e d u p d u ri n g t h ei r j o u rn e y a c r o s s t h e g a l a x y . S h e i n h a le d h i s s c e n t a n d r e l i s he d t h e b l en d o f m a n

a n d s p i ce . Fo r gi v en e ss g a v e w a y t o l us t, b ut s h e ke p t h e r ha n ds t o h e r se l f .

" K no w w h a t t h e g o od t hi n g i s a b o u t I m ar i ? " S h e s h o o k h e r h e a d . H i s h a n d l if t ed , a n d a k n uc k l e o ut li n ed

t h e f ul l n es s o f h e r b ot t om l ip .

" H e ' s n e v e r b e e n w r on g ." W a r m l i ps r e p l a c e d t h e t e n d e r k n u c kl e . H e r h e a r t f l i p- fl op pe d, a n d s h e k i s s e dhi m b a c k w it h a ll t h e lo ng in g s h e ' d he ld a t b a y s i n c e t he i r a r ri v al .

A s he r br ok e t he k is s. " And i f y ou l ea ve , I'l l m is s o ut o n m y c ha n ce t o g et t ie d u p."

R a in e g a v e h im a s ke pt i ca l l oo k. " So y ou 'l l s e n d m e b ac k a f t e r w e do t h at ? "

" T he r e a r e a l o t o f t hi ng s I w a n t t o d o w i th y o u b e fo r e I s e n d y o u b a c k . " H e n uz zl ed h e r n e c k w i t h a

r ou gh c h e e k . " So m a ny t hi ng s, t h a t I m ig ht h a v e t o k e e p y ou h e r e f or e v er . "

" F or e ve r i s a n a wf ul ly l on g t i me ."

A s h e r m u s t h a v e s e n s e d t h e u n ce r ta i nt y i n h e r v o i ce . H e p l ac e d h e r p a lm o n h i s c h e s t . T h e h e a r t o f a

h un t er p ul s ed s t ro ng a n d t r ue a g ai n st h e r h an d, a n d h e r o wn h e a r t fi ll ed w i th h o pe .

" Th en I g u e s s I' ll h a v e t o b e v e r y cr e at i v e. "

H i s m o ut h m e t h e r s . T h e t w o s u n s o f T u r m a d i pp e d b e l ow t h e ho ri zo n, g iv in g a w o m a n an d h e r S p a c e b o y


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t h e da r k n e s s of n ig ht a n d a c h a n c e t o d r e a m .

END

Laura Bacchi w r i te s r o ma n ce , e r ot i ca , a n d e ve r yt hi n g i n b e t w e e n. H e r r o ma n ti c s h or t s t or i es a p p e ar r e gu l ar l y i n Su n m ag az in e, a n d s he i s t h e au t ho r o f C h e l l a ' s Q u e s t , a w i n n e r i n A m b e r Q u i l l ' s 2 0 0 5 A m b e r

H ea t W a ve Cont e s t. A librarian by day, L a ur a lives in t he Southe ast with h e r daughter a nd a

s up er su pp or ti ve h us ba nd w ho i s a lw ay s willing t o r ea d h er w or ks -i n- pr og re ss a nd a ss is t w it h a ny

" r e se a r ch . " F or m o re a b ou t L a u r a a n d h e r wo r k, p l e a s e v is i t h e r w eb s i t e a t w w w . l a u r a b ac c h i . c o m .
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Laura Bacchi - The Heart of a Hunter

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