Alien Heart (3 page)

“Yes, sir.” He wasn’t the first to demand. He was the first to glare at her for acknowledging it.

“Come.”

She had to jog to keep up with his long stride, silently cursing him. They blurred past so much she wanted to stop and examine. Every part of this ship was a new revelation. She had never seen so much water on a ship before, used for everything. When they reached the engine room she skidded to a halt, shock widening her eyes.

“You’re using water propulsion.”

Orlen studied her, one eyebrow raised. “You recognize it?”

“Of course—we used water propulsion engines on my home planet. Nothing on this scale, though. How do you keep the load down?”

“When you live surrounded by water for centuries, you learn how to use it.”

In other words, none of her damn business.

“Right. Sir.”

His glare told her the sir wasn’t working for him. She shrugged, stuck her hands in her pockets, and waited. This was his show—she was just the hired help.

After an impatient sniff he pointed to the door behind the engine. “In there. Tell me what is wrong. Do not touch anything. Simply look, then report back to me.”

“Yes, sir.” A test. She understood, since she was an unknown, brought on board by his superior. He could be less pissy about the whole situation. Anji opened the narrow door and peered inside before she took a step. It looked like a passage behind the engine, allowing access to—what looked like all of it. “Incredible,” she whispered.

Carefully, she moved into the passage, studying the engine. Orlen was expecting her to find something—probably a small part, disconnected, to test her knowledge. She started looking for what was out of place.

The symmetry of engines had always fascinated her, and she discovered an uncanny ability to find what was out of sync with the rest of the engine. There—a hose pulled free of its connector. Anji made her way to it, checking every other connection and board. When she reached the hose, she took the time to examine the ones next to it, then deftly reconnected the hose, looking for a button or switch to restart.

All of the small buttons were glowing blue, except one. It had a dull green glow, like it was in standby. She touched the button, and it flared to life, water pulsing through the hose. With a triumphant smile, she double checked everything as she made her way back to the door, finding a small bolt partially unscrewed. A few quick turns with her wrench fixed that, and she stepped out of the passage.

Orlen waited for her, arms crossed, a frown on his narrow face. He was just as striking as Kiele—or would have been, if he got rid of the attitude.

“I told you to touch nothing.”

Shit. She completely forgot, caught up in her instant love of the engine. “I’m sorry, sir. Habit.”

His scowl made her want to take a giant step back. “How many?”

“Two.”

A smile replaced the scowl, and Anji had the sinking feeling she missed something. “There were five.”

Anji’s temper threatened to snap. She took a deep breath and looked up at him. “Show me. Sir.”

With a smug nod he stepped into the passage, and reached for a switch near the door. One she knew was fine, because she checked it. His smile faded. “What is this? I disengaged—”

“More than necessary, Orlen.” Kiele’s quiet voice swung her around. He looked good, standing in the middle of the engine room, wearing a loose white shirt. “I also noticed you disconnected the temperature regulator for the crew showers, which is what alerted me to your little test.” His gaze moved to Anji, amusement in those jewel green eyes. “I left two repairs, which our new mechanic found with ease. She passed, long before she stepped aboard my ship, with her ability to keep Captain Johnson’s excuse for a ship running.”

“Commander—”

“You are dismissed, engineer.”

“Kiele—”

“Dismissed. We will discuss your blatant prejudice later.”

His jaw clenched so tight the muscles jumped, Orlen bowed, then strode out of sight, his entire body stiff with outrage.

“He’s definitely not going to like me now.”

“Orlen does not like anyone.”

“Not even you?” Anji smiled at him. “I figured everyone liked you. Commander.”

He returned her smile, and she wanted to touch him. God, when did he become so damn good looking? “Not everyone,
t’anling
. I only care about certain individuals.”

She swallowed, remembering the hot and heavy kiss from last night. “I like you.”

Oh, God—where did that come from?

Kiele leaned in, his breath warm on her cheek. “You are one of the individuals.” While she fought to breathe, he straightened, stepping back from her. “Shall we finish the tour?”

“Okay.”

It made her feel better that his voice wasn’t quite as steady.

He led the way, walking slower than Orlen, and giving her time to study different parts of the ship that caught her attention. Like the waterfall that splashed down in the center of the ship, a wall of glass behind it, splashing into a large pool at the base.

“How is this possible? The weight must be enormous.”

“You are seeing our entire water supply. It is constantly recycled and reused. When we return to our home planet, it is replaced.”

“This is—I’ve never seen anything like it.” She felt like a little girl at her first ship exhibit. Drawn to the clear pool, she looked over at Kiele. “Is it okay to…”

“Of course. The water goes through a filter, at the bottom of the pool.” He moved to her side, his presence familiar now, but no less heat inducing. “Water is at the core of our society. We live and die by it.”

Anji’s hand froze, and she stared up at him. “So it’s true—about your race and water? That you have to—”

“Immerse every twelve hours? It is true. But we do have suits that allow us to go for longer periods if necessary. Some of us have conditioned our bodies to longer stretches between immersions. It is only our gills that need the water.” His smile made her heart pound. “We have had centuries to adjust to breathing both air and water. It has given us time to find work arounds.”

“That must be important for such a visible weakness.” She clapped one hand over her mouth—far too late, since she already spouted the stupidity.

Kiele surprised her by laughing. “You are so refreshing, Anji. I enjoy your honesty.”

“We call it rudeness.”

“I call it charming.” His fingers cupped her chin, tilted her head until she looked into his eyes. “Dine with me tonight. This time we will eat, and talk. That is all—unless you ask for more. I will let you find your way back to your quarters, familiarize yourself with the ship.” He freed her, gave her a bow. “I look forward to tonight.”

Anji watched him stride into one of the curving hallways, her throat dry, her body on fire.

I am so screwed.

Taking Kiele’s advice,
Anji wandered around the ship, meeting more of his crew. After the first pleasant surprise, she discovered that Orlen was an aberration. The T’An working for Kiele were kind, polite, and welcoming. And the women—they made her feel like a little girl, with their height, their poise, and the incredible, translucent skin of a T’An female. The only advantage she had on them was that they were almost as flat chested at the males.

By the time Anji reached her room, she was exhausted, and more than a little terrified of her dinner with Kiele. She took a quick shower, keeping her hair dry and wrapped in a braid bun. The humidity from the shower would be enough to give her a little body.

She examined the clothes in the closet. Her own small, well-worn clothes hung beside the new, silky garments Kiele gifted to her. There was no way she could wear her own clothes—she’d look like she was on her way to work on an engine. Tonight, if only for one night, she wanted to look like a female. A woman.

Before she could talk herself out of it she grabbed the strappy dress in a rich, shimmery blue. It fit a little too well. She stared at the mirror, not sure if she had the courage to walk out of the room wearing something so formfitting. On the plus side, it did accentuate what curves she had, especially her breasts, which were always her best feature. Hiding them under baggy shirts became habit when she started working with mostly male crews.

It would be nice to have a non-grabby man admire them. Then maybe grab them.

“Why him?” she whispered to her image. “What is it about him that makes me want to jump him when he’s in jumping distance?” And when he wasn’t. All she did was think about him, all afternoon, while she wandered his ship, met his crew, saw his domain. Obsessive was beginning to describe how often she thought of him. “Just go have dinner, Anji. If you have crazy, hot alien sex with him, consider it a bonus.”

She was afraid that one bout of crazy, hot sex with him wouldn’t be nearly enough—and damn her for choosing the wrong species to get the hots for, since they took sex much too seriously.

***

Anji was ready
to turn around and find a long sweater to cover herself. Every male T’An she passed stared at her—or more specifically, stared at her breasts. She understood why, since T’An women were as sleek and lean as the men. Anji was a novelty.

Halfway to her destination she stopped long enough to unbraid her hair. At least it would give her some coverage.

The one male she wanted to give her attention did just the opposite when he greeted her at the door to his large quarters. He kept eye contact, and waved her inside.

The scent of bread and some decadent, cream based dish filled the air. She walked over to the table to see what was making her mouth water, and stilled when Kiele stopped behind her, so close the fabric of his shirt brushed her bare skin.

“It is a fancy fisherman’s stew. Since you expressed a desire to taste the simpler stew, my cook wanted to treat you to his best recipe.”

Oh, God—did the entire ship know she was eating dinner with him?

“Thank you,” she whispered. “It smells delicious.”

“Sit.” She sidestepped until she was free of his presence, and clutched the back of the nearest chair at his next words. “It will be my pleasure to serve you.”

She let out a shaky breath and lowered herself to the chair. Kiele moved to the large, ornate tureen, started dishing up the thick, creamy stew. The amulet she’d glimpsed when they met swung from the chain at his throat, and she finally saw what it was. A dolphin, jumping over an iridescent—sun? It was hard to tell, since it was faced with some kind of shimmering blue and silver shell. Either way, it was gorgeous, and his tanned skin set off the rich silver.

Without thinking she flipped her hair over her shoulders. His hand fumbled, and stew splattered across the table.

Anji jumped to her feet. “Are you okay? You didn’t burn yourself, did you?”

“No such luck.” A wry smile crossed his face. “It would help explain my clumsiness. All I can claim is my awe at how lovely you are tonight.”

“I—thank you.”

“Hungry?”

“Yes.” But not for food. His self-deprecating admission turned her on, and she knew her nipples were announcing that fact, loud and proud, poking through the thin fabric.

Kiele set a bowl of steaming stew in front of her. She waited until he sat with his own bowl before she started to eat. Three bites in and she could no longer stand the tension.

“Kiele?”

He moved so fast she barely had time to drop her spoon before he swept her out of the chair and into his arms.

“Tell me to stop now,
t’anling
. Tell me you do not want this, and I will escort you back to your quarters—”

“Shut up and kiss me already.”

He smiled, and captured her lips in a kiss that buckled her knees.

Anji tangled both hands in his silky hair, plastering herself to his strong, defined chest. Her tongue waged war with his, both of them fighting to get closer. Finally, Kiele hauled her over to the huge bed and pulled her into his lap, tight against his erection. It felt glorious.

He shifted, and his erection pressed into her, hard, thick, throbbing. She wanted him inside her. As fast as possible.

“Kiele—”

“I want you, Anji.” The caress of his voice over her name had her rubbing against his thick length. He groaned, and slid his hand under her ass, holding her in place. “Before we lose the ability to think, I must ask—”

“Sex only, Kiele. I’m flattered, but it’s going to have to be just sex.”

Disappointment flared in his jewel green eyes, but only for a second. “You do know I can promise, but my need for you is strong, and it may escalate to mating. I cannot control myself if I reach that point.”

“I’ll take my chances.” She wanted him enough to risk it. Besides—how bad could it be, tied to someone like him? “Please, Kiele—my need for you is strong, too.”

He smiled—right before his hands went straight to the zipper of her dress, sliding it down. The fabric over her breasts gaped open, and his hand slipped in the back of her dress, tracing over her skin, driving her crazy.

“So warm.” He kissed his way down her throat. “You are so warm, so soft.” They both moaned when he finally closed his hand over her breast. His fingers found her aching nipple, brushing over the peak, then rubbing it between his fingers. Her skin tingled, every inch humming with need. She rocked into his erection, startled again by how big he was, wanting every inch of him filling her. “Anji—”

He yanked her dress over her head, and set her on the bed, standing long enough to rid himself of his clothes. Her heart pounded when she got her first good look at what had been hiding in his trousers. She barely had time to rid herself of her panties before he knelt in front of her, his thick length slipping between her legs.

“God—Kiele—”

“Tell me if I hurt you.” His hands shook as they curled around her hips, and she knew he fought to keep control.

“I need you inside me. Now.” His eyes widened. “Sorry—I meant—”

“I hope you meant that,
t’anling
.”

He stopped any other stupid outbursts by kissing her. The tip of his cock pushed into her, and she arched forward, gasping against his lips. He was hotter than she expected, but he felt good—so good she wanted more of him. She spread her legs, dug her fingers into his hips and urged him forward. He obliged her, easing himself in.

Anji shuddered at the feel of him, on the edge of an orgasm by the time he imbedded himself completely. He freed her lips, pressed his face into her hair.

“You are so tight,” he whispered. “So wet. I am not used to the feel of a woman who is ready for me.”

“How—” She lost her train of thought when his hand found her breast. “God—” Her body clenched around him, and he groaned, his other hand spread across her lower back, pushing himself deeper.

“I forget, Anji, that you do not have the limitations of my people.” He lifted his head. “We cannot put weight on our gills, not outside of the water.”

“That’s why you’re kneeling.”

He smiled. “Habit.”

“Not too much habit, I hope.”

“A young male, finding his way.”

“Way to make it sound gallant and romantic.” His laughter rumbled through her, his thick length rubbing against her g-spot. She swallowed, and finished the question she started before. “How do your women—get ready?”

“We lubricate them.” She raised her eyebrows. Kiele raised his wrist to her. His unprotected wrist. The T’An always wore wrist guards, because of some rumored weakness. “Kiss me.”

She pressed her lips to the inside of his wrist—and let out a shocked gasp when liquid heat flooded her. “Oh, my God. What was that?”

“Erogenous zone. Because we usually mate underwater, we have—adapted. Anji, I need to move.”

“Oh, God, please. Lay down with me, Kiele.”

Shock crossed his face—and a second later he had her on the bed, his weight pinning her. She caught her breath when he shifted, sinking even deeper. Then he started to stroke her and she bowed off the bed.

He was so thick, so long, every thrust stretched her, driving him to her core. She wrapped her legs around him, bringing him even deeper. He groaned, and moved faster. Her body tightened, pressure building with every stroke, until she bucked under him, desperate for the release just out of reach.

“Anji—”

She saw the desperation on his face as he reared up. And she knew what he wanted. The huge, clear tub next to the bed was filled with water, ready for him, for them.

“Hold on to me, Kiele—feel me, just me—”

She let out a raw scream when he drove himself into her, his hands gripping her, his body straining for control. He lifted her off the bed, and for a panicked second she thought he was heading for the tub, to mate with her. Instead he held her in place as he pounded into her.

One final deep stroke sent her over the edge. She spasmed, her body clenching around him, every thrust shooting her release higher. He panted, his fingers digging into her hips, and stiffened, right before he climaxed, spilling himself inside her.

She rode him through his release, a second orgasm shocking her. Kiele thrust deep, his breathing ragged, sweat pouring off him. Waves of pleasure spread through her, and she arched up, loving the feel of him, wanting him again, even before their first joining was done.

Finally, he lowered himself to her, fighting for breath, his cock still buried inside her.

“Anji.”

“I’m good. Better than good.”

“Forgive my presumption, about—”

“You didn’t drag me in the tub and force me to mate with you. You just gave me a mind-blowing orgasm. I’m good with that—as long as we can do it again.”

He brushed sweat damp hair off her face. “Give me a few minutes, and we will do it again.”

Anji kissed the inside of his wrist, moaning when he spilled inside her, hot and thick. “God, that’s incredible. Can I—”

“Kiss me again? Yes,
t’anling
. But only if you are ready for another bout of lovemaking. I will warn you—arousing me in such a way inflames my mating instinct. I may not be strong enough to control it again.”

She swallowed, made a mental note to keep her lips off his wrists. “I’ve been warned.”

“Tell me what I can do to make the experience more pleasurable. Your ability to self-lubricate cannot be the only surprise.”

“There is one thing.” Feeling bold, she took his hand, and guided his fingers to her clit. “Rub here. Pretend it’s like my nipple. The same—” She gasped when his fingers brushed her. “The same stimulation works.”

She lost the ability to speak when he started rubbing her.

“Like this?”

She nodded, moaning at the maddening pace he set, achingly slow. He started to stroke her, his cock already hard and throbbing, and she arched off the bed, the combination shooting her straight to a fast climax.

He pulled her up and into his lap, rocking against her, his hands finding her breasts. She let out a cry, her body on fire again, clenching in one long orgasm. His hot release sent her higher, and she clutched his shoulders as he thrust into her, his hands moving to her ass, holding her in place, his length filling her again and again, until she climaxed one last time. They both collapsed on the bed, exhausted and spent.

Kiele surprised her by cradling her against his chest, his cock still inside her. He ran one hand down the length of her sex tangled hair. Her scalp tingled, telling her she had been so focused on how he felt inside her, driving her to multiple orgasms, she didn’t remember laying on her hair. If they did this again, she’d have to keep her hair braided, so she didn’t try to yank it out of her head in the throes of the most amazing orgasm she’d ever had in her life.

Make that when they did this again, because if she had her way, they would. Repeatedly.

She stilled when his thumb brushed her scar, waiting for him to express his disgust for the imperfection. He surprised her by kissing it.