Ecstasy Bound (12 page)

“No, in general. How does she feel about everything that’s been happening with Laszlo?”

“Feel?” Erik visibly tensed and his eyes narrowed. “Are you asking me whose side she’s on, Braden?”

Yeah, he supposed he was, but only because of what Laszlo said during the meeting. He had to be certain of loyalties here. “I’ll come right out with it, Erik. Did you know she was helping with the spinal fluid experiments?”

Erik once more hesitated before answering, though he never broke eye contact.

“Yes.”

Yes.
The word echoed in Braden’s head. He felt as if he’d been zapped by a pulse rifle. Erik should have told him about Leila’s involvement as soon as he’d found out.

“I knew she was working on some secret project. I didn’t know what it was until Laszlo told us.”

“Leila refused to tell you what she was doing?”

“She said Laszlo would tell us in the meeting, with more details than she could provide, so I didn’t push her or say anything to anyone beforehand. I trust her and her judgment, Braden. This hasn’t been long-term on her part. She’s only been involved with the experiments since she’s been down here.”

Well, that was good to hear. It meant she wasn’t a part of any ongoing schemes with Laszlo.

“After the meeting she told me that Laszlo brought some of the manufactured spinal samples with him and was still trying to figure out why the artificially created fluid wouldn’t work. She did some tests and also looked over the modified Initiation procedure. Made some changes. The spinal fluid was still a bust when they tested the revised vials they prepared but she’s hopeful about the Initiation. You don’t need to question her loyalty, Braden. She only kept quiet because she felt it better that everyone find out at the same time about Daegal going after the human spinal fluid on Earth, instead of half truths getting thrown about before Laszlo could relate the whole story.”

“If we’ve heard the whole story. With Laszlo, that’s always an unknown. I’m still trying to figure things out here.”

“I know it’s a fucking mess, Braden.” He clasped Braden’s shoulder. “We are Xylon Warriors. Family, as far as I’m concerned. First and foremost. My alliance is with you, my friend. Always.”

“Even over your mate, if she should side with Laszlo?”

His eyes darkened and he shook his head. “That won’t happen. Ever. Believe me.

Leila’s with you, Braden. I can promise you that. She feels she owes you for the sacrifice you and Alexa made for her during her re-initiation. She loves you two and those babies.”

Braden could see the truth of Erik’s words in his eyes and he felt better. “I want to talk to you about something else.” He didn’t keep his voice as low, not caring if Torque overheard them now. He pulled a small black device from his jacket. “This is the transport-connector Briggs had on him when he arrived here. It contains a much denser power pack than our normal TCs. Can you reprogram it to transport four people?”

“Four?” Erik took the device from Braden and pushed some buttons, studying the internal coding. Then he pulled off the back panel. “No. It was only wired for two maximum. Even with its additional power, the internal circuitry board needs a booster chip for increased multiples.”

“Even if they’re not all adults? How about if it’s for one adult and three babies?”

Erik’s head snapped up and their gazes locked. “You want this for Alexa? Why?

There’s no place she and the triplets can go from down here. A ship would have to remain in a stable orbit with known, set coordinates. You’ve already explained that to her. It’s not powerful enough to reach any of the moons, even with a booster, so what are you thinking?”

“With its power pack, it can reach Quadrant Port XST. I’ve done the calculations.”

Erik’s brow wrinkled. “The old repair station? For what purpose? It’s abandoned and barely maintains its orbit around Xylon anymore. It has no working communications, no supplies.”

“But it has oxygen and automatic temperature regulation. Listen, those babies have to live. They can’t live without Alexa. They all have to stay together. Given the scope of our mission and the danger, we can’t put them on the orbiter to the Ice Moon. The ship isn’t fully equipped with weapons for a sustained fight if the Egesa attack and we can’t get backup support. It’s just too risky. If we do make it to the Ice Moon, we can send back more heavily armed ships and troops to ensure the babies’ safety. Everyone’s safety, whoever is left behind. But I want a secondary plan in place. For even if some of us are able to get off Xylon and send back help, it might not be in time, especially now that the air is compromised. If the oxygen here does indeed last, a million other things could go wrong before rescue arrives. Alexa and the triplets need another way out in an emergency. The port will be safe if you can rig the transport-connector to get them there and also fix it so that, if she uses the device, it beeps my personal vid-cell. That way I’ll know she’s transported out.”

“You should know anyway.”

Breeder-mates held a special connection through a brand placed on the back of the female’s neck during a Branding ceremony, which occurred when two Xylons were officially joined as mates. The brand established a connection between the brain chips in both mates, allowing them to know the location of the other.

Except their connection had failed when Alexa had disappeared from down here without warning. Braden had believed her dead. He didn’t know for certain how the connection had been broken but he’d spoken to Leila about it and they both suspected it had something to do with Alexa’s partly alien physiology not being completely compatible with the devices. He feared it might happen again. Braden didn’t intend to leave anything to chance this time. “I want a backup method. I went through not knowing once. I don’t ever want to go through that again. So is it possible to reprogram the transport-connector and for me to receive a signal if she uses it?”

“Our vid-cells aren’t working.”

“The vid-cells aren’t working for direct communications but can they send and receive pulses?”

“Hmm. I don’t know. I’ll look into it. And into the TC reprogramming. I’ll figure out a way.”

He clapped Erik on the back. “Thanks.” He squeezed his shoulder. “No mistakes, Erik. We can’t test it. My family is in your hands.”

Erik nodded, a determined look in his eyes.

Braden knew Erik would do his best. He reached into his jacket and passed his vid-cell to Erik. “Torque is going to handle the decontamination room. I’ll take care of the orbiter reprogramming. I worked as an engineer for a long time on those old ships. I know a few tricks to get the most efficiency out of the systems. You concentrate on reprogramming the transport-connector and my vid-cell. Bring them to me when you’re done, then we both can secure the orbiters. I’ll also look into the oxygen situation while I’m down in the hole.”

“We need more people helping us. Let’s get someone else to look into the oxygen problem, at least, while you’re working on the ship. The oxygen is imperative but trying to find that leak is going to be a real time drain and very probably will lead to zero results.”

“Suggestions?”

“Brianna.”

“No good. She’ll have to be pulled for the Initiation once they’re ready, which could happen at any time.”

“Pitch?”

“I don’t want to call Pitch away from Alexa. Just in case there’s trouble before we expect it.”

“Then Kam.”

“I’m afraid his headaches combined with the lower oxygen levels might severely interfere with his thinking. I’ve also noticed him rubbing his throat since he’s been down here. I think the implant is bothering him. We need someone who’s at the top of their game right now and who can work fast, especially as the situation worsens.”

Erik puffed out a heavy breath. “It will have to be Halah then, as much as I hate to admit it. Everyone else is either involved with a project or doesn’t have the skills and knowledge to handle the situation.”

“Agreed. Let’s get her in here.”

* * * * *

Briggs swallowed hard.
Brianna.
Naked. And she wanted him to stay. She wanted him to fuck her. A fantasy come true. His gaze eased down her body, memorizing every inch of her beautiful flesh.

Her breasts caught and held his interest. Full and luscious. He loved breasts. Hell, he loved women. Pure and simple. Every inch of them. All the subtle differences and nuances of their bodies and minds.

Her nipples were longer than the nipples of an average Earth female. Plumper too.

And a lovely rosy color next to the beautiful creaminess of her skin. So sexy. He ached to lick and suck them.

His gaze traveled farther down her body to her pussy, which he couldn’t see that well from her side position and how she’d draped her leg to partially cover herself. He did see a few black tendrils of hair peeking out, teasing him into sexual madness. He ached to stroke her pussy, to feel if the hair there was as soft as he imagined.

His heart beat erratically. Her Warrior training was evident in the fitness of her body but she still retained enough curves to look touchably soft. In fact, she looked all woman to him. The slight flush to her skin showed she was definitely affected sexually by him. Just knowing that made his own need escalate.

Watching her come earlier had been like a dream. Better than a dream actually.

Another fantasy come true for him. She could have stopped if she’d wanted. But she hadn’t. In fact, she’d finger-fucked herself harder. She’d wanted him to watch her come by her own hand. Making her come, by more than simply his presence, would be even better. He could hardly wait. He intended to make her come until she had nothing left to give.
Although…
The thought gave him pause because of the pending Initiation but then he dismissed any doubts.

Obviously Laszlo wanted them to fuck. Now. While in private. He wouldn’t have sent him in here to her otherwise. Maybe this was Laszlo’s way of making them feel more comfortable with each other, instead of their first time together being in front of others.

He wasn’t about to argue with the decision. Apparently it wouldn’t adversely affect them for later or Laszlo wouldn’t have arranged this. So, Sam decided that he might as well relax and enjoy the ride, so to speak.

“Would you like to stay with me for a while?” Brianna asked, a sexy smile on her face.

“Hell yeah,” he answered without hesitation. It would take a whole troop of Xylon Warriors to get him out of this room now. His cock was hard enough to break stone. He wasn’t going anywhere until he fucked this woman—thoroughly.

She crooked her finger, motioning him nearer. Her position on the bed, her long dark hair cascading over her shoulder, the expression in her eyes, all made her look like some sex goddess.

He leaned down and gently kissed her lips.
Ah yes.
Just as luscious as he remembered. She kissed him back a little tentatively, which endeared her to him even more, for he didn’t often see the softer side of her personality or emotions.

Her tenderness made him feel like pouncing on her body and fucking her like a wild man. The dominant, animalistic male in him needed her to be
his
. He’d never in his life felt such a strong desire to possess a woman. But he wouldn’t rush her. He wanted to make this good for her too. He wanted her to crave his touch long after this mission was over, and for her to always remember him, no matter what happened between them in the future.

He’d make this first time slow and tender.

When their tongues touched and she reached up, slowly at first, then practically clawing at his uniform, he lost his control. And his intentions.

With more force than he’d intended, he grabbed her wrists and pushed her down flat on the bed and covered her with his body. When she didn’t protest, his mouth ravished hers, going from her lips to her tender throat and down to the full breasts he’d been aching to feast on.

Brianna mewled and arched her back.

He didn’t need any more encouragement. He sucked one of her plump nipples into his mouth.
Oh yeah.
She tasted of warm cinnamon or something very close to it. A flavor he loved. Damn, he couldn’t get enough.

“More,” she begged.

All you want, sweetheart.
He sucked harder, savoring the sweet flavor of her skin. His tongue twirled around her nipple. He released her wrists to unzip his uniform as he continued sucking and licking. His dick hurt like crazy. The thought of holding her bare body against his, flesh to flesh, was almost overwhelming.

Her fingers tangled in his hair. “Yes,” she moaned, pushing her body up toward him. It wasn’t long before her grip left his head to help him push down his clothing, which wasn’t cooperating.

With reluctance, he released her nipple and eased off the bed. “Don’t move.” He pulled off his boots. Never taking his eyes from her, he shucked his uniform, getting it off with ease now that he was standing. She plucked at her nipples while he watched.

Then he stepped toward the bed to join her again. He couldn’t wait to find out what her pussy tasted like.

“No. Everything, Sam. Take off everything.” Her fingers lowered to her cunt and she rubbed her clit.