Mercenary Abduction (Alien Abduction) (16 page)

“Ugh, but they’re calling us the Galactic Lovebirds.”

A moue of annoyance twisted Makl’s lips. “Yes, I would have preferred they stick to my more

public name, but I’m sure my media relations agent can clear that up.”

“You have a media relations guy?”

“Of course. And a business manager. All good mercenaries do. How else are we going to get our

contracts? I get famous through deeds, which my marketing expert then announces to the world, thus

driving up the price of my services. Once you hit a certain level of notoriety and fluid currency, it’s just good business sense to have someone managing your affairs and money.”

Good grief. Makl was a businessman, an assassin businessman with a marketing pimp and

accountant. It boggled the mind. “Aren’t you worried the guy in charge of your money will screw you

over?”

The smile Makl gave her – dark, menacing, and gleeful – shouldn’t have sent a shiver down her

spine, she abhorred violence, after all – but delight her it did as well as shoot a tingle to her pussy. He looked so dark, dangerous, and tempting, what woman could have resisted? She did. Barely, but only

because she left the room.

As Ifruum and Makl cackled over the unexpected fame they’d found – and discussed ways of

cashing in on it – she hit the bathroom, eager to get the heavy hairpiece off and shower. While she stood under the hot water, she pondered the strange turn her life had taken in just the last few days. She’d met a man who attracted her and gave her ridiculous pleasure, and embarked on an adventure that had her heart pounding, but also saw her laughing more than she could recall. Despite the oddity in their thinking, with Makl she found someone to talk to that wasn’t like a big brother, or an uncle. It hadn’t escaped her notice over the years that in some ways furry Ifruum reminded her of her uncle Murphy, not that she would tell him that. Comparing Murphy to a hairy Chewy when he considered himself so slick and suave probably

wouldn’t go over well.

She wondered what Murphy thought of Makl. Then wondered why she cared. If only she could talk

to someone about the weird shit going on in her head. Despite the crazy factor, she even wished her flaky aunt Karma would pop in for a visit, but she’d gone off on one of her adventures and wasn’t answering any of her calls. Who did that leave for Olivia to talk to about how Makl confused the hell out of her?

Who could explain why a male who should have been easy to reject and resist instead continually melted all her defenses?

Surely the effect on her wouldn’t last forever? It couldn’t. He intended to drop her off at some

point on that cousin of his. One way or another, this wild ride would eventually end. Now if only she could figure out why the thought depressed her.
Because I can’t care for him.
She barely knew him, and had no intention of getting to know him better. Well, better than she already did, but that was just sex. Sex was easy. It was the emotional stuff a girl needed to steer clear of. Olivia knew how caring led to pain.

How trust led to betrayal. She wasn’t going to make that mistake again.

When she emerged from the bathroom, still no clearer on how she felt about the mercenary, she

automatically searched him out. The empty room gaped and her shoulders sagged. For some reason, she’d expected to see him, lounging on the bed wearing a come-hither smile, a taunt waiting on his lips, because he’d pegged it right earlier. She did purposely goad him. She did dare him in the hopes he’d take the decision out of her hands and give her what she wanted, but couldn’t ask for. It peeved her off that he’d seen through her subtle game, a game she didn’t even realize she played until he pointed it out. How dare he know her better than she knew herself? It was hard to hold onto her image of him as buffoon when he kept showing a rare perception.

Dropping the towel, she padded naked to the wall, looking for a clean shirt. She didn’t make it.

Arms wrapped around her from behind and she squeaked, limbs immediately flailing.

Makl whispered in her ear. “Hello, barbarian. You smell nice.”

“And you just scared the hell out of me. Where were you hiding?”

“Under my cloak.”

“Why?”

“To surprise you.”

He’d succeeded. She also took note of a more crucial fact. “Are you naked?”

“Very. Wanna see?”

Actually, she did. She turned in his arms as he pushed back the hood of his cape, breaking the

invisibility glamour and showing himself, all of his muscular, naked self. His hands returned to clasp the tops of her hips. She didn’t move away. She slid her hands under the silky fabric of his cloak to fan them across his chest, thumbing the hoop piercing his pectoral muscle. “And why did you want to surprise

me?”

“Well, see, at first, I wanted to see if you’d touch yourself if you thought you were alone.”

“And you planned to watch?”

He nodded.

God, why did the thought excite her so much? “What changed your mind?”

“I didn’t want to be just a spectator.”

“Feeling cloudy-minded again?” She referenced his mercenary law, or rule, or whatever the fuck

it was he liked to quote. It served to remind her that what they shared was just sex. Nothing more. Just a physical need.

“I could use some clarity, yes.”

“Why not ask one of your – how many wives did you say you had?”

His lips quirked. “Too many for any male to stay sane.”

“So you’re not married or dating a whole squadron of women in real life?” She didn’t look him in

the eye when she asked mostly because she didn’t want him to know how much his answer interested her.

He shuddered, the tremor clear to the hands she still had splayed on his chest. “By the universe,

no. I don’t believe in relationships.”

“At all?”

“They’re a distraction a mercenary can’t afford. And a weakness our enemies can exploit.”

“Let me guess, it’s one of the rules.” She really needed to get her hands on a copy of this so-called mercenary manual.

“Not really. The book doesn’t cover females and relationships, but I’ve been around enough to

heed the warning. Some choose to ignore it and mate. I, however, don’t have that inclination whatsoever.”

“So, woman are just for sex?”

“Essentially.”

“You won’t try and tie me down because we keep getting naked? Or go into some jealous fit

because some guy talks to me?”

For a moment, the expression in his eyes turned cold and icy. “Of course not. A female is a

female, even exotic ones like yourself.”

“Good to know. I wouldn’t want you to cry when we have to part.”

Again, a glint of something flashed in his gaze, there one second, gone the next. “I shan’t even

wave goodbye when I drop you off.”

“Perfect. Then I guess there’s no reason not to have sex, you know, to keep our minds clear and

all.”

“We have to follow the rules for success.”

For a moment, they stared at each other, words she wasn’t ready to say sitting heavy on her tongue.

His eyes flashed emotions at her, too quick for her to discern. Nothing was said, but the moment

exploded.

They dove on each other, lips and teeth clashing in a wild melee involving tongues, panting, and

the frantic groping of naked skin. They ended up in bed, Olivia on top of Makl, her wet pussy pressing against his throbbing cock.

“You are in desperate need of clarity, I see,” he panted in between the licking of her nipples.

She clawed his shoulders. “Very. And I can see just how stupid you’ve become. Let me fix that for

you.” She lifted herself to a seated position, then a little higher until she hovered over the tip of him. His hands splayed across waist and hips, the dark contrast of his mauve skin against hers striking. Sexy. And hot. So hot. With a slow sensuality, he stroked her skin as she lowered herself onto his length. She dug her fingertips into the flesh of his chest as she took him, inch by thick inch, seating herself on his dick and loving it. Only once she had him completely sheathed did she open her eyes only to have his expression steal her breath.

His smoldering, half-shuttered eyes caught her. He gazed upon her like a man starving. Eyed her as

if he intended to brand her soul. It was so easy for her to imagine he watched her like a man in love. A man who…

With a cry, she broke the stare and threw her head back, rocking on his shaft, driving him deep

inside with circular, grinding movements. He hissed, his fingers tightening on her waist, but not hurting.

Never hurting. He always tempered his deadly strength – treated her like she was fragile and precious.

She almost sobbed her pleasure as she gyrated faster and faster. Her chest heaved with exertion,

her breasts bouncing in time to her movement. Impossible as it seemed, he grew even thicker, stretching the walls of her channel, increasing the coiling ecstasy building inside.

“Oh God, purple.”

“Give it to me, my beautiful barbarian. Don’t hold back. Don’t hold –”

With a bellow, he thrust furiously up, and as she rode his bucking body, she cried out, her own

pleasure overwhelming. Wave after wave of bliss crashed through her, then crested again as he creamed her with his own orgasm, the hot, pulsing heat stimulating her pussy. Overcome, she sank on top of him, limp and breathing hard. Heart to heart, their frantic beatings somehow crashed in rhythm. Never had she felt closer to someone. More in tune. Damn.

Just sex my ass.

Several successful heists later…

The bad feeling started about halfway through the fleecing they were conducting on a dirty rat –

just over five shuddering feet tall and unbathed for several years, judging by his matted fur – which she could have sworn rippled as if something tunneled under its scraggly surface. Olivia’s nose twitched, her stomach roiled, and not just because of the rancid smell.

Something is off.
Over the years, she’d come to trust her gut instinct. It always saved her tail, something the rodent-like criminal in front of her was missing. Someone shaved his pride and joy a while back judging by the scarred tissue marring the stubby tip of his tail.

Welcome to their newest gig. Currently disguised as a one-eyed, multi-patched, hobble-legged,

leering, toothless pirate – and she as his overtired, losing her hair, rotten tooth wench – Makl haggled with the rodent they’d come to see. She felt no remorse in stealing from the smuggler, not when she knew the despicable things he’d done. The small fee they were earning for this mission, which involved

planting evidence, wouldn’t come close to paying for their trip, but the challenge and satisfaction they’d get in punishing the disgusting alien for what he’d done more than made up for it. If she was going to screw someone over, then let it be the scum of the galaxy.

There was only one big flaw with that, though. The scum were the most paranoid and violent.

Makl sensed the same turning tide, she’d wager, because he suddenly tried to wrap things up with less finesse than usual.

“It’s time we were on our way. Debauching to do and all that. Perhaps we’ll continue this

conversation the next time I’m in this section of the star system.” She didn’t need Makl’s subtle finger wag to start making her way to the door through which they’d entered. The rough habitat where they met the rodent was just one of thousands on the surface of this planet. It didn’t have much room to maneuver, or extra exits, which was a really poor design flaw, she decided, as she backpedaled quickly. It seemed

most prudent given the two large lizard men armed with big guns who pushed their way in and blocked the only way out.

Yet, it wasn’t the pair with their rounded sabers, yellow slitted stares, and long green muzzles –

very like a crocodile from earth – that made her curse a streak, but the six others who popped up behind and to the side of her from hidden entrances into the room, a pair of doorways hacked into the very walls and covered with holograms they’d missed. She couldn’t believe she’d not guessed at their presence.

We’re surrounded.
Fuck.

“They ambushed us.”

“Not really,” Makl replied. “I knew he’d try this.”

“You knew and yet you came anyway? Are you insane?” she hissed, just as the lights flickered, a

warning sign of the blackout soon to follow.

“Must I answer this question each time we go on a mission?”

“I keep asking because you don’t reply, just lead us into more danger without warning.”

“Why would I worry you? Have we not escaped unscathed thus far?”

“Yes. But how long do you think that will last?”

“It ends today!” their rodent host yelled, appearing somewhat put out that they ignored him whilst

they enjoyed a little spat. Truthfully, they did face danger on pretty much every mission. None of it ever slowed Makl down. The man never broke a sweat, during heists at least. In bed, though…

As if reading her last thought, Makl lifted her hand and kissed it. “Give me a moment to take care

of this and then we can pursue more
pleasant
matters.”

Stumpy interrupted again. “Leaving so soon, oh Galactic Lovebirds? And yet, the act is not yet

done. You haven’t yet acquired your prize.”

“I see word of our exploits has traveled more quickly than I thought. That’s excellent news.” Makl

beamed at the knowledge of their fame.

Olivia held back a groan. Shit. If this rat knew who they were, then the danger level just shot

through the stratosphere. She might have panicked a little if not for the fact Makl didn’t appear

discomfited in the least. On the contrary, more at ease than ever, he sat down – points for bravery given the sanitation levels in the place – and twitched his fingers at her. Not ashamed to admit the situation had her freaking – the odds against them much higher than usual – Olivia scurried to his side and didn’t protest when he pulled her onto his lap. Her purple mercenary would have a plan to get them out. He always did, usually leaving an unfortunate trail of alien bodies behind. Add to his deadly skill the fact Ifruum