Shifting Currents (16 page)

“He’s a keeper,” Jesse said. “He wouldn’t bang Lynn even when she begged for it and Clark ordered him to.”

“At least someone has the courage to say no to him,” Lem said with a sidelong glance at Jesse.

Bethany felt her heart flutter. “He didn’t get in trouble, did he?”

“Nope, it appears they want to keep you happy. Besides Lucas had news. Everyone at the next station is dead. We’re traveling right into a trap.”

“You don’t have to act so excited about that,” Lem said.

“It ain’t a trap anymore if we know it.” Jesse sneered at him. “Clark has the Shifters leaving the train before we get to the station to see if they can mess up their plans.”

“You know, all I hear is Clark, Clark, Clark.” Lem mimicked Jesse’s voice. “Where’s Lewis?”

Jesse frowned. “I haven’t seen him since the first night.”

Bethany shrugged and jumped off the counter, slicing the link between her and the generator. “Well, I’m beat. I’m going to try and get some sleep.”

“Or something.” Jesse grinned. “Don’t let that big Shifter go to waste.”

“I don’t plan to.”

“I just don’t understand women,” Lem said.

“Why?” Jesse said. “What’s not to understand?”

“Nothing,” he said.

“Now who’s being cryptic?”

“I’ll see you guys in the morning. I’m going to take some sandwiches, and Lucas and I will eat in our rooms,” Bethany said, but Jesse and Lem had squared off.

And because they were distracted, she snagged a pitcher of lemonade too. She had guzzled half of it by the time she got back to their compartment. The cold and wet was wonderful on her dry throat, but it was the sugar that brought her back from exhaustion.

The hunters were out, probably getting themselves ready for the counterambush. She set the pitcher and the sandwiches down on the table and peeked up into Lucas’s bed. He was there. Sleeping deeply, and wonderfully naked. She slipped off her clothes, folded them neatly, and climbed up next to him.

“I missed you,” she said, sliding up his body. Her thighs caressed his stomach. “I know you can hear me.”

Bethany kissed his cheekbone, tasted the wind and the sun on him as she licked down his neck. His erection poked into her stomach. Distracted, she stroked the soft skin. Pressed a kiss to the lip. Rubbed her cheek against his hardness.

“I kind of like you this way, helpless and still. I can do anything I want to you.” She threw her leg over his, feeling his cock against her pussy. “Oh yeah.” She leaned in and kissed his lips. “I miss your kisses, though.” She stretched to trail her nipples over his mouth. “Now, I know you’re really out.” Bethany reached down and guided him inside her. “Oh.” She gave a little cry. “Even unconscious, you’re the best fuck I ever had.” She began to move up and down. “I hope you don’t mind me using you to get off on. I figured this beat having you hear me masturbate. I’d just be thinking about doing this anyway.”

Bethany bounced faster, reaching her hands up to touch the ceiling of the car to give her more leverage. Her breathing began to get heavier as she rocked faster. “Wake up, Lucas. I want to feel your mouth on my breasts. I want your hands on me, like this.” She rubbed her hands over his washboard abs, over his chest that was lightly dusted with wiry hair. She loved the powerful feeling she got from knowing that he could feel everything but was powerless to stop her. Stroking his arms, shoulders and muscles, she enjoyed the ride, getting herself off quietly with a shudder and a sigh. Then she cuddled up against him.

“Thank you,” she whispered in his ear. “Now, I’m going to tell you my fantasy. When we’re safe—and we will survive this ambush and whatever else this stupid caravan throws at us—I want to be blindfolded and tied-up. I want you to make me helpless and then do anything you want with me. Like I just did to you. Do you think you’d like that? I hope so.” She kissed him again. “Jesse told me about what happened in the caboose.”

Bethany blinked back tears. “No one has ever been faithful to me. Thank you,” she said again. Lulled by the rise and fall of his chest, the steady beat of his heart, and his warmth, Bethany let the worry leave her and fell into a deep sleep.

“Help me!”

Bethany jerked awake and nearly banged her head on the ceiling. Lucas was still out beside her and even more impressive, still erect. She ran a loving hand up him and felt him respond. Could he be waking up? She grinned and began to stroke him faster, loving the velvet heat of him.

“Help me!”

Bethany jerked away. “Who is it?”

“I’m trapped.”

Tilting her head, Bethany realized the voice was coming through the radio waves.

“Where are you?”

“I’m in the generator.”

“You’re a Tech?” Bethany leaped down and started getting dressed. “I didn’t see you. Lewis and Clark said the only other Tech committed suicide.”

“It’s not suicide if it’s not intentional.”

“Who are you?” Bethany asked, feeling goose bumps erupt over her even though she was now fully clothed.

“I’m Vera. I’m from the Colorado River tribe.”

“Bethany, from the Eastern Bluffs. Are you dead?”

“Do I sound dead?”
Vera’s voice was electronic but sarcasm colored it.

“Where’s your body?

“Don’t care. I don’t need one anymore.”

“But you’re trapped.”

“Come and see. I’m in the generator.”

“Why didn’t you talk to me this morning?”
Bethany stopped speaking aloud and concentrated on the radio waves as she made her back toward the engine room. The day was in full swing, and the dust nearly choked her. They would reach Ohio by dusk, which seemed a pretty dangerous time for an ambush. But Lewis and Clark must know what they were doing.

“I wasn’t fully able to access myself until you powered up the train.”

The conductor nodded at Bethany as she made her way through to stand behind him. The generator was at her feet, so she knelt to check it.

“Get me out,”
Vera said.

“How?”
Bethany said, still using the radio waves to talk to her so the conductor wouldn’t think she was crazy.

“Pull me out by reversing the flow of energy.”

Bethany held out her hands and tried, but nothing happened.
“It’s not working.”

“Hmmm,”
Vera said.
“I think you’re going to have to leave your body and come get me.”

“That’s crazy, I can’t do that. Would you steal my body if I could?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. You’re not a machine.”

“Would I die?”

“You can never die. You are energy.”

“I mean my body.”

“Who cares? Flesh is weak.”

“I’m beginning to like my flesh.”
Bethany thought of Lucas, and a tingle of desire went through her. She couldn’t wait until he was awake, and then it would be his turn to use her.

Vera sniffed.
“I want another machine. An electric train or maybe a car.”

“Good luck with that,”
Bethany said.
“We’ve got horses and wagons on these freight cars.”

“Motorcycle?”

Bethany thought briefly of her bike, but she left that back in the Bluffs.
“No, and even if we did, there isn’t any gas.”

Vera cursed.
“I guess we’ll have to wait until we get to Bellevue.”

“If we get there. The station is under attack.”

“I haven’t waited for another Tech to be so stupid to join this trip to let this opportunity slip by. Do you have any other electronics with you?”

“Just my portable media player.”

“That’s not big enough for my essence. I’ll have to stay here until we get to Ohio. Then we’ll try this again.”

“I’m not sure about leaving my body. That sounds impossible and probably not a good idea.”

“You won’t be out for long. You’ll get pulled back in by hunger or thirst or having to void your bowels.”

“Well, that’s comforting.”
Bethany made sure the sarcasm was apparent.
“How did you get stuck then?”

“A troll crashed into the train car I was in. I was able to channel myself into the generator, but he killed my body. Ate most of it too while I watched.”

Bethany felt her gorge rise.

“But don’t worry. Hide and you should be all right. The trolls don’t search. They just eat everything in sight.”

“Who taught you how channel yourself into the machine?”

“No one,”
Vera said.
“I figured I pulled energy one way. So I tried pushing it to see what happens. You can fly on the radio waves. Fly like those bird Shifters. Speaking of which…”

A hawk landed on Bethany’s shoulder and nipped her ear enough to make her yelp, but not draw blood.

“You all right, Lady Tech?” the conductor said.

“Yeah.” Bethany rubbed her ear and tried unsuccessfully to shoo the bird off her shoulder. “Just checking the generator. I’ll be going now.”

“Got about three more hours until the station.”

“Thanks,” she said and left the engine room. While they traveled between the cars, the bird flapped his wings to keep his balance but gripped the shoulder of her leather coat hard enough to stay with her.

Bethany opened the door to their compartment, and Lucas shifted before the door closed. He was on her as soon as it clicked shut. He ripped part of her shirt hauling it up over her head. She began to protest when his mouth closed over her breast and his hand cupped over the other one. Her head went back.
Yes. This
. Sitting on her bunk, she said, “Welcome back.”

His tongue lapped over each puckered nipple and sucked on them until her cries were hoarse. The only sounds in the car were her harsh breathing and the suction sound of his mouth ravaging her breasts. He still hadn’t said a word to her.

“Lucas?” She ran her hands through his silky hair as he continued to kiss down to her stomach. The kisses were rough, stopping just short of biting. Bethany was so ready for him again. She would never get enough. Still, a trickle of uncertainty made her ask, “Are you mad at me?”

It hadn’t occurred to her at the time, but maybe he felt used and taken advantage of. If you took away the world-class fucking, they didn’t really know each other at all. What she thought of as kinky, he might have thought of as…rape.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I didn’t think…” This couldn’t be happening. Did she just ruin her chance at happiness? “Please. Forgive me.”

He pushed her flat on her back and stripped off her boots and pants, leaving her only in her panties, which he shredded off her with a slow intent that had her thighs quivering. Lucas slapped a hand on her thigh. She jumped at the sting. Then he flipped her over and pushed her fully into the berth. Pulling the curtain closed behind him, he spread her legs wide.

“Mmmm,” she said into her pillow, already wet in anticipation.

When his finger entered her pussy, Bethany gasped and clenched her muscles around it. He put a second finger in, curled them slightly, and twitched them back and forth. She moaned, and he caressed his free hand over her ass. He couldn’t be that mad, if he was trying to make her come.

Pumping his fingers with deep strokes, Lucas held her shoulder to keep her down. Bethany’s nipples rubbed against the bed as she thrust back on his fingers to hit just the right spot. She shouldn’t be enjoying this so much, but she liked the rough treatment almost as much as she liked it when he was gentle. But she couldn’t let go, not knowing if he hated her or not.

“Please,” she sobbed. “Oh please. Say something.”

“Come,” he said in a harsh voice, his fingers sweet and ruthless. When he felt her start to shake, he removed his fingers and slammed his cock into her.

She wailed at the harsh hit of orgasm that bordered on pain. Lucas pounded her into the bed until she heard the frame crack. He pulled out to coat her ass with his cum.

Bethany moaned in short gasps. “Lucas,” she said over and over again. She was so close to another shuddering orgasm. He had to know it. He coated his finger with the thick cum and gently probed outside her anus. She quivered.

“I’ve never”—her voice hitched—”done that.”

Lucas grunted and tickled around the rim as Bethany squirmed. Pushing one finger, he chuckled at her gasps. Pressing her flat with a strong hand, he nudged her legs wider.

“Lucas,” she sobbed. “Talk to me.”

“No.”

Moving his finger slowly, he used the knuckle of his other hand over her clit. She was dripping wet, so when he stuck a second finger slowly into her tight hole, she sighed at the ease he entered her. He fucked her ass gently with his fingers while his knuckles continued to rub her clit. Liking the rhythm, her body shaking, Bethany pushed back on his fingers. He pulled them out, and she breathed a disappointed sigh. She was dancing on the edge of an orgasm. It was so near, but the delicious rubbing of her clit and his probing fingers was enough. He must not hate her. If he hated her, he wouldn’t be playing her body like a well-loved guitar.

Lucas slipped his cock back into her pussy. When she tried to turn over, to look at him, he slammed both palms on her shoulders and rotated his pelvis until she grunted under him as thought and rationality fled.

He was rough and fast, but he didn’t come. He pounded into her more, giving her what her hips wanted as they rose up to meet him. Just as she began to shake, that delicious clenching before she came, he quickly pulled out and her howl this time was rage. Looking over her shoulder she saw him squirting the barely needed lube on his cock. He put the tip of his penis against her anus again, and she cringed.

“It’s too big,” she said.

He pushed the tip in.

“Go slow.”

Lucas chuckled, inching in bit by bit, until his whole body was shaking with the effort.

When he was deep in, he leaned down so his chest covered her back. Bethany gave a little moan as he began kissing her ear and neck.