“Burned out?” Her stomach sank more. “What do you mean?”
He bustled about the room, starting the heating element in the hearth and swinging the kettle over it to get it boiling. Efficiently, he set his little traps, looking into every closet and behind every drawer. Finally, he stopped, poured the water into a teapot and set it between them on the table.
She didn’t quite know what to do, felt like a stupid child, but pride shouldn’t stop her from learning.
Daniel looked up and pointed at a chair he’d pushed out for her. “Sit, please. You don’t know anything about what goes on, do you?”
His voice wasn’t mocking or hard but filled with wonder and sadness. She felt it herself. The world was so much bigger than she’d ever imagined, and it broke part of her to realize her very imagination had been stunted by what her father had done.
She shook her head. “I thought I did. I’m at a loss.”
“It’s okay. I’ll teach you. Others will teach you.” He touched the back of her hand so briefly she wondered if she’d imagined it. “Portals take energy from the ’Verse and the friction from where each ’Verse meets. The portal is a controlled tear in space-time, fired as the vessels travel through, by that energy. Ingress and egress through portals is regulated very strictly for that reason. There are smaller portals, private ones like your father’s, like the ones the mercenaries use. Those are centered on weaker spots, ones that are stable but can only handle a fraction of the traffic with far shorter trips. If those portals are used too much, or if boosters are used to enhance the speed of the transports, they burn the portal in their wake. It reabsorbs into the ’Verse but causes intermittent to severe trouble with the land around where the portal once stood.”
“And my father has done this before?”
“Yes. Drink your tea. The larder here is stocked enough for a few days if we need that. It’s one of our places to lie low if we have to come over here. Don’t worry about the air supply. There are vents to the outside, complete with scrubbers to get rid of the air pollution. Smugglers have comfortable hiding places. We appreciate that. No one will find us here. You can relax for a little while at least. I’ll make us a meal in a moment.”
“I can do it. I’m a decent cook for a spoiled princess.” She stood and put her hand on his shoulder to stay him. Their gazes locked, and a warm flow of desire pooled through her, loosened her muscles. She swallowed. “No, really, I can do it, and I want to. I want to stay busy.”
He hesitated and then relaxed. “All right. Thank you. I’ll be sure the beds have linens. I’m told there’s a cistern here. You can’t take a sit-down bath, but the water should be warm enough to clean off a few layers of dust if you’d like.”
She thanked him, watching his back as he began to rustle again, placing blankets on the bed. One bed.
As if he’d sensed her thoughts, he spoke without turning around. “I’ll sleep on the floor, near the entrance.”
“That’s silly. I’m sure it will be cold here in the evenings. We obviously can’t have a fire. We’re adults. You’ll be close enough to protect me should we need it as well.” She sounded very matter-of-fact, but she wasn’t at all. She wanted him in the bed with her. Didn’t want to be alone. Wanted the feel of a man beside her as she slept.
She walked to where he stood and put the bedding back onto the bed. “Here now. You can bathe first, while I make the meal. I won’t peek.” She smiled.
He cocked his head and finally smiled back. “Before I do that, I need to go out, see if I can’t receive a transmission with some further information. The signal near the portal was jammed, but out here with all the smugglers and mercenaries, there should be enough boosters to get through.”
He needed to be away from her for even just a short time. It was her smell, he’d decided, the way her skin and hair carried her scent, even from beneath the sweat and dust. It had woven into his consciousness and was beginning to drive him mad.
The longer he was with her, the more he admired her, found little things about her enchanting and wanted to know more, and that was not a good direction.
Right then she tried not to look scared; he saw that clearly. She’d been so strong that whole day. She hadn’t made a sound as he’d killed a man right within her reach, hadn’t lost her composure once, despite the number of times she’d been in danger since he’d met her. She worked through her panic and stayed sharp, even reminding him earlier about how everyone in the Imperium would have been afraid at the sight of troops.
He touched her cheek, rewarded by the smooth satin of her skin. Her pupils widened and her breath caught. He needed to stop touching her, but he didn’t plan to start right then. “I won’t be far. You’re safe here. Only I or someone with the right instructions and codes can get this far. I’ll be back before you finish with the food.” His voice was husky, even to his own ears, and she smelled so good he had to fight against the urge to lean in and sniff.
Then she said, “I trust you with my life, Daniel.” And he lost his footing entirely, leaning down to kiss her forehead before he’d even really thought about it. The longer he was around her, the more he found himself doing things he hadn’t really thought about, which was stupid and dangerous.
But she hugged him, holding him tight, and he let go of all the supposed to bes and the should haves and instead, hugged her back. “We’re going to be all right, Carina.”
She squeezed him one more time and stepped back, blushing furiously even as her gaze was locked on him. “Go on and hurry back so things won’t get cold. I saw some dried meat and vegetables. I’m sure I can make something for us.”
Her forced cheer only made him want her more. Instead, he turned and headed not toward the door they came through, but another entrance at the side, through a closet.
Needing to get the fuck away from her presence, he quickly took the darkened passage, the glow lamps warming and casting dim but consistent light as he passed. He hoped the break from her would help him get his thoughts together and get his impulses back under control. He needed to rein in whatever it was she brought out in him before he did something stupid. Like kiss those sweet lips.
Gods above and below, he wanted her. His skin crawled with it, with the desire to touch and caress. He ached to know her taste. He was off balance and in unfamiliar territory. Not that he hadn’t felt desire for women before; he had on many occasions. But never on a mission and never for a woman like her. And never with this sort of bottomless need he couldn’t even begin to name.
Daniel had never had a thing for virginal young women, preferring partners who were as experienced as he. Carina Fardelle might have been braver than most people he knew, resourceful and smart, but she sure as the seven hells was not sexually experienced. She couldn’t have been, given who she was, and her reactions to him only cemented that fact. She was out of his league and off any possible list for bedmates, and he had to let that go before he did something disastrous. He could only hurt her, and the very idea of bringing her pain seemed untenable.
Why in the ’Verses did he have this reaction to her?
He shoved it all away as deep as he could and concentrated on the tasks before him.
Once he found the communications array, he settled in and started the download of information. He logged that they were alive and on the run. There were several directions he could take, depending on what happened over the next hours, so he’d go from there, arrange to have contacts at each portal he could take. Leaving it loose meant they could change plans as necessary. He read the updates posted by his people and set the messages to send in small bursts of data so they wouldn’t be tagged.
Finally finished, he leaned back in the chair and gave in to what he’d wanted to do since his first glance at the beautiful Carina Fardelle. Unzipping his pants, he pulled his cock out, slowly, squeezing at the base to prolong the pleasure.
As he stroked, hand over fist, again and again, he thought of the sweet hollow at her neck, just b
elow her ear. He imagined the skin there would be soft, scented of night flowers, heady and sticky. Her breath would catch as he licked that spot, knowing no one had ever before, knowing he’d be the man to introduce her to sensual delights in a way she’d never forget.
He thought about what she might sound like, that cool, regal voice with just a hint of the fire she kept in her belly. One hand would slide down her perfect spine, the curve making love to his hand until he settled, cupping the weight of the cheeks of her ass. Her skin would be pale, supple, extra-sensitive to each caress. He’d pull her close, rolling his hips just enough to create delicious friction against her clit. Just a breath of intense sensation before he pulled back, letting her adjust slowly.
She’d arch against him as he moved around to unbutton the bodice of her dress, her breasts spilling into his hands. Perfect. He’d watched them that day as she’d run, knew the beauty of the curve at her neckline. He’d bury his face there, thumbs slowly sliding back and forth across her nipples, driving her toward climax, just the first of a long evening’s worth.
He considered slowing down as he continued to fuck his fists, but he couldn’t. He needed her, needed to taste her desire. Wanted to kiss down her belly as she trembled. Not with fear but anticipation. He needed to kiss her pussy until she whimpered. Wanted to pay homage to that sweet cunt so she’d be extra soft and wet when he was ready to fuck her. To ease her way and his. He wanted to last.
That wouldn’t happen just then, in the penetrating cold from the stone that surrounded him, trailed by elite troops. All that aside, he still needed to come, and he groaned long and hard as he climaxed, the heat of it against his skin. Thinking of her beneath him.
Carina bit her bottom lip so hard she feared it would bleed. She’d followed him after she’d finished preparing the meal. She told herself she was worried about him, but if she were to be totally truthful, she wanted to see him, to be alone with him to see what he would do with her if she caught him at a weak point. She burned for him to touch her, to notice her.
But when she came around the corner, what she saw was Daniel, head back, rapture on his face as he self-pleasured.
Masturbated.
Fucked his fists.
She’d spied on men as they’d masturbated before, the sight always intensely titillating to her. But there’d been nothing in her life that could have prepared her for the sight of him there like that. She pressed her fingertips to her eyes, the vision of such intense sexuality and maleness burned into her brain like a fever. She made her way back as quietly as possible and hoped he wouldn’t notice. He’d been magnificent there, taking what he needed. His cock had been beautiful in a way she hadn’t expected. Hard, masculine, feral. She’d nearly swooned as he gasped. As he gasped her name. He’d said it, and it had been lightning to her pussy, to her heart, as the electricity of the moment had hit.
He’d come on a groan that seemed to echo between her thighs and then totally relaxed. The machines had started to hum, and that’s when she’d turned tail back to the kitchen.
All this time and she’d been half convinced he pitied her and the other half of the time she thought he hated her. Obviously he didn’t hate her enough to stop himself from orgasm while thinking of her.
Her hands shook a bit at the excitement in her system. She wasn’t stupid. Daniel wasn’t convinced she was genuine. He was wary, held back because he was a professional. Or something like that.
No, he was the kind of man who would deny himself personal pleasures because doing the right thing meant everything. That sort of person was so rare in her existence it made him powerfully more alluring and attractive to her. He would tell himself she was young and inexperienced. That the wisp of skin that created the technicality of her virginity was worth something, therefore he could not take it. Daniel was a man of substance, even as he carried more weapons than anyone could logically expect and used them with vicious efficiency.
She should respect that. Just let him get her to Ravena safely. Shake his hand as he dropped her off, and forget everything about him.
But she wouldn’t. She knew this as well as she knew her own name. He’d done something to her brain so he dominated it. She craved him, and for the first time in her life she wanted to give rein to that selfishness, wanted to evoke something from him. Wanted to know he wanted her as much as she him.
She busied herself, waiting for him to come back, and when he did, striding into the room looking a bit more relaxed than when he’d left, she tried to pretend she wasn’t thinking of him masturbating at all as she placed their meal out on the table.
Perhaps she should have taken the time alone to have an orgasm, too. It certainly seemed to have unknotted his spine.
She sent him a smile, pretending she hadn’t just spied on him. “It’s ready.”
He nodded once, keeping his distance. “I’m going to wash up quickly. I’m dusty.” He nearly ran from the room, leaving her confused.
She stared after him, wondering just what had happened between them just then. It was as if he couldn’t get away from her fast enough. Did he know what she’d seen? Oh gods! Did he catch her spying on him and think it was about the data instead of her utter fascination with him?
Feeling slightly embarrassed but admittedly less distracted, Daniel peeled his sweater and undershirt away from his body. The water in the basin had been warm, most likely kept in catchments near the surface where the sun would keep it that way. The soap wasn’t the most luxurious he’d ever used, nor did it burn his skin like some had. As far as hidey-holes went, this place was a good one. Secure.
Getting her to Ravena safe and soon was the only way this situation would end well. The longer they were together, the more he’d want her, want to touch her, the more he’d want to do to her everything he’d already imagined and more.
He had to keep his distance, or he would break every rule, and they’d both be damned for it. She was royalty. So far out of his rank it wasn’t humorous in any way. She was innocent and soft, and there wasn’t any way a man like him would be allowed to have her. Or should be.
Just a while longer, and he’d turn her over. They’d both be way better off if he kept his hands to himself.
Carina looked up when he came around the corner, cleaned up and looking less agitated, though the distance still lit his eyes. Hmpf. What was it with men anyway?
“Sit down. I brewed some tea as well. It’s getting chilly in here.” She smiled and gestured at a chair.
“This looks good. Thank you.” He nodded toward the platters of food, and she found herself less annoyed with him, which only annoyed her again.
“You’re welcome. Any news? Did you get what you needed?” She watched him, trying not to smile as the double meaning of her words hit her.
“Not totally what I needed, but it’ll do for now. We’ll have backup wherever we head next. They know we’re on the move. We can stay here a while longer, rest up and head out again. We need to get off this ’Verse and to the Edge as soon as is safe.” He hesitated and then began to eat again.
Panic hit. “What? There’s more, I can tell. Is it my mother? My brother?”
He looked up, his distance gone now. “No. There’s been more violence. Imperialist troops fired on Federal troops at a crowded portal station in Parron. Seven civilians were killed. The Federation has expelled the Imperial troops and their ambassador. War is only a matter of time. Which makes it even more difficult to get you back.” He paused, touching her temple. “What do you have, Carina? What’s in that head of yours?”
“I don’t know all of it. Honestly, I don’t. The things I’ve seen over the years have been minor compared to whatever this is. My mother was terrified because of it. He’s building something, using his labs to help research it. She said she overheard my father talking about evacuating civilians around the site, whatever he meant by ‘the site.’ She’s risking her life for it, so you’d better get me out of here.”
“Do you have any insig
ht as to why he has changed his tack with us? Our two sides haven’t been friends, but the last years have been different. He’s gone out of his way to be aggressive toward the Federation Universes. He can’t possibly think he can win. We’re bigger and have better weaponry. We have more troops. I’m not trying to put you on the spot, I know he’s your father, but if we could understand his motivations or mind-set better, perhaps we could find a solution to this before it blows up in our faces.”
He couldn’t have had any idea how his seeking of her opinion made her feel. Most people tended to ignore her, to think she was pretty and good at knowing how to put dinner parties together. This was the first time anyone like him had ever asked for her feedback.
“It’s difficult to say. My access to information is severely limited. I’m quite sure I don’t know the entirety of what he’s doing and has done. It started going wrong around the time my older brother disappeared. My father became more secretive, more sensitive to anyone questioning him. Some of his closest advisors left then, and even more left when my younger brother died. Precisely the wrong kind of men filled their places. He doesn’t talk to me the way he would if I were male. But he oftentimes shows a sort of jealous rage, a general feeling of grievance whenever the subject of the Federation ’Verses comes up.”
“If you ever want to know something, ask. If I can tell you, I will. Naturally some things will be off limits, but I understand you’ve been in somewhat of an information vacuum. As that sort of thing would bother me a great deal, I can understand how it might affect you.”
Shiny baubles and the softest of materials would not have meant more to her than this.
“We will hole up here, get some rest. Recharge and wait. We’ve got a difficult course ahead of us, but I’ve done this a time or two before.” He grinned, and she went soft inside. “If we fail, he wins. And failing makes me angry.”
He shrugged and continued to shovel food into his mouth at an alarming rate. She noted that about him the day before. The way he ate, steady but in huge amounts. She’d seen enough of his body to know he didn’t carry a bit of extra fat on his body. She wondered if he’d had bioengineering enhancements done.