Quick (3 page)

He landed lightly and sauntered across the roof. “So, Lady Camile, which room is yours?”

She looked over the edge of the tiles and then squinched her eyes shut. “Third to the right, first floor.”

He kept her tightly against his body and jumped again. When he was walking again, he whispered, “You can open your eyes now.”

He opened the door to the ground-floor balcony and stepped into her temporary quarters. He left the door open behind him and carried her into the silent and silken chamber.

He slid a hand into her elaborate locks and kissed her again. His grip at the back of her neck weakened her knees. It was a good thing that his free hand was supporting her.

The world tilted, and her back was soon resting against the bedding. It seemed completely normal to embrace the local customs, and since her partner was a professional at taking care of people, she couldn’t be in safer hands.

The light mist reached them and spilled in through the open doors. It cast him in an eerie light, but as he shifted back to divest her of her clothing, the extra heat was caused by the flicker of danger in his expression.

He was far better at the closures of her gown than she was. A few flicks here and there and the silky fabric slithered away. While she watched, his own clothing simply flattened to his skin and gathered to form a band around one bicep. The living Masuo responded to what its host wanted.

She wanted to ask questions about the living clothing, but he moved over her while the light mist spilled up and over the bed.

Mordem wrapped an arm around her, and he shifted her to the centre of the bed. She didn’t have to wait long; he was soon pressing his lips to her cheek, her neck and moving downward.

The mist coiled around her, energizing her skin. She breathed a little faster as he used the flats of his fingers to claw at her skin before he placed his lips on her breast. The strong suction forced a cry from her throat. She wove her fingers into his hair and held on tight as he played her body with delightful expertise.

His searching hand discovered her personal moisture, and he paused for a moment, pressing his forehead to her belly. The slow exploration and careful penetration had Cam shaking with tension.

The rough pads of his fingers were a level of sensation she hadn’t anticipated. When he thumbed her clit and bit at the underside of one breast, she clenched her hands in his hair and fought her climax.

“Let it come, lady.” His words against her skin rumbled through her body.

She twisted, and he shifted his thumb rapidly over her clit while the two inside her curled upward and slid back and forth in a controlled gesture.

Her gasps broke into low, jerking moans as her body gave him what he was after.

Another surge of slick wetness coated his hand, and she blushed furiously while he shuddered for control. He moved over her and slid into her, watching her face as he pressed his cock into her.

She inhaled and forced herself to relax as he slid into her. Cam pressed her hands to the balls of his shoulders and braced herself while he used small motions to push inside her.

The full-body shiver that ran through him when he sank home sent a ripple effect coursing along her inner muscles. She felt the aftershocks of her orgasm grip him hard.

The smile that crossed his lips heated her blood and chilled her at the same time. She held onto him as he pulled out and then slid inside her once again as the eerie light coursed around them.

They rocked together; he rolled to his back; she rode him until he shouted and gripped her hips. She smiled and leaned forward when something strange happened. The cock inside her was still hard, but it was larger and far cooler than it had just been a moment earlier.

He lifted her off him, and before she could take a good look, he had flipped her to her belly and raised her hips. She felt that cool member pressing against her and returning to her slick heat.

The hard, cold cock inside her made her shiver, and she clutched at the bedding as he set a rapid beat that stole the air from her lungs. Sweat coated her skin as her arousal spiked higher and higher. When she felt the spasms inside, her arms gave way and she hit the bed with a grunt.

He held himself inside her while her body clasped and pulsed around him. Mordem withdrew and rolled her over. His body was sheened with sweat, and he slowly slid into her again, rocking his hips into her with a deliberate and heady beat.

Cam was exhausted, but her body felt the stirrings of heat from her palms to the soles of her feet.

She held onto him and returned his kiss when he lowered his mouth to hers. The urgency was gone. He was with her for the enjoyment of it.

Camile ran her hands through his hair and down his shoulders, stroking the bunching muscles as he pumped into her with delicious, slow care. It was going to be a very long night.

Aching was not descriptive enough. Camile felt like she had been hammered at all night. Yes, she had come more times than she could count, but her body was registering a complaint to her catching up on her two years of missed opportunities all in the same night.

She looked to the empty pillow and the deep dent. A quick touch told her that he had left in the last half hour. It was probably what woke her.

She held her breath and waddled to the bathing room, using the hot water in the shower to unkink her muscles enough for her to get herself into the tub.

Soaking in the wide tub, she raised heavy arms to undo her braids before she slid under the scented water.

Time ticked away, and she enjoyed the silence as she let her body go completely limp. Flickers of memories from the previous night occasionally caused her to tense, but she focused and slowly relaxed again.

With slow deliberation, she moved toward the surface and exhaled through parted lips, inhaling again and sinking back into the depths of the tub.

Her aches and pains had subsided into a dull throb, while the oils in the water soothed her abraded skin. She felt better when she hauled herself out of the tub an hour later, drying off carefully before looking for something to wear.

A bouquet of flowers was on her bedside table, and she knew that it hadn’t been there last night. Mordem had bent her over that table. Her handprints were still on the wood.

She pattered to the table and breathed deeply. It smelled like hot summer nights. Cam blushed and headed for the wardrobe.

She felt a familiar presence. She spoke without turning her head. “Linz, I am about to drop this towel, so thanks for delivering the flowers, but I don’t think you should be here right now.”

He chuckled from across the room. “One day, you will have to tell me how you sense me.”

“One day. Not today. As far as I know, I will be leaving tomorrow morning.”

“Perhaps the ambassador can be persuaded to stay.”

She pulled out a severe day dress and put it on the bed. “Perhaps he can, but it isn’t my decision. It is up to him. I am under contract.”

Linz headed for the door, pausing in the doorway.

Just to spite him, Cam dropped her towel.

Linz winked and headed out. “See you this evening, Lady Companion.”

She sighed and got dressed. How was she going to face Mordem again? She really wished that a fantastic night wasn’t followed by regret, but it was an ingrained reaction.

Ambassador Vip Leahar was having breakfast with the governor. The servant led Cam into the dining room and helped her into a chair.

Taliak smiled. “Good morning, Lady Companion. There is a flush to your cheeks this morning. I trust my nephew was satisfactory?”

She was glad she hadn’t sipped her water. “Nephew?”

“Yes, my sister’s eldest. It was a great moment for my family when he was chosen to be Gifted.”

Oh, he’s gifted all right.

She smiled politely and sipped at her water. “So, he has stuck with it?”

“Yes. His Gifts are truly astonishing.”

I’ll say.

She shook her head slightly to clear it and ignored Dem’s delightedly interested gaze. “He chose not to demonstrate them last night.”

“A pity. He is truly spectacular when transformed.” Taliak grinned. “I am surprised they are not here yet. They only had a short job in the city, helping after a vehicular accident this morning.”

She smiled her thanks at the server who put a plate in front of her. “They are back. I saw Linz earlier. Sort of.”

The governor laughed. “Excellent. They should be here soon then. A family meal is traditional after the rising night.”

The door at the far end of the dining hall opened, and the four Guardians swept in, their legs covering the ground with grace and an ease, which Cam currently envied.

Mordem rushed up to her and kissed her, bending her head back and ravishing her mouth. When he lifted his head, he brushed a few soft kisses across her lips before he took the spot beside her.

Taliak was grinning. “It seems that you have succeeded where I failed, Mordem.”

Cam was irritated. “I am neither a game nor a ride at a fair, Governor.”

Dem snapped out, “Cam. Remember where you are.”

She winced and gritted her teeth. Her jaw was locked as she ground out, “Apologies, Governor.”

He looked startled. “No apologies necessary. I apologize for my jest. I have never faced my nephew and his lover over breakfast. I will amend my behaviour.”

Mordem took her hand and lifted it to his lips. “You are not a toy to play with, Camile. You are well this morning?”

“I am. Thank you for the flowers. They are lovely.”

His dark skin darkened even more. “I am glad you liked them. I raided my uncle’s gardens for them.”

Taliak grinned. “It is my honour that the flowers go to such a radiant, young woman.”

She smiled slightly, retrieved her hand and ate her breakfast.

The Guardians were brought their own meals, and their conversation turned to prying locals out of crushed vehicles as well as Comyo cutting the vehicle up for disposal.

It was interesting to hear how the Guardians used their Gifts, but it was hard to imagine Mordem tearing metal apart with the same hands that had touched her last night.

She listened to the ambassador, asking the detailed questions, and she kept to her place. She was his Companion, and while he didn’t need her on Namkor, there would be other worlds where she was needed. Mordem would be a treasured memory to trot out when she was stuck playing pretend.

Her plate was whisked away, and she drank the water slowly, relaxing as the conversations ebbed and flowed around her.

She really needed a nap, but she didn’t think she would get one. She turned to Dem and whispered, “If you don’t require me this afternoon, Ambassador, perhaps I could go for a walk in the gardens?”

Dem looked from her to Mordem. “I don’t know if I want you going alone. Guardian Mordem, would you escort my Companion through the gardens? I mean, if you have the time, obviously.”

Mordem nodded to his uncle and smiled. “I would be delighted.”

Cam wanted to give Dem a dark look, but instead, she stood and stepped away from the table.

The Guardian got to his feet and walked over, offering his arm to her. She smiled slightly and took the offered limb. They walked slowly out toward the rear of the mansion.

When they were clear of the dining room, she said, “You didn’t have to come with me.”

“I wanted to. Any time I can spend in your presence is time I don’t have to spend with the guys. I do that often enough.” He laughed.

She grinned and noted that he was matching her exceptionally slow pace.

“Sorry for the speed.”

“I apologize for riding you all night. I just couldn’t stop once I started, and you were with me, so I continued on.”

She sighed. “I am just a little sore.”

He frowned with concern. “Would you like to rest?”

“No, I think walking will do me some good.”

Mordem nodded. “I would like to say, thank you for yesterday evening. You did not hold back, and it is appreciated.”

Cam blushed. “I did try to. It just seemed to be counterproductive after a while.”

“So where do you travel next?”

They left the mansion and slowly crossed the manicured lawn, entering the trees and shrubs of the gardens.

“We have appointments with the Nyal Imperium courts, negotiating the release of some of the Janial prisoners in exchange for mining rights.”

“What kind of prisoners?”

“Aggressive prisoners. The Yemish use the violent to control some of their colonies. They are a useful resource.” She grimaced, her only expression of her true opinion.

“Why do you travel with him?”

“He hired me.”

Mordem faced her and put his hands on her shoulders. “Anyone could have your place, but why do
you
travel with him?”

She looked into his silver eyes. “Because I wanted something different, something exciting, something that was mine. I ended up sharing in his adventures, and one day, I hope to get my own.”

“You keep all that buttoned up inside you? It is a wonder you don’t explode.” He chuckled.

Camile blushed. “Right. Well, it is just another impulse that I stifle.”

“You need a place to roam free, Camile. I know you are contracted to him, but is there a way for you to get free?”

She stroked his cheek and turned to walk toward some of the rose-like flowers. She folded her hands in front of her and held onto herself for dear life.

“While my life with Dem is his life, it is still more than I had at home. I get to see things, experience things, and I have a place in the world. Here, there is wonder and strangeness and a thousand things to learn, but there isn’t a place for me. I would be on a world full of beings, and I wouldn’t belong.”

Mordem took a few steps toward her, closing the distance she had created. “I wish I could offer you that place.”

She chuckled. “You have your duties and I have mine. It was an amazing night, and we have one more before I leave. I understand if you want to seek out someone else, but I would love it if you spent it with me.”