The Bond That Consumes Us (10 page)

She smiled and tucked a piece of her short black hair behind her ear.

“That would be correct,” he kept his voice professional but curt.

“I can assist you with your questioning. If you’d like.”

He saw Fallon stiffen ever so slightly before she locked her hands together in front of her body. It was amusing to know that he wasn’t the only one who could get a little jealous.

“That won’t be necessary. If you could keep Ms. Reist comfortable until I return.

She is under my protection, and I would appreciate it.” He lowered his voice a tiny bit on the last, hopefully giving her the impression that he’d be more grateful than he really would.

If she could keep Fallon occupied with questions of him while he was talking to Bruce, it might actually keep his bartender in one spot. Of course, he’d pay the price for that later. The woman smiled at him and pressed a sensor on the computer pad on her desk.

“We don’t have a lot of visitors at the moment. Bruce is the first cell on your left when you go in.”

Nodding, he put his hand on Fallon’s back to take her aside for a moment. “This may take a little while, but I want you to stay.”

“Why, want me to find out if Jenny is interested in a date?”

She kept her eyes averted, as an angry flush colored her face. He shouldn’t reach out and touch her, knowing what it would look like to the other woman, but he couldn’t stand to have Fallon angry at him. Taking her chin gently with his hand, he tilted her head back to look into his eyes.

“Who’s jealous now?” he whispered.

Now that she was forced to look at him, she didn’t back down. Straightening her back, she looked directly into his eyes. “Seems like you enjoyed it.”

56

“I haven’t been intimate with a female since my mate died seventeen cycles ago. Do you honestly think some random woman interests me?”

Releasing her chin, he walked down the hall toward where the commander was being held. The outer door slid shut once he made his way inside. The brig was relatively small compared to the one on Eurus. A total of four cells with solid doors lined the room. In the center there was a simple table and two chairs, the primary area for interrogation.

Taber walked over to the first cell on his left and waited for Jenny to open the door.

When she finally did, it revealed a man lying on his back, his arm draped over his eyes, on a narrow cot along one side of the cell.

“It’s about fucking time someone showed up.”

“Sorry to have kept you waiting.”

Bruce sat up, dropping his arm to his side and putting his feet flat on the floor in one smooth motion. He didn’t say anything for a moment, getting a good look at Taber.

He knew he would do the same in a similar situation. Size up your interrogator, see how painful this was about to be.

Which all depended on Taber’s mood.

“Commander Bruce.” He nodded. “I’m Taber.”

“You’re Briel?”

“From the Eurus colony.”

“Captain asked for help from the colony?”

“You seem surprised.”

Bruce shrugged. “Zane isn’t one for letting outsiders into his little world. He must feel this is bigger than a dead body in a bar.”

Taber stepped aside, holding his hand out wide, inviting Bruce to step outside.

When the other man didn’t react at first, Taber moved out to the interrogation table and stood by one of the chairs. It took a few minutes, but Bruce eventually stepped out of the cell, scanning the area carefully before he emerged fully.

“I’m surprised Tony isn’t here. He’s been strutting by my cell every few hours since he arrested me. Aren’t you going to sit?”

Raising an eyebrow, Taber cocked his head and gestured toward the chair. “I prefer to stand. Why did they arrest you after the death of Nate Keaton?”

Bruce ran a hand through his hair and down his face before leaning back in his chair. “Nate and I didn’t get along some days. Difference in management styles if you’d like. But I swear, while his arrogant ass drove me nuts most days, I wouldn’t kill him.”

“Tell me what you know.”

“I was doing my rounds. Things were pretty quiet as we were between planetary sectors, not a lot of visitors on board. I got an emergency signal come in from B deck, engineering. By the time I made it up there to check, whoever it was had gone.”

57

“And when you got back?”

“Nate was dead and they were saying I was the one who killed him.”

Something was definitely wrong with the whole scenario. “Did you?”

“No! Look I had nothing to gain from his death. This is a small community. If anything happened to Nate, I’d be their first suspect. Why the hell would I open myself up like that?”

“Murder is hardly rational.”

“I didn’t do it!”

Bruce slammed his hand down on the table, jumping to his feet and leaned over the table. The man was panting as he had his eyes locked on Taber.

“Commander, I’ve checked the records. There wasn’t a distress call on the logs for that night. Nor is there any computer sensor readings indicating you were anywhere but on the main level of the ship that night.”

“Fuck.” Bruce dropped his head to his chest and let out a frustrated hiss. “I don’t know what to tell you. I’m being set up.”

“Who would want to do that?”

“I could rattle off a list half a fucking page long if you’d like. In case you haven’t noticed, I’ve got a bit of a temper.”

“I want that list of names and make sure you haven’t missed any. Then we’ll see about getting you out of here.”

Taber turned to leave as Bruce straightened. “Wait, you believe me?”

“There was another murder tonight.”

“Are they connected? If so—”

“I’m well aware that it would assist in proving your innocence. For the moment, you’ll stay here. I suggest you get back into your cell, Commander.”

“Hey, thank you.”

Not bothering to respond, Taber waited for the outer security door to open, and marched outside. Fallon was waiting for him, standing with her back to the wall opposite Jenny’s desk. The two women weren’t speaking, weren’t looking at each other, but both looked at him as he emerged.

“Where is the evidence against the Commander being kept?”

Jenny stood but kept her eyes averted as she typed something into the computer.

“We have everything in the vault and a holo of all physical evidence in the computer. I can get it for you.”

Taber nodded. He tried to keep his gaze away from Fallon, knowing he wouldn’t be able to hide from her emotions. When Jenny handed him the chip with the holo information, Taber nodded once.

“Thank you. I will let you know if I require further information.”

“Yes, sir.”

58

Fallon turned and walked out the door before he’d barely turned around. As he left, he heard Jenny mutter
bitch
under her breath. It took him a minute to catch up with Fallon’s determined strides. She wasn’t heading toward the crew quarters but rather in the direction of her bar.

“Where are you going?” he asked once he fell into step behind her.

“I need a drink.”

“I thought you weren’t allowed to consume alcohol while on duty.”

She glared over at him but said nothing.

“You do realize your bar is still a crime scene?”

“Well since I don’t think you’re going to leave me alone anytime soon, I’m not worried about touching something you don’t want me to.”

Taber looked around the corridor quickly, but there were too many people around to do what he wanted to her. The privacy of the bar would give them an opportunity to talk uninterrupted. He needed that time alone with her, needed it to figure out what he was feeling. He hated confusion.

Once they finally reached their destination, Fallon stood and waited for Taber to release the security code. He could feel her anger and frustration coming off her as waves. He wished there was something he could do to make things right between them, but anything he thought of seemed insufficient. While entering the bar went against every investigation principle he knew, he also needed to help Fallon, had to keep her safe. Taber pressed the lock, which released the door, allowing them to enter.

He didn’t say anything, watching her walk around the tables and make her way straight to the bar. She took the longer way around though, avoided the storage room where they’d found Nate. He knew the pain of losing her friend was still sharp, that it would be with her a long time. He’d give anything to take that burden from her, save her heart that hard, painful ache.

“So do Briel drink socially, or is that another one of those things you can’t do?”

There was something about her tone that set the warning alerts off in his mind.

“We can drink. Though I don’t find your human beverages very strong.”

Fallon snorted and reached behind the bar. “The Afterburner didn’t do it for you, huh? I can fix that.”

Taber made his way over to her slowly as she pulled out four bottles of varying size, shape and color. Her hands began to fly as she flipped bottles in the air, twirled them around in her hands, all while pouring various amounts of liquid into the large metal shaker she’d set in front of her. He was in silent awe of her grace and speed. Once everything was inside, she began to shake, flip and toss the mixing container into the air.

“Impressive.”

“Thanks. My uncle owned a bar on Earth. He made me practice for hours on end when I’d hang out with him.”

59

With one final flip, she poured the cherry-red liquid into two glasses before tossing the mixer into a sink. The gentle thunk of the glass on the bar echoed in the quiet room.

“Bottoms up,” she said, picking up the glass and downing the contents in a single swallow.

Taber picked up his glass, eyeing the contents for a moment before mimicking Fallon. The rich red color had fooled him into thinking it was a sweet drink. Instead the harsh burn of alcohol seared his throat on its way to his stomach.

“Well?” she asked, her hands on her hips.

He looked up at her and grinned. “Enjoyable.”

She stared at him for a moment before shaking her head. “I think that’s the first time I’ve really seen you smile like that.”

“Your drink must be more powerful than I thought.”

Keeping his gaze locked on hers, he couldn’t hold himself back any longer and made his way around the bar. Fallon didn’t move, instead pressing her back against the bar when he reached her side.

“No customers back here.”

“Is that a ship rule?”

“Fallon’s rule.”

“What other rules do you have? I would hate to create a galactic incident due to ignorance.”

He put his hands against the bar on either side of her, pinning her to the spot. Her heat and her scent made him dizzy, a pleasant aphrodisiac that mixed well with the alcohol. She had to tip her head back to be able to look him in the eye, her smile replaced with a look of intense curiosity.

“Rule one, never upset your bartender.”

“And how do I keep her happy?”
Please tell me how to make you happy.

Fallon breathed in deep, her gaze shifting from his eyes to his lips.

“Do you want me to kiss you?” he asked, his gaze searching hers for some silent answer.

He purposely kept his voice low but dipped his head closer, allowing him to inhale her scent more. Because of either the drink or his proximity to her, Taber’s head began to buzz, and shivers of arousal washed over his body.

“Do you, Fallon?”

When she sighed and tipped her head back, he took that as a sign. He brushed his lips against hers without opening his mouth. The light kiss of skin against skin made him shiver. Coming back for a second pass, this time he made sure to increase the contact, pressing his lips hard against her. Their voices mingled together in a moan of pleasure, eliciting a reaction from his body. His cock grew, as he pressed his hips against her stomach.

60

“I want you,” he whispered against her mouth.

“I want you too.”

“It’s wrong. You’ve been through so much today.”

Fallon caressed his cheek before pressing another quick kiss to his lips. “I know.

Can we…just be together? No sex.”

“If you would like that, then I would not deny you.”

She shivered again as she slid her arms around his neck. “Take me back to your room. Please, Taber.”

How could he refuse her anything when she asked him like that? Spoke to him with longing and loneliness.

“Anything you wish. I am your servant.”

And for the first time in his life, he understood what it meant to truly love.

61

Fallon felt warm, safe and completely rested for the first time in months. Sighing, she stretched out in the bed before rolling over to the warm spot in the bed where Taber’s body had been. When her brain finally registered that he wasn’t there any longer, she opened her eyes and lifted her head off the pillows.

He hadn’t gone far.

For the first time since she’d met him, he was sitting in a chair, hunched forward staring at a data pad. Lowering her head back down, she watched him as he worked.

She assumed he was reading reports on the murder…murders. God, she couldn’t believe Lukas was dead too. It was like someone was trying to kill off all her friends.

She knew that wasn’t likely. Both Nate and Lukas were probably just in the wrong place at the wrong time and got in the way of this psychopath. She had faith that Taber and Sean would be able to catch whoever it was doing it.

Taber reached up and pinched the bridge of his nose before rubbing his eyes. She could only guess how long he’d been awake. She knew for a fact he’d lain awake until she’d drifted off last night. He hadn’t even attempted to make love to her, even though she could feel his sizable cock pressing against her ass. The complete control he had over himself was amazing.

But seeing him like this, unguarded when he thought he was alone, she knew this was the secret part of him, one he didn’t share. She actually felt a bit guilty for watching, but she couldn’t let this moment pass. Taber leaned back in his chair, and rubbed his hand along the back of his neck while he continued to read.

She couldn’t just sit here while he was in pain. As quietly as she could, she slipped from the bed and tiptoed over to him. It wasn’t until she was a foot away that he turned to look at her. He was about to get to his feet when she jumped forward and pressed his shoulders down.

“Don’t you dare,” she said softly against his ear. “You deserve a neck rub for all the hard work you’ve been doing.”

“Fallon, I can’t—”

“Don’t give me any of that Briel formality crap. This is me. Now sit still while I fix those sore muscles.”

“They’re not sore.”

“Has anyone told you you’re a shitty liar?”

“No.”

“Well you are.”

62

She pushed his head forward and pulled the neck of his shirt back, exposing more of his neck. The front cut into his throat and he pulled it forward again.

“Well this won’t do,” she said and sighed. “Better take it off.”

He looked at her over his shoulder, an amused smile on his lips. “Yes, ma’am.”

In a single smooth motion, he pulled his tunic off and tossed it to the floor. With nothing in the way, Fallon was free to explore the multitude of muscles that made up his back. Starting at his neck, she pushed her fingers against his skin, working on the hard knots she found. After a few minutes of constant rubbing, her fingers began to hurt from the stress.

“You’re a very tense man.”

He grunted once. “I’ve never had someone do this for me before. It’s…relaxing.”

“I’m multitalented. I mix drinks and rub necks.”

“What else can you do?”

Many naughty images crossed her mind, all of which she’d like to do to Taber at that moment. She had the feeling she could reveal her deepest fantasies to him and he’d keep her safe while fulfilling them. Biting her lip hard, she quickly made up her mind.

Leaning forward, she whispered in his ear.

“I will do whatever you want.”

He turned his head to the side, looking at her from the corner of his eye. “What…do you mean?”

Instead of trying to explain it to him, Fallon took a step back and dropped to her knees before him, her head bowed down, eyes on the floor. She waited for several minutes, her heart pounding in her chest, scared to death he wouldn’t understand what she meant. Or worse, reject her.

He shifted silently in his chair, and she prayed he was facing her. When he reached out to tip her chin up, her heart skipped a beat. His eyes were narrowed, the pupils so wide, the color of his iris was nearly swallowed by the black.

“My mate, she rejected these notions…desires I had.” He swallowed hard. “Control, in this manner, I crave it.”

Fallon’s heart was pounding so hard, her body began to shake. Somehow she’d known he would be dominant in the bedroom, had sensed it the last time they’d made love. But more than that, he wouldn’t hurt her, wouldn’t push her into a place that would destroy the fragile part of her soul that she’d protected for years.

The last time she’d been hurt that way, she almost hadn’t recovered.

“Tell me,” she whispered.

This time, it wasn’t a game. This time she wanted, needed him to control her. Tell her what he wanted her to do. Have the power to give or withhold pleasure from her.

Fallon didn’t move, couldn’t until Taber, her master, told her to.

“Sit back,” he said, releasing her chin.

63

Obeying, Fallon dropped her gaze to the floor once more. The night before, she’d put on one of his tunics, the sheer size of it made her feel like a child dressing in her parent’s clothing. Now, the material was loose, caressing the naked skin underneath.

Her pussy was wet, drenched in her cream. The anticipation was enough to drive her crazy, but she fought against it. Finally, Taber groaned and she heard him shift in his seat.

“Crawl to me. Look at me as you move to me.”

Leaning on her hands and knees, she raised her gaze to his and made her way over to him. When she got to his feet, she waited for his next command.

“On your knees and take your hair out of that tie. I want your hair loose whenever we’re alone.”

Nodding, she did as he asked, pulling the tie from her hair and shaking the long strands free. The motion pulled the tunic front open, exposing her breasts to him. Taber stared at her, his jaw clenching.

“Pull your tunic open. I want to see your breasts.”

She complied, fighting the urge to reach out and squeeze his hard cock.

“Pinch your nipples. Hard.”

Reaching into the shirt, she found her already swollen, taut nipples and rolled them between her thumb and forefinger.

“I said hard.”

Fallon gasped at the firmness of his command. Biting her lip she pinched her nipples hard enough to draw a gasp from her. The pain mixed with a slow burning pleasure as she continued to tug and pull until she didn’t think she could handle anymore.

“Stop. Hands to your sides.”

She let her arms fall limp as she tried to regain control on her breathing. Fallon heard him shift again, anticipation pushing her desire unbelievably high.

“Suck my cock.”

Oh yes!
Moving between his legs, she saw that he’d pulled his thick shaft free from the confines of his pants. Her mouth watered as she remembered the headiness of his taste.

Starting at his balls, she ran her tongue up the length of his shaft. When she reached the head of his cock, she circled the head, licking up the beads of cum that had escaped.

Like before, the taste sent her senses into overdrive, making her head spin. She had to open her mouth wide to take the entirety of the tip into her mouth.

Taber groaned, pushing his hands into her hair, cupping the back of her head. He didn’t direct her actions as much as prevent her from pulling away. Not that she had any intention of stopping.

64

Fallon tried to take as much of his cock as she could into her mouth. Relaxing her throat, she was able to swallow most of his length. She reached up and began to massage his balls and the sensitive skin below them.

“Yes,” he said, his voice coming out in a hiss. “Lower.”

She let her fingers drift lower, teasing his asshole and the inside of his thighs. His body began to shake with each caress, and she knew she was giving him pleasure he’d never felt before. Without waiting for him to ask, she pushed her finger inside his ass as she sucked his cock hard.

Taber gasped, his body going rigid. Fallon didn’t stop, as she fucked his ass with her finger in rhythm with her head bobbing up and down on his cock.

“
Sha hum acte galla!”

The sound of his language said in his ragged voice made her pussy gush with her juices. She couldn’t fight the urge to squirm, rub her clit between her tightly clenched thighs, to get some relief.

“Stop.” His deep voice was firm. “You are not to bring pleasure to yourself. Not yet.”

Oh god.

Fallon relaxed her thighs and went back to concentrating on his cock. She released the head from her mouth and proceeded to lick the shaft, spending extra time on his balls. She sucked them into her mouth, teasing the sac with her tongue until he pulled her head away.

When he looked at her, there was a wildness in his eyes she hadn’t seen before. He cupped her cheeks in his large hands, rubbing a thumb gently over her skin.

“Get on the bed. Lie on your back.”

Not wanting to look like she was rushing, Fallon stood and walked unhurried over to the bed. The hem of his tunic caressed the back of her thighs, making it feel as if Taber’s fingers were teasing her there. Reaching the edge of the bed, she turned around to face him before pulling the shirt up enough to allow her to sit down on the edge and scoot her body back enough so she could lie down.

“Open the tunic wider. I want to see your breasts.”

Parting the front of the shirt revealed her beaded nipples. She didn’t dare touch them even though they were aching—not without his permission.

“Spread your legs wide. I want to see your…”

She realized he didn’t know all the English slang for their sex games. Closing her eyes, she said the word she wanted to hear on his lips.

“My cunt.”

“Yes, I want to see your cunt. Look at me when you do it.”

The way he said the word, the low bass of his voice, sent a wave of desire through her, making her pussy glisten with her cream. Fallon slowly opened her legs, her gaze 65

fixed on his. She watched as his breathing grew shallow, his hands balled into fists on the armrests, with each inch her legs parted.

“Wider.”

She spread them until she could go no further. And then she waited. She wanted to look away, feeling very exposed to him at the moment, but she didn’t. It was a heady feeling, and the pleasure she was feeling was all from Taber’s reaction to her.

After a moment, his gaze shifted from her pussy to her breasts and slowly back to her eyes. She could see the animalistic desire flaring in his gaze and desperately wanted it to be unleashed on her.

Taber swallowed hard, and his naked cock flexed before he spoke next. “I want you to touch your cunt. But I don’t want you to release.”

“You don’t want me to come.”

“Yes—don’t come.”

Fuck, she didn’t know if she could prevent it. “What happens if I do?”

“You’ll be punished.”

The way he said the word
punished
, it sounded full of promise, full of pleasure.

With a sigh, she slid her hand down her stomach, through the curls that covered her pussy, to let a single finger circle her clit. Damp from her cream, Fallon slicked the curls back, giving him a better view of her clit. Careful not to concentrate her attention there completely, she moved lower and teased the wet opening of her pussy.

“You are so wet. Is that for me, Fallon?”

She couldn’t speak, her throat so tight she had a hard time swallowing. Instead she nodded, her body now on fire. She wanted to come so badly—she was pathetically close. But she couldn’t. She had to wait for Taber’s command.

“I want to see just how wet. Put a finger inside your cunt.”

Fallon couldn’t stop the moan that burst from her as she pushed her finger inside.

The muscles clenched around her and she almost felt an orgasm hit her. Gasping, she pulled her finger free and held it up for him to see.

“You’re very wet. Almost too wet. Did you come?”

Not trusting her voice she shook her head. When he pushed his massive frame from the chair and walked toward her, Fallon’s body reacted, her pussy throbbing.

“I don’t believe you,” his low voice rumbled in the quiet room. “I can see you’re going to require more drastic methods of control.”

Taber went over to a small, black bag that she assumed held his personal belongings. She couldn’t see what he was getting at first, not until he turned around and held up the security restraints.

“I have these for suspects who cause me difficulty. It lets me teach them that I am in control of their lives. I am in control, aren’t I?”

She nodded her head.

66

“Say it.”

“You’re in control!”

“Good girl. Now move back on the bed, spread your arms and legs.”

Not needing to be told twice, Fallon scooted up into position. Taber moved beside the bed, taking a moment to stare at her before he moved. He gently picked up her closest arm, placing a kiss on the inside of her wrist before pressing it into the cloth restraint. He did the same with the second, this time kissing the palm of her hand. With both her hands bound together, he secured the restraint to the metal headboard.