To Clan and Conquer (Clan Beginnings) (7 page)

The Nobeks at his and the surrounding tables howled at that.  Under the din of laughter, Gewit leaned close and said, “How about our first officer?  That young bastard is tough.”

Next to him Fol, one of the fighter pilots, said, “Did you see his hand at the end of the game?  I thought it would explode from the swelling.”

Their tones were admiring, and they cast heated glances at Tranis.  Another pilot, a young Nobek named Sehert, commented, “There would be worse Dramoks to be clanned to.  Does anyone know if he’s got an interest?”

Gewit snorted.  “Looks to me like he’s concentrating on Imdikos right now.”

Fol chuffed mean laughter.  “He does like punishment if he’s sniffing around Dr. Degorsk.  That man is a torment to be around.  It’s no wonder he’s still not clanned.”

Sehert grimaced.  “Probably it’s the Imdiko sniffing around, hoping the commander is too young and stupid to know better.”

Lidon’s lips twitched in amusement.  Degorsk was definitely the receiver of attention, not the other way around.  The Imdiko’s smile as he spoke to Tranis was strained.  He definitely looked uncomfortable, especially when Tranis leaned close to him and spoke intimately in his ear.

While the other men’s comments about Degorsk were less than flattering, at least it meant none of them thought of him as likely clanning material.  Less competition for Lidon.

He still couldn’t resist defending the Imdiko.  He said, “I don’t think Dr. Degorsk is the desperate type.  He’s smart with much life experience, and Commander Tranis would do well to seek his counsel.”

Gewit elbowed Fol.  “Maybe the commander likes the idea of making the doctor behave.”

His comment earned growls of lustful appreciation from those at their table.  Fol licked his lips.  “Imagine being taken to task by such a Dramok.  It’s a pity he’s so young.”

Gewit gave Tranis a long, slow look.  “But he’s still powerful.  I wouldn’t hold his age against him.”

Lidon’s brows rose.  Gewit was nearly fifteen years Lidon’s senior, making him much, much older than Tranis.  Surely he was only thinking in terms of sex when he discussed the first officer, but what if he wasn’t?  If Tranis was indeed courting Degorsk, then age wasn’t something the Dramok held against others either.

Lidon kept an eye on the pair at the other table, silently wondering about the possibilities.

* * * *

Degorsk was painfully aware of Lidon looking his way.  He knew how ridiculous he must look.  Here he was, an unclanned Imdiko his age, sitting and drinking with such a young Dramok.  Not that he’d planned to be here.  His goal had been to go straight to his quarters after his shift.  That idea had been sidelined when Tranis had shown up in Medical just as Degorsk was leaving.  Taking his arm, the first officer had confidently steered him straight to the lounge.  Degorsk hadn’t been able to come up with a single good reason not to go.

I should leave now while I still have a shred of dignity left,
he thought.

He suddenly felt a hand on the inside of his knee.  A very warm hand.  He looked into Tranis’ intent eyes.

The Dramok gave him a grin.  “Now that I have your attention again…”

Degorsk swallowed.  Tried to ignore how that hand felt on his leg.  Pretended his cocks weren’t stirring.  “Sorry, Commander.  I mean, Tranis.  I guess my mind wandered.”

Tranis’ eyebrow lifted.  His thumb rubbed Degorsk’s knee joint.  “I hate to think I’m that boring.  Or is it that Commander Lidon is jealous and won’t like you sitting with me?”

Degorsk’s face heated, both from the man’s touch and the insinuation.  “I’m not – he’s not—”  At Tranis’ amused look, the Imdiko gave up trying to protest.  “Damn it.  We don’t have a relationship.”

Tranis’ hand shifted a little, moving just a bit up Degorsk’s thigh.  Now all his fingers were rubbing his leg.  A tickle of warmth spilled into Degorsk’s cocks, and he had to fight the urge to slam his legs together and force the Dramok’s hand away.  He didn’t want him to know he was getting to him.

Tranis regarded him with curiosity.  “It’s obvious to me there’s an attraction between you two.  Why haven’t you looked into it?”

Degorsk cleared his throat.  “We haven’t spoken of anything of the kind.  I don’t think the captain likes me, so there’s no point in pursuing it anyway.”

“They’re not clanned.  Lidon is free to do as he chooses.”

Degorsk knew that all too well.  Every time Lidon came around, the medic made damn sure it was impossible for the Nobek to get him alone.

He swallowed a mouthful of kloq.  “I’m not comfortable with the situation.”

Tranis leaned close, his breath warm in Degorsk’s ear.  “What kind of a situation are you comfortable with?”

His hand drifted in slow circles up Degorsk’s inner thigh.  The Imdiko stopped breathing as his cocks filled, growing hard at the intimate contact.  He looked at Tranis.  Mistake.  The Dramok’s expression, while friendly, also had an element of command in it.  Degorsk froze, caught by that uncompromising stare.  His erections swelled all the more, responding to the strength that radiated off Tranis.

Damn it.  He might be young, but he’s also an apex Dramok.  One who will always find a way to get what he wants
.

Forcing his tone to be light, as if his heart wasn’t drumming a fierce tattoo in his too-tight chest, Degorsk said, “You’re not afraid to make your point bluntly, are you Commander?”

There was a little growl in Tranis’ voice.  “Not one bit.”  His hand slid up just beneath Degorsk’s very lively crotch.  He gripped and squeezed the inner thigh muscle.

The Imdiko thought of how that strong hand would feel on his cocks.  He couldn’t help the small sound that escaped his throat or the spicy scent of arousal wafting from him.  His cocks were lubricating now.  Begging to be handled.

He jerked his gaze away from the handsome, entirely too-kissable face next to him.  Staring desperately at his drink, he said, “There are younger Imdikos on board this ship, probably much better suited to you.”

“Look at me.”

Degorsk’s obedience was pure instinct.  He gasped even as he met Tranis’ narrowed stare.  It had nothing to do with the first officer’s rank or the hand on his leg.  He automatically responded to the power of a strong Dramok’s command.  His heart sped up, the trickle of fear making his sexes ache for the other man’s touch all the more.

Tranis flashed a quick smile.  “If it’s commitment issues you have, be assured I’m not looking to clan you, Degorsk.  I’m concentrating on my career before I have to worry about the needs of clanmates.  I’d simply like to warm my bed and body with you tonight.”  He chuckled.  “Besides, you’re the only Imdiko who’s been kind enough to show me his ass.”

No commitment.  That made things a little better, knowing the Dramok wasn’t looking to find a clanmate.  Still, even the most careless encounters could expose more than Degorsk was willing to share.

He sighed.  “I’m sure there are plenty others who would do so, if they knew you were interested.”

“Am I that unattractive to you?”  Tranis rubbed Degorsk’s thigh.

As his cocks throbbed with want, Degorsk almost gave in to the temptation.  “I find you extremely attractive, Commander.”

“Tranis.”  The Dramok glared.  “I’m getting tired of reminding you we’re off duty.”

“Tranis,” Degorsk corrected himself.  “I just – I’d like to know you better.  I’m not comfortable getting intimate with someone I don’t know well.”

A flat lie.  One Lidon would pick up on in an instant.  But Tranis wouldn’t know.

The young first officer looked him over, considering.  “All right.  We’ll spend time together, get better acquainted.  I think you’ll be worth the effort.”

Degorsk felt chagrin.  Damn it, did the man never give up?  He gave Tranis a tight smile.  “Sure.  That would be fine.”

Except he was going to be very unavailable.  Scheduling himself double shifts should do the trick.  Once Tranis figured out he’d have more luck with another Imdiko, his interest in Degorsk would cool.

Degorsk hoped that would happen very soon.

Tranis was still rubbing his leg.  The Imdiko couldn’t wait to get back to his quarters and find some relief for his needy pricks.  He said, “I really should go.  I’m back on duty in six hours.”

“I’ll walk you to your quarters.”

Degorsk bit back a groan.  He tried to be distant.  “That won’t be necessary, Commander.  I know my way home.”

Tranis’ upper lip curled.  “Shut up and lead the way.  Since you insist on referring to me by my rank, I’m going to use it.”

Degorsk gaped at him.  “You’re ordering me to let you walk me to my quarters?”

“Yes, Doctor.”  Tranis’ nasty grin was one befitting a Nobek issuing a challenge.

Degorsk looked around at the roomful of other men, embarrassment warming his face.  The two of them leaving together would set off plenty of gossip.  And Lidon was still here.  He’d see.  He might think Degorsk was ready to entertain more than a Dramok in his bed.

The Imdiko had to figure a way to talk Tranis out of this.  But even as he struggled with his racing thoughts, Tranis released his thigh.  The back of his hand brushed along the fierce erections with a slow caress.  Degorsk jerked before he could stop himself.  Then the delicious touch was gone and Tranis was standing up.

Looking down at Degorsk, Tranis ordered him as if he had every right to do so.  “Let’s go, Imdiko.  Your shift starts early and you need your sleep.”

The statement got the attention of those seated near them.  Degorsk dropped his gaze, refusing to look at anyone else.  Heat crept into his cheeks at the humiliating display.

There was nothing to do but leave.  He stood, relieved his duty tunic was long enough to hide his erections, though the smell of his arousal would be apparent to anyone he passed on his way out.  He cut Tranis a furious glare from the corners of his eyes.

“Yes,
sir
.”

Instead of being warned off by the growl in Degorsk’s tone, Tranis grinned, unrepentant.  He led the Imdiko out of the lounge with a definite swagger in his step.

Once in the corridor, Degorsk walked quickly, pulling ahead of Tranis.  He hoped his pace would make it clear he wasn’t happy with the Dramok’s actions.  Whether it did or not, Tranis kept close behind.  Degorsk could practically feel his breath on the back of his neck.

Degorsk reached the door to his private room not nearly soon enough for his liking.  He turned to snap a good night to Tranis and jumped to find the other man had followed him as close as he’d thought.  Tranis was close enough to kiss.

Degorsk put that thought firmly out of his head.  “Good night, Commander.”

Not waiting for an answer, he swung around to face his door and release the lock.  He didn’t have a chance.  The next moment, the Dramok was in the way, getting between Degorsk and his quarters.

Tranis’ smile was so irritatingly confident, the medic had a momentary fantasy of slapping it off his face.  His fingers spasmed with the need to unleash his anger.

Tranis said, “One moment before I dismiss you.”

Dismiss me?  What the fuck is this shit?
  Degorsk was livid.  He might not be able to match the Dramok in muscle or fighting prowess, but he could still leave a few marks on the man before getting his ass kicked.  It would certainly be worth it.

Tranis’ smile fell away and he reached behind Degorsk’s neck to grab his braid and pull it forward.  Stroking the thick plait, the Dramok asked, “What is it besides my age that bothers you so much?  And don’t give me that crap about not knowing me well enough.”

“How about being so damned pushy?  You act like I should fall all over myself because you’re paying attention to me.”  The Imdiko glared.

Tranis skewered him with that commanding stare.  “That’s not the problem.  Thanks to having five Nobek brothers who took it upon themselves to train me, I can smell fear a mile away.  So tell me what’s really wrong.”

Degorsk jerked.  “I’m not afraid of you.”

“No?  Maybe you should be.”

The next instant, Degorsk was up against the wall next to his door.  Tranis pressed his body against his, and his mouth crushed down on the Imdiko’s.

Degorsk instinctively opened to shout, and the other man’s tongue forged into his mouth.  It stroked his with possessive intent, shattering every lucid thought in his head.  Degorsk found himself kissing back.  Demanding hunger took control, bleeding away anger and fright.

Tranis tasted of feral masculinity.  Degorsk sucked on the invading tongue, delighting in the flavor.  He groaned, feeling the muscular bulk of the Dramok against his body, pinning him against the wall.  His cocks swelled with unabashed need, and he ground against the equally hard crotch of the other man.

Without breaking the devouring kiss, Tranis grabbed the back of Degorsk’s knee, shoving one leg upward.  At the same time, he wrapped his hand around Degorsk’s throat in a gesture of domination.  He rubbed his groin against the Imdiko’s, and the doctor cried out as pleasure grew heavy in his gut.  His greedy cocks begged to be taken into the Dramok’s commanding grip.

While Tranis continued to plunder his mouth and rub against him in ways that had Degorsk thinking he might spill before they could get inside, the Imdiko groped for the manual release to his door.  Fuck the fear of getting too close to someone.  Fuck his dignity.  He needed Tranis in his bed, fucking him.  Right now.