“Look, we need to get outta here. We’re not far from your life pod. I promise I’ll get you back pretty quick.” He turned abruptly and left her standing in the small living quarters of the ship to go forward to what Leita supposed was the command center.
She stood for a moment, crestfallen, uncertain of what to do next. So Pierce didn’t want her the way she wanted him. He’d come out of a sense of duty and obligation when Schneider called, not because he really cared. Not because he loved her.
Leita looked around the living area, which was bachelor neat and bare. There was a tiny food synthesizer mounted on one wall by a table with one lone chair. Across from that was a single bunk that hardly looked big enough for one person, let alone two. Alone, Leita realized, looking at the arrangement. Pierce lives here alone and that’s the way he likes it. He probably travels around the galaxy having adventures, footloose and fancy-free with nothing and no one to tie him down. He doesn’t want to settle down in a boring little life pod with Schneider and me and spend all his time repairing ships and tying me up to satisfy my kinky desires.
The thought brought tears to her eyes and Leita plunked herself down on the single bunk as the ship began its liftoff sequence. She swiped at her eyes angrily and stared down at the worn gray synthi-fur that carpeted the interior. Her body still hummed from the orgasm Pierce had given her but that didn’t matter. He had only been playing a part—the role of a prospective slave buyer testing the goods before he paid out good platinum. Everything about this rescue spoke of duty and obligation—not love. Not a wish to make any kind of a commitment.
So why does it have to be about commitment? Leita sat upright on the bunk, her eyes widening. Why indeed? She loved Pierce, she had admitted as much to herself. But she also wanted him—wanted his big, hard body against hers, holding her, filling her. She wanted his love but if she couldn’t have that, sex was the next best thing. And Goddess knew the man knew how to fuck—he’d more than proved it in the month and a half he’d lived with her. What if she seduced him—right here on his ship?
One last time she wanted to feel him inside her, taking her, owning her, making her feel loved, Leita admitted to herself. And she was certainly dressed for it. She looked down at the scarlet straps crisscrossing her body and the golden rings that encircled her nipples and clit. She still tingled all over from Pierce’s large, warm hands on her body. She wanted that one more time before he dropped her back on her life pod and went out of her life forever.
Well, there was no time like the present, Leita decided. Standing, she ran both hands through her hair, feeling the pull of the gold nipple rings as she raised her arms. The memory of Pierce’s hot mouth on her there made her warm all over. And the thought of his long fingers caressing her tender clit made her press her thighs together in anticipation. Time she got him to finish what he had started.
Pierce left her standing in the living area of the Jaunter and went up front to the control area. He slumped in the captain’s chair and ran a hand through his hair, trying to control his emotions. Damn if he hadn’t had to force himself to let Leita go before he took her right then and there. She’d been so soft and curvy in his arms—so responsive to his touch. But he’d lied to her and deceived her. Pierce didn’t intend to add rape to his list of crimes.
Shouldn’t have touched her that way. Shouldn’t have sucked her nipples and fingered her pussy. Shouldn’t have made her come. No excuse, he told himself angrily. No excuse except how Goddessdamn much he wanted her. Seeing her again had brought everything back—all the nights they’d spent in each other’s arms and the sweet way Leita came so hard when he stroked her hot, wet sex. He’d wanted to see that look on her face one more time, wanted to hear her panting and begging, her soft pink lips half open and her big brown eyes half closed as she came for him. And he’d let his desire ruin any chance he had with her, he was sure.
When he’d found out where she was, Pierce had told himself that he would go in, buy her and bring her out again. He would act like the perfect gentleman and once he’d rescued her, maybe Leita would consider forgiving him. Maybe she might even want to take up where they’d left off. But then he had blown it all.