Break Out

chapter Six

His eyes widened in surprise at her answer.

She’d shocked him. Good!

But the truth was, she did feel wonderful. While the initial dizziness had passed, her blood still buzzed. She knew it was the aftereffects of the whiskey Rico had given her, but she wasn’t sure she cared. It was as though her body had sprung into life after a long, deep sleep.

All the same, she ran a quick internal analysis, identifying the chemicals in her system. They would only take moments to eliminate.

But she hesitated.

Rico had made it clear he wanted her from the moment they’d met. And Skylar was honest enough to admit, to herself at least, that she wasn’t totally immune to his charms. But she was a soldier, and she’d had every intention of keeping her mind, and the rest of her, firmly fixed on her mission.

Right up until five minutes ago.

Now, with this lovely buzzing in her blood and Rico’s hard sex pressing against her, taunting her with delicious possibilities, she was rethinking her strategy. After all, she was working undercover. Maybe she didn’t have to be quite so rigid in her attitudes. And wasn’t that the key to being a successful operative—the ability to adapt your approach to changing circumstances?

As long as she stayed in control of the situation, why couldn’t she have this one time? It wasn’t outside the parameters of her character, and she could always say afterwards that she’d been under the influence. Perhaps she could even accuse Rico of taking advantage. Skylar had to bite back a smile at the idea. She had a strong suspicion he wouldn’t mind the accusation, possibly even reveling in the slight.

How long had it been since she’d kissed a man? How long since she’d even wanted to? So many years she couldn’t remember. But then, having a whole load of people in your head could be inhibiting.

Now she didn’t feel self-conscious. She felt wild and hot, every nerve ending sensitized.

A vague doubt nagged at her, but she shoved it aside. Rico Sanchez was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. Looking into that hard, handsome face sent frissons of pleasure shivering over her skin, tightening the hard knot of desire in her belly. The taste of him lingered on her tongue, her breasts ached, her sex swollen with need.

She shifted slightly, so the rigid line of his erection pressed more firmly against her core, and the knot unraveled, her insides melting.

She tried the movement again, and flames licked through her, burning along her nerves, settling between her thighs. Closing her eyes, she concentrated on the sensations, rocking herself against him. So close.

“You don’t feel lightheaded?”

The question broke her concentration, and her lids fluttered open. Rico was watching her, his brows drawn together.

“My head feels fine.” She moved in closer to kiss him, but his hands gripped her shoulders and fended her off.

What the hell? He’d come on to her strong; now he watched her as though he didn’t quite understand what was going on. Maybe he was one of those guys who liked to make all the moves.

“How about the rest of you?” he asked.

Gritting her teeth, she forced a smile. “The rest of me is fine as well.”

“You’re not disorientated? You know what you’re doing?”

She rolled her eyes. “Well I thought I did, though I have to admit it’s been a while.” A horrible idea occurred to her. “Is this some weird vampire shit? Do vampires even have sex? Everlasting Hell, don’t tell me you’re impotent.”

“Impotent?” He repeated the word as though he wasn’t sure what it meant.

“Please don’t tell me the big come-on is all an act—you’re overcompensating for the fact that you can’t actually do it.”

Skylar couldn’t believe the disappointment that swamped her while her body still screamed for release. She tried to back away, but his grip tightened, squeezing her arms and holding her in place.

“Impotent?” His tone was incredulous, outraged. He flexed his hips, pushing his erection against her as if to prove his point. “I am not impotent. I have sex. Hot, sweaty, liquefying sex. And I have it often.”

Her body reacted predictably to each word, and she rubbed up against his hard body again. “Terrific news.”

His hands shifted from her shoulders to the neck of her jumpsuit, and he pushed down the fastener. Swift fingers snagged on the weapons’ belt at her waist, and she didn’t protest when he flipped the catch and placed the belt on the table beside them.

He slid his cool hands up her ribcage, parted the material, and cupped her full breasts in his palms. He lifted them and lowered his head, drawing one nipple into his fiery mouth. Hard. Nipping and sucking with raw hunger. The sensation was exquisite, and a low whimper escaped her throat as pleasure exploded inside her, shooting from her breasts to her groin.

Her fingers burrowed beneath his silky hair, pulling it free from the band and pressing his head roughly against her chest, and everything fled her mind but his hot, wet mouth on her breasts.

After long minutes, he pulled back, his eyes dark with passion. In one fluid movement, he picked her up and swung her beneath his body, his weight pressing her into the softness of the bed. A low growl rumbled in his chest as he attacked her other breast with uncontrolled need, with single-minded focus, with a desperation she’d never known.

Her blood roared in her ears, and she raised her hips, as he tugged the jumpsuit down to her thighs, then pulled off her boots, quickly followed by the rest of her clothes.

He ran a hand from her breast to the mound at the base of her belly, and then lower, slipping a finger between the folds of her sex to find her already hot and wet. He moistened the tip of his finger and flirted with the tight little nub at her core until her legs fell open for him. He withdrew, and she moaned. Ignoring the sound, hetraced a path down over her inner thigh.

“Did you know, you have a vein, right here,” he murmured.

“A vein?”

He rubbed his thumb over the spot. “Let me taste you, get to know you. I can tell a lot from a tiny sip of your blood.”

She went still at his words. Fear forced itself beyond the pleasure-induced haze fogging her brain. “What—what can you tell?”

He shrugged, casually tracing his finger up and down the vein. “How old you are, whether you’re a hybrid or even a clone.”

Panic flared.

“No, wait, I don’t—”

“Shh, it won’t hurt. You’ll like it, I promise.”

She scooted up the bed away from him. “We agreed—after the rescue.”

For a moment, she thought he’d force the issue and she braced herself to fight. Instead, he stroked his hand back up her thigh, dipped inside her, teasing lazy circles around her *, never quite touching. She couldn’t help herself, she laid back, her hips rising, her thighs widening. “Oh God, that feels good.”

“This will feel even better.” He leaned down to stroke her with his tongue, hot wet velvet, and she exploded with pleasure. Her whole body arched off the bed. His hands tightened on her hips, his hard fingers biting into her flesh, and he held her in place while his clever mouth played her with lingering strokes of his tongue. When the tremors eased, he bit down lightly, and this time she threw back her head and screamed.

She must have blacked out. When she came around, he was crouched over her body, kissing her breasts, nuzzling her throat. Her limbs felt boneless; she never wanted to move again.

The sharpness of his fangs grazed her skin.

“No.” The word came out as a squeak.

“You don’t mean that,” he whispered against her skin.

“I do.” She cleared her throat. “Yes, I do.”

“You’ll enjoy it, I promise.”

Skylar did her best to ignore the husky cajoling tone of his voice, warm and intoxicating as the whiskey he’d given her earlier. Maybe she would enjoy it, but that was beside the point. If he’d told the truth, one taste of her blood and he’d know everything and the mission would be over. Her first mission in her new job—a total failure, and all her own stupid fault.

So much for staying in control.

She tried to concentrate, but it was impossible with Rico stroking her thighs and murmuring against her skin all the things he planned to do to her.

She had to get out of there, but she was no longer sure he would let her go. What did she really know of him? He was trying seduction right now, but that might change if she didn’t give him what he wanted, and she couldn’t risk him taking her blood by force. No, she needed a plan.

He nipped at the sensitive spot where her shoulder met her throat. “Relax, querida, and I promise you’ll soon be begging for more.”

No doubt she would, in fact the words hovered on her lips.

Think dammit.

Why the hell hadn’t they trained her to cope with situations like this back at the academy? Perhaps she’d suggest it if she got out of here in one piece—how to deal with a vampire who’s just given you the most mind-blowing orgasm of your life and now wants to drink your blood.

A hysterical giggle rose up as she imagined the colonel’s response. But at the thought of the colonel, a possible way out managed to dredge itself free from the primordial sludge her brain had been reduced to. It wasn’t a perfect plan and might break her cover, but it was a risk she had to take. Opening her internal comm link, she sent out a quick message and prayed they’d respond before she started that begging.

Rico raised his head. His gaze met hers, his eyes glowing as he drew back like a coiled snake preparing to strike.

Holy Meridian. She’d run out of time. Do something.

Gathering her strength, she pushed against him. He was inhumanly strong but she managed to wriggle a hand between them and shoved him hard. He rolled off her onto his back, and she twisted quickly so she lay on top of him.

He growled low in his throat. “What—?”

“Just returning the favor. “She ran her hand over his lean belly, flicked open the button on his pants and lowered the zip. Moving quickly, she pushed her hand inside and wrapped her fingers around the length of him. He was huge and hard, velvet and steel, and despite the imminent danger, a familiar pulse started between her thighs.

He wasn’t fighting now. His eyes were half-closed, his breathing shallow. She slid off him to kneel at his side, still grasping him in her tight fist. He lifted his hips, and she pushed down his pants. Bending over him, she blew gently on the swollen tip of his shaft just as the whole ship leapt sideways.

The force flung Skylar from the bed. Rico landed on top of her in a tangle of limbs. For a moment, they lay there, then Rico twisted free and pressed the comm link on his wrist.

“Daisy, what the f*ck is going on?”

Tannis answered. “Put your dick back in your pants and get up here. Now.”

He frowned. “Are you watching us?”

“Not through choice—believe me—but we need you up here. We’ve got company.”

He sighed and got to his feet. Skylar still lay sprawled on the floor, and he reached down, picked her up, and dropped her on the center of the bed.

“I’ll be back.” And with that prophetic declaration, he jerked his pants up and left.

Skylar stared at the closed door. What the hell had just nearly happened?

She got to her feet and swayed, reaching out to balance herself.

Her body felt strange. It had been a long time. A very long time. Even so, how had she let things go so far, so fast? She shook her head and reached for her jumpsuit. Yanking it on, she jerked the fastener up to her neck then pulled on her boots. She picked up the weapons belt—she couldn’t believe she had let him strip her of her weapons. Her clothes perhaps, but her gun?

She strapped it back on and felt immediately better.

Her eyes settled on the glass on the table. She picked it up and sniffed, wishing she could blame the drink, knowing she couldn’t. The whiskey was well and truly gone from her system now, and all she could think was she’d been an idiot, like some sex-starved vampire groupie. She slammed the glass back down.

No more cozy little drinking sessions with the vampire. She needed to make sure she kept her distance from now on. She wasn’t sure what he would pick up from tasting her blood, but she couldn’t risk letting her guard down again. However good it had felt. Her future depended on it.

She pressed her palm to the lock, and to her surprise, the door slid open. Al was leaning against the wall outside, obviously waiting for her.

“The captain said I was to take you to the bridge once you’d got some clothes on.”

Skylar’s eyes narrowed on the small figure. “How did you know I didn’t have any clothes on?”

She remembered Rico’s comment on the comm unit about watching him. She’d sort of blanked it out at the time. Holy f*cking Meridian.

“Tell me you didn’t all—” She trailed off as Al nodded his head solemnly.

“It wasn’t the captain’s fault. She needed to get hold of Rico fast and….” He shrugged one narrow shoulder.

“Tell me you didn’t see.”

“It came up on the monitors,” Al replied. “But I closed my eyes. Tight.”

“Shit.” For a moment, her lashes fluttered closed, but things weren’t going to get any better by putting them off. A wave of anger washed over her—why the hell hadn’t Rico switched off the visual monitors before giving her his mojo lust drink? If this were some sort of planned entertainment for the crew, she’d kill him. And to think she almost gave in…

She squared her shoulders and stalked off, leaving Al to follow or not.

Another shot hit the ship, hurling her against the wall. She rubbed her elbow, picked herself up, and hurried to the bridge.

Everyone appeared amazingly calm considering they were under attack. Rico lounged in the pilot’s seat, talking to Daisy.

“It came out of nowhere,” she said.

“Intergalactic space cruisers do not come out of nowhere.”

“Well, this one did.”

Skylar studied the monitor. The image of a ship nearly twice the size of the El Cazador and with ten times the firepower filled the screen. It was coming round on them once more, and she quickly found something to grab hold of. This time she managed to stay upright.

Rico swore loudly. “Don’t let go of whatever you’re holding on to,” he said, and deftly maneuvered the ship with a hard bank down and left, darting around so he came up behind the space cruiser. He hit the fire switch and the laser guns blasted the other ship. It was a direct hit, and the ship veered away, disappearing from the screen.

“That should keep them for a minute or two.” They waited in silence, but the screen remained blank.

“It’s gone,” Daisy said.

Tannis stepped up closer to stare over Rico’s shoulder at the screens. “What do you mean ‘gone’?”

“Vanished.”

“Intergalactic space cruisers do not just vanish.”

“Well, this one did,” Daisy said.

“What’s going on?” Skylar asked.

Tannis turned to look at her. “I don’t know. We seem to have attracted the attention of a Collective cruiser. It came out of nowhere and now it’s disappeared.” She peered at Skylar suspiciously. “Is there something you’re not telling us?”

“Like what?”

“Like the fact that you’ve got the Collective on your tail.”

“I made no secret of the fact that I’m with the rebels and wanted by the Collective. But do you really think that if they knew I was on board, they would shoot a few times and then vanish?”

The yellow eyes seemed to bore through her. Skylar held her gaze, keeping her expression guileless.

“She’s right,” Rico spoke into the silence. “If they knew we had a rebel on the Cazador, we’d be boarded by now.”

“I still don’t like it.”

Rico punched something into the console in front of him and shook his head. “They’re definitely gone. Was there any damage?”

“None,” Daisy said. “The shields took the impact. It’s as if they were playing with us. As if they didn’t want to do any actual damage.”

“So what did they want?” Tannis asked.

Rico shrugged. “Get our attention maybe. Whatever, it’s time to get out of here.” Skylar stalked over to him and he swiveled in his chair and rose to his feet. “Hey, sweetheart—did you miss me?”

At the endearment, her fury rose again. She drew back her fist and punched him in the mouth.

“Ow,” she muttered, shaking her hand.

She glanced into Rico’s face and took a step back. A glint of ruby gleamed out from behind his half-closed lashes. A drop of blood beaded on his lower lip. He licked it slowly with his tongue then rose to his feet to tower over her. His lips peeled back in a snarl to reveal razor sharp fangs.

The sight just made her madder—those damn fangs had gotten her into this mess in the first place—it was about time he learned to keep them to himself. Skylar’s hand went to the laser pistol at her hip, and his gaze dropped to follow the movement. She took a deep calming breath and kicked out with her booted foot. She connected with his thigh and swept his legs from under him so he crashed to the floor. Drawing the laser pistol in one fluid move, she stood over him, the pistol aimed at his heart.

He stared up at her for long moments before the tension oozed from his body. He reached up and stroked his finger over his mouth where her fist had connected.

“Hey, I promised to come back.”

“You knew they could see us.” Her eyes narrowed on him, and her finger tightened on the trigger.

He looked at the gun and back at her face. “Maybe, but I didn’t know they would look. And that gun won’t stop me, but it will hurt, so I suggest you think twice before you piss me off any more than you have already.”

She held her stance for a minute longer, just to prove she could, then lowered the pistol and shoved it back in the holster. Rico rose gracefully, brushing himself off.

His gaze settling on Tannis, who stood propped against the wall, grinning. “Thanks, captain, it was good of you to jump to my rescue.”

She lifted one shoulder carelessly. “You’re alive, aren’t you? Now do you think you could get us out of here before that space cruiser decides to come back and take us out after all?”

Skylar stepped out of the way, and they prepared to make the jump. Tannis came to stand beside her.

“Hey, don’t feel bad about it.”

Skylar scowled. “About what?”

“Getting naked and sweaty with Rico.”

“Thanks for reminding me.”

“You’d forgotten? Would you like a look at the surveillance feeds?”

Skylar didn’t answer.

“Mind you,” Tannis said, “I’ve never known him to make a move quite that fast.”

Skylar heaved a huge sigh of irritation. “Your point is?”

“I’m just saying he’s a vampire.” Tannis leaned in closer and lowered her voice. “Apparently, if he doesn’t get sex on a regular basis, he goes all dark and scary.”

Skylar stared at her hard, trying to tell if she was joking, but Tannis’ face was as deadpan as usual.

“Also,” Tannis continued, “they have this whole seduction thing going. Helps them catch their prey, apparently, if everyone’s trying to jump their bones.”

“I was not trying to jump his bones.”

“No? Sure you wouldn’t like a look at those feeds? I could have sworn….” She grinned.

Skylar resisted the urge to pull her pistol again and instead changed the subject. “Have you come up with a plan yet?”

“You’re a cool one,” Tannis murmured. “I’m not sure what to make of you. I don’t quite trust you, but I have no clue what your angle could be. I can’t even begin to guess what you might be after.”

“I just want to free my brother.”

“Hmm. Let’s hope so, but double-cross us and Rico will be the least of your worries.”

She gave Skylar one last long look then strode across the bridge, one hand resting on her laser pistol. At the door, she turned to face the room. “I suggest we get moving towards the Trakis system. We have ten days to make this happen.”

“And where are you going, captain?” Rico asked.

“I’m going to come up with that plan.”