3013: Targeted (16 page)

“Not particularly. It’s just that watching you go all pack leader on Danor’s ass was hot as hell. You are fucking sexy when you’re riled, baby,” Hawke drawled.

“That, and we happen to agree with your uncle. He gave you some good advice, starshine.”

Both men were looking at her with gazes hot enough to rival the heart of a star, their lust scenting every breath of air she drew into her lungs. She was tempted to give in to their unspoken offer, but instead, she opened her mouth and issued a challenge she hadn’t expected. “If you think he’s right, then maybe the two of you should do something about it, hmm? I can’t answer a question no one’s bothered to ask.”

Stunned at the words that had come out of her mouth, T’karra turned on her heel and headed back to the interview room where her uncle was waiting. Where the hell had
that
come from? She’d just finished telling Mek she wasn’t interested in mating, and now she’d more or less dared Brandt and Hawke to claim her. She was still mulling it over as she opened the door. “Maybe I’m losing my mind. Stress can do that, right? That’s got to be it.”

“Stress, or love. My votes on the latter,” Mek said. He was standing near the door, no doubt to better be able to hear everything going on outside.

“You’re not helping, you know. They’re still listening.”

Mek actually grinned for an instant. “Good.”

She gestured for him to join her in the hall. “Come on then, it’s time to go. Your family is going to meet you on the main concourse, then someone will show you to your temporary quarters. I haven’t told anyone about the job offer. You should talk it over with the others and let me know what you all decide.”

Mek moved to the door, but made no attempt to cross the threshold. “I’m certain the answer will be yes, but it would be best if I talked to them first. We have a lot to discuss. For all I know, they’re as eager to see me go as everyone else.”

She rolled her eyes at that. “Please. If that were the case, they wouldn’t be waiting for you. Go to your family, Mek. We’ll talk later.”

He pointed down the corridor. “I can just walk out of here? No one’s going to shoot me for trying to escape or anything?”

“Not if they want to keep breathing atmosphere they won’t,” Hawke said. He and Brandt joined them in the corridor, both of them smiling, but alert.

“Commanders.”  Mek nodded in greeting.

“You’re free to go, so long as you don’t leave the station for a few more days. You’re our only connection to the bastards who used you, and I’d like you to keep you close at hand in case we have more questions.”

“Believe me, Commander Carver, I would like nothing better than to find the ones who did this to me. I’d want nothing better than to tear their throats out and watch them bleed to death on the deck plating.”

Hawke snickered. “Graphic, but understandable. Is everyone in your family this bloodthirsty, T’karra?”

She nodded, but it was Mek who answered. “We are Krytos. Bloodlust and violence are both part of who we are. If you’re going to take up with my niece, you’d be smart to remember that.”

“Because her brother doesn’t approve and might try and get violent about it again?” Brandt asked.

Mek cackled and shook his head. “No, Commander. Because if you piss her off, T’karra might kill you herself. Why else do you think we mate two or three males to a single female? There’s safety in numbers.”

T’karra rolled her eyes. “Really? This is what we’re going to talk about? Don’t you all have better things to do? Mek, go find your family. I’m sure they’ve missed you. You two, don’t believe a word he said. And why are you still here, anyway? I’m fine, just like I told you I would be. Go do commander things. I have to get back to the Black Hole, find my idiot brother, and explain to him what will happen to his favorite body part if I hear one more word of complaint about my choices.”

“You’re doing it again,” Hawke said, and when she turned to ask him what he was talking about, T’karra found herself wrapped up in his arms as he kissed her hotly.

“What the hell was that for?” she demanded when he finally let her go.

“I told you, you’re sexy has hell when you get all pack leader bossy.” He grinned at her as she sputtered.

“He’s right. Totally hot,” Brandt said as he stepped in and kissed her, too. He tangled his fingers in her hair and held her as he made love to her mouth until her blood was singing in her veins.

He broke the kiss and released her, leaving her on the verge of combustion and aching with need. “Time for us to go command things. We’ll see you for dinner, starshine.”

“Home?” she asked automatically, and all three men grinned as she realized what she’d said. “Shut up and quit smiling. You know what I meant.”

“Yes, baby, we did. See you tonight, at
home
,” Hawke said and laughingly dodged her attempt to smack his shoulder.

She growled under her breath and headed back to the Black Hole, accompanied by her guards. She had some thinking to do, a bar to run, and a big-mouthed sibling to put in his place.

It felt like things were finally getting back to normal.

***

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

“She’s late. I’m going to touch base with her guards,” Hawke muttered, pacing the length of the living room as he checked his wrist-unit again.

“Quit stressing, hotshot. She’ll be here. If anything had happened, we’d of heard about it.” Brandt said, but Hawke noticed he was having trouble sitting still, too. His normally unflappable partner kept tugging at his new outfit and rearranging himself in his chair. That knowledge made Hawke feel slightly better about his own agitated movements. What if she said no? Fuck, what if she said yes?

“I feel like I’m waiting to be court-martialed.”

“You’d be a little underdressed for it if you were.” They were both wearing Krytos garb. Black, leather-like pants and matching sleeveless tops that laced across the chest. Brandt was even wearing the traditional black dagger all Krytos carried. Hawke had chosen to forgo the dagger in favor of his quarterstaff, but otherwise, they were both outfitted as Krytos warriors.

“True. But at least I’d be comfortable. If she says yes, I’m going to start wearing this stuff when I’m off-duty.”

“And if she doesn’t say yes?” Brandt asked with deceptive smoothness.

Hawke shot him a scathing look. “Don’t say that. She has to say yes. I mean, why else did she throw down that gauntlet earlier if she didn’t want us to ask?”

“Because she’s a female, and as far as I’m aware, none of them make any sense to the male of any species.”

“Jenza wouldn’t have helped if she thought we were crazy,” Hawke pointed out. The little Krytos female he’d met the first night here had been more than happy to help them prepare for tonight. She’d advised them on everything they needed to know, going into details neither he nor Brandt would have ever considered.

“Jenza thinks it’s all terribly romantic. I’ve never met a Krytos quite like her. Have you?”

“You mean the fact she giggles and blushes? Hell no. I always thought it was because she was young.”

“Young for her species, maybe. I had no idea Jenza was nearly thirty. She looks barely out of her teens.” Brandt looked over at him and quirked an eyebrow. “How old do you think T’karra is?”

“I would have said our age, but now, I have no idea. Who knew we had a thing for older women? I’m never going to ask her how much older, though. I’d like to keep all my body parts attached and undamaged.”

Brandt gawked at him. “Holy fucking stars, you’re planning on being tactful? That’s it, the universe is ending.”

“Fuck you.”

“Not on your best day, hotshot. My standards are higher than T’karra’s.”

“Please. Have you seen my ass in these pants? I have the physique of a god, whereas you have the body of a professional desk pilot. T’karra is clearly only sleeping with you out of charity.”

“Is that so? I’m not the one she threatened to decapitate.”

“That’s the best you got? That was a whole week ago. It’s ancient history now. I know the truth hurts, but I am absolutely her favorite.”

Muffled sounds came through the door a second before it opened to reveal T’karra standing there, her head thrown back as she laughed. The movement bared the elegant lines of her throat and made her top tighten across her breasts, highlighting her curves. She was wearing a red lace and black leather bodice that left her arms bare, and a black skirt that fell just to her knees. She looked stunning.

“Are you laughing at us?” he asked.

“Maybe,” she said and then blinked as she took in what the two of them were wearing. “Do I even want to know why you two are dressed like that?”

“Maybe,” Brandt answered as he rose to his feet and they both walked over to the door.

“Come inside, T’karra. We have things to discuss.”

Hawke shook his head. “Very romantic, bro. I’ve seen sex-bots with better lines. What he meant to say, T’karra, was that you look gorgeous, and we’d be honored if you’d come in and join us for dinner.”

Brandt sputtered. “Now you’ve suddenly learned to be gracious, too? The universe really is ending.”

Hawke opened his mouth to retort, but T’karra stepped in close and pressed a finger to his lips. “Don’t start with him again. My ribs couldn’t take any more laughter.”

“For the sake of your ribs, then,” he said, letting her finger brush against his lips as he spoke. Her skin tasted faintly of whiskey and citrus, reminding him of the night they met. No matter what her answer was tonight, Hawke knew he’d never drink whiskey again without thinking of her. If she said no, he’d have to seriously consider switching drinks.

Or I’ll just hound her until she changes her damned mind. It worked for her fathers.

T’karra wasn’t sure what to make of everything. Their outfits, the way they’d met her at the door, the hint of tension she could smell in the air. They were up to something. She moved toward the dining room, but Hawke caught her hand, and Brandt pointed toward the stairs instead.

“Dinner’s downstairs? Is there something wrong with the table up here?” she asked.

“We thought we’d do something a little different tonight, starshine. It’s been a long couple of days, and so tonight is dedicated to you. Will you let us take care of you?” Brandt asked, and the look in his blue eyes was enough to melt her heart. He meant every word. They both did. They really wanted to do something for her…and T’karra couldn’t remember the last time someone had made that offer. She squeezed Hawke’s hand and nodded to Brandt.

“I can’t think of anything I’d like better,” she said, though it wasn’t completely true. As good as they looked right now, she’d be happiest if they simply carried her upstairs and made love to her until they were all too tired to move. The sight of them in those clothes, arms bare, muscular thighs highlighted by the snug fit of their pants, had stirred appetites that had nothing to do with food.

“Then follow me,” Brandt told her and led the way.

Even before they opened the door to the holo-room she could smell the savory aromas of some of her favorite foods, and her stomach rumbled in response. Maybe they had the right idea. Eat first, then sex. That way there’d be no reason to get out of bed until morning. That was the last coherent thought she had once she saw the program that was running. After that, she was too stunned to think.

She was standing on the Krytos home world.

The sky was lapis blue deepening to indigo, the last golden glow of the setting sun highlighting a line of distant hills. She stood partway up a gentle slope lined with trees she knew were extinct, but the program was so perfect that it was hard to remember none of it was real. Everywhere she looked
tikta
flowers bloomed, forming a blue and white carpet that covered every inch of the ground. At the bottom of the hill was a clearing, the path to it marked by dozens of flickering candles. A small, triangular table had been set up at the end of the candlelit walkway, with three chairs placed around it and several lanterns casting a golden light over everything.

“How did you…” she trailed off without finishing her question, and just gestured around her in amazement.

“I called in some favors,” Hawke said as they moved in to flank her, each of them taking one of her hands so they could walk down the path together.

“It’s beautiful. I never imagined…is this really what it was like?” T’karra had never experienced a holo-program this vivid. Even the scent of the flowers seemed right, though she had no way of knowing for certain.

“It’s based on archived data from your home world, so it’s close to the real thing. As close as we can get, anyway.” Brandt turned to look at her, his eyes gleaming with emotions she recognized but wasn’t ready to name. Before she could say anything, Hawke stomped a booted foot into the blooms at his feet, crushing the petals and releasing their perfume into the evening air.

“And for the record, I’m nothing like these
tikta
flowers. These things make eggshells look durable.”

“Your point is noted, but it’s not going to change anything. You two are my
tiktas
, and that’s final.”

They reached the small clearing as the last rays of the sun faded away, leaving the woods cloaked in darkness. The lantern and candles cast only enough light to illuminate a small, cozy circle around their table. The furniture was rough-hewn wood, but the chairs had cushions added to them to ensure comfort, and the faint scent of the wood blended with the flowers and the tantalizing aromas of their meal. They seated her first, then took their places across from her. The unusual shape of the table meant they were all facing each other, close enough they could easily reach across the space.

All her favorite foods appeared to be there, though they’d been prepared in bite-sized portions, which struck her as odd. Even stranger, there was no cutlery present and no plates other than the ones the food was served on. She was still puzzling it out as Brandt poured them each a glass of wine.

“Something wrong, T’karra?” Hawke asked, his bi-colored eyes dancing with amusement.  Understanding finally dawned. This was a traditional courting meal. It was a formal declaration of their interest in her, albeit an old-fashioned one. If she didn’t want this, then now was the moment for her to go. She looked at Hawke, then Brandt, both of them watching her in silence, waiting for her to say something. They’d done it again, given her control, leaving the choice up to her. They understood her better than anyone ever had, and that knowledge made her choice clear.

She settled deeper into her chair and smiled. “Nothing’s wrong. In fact, I think everything is perfect.”

Brandt blew out a soft breath. “In that case, what do you want to eat first?”

Dinner was an intimate affair. The men took turns feeding her, and she fed them in turn. They talked and laughed while the platters of food slowly emptied, and her arousal grew with every nibbled fingertip and lingering touch. Each bite was a sensual thing, different flavors, and textures, the warm rasp of a tongue against flesh.

As the meal progressed the mundane noises of eating became more and more like love play. Low moans, soft breaths, a thousand tiny sounds amplified into a symphony of pleasures. All her senses were heightened, and for the first time, she understood the power of this ritual. There was trust between them, and vulnerability, too. As they ate, a rhythm formed, a subtle dance of give and take that affected them all. Even the tempo of their conversation was dictated by their meal, one spoke while another fed a morsel of food to the third.

It was the most memorable meal of her life.

Brandt never expected to be affected by something as simple as sharing a meal, but by the time they were finished, he knew nothing would be the same again. Not for any of them. This had been more than a simple ritual or a romantic dinner, or even foreplay. It was all of that, and so much more. They’d been connected to each other in these unguarded moments, and it had forced him to face the way he lived his life. There were no walls between them, no emotional or physical distance. He’d been raised by a gruff, distant man who cared for him as much out of duty as any real affection, and Brandt had learned to stay aloof. It was always easier to be cool and distant than to risk reaching out and being rebuffed. That wasn’t how it would be with T’karra. Life with her would be volatile, maddening and occasionally violent, but it would never be cold.

He lifted his head to utter a short command to the empty air. “Computer, initiate phase two of program.”

A pavilion tent materialized, easily seen by the light of twin moons that had risen as they ate. It was a simple square, maybe fifteen feet across, with a peaked roof of light colored canvas and a gauzy material that screened the open sides.

“A tent?” T’karra eyed the new addition warily. “I was born and raised on a space station, guys. I don’t do tents.”

“There’s a first time for everything, baby.” Hawke rose from his seat and looked over at Brandt. It was time. He stood too, both of them moving their chairs aside before kneeling at either side of T’karra.

“What in the name of the moons are you two doing?”

“Something we’ve never done before, and hopefully, will never do again,” Brandt murmured and took her hand in his as Hawke mirrored his actions on the other side of the table.

“That sounds ominous.”

“He was trying for romantic and missed. Give us a break here, we’re new to this.” Hawke muttered, eliciting a grin from T’karra.

“All right. I’ll behave.”

“Another first,” Brandt said under his breath. When she turned her dark eyes his way, he drew in one last breath and spoke from the heart. No prepared speech, no plan of attack. Not this time. “The first night Hawke and I spent on X2, we met in our hotel room to compare notes, and all he could talk about was the gorgeous female who ran the Black Hole. I warned him to keep his distance, but he told me that wasn’t going to happen. I thought he was out of his mind, but then you stormed into our office like a vengeful Valkyrie, and I understood what he was talking about. When you left that day, you didn’t just leave your mark on the wall, you left one on my heart, too.”

“You were smokin’ hot that day,” Hawke agreed.

Brandt shot a dirty look at his friend. “Wait your turn, hotshot.”