Pirate: Space Gypsy Chronicles, #1 (19 page)

Lips quirked as Freddy fought his irresistible charm. “I would like, but you are making assumptions on your future. Currently I have the upper paw.” Said furry appendage swept outwards to show the thick crowd of soldiers.

He arched a brow. “And? You obviously don’t want me dead or you’d have had them shoot me by now.”

“Firearms are such a cowardly way of handling things.” A low growl punctuated Freddy’s words. “There is no finesse. No true skill. Just point and shoot. Any idiot can do it.”

As rebukes went, it almost made Rafe wince. Except, while his furriness might have an issue with guns, Rafe had no intention of giving them up, not when they could tilt an unfair balance. “No guns, eh? Is this your way of saying you want to arm wrestle for my freedom?”

“That is an option. Or I could just have my men overpower you, deliver you to the bounty hunter’s guild, and collect the prize. It is quite sizable.”

The threat hung between them. “Do that and you’ll kill any and all traffic through this place. We both know your clients are of the less-than-savory sort. If you start turning them in, you’ll end up just as dead as the last owner.”

“A good argument, but not the reason why I am going to let you go.”

He was what? Stunned, Rafe almost missed his next words.

“I know who you are. I know what you could be.”

“I am no one.” The words came by rote, even if, within, others struggled to break free.

“For the moment, perhaps, but should that one day change, then I think having you owe me a favor is worth more than a few more credits to my account.”

“A few? He’s worth—” The protesting soldier quieted quick as his leader whirled and snarled in his direction.

“You won’t need credits to spend if I have you for dinner.” Flipping around again, the mad ruler was replaced with a smug one. “Where were we?”

“You were letting me go.”

“Ah yes. With promise of a favor. Seal the deal.” The paw extended, leathery pads raised.

“What if I’m not who you think I am? What if I’m only ever a pirate?” It was all he could be. Anything more would require more effort, blood, and sweat than he was willing to give.

“Once upon a time, a certain Felyon landed here, a caged beast bought on a whim and kept as a plaything. Sometimes all it takes is the right circumstance to elevate one’s lot in life. Just look at me. From pauper to king of this station.” His lips pulled into a fierce smile with many sharp teeth. “I found and took my kingdom. Perhaps one day you will do the same, Rhomanii. It is a wager I’m willing to take. Do we have a deal?”

If the feline king wished to exchange a worthless favor for his life, then Rafe would oblige. He stuck out his hand and slapped it against the furry one, feeling the leathery texture of the paw and wondering if this Felyon hunted like his ancestors on all four.

“Open the portal to his ship.” With a click and a hiss, the long tube to his vessel beckoned. “Until we meet again.” The king, with an arrogance Rafe admired, presented his back as he turned to walk away.

I can’t believe he’s letting me go.

He should have known his human would ruin it. “That’s it? He gets his guys to chase us with swords, determined to julienne our asses, and he’s now just going to let us leave? Did he sniff some catnip?”

Rafe groaned. “Would you be quiet?”

“I was quiet during that whole speech with beast man here. I even held my tongue when dude pulled the whole ooh my psychic says you’re going to be great, let’s be friends thing. But you expect me to believe after sending his whole army after us, he’s gonna let us go? I don’t buy it.”

Golden eyes peered past Rafe at Emma. “You are not Rhomanii.”

“Uh, yes I am. I’m his cousin.” She stabbed at Rafe as she slid behind him.

“You are the one Paschatta wants so desperately for her menagerie. You are
interesting.
” The king stalked to the side, and Emma sidled the other way.

“Not really. I’m a pain in the ass. Just ask Rafe. He keeps threatening to toss me out of the airlock.”

“Perhaps I should offer to take you off his hands. I have ways of taming those with wild manners.”

“Can’t. Already taken.” She looped her arm in his, and Rafe almost choked on a chuckle as her wayward tongue got her in trouble.

Freddy smiled, displaying lots of teeth. “I thought you were cousins.”

“We are. That is we’re kissing cousins.” She reached over and pecked Rafe on the cheek. “Keep it in the family. You know because that…” Her babble fizzled. “Okay, I got nothing.”

Rafe shoved her toward the opened passage. “Ignore her, Freddy. She has no idea what she’s saying, and I wouldn’t want to ruin our new budding friendship by saddling you with a half-wit. Bad enough I’ve got to take of her, but you know. Family. Someone has to do it.”

The king’s lips twitched. “Perhaps you should leave before she starts a war.”

“Or perhaps he should admit she’s not Rhomanii at all, but human, a forbidden human from Earth,” snapped Paschatta, who appeared agitated, at least according to her inflated body parts. Some of her wrinkles had smoothed as annoyance filled her.

The king whirled to face her. “It matters not what her origin is. According to the laws of space, she belongs to him. And she is leaving with him.”

“Are you sure of that?” A wicked smile pulled the crone’s rotund face, and her body swelled larger as excitement bubbled inside. “Get them!” Paschatta yelled. “A reward to whoever brings me the girl alive.”

At that promise, the soldiers that were frozen in place shook themselves, glanced around, and then narrowed their gaze on Rafe and his gang.

“Are you daring to order my troops around?” Freddy’s booming words vibrated.

Apparently, Paschatta did, but not all of them were on board. Soldier turned on comrade, and the king, with a mighty roar, threw himself in Paschatta’s direction. With a gleeful cackle, she inflated some more, but Rafe didn’t wait to see if someone would pop her and send her spinning around the docking area.

Time to make their escape.

E
mma didn’t need
Rafe’s yelled, “Get your ass onto the ship” to get moving. Chaos had erupted, and given this time it centered around her, she was more than happy to leave it behind.

She bolted down the long tube, heading for the door at the end. Luca beat her to it, but found himself stuck outside when the
Annabelle
wouldn’t let him in.

In clear frustration, the other man pounded on the metal. “Open up, you rusted piece of crap.”

“Is that any way to treat the ship that’s going to get us out of here?” Arriving at a more casual pace, Rafe stroked his hand on the outer hull. “The
Annabelle
is a lady.”

A lady who cheekily opened the door at Rafe’s touch, who, in turn, tossed a smirk at his cousin. He swept an arm in a welcoming gesture. “After you. Welcome to
my
ship.”

They’d no sooner stepped on board when Rafe was securing the door and shouting out orders to his ship.

“Seal all ports of entry. Disengage from the docking arm. Get us the hell out of here, Annabelle.”

“As my captain commands.”

The trio made their way from the antechamber to the hall and stairs that led to the rest of the ship. Luca followed her with Rafe bringing up the rear.

The ship hummed as the engines spun, and Emma stumbled when the ship lurched, pulling free of the docking arm.

Both men grabbed for her, which prompted Rafe to growl. “Hands off.”

“What’s this? Jealousy, over a woman?”

“Merely making sure you keep your hands off the crew. I don’t need to deal with her filing a harassment claim.”

A good answer, but the womanly part of Emma preferred Luca’s accusation.

As they entered the bridge, she couldn’t help but utter a small sound as she looked at the screen. “What is that?” She pointed to the billowing plume that almost hid the space station from sight.

“Breach in the outer hull of the space station. Good thing we got out when we did,” Rafe noted as he removed his harness and bent down to tuck it away.

“Is that bad?”

“Only if you like to breathe,” Luca snickered.

“The station will survive. Breaches happen. The affected section will be shut down and a crew sent to repair it.”

But even as Rafe said it, more spots appeared, spewing gases, and she noted theirs wasn’t the only ship evacuating the place.

None seemed interested in them, though, as they all zipped off in different directions.

“Are all space station excursions that crazy?” Emma asked as the
Annabelle’s
engines thrust them away and the view on screen changed, showing their current heading.

“No. Some have no fun or excitement at all. And some of the best ones usually end up with me in a cell.”

“How is being in a cell considered good?” She couldn’t help a note of incredulity.

“Bah, cells are not that bad. And I’ve yet to meet one that can hold a Rhomanii,” Luca boasted.

“True, which is why I’m a big believer in drugs,” Rafe announced. “Good night, cousin.”

Thump
.

What the hell?

Emma turned around to see what was going on and noted Rafe straddling Luca’s prone body on the floor.

“What happened to him?”

“He’s taking a forced nap.” Rafe yanked the object sticking out of Luca’s arm.

“You did this? But why?” she asked.

“Preventing a family feud.” Rafe yanked Luca’s limp arms back and secured them with a piece of wire.

“Do you really think he’d try and take over?”

“I don’t think. I know. Don’t be fooled by my cousin’s jovial demeanor.”

“But he was ready to fight with you.”

“Of course he was, so he could ensure no one else would take his bounty or my ship. Don’t think he aided us for altruistic reasons. My kind doesn’t play like that.” He winked at her as he heaved Luca over his shoulder.

“What are you going to do with him?” Given everything they’d encountered, she was prepared for the worst.

“There’s a planet not far from here with an outpost. I’ll drop him off, and we’ll be on our way.”

“You aren’t going to kill him?”

He shot her a look. “Should I?”

“No. Of course not. Even if he’s a scoundrel, he’s still your family.” Emma would have given anything for one of her own.

“Actually, I probably should kill him. I don’t trust Luca. He was one of those who I’m sure was behind—”

He stopped talking abruptly, and she prodded. “Behind what?”

“Nothing. It’s not important now. What’s more important is the fact you and I have unfinished business.”

“We do?” She couldn’t help but back away as he stood and stalked toward her, oblivious of the fact an unconscious man hung over his shoulder.

“Indeed we do, wench. Last I recall, we were interrupted before the main event.”

How like a man to think of sex at a time like this. “Don’t blame me for that. You left. I was perfectly willing to go all the way.”

“And now?” His eyes glinted as he waited for her reply.

“We don’t exactly have a proper-sized bed.”

“I’m sure we can improvise.” He took a step closer.

“But your cousin, he’s right there.”

“Let me get rid of him then.” Turning on his heel, he strode away with his burden, and she continued on to the control room.

At his return, intent clear in his gaze, she held up a hand. “I feel like we should talk about this.”

“Talk about what? We are going to fuck. Copiously.”

“And what then? You still haven’t told me where we’re going. And why are all these people after you?”

“We are going to sell the goods I got on Earth. As for those trying to capture me, there’s a bounty on my head. Nothing new there.”

“Does this mean I can look forward to getting attacked in every port we hit?”

“Possibly. I am a wanted man.” His quirky grin should have looked arrogant. It mostly managed to make him sexy.

“What if I don’t want to live like that? Constantly having to watch my back and worry about attack because I’ve hooked up with a pirate.”

“Oh please. I’ve seen the excitement thrumming through your veins. Admit it. You’re enjoying yourself.”

“Am not.” She practically squirmed as she lied.

His knowing gaze said he’d caught it. “You love the adventure.” He took a step toward her.

She moved one away, skirting the edge of his seat to keep it between them. “I’d prefer to live.”

“And you will. I’ll make sure of it.” In a fluid motion, he leaped over the chair and snared her before she could flee. As if she truly wanted to run. At the first touch of his lips on her, the resistance she might have feebly attempted melted.

Why deny any longer what she wanted? Yes, her life was dangerous and unpredictable and scary. But it was also exciting and passionate, making her feel more alive than she could have ever imagined.

It was also proving more than pleasurable, especially since Rafe didn’t lie. He did know his way around a woman’s body. Her body.

She gripped his shirt and brought herself nose to nose with him. “If you hurt me, I will eject you from an airlock.”

“You’re sounding more and more Rhomanii every day.”

“Just because we’re having sex doesn’t mean you can boss me around.”

“I’m captain. I am totally allowed to boss you around and order you to clean toilets.”

“Don’t make me spit in your food again.”

“You spat in my food?”

Her lips pulled into a teasing grin. “You did tell me to flavor it.”

“I require restitution.”

“For what?”

“Does it matter? You owe me a kiss.”

“Only a kiss?” she teased.

“To start with.”

As usual, he thought to control things to take charge and let her eagerly follow. But their time spent together, that decadent time in the room and tub, had removed a barrier within her. She no longer needed for him to make the first move. She hungered for him, and dammit, she’d have him.

Since she still gripped the linen of his shirt, it was a simple thing to yank—and then growl in annoyance—as the fabric refused to rip.

“Stupid, space-age shit. How am I supposed to be rough and sexy if it won’t cooperate?” she grumbled, and he laughed.

“Let me.” Placing his hands over hers, he pulled, and this time, there was a satisfying tear as the material parted.

The tanned flesh revealed was enough to make any woman drool. She was no exception. Taut abs, a broad upper body tapering to his waist, the vee of his navel revealed by the pants that hung low. A noisy breath was sucked in as he grabbed her, roughly, and drew her close so that their skin might touch.

She resisted and planted her palms on his chest, keeping distance between them. The edge of her nails raked down the taut flesh, scoring lines in his skin that disappeared as soon as the pressure moved on. Hard to believe they were so different when some things felt the same. The nipples drew her attention. She pinched and pulled, noting how his eyes shuttered. He might claim they were fake, but he still felt her touch.

A part of her wondered why she dropped to her knees. She didn’t have to pleasure him like this. He’d made it quite clear he wanted to fuck her.
And I want him to fuck me too.

Shiver.

What she wanted didn’t stop her as she made her way to the waistband of his pants.

Before they could foil her, he’d yanked them down, and the root of him, thick, hard, and long—oh so long—sprang forth with eagerness. She grasped him, wrapping her fingers around his length, not coming close to making it around.

That sound, that hum of appreciation? It came from her. And made him groan.

The bridge didn’t have a bed, and she definitely wouldn’t recommend the floor—waffle butt wasn’t attractive on anybody. The only thing that might work was his chair.

“Sit,” she ordered, giving him a shove in that direction.

“Is this a mutiny, crewmember? Giving the captain orders?” His words held a hint of tease and tickled over her senses.

“Just doing my duty”—she crouched between his thighs—“and swabbing the deck.
Captain.”
Lick.

He might have thought to continue their corny conversation, except she filled her mouth with cock and he lost his ability to speak, unless, “Uh. Uh,” counted. Soon, the only sound was the melodic one of her licking and sucking him as his fingers curled around the armrests of his seat.

Alas for him, she didn’t plan to suck him to completion—her own arousal was too great for that—but when she sensed he had taken all he could handle, she released him with a wet pop and one final lick before she rose to her feet. While he’d removed her shirt, he’d forgotten her pants. She took care of those quickly and then straddled his waist. She trapped his rigid shaft behind the cleft of her buttocks and pressed her warm and wet pussy against him.

His fingers wrapped in her hair, and yanking it back, he went for the sensitive skin of her neck, kissing and sucking the tender flesh. His hand yanked her back farther, arching and exposing her to him. With his free hand, he toyed with her nipples, rolling and pinching them as she gasped and squirmed.

“You are a tease,” she said in between pants.

“Yes.”

Such arrogance. Yet also the truth. But he seemed to forget he wasn’t the only one who could play like that. She brought a finger to his lips, let him wet it with his tongue, and then pulled it away that she might slide it between their bodies. She found her clit and rubbed. Still swollen from her last bout with Rafe, it didn’t take much to bring herself to the brink, especially since she knew he watched her.

The hard cock at her back twitched as if alive. She knew what it wanted. The treasure between her legs.

Raising herself, she gave his cock enough room to get in position. In one swift stroke, she impaled herself on him, crying out as the size of him stretched her. She rocked on top of his cock, the pressure on her clit making her channel squeeze the hard rod inside.

Faster and faster she moved while the pleasure in her coiled. Like a top, she wound herself up and up, waiting for the moment she could spin. The rocking motion was controlled by her. He could only buck under her as she used her pelvic muscles to clamp down on him tight.

To brace herself, she flattened her hands on his chest, the tips of her nails biting into his skin. She hummed, a low, happy, almost primitive sound as she rode him. Rafe made his own noises, grunts and groans. A peek showed his head thrown back, the cords of his neck taut with tension.

He held on to her hips, helping her to rock and rub against him. The friction proved unbelievably pleasurable, and she cried out as her body tensed and then exploded into an orgasm. Her climax shuddered through her, fisting the cock within her tight, squeezing him until he bellowed, and he spurted hotly in her.

Spent, she collapsed atop him, their sweaty bodies heaving. Nothing was said. Probably because neither had the breath. But there was one watching AI that was less than impressed.

“If the captain is done, perhaps he’d like to drive the ship?”

The body under hers stiffened and not in a round-two kind of way.

“Is there a problem, Annabelle?”

“The captain hasn’t performed his usual checks.”

“I think someone is jealous she has to share my attention.”

Could a ship feel jealous? It hadn’t occurred to Emma until Rafe mentioned it. But now that she thought about it…

“I am a machine. Incapable of caring.”

“Good, then you won’t mind if the captain takes this crewmember to our quarters and continues our discussion of her duties on board.”

“More duties? Does this mean I’m getting a raise?” Emma smirked at him.

“No. But I will give you a bonus if you’re good.”

Instead, she was bad, such a bad, bad girl, who ran streaking through the ship with him threatening a spanking when he caught her.

Which he did. And she discovered the beds weren’t that small after all.