Tamara's Future (6 page)

She just stared at his hand. The change of subject threw her. She should be better

prepared. She knew how Gage delighted in seemingly turning the conversation and the action, every word and every movement leading him closer to his goal.

Tamara eyed his hand and fought the urge to run. You didn’t run from a predator.

Running would just encourage him. He wanted to play cat and mouse with her. She

wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. He’d have to force her and she wanted to believe he wouldn’t do that. She put her hand in his. Gage gently but firmly pulled her into his arms.

Tamara had danced with Gage before. He liked to dance. But she’d forgotten just

how hard and strong he was and just how good his arms felt. Her breasts rubbed

against his shirt. She wished he’d take it off. But she couldn’t ask him to do that, could she? All her defenses melted and she reveled in the sensation of being gently held by a very strong man. Why had no man ever protected her? Why had they always just used her? Was Gage different?

“You follow my lead like a trained dancer. We work well together. Let me make

love to you and we’ll put all our past differences to rest. I’ll even forgive you for stealing the score. My pursuit of you had nothing to do with money. The score was just an excuse. It’s always been you I wanted,” he whispered in her ear.

Tamara sighed and rested her head on his chest. “Damn you Gage. I didn’t steal it

and it’s not that I don’t want you. If I was ever going to have sex with any man, it would be with you.” She lifted her head and stared him in the eyes, “But I can’t. I’m just not wired that way.”

“I don’t believe you’re a lesbian. You’re too responsive to me.”

“No. It’s not that…” Tamara’s voice trailed off. Gage was relentless. She’d seen him continue pursuing a goal long after a sane person would have quit. She still didn’t understand why he seemed to want her but there was no other way out, she’d have to tell him about her past. Then maybe he’d give up and let her go. Tamara stopped

dancing.

“Do you really want to know? It’s not a pretty story,” Tamara challenged him.

“Tell me.”

Tamara led him to the couch. He wrapped his arms around her and she lay with her

back against his chest. She couldn’t face him and tell him everything. He seemed to understand because he remained silent while she gathered her thoughts. She briefly debated giving him an abbreviated version but maybe it was time to stop lying and

hiding. A deep-seated part of her trusted him and she knew he wouldn’t accept

anything less than the truth. With a sense of unease at the exposure she’d soon face, she started her story.

“I was twelve the first time my father sold me to a man for sex. The man was older.

He liked young girls and my father needed money. The man used me for two years

until my breasts developed and I looked too much like an adult for his tastes. My father was actually happy about that because it meant he could sell me to many other men. He never had to worry about money then. Lots of men were willing to pay. To them, there was nothing better than a nameless girl who had to do anything they wanted. I made them feel powerful. I trained myself. I deadened my feelings during sex. The acts were just physical. They didn’t touch me.” She shrugged. “I learned to endure it because his punishment was worse than anything the men could do to me. I thought I would never be free of him.”

“Is that why your father had such a tragic accident? I’ve seen the security footage.

You were standing behind him when he went over the edge of the aircar platform. You were lucky that the cops didn’t care about his death. If they’d investigated, they would have found the same thing I did.”

Tamara laughed. It wasn’t often that Gage made a mistake. “My father was drunk. I

thought about pushing him but I didn’t have to. He lost his balance. Didn’t you see me reach for him?”

“I saw you hesitate. By the time you reached it was too late.”

“And that’s what the cops decided. I was guilty because I hadn’t done more.”

“That’s not what the report says. It says you were innocent and not culpable. Why

didn’t they investigate more?”

“What makes you think it wasn’t fully investigated? Just because that’s what it

says? That’s not what happened.” She shook her head and snorted. “It was investigated by an officer who was on my father’s payroll—Randall Fells. He was really upset about the loss of his second income but he’d wanted me for a long time. He stole my father’s belongings to make up for his loss of income. Then he buried the investigation and told me I’d be safe with him. He’d protect me so I didn’t have to go to jail. He told me if I refused, he’d make sure I was locked up for life. He promised me safety and I was

young and stupid enough to believe him. He lied.” She waved her arm toward the

prison room. “This isn’t the first time I’ve been caged. I was sixteen. He held me captive for six months. My earlier training kept me sane until I figured out how to escape. I’ve been on the run ever since.”

Tamara felt Gage stiffen. “You’re saying Randall Fells was dirty?”

“Yes, and he was on Sigil. I panicked when I saw him. I thought that you’d be

captured and blame me. Imagine my surprise to find you free and angry about the

score. He’s very good at covering his tracks. How did you escape his capture?”

“I never saw him.” Gage paused then swung her around so he could look into her

eyes. He cocked his head and stared intently. “You’re saying you left me to be arrested and Fells took the score?”

“He’s crooked and who else could have taken it? I know I didn’t and you say you

didn’t. Who else was there? Why did he leave without capturing you? Because if he

captured you, he’d have had to report the stash. This way he could just take it.”

Gage continued staring. Tamara wanted to cringe. His look was too knowing and

too full of concern. She didn’t want Gage’s sympathy. She wanted him angry. Then it would be easier to resist him.

“Why didn’t you trust me to protect you?”

“I’m sorry. I panicked.”

Gage grimaced and shook his head. “I know how well you tell a story. We’ll deal

with your claim about Fells another time. Let’s get back to us and your lack of trust in me.”

“Why should I trust you? Every man I’ve ever known has lied to me and used me.”

“Name once that I lied to you,” he said, his voice low and tight.

Tamara started. She couldn’t do that. He hadn’t lied yet but he would. Men always

did.

Gage shook his head and ran his hand through his hair. “Tamara what am I going

to do with you?”

“Let me go. I’m sorry I left so abruptly three years ago but Fells was there and I was terrified. I was in danger.”

“I would have protected you.”

“Maybe, but you obviously wanted me. You’re a criminal and used to doing as you

please. It was only a matter of time before you acted on that want.”

“I’m not a rapist. I prefer mutual enjoyment.”

“What enjoyment? Sex always hurt until I learned how to go numb. Now I don’t

feel much of anything.”

“Haven’t you ever had pleasure from sex?”

Tamara just stared at him.

“Oh, darling. Sex doesn’t have to hurt.”

“Not for men. It’s different for a woman.”

“I know lots of women who would argue that statement.”

“Great! Have sex with them.”

“I don’t want them. I want you. Surely you’ve pleasured yourself?”

Tamara remained silent.

He watched her and made the correct assumption. “Oh, Tamara. That is a sad

thing.”

“Let me go.”

“No,” he said slowly, drawing out the word. He smiled. “No, I have a much better

idea.”

Tamara frowned. He had that gleam in his eyes, the one that meant he’d come up

with a plan. His plans were usually dangerous but innovative. He was good at creative planning and once he’d figured out his plan of action, no one could talk him out of it.

He was stubborn that way.

“Gage?”

“Tamara?”

“You’re going to make me ask aren’t you?”

Gage just smiled.

Tamara sighed. “What’s your plan?”

“We’ll discuss it tomorrow darling. It’s been a long day.” Gage stood and pulled

Tamara to her feet. He led her back toward her prison.

“No…please. There’s no need to lock me up again. Where would I go?”

“I won’t let you escape again. Besides if I don’t lock you up, out of sight, then I’m going to make love to you. Would you rather just surrender to me now?”

“I can’t,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I didn’t think so,” he said. “So you see, there is a need to lock you up.” He casually reached out a hand and ripped off her tunic.

The quickness and intensity of his action stunned Tamara. She’d seen Gage treat

other people that way but he’d never done so to her. He gave no hint of what he was going to do, just that snake-quick, shocking action. Did he even think or was it instinctive? He never telegraphed his intentions.

He ignored her gasp of shock and said, “I want you to feel even if I have to shock

you into recognizing your emotions. I will give you a choice though. The cage or

chains?” he asked waving his arm toward the far wall.

“Chains,” Tamara replied instantly. At least with the chains she could stretch out

and they were long enough that she’d be able to rest on the floor.

Gage grabbed her hand and led her to the far wall. He circled her wrists with cold

metal.

Tamara fought the urge to resist but she did ask, “Could I at least have a mat?”

“Willingly give me a kiss and I’ll give you a mat.”

Tamara stilled. A kiss was a small price to pay for a little comfort. She nodded.

Gage held her face. His ice-blue eyes seemed to pierce all her defenses. He slowly

lowered his head until their lips were a breath apart. He nipped her lower lip and then he closed the distance. His touch was gentle but firm. His lips warm and strong. She waited for him to deepen the kiss, to invade her mouth with his tongue. That’s what men did but he didn’t. He held the almost-chaste kiss for a long moment then he raised his head, kissed her forehead, and smiled. “Tomorrow we’ll play more.” He pulled a mat from one of the cupboards and handed it to her. Then he walked out.

Tamara stood staring at the closed door. She wasn’t quite sure what had just

happened. Her lips still felt the pressure of his kiss. She was a little stunned that she wanted more. She wanted Gage back again. She wanted another kiss. She drew in a shaky breath and shook her head. She’d always known he was dangerous. He always

got what he wanted and now she was his target. How was she going to get out of this mess?

She thought about the lock picks in her hair. She had such short hair that no one

ever thought to look there. Then she hesitated. Should she save them? If she unlocked herself now there was nowhere to go. Besides, she probably couldn’t unlock the door.

She’d still be stuck in here and Gage would know she had tools. “Damn,” she muttered under her breath. Better to save that surprise until it might actually help her escape.

She shook out the mat and lay down.

Fakzi padded over to her. He sniffed her hair and then sniffed his way down the

rest of her body. Tamara stayed still. Gage trusted the alien but she wasn’t sure she did.

But Fakzi merely sniffed. He didn’t unsheathe his deadly claws or open his mouth to use the sharp teeth Tamara had seen earlier.

“You are cold,” Fakzi said.

“Yes. I am cold.”

“I could warm you if you give me permission.”

Again, the creature’s strange phrasing sent a chill through Tamara. “How would

you warm me?”

“Again. A question. You should know that questions form the mindpath. As we ask

each other and answer each other our minds begin to link. If we ask and answer enough questions the thought paths between us will develop.”

“Develop. Then the path already exists. We’d be able to read each other’s

thoughts.” Tamara was learning to state her questions rather than ask them.

“There will be a mindpath strong enough to use. Yes.”

“I never realized how often I ask questions until I met you, Fakzi.”

“It is often that way with humans. I will answer some of the questions I know you

have. Gage crashed on my planet. I am an explorer. We were far away from my

civilization. Gage and I formed a mindpath. His mind is different—interesting. I chose to follow him here so we could strengthen that attachment. Yes he knows I can do this and he is a willing partner. I have avoided answering your questions because you have not willingly granted me permission to initiate a mindpath. You need to know what you ask. I will do nothing without permission.”

“Thank you, Fakzi.”

“I like you, Tamara.” He rolled the “R” in her name. “I will lie next to you. My body heat will keep you warm.”

Tamara was tired and discouraged. The thought of cuddling with the warm cat

creature was strangely appealing and she was tired of fighting. “You have my

permission, Fakzi.”

He circled a few times and then cuddled against Tamara’s back. She felt instantly

comforted by the creature’s warmth and she was surprised by the softness of his fur.

Tamara sighed and relaxed. She’d worry about everything tomorrow. In the meantime

she’d accept the comfort the creature offered.

*

The two men went to the back of the dim bar and sat at a table, nearly hidden from

view.

“Damn! Why didn’t you warn me that the luxury cruiser was going to get hit? By

the time we got there they had been stripped and disabled and a space command ship

was nearly in range. We almost got caught.”

“I couldn’t warn you because I didn’t know about it. None of my crews had