Unknown Futures (3 page)

Although others might be watching, her attention remained on Jewel. Each movement, a planned seduction. She couldn’t let her go without trying. When the next song began, Jewel finally relaxed. She moved to the music.

And V moved closer. She slid her hand from Jewel’s waist, down, then back up, swaying in front of her. Only an inch between them. She couldn’t get enough. Her Earth scent became intoxicating.

Beat after beat, song after song, she kept her hands on the sexy woman. She claimed her, telling everyone else to stay away. She wanted to savor her precious body. Maybe she could make her forget about her date.

She pulled Jewel even closer, her sensitive nipples pressed against the woman she desired. Holding her with both hands, grinding against her to the music. Her heart raced with hunger.
I want to take her on the floor. Right here. Right now
.

But the song changed. The beat slowed, indicating last call. The club would close soon.

Most of the patrons had left. Only those hoping to hook up remained. She stepped back. Jewel would have to make the first move. V could never force herself on anyone.

When Jewel took her hands and placed them back on her body, she couldn’t help but smile. Perhaps the evening would end the way she wanted.

Jewel pressed against her, her head resting on her shoulder, swaying to the decelerated beat. “I don’t want this night to end.”

Their dancing became deliberate, a sensuous and intimate rhythm. “It doesn’t have to.”

Jewel stopped and looked up at her. “You…you’re interested?”

“Why wouldn’t I be? You’re the most beautiful creature in the space station.” Somehow, she had to make her see. She brushed her thumb across her lips, wanting to touch more, her entire luscious body. Taking a deep breath, V steadied herself. If this were to go any further, Jewel needed to show her own intentions. As warm moisture pooled between her thighs, V schooled herself to patience.

“Are you sure
you’re
not my date?”

Shit!
That damn date, the only wedge between them. “No, but I wish I was.”

“I wish you were, too.” Jewel stood on the tips of her toes and claimed her mouth.

V pulled her closer until the bit of space between them had been filled. Excited by the warm, curvaceous body pressed against her taut nipples, she fed from the sweetness of Jewel’s mouth, drawing out each delicious sweep. But she wanted more. She wanted all of her.

“Dat so hot!”

The moment expired with the looming presence beside them.

She held Jewel’s hand, wanting to maintain their connection, never planning to let her go. She would deal with the situation then finish what Jewel had started. “What do you want, Gar?”

“You, bootiful human and da new one, too.” The whites of his eyes glowed red and alcohol-laced sweat coated his gray skin.

“You’ve had one too many fizzers. Go away. We’re not interested.”

He pulled out his arousal.

Jewel gasped.

V had heard that Phanties were renowned throughout the universe for their immense cocks, but she had never been curious enough to find out for herself. Looked like the rumors were true.

“You see what you do to me? I want you both for bedmates.”

“I said we weren’t interested, Gar. Not now, not ever. Put your dick back in your pants before you embarrass yourself further.” She would have it out with him the next time she saw him at work, but for the moment she had other things to focus on.

“What ’bout her?”

Jewel shook her head, squeezing V’s hand.

“I watch? Never had two at same time.”

“No!” V said.

She giggled when Jewel echoed her response.

“C’mon, let’s go.” She pulled her out of the club, leaving Gar with his pants around his ankles.

“Wow, he sure was big.”

She smiled, relieved Jewel hadn’t been horrified by Gar’s bad manners…or his gigantic dick. “Yes, a fact that strokes their egos a little too much.”

“Have you ever…?”

She cringed. “No. Not exactly my type.”

“So what is your type?”

She recognized the fishing. Perhaps Gar had affected Jewel more than she’d originally thought. She stopped walking and took Jewel’s other hand, holding them together. “Well, I prefer someone who is beautiful both inside and out.” As she tried to look down, V lifted her chin to meet her gaze. “Even if she doesn’t realize how beautiful she really is, how precious, just like a jewel.”

A tear slid down the woman’s cheek, and V wiped it away. “I want you, sweetie.” She pulled Jewel against her then reclaimed her trembling, swollen lips. Jewel responded with more passion, stroking her mouth to ecstasy.
We need to get back to my apartment
. She reached over and pressed her palm against the screen for the tube, not breaking contact with her for the entire ride.

Chapter Seven

When they landed, Jewel felt as if she had floated to the floor, like a fairy. She didn’t remember any of the trip through the tube, just being in V’s arms, tasting her lips, everything. The woman made her believe she was beautiful, that she could find happiness with someone, with V, on a space station. Everything everyone had ever said about her melted from her mind, V’s kindness and warmth taking their place.

She pulled away and gasped for air. “We’re here already?”

V stroked the side of her face, making her feel precious. “Yes, let’s go inside.” The door slid open and she pulled her into the foyer. “Would you like something to drink?”

She shook her head. The only thing she wanted was the gorgeous woman in front of her who reminded her what it was like to be a real person again. Not a monster. Not a freak.

“Well, I need a water. I’ll be right back.”

Waiting, she took another look at the apartment. While the open-concept main level had been decorated in Earth tones, the upper floor resembled the aurora borealis with purples, blues, and greens scattered across the wall by the stairs in a beautiful display. So welcoming, so much like Earth. Yet she didn’t feel comfortable enough to wander around on her own. She still remained a guest, only meant to stay for a couple of days.

She took a deep breath as gentle hands swept her hair away from the back of her neck. Light kisses reined across her bare skin, a mouth cold from a drink of water, yet warm with passion.

“I can’t stop touching you.” V’s fingers brushed against her belly. And oh, she wanted more. She wanted her hands on her bare skin, her breasts, over her swollen mound. “Let’s go to my room.”

That soft voice made her weak in the knees. How would she make it up to the bedroom?

V tapped her butt then walked toward the stairs. “You coming?”

She found the strength and raced her up the stairs, reaching for her, but never quite catching up. Finally arriving on the second floor, she found herself once again wrapped in strong, welcoming arms. “I thought we were going to your room.”

“We are, but I couldn’t wait to touch you again.”

Jewel couldn’t wait either. She captured V’s mouth, grabbing her by the ass and pulling her hips against hers. Yet she wanted to feel the bare skin underneath the clothes. Without hesitation, she slipped her hands under V’s shirt. Touching her soft skin stoked the flames of desire already burning inside. She had to have her. Pulling away from tender, swollen lips, she lifted the shirt off and tugged her own over her head.

Never had she met anyone so perfect, all luscious curves and full, perky breasts. She unclasped V’s red, lacey bra, needing her taut nipples in her mouth. Before she could taste her, V grabbed her wrists, raising them above her head.

Backed against the wall, her hands pinned above her head, a knee between her legs—without the support of V’s body against hers, Jewel would have melted into a gooey puddle. She tingled with anticipation as if she were a teenager, but then again, she had never dated as an adult.

“Damn, you’re amazing.” V trailed her fingers down her body. She lifted Jewel’s legs around her waist.

Jewel grasped her shoulders for balance.

“Don’t worry. I won’t drop you.” V smiled at her. “And since you’re my guest, I get to pleasure you, first.”

She wrapped her arms around V’s neck. “Then take me now.”

V turned and started toward her room, carrying her. “I can’t wait.”

They arrived at the sliding door, and V set her down. Breathless, she shook off her bra, and V’s quick hands hiked her skirt up around her waist. The woman continued her exploration and moved her thong aside to allow her fingers access to her molten core.

“You’re going to take me over before we get to your room.”

V slid her fingers farther inside. “Is that a challenge?”

Jewel giggled as the door slid open. Unlike the rest of the apartment, this room held no light. Her stomach clenched. Did V leave the lights off so she wouldn’t have to look at her scars? She had called her beautiful, but had she meant the words? Maybe Jewel hoped for too much from this woman who wasn’t her date.

V lowered her onto the soft sheets. “Give me one minute.”

But she curled into a ball. Should she stay there or leave before she allowed herself to have intercourse with someone who couldn’t even look at her.

“Candlelight, on. Remove sky screen.” With V’s words, a multitude of faint lights flickered to life on the walls, causing shadows to dance around the room. Above her, the ceiling slid away, revealing stars through a plate of thick glass.

“There, now I can see you better.”

Jewel stretched out on the bed to take in the view above her. She wiped away a tear, hoping the other woman wouldn’t notice.
Why do I always assume the worst? I wish I could remain on this space station forever, but I will only be here for two nights
.

V lay down beside her, running her fingers down Jewel’s chest, between her breasts, and down to her waistline. “Why don’t we get the rest of these clothes off?”

Jewel sat up to take off her boots, then slid down her skirt and thong, leaving them on the floor. V took her time removing her own clothes, baring her perfect body. She could have been a model, probably anything she’d wanted. Why had she given it all up to live in outer space?

V lifted her chin for a long, drugging kiss, pulling her from her thoughts. She straddled Jewel’s waist, laying her back onto the bed.

As V captured her nipple between her teeth, Jewel drew in a quick breath, gripping the sheets. It had been so long since anyone paid any attention to her body. Moisture pooled between her thighs.

She raked her fingers through V’s blonde tresses, trying to retain some composure, yet not succeeding. Lifting her hips off the bed, she longed for more.

“Mmm, yes, I think another part of you is craving some attention. Let’s see how that pussy of yours tastes.” V trailed kisses down her stomach, spreading her legs as she traveled lower.

Jewel gasped when a finger passed across her clit. She’d finally found someone who actually wanted to touch her, wanted to make love to her.

As the other woman’s tongue ran along her swollen mound, she came undone. Lights burst before her eyes. Each wave of pleasure built upon the one before.

But V kept her head buried between her legs. She lapped up her juices, leading up to another explosive release.

“That’s it, sweetie.” Moving up to lie beside her, V stroked her face, allowing her time to catch her breath. “You tasted so good.”

She wanted to give her the same satisfying release. Flipping over, her wet heat covered V’s sex. “It’s my turn.”

Chapter Eight

V rolled over, a smile on her face before she opened her eyes. Jewel’s warm body lay beside her, the beautiful woman still sound asleep. They’d spend hours tangled together, making love.

Her chest ached. She’d known all along Jewel would only be there for a couple of days, she couldn’t help her instant attraction or the surge of emotion she felt for her. Now she wanted to return to Earth. But she never could. She’d made the commitment and signed the contract. Her life belonged to the Space Service.

Then there was Jewel’s date—why had the director not included that in her briefing? And the Terran’s short visit in itself was puzzling—why would she be sent to the station for such a frivolous reason—when V herself had to sign away her life to be there. She couldn’t figure out the situation. Didn’t want to. She wanted Jewel for herself.

Her stomach clenched. For the first time in years, tears formed in her eyes.
Shit!
Why had she let Jewel into her heart?

She rose from the bed then tiptoed to the bathroom. Maybe a shower would take the ache away. Inside the stall, a cold blast snapped her awake. She should go in to work.
Yes, work
. Jewel would be fine on her own for a few hours. During the time away from her, V could gain control of her emotions, steel herself to endure the inevitable heartbreak when Jewel returned to Earth.

After her allotted time, the shower turned off and a blast of hot air hit her. When the stall lifted, a beautiful woman stood before her. Jewel, in all of her naked glory.

“I guess those showers weren’t meant for two.”

V smiled. “No, but feel free to have one.”

“I’d rather have you again.”

Heat traveled straight to V’s apex. All of her resolve flittered away in an instant.

Jewel quickly took control, pressing her against the wall and claimed her mouth. Work could wait. She’d take as much as she could get while Jewel remained at the space station, and maybe she’d find a way for her to stay.

Jewel lifted her leg onto the shower platform. She kissed her way down V’s stomach. Kneeling in front of her, she slipped fingers into swollen tissues wet in anticipation. As Jewel pressed her tongue against her swollen nub, she gasped. How could she ever deny she wanted her guest?

Sliding two fingers into the moistness between her legs, Jewel continued to tease her clit, licking and sucking. She lost herself in ecstasy. Her muscles tightened around Jewel’s fingers. So close to her release, she held the woman’s head in place.