Virgin (18 page)

“Uh, no. I’m not here for anything like that. I—I’m with them.”

Roncas grinned, revealing her silvery teeth. “Threldigan is a very charming fellow, isn’t he?”

Ava stared at her blankly. “I suppose so. I mean, I just met him, but…” Dax felt oddly pleased by her lack of enthusiasm and watched with renewed interest.

“You are not his current paramour, then?”

“Well, no,” Ava said, clearly puzzled. “I don’t think I’m anyone’s paramour.”

Roncas laughed. “Give him time. He will have you in his power soon enough.”

“Don’t believe I’d care to be in anyone’s power. It was bad enough being out in the street. How does anyone ever get past that first corner?”

“The twins are difficult to resist,” Roncas admitted. “They have been in that location for some time. There have been complaints that they should rotate to give the others a fair chance.”

“And what about the Zetithians?” Teke asked. “Do they not complain?”

Roncas cast him a look of disdain. “My Zetithians do not rely on foot traffic. They are seen by appointment only.”

“Then why are they here on this street?”

Roncas shrugged. “The site was available, and the building suited their needs. Otherwise, it could have been anywhere in the city.”

“I see,” said Teke.

Dax caught his eye with a skeptical flick of his brow. Roncas followed the look, her teardrop-shaped eyes stopping on Dax. “Are you perhaps seeking a position here? We could certainly use you.”

Waroun let out a guffaw. “The Great Virgin?
In a brothel?
Surely you jest!”

“Shut up, Waroun,” Dax growled. “Unless you want to die right here and now.”

“Ha! You talk tough, but I know—”

“Could we see the Zetithians?” Ava interjected. “We’d like to meet them.”

“As it happens, they are on their break. This way, please.” Roncas led them through an arched doorway clustered with fragrant blooms into an open space that nearly stopped Dax’s heart.

It was Zetith in miniature. The entire building was open to the starlit sky above, and huge trees grew in profusion, while blooming vines wound their way up the trunks. Spectacular butterflies flitted about, and a bird swooped down, its metallic green wings almost brushing Dax’s hair. A waterfall cascaded from the side of a cliff to form a stream that was channeled into a circular pattern by grassy banks. The center island was dotted with flowers, and orchids grew from niches in the trunk of a central tree. Tiny hovering lights lit the scene like fireflies on a summer night, while birdsong filled the air.

Roncas seemed pleased by their reactions. “These plants and birds are not native to Zetith, of course—all of those were lost when that world was destroyed—but the birds and butterflies of Barada Seven have settled in very nicely. Beautiful, aren’t they?”

Ava’s face was turned upward as she took in the view. “This is a
brothel
?”

“A Zetithian brothel,” a male voice said from behind them.

Dax spun around to see his three old friends standing there, each of them wearing nothing but a broad grin.

***

Ava had been expecting more naked men, but none of those she’d seen on the street could even begin to compare with the trio she now faced. Dax was hugging each of them in turn, but Ava had gone weak in the knees, and it was all she could do to remain standing. Dax introduced them to the rest of the group, and Ava caught their names, but that was about all. No, there was no need to pipe clouds of sex hormones into the air around them. They exuded sexual heat without any adornment whatsoever.

The men were tall and muscular, with the same catlike grace that Dax possessed. Onca had a thick mane of auburn curls and laughing green eyes, while Jerden was dark, almost brooding, and his ebony eyes smoldered with passion. Tarq was a blue-eyed blond with a square jaw and a sincere, thoughtful expression; he didn’t look at all like the type to sell his cock to any woman willing to pay for it. None of them had hair that curled as tightly as Dax’s did, and instead of being braided back, each of them had shining locks that hung past their waists. Ava couldn’t help noticing that their substantial genitals were flaccid at the moment, but then Jerden came forward to take her hand and kissed her on the cheek, inhaling deeply as his warm lips caressed her skin.

Within moments, his penis blossomed from its foreskin, and the ruffled head appeared, already dripping with the orgasmic lubricating fluid for which Zetithians were famous. “I am very pleased to meet you, Ava.” Jerden’s dark eyes roamed over her. “You are part Aquerei, are you not?”

Ava nodded. “My father was Aquerei—”

“And your mother must have been Terran. Very few species smell even half as good to us as Terrans do.” He caressed her cheek with a deeply tanned finger. “But then, you have been out on the street, and the scents there have aroused you.” Licking his lips as though preparing for a feast, he leaned closer, flicking her earlobe with the tip of his tongue. “If you wish, I could skip my break to accommodate your needs.”

When he nipped her earlobe with a fang, Ava’s mouth went completely dry. Her hair began to curl, while the ache between her thighs reached painful proportions.

“She doesn’t need to hire us,” Tarq said. “She’s got Dax, doesn’t she?” Jerden shot a meaningful look at his friend, who then mumbled, “Oh, yeah. That’s right. The Great Virgin. How could I forget?”

Jerden touched the ruffled head of his cock then brushed her lips with his thumb, teasing them apart. “Please accept a free sample, then,” he purred. “Guaranteed to give you joy.”

As she tasted the slick saltiness on his skin, Ava was dimly aware that Dax had grabbed Jerden from behind, but it was too late. She staggered backward as her orgasm erupted with the force of an exploding volcano.

Dax caught her before she fell. As she gazed up at his glowing, feline eyes, she could see tiny lights twinkling in the branches above his head. He was purring.

“Holy moly!” she gasped. “I suppose you can do that too?”

“Yes, I can. Want some more?”

“Sure,” she replied, blinking up at him. “Bring it on.”

“Finally!” Threldigan exclaimed. “Hit it, Roncas!”

The floor beneath her feet began to vibrate, but several moments had passed before Ava realized that they were standing on a platform that was slowly rising up into the trees.

Chapter 12

They were alone at last, but Ava was standing perilously close to the edge. Dax pulled her toward the center of the platform.

“Don’t worry,” Onca called out. “You won’t fall off—there’s a force field. Just give a yell when you’re ready to come back down.”

Dax bit his lip pensively. Ava was still gazing up at him with that same expression on her lovely face, but— “Are you sure?”

“And don’t you dare give her an out!” Threldigan shouted. “Just keep your mouth shut unless you’re kissing her!”

Dax scowled down at his friends. “Thanks, guys. This makes me feel like such a—” He broke off there, unable to think of the right word to describe this situation. Idiot came to mind, but—

“Virgin!” Waroun cackled. “But not for long!”

“I’m sorry, Ava. I know they mean well, but—”

Ava put a finger to his lips. “You said I could have you, and I told you to bring it on. I meant what I said.”

Dax still wasn’t convinced. “It’s not just because my crazy friends are teasing you with their joy juice or pheromones or whatever it is they have in the air here?”

“None of that.” Reaching up, she pulled him down for a kiss. “Just you.”

Onca yelled out, “Twist the rock if you need anything!”

Dax had no idea what that meant and didn’t care. Ava’s kisses had his mind fully occupied to the point that he didn’t even realize he was purring.

Ava stroked his neck as though seeking the source of the vibrations. “How do you do that?”

“Don’t know. It’s innate among Zetithians.”

“You’re just a bunch of big, purring kittens, aren’t you? I like that.” Ava took his hand and pulled him down onto the grass, giggling. Rolling onto her back, she kicked off her shoes and lay with her arms stretched out on the turf. “This place is
so
cool!”

“It reminds me of the forests on Zetith,” he said. “It’s the closest thing to home I’ve seen since I left.”

“Looks like paradise to me.”

Dax glanced around at the twinkling lights and listened to the calls of the night birds while the real stars shone brightly above them. He was about to agree with her when he caught her gaze. She wasn’t looking at the trees; she was looking at
him
.

A thousand different fears ran through his mind, not the least of which was that she might be disappointed. Jerden was probably a better choice. “Ava, I’m not—”

“Aw, Dax. Remember what Threldigan said? All you really have to do is shut up and kiss me.”

Dax took a deep breath and stretched out beside her. “I can do that. But I’m pretty much clueless when it comes to pleasing women.” He was really going to do it this time—if he didn’t think it to death or talk himself out of it.
Keep your mouth shut unless you’re kissing her, Dax. Don’t talk, don’t think, just feel. Just close your eyes and breathe…

Which was possibly the best advice anyone could have given him. Without thinking, he rolled over and covered her with his body. His lips found hers, and as he tasted her sweetness, her scent drove straight to his groin. Instincts long buried surfaced, and he licked her neck, savoring her warm skin.

She was touching him. Running her hands over his back, scratching him gently with her nails, slipping those same hands beneath his shirt—the shirt she’d very nearly ripped to shreds out there in the street. This time, she didn’t try to rip it, but began steadily bunching it up in her hands until it was up around his neck. Then her hands were on his bare skin, sending sensuous tingles up and down his spine. The warmth of her palms stimulated him, soothed him, and aroused him. Dax was salivating like a starving man, his passion spiraling out of control. Suddenly, licking and kissing weren’t enough. He raked her shoulder with his fangs, nipping her lightly.

“So you bite, huh? Should have known that. Let’s see how you like it.” Grasping his hair with both hands, she pulled him closer and bit him on the neck, right below the place where his tattoo flamed over his jaw to curl up his cheek.

Her sharp teeth ignited a fire in Dax. He needed more of her skin; needed to feel it warm and vibrant against his own. Growling, he yanked off his shirt and went for her clothes. He had to hand it to Kots; the little droid really knew how to dress a woman. The clingy fabric matched her eyes, but the way it crossed over in front had been driving him crazy ever since they landed. Dax soon discovered another nice feature; the dress was held in place by one little snap on each hip. Moving slowly, he unhooked the outer wrap and folded it back. Then he found the other snap, and the dress fell open.

It was all she’d had on aside from her shoes.

Dax’s heart stopped beating for a moment as he drank her in.

She didn’t seem shy, but when he stole a glance at her face, he was astonished to see surprise and uncertainty there, mingled with a trace of embarrassment.

He sat back on his heels. “What? I’m not supposed to look at you?”

She shook her head. “No, it’s not that. It’s the
way
you’re looking at me. It’s… different.”

Dax tried to avert his eyes but couldn’t. “I can’t help it that you’re beautiful, Ava. You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

“I think there must still be a few pheromones affecting you. I’m not
that
pretty.”

“I didn’t say you were pretty.
Anyone
can be pretty. I said you were beautiful.”

“I—I don’t get it.”

“Beauty is more than just being pleasing to the eye. Beauty is pleasing to the
soul
.”

A long moment passed, and Dax was beginning to think he’d blown it again.

“You know something, Dax?” she said slowly. “For a guy who claims to be clueless, you’re doing amazingly well.”

He started to reply, but then he remembered:
Just shut up and kiss her.

With a smile, he fell forward, and their lips met. He’d never felt so free, nor so privileged. He could touch her, kiss her, and mate with her. She might not be his forever, but right now, she was his to entice and enjoy. He would gladly give her everything he had.

Dax’s skin tingled as Ava reached for his belt. Women had grabbed him before but had never made him feel like this. He craved her touch, anxious for her to explore every last bit of him. As she pulled down his zipper, he felt her lips smiling beneath his own.

“What’s the matter?”

She laughed wickedly. “The commando thing.”

“What?”