The Price of Pleasure

Chapter 1

The House of Lilies was busy tonight.

Jax sat in a corner booth watching the activity around him. The large, dimly-lit room was filled with his brothers-in-arms, Saurellian warriors enjoying the charms of the newly conquered women of the mining station. The pleasure house, with its lush red fabrics and gold accents, was a place designed to make a man forget his cares. Jax was ready for that forgetfulness, the kind that only came in the arms of a beautiful woman.

He sighed with satisfaction, sitting back, sipping his drink and thinking about which one of the many pleasure workers filling the room would be his that night.

It was good to be here. They had been fighting for months, beating the Emperor’s troops back star sector by star sector. Their forces had taken almost a quarter of his vast territory before a truce had been called. The Saurellians hadn’t started the fight, but by the Goddess they’d finished it. Now Jax and his comrades had been assigned to this remote system, babysitting the troublesome Discovery station. In Jax’s opinion,

“Discovery” was too optimistic a name for the grotty outpost.

There were millions of asteroids surrounding the small sun at the center of the system, containing enough ore for a thousand ships; all of them had to pass by Discovery station sooner or later. Losing the system had been a crippling blow to the Empire’s economy, and there was little doubt that they’d try to re-take it if the peace talks fell through. They’ll have to get through me first, Jax thought savagely. A scowl momentarily marred his near-perfect, olive-toned face.

One of the waitresses at the table next to him caught his expression. He watched as her eyes widened in surprise. She made a pretty, pouting little moue of concern with her mouth. Never one to disappoint a lady, Jax flashed her a quick grin, then ran a hand quickly through his tousled, black hair–the “nervous” gesture never failed to catch a woman’s attention, something he’d learned early on.

The waitress smiled seductively at him in response, and started sauntering toward him until Gelvar, another of Jax’s squad-mates, grabbed her from behind. She squealed in pleasure, dropping her tray. With a growl, Gelvar buried his face in her neck and she shrugged her shoulders helplessly at Jax.

He grinned back at her, more than willing to let her go to Gelvar. There were plenty of women to go around; one was much like the next. He would never consider letting a female get between him and his fellow warriors. Turning his attention back to the room at large, Jax downed another shot of the pleasure house’s finest black market bakrah in satisfaction.

His squadron was one of the toughest in the Saurellian armada. The Imperial forces would not find them an easy target if they chose to return to the mining station. Until then, it was time to relax and enjoy the pleasures of conquest.

A roar from the crowd roused Jax from his thoughts. One of his friends, Daaron, had been lured up on to the circle-shaped stage that thrust into the center of the room, and the warriors in the crowd were going crazy. A pleasure dancer dressed only in a filmy sarong and matching band across her breasts had dropped to her knees in front of Daaron, running a finger suggestively up and down the length of his bulging crotch.

Jax recognized her as a crowd-favorite from the night before, her shapely and well-endowed body easy to remember. The thought of her performance then, complete with three volunteers from the audience, was enough to make him shift in his seat uncomfortably. His pants seemed far tighter than they had earlier...

“What should I do, boys?” the woman called out loudly, flashing a broad grin at the audience. Their crude suggestions rang through the crowded club.

The men were feeling wild tonight, Jax thought.

Laughing, she responded by yelling, “Well, then, what’s it worth to you? I think I need some motivation!”

Instantly credits started raining down on the stage. Another woman, naked except for a series of strategically-placed leather straps, started walking around leisurely, bending over at the waist to pick them up. Apparently the men liked the view she gave them, because another shower of credits came flying toward her.

“I can see you men know what you want…” the dancer called to the rowdy crowd.

“Fortunately, I’m a woman who knows how to give a man what he wants!”

With that, she rose a little on her knees and used her teeth to slowly draw down the fastening on Daaron’s pants. The crowd roared again, growing louder as she paused dramatically. Then she pulled the zipper all the way down with a flourish, freeing the warrior’s enormous cock from the imprisoning fabric.

It stood out straight from his body, the head flushed red with excitement. Reaching out delicately with her tongue, the woman swirled it around the helmet-shaped tip. The warrior gasped, reaching one hand down to grip the back of the dancer’s head.

Encouraged by Daaron’s grasp, the woman slowly drew him into her mouth, then pulled back teasingly.

As Jax watched with interest from his seat, Daaron gave out a groan, and tried to pull the woman’s mouth back over him. She resisted, however, standing up instead.

Music with a slow, pulsing beat began to sound.

“Darling, I think we can give them a better show than that,” she said, looking to the crowd for approval. The answering shouts from the crowd agreed with her. Turning away from the man, she rotated her hips, then slowly started pulling at the skimpy little sarong she wore around her hips.

“Take it off!” rang out a voice, and the crowd went wild. She winked broadly at the audience, then slipped the sarong off, kicking it into the audience.

As Jax and the other men watched, she slowly dropped to her knees, facing the audience and turning her back to the aroused male standing behind her. Her large breasts strained against the confines of the brief band holding them. The crowd urged her on as she removed the band and flicked her hardened nipples with her fingers. Then she glanced flirtatiously up at the man standing behind her, and rubbed the back of her head sensuously against his aroused penis. Daaron gasped audibly at the sensation.

Slowly leaning over toward the audience, the woman placed both hands firmly on the stage, thrusting her round bottom up at the warrior.

Daaron didn’t need to be asked twice. Kneeling down behind her, he grasped his cock in one hand, rubbing up and down its length several times. Then he lined himself up against the woman’s moist cunt, pressing against her.

She looked out at the crowd and licked her lips, pushing gently back against him.

“Let’s give ‘em a show they won’t forget,” she said over her shoulder.

Daaron grunted in agreement, then grasped her waist with both of his broad hands.

Holding tightly, he thrust into her. The sensation must have been intense, because her gasp was loud enough for Jax to hear it all the way across the room.

The music rose in volume, and the crowd quieted as Daaron pulled almost all the way out of the woman, then slammed his cock back into her. She gave another cry, and Daaron started pumping in time with the music. The dancer’s ass slapped back against him, and her breathing grew fast. Daaron and the warriors in the audience weren’t the only ones enjoying the show, Jax noticed with amusement. The dancer looked like she was going to explode at any minute.

The feel of a hand sliding along his leg distracted Jax from the stage. A woman slid into the booth next to him. He recognized her–it was Dani, a pleasure-worker he’d been with just the night before. She smiled at him, her bright blue eyes full of promises.

“Hey, Jax, back for another round?” she asked, purring softly in his ear. Her hand reached his crotch, wrapping itself around the aroused length of his dick. He pushed herself against her hand, enjoying the almost-painful pressure of her grip.

“What do you think?” he said, giving her a slow smile.

“Why am I not surprised?” Dani laughed. “You guys have only been here three weeks, and I haven’t met one of you yet who isn’t always ready to go. It’s almost inhuman.”

At least some of the locals weren’t afraid of them, Jax thought wryly. Dani and her co-workers had been more than eager to welcome them to the station. The rest of the inhabitants hadn’t been as happy to meet their new overlords.

“So,” Dani asked with a wicked smirk. “Why is it that you’re such a lusty crowd?

Even Imperial soldiers need a rest now and then, but not you guys.”

“It must be all the beautiful women here,” Jax said, looking over Dani’s lovely features. She had a fair complexion, with white-blond hair and radiant blue eyes. He had met many pleasure workers who tried to duplicate that coloring, but Dani’s was natural.

Dani laughed at his answer, enjoying the compliment. He was lying, of course. Her clients always were, but she still liked to hear it. He hadn’t satisfied her curiosity, though, and she wanted a real answer to her question. The Saurellians were definitely wilder than any other group of men she’d met in her line of work. Their sheer stamina had made her curious enough to press him further for a real answer.

“Seriously, what is it with you guys?” she asked again, running one finger around the head of his penis. The combination of the stage show and her hand had hardened him sufficiently that the entire length was outlined against the fabric. Slipping down the fastener, she allowed his cock to slip free. It was thick and hard, just the way she liked it.

“Well,” Jax said, settling back in his seat under her ministrations, “If you really want to know, we aren’t fully human, not like you, ummm–damn, that feels good. A little harder there, please…”

Dani smiled at his request, then removed her hand. There was nothing she loved more than a man squirming under her. “Go on, I want to hear what you were saying,”

she said encouragingly. Slipping one leg over his, she straddled Jax’s lap.

His eyes closed and his head dropped back against the seat. Reaching around her waist with both arms, he attempted to pull her down on him on to his waiting erection.

“I want to hear what you were going to say,” Dani said playfully, teasing his cock-head with the lips of her cunt. The poor man looked like he was going to have a heart attack at any minute. “Now tell me,” she laughed. She relaxed her knees and slid down on him hard, engulfing his entire length at once . He was huge! It felt like he was thrust halfway to her throat. Dani took a second to savor the moment. The feeling was fantastic!

“Hmmmmf,” Jax grunted.

“Now, you were saying?” Dani asked, playfully squeezing him with her inner muscles.

Jax groaned in pleasure. “Um…I was saying that, uh, part of the reason we have such strong sex drives is that we’re only truly satisfied with one of our own women. We can fuck as many non-Saurellian women as we want, but the hunger never ends. We’ll always want more. Nothing really stops the hunger.”

“What?” Dani asked, forgetting for a moment to continue her movements. It wasn’t the answer she had expected, certainly not from a man who looked like he might explode from pleasure at any minute. Then her professionalism kicked in, and she started moving again.

“Well, if you can’t really be fully satisfied with us, why don’t you bring your own women?” she asked. “In the Empire, legionnaires bring along their wives and families.

Why don’t you? Are your women too weak to fight with their men?”

“Hardly,” he said, lifting her by the waist with his powerful arms. He started pumping her body more strongly against his, thrusting up into her flesh so hard it made her gasp. “Our women are a force in and of themselves…ummmmfff…there simply aren’t enough of them–to, umm–to go around. For every female child born, there are three or four males. The lucky ones find mates. The rest of us…ohhhhh…make do.

Goddess, you feel good.”

“What do you mean, ‘make do’?”

“Well, most of us leave the home world,” Jax said somewhat breathlessly as her body once again came to a rest on his. He tried thrusting against her again, but she was too preoccupied with what he was telling her to respond. Her breasts, however, formed an easy target directly before his face.

She wore only a brief halter and he pressed his mouth into her cleavage, laving the soft flesh with his tongue. She gave him a little push away, and he could tell from the look on her face that she wanted to hear the rest of his story. He contented himself with reaching under the halter instead, searching for her ripe nipples. He found them, then rolled one of the tight buds between his thumb and forefinger. Dani gasped slightly at his ministrations, but she didn’t start moving against him again.

With a sigh, he continued his explanation, “We realize at a young age if we aren’t one of the lucky ones to have a mate. We mate fairly young, so most of us ship out by the time we’re 25 or so.”

“What did you do?” asked Dani, fascinated. He pressed her nipple again, and her muscles tensed around him in response. Gasping in response, she grunted, “I mean, how did you end up here?”

Jax squirmed restlessly against her and said, “I think that we could continue this conversation at a later time. I’m feeling kind of distracted.”

“You know,” Dani said slyly, “For someone who can’t possibly be satisfied by a human woman, you seem awfully willing to keep trying.” Her internal muscles clenched him tightly and he gave an involuntary moan. The sound made her smile in satisfaction.

“What can I say? I’m an optimist.” Jax said, grinning up at the beauty straddling him. Dani wrapped both arms around his neck and pulled him forward to kiss her. His penis pulsed within her, and she knew he was close to coming. Fortunately, it would take more than just once or twice to tire him out. Jax had to be the best lover she’d ever had, and she’d had quite a few.

“Let’s go up to my room,” Dani whispered in his ear.

Jax didn’t even bother to answer. He just picked her up and started across the crowded room to the stairs without even bothering to pull out of her. As he’d told Dani already, he was an optimist. A human woman might not be enough, but she was certainly something. Like every unmated Saurellian male on the station, he’d take everything he could get.

Their conquerors certainly were strange, Calla thought, carrying her basket of linens through the hostel’s narrow upper corridor. For such rowdy men, most were remarkably clean. They had taken over Mistress Jenner’s Hostel when the station surrendered nearly a month ago, yet during that time she hardly saw them. They spent much of their time patrolling the station shipping docks and manufacturing plants, or running reconnaissance trips through the asteroid belts. At least one was always on guard at each of the hostel’s entrances, but Calla had never dared to even really look at them, let alone engage them in conversation. They were large, heavily-armed men who seemed to take their work very seriously.

They also took their play seriously. During the evenings she could hear them in the hallways, although her owner would never have let her out where she could watch them. Mistress Jenner was something of a religious fanatic, a member of the strict

“Pilgrims of the Apocalypse.” The Saurellians’ carousing was disgusting to her, and she would never dream of allowing even a slave such as Calla to become polluted by their presence.

Calla made her way through each of the rooms, changing linens and straightening what little there was to straighten. They had very few personal possessions, so she hadn’t gleaned much information about them in her cleaning. Usually she was able to tell a great deal about the guests by what they left in their rooms.

The final room, at the end of the hall, was actually a small suite. According to Jess, her best friend and crèche-brother, the squadron’s commander was staying here.

Mistress Jenner seemed to hate him more than all the other Saurellians combined. Calla had heard her blame the man for everything from the recent rise in food costs to the timing of transport take-offs, which caused a shudder to run through the entire space station. Last week, Jenner had spilled hot tea all over her hands during a rough launch.

According to Jenner, the commander was the most disgustingly licentious Saurellian of them all. He even had pleasure workers spend the night with him at the hostel and hosted parties in his suite, something which never would have happened if they weren’t under martial law. Mistress Jenner wasn’t brave enough to stand up to their conquerors, but there was no question as to what her opinion about them was.

She believed they were evil, pure and simple. Not that she had held a much higher opinion of the Imperial troops, of course. As far as Calla could tell, the only people Mistress Jenner actually liked were her fellow Pilgrims. Given the choice between accepting Saurellian money or being turned out of her own home, however, Mistress Jenner had opted to take the money.

When she reached the suite’s door, Calla didn’t bother to knock before placing her hand against the palm plate to open it. There was never anyone there during the day, anyway. As she walked in, she banged her basket on the door frame, dropping several towels on the floor. Carefully balancing the large basket against her small, compact frame, she knelt down, reaching for the towels.

The action was just enough to loosen the knot dark brown hair at her nape, and the entire mass of unruly curls came off her head and down before her eyes. She fought with it for a few seconds, then gave into the inevitable and set down the basket. She’d have to braid it to get it out of the way now, she thought with disgust. She hated doing that, because braids, combined with her youthful features and the smattering of freckles across her nose, always made her look like a 12-year-old. Not that she had anybody to impress, anyway, so it really didn’t matter she reminded herself wryly.

As she braided the long mass with swift fingers, she heard a sound come from the other room. She froze in place, heart thumping. After a moment’s silence she laughed nervously to herself, convinced she had imagined it. Perhaps the long hours were getting to her...

Moving quickly and efficiently once her hair was out of the way, she set her basket on a low table, picked out a set of linens and headed toward the bedroom. As she opened the door a pair of strong arms grabbed her from behind, and she was pulled back against a large, unyielding form. Calla tried to scream, but the noise was instantly muffled by a hand that covered her face. Something sharp pricked her neck, and she knew she was in big trouble.

“What are you doing here?” a deep voice whispered harshly in her ear. Calla tried to answer, but her captor’s hand still covered her mouth. “I’ll let you speak, but if you scream I’ll cut your throat. Don’t try to play games with me.”

“I-I-I’m C-C-Calla,” she said, stuttering slightly in fear. The blade pressed more sharply against her neck. “I w-w-work here, I clean the rooms.”

The man’s hand and arm slipped lower, clasping her across her chest and effectively pinning both her arms. His body was hard against her back, his arm a band of iron trapping her. Even if he wasn’t holding a knife to her throat, there was no way she’d be able to get away from him.

“I gave strict orders to Mistress Jenner not to have anyone come in here today. I’m going to check your story out,” he said, arms not moving an inch. “If you’re lying, this is the time to tell me. Otherwise I’ll kill you.”

“I’m not lying,” Calla whispered. She could scarcely breath, she was so frightened.

He would do it, he would actually kill her. She could tell from his voice that he was serious.

The man keyed a small comset attached to his shoulder with his chin. “Tiernan, this is Seth. I’ve caught a woman going through my room.” he said. “She claims to work for the hostel. Her name is Calla. Can you confirm this for me?”

“Yes, sir,” Tiernan answered, his voice sounding tinny through the tiny speaker.

Calla assumed he was one of the men guarding the hostel’s entrances. He should be able to confirm her identity, although he couldn’t go quickly enough for her comfort …

Until then, it was clear that the man had no intention of letting her go. His arms remained inflexible as steel–there would be no escaping.

She could feel the entire length of his body against her back, solid as a wall. His breathing was steady and sure, although every muscle was tense and ready for action.

Then she felt something pressing against the small of her back. With a shock, she realized her captor was becoming aroused as he held her against his body. Fear swept through her–if he wanted her, there was nothing to stop him. Mistress Jenner certainly wouldn’t come to save her, even if orders hadn’t been given to stay out of the suite. Stay calm, Calla told herself. This will pass if you just stay calm.

Seth’s erection was quite obvious now, jutting insistently against her. She tried to edge her lower body away from him slightly, but his grip tightened instantly.

“I told you not to move,” he said in a menacing tone. His breath was coming a little faster now. Holding the knife steady at her throat, he moved his hand from her upper arm to slide slowly down her chest. It slowed at her breast, cupping her gently. Using his thumb and finger, he plucked softly at her nipple, sending a whisper of sensation through Calla’s body. It felt exquisite. There was something strangely sexy about being held like this, she thought. The realization was simultaneously disgusting and compelling.

After a few seconds, his hand left her breast to slide lower, stopping just below her slightly rounded belly. Pressing with the palm of his hand, the man rubbed her body gently against his cock. One finger reached down toward her clit, and even with the layers of cloth between them Calla gasped slightly at the touch. She was afraid of him, but excited, too. He still held a blade to her throat, and she didn’t doubt that he’d use it if he needed too, but he was also attracted to her. He held most of the power in the situation, but some small part of it was hers–he wanted her, Calla, the slave.

With a shock, she realized she wanted him, too. A tendril of sensation coiled through her at his touch, and she could feel moisture gather between her legs. Without pausing to consider the consequences of her actions, she relaxed against him slightly, allowing her legs to shift restlessly. It surprised him, Calla could tell, because he stopped breathing for a moment.

She watched as he moved the knife from her throat. He set it down on a small table beside them before reaching back to her aching breast. He started rocking the aroused length of his cock against her again, one hand massaging her breast while the other focused attention between her legs. His large fingers moved back and forth, pushing the rough fabric of her undergarments across her most sensitive spot. It felt so good it was almost painful.

A pressure was building in her body, and while she was still far from coming, she let out a little moan. She simply had to have more. Without thinking, Calla whispered, “I want to do more than this.”

The man holding her must have felt the same way, because he groaned into her hair and thrust sharply against her with his cock. Using both arms, he crushed her against his body, lifting her so that he would be cradled against her butt.

The feeling of him there, so close to where she wanted him, was almost too much.

Calla moaned a little, trying to convey her urgency. She wanted him. Now.

Spurred on by the noise, Seth carried her toward the large bed in the center of the room.

It was still mussed from his sleep the night before and the thought of his body lying there caused a rush of moisture in between her legs. In mere moments she would be experiencing that body for herself, and she was ready. His hard length pressed against her with every step; Calla’s muscles clenched involuntarily in anticipation.

When they reached the bed, he pushed her roughly forward and she fell on her stomach. Before she could even start to crawl into a different position, her skirts were up around her head, tangling her hands and immobilizing her. His large, fingers felt roughly for the moist entrance to her cunt. Calla moaned and pressed back against him.

She was ready for him.

Then his fingers were replaced by something much larger and his cock pushed against her opening. Both of his hands went to her hips, lifting them high and bracing her slight frame for what was to happen next. Calla couldn’t see a thing, but he felt enormous and she briefly wondered whether he would fit.

Then her question was answered as he gave a powerful thrust against her. Goddess, he was huge. It felt like someone was shoving a battering ram up her cunt, and she cried out in pain and shock. She’d never felt a man like this one before.

At her cry, the man withdrew partially and paused to massage her clit. The feel of his fingers was heavenly, and within in seconds Calla was squirming against him.

Somehow she managed to free her arms enough to raise herself on to her elbows, and she used the leverage to push back toward him with a whimper, yearning for him to fill her again. It was unlike any sexual experience she’d ever had. She needed him, wanted him, had to have him.

Seth starting thrusting again, moving more quickly as the tide of lust swept through them. He pushed into her again and again, grunting harshly with the effort.

Something was building in her body; she needed more, had to have it because the pressure was too much. Then it crashed through her, and she screamed out in shock and pleasure. Her arms, unable to support her weight, collapsed, causing her upper body to fall forward. Her hips remained high, held in the man’s strong hands as he continued to pump his large cock into her. He moved faster and faster, squeezing her hips with his hands almost to the point of pain as he shouted out his own pleasure. Calla could feel the hot spurt of moisture deep within her body, then the weight of his spent body came down on her, all but crushing her. His breath was hot against the back of her neck, arms splayed on either side of her.

They lay there for a second, both struggling to regain their composure. Then the door crashed open and Calla heard someone call out, “Seth, are you alright? I couldn’t raise you on the com!”

“I’m fine,” the man said. He raised himself up on one elbow to look at whoever was in the room with them, the fingers of one hand slipping beneath her body to absently toy with her clit.

Little curls of pleasure at his touch coursed through her, and she shuddered lightly.

Then Calla realized with sudden horror that she was still naked to the waist, completely exposed to both men. She started struggling upright but the man–Seth–was still fully imbedded in her and far to heavy to shift.

“Did you check on the woman’s identity?” Seth asked, comfortable in front of his subordinate despite his partial nudity.

Calla moaned, a combination of pleasure and embarrassment, as his fondling continued.

“Yes, sir,” the young man said. “She’s a slave here. Apparently no one remembered to tell her not to clean today.”

“Thank you,” Seth said. “You’re dismissed.”

The door closed and they were alone again. Calla wished she could sink into the mattress and disappear forever, she was so embarrassed. Instead she said firmly,

“Please let me up now.”

“Of course,” he said, sounding far more relaxed than when he’d caught her entering the room. His hand moved from her clit, and he pulled out of her. “I’d like to take a closer look at you. I haven’t had a fuck like that in years.”

Calla fought to keep in a hysterical giggle. She hadn’t had a fuck like that in years, either, but she was horrified with her situation. Not least of her worries was whether Jenner would find out. The mistress had strong feelings about how unmarried women should behave, and those feelings didn’t leave any room for encounters like this one.

Not even for slaves.

More than one woman had been sold to a brothel after being caught in bed with a guest–and not a Guild-owned pleasure house, either. The last girl had been sold to a pimp who worked out of a seedy bar near the space port. The poor thing had been dead within a week. Jenner couldn’t find out about this no matter what it took, Calla thought with conviction. She had to get out of here and pretend nothing had happened. She needed to keep the commander quiet about the encounter, too.

Sitting up, Calla reluctantly faced the man whose seed was still warm in her body.

He sat next to her on the bed, trousers open and pulled slightly down. Her eyes strayed down to his still-stiff cock, then quickly flew up to his face. His skin was slightly dark-toned, and his shoulder-length hair was almost black. His eyes were black as well, and they stared at her intently. He reached one finger out and gently pulled up her chin.

“You’re a cute one, Calla,” he said. “I may have to keep you for a while.”

There was no way Jenner would go for that, Calla realized, clamping down firmly on another hysterical giggle that threatened to escape. Oh no, not a good idea at all …

“I need to go, I have work to do,” she said. He frowned at her. Unable to help herself, Calla’s gaze was drawn to his mouth. His lips were full and soft looking, a little grin playing at the corners. What she really wanted, Calla realized, was to lean over and bite the lower one … Another bad idea. Things were definitely out of hand.

“When can you come back?” he asked bluntly. “I’m not done with you.”

“I can’t come back,” Calla said. No matter how much pleasure this man had given her, she couldn’t afford to anger Jenner. His hand grasped her chin hard now, forcing her to meet his eyes. He had lost his open, pleasant smile. She had to think of a way to get rid of him and keep him quiet, too.

“Why not? I’m prepared to compensate you.”

“I’m married,” she said, thinking quickly. “His name is Jess, and if he finds out what happened here it would kill him. I didn’t mean to have sex with you, it was an accident.” It was a stroke of genius, Calla thought. Or at least it would be if the Saurellian was willing to respect a slave’s wedding vow. Jess was like a brother, they’d been raised together in the same crèche. He would lie to protect her without question.

Since slave marriages weren’t recorded, the Saurellian would never know the difference.

Seth’s hand tightened on her chin, and a dark look swept across his face, scaring her with its intensity. He was angry, she realized. His eyes flashed.

“I see,” he said tightly, then abruptly let her go and stood up and paced across the room. His intense gaze followed her, and a muscle worked tightly in his jaw. “Get out.”

Calla quickly stood up, not about to argue. It seemed like she might yet escape this horrible situation–she certainly wasn’t going to give him time to change his mind.

Moving quickly, she paused to pick up her basket and gather the fallen linens. Seth watched for a few seconds while she collected her things. Then he repeated his terse order.

“I said get out.”

Dropping the linens, Calla did as she was told.

It took every ounce of Seth’s strength to let Calla leave. He couldn’t believe she was married. The mere thought of another man touching her made him want to smash his fist through the wall. He’d kill him, Seth thought. He’d kill him, and take Calla.

Then he caught himself, disgusted by his own thoughts. It wasn’t as if she was his life mate, he reminded himself. She was just a slave on a third-rate, back-world mining station. He could have any woman on the station he wanted. What use did he have for one little slave? If anything, he should feel sorry for the poor bastard she was married to.

After all, he’d just fucked her silly and she hadn’t exactly protested. In fact, she screamed her pleasure when she came. Who knew how many times she’d done the same thing with other guests? Seth could probably have her again if he really wanted, but he didn’t get involved with married women, even if they were only slaves. He liked his relationships open and simple, preferring to pay good money to get good service.

Seth prowled around his room another hour, then decided he needed to get out.

He’d hoped to catch up on his reports to the Saurellian High Council. He was concerned about rumors that some mining camp factions calling themselves “pilgrims” were hoarding weapons. With a snort of disgust, Seth realized he wasn’t going to be able to focus after his romp with the cleaning slave. Instead he’d go and check the patrols, and maybe even head over to the House of Lilies. He’d find a woman there who’d make Calla look like the little nothing she was. It was definitely time to seek out the services of a professional.

Chapter 2

When Calla collapsed, exhausted, onto her pallet in the kitchen that night, she couldn’t fall asleep. Just thinking about Seth’s hands on her hips, holding her while he pounded into her from behind, sent little shudders of pleasure through her. She was still sore from that morning, yet she ached from wanting more. He’d watched her with an intensity she’d never seen before. When she’d told him she was married, he’d looked ready to hit something. Or someone. She couldn’t afford to have him find out she’d been lying to him. For all she knew, he might kill her.

The Saurellians were crazy, everybody said so. They fought hard, they fucked hard and they were ruthless with their enemies. Without being told, Calla knew that a woman who lied to their commander would be one of those enemies. Rolling over on her pallet, she pillowed her head against her arm, willing the pleasurable sensations in her body to go away. It didn’t matter how much she wanted to go back to his room. It was too dangerous. Even if he didn’t kill her, Jenner would sell her in a heartbeat if she found out what Calla had done. Even death would be better than spending the rest of her life on her back in a mining-camp crib.

Calla slept restlessly and woke up tired. She had plenty of work to do. Even conquering warriors had to eat, and it was her turn to check on the availability of supplies at the market. The bulk of their food at the hostel was delivered each week, but since war had come to their system Mistress Jenner had sent Calla or one of the girls each day to see what was available on the black market. Supply lines were up and running now that the Saurellians had occupied the station, but there were still good deals to be found if you were resourceful enough. Calla was very resourceful.

Slipping out the back of the hostel, Calla pulled a shawl over her head and made her way down a side corridor toward the central market. It was always safer to go out covered; she might not be much to look at, but more than one slave woman of even average appearance had disappeared in the station’s back corridors. It was best not to take any chances. She was also concerned about running into Seth, but once she thought about it, she realized she had never seen him before yesterday. He was probably too important to spend his time on guard duty at the hostel, anyway. Bumping into him wouldn’t be a problem, she assured herself.

The marketplace was centrally located in the station, making it easy for Calla catch a ride with one of the small transports that regularly moved through the station’s main corridors. In less than ten minutes she arrived at the market, where she quickly hit all of her usual stops and arranged for the deliveries. Jenner gave Calla full bargaining authority, but no one got their credits until the goods arrived at the hostel. A slave might be trusted to run errands and negotiate for supplies, Calla thought bitterly, but she would never be trusted with actual money.

Checking the time, she realized there was at least an hour before she needed to be back to the hostel, enough time to visit her friend Dani. Dani’s apartment wasn’t far from the marketplace, although it was on the opposite side of the station from the hostel. That was fine with Calla, because it made it less likely that Jenner would ever run into her and Dani together. Dani was a pleasure worker, a profession that Jenner and her fellow pilgrims despised. According to Jenner, any woman who had sex outside of marriage was a dirty slut and deserved to be treated as such. In Calla’s opinion, Dani had things pretty good.

Dani was a member of the powerful Pleasure Guild, highly trained and well paid for her services. She was completely free to come and go as she pleased, working in any pleasure house she chose. Upon retirement, she would have her pick of suitors and a healthy cash settlement, more than enough to support her for the rest of her life.

Unfortunately, the Guild only accepted extremely beautiful girls in their early teens as apprentices. Calla was too old to join even if she wasn’t a slave, she thought wistfully.

“Dani? It’s me, Calla,” she said into the little com outside Dani’s door. It was still a little early for Dani to be up after working all night, but Calla knew Dani wouldn’t mind her stopping by. They got very few opportunities to visit, especially lately. Things had simply been too chaotic.

“Calla?” Dani’s voice floated out through the speaker. “It’s good to hear your voice.

Come on in.”

Pressing her palm to the doorplate, Calla waited for the door to slide open. When it did, the scent of Dani’s perfume wafted out into the corridor. Dani stood in the doorway, dressed in a luxurious silk robe tied around the waist. Her long, blond hair fell to her waist in fat curls. Calla knew she must have just crawled out of bed, but she still looked like a vid star. Dani always looked perfect–whenever Calla asked how, Dani would simply wink and whisper “trade secret.”

“Come in, come in,” Dani said, engulfing her in a warm hug, then gesturing toward the low couch in her living area. Dani’s apartment was tiny, like every apartment on the cramped station, yet somehow it seemed like a different world to Calla. Everything was draped with silk and soft pillows, and there were holo pictures on the walls from all over the galaxy, one from each of the places Dani had lived and worked. She’d been everywhere.

“It’s so good to see you, Dani,” Calla said, smiling warmly at her friend. “Things have been so strange since the occupation started. You know, almost all of the Saurellians are staying at the hostel. They’ve taken over the whole place.”

“I’m surprised they even bother to get rooms anywhere,” Dani said with a laugh.

“I’d swear they spend all their free time at the House of Lilies–though they’re hardly sleeping there,” she added with a wink.

“Really?” Calla asked, curious despite herself. Dani’s stories of the pleasure house always intrigued her. Not that she was interested in learning any more about the Saurellian commander, of course, she told herself. She needed to keep her distance from him. But it was interesting to learn more about their conquerors.

“Oh, yes,” Dani said. She sighed dramatically and draped herself back against the pillows. “You wouldn’t believe what those men are like in bed. They’re insatiable. I’ve never experienced anything like it. I have to say, if I wasn’t a card-carrying member of the Guild, I’d do it with any of them for free… I swear the credits are just a perk.”

“I see,” Calla said. For once, she felt like she truly understood what Dani was talking about. She’d certainly never experienced sex as wonderful as what she’d had with the commander. If it wasn’t for Jenner, she’d have taken him up on his offer in a heartbeat.

“Last night I was with one named Seth,” Dani said. Calla’s breath caught. Was Dani talking about her Saurellian? “He’s like a machine. He fucked me twice in a row! I must’ve come something like five times. I can hardly walk this morning, yet I know for a fact that he had at least one other girl last night after me.”

Calla’s brow furrowed. Seth had sex with two other women last night?

“Was he, um, one of the ones staying at our hostel, do you think?” she asked, trying not to sound too curious. It didn’t matter of course. Seth could never be hers, even for a few days. Only a slave who was a complete fool would allow herself to get involved with a free man like him. He’d have to leave eventually, and then she’d be left to Jenner’s tender mercies. No man was worth it.

“Probably,” Dani said. “He’s the commander, so I would imagine that he’s staying there.”

It was him, Calla realized. If he’d left her to head straight for the pleasure house, then he must not have been as interested in her as she had originally thought. He’d seemed so angry when she told him she was married, but maybe that was just his way.

He was Saurellian, after all. They were all crazy. It was stupid of her to think she’d actually been anything special to him, she thought in disgust.

“Um, Dani, I have a question for you.” Calla said after a brief pause. Dani was probably her best source of information on the Saurellians–she might as well take the opportunity to learn as much as she could about their new governors. “What do you think of the Saurellians, other than just what they’re like in bed, I mean?”

“Well, I like them,” Dani said, after pausing for a minute to consider her answer.

“They’re open about what they want. They’re here, they’re leaving soon, and they aren’t interested in playing any games, especially with women like me. I hate it when men pretend to be emotionally involved in sex.”

“What do you mean, they’re leaving?” Calla asked, confused. “I thought they were going to keep the station. I mean, they fought hard to take it. They must want to keep the mining belts.”

“Well, from what I hear, they’ll be leaving soon,” Dani said, lazily leaning over and picking up a fruit from the basket on the table. Dani offered the little basket to Calla, who took a citrus.

She didn’t get these very often, so they were a special treat. Calla suspected Dani realized that, because she always seemed to have them on hand when Calla came to visit.

“The warriors will be leaving, that is,” Dani clarified. “They’re sending a governor or something, with a regular occupation force. Their military is totally separate from the civil authority. From what Jax tells me–he’s one of my regulars–the soldiers really hate it when they have to stay put for too long like this. They like action, and this isn’t cutting it.”

“That doesn’t make sense,” Calla objected. “The imperial troops liked action, too, but that didn’t stop them from occupying the station for years.”

“I don’t think it’s quite the same with Saurellians,” Dani said. “It’s kind of weird, but these soldiers are different from the imperial soldiers.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, this is going to sound strange, but I think they’re just kind of sexually frustrated and restless all of the time,” Dani replied, laughing a little. “According to Jax, they can only really be satisfied when they get a life mate, and there aren’t enough of them to go around. I guess that only about one female is born for every four or five men in their home system, and while they can mate with human women, they can’t bond with them. Once they bond, they bond for life, but the poor saps that don’t get one of the women are just out of luck. Jax told me that by the time they’re about 25, they pretty much have to leave the home system because they tend to get out of control, even violent.”

“That’s horrible,” Calla said. “And they can’t bond with anyone outside their home system?”

“Nope,” Dani said. “They can fuck all they want, but it’s never quite enough.

According to Jax, most of them won’t live past their 40th birthday. They get into too many fights. When they send a governor to the station, he’ll be bonded and stable, a family man. Otherwise their occupation would never last.”

Calla licked the last drop of citrus juice from her fingers, then looked longingly at the little clock hanging on Dani’s wall. It was past time for her to go. With a sigh, she pushed herself off the couch and stood up.

“I need to get going, Dani,” she said. “I’m sure Mistress Jenner’s watching the clock again, just waiting for me to be late.”

“I hate that old bitch,” Dani said, disgust written all over her lovely face. “She’s such a hypocrite–condemning pleasure workers like me, yet keeping you as a slave and dealing on the black market. I wish I could buy you, but the Guild forbids us to purchase slaves, even to free them. I doubt she’d sell you, anyway.”

“You’re too good to me,” Calla said, standing up and giving Dani a hug. “You’re right, though, she probably wouldn’t sell me. Unfortunately, she almost seems to like me in some sick way. She’s told me more than once that the only way I’m getting away from her is to die or get sold to a port-side pimp.”

“Bitch,” Dani hissed with feeling, then sighed heavily. “At the very least, take some of the citrus fruit with you. I know you love it.”

“Thanks, Dani,” Calla said, pocketing the fruit. She’d share it with the other girls at the hostel later. “I wish I had something to give you.”

“Oh, I can always buy more citrus fruit,” Dani said gently. “Good friends are harder to find. I count myself lucky that I ran into you in the market that day. You saved me from losing a fortune on that fake jewelry, you know. I still can’t believe I fell for that guy’s spiel.”

Calla laughed at the memory. She’d seen old Gavin trying to sell Dani some of the same jewelry he usually sold to the drunken miners. Nothing but tin, with a coat of gold paint. Dani had been new to the station, however, and wasn’t used to unregulated trade standards. Calla had stepped in and warned her just in time. They’d been unlikely friends ever since.

“Take care, and I’ll see you later,” Calla said, then stepped out the door. If she was lucky, she’d get home before Jenner realized she’d taken a side trip. Fortunately Mistress Jenner–while cruel–was not particularly smart.

It was nearly the noon hour by the time she arrived at the small, back-corridor door that was the service entrance to the hostel. A tall Saurellian guarded the entryway, and another was seated just inside the door. Both scrutinized her identity chit closely before allowing her to go through to Mistress Jenner’s office, located off the kitchen. They’d seen her before, of course, but it didn’t stop them from thoroughly checking her identity.

The Saurellians might like to party, Calla thought, but they were all business when it came to security.

“I’ve gotten all the supplies,” she said when her middle-aged owner looked up and acknowledged her with a grunt. Jenner was sitting at her desk, all three hundred pounds of quivering flesh tucked into a chair that was far too small for her massive body. Jess, with his dark sense of humor, had gone so far as to take bets among the slaves as to when the chair would break. “Here’s the list,” Calla said. “The deliveries should be complete by this afternoon.”

Jenner reached up a hand for the small transaction pad Calla carried. Calla’s fingers brushed against those of her mistress as she handed the pad over, and as usual she had to suppress a small shudder at the feel of Jenner’s skin. They were cold and dry, like a snake’s. Or at least like Calla imagined snake skin would feel. She’d always thought of Mistress Jenner as snake-like, with her staring eyes and stale scent. Her mistress was cold and cruel, something Calla had seen demonstrated time and again over the years.

Jenner cared only for herself and her profit, no matter that she professed to be a devout spiritual Pilgrim. Of course, most of the Pilgrims seemed that way to Calla. Their religion was simply a way to justify their selfish actions, as far as she could tell.

“You’ve done all right,” Jenner said grudgingly after a minute, beady eyes darting across the list of purchases. “They’ll be needing you in the kitchen. We’re a little short-handed. I had to let someone go today.”

Calla felt cold fear in her stomach. “Let someone go” was Jenner’s euphemism for selling one of the slaves, all of whom were Calla’s friends. Trying to contain her concern, Calla nodded submissively at Jenner and made her way down the hall to the kitchen.

When she opened the door, conversation fell silent and suddenly everyone became busy with their tasks. Everyone except Hari, a young girl who cleaned the cooking implements and dishes.

“Calla, you won’t believe what Mistress Jenner did!” Hari said with wide eyes.

“Shut up, Hari,” said Karin, the cook. She was one of the few slaves who had been at the hostel longer than Calla. Calla’s fear grew stronger. No one but Karin and Hari would look at her, and there was a sadness in Karin’s face that boded ill.

“Mistress Jenner said she got rid of someone,” Calla asked quickly. “Who was it?”

“Calla, I’m so sorry,” Karin said, walking quickly toward her. “Come sit with me at the table.”

Something was very wrong, Calla realized. The only reason that Karin would look at her like that would be if Jenner had sold…

“Jess,” Calla whispered, comprehension dawning. “She sold Jess. He’s gone.”

“Honey, none of us had any idea,” Karin said, pulling Calla to her. The horror of Jenner’s actions was too much. Calla had never been away from Jess, they were born in the same crèche on the imperial slave farm. It was beyond comprehension.

“Where is he?” Calla asked, hoping Jess was still on-station. At least that way she would be able to see him.

“He’s gone,” Karin said. “Jenner sold him to one of her pilgrim friends, a miner.

They came to take him just a couple of minutes after you left to shop this morning. I guess the deal’s been done for weeks; they just waited to collect him until it was time to ship back out to the mining fields. He’s already off-station. She just didn’t bother to tell any of us it was going to happen,” she added with disgust.

It was typical Jenner, Calla thought despairingly. No matter than Jess was her best friend. No matter that they’d been together their entire lives. The most horrifying thing was that it hadn’t been deliberate cruelty on Jenner’s part–Calla was sure it simply hadn’t occurred to her that the slaves would want to know they were going to be separated. To Jenner, Jess and Calla weren’t even real people. It was too much to bear.

“I hate her, Karin,” Calla whispered fiercely, fighting against the tears that threatened to take over her whole body. “I hate that bitch. How could she do this to us?

He’s my brother!”

“I’m so sorry, honey,” Karin said.

Calla leaned heavily against her, almost dizzy from shock. Jess was gone, and she might never see him again. She felt like vomiting.

The rest of the day was more horrible than Calla could have imagined. All of them were upset, of course, but none had been as close to Jess as Calla. Each of her fellow slaves did their part to make Calla feel better. Karin saved a small tartlet from Jenner’s own dinner for her, and Hari slipped her a chit worth half a credit the girl had gotten somewhere. It wasn’t much, but even half a credit was a prize to a slave. Jenner herself betrayed no emotions when she swept into the kitchen for her evening inspection. Then again, why would she? Calla thought bitterly. In Jenner’s mind slaves weren’t fully human, a belief that was validated by her pilgrim religion.

By evening, the first shock of Jess’ fate had worn off, and Calla was grateful for the comforting darkness of lights-out. She had been fighting off tears for the last several hours, and she couldn’t hold them back any longer. Beyond the kitchen were the hostel’s common rooms, mostly unused by their Saurellian guests, who preferred the atmosphere of the station’s drinking and pleasure facilities. Needing some space for herself, Calla crept silently along the hallway and into one of the rooms. She crawled onto a low couch where she curled into a miserable ball.

She lay there, crying, for at least an hour before she came to a realization. She couldn’t stay at the hostel any longer. Life had become too horrible. The only family she had ever known was gone. She and Jess had been born the same day on the slave farm.

They had spent their entire lives serving others, trapped by the knowledge that runaway slaves were hunted down and swiftly executed by the imperial troops if caught.

But they weren’t in the Empire any more, the realization came to her suddenly, and their new overlords were busy securing their conquests. This might be the best chance to escape she would ever get. If she could find and free Jess, they could escape into the chaos of the new political system and live out their lives with none the wiser.

Calla never seriously considered running away before, although Jess had been plotting escape for years. The obstacles were too high and the consequences were too terrible for Calla to try, and Jess would never go without her. But now that Jess was gone, she had very little left to lose. It was time for action.

With a new sense of purpose, Calla got up and crept back into the common sleeping room. The hostel had been her home for more than ten years, and she knew every nook and cranny of it. Now was the time to put that knowledge to good use, before she lost her nerve. Quietly gathering what few possessions she had, Calla placed them in a small rucksack and made her way to the storeroom. It was locked, of course. Jenner doled out supplies carefully, accounting for every credit’s worth.

What Jenner didn’t know was that Calla and Jess had managed to break the door’s code years ago, programming in their own palm prints. As high-spirited teen-agers, they’d used the storeroom as a location for late-night feasts and planning pranks. As adults, she suspected Jess used the room to meet with his women; he was careful to keep that side of himself from her, but she’d heard rumors about his activities from the other slaves.

It was during one of their childhood feasts that they’d discovered Jenner’s little secret–a trap door that let out into one of the station’s ventilation tubes. At the time, they figured that Jenner’s paranoia had finally gotten the best of her. After all, pilgrims were notorious for their survivalist tendencies, so it wasn’t that strange that Jenner had a secret way to leave the hostel. Now it would give Calla a way to escape without any of the guards seeing her. Getting off the station would prove harder, but Dani might be able to help with that.

In the back of the room were several crates of expired emergency rations. Calla made her way over to them, picking her steps carefully so as not to kick anything and make a sound. Somewhere in the crates was Jess’ emergency stash, everything he’d saved for their escape. Another stab of guilt hit her ten minutes later, when she found the pitifully small package containing Jess’ hopes for their future. Inside were a few credit chits, two sets of dark clothing, and a fully-charged, palm-sized blaster pistol.

Calla turned the weapon over in her hands several times in awe–how had Jess gotten it?

She couldn’t imagine...

It took another five minutes to replace everything and pull the dark clothing over what she was wearing. She didn’t want to leave Jenner any clues as to how she’d escaped. Maybe, someday, another slave at the hostel would need to use the storeroom exit to get away. Then, grimly whispering, “It’s now or never,” to herself, Calla opened the trap door and lowered herself into the tube, carefully pulling the door back into place. For the first time in her life, she was free.

“I’m coming, Jess,” she said quietly into the darkness. “I’ll save you if it’s the last thing I ever do.”

Chapter 3

“Calla, I can’t believe you’ve done this!” Dani said, filled with a mixture of horror and admiration at her friend’s audacity. It was early morning, and she had returned from work at the House of Lilies to find Calla huddled in an alcove outside of her apartment.

“Are you sure you want to go through with it?”

“Yes, I am,” Calla said, meeting Dani’s gaze firmly with her own. “I need to find Jess, and we need to get away from Jenner. He’s always taken care of me–I can’t just stand by now that he’s in trouble. We both know what happens to slaves out in the asteroid mines. He’ll die if I don’t save him.”

“You’re right, he will,” Dani said quietly, wishing Calla’s logic wasn’t so strong. A slave in the mines was lucky to survive a year.

“I understand if you don’t feel like you can help me,” Calla added. “I know the penalties for assisting a runaway slave.”

“Calla, you’re my friend and I’ll help you,” Dani said, tossing her hair defiantly.

“Besides, I happen to be on very good terms with any number of our Saurellian landlords, and I have the Guild to back me up. Nothing’s going to happen to me. I’m more concerned about you. Don’t you have some kind of implant they can use to track you down?”

“Yes, but fortunately for me, Jenner’s a cheap old bitch. She didn’t want to spring for one of the high-end models that can pinpoint exact location. She’ll be able to tell I’m on the station, but that’s about all. Of course, getting off the station is another problem. It’s programmed to release a toxin into my system if I leave the station’s electrical grid, unless it’s deactivated. That’s the only way slaves who are sold are able to leave alive.”

“I’ve heard of that,” Dani said, a frown marring her perfect brow. “We’ll need to get rid of the implant somehow.”

“I’ve heard that there are surgeons who will do it, for a price,” Calla said carefully.

This was as far as she’d gotten with her escape plan–getting to Dani and asking for help.

Everything was riding on what Dani said next. It would be almost impossible to get away without some kind of assistance.

“Oh, Calla, that’s dangerous,” Dani said. “Those things are supposed to be tamper-proof. Won’t it release the toxin if someone tries to take it out?”

“It’s a risk I’m willing to take, if I can find someone to perform the procedure,” Calla said. “Jess and I talked about doing it lots of times, but I was always too afraid and he wouldn’t go without me.” She added bitterly, “ Now I realize that staying a slave with Jenner was every bit as dangerous as escaping. She sold Jess knowing he would die–she just didn’t care. If I hadn’t held him back he would have gone years ago, but he thought he needed to stay and take care of me. Now I need to take care of him.”

Looking at Calla, Dani could certainly understand why Jess had felt that way. Calla was had told her once she was 27-years-old, but with her small frame and freckled face she looked younger. If Dani didn’t know better, she would have thought Calla was nothing more than a girl in her late teens. Perhaps they could turn fragility to their advantage.

“Calla,” Dani said. Her tone was slow and hesitant, as though she really didn’t want to even suggest her plan. “I have an idea how to get you off-station, but it’s kind of tricky.”

“What is it?” Calla asked, cautious hope in her voice.

“Well, first we’ll have to get rid of your tracker. But I’m thinking that we could set you up with a protector, maybe one of the Saurellians. Even though you’re not a member of the Pleasure Guild, there’s some room in the field for promising independent contractors. You wouldn’t make as much money as a Guild-trained worker like me, but it could be your ticket out of here. You’ve got decent looks, and you’re young. There are lots of men who might be interested in a woman like you.”

Jenner had threatened to sell her to a pimp a thousand times, but it had never occurred to Calla that she could sell herself. The idea was somehow appealing–for once she would be in charge of her own body. Still, there were potential problems...

“How would I protect myself?” she asked. “I mean, I’ve heard how rough spacers can get. I can’t do Jess any good if I’m dead.”

“That’s where I come in,” Dani said, smiling triumphantly. “I can help negotiate a deal for you. It’s a trade secret, but the Guild keeps extensive records on all our clients. I can find you someone who has a good history and solid payment record. If you fulfill your part of the contract, you’ll find yourself off-station. You’ll have resources, and if you play your cards right, he may even help you look for Jess–some men will do anything for the woman they’re sleeping with.”

“I can’t believe you’d do all that for me,” Calla said. She’d known Dani was generous, but to negotiate a contract for her was more than she’d expected. Normally the Guild did everything it could to squash independent contractors.

“You know, Calla, I just wish I could give you enough money to go and find Jess by yourself,” Dani said. “But the Guild puts most of what I earn in a pension fund, and I don’t actually have access to it unless I resign. I just get an allowance until I cash out.”

“Oh, Dani,” Calla said. “I never expected that. I just didn’t know where else to go.”

“Well, I do have a little tucked away,” Dani said, chewing thoughtfully on her lip.

She did some quick mental calculations. “I think I have enough to pay a doctor, and to give you a little bit to take with you. You’ll need it, especially if the contract doesn’t work out. We’ll need to buy you a new identity, too, and new finger and retina prints.”

Calla nodded in agreement. Whenever Jess had talked to her about escaping, he’d listed everything they’d need. New identities were at the top of that list. She had to become a new person if she was going to have prayer of getting away from the station, let alone finding Jess.

“Dani, I swear I’ll pay you back,” she said. “I don’t know how, but I’ll do it.”

“Honey, I just hope you don’t get caught,” Dani said, reaching her arms out to gather Calla close. It was all Calla could do not to cry at her friend’s generosity.

“Me, too.” Calla said. “But if I do, I won’t let them know who helped me. I promise.”

“Oh, you don’t have to worry about that,” Dani said with a wry laugh. “They wouldn’t dare touch me. Being a member of the Guild does have some privileges. They may have the legal right to punish me for helping you, but if they do the Guild will pull right out and boycott the station. We protect our own, and our financial interests go well beyond the pleasure houses.”

“I had no idea,” Calla said, intrigued by the thought.

“Not even the emperor messes with us,” Dani said. “At least not lightly. Neither will the Saurellians, if they know what’s good for them. We’re on both sides of the border, now, and we have a lot of influence. I’d like to see them try to come and get me.”

The next month was one of the longest in Calla’s life. According to Dani, Jenner had waited almost two days before reporting her missing, and the local station security force only made a quick, half-hearted search. Jenner wasn’t well loved by the locals, and the Saurellians were hardly likely to get involved in the hunt for a lost slave. As long as she wasn’t foolish, odds were good that no one would notice her presence. At least that’s what Calla kept telling herself.

Getting rid of the implant proved more troublesome. It took Dani more than a week to find a surgeon willing to perform the procedure, and the price was higher than either woman had expected. Dani had enough saved up to take care of that, but not enough to do both retinas and fingerprints. They opted for the fingerprints.

Dani also arranged to have a new identity “created” for Calla at no charge. Calla didn’t dare ask how she’d managed that. It was a pretty good guess that the average forger to be found on a mining station didn’t often have the funds to visit a guild-trained pleasure worker. Dani had probably convinced him to barter his services for hers. Calla was now officially Devora Forester, Dani’s distant cousin and an experienced pleasure contractor.

Once the implant was out, Dani disposed of it in the mining station’s recycling system. It was their hope that when it was found and reported to Jenner, everyone would assume that Calla had been killed, and her body dumped. It certainly wouldn’t be the first time a body disappeared into the depths of the unpleasant-smelling pit where station waste was slowly distilled into useable organic products.

The hardest part of the plan to put into action was the contract. Dani urged patience, reminding Calla that if they rushed into anything she would end up with a bad client.

But clients wealthy enough to seek an exclusive contract were few and far between on the mining station, and Calla was starting to get worried. Each day she stayed there was another day she wasn’t looking for Jess, and another day that Jenner might find her.

Initially, she’d been nervous about serving some man privately, but the longer it took to find the right client, the more worried she became that things would fall through.

If it did, she didn’t know what her options were. Dani was out of money, and Calla could hardly seek employment on the station.

In the mean time, Calla busied herself by studying pleasure training tapes. When she finally got a contract, she would need the sexual education to live up to her part of the deal.

It was nearly five weeks after Calla left the hostel that Dani came home bubbling with news. “You have a wonderful opportunity!” Dani said. “The Saurellians are finally sending a governor and long-term occupation force, which means all the men here will be leaving within the next few weeks. I think one of them might be interested in a contract with you.”

Calla’s hopes fell a little–most of the Saurellians had stayed at Jenner’s hostel, so it was a pretty good bet they would know about a slave on the loose. Contracting with one of them didn’t seem like a very good idea, and she said as much.

“Don’t be silly,” Dani said, giving one of her tinkling, trademark laughs. “They’re not going to recognize a runaway slave who’s turned into a glamorous pleasure worker.

You’ve got a rock solid identity now. Besides, why should they care? Jenner hasn’t exactly gone out of her way to make their stay pleasant. Even if one of them did recognize you, I hardly think they’d send you back to her. They can’t stand her, and they can’t wait to get off-station. Returning escaped slaves isn’t their priority.”

Dani was probably right, Calla thought. The Saurellians had interfered as little as possible with the day to day operations of the station. They didn’t even pay much attention to the countless smugglers and black marketeers who roamed the station’s ports and corridors freely. One escaped slave probably wouldn’t matter to them.

“Okay, so this is my chance,” Calla said, warming to the idea. “How do we go about arranging the contract? From what you tell me, they usually aren’t into exclusive relationships.”

“Well for one thing, any contract you make wouldn’t be exclusive for your client,”

Dani said, a slight frown on her face. “You do realize that, don’t you?”

“Oh, yes, of course,” Calla said, blushing slightly at her naiveté. That’s exactly what she’d thought, but she didn’t want to admit her ignorance. “But don’t they usually just visit a pleasure house wherever they’re stationed? What makes you think one would want to take me with him?”

“Ha, that’s the brilliance of my plan,” Dani said smugly. “Usually they don’t, but this is a special situation. Their squad is disbanding for now. They’re going their separate ways. I guess peace negotiations with the Empire are going pretty well, and the commander is going to take some time to explore the asteroid belt or something. I guess he has an interest in mining.

“But this is the best part,” she continued. “You see, he has a thing for women who look like you; he’s been requesting small brunettes with freckles every night for weeks.

It’s actually kind of insulting,” Dani added, pouting slightly. “He hasn’t ‘visited’ me for quite a while.

“But it’s the perfect set-up for you to look for Jess, and it’s perfect for him, too. They can’t go too long without sex, you know. Men really are weaker than us,” she added with a laugh. “Especially Saurellian men. They think with their dicks.”

Calla was no longer listening. As soon as Dani mentioned the commander, she got a tight feeling in the pit of her stomach. Was she talking about Seth? If so, Dani’s plan couldn’t possibly work.

“There may be a problem,” Calla said quietly. Dani’s smile dimmed a bit. “I’ve met their commander before.”

“Tell me what happened,” Dani said, seemingly unconcerned. “I’ll tell you whether it’s a problem or not.”

By the time Calla had finished her story, Dani’s jaw had dropped in disbelief. Calla stopped talking, and looked anxiously at Dani to gage her reaction.

“This isn’t a problem, this is perfect!” Dani said. For once she wasn’t smiling with innocent charm or seductive smoothness. The accomplished pleasure worker was grinning from ear to ear. “You already know he wants you, he’s asked for girls who look like you ever since then.”

“But he’ll know I’m an escaped slave!”

“No, he won’t even recognize you by the time I’m done with you,” Dani said confidently. “He only saw you once, right? And not even your face, really.”

Calla blushed again, but Dani didn’t even notice.

“From now on you’re an experienced woman who’s worked her way across a hundred star systems. I’ll provide you with a resume and references he won’t be able to crack–another little Guild trick–and even if he suspects, he’ll never be able to prove anything. All you have to do is get off-station and you’ll be home free!”

“I’m not so sure, Dani,” Calla said. “I think this may be a bad idea.”

“We’ve come too far for you to get cold feet now, girl,” Dani said sternly. “Besides, what are your options here? This may be your best shot at freedom and finding Jess. For love of the Goddess, the man’s already headed in the right direction. All you have to do it convince him to take you with him.”

“All right, all right,” Calla said. “You’re right. It’s my best shot. So, how do we go about it? Will you just arrange everything, or what? It’s not like I’ve done this before,” she added with a nervous laugh.

“Well, since he isn’t openly shopping for a contract, we’ll have to convince him,”

Dani said. “He’ll be at the House of Lilies tonight, so I’ll arrange for you to meet him.

You’ll have to do the convincing. Don’t worry about anything. I’ll get you ready, and if you’re too nervous I’ll give you a little something to help things along.”

“I’m not sure I like how that sounds,” Calla said cautiously.

“Oh, you’ll like it,” Dani said enigmatically. “Just wait ‘till you give it a try.”

Later that evening Calla discovered Dani what meant. She definitely liked “it.”

There was something in the wine Dani gave her as they were preparing for her

“interview”, and Calla was feeling more than a little friendly by the time they were done. Dani had started her out with a relaxing massage with the specialist they kept on staff at the pleasure house. Calla had been hesitant at first, but Dani just gave her a knowing smile.

“Trust me,” she’d said. “You’ll like the massage. Kail has the most talented fingers...”

Dani was right about Kail’s fingers, Calla thought lazily after an hour under his ministrations. She’d followed Dani into the dimly lit massage room unsure of what to expect. What she found was the most beautiful man she’d ever seen wearing only a brief cloth around his waist. He’d walked over to greet them, then gently led Calla to his waiting massage couch. Dani, smiling with satisfaction, reclined lazily in one of several chairs against the wall to watch.

Calla gulped, then turned to the man nervously. He was tall, with tightly defined muscles and a soft smile. He was also completely hairless, something she had never seen before. He noticed her look of inquiry, and laughed.

“I’m from Kelarus, we don’t have any hair,” he said with a smile as he pulled off her robe. It was disconcerting to have a total stranger remove her clothes, but not as much as she had thought it would be. “It’s the wine, it helps you relax,” he said. “Dani’s own special recipe.”

He gestured for her to lay down on the couch on her stomach. He left her side, and soft music filled the room. Then a drip of something warm hit her back. Kail spread flower-scented oil in small drops from her shoulder blades to the small of her back, then his smooth hands started running along her spine and she melted.

“Let your tensions and worries go,” Kail whispered in her ear from behind as he manipulated her muscles. He spent long minutes sweeping his strong hands over her back and shoulders, then moved to the end of the table. Picking up one small foot, he worked his fingers over every inch of first the left and then the right before moving up to her calves. He gave special attention to the backs of her knees, tickling them lightly and laughing at her reaction. Then he reached the backs of her thighs.

Calla shifted restlessly. His touch was like warm honey, and she could feel herself growing moist as she realized he was slowly, inevitably, working his way toward the cleft between her legs.

He skipped where she wanted him to touch, however, moving to each of the soft mound of her bottom in turn, massaging and treating them to light, nipping kisses. All her nervous tension was long gone, but a new tension was coiling within her. Sexual tension. She wanted him to touch her, give her release, but she was too weak to move.

His hands were hypnotic, she was captive.

After an eternity, he had her roll over on to her back, stretching her arms so that they lay high over her head. He started with her hands and worked his way down her arms to her shoulders. Then he reached her breasts, lavishing his full attention on each one until they were painfully tight, and her small red nipples felt as if they would burst. He dropped one slow kiss on each, then stood and walked once more to the end of the table.

Calla all but whimpered in pain as he left her, then felt herself tighten in anticipation as his hands grasped her ankles. Pulling her legs slowly apart, Kail started carefully rubbing again, moving ever closer to the center of her pleasure. She could feel the moisture rushing to her cunt, her legs twitching under his touch. She wanted him to move faster, harder. She gave a little gasp, and Kail laughed then stepped away.

“I think you’re ready now, sweetheart,” he said softly, and Dani giggled in the background. Kail held his hands out to her, pulling her up and off the couch. Calla simply stared at him, open-mouthed. He was aroused, she could see his stiff erection until his loin cloth, but he seemed completely disinterested in touching her.

“It’s to get you ready for your customer,” Dani said, coming up behind her. “If we let Kail finish the job, it would defeat the purpose.”

“That’s a dirty trick,” Calla muttered, her face growing flushed. She felt so embarrassed. She’d almost come on the table, yet for Kail this was simply business.

“Don’t worry, darling,” Kail said, lifting her chin with one gentle finger. He smiled into her eyes. “It’s all right to enjoy the massage. And it’s all right to enjoy your client.

You’re going to have a wonderful time tonight, you just need to let yourself go.”

Calla nodded, mesmerized by his soothing voice, and Dani held her robe out. The rough fabric rubbed her nipples, and she gasped at the sensation.

“Come along,” Dani said with a wicked smile. “Let’s get you some more wine and find you something to wear.”

They walked slowly back to Dani’s dressing room. Every move felt fluid, surreal, to Calla. Was it the wine? The massage? She didn’t know, and she didn’t care, she realized with a start. She simply liked it.

Dani spent the next hour and a half getting her ready. She created an artless, simple style for her hair, rubbed subtle creams and cosmetics on her face, and even gave her rouge for her nipples. Calla giggled at this, thinking Dani was joking at first. Dani just smiled and shook her head; her little Calla was a true innocent. She had no idea how wild Seth would be for her.

The final touch was a barely-there dress made entirely of floating, semi-transparent scarves. It covered her completely, yet with every step she took her legs were outlined or exposed between layers. The peaks of her breasts were outlined as well, and as Calla stood looking at herself in the mirror she was stunned. It was as if Calla the slave girl had disappeared. In her place was Devora, a pleasure worker whose face was flushed with arousal and anticipation. She licked her lips, then looked at Dani for her reaction.

“Oh, Seth will like that,” Dani whispered.

“I’m ready for him,” Calla replied in a throaty voice. She took a final swig of wine, then set down her glass and turned to the door, tossing her hair and laughing with happiness. She felt like she was just about ready for anything.

As they walked through the house toward the room Dani had reserved, Calla found it was getting harder and harder to stay focused on the task ahead of her. Each and every man she saw as she walked through the House of Lilies looked good enough to eat.

“I think you drank a little too much,” Dani said with a wicked laugh, guiding Calla along a gallery that looked over the main performance area. Along the way were entrances to the small rooms used to entertain clients. Dani had introduced her to the other Guild workers as her cousin Devora, and explained she was setting up a private contract. The women had been polite, but distant, tolerating her presence because of Dani. The house manager had made it clear that “Devora” was only to visit with her proposed client, however, and just for one evening. She might have been Dani’s cousin, but she was competition, and the Guild wouldn’t allow her to stay for long.

They hadn’t forbidden her to watch what was going on around her, though, and the sight was even more educational than the training vids. Dani had told her that most of the activity took place in the private rooms. It must have been some pretty spectacular stuff, because as far as Calla could tell just about every possible kind of sexual activity was already happening all around her–and the floor show hadn’t even started yet.

A passionate female moan, followed by the sound of clapping, sounded through the room, startling Calla. Pulling away from Dani, she leaned over the edge of the gallery to see what had happened. Directly below her a threesome was underway, something she had only ever imagined. One man was sitting in on a bench. Straddling him was a woman, and behind her was another man!

“What are they doing?” Calla asked Dani, mesmerized. The sight made her insides twist and her nipples stiffen.

The man on the bottom had his face turned up toward them, his eyes closed. His expression was one of strain and intense lust; a bead of sweat ran down his forehead as he thrust up into the woman on his lap. She seemed hardly able to support her own weight, but all around her were the helpful hands of her audience. The man pounding into her from behind seemed almost in a frenzy, grunting and moaning each time he slammed into her ass. Her own cries answered each thrust.

“They’re having sex, sweetie,” Dani said with a laugh. “They’re just doing it a little differently than you may be used to.”

“But two men at once, isn’t that hurting her?” Calla whispered. Without even realizing what she was doing, one hand dropped toward her own wet cunt. She caught herself and pulled the hand back quickly. What was wrong with her, she wondered?

“Does she look like she’s in pain?” Dani asked. “Trust me, two men at once can be very … stimulating … under the right circumstances. Now I know you’re enjoying the show, but we’ve got to get going. I don’t want Seth showing up before you’re completely ready for him.”

Calla nodded, dragging her eyes from the scene below them. Who would have thought such a thing was possible ? Two men at once…

Dani led her wide-eyed friend to one of the rooms, and palmed the door open. It was lushly decorated, strewn with pillows and hung with draperies. To Calla’s surprise, there wasn’t a bed. Instead, the entire floor was softly padded. With a reassuring wink, Dani told Calla she’d be back soon with Seth.

Calla settled herself down to wait against a pile of pillows. Soothing music was playing in the dimly-lit space. The drug had worked its way throughout her body, and every nerve cell tingled with sensation. Without thinking, Calla ran a finger gently around her right nipple, enjoying the pleasant, tightening sensation. Then she let the hand drop lower to her crotch, rubbing the same finger against her clit almost absently.

The ceiling was hung with soft fabric, and if felt like room was completely separate from the real world. It was a sensual nest, so comfortable that she felt like rolling in sheer pleasure.

With a drug-induced giggle, she realized she could. Calla stretched herself out like a kitten, alternately rolling and clawing. It was the most wonderful, liberating sensation she’d ever felt. Here I am, she thought, in a Guild-owned pleasure room. I’m free and I’m about to enter into a service contract where everything I earn will be all mine! It was a glorious feeling.

A soft chime sounded through the room, and one of the drapes drifted to one side.

The music in the room faded, and silence filled the room. Behind it was a full-size holo-screen, displaying the stage in the main room. The floor show was about to start, and thanks to the holo-cameras Calla was going to have a front-row view. Fascinated, she drew one of the pillows in front of her and settled down to watch.

After a few seconds, a stunningly-beautiful woman sauntered out on to the stage.

Her skin was creamy brown, and a gorgeous mane of curly black hair fell down her back. She was dressed in a filmy, semi-transparent gown that draped gracefully, trailing to the floor. As she walked, a low, rhythmic beat started working its way through the air.

The music paused dramatically when she reached the center of the stage.

Shrugging her shoulders proudly, the gown slipped down, baring her breasts. Like the rest of her, they were magnificent. A low, backless couch rose out of the floor directly behind her; she sat down and leaned back comfortably.

A man dressed in black leather pants followed her on to the stage. His chest was bare, and the slight swing of his arms as he walked caused his tight muscles to ripple.

His skin was light, almost white, as was his spiky hair. His facial features were classic and sharply chiseled. The only spots of color were his lips and eyes, both pink in color.

He strode purposefully toward the reclining woman, licking his lips slightly in anticipation.

Calla felt a tingle run through her at the sight.

The woman watched him dispassionately as he came to a stop before her. She pointed imperiously to the floor, and he dropped to his knees in front of her unhesitatingly. Flicking a finger at him, she directed his attention to her bare breasts before tossing her head back against the couch and closing her eyes.

The man leaned over the reclining woman, flicking first one and then the other nipple with his tongue, before settling his attention to one firm, dark breast. He laved it slowly, and while the woman remained almost motionless, she quivered slightly in pleasure from time to time.

After several long minutes, the man started working down her belly toward her waiting cunt, gently untying the sash that held her gown together. The gown fell in soft folds to either side of the woman’s body, revealing long, slender legs. She lifted one knee and spread them slightly, allowing him greater access. He dropped his head between her legs and started working her clit with his tongue, every movement timed to echo the sensual beat of the music.

The sight was so erotic that Calla couldn’t control her hand from sliding down toward her own nether lips, shivering with pleasure as she gently stimulated the swollen flesh. It felt almost as if she were on the stage with the performers. A small, distant part of her mind was aware that without the drug she probably wouldn’t have felt so free to enjoy the show, but she didn’t care. At that moment, anything was possible. The freedom was delicious.

The woman on stage was still lying with her head thrown back and her eyes closed, but she was visibly squirming from the intensity of her arousal. Both of her hands had worked their way down to the man’s head, pressing him against her flesh. Her body started jerking in response to the actions of the man between her spread thighs.

Calla’s own self-ministrations moved more quickly at the sight. Waves of pleasure coursed through her body, centered not only between her legs, but her heart and mind as well. It was glorious to lie there among the cushions, watching the beautiful black woman take her pleasure. As the pleasure built in pitch through Calla’s body, the joy was almost too much to bear. She was in control of her body, she was in control of her future and she was in control of her own sexuality. She felt like a magnificent goddess.

The woman on the stage seemed to feel the same way, because even as she approached her orgasm, she pulled the man’s head away from the opening between her legs and sat up. Sliding sinuously off the couch, the woman dropped to the floor and knelt face-to-face with the man. Leaning forward, she gave him a deep kiss, then started pushing against his chest with the palms of her hands. The man allowed himself to be pressed to the floor, until he was lying prone on his back. The bulge straining against the front of his leather pants pulsed visibly, and from the tight look on his face Calla could see that he was not nearly as relaxed as his posture indicated.

The woman shifted herself until she was kneeling over his legs, then leaned down and gave him another long, slow kiss, rubbing her dark nipples against his own pale ones. Then she sat up slightly, slid her hands down his chest to the front of his pants, and slowly opened them. His large cock sprang free of its confinement, and she wrapped one hand around it and stroked up and down a few times. The added stimulation was almost too much for him, and he jerked from tension and pleasure. A knowing smile swept over her face, and for a second her eyes spoke to Calla through the holo-screen. She seemed to be saying, He’s mine to play with, and I love it.

Calla started moving her hand more quickly, eyes glued to the screen.

The woman on the stage let go of the man’s penis, then raised herself slightly and positioned it against her waiting pussy lips. Leaning against his chest with both hand, she impaled herself on it. A look of sublime pleasure came over her face, and she licked her lips in satisfaction.

The sight was too much for Calla. Working her clit furiously, she took her other hand and massaged her breast as she rolled back into the cushions. The dress Dani had given her, made of filmy scarves strung together, twisted up around her waist. The waves of orgasm were very close now, and Calla threw back her head, eyes closed, to revel in the twin glories of sex and freedom. The remembered sensation of Seth thrusting into her cunt flashed through her, and with a wail she exploded into a thousand stars, each a separate flashpoint of joy.

Seth’s cock was rock hard from the minute he saw her. She was lying in the middle of the room, surrounded by soft pillows, clothing askew and moaning with pleasure.

Dani, who had arranged for him to meet with her cousin, stood next to him with the contract. He’d told her several times that he didn’t want a contractual relationship, but the sight of her cousin climaxing was eroding his certainty. There was something about her, he couldn’t pin it down, but he wanted her. Immediately.

“Dani, I want to interview Devora privately,” he said, not bothering to look at the woman next to him. He was accustomed to being obeyed, so he was surprised when she failed to leave immediately.

Instead, Dani strolled leisurely into the room ahead of him, taking up a stance between him and the lovely woman still shuddering against the floor. “Let me introduce you,” Dani said, smiling at him placatingly. She turned to Devora, who had come out of her self-induced orgasm to find them watching her. Dani gave the young woman a hand up.

Seth watched with intense interest as Devora straightened her clothes slightly, then pushed her dark hair back with both hands to smile directly at him. She seemed completely unembarrassed by the fact that just seconds earlier she’d been twisting in ecstasy before him.

“You!” he said, shocked at the sight of her freckled face. It was Calla, the little slave who’d run away from the hostel. He’d bet his life on it. “You’re Calla, from the hostel. I know you!”

Devora looked at him with surprise, and then a confused smile crept over her pretty features.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Commander,” Dani said smoothly into the awkward silence that followed his accusation. “Devora is hardly some slave, she’s my cousin. I don’t think this is the way to start what we all hope will be a mutually beneficial relationship.”

Seth glowered at Devora, yet she merely stared back at him with that slightly confused smile. He knew it was the slave girl. The inn-keeper, Mistress Jenner, had complained bitterly that she’d run off after some male slave had been sold, presumably her husband. The slave’s presence here with Dani made no sense at all.

“Commander,” Devora’s soft voice broke his concentration. “I don’t really know what you’re talking about, but if you liked this slave girl, I’m sure I could pretend to be her for you.” She smiled at him with seductive intent, eyes all but feasting on his face.

She looked hungry.

Continuing to stare at her, Seth tried to decide whether he was imagining her resemblance to the slave girl. They both had the same build, with freckly skin and dark hair, but upon a closer examination, Devora did seem somewhat more lush in appearance. Her lips were full and moist, and even as he watched, her small, white teeth caught her lower lip winsomely. Unlike his little slave, this woman seemed self-confident and aware of her own charms. Their facial features were also similar, but with a start, Seth realized he didn’t actually have a particularly clear image of the slave’s face. He hadn’t spent much time face to face with the girl…

“Commander, I can assure you that Devora is an experienced and professional pleasure-worker, although she isn’t Guild-registered,” Dani said, smiling at him serenely. “You’ve already seen her resume and references. Perhaps I should leave you for a private interview, then we can discuss a contract?”

Devora blew a small kiss toward Seth, then lifted her hands to cup her breasts lightly, playing with the nipples. They hardened immediately, and his cock twitched in response. Damn, he thought, his pants were too tight.

Seth hadn’t seriously thought Dani’s cousin would interest him enough to contract with her, but his body didn’t seem to agree. This little vixen might be just what he needed to make his information-gathering mission through the asteroid fields tolerable.

“Commander?” Devora asked seductively.

“Yes,” Seth said, and to his surprise the word came out rather hoarsely.

“I don’t think you need me right now,” Dani said with a laugh. “I’ll just lock the door behind me.”

Seth barely heard Dani leave; he was so intent on Devora.

She sauntered closer to him, then raised her arms above her head, stretching sinuously. The movement caused her pert breasts to lift enticingly, and emphasized the lean length of her stomach. She finished stretching and reached around Seth’s neck, pulling him in for a kiss.

It started softly, but within seconds his arms were around her and their mouths became ravenous. His penis was rock hard against her body, and she wiggled against it in appreciation. Seth instantly wanted, needed, to thrust inside her body.

She seemed to want the same thing, because her arms tightened around his neck and, using him for support, she boosted herself up against his body. In seconds, both legs were wrapped around his waist and she was grinding her cunt against the powerful ridge of his cock. The sensation was exquisite, and for an instant she thought she might come right on the spot.

Holding her to him with one arm, his slid the other to cup and support her bottom.

The new position gave him the leverage to thrust her against the length of his dick.

Devora was moaning into his mouth, pulling herself even closer. Then she broke away from the kiss long enough to gasp out, “Fuck me.”

Seth didn’t need to be asked twice. Still supporting her weight with one arm, he reached the other between them to free his hard length from his pants. Without pausing, he slammed her down onto his cock, groaning at the hot, tight feel of her cunt closing around him. He needed better leverage…

Holding Devora impaled, Seth turned to the wall and pressed her against it. Then he started pounding in and out of her with a series of powerful strokes, leaving both of them gasping for breath. The pressure was almost unbearable now, and he could feel his orgasm building. He wanted her to come, too. Pulling her legs further apart, Seth surged into her moist opening, deliberately stroking against her clit each time.

Within less than a minute, she was panting loudly, and he could feel the spasms building around his dick. Then she came, squeezing him repeatedly with her inner muscles, milking him with her cunt.

He exploded with pleasure, shouting without words. Then his legs gave out and they ended up on the floor, nestled in the pillows.

They didn’t speak immediately afterwards, they were both too exhausted. Instead, they laid back on the pillows and gasped for air. For one of the first times in his adult life, Seth didn’t feel like the pressure was already building to fuck again. He was actually somewhat satisfied. He would have her again, he mused–he was definitely going to take the contract–but for the moment he was content to rest. The closest he’d ever come to such satisfaction before was with the little slave, Calla. She’d made him so angry, though, that as soon as she’d left he’d been frustrated and horny again. He’d wanted something, needed something after that, but Devora seemed to be enough for now.

A quiet sound caught his attention. Next to him, Devora had fallen asleep, and to his amusement she emitted a soft, snuffling snore. She looked younger, less sophisticated, asleep...adorable. He liked the idea of her sleeping at his side. He’d never been one to sleep with him women, preferring to take his pleasure then return to his own quarters; it was less complicated that way.

But this woman he wanted hold, to feel her skin next to his. With amusement, he realized that he had just had the most satisfying sexual experience of his life, yet he was still fully clothed. Gently disengaging himself from Devora’s side, Seth quickly pulled his shirt over his head, then kicked off his shoes and pants as quietly as possible. He would have liked to undress Devora, too, but she was so peaceful and comfortable looking that he couldn’t bear to disturb her. Instead, he settled down on the pillows next to her, and she cuddled into the curve of his body instinctively. Pulling her close, he contented himself to smell her hair and reach each hand down between the filmy layers of her dress until he reached bare skin. One hand moved to her breast, clasping it possessively while the other drifted between her legs. Soft curls wrapped around his fingers and Devora gave a contented murmur. A smile came over his face. Even in her sleep she was responsive to him.

Holding her was so comforting, so right that within minutes he was on the verge of sleep. Devora was the best discovery he’d made in a long time. Of course it wouldn’t last, relationships with women who were non-Saurellian never could, but keeping Devora around for a while would be well worth the money. With that thought, Seth drifted into a contented sleep.

Chapter 4

“I’m glad you and Devora find yourselves compatible,” Dani said, smiling broadly at Seth. She sat behind an elegant little desk in the House of Lilies’ small business office.

“She tells me you’re interested in a contract after all. Shall we go over the details?”

Seth sat across from her, less concerned with the contract than getting his hands back on Devora. He’d awakened to find her gone. Dani had been waiting instead, contract in hand. She seemed to know that things had gone well. Hell, for all he knew she’d watched. The idea didn’t appeal to him; next time he and Devora met, it would be in a more private setting.

“Now, I’ve set this up as a standard personal contract, but there are some special conditions due to conflicts with Devora’s schedule. It’s my understanding that you plan to leave the station at the end of the week?” Dani asked, one eyebrow cocked questioningly.

“Yes,” he said shortly. He wished Dani would stop talking and just hand over the paperwork. He didn’t have time for this.

“That’s perfect,” Dani replied with a serene smile. “Devora finishes her current contract in six days. The timing couldn’t be better.”

Her words hit like a punch to the stomach. Devora’s current contract? An icy rage washed over him. Devora was his. He couldn’t stand the thought of her having previous clients, but for all he knew she was fucking some man at this very minute. It was intolerable. He couldn’t allow this to happen–he wasn’t going to let another man touch her. Ever.

The ferocity of his thoughts startled him. Why should he care if she slept with another man? After all, she was a pleasure worker; it was her job to give pleasure to whoever paid for her services.

The very idea made him cold.

“Unacceptable,” he told Dani in a grim voice. “Her other contract must be terminated immediately. When I leave today I’m taking her with me.”

His answer seemed to startle Dani, who frowned at him.

“Seth, I can tell you’re very interested in Devora, but she has obligations. She simply isn’t available to start her contract until you leave the station,” she said.

“I want her now,” he replied, eyes hardening. “She’s coming back to the hostel with me tonight. This is not negotiable.”

“Seth, I’m so very sorry, but Devora is not available to return to the hostel with you this evening,” she said unblinkingly. The grim countenance that had frightened a thousand imperial soldiers was having no effect on her. “Devora is extremely interested in making this contract with you work, but she isn’t going to be able to join you until you start your trip. If you can’t agree to this, then I’m afraid Devora will need to break off contract negotiations.”

Seth had always liked Dani, but the time had come to put her in her place. He was commander of Discovery station, and he would be taking Devora home with him.

“I do not wish to do this to you, Dani,” he said tightly. “But I am the military ruler of this station. My forces occupy every corridor, and I am ordering you to hand over Devora or face the consequences. They will not be pleasant.”

Dani stiffened, placing the contract carefully on the table. She didn’t reply for moment. Then, carefully folding her hands neatly on the desk in front of her, she said,

“Seth, I feel it is my duty to remind you that not only am I pleasure worker negotiating a contract for Devora, I am a fully licensed member of the Pleasure Guild. You may not realize this, but Guild Houses such as this one are not merely places of business. They are sovereign Guild territory, and enjoy full diplomatic immunity. At this point in time, the Guild and the Saurellian Federation enjoy a relationship based on mutual respect and understanding. This relationship may be jeopardized if you choose to forcefully remove a woman from Guild premises without Guild support. Is this something you really wish to do?”

Her expression didn’t change, but her eyes had become as hard as his had. Seth was livid.

“Don’t play these games with me, Dani,” he said coldly. “I’m better at them than you are, and you could get hurt.”

“It’s not about me, anymore,” Dani said tightly. “This is about diplomatic immunity and Guild sovereignty. To date, the Guild has not opted to take sides in your little conflict with the Empire. We find that neutrality is better for business. Once you breach that neutrality, we could change our minds. I think you’re too good a commander to allow that to happen over something as unimportant as a personal pleasure contract.”

She had him, Seth realized. He could easily tear apart the house to find Devora, but doing so would be criminally irresponsible if it drove a wedge between the Saurellian High Council and the Guild. There was no justification for allowing his private battle to hurt his people.

Nodding tightly in agreement, Seth stood up so abruptly that his chair fell back.

Dani wasn’t as cool as she pretended, he noticed with dark satisfaction. The sound made her jump; her folded hands clenched in tension.

“I’ll leave, but I’m warning you that if I find Devora off Guild property I’m taking her,” he said. “And you might want to warn her other client that if I find out who he is, he’s mine. Tell him it’s in his best interests to stay away from her. Send the contract to my office. I’ll want full control of her when I leave at the end of the week—there won’t be any vacation and there won’t be any time off. Money is not an issue.”

With that, he turned and stalked out of the office, slamming the door behind him.

Dani let out the breath she held with a mixture of relief and trepidation. Seth was taking the contract far more seriously than she ever imagined. Calla might be in trouble.

Seth kept his promise.

Within an hour of his leaving, guards were posted at every door of the House of Lilies. Every visitor was scrutinized carefully, his entry and exits recorded in a log.

With Dani’s assistance, Devora made a formal request for temporary asylum to the House manager and governing council, which was approved on the understanding that she would leave within a week. Seth struck back. He made a formal request that she be held under house arrest, and barred from receiving any guests or visitors who were not Guild members.

It was a condition that Calla and Dani agreed to readily. The last thing Calla wanted was more attention, and her little room in the House of Lilies provided far more comfort than she’d ever experienced during her life as a slave. At Dani’s suggestion, she spent her time preparing for her trip, compiling data on everything from Imperial legal codes to star maps and cultural histories of a thousand planets on a small computer tablet. She and Jess would need the information to plan their new lives, assuming she ever found him.

She also shopped using the terminal in her room. It was a difficult process, because Dani was almost completely out of funds by then. Fortunately, she had the credits Jess had been hiding in the storeroom. It wasn’t much money, and she had to be careful to select clothes costly enough to keep Seth from becoming suspicious about her origins.

Dani had a few things that might work but she was bigger than Calla, and neither woman was skilled enough to make alterations. Calla finally decided on a mix-and-match wardrobe of attractively-cut yet sturdy tunics, pants and skirts. They flattered her figure without being too overtly sexual–the mark of an amateur, according to Dani.

To add a little spice, Dani selected a variety of lingerie that made Calla blush.

Everything from a silken, white dressing gown that covered her fully to tiny black and lace garments that left nothing to the imagination.

“Remember,” Dani told her during one shopping session. “The key is to keep him guessing. Every time he sees you, he should be wondering what he’ll find under your clothes. Are you the virgin or the whore? Are you ready and naked or will he have to unwrap you slowly? It’s a game to heighten the pleasure–make the most of it. Six months is a long time to entertain a man like that, so make your clothing work for you.”

In the end, the week went by far too quickly for Calla. She had watched the recording of Dani’s meeting with Seth, and she was nervous about seeing him again.

He’d said “full control,” something that had been emphasized in the contract negotiations that followed. Each time Dani sent over a contract, he’d send back revisions.

“Devora” would be under contract for six, not three, months. She would have no personal leave during that time. She would be available to Seth all day, every day. She would be required to participate in any and all sexual acts he requested, no exceptions.

It was hardly standard, but he had all the power. Calla’s Guild asylum would end in a week, and then he would take her whether she had the protection of a contract or not.

At least with a contract there would be a substantial sum of money waiting for her in a Guild escrow account in six months. She’d be off station, she’d be free and she’d have enough money to set herself up somewhere. Calla figured that whatever those six months held would be worth it, especially if she could find Jess.

Dani was less comfortable with the situation. Seth had her followed day and night.

Her apartment had been seized and searched twice, and her Saurellian customers were avoiding her. She was used to being appreciated by men, not punished.

On the day Seth was supposed to come and pick up Calla, Dani felt like a mother hen losing her chick. Despite Calla’s reassurances, she paced back and forth in the small House of Lilies parlor where they sat. Finally Calla actually grasped her by the shoulders, forced her to sit down and brought her a glass of fortified wine.

“Dani, I can never thank you for all you’ve done for me,” Calla said, gazing into her friend’s eyes with affection. She hated the thought of Dani worrying about her. “You’ve risked so much to help me, and I’m ready for whatever happens on this trip.”

“But honey, you need to understand this isn’t a normal contract,” Dani burst out, momentarily losing her composure. “You’re going to have to protect yourself. This man is obsessed with you, far beyond what’s normal! You’ve got to be careful, because this kind of thing can get ugly. Do you understand what I’m telling you?”

“I’m not sure that I do,” Calla said carefully, trying to gage Dani’s meaning. “But whatever it is, I can handle it.”

“Really?” Dani asked spiritedly. “Do you realize that men sometimes beat private contractors? There have even been murders! Usually you’re pretty safe going through the Guild, because we take contract violations very seriously. If this guy hurts you, we’ll find him and make him pay, that’s just good business. But that won’t bring you back.

You’ve got to be careful.”

“Dani, I understand that there are risks, and I also understand that this isn’t the kind of contract we’d hoped it would be,” Calla replied with feeling. “This would be a terrible contract for you, but it’s more than I’d ever dreamed could happen to me. You need to understand that.

“Remember, I was born on an imperial slave farm. It’s not like I lost my mother. I never had one. I’m the product of synthetically created human egg cells. Do you understand what that means? Do you understand how many religions don’t even consider me to be human? When I was at the hostel, Jenner could beat me any time she wanted. She could sell me to whoever she wanted, whenever she wanted. She could even kill me and no one could complain!

“I lost my crèche-brother because he was a slave. Do you know what it means to be raised in the same crèche?” Calla continued bitterly. “Fifty infants were born–expelled–from incubators on the same day. We were placed in one room, tended by two slave nurses who had raised a thousand others like us. Thirty-five of us survived the first year… it was a higher survival rate than usual. They were very pleased with us.”

“Oh, Calla,” Dani said. She was at a loss for words–she had never heard Calla’s story before, had no idea where slaves came from. She had always just assumed they were born to slave parents and were raised like other children. It was an ugly truth to confront

.

“The nurses left when we were five, and we started our training,” Calla continued, her face wooden. “We were moved into a training camp. We spent all day, every day learning to be excellent slaves. We learned how to work, we had obedience conditioning–I wouldn’t have been able to even think about escaping if Jenner had been more regular about keeping up the conditioning sessions–and we learned not to care about each other. At night we were at the mercy of the older slaves… the oldest were only ten-year-olds, but they were twice our size, and they were hard from living in the camp for five years.

“Jess protected me,” Calla said, the pitch of her voice raising slightly. “I was small for my age, a natural target. Somehow he was always there, always taking care of me when things got rough. Sometimes he got in trouble for it, but he managed not to get in enough trouble to make the termination list…”

“T-t-termination list?” Dani asked in a horrified whisper.

“Well,” Calla said in a matter-of-fact voice, “If a child caused a problem, they would cull them out and terminate them whether it was that child’s fault or not. If you complained, that was causing a problem. Trust me, it’s an extremely efficient way to keep the peace. Those kids were willing to do a lot to keep someone like Jess from bringing trouble down on them. He did terrible things to keep us alive.”

“I had no idea,” Dani said, tears building in her eyes. No wonder the Guild wouldn’t allow members to own slaves.

“When we were ten, our entire crèche was sold in one lot to a broker,” Calla continued. “He had been taking orders throughout the mining field, and since Jess and I were born in incubators next to each other, we had sequential identification numbers.

That’s the only reason we ended up together at Jenner’s.”

Calla looked up at Dani with a soft, mocking smile.

“It was easier for the accountant to give us to her, it made the books look tidy. That’s all we were, numbers in a book.”

“Calla, I don’t know what to say,” Dani whispered after a second. “I didn’t realize…”

“Few people do realize,” Calla said harshly. “Besides, I wasn’t even conceived. I’m not even human. Why should it matter?”

Dani just sat there, trying to digest what she’d heard. She had known there were slave farms, had guessed they were awful places. She never approved of slavery, never owned slaves… but she had friends who did. With horror, Dani thought of the times she’d been served by a slave in a restaurant. How many of her clothes had been made by slaves? Public slaves cleaned the streets and corridors of most communities where she’d lived. How many times had she carelessly dropped a food wrapper? Not often, but enough.

“So you see,” Calla continued. “I’m not actually that afraid any more of what Seth might do to me. I am afraid of things. I’m afraid of the asteroid field, I’m afraid I’ll get caught, and I’m afraid that I’ll never find Jess. I’m even afraid of Seth. But I’m tired of living in fear. I got soft at Jenner’s hostel–she was actually a pretty good mistress. She fed us and she was too cheap to pay for obedience conditioning. In fact, she was so good to us that we forgot she could get rid of us. Jess wanted to escape but I talked him out of it. I was wrong, Dani. We should have gone while we could. If I can’t find Jess, I’ll never forgive myself.”

Tears were pouring out of Dani’s eyes, running down her cheeks and even dripping on her beautiful silk tunic. She dropped her head in her hands, overwhelmed by Calla’s story. Calla seemed unmoved, carefully picking a small piece of lint off the elegant yet practical traveling outfit she wore. Her hand shook, though, and Dani realized she was not as calm as she appeared.

“Dani,” Calla said after a second. “It’s almost time for me to go. I don’t want our last moments together to be sad. I don’t know if I’ll ever see you again, but if I make it I’ll send you a letter to let you know.”

Dani pulled herself together. Calla was right. This was no way to say goodbye; realistically, they might never see each other again.

“I can never thank you enough for what you’ve done for me,” Calla said, then stood and held her arms out to her friend. The two women embraced for several minutes without talking. Dani, the taller, rested her head against Calla’s, wishing they had more time. Calla had become far more than a friend, she realized. This was like losing a family member. The past few weeks had brought them closer than many people would get in a lifetime. There was a soft knock at the door, and the house manager stuck her head in.

“Your client is here, Devora,” she said, looking at the younger woman with sympathy. Devora had made friends during her brief stay at the house; they were all concerned about her.

Dani put both her hands on Calla’s shoulders and looked deeply into her eyes.

Then, her voice breaking, she whispered, “Whatever anyone ever tells you, you’re just as much a beautiful, strong and fully human person as anyone else–I’ve known that from the day I met you. Don’t believe what Jenner told you, and don’t be afraid to go out and take what you deserve.”

Calla pulled away from Dani’s embrace, and wiped her eyes. Then she straightened herself resolutely and pulled a light veil down over her face. Dani handed Calla a satchel. A larger trunk–filled with her new clothing–had already been sent ahead to Seth’s ship.

“Goodbye,” she said briefly, then turned away from Dani. She stepped out of the room and walked over to where Seth stood, glowering at her. His face was grim, and he had several armed guards with him. He watched Calla, fingers flexing with anger, then turned his attention to Dani.

“I won’t forget this,” he said, flaying her with his eyes. His hands clenched again, and for a second Dani was worried he might break into violence right then and there.

Poor Calla deserved better than this, she thought. She’d failed her friend with this contract–Seth was a madman.

When Calla reached his side, he reached out for her satchel. After a second’s consideration, she handed it to him. He passed it to one of his men, then placed one hand at the small of Calla’s back to guide her. The implication was clear–‘Devora’ was his. As they left the House of Lilies, the only thing giving Dani any hope for Calla was the fact that his touch had seemed gentle.

With a sigh, Dani allowed herself to sink into a chair and dropped her head back. It was over; there was nothing more she could do. Tension flowed out of her, and she realized she was shaking. It was time for a vacation, she though wearily. And then perhaps a new work placement. She was sick and tired of Discovery station.

Calla’s last trip through the station was a blur of excitement and trepidation. After seventeen years of slavery, she was finally free. All she had to do was make it out of the station unrecognized. Given the contingent of warriors surrounding her, that probably wouldn’t be a problem.

Seth had a transport waiting, which deposited them at his ship within five minutes of leaving the House of Lilies. The ship–only briefly visible to Calla through a porthole in the station’s bulkhead–was small and light. The kind used by smugglers. There wouldn’t be much room on board, she realized. His men must not be going with them.

That was all right with her. The last thing she wanted was to have to service another man if Seth got tired of her.

“Your things are already in the sleeping room,” he said, firmly guiding her into the ship. She could feel the tension in his arm, though he remained gentle. “As you can see, it’s small. There’s the cockpit, an all-purpose room and galley, the sleeping chamber and some cargo space. Stay out of the cockpit unless I tell you otherwise.”

With that, Seth turned away from her and entered some numbers in the portal control panel. The little light over the door went from green to red, and Calla could hear internal pumps clearing the air out of the airlock. They were really leaving the station.

She could hardly believe it!

“Can I watch as we leave?” she asked excitedly. She had all but forgotten he was angry with her. Seth looked at her with surprise; such enthusiasm wasn’t something he’d expected.

“Very well,” he said after a second. It wouldn’t harm anything, and while he was still upset with her for refusing to come with him earlier, she was his now. He could afford to give her this. “The cockpit is up the ladder. Go stow your things in the sleeping room, then join me there.”

Nodding, Calla all but ran through the all-purpose room toward two small doors on the other side. She looked back at him questioningly, wondering which one she should use. With a gesture, he indicated the door on the left. The other must lead to the cargo area, she concluded.

The sleeping area was not what she’d expected, since at the hostel she had cleaned his room many times. There had been nothing personal there, but this was different.

Clearly he had lived on this ship for a long time, because there were pictures littering the walls. Setting down her satchel, Calla examined one closely. There was a man who looked somewhat like Seth, with a woman and three little boys. Seth’s brother? She wondered.

There were quite a few pictures of children in the room, she realized, looking around more carefully. Several were of the boys in various stages of growth. There were also colorful drawings, clearly the work of a child. One showed a large house, with two suns shining down on it. Another was a picture of a woman holding a baby. In large, scrawling print across the bottom was the name “Tasha.” Next to the drawing was a photo of the little girl. She looked about six months old, and she was smiling beautifully for the holo-cam. The fearless warrior had a loving family back home, Calla thought.

Somehow it made him seem more human.

A vibration went through the floor beneath her feet. Seth was powering up the drive; it was time to get up to the cockpit.

Calla made her way back through the main room then pulled herself up the ladder to the cockpit. She noticed a series of handholds along the way, and wondered if the ship was big enough to have artificial gravity generators. The only other time she’d been in space was when she’d come from the slave farm. There was no gravity for that flight, and the experience had been hideous. She’d never forget the sounds and smells of thirty children vomiting for days.

Pulling herself into the cockpit, Calla gazed around in excitement. Seth was seated in a comfortable-looking chair in front of the main computer. There was a large view screen in front of him, but it was covered by a set of metal plates for the moment.

Turning briefly, he gestured to the chair beside him.

“You’ll want to strap yourself in,” he said without looking at her. “It shouldn’t be rough, but it’s usually about five minutes before the internal gravity comes on line.”

He was being extremely civilized about things, Calla thought as she strapped herself in. Dani had overreacted. She wasn’t in any danger from Seth.

It took him several minutes to run through his pre-flight checkout. Once it was completed, he tabbed the com panel and asked the station’s flight control for clearance.

The flight controller gave it to him and with a flick of a finger he pressed a button to open the panels covering the screen.

Calla gasped with surprise and pleasure at the vista unfolding before her.

It wasn’t a view screen after all, she realized, it was actually a window onto space.

To one side she could see the mass of the station’s exterior bulkheads stretching away from them. All around were ships, and in the distance she could the faint outline of an enormous ore-transport at one of the free-floating processing plants. She had lived on the station most of her life, but she’d never personally seen the commerce that gave it life. Vid screens weren’t the same, she realized. What else would she see on this trip?

Trying to act casual, as if this was nothing new to her, Calla asked Seth, “Are we going to light speed, or are you planning to use the standard drive for now?”

Seth looked at her curiously. He thought everyone knew you couldn’t use a warp drive in an asteroid field; it was simply too dangerous, not to mention overkill. But then again, she was a pampered pleasure contractor who probably never had to worry about transportation. She had clients to take care of that for her, he thought with a spark of disgust.

“We’ll be using the standard drive,” he said curtly.

Okay, he doesn’t want to talk to me right now, Calla thought. That was fine–he might still be angry, but she wasn’t going to let it get in the way of enjoying this experience.

The vibrations running through the hull increased in pitch, then with a click they broke free of the station and the vibrations eased. Seth eased forward with a small control stick.

Calla realized he was manually guiding them. She’d thought computers would do all that.

As if reading her thoughts, Seth spoke. “I like the feel of the ship under me,” he said softly. “She’s small enough that I can feel every motion, every change in tempo.

Sometimes she’s touchy, and I can handle her better than any computer program.”

The sound of his voice, low and smooth, sent a chill through Calla’s spine. He spoke like the ship was his lover. She wondered if he would ever speak about her that way, then mentally kicked herself for the thought. She had to keep her priorities straight: Seth was a Saurellian. He wouldn’t stay interested in her for any length of time. Dani had told her time and again not to allow herself to get attached to him. Their futures were too far apart for anything other than sex.

The ship was moving through the traffic now, joining a ragged line of other ships, transports, and even the occasional cruiser headed toward the belt. After about half an hour they had cleared the worst of the traffic. Seth switched on the autopilot, then pulled up a course-plot on the holo-projector.

“We’re headed to mining outpost 12563 first,” he said, pointing to a small dot on the chart. “It’s here, in the alpha quadrant of the field. It should take us about three days to get there.”

Turning the projector off with a click, he turned to face her.

“So, how are we going to pass the time, Devora?” he asked, inspecting her slowly from the tips of her small feet to her carefully groomed hair. His voice was low and smooth, and his eyes flashed with desire. He licked his lips, and smiled as Calla shivered in response. He was a predator, and she knew instinctively that she was the prey. “Any suggestions?”

Chapter 5

The question hung in the air between them.

“Well, I suppose there are a number of things we could do,” Calla finally said, unable to bear the silence any longer. “I’m here to serve you. What would you like?”

“Why don’t you show me what you have to offer?” he said, gesturing languidly toward her small frame. His gaze moved across her body in a mixture of lust and something else, making her feel naked under his stare. “Unless you want to talk? We could discuss your refusal to start your contract until now.”

The something else was definitely anger, Calla realized. She had to distract him quickly, before things got out of control.

“I’d rather show you what I have to offer,” she said, purring sensuously. Turning her chair to face him, she pulled off her veil and shook out her long, brown hair. It was nothing special, but with Dani’s help she’d put in some soft highlights. Seth failed to respond, but Calla decided she just needed to take things a little further. Kicking off her shoes, Calla raised one foot delicately and rested it on his lap. Then she leaned back in her chair and started unbuttoning her dress slowly.

Seth still wasn’t giving her any kind of reaction, but as she reached the buttons over her breasts she felt a stirring against her foot. She continued unbuttoning, allowing the dress to gape open nearly to her waist. The movement exposed the silken black undergarments she’d put on that morning, another gift from Dani. The bulge of Seth’s manhood against her foot was growing as she rubbed it with her toes. Then she reached down inside her dress to her clit, rubbing herself sensuously with one hand. The other cupped a breast through the black fabric of her lacy camisole.

Calla saw the pained look Seth had on his face, but she couldn’t get him to say anything. Apparently he had decided to make her life difficult because she’d held out on the contract, Calla thought. She knew he was aroused. She could feel the evidence against her foot. She was just going to have to work for her money; that was all right, she was grateful for the opportunity. She’d make sure he got what he paid for.

She gave one last sinuous stroke to his hard length, then removed her foot slowly and stood in front of him. Slipping her dress off her shoulders, she allowed it to fall to the floor. Kicking it away, she deliberately squeezed her breasts before running her hands down the length of her body to her clit. Working her swelling flesh gently through the fabric, she leaned over and kissed his mouth with closed lips.

Dropping slowly to her knees, Calla ran her hands lightly from his shoulders across his chest, enjoying the tight sensation of his clenching muscles. He was far from unaffected, she thought with satisfaction. He wanted her, regardless of how angry he might be.

His stomach was hard and muscular under her hands, and the bulge in his pants leapt in response to her touch. Leaning over, she started giving his belly delicate kisses through the light fabric. His thighs clenched, and almost involuntarily his hand reached down to grasp the back of her head. He pressed her down further. With a knowing smile, she complied.

His cock was rigid under the fabric of his pants, straining desperately for freedom.

Resting either arm on his thighs, Calla sat back on her legs and gave it a light kiss through his pants. His entire body jerked at the sensation, and his hand pressed her closer. Molding her mouth around the fabric, Calla gently engulfed as much of the head as she could. She could feel it pulse against her as she started softly sucking. Then she grasped the rest of his length with her hand, massaging it in time with her mouth.

Seth strained against her, as if he would shove his penis directly through the fabric and into her mouth. The cloth of the pants was too strong for him, though. Calla increased the tempo of her motions, sucking and working him harder with her hand. He started moving against her rhythmically. His breath was coming quickly now; his thighs had turned to steel under the strain of his arousal. Calla paused for a moment, thinking to open his pants and pull out his erection, but the cessation of movement was too much for him.

He pulled her mouth back down over the now-damp fabric roughly, straining himself up at her. The hand at the back of her head kept the rhythm with her as his hips thrust against her warm opening.

Following his direction, Calla kept moving and he started moaning. She could tell he was close to coming despite the fact that she had yet to touch his bare flesh. The realization was empowering–as long as she could give him this kind of pleasure her position would be secure. She redoubled her efforts.

Seth groaned loudly in response, bucking his hips. He ground Calla’s face against his cock, and his cock jerked beneath her mouth. Then he crushed her against him so tightly she could barely breath, and a warm liquid started soaking through the cloth; Seth had come without even removing his pants.

A heady combination of satisfaction and arousal coursed through her at the realization.

Dropping his head back for a moment, Seth cradled her head against his still hard cock. He encouraged her to continue her ministrations for a few seconds, then watched as she raised herself slightly to rest her cheek against his stomach. His hands held her gently to him. His release had helped with his anger.

“I’m sorry about that,” he said, rubbing his fingers against her scalp absently. “I haven’t come in my pants since I was 13 years old. I don’t know what came over me.

Next time it will be better.”

“It’s fine,” Calla said softly. “We’ve got plenty of time, remember? Just a few minutes ago you asked me what we should be doing with all that time.” She dropped one hand to his penis, which still bulged noticeably. Rubbing it softly, she felt it harden.

She watched Seth shift, allowing her more access.

After a second, he said, “Let’s go down where there’s more room. I think we need to finish this.”

Rising to her feet, Calla picked up her clothing and started to put it on.

“Don’t worry about that,” he said quietly. His voice was low and smooth, dancing across her spine. Calla shivered in anticipation. He may have reached satisfaction, but she was still restless with arousal. The molten look in his dark eyes promised she would have her own release before long.

Dressed only in the black silk, she made her way down the ladder. Seth followed her, and they walked slowly across to the sleeping chamber. Once inside, Calla turned to him for direction, uncertain what he expected from her.

He stood there, gazing up at her for several seconds. It was nerve-wracking. Finally he spoke. “This time is for you, Devora,” he said. “We’ll go slow, because I want to give you as much pleasure as you just gave me.”

The thought of him giving her pleasure was delicious. Calla smiled at him tentatively, waiting.

Seth walked up to her and reached both arms around her. Pulling her into the circle of his embrace, he dropped his head and gave her a soft, slow kiss. His lips felt like little butterflies dancing over hers, gentle and light. She leaned into him, looking to deepen the kiss, but he pulled back. “Slow…” he reminded her. “Let’s make it last this time.”

Dropping his head again, he gave her another long kiss, then moved his lips across her cheek to her ear. He could tell that the little nibbles that followed tickled as he felt her giggle. Sensing a vulnerability, he quickly moved his fingers against her sides, and she squirmed, laughing.

“Ticklish, are we?” he asked, burrowing his mouth against her neck. “I’ll have to remember that.” His hands stilled as he started kissing her again. First her neck, then down to her shoulder, dropping small caresses along her shoulder. His hot breath against her skin made her shiver, and he gave a quiet chuckle of pleasure at her response to his touch.

Calla’s breath quickened as he continued his slow journey downwards. His mouth reached her breast, and then he started suckling her nipple through the silk. Tendrils of sensation ran through her, and she felt a tightening between her legs. Shifting herself restlessly, she pressed against his mouth.

Seth moved his tongue to the other breast, laving it for nearly a minute before working down toward her belly. Somewhere along the way he had dropped to his knees, although both arms were still wrapped around her waist, loosely holding her prisoner.

The feel of his lips against her belly button caused her to stiffen, as he lightly flicked his tongue into it. The sensation made her laugh, and she twisted against him, trying half-heartedly to get away. He grinned up at her, and she was struck by how boyish he appeared. She had never seen him look anything but harsh, or angry. Now it was as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders; his mood was lighter, more playful. She liked this new version of Seth. Unable to help herself, she dropped a quick kiss on his nose. It startled him, but she could tell he liked it.

Seth gave her a funny little smile, then started working down her stomach again.

As he approached the cleft of her legs, Calla felt her knees growing unsteady. He’d never touched her like this; she liked it, but it also made her feel tense and restless. The feeling grew as his tongue found her clit, lapping at the small nub through the black fabric. Calla twisted against him as the feeling grew. She could feel herself becoming wetter in anticipation. He was torturing her–she needed more. Moaning pleadingly, she reached into his thick hair with both hands, trying to drag his head back up. Either that, or make his tongue move faster…

Seth resisted her touch, continuing his slow stimulation of her most sensitive spot.

The pressure rose in her, and she shifted from foot to foot, holding on to Seth tightly for balance. “Oh, that’s too much,” she gasped out faintly. “Seth, I can’t take this anymore. I need you now.”

His only answer was to quicken his pace. Both of his hands dropped from her waist, pulling her more firmly against him as his palms rested on the smooth curves of her bottom. His tongue delved deeply into her folds, the soft silk of her undergarment easily conforming to his motions.

Calla’s legs sagged slightly, and she was leaning heavily on his shoulders for support. It had to be uncomfortable for him but he never paused in his attack on her clit.

The pressure was building. Waves of need and lust coursed through her, and she bit her lip to keep from screaming at him to do something to make it end. She was going to explode from the pressure. Each time her orgasm almost hit, his tongue would slow ever so slightly until she started panting heavily. Eventually, he seemed to decide she’d had enough, and started moving his tongue more quickly. Alternating between suction and motion, he all but commanded her to come under the caress of his tongue and lips.

Just when she thought she would die from need, pleasure rushed through her and she stiffened in the throes of her climax. Her body seemed to dissolve, and the room darkened around the corners of her vision.

She came back to reality to find herself sagging in Seth’s arms. He was standing again, supporting her weight easily. His look was one of smug satisfaction, although she could tell from the bulge of his erection against her stomach that he was painfully aroused.

“That was fantastic,” she said softly, wrapping her arms around him. His body, solid and warm, seemed to stabilize her. After a second, she rubbed experimentally against his hips. He responded in kind.

“Shall we move to the bed?” he asked after a moment’s silence. “We still haven’t done this the traditional way, you know.”

Calla laughed at the strained tone in his voice.

“That sounds like a wonderful idea,” she said, gazing up at him with joy. They exchanged another long kiss.

“Devora, you’re so beautiful,” he said, eyes tracing the contours of her face.

“So are you,” she answered, holding out both arms. He laughed at her response, then caught her up in his arms and carried her over to his bed. Cradled against his body, Calla wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. When he tried to lay her down on the bed, she refused to let him go, preferring to pull him down on top of her. With a smile, he complied, sprawling across her small form before taking her mouth in a series of kisses that drove everything else from her mind.

His mouth was powerful, his tongue thrusting intimately into the recesses of her mouth possessively. He was careful to balance the bulk of his weight on his arms, yet his sheer size pinned her down into the bed.

She realized at that moment that she was completely in Seth’s power, yet she wasn’t afraid. He had been angry and frustrated earlier, but even then he hadn’t taken it out on her. Being with him was a beautiful, wonderful thing, she thought. She wouldn’t have him forever, but he was hers, right this minute. The sensation was heady and beautiful.

This magnificent man–hers, however temporarily–was on top of her, and he wanted her body.

She could feel his aroused length pulsing with need as Seth shifted against her, pressing his hips against hers. An answering, agonizing twinge leapt through her as he pushed her legs apart with one knee, settling himself between them. They kissed deep, and Calla arched her body against his, grinding her aching cunt against his hard cock.

“We have on too many clothes,” Seth gasped out, wrenching his mouth away from hers. “I want to feel your skin against mine.”

Together they stood, each ripping their clothes off as quickly as possible. Even those few seconds apart from Seth’s body were too much for Calla. As soon as he was nude, she threw herself at him, knocking him back on the bed. He landed with a grunt, and for one second she thought she’d hurt him. Then he gave a growl of hunger, and rolled her beneath him so quickly it took her breath away.

Within seconds he was poised at her hot entrance, and she squirmed against him, ready for penetration. Then he paused, staring down in to her face. He heard her moan in protest, but he refused to move. The effort cost him greatly, the muscle in his jaw twitched with strain, but he didn’t move. Finally, he spoke.

“Devora, I want to see the look on your face as you come,” he whispered harshly. “I want you to forget all your other clients, every other man in your life, and think only of me. You’re mine, and at this moment I want to be in you more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my entire life. Do you want me?”

“Yes,” Devora gasped. “Please, come into me. I want you, Seth, I need you right now.”

With a cry of triumph, Seth surged into her, slamming his entire length into her waiting channel.

The movement was so hard it felt as if he might come right up through her throat.

Calla screamed as sensation surged through her, orgasming wildly around him. Her legs gripped his waist with all her strength, and she held tightly to his massive frame as he pounded into her.

Seth’s movements gained speed as he approached his own pleasure. He captured her mouth with his, plundering her depths with his tongue even as he thrust, as he forced her to feel another orgasm building. He shifted his weight slightly, allowing his penis to scrape along her clit more fully each time he came into her. He could feel her entire body jerk in response.

The sensation was unbearable. For one horrible minute she thought she’d die from the pressure. Then she exploded again, and he came with her. Locked together in each other’s arms, they shared their pleasure, hearts pounding.

After several minutes, Seth rolled to his back, carrying her with him. They were still joined, although he had softened somewhat. With a sigh, she nestled her head against his neck. One of his hands cradled her, fingers running through her hair, and Calla slept.

Twice more in the night he awakened her, each time already hard within her channel. Barely moving, they made love sleepily. By the second time, neither of them came. Instead, they cuddled together while joined at the sex, and kissed languidly.

The sensation of his hands massaging her back gently eventually lulled Calla back to sleep, where she dreamt of being safe and warm for the first time in her life.

Seth awoke well-rested.

A movement against his side startled him, and for a moment he tensed, automatically preparing himself for battle. Then memory came back. Devora was with him in bed, the woman he’d hired to travel with him. A brief flash of anger threatened his composure as he wondered how many other men she’d traveled with, but he tamped it back down. It wasn’t as if she’d lied to him about her profession, and he certainly hadn’t come into their contract a virgin. He needed to focus on enjoying her, he told himself firmly.

And he was enjoying her. She was nestled trustingly into the crook of his arm, exhausted from their workout. Seth smiled at the memory–by their final encounter both had been too exhausted to orgasm, something he’d never experienced before. Instead he’d simply held her in his arms for hours, content to luxuriate in the bond that seemed to be between them. She felt so right in his arms…

That bond puzzled Seth, though. He’d never felt as close to a woman as Devora.

He’d certainly never had such amazing sex, but it was more than that. With a sense of disbelief, he acknowledged to himself that she seemed to fill the hunger within him that was always present; the same hunger that had driven him from his Saurellian homeworld.

Like every young man of his people, he’d searched for his life mate back home.

Once it became clear he wasn’t one of the lucky few to have one, he’d left. It was too painful to watch other men with their women, their families. He hadn’t even been able to stand his own brother’s company, although he enjoyed the pictures the family sent him.

Nothing had been able to touch the ache inside of him until Devora, he realized. For one second his heart leapt in hope–could she be his lifemate? Was she actually Saurellian?

Seth turned her head to his, studying her features carefully. His heart fell, and a small, mocking part of his brain chided him for his foolishness. Devora couldn’t be Saurellian. No Saurellian woman had ever been as short as she was, let alone freckled with brown hair. The women of his race were tall, with translucent skin and dark hair.

They bred true, generation after generation, sharing common features and an uncanny ability to communicate with the Goddess. Legend held that they had been created in Her form to serve as Her priestesses.

No, he thought sadly, his relationship with little Devora couldn’t last. The troubling image of the slave, Calla, rose again in his head. She had made him feel this way, too.

When he’d heard that her tracer had been found in the recycling pit, he’d felt a sadness that went beyond compassion for the death of a young woman. Two women had touched him within a span of weeks. Perhaps he was losing his mind, he mused.

Devora snuggled more closely against him, snuffling softly in her sleep and interrupting his thoughts. He loved the feeling of her lying there, he realized. It felt right to hold her in his arms–almost as if he was complete. She assuaged his gnawing, restless hunger.

Devora opened her eyes, lifting her head to gaze at him. Giving him a sleepy smile, she said, “Hmmmm… maybe you could set the autopilot so the trip takes more than three days? I think I could get used to this.”

“Sounds good to me,” he said, chuckling at her. Her brown hair hung around her face in un-kept curls. Her almond-shaped eyes laughed back at him, and on an impulse he pulled her up onto his chest for a kiss. Their lips met for a long moment, and then she started rubbing herself sensuously against his morning erection. It was enough to make him gasp.

Allowing her knees to drop to either side of him, Calla reached down with one hand to guide his penis to her opening, sliding slowly down on him.

They kissed again, and his hands rose to her hips to guide her motions. The warm, slippery feel of her cunt enveloping his cock made him groan with pleasure. He couldn’t get enough of her.

“I’ll definitely have to reprogram our course,” he said, grunting in time with her movements. “I think we should try to focus on doing this for a while. The miners can wait.”