The Space Colonel's Woman (Dragonus Chronicles Book 1) (10 page)

“Damn, woman!” Mark groaned, big hands anchoring her in place as he ground up to meet her. “Do you know what you do to me?”

She whispered his name, soft and teasing, into his fever-hot skin.  He pulled her tighter into him; seeking out her heat through her clothing.

“I have to go.”

“I’ll write you a hall pass.”

“I don’t think that’ll work.” She moaned in both pleasure and protest. “When do you get off?”

Julia bit her lip, waited for Mark to answer the pun with hot words and even hotter enticements.

“Sixteen-hundred, unless something comes up.”

“I’ll see you at sixteen-o-one, then.” She whispered in his ear, head lolling on his shoulder while she arched her breasts into the squeeze of his hands before pushing up onto shaky legs. “Make sure you’re not overdressed.”

Julia felt his groan of anticipation low in her belly and smiled a dreamy smile as she walked down Glider one’s ramp, headed for the access bridge.  Please let today go fast. 

Super-duper alien light-speed fast.

Chapter 10

Smash Cut
had closed out season two of their flagship show
Phoenix Rising
with a two-part episode that saw the demise of the Darvac as the dominant threat in the Dragonus galaxy.  It was the most watched season finale in the studio’s history, with record-breaking ratings across all viewer platforms.  When the Emmy’s were dished out,
Phoenix Rising
collected five awards.  Three for the CGI used in the epic battle scenes of
Part II: D-Day
. 

It wasn’t until she had watched Mark donned his Class A’s and slipped a black satin sash across his chest, in preparation for the memorial service, that Julia realized
D-Day
had actually happened.  For the men and women of Phoenix City and the allied worlds of Dragonus, those events were more than entertaining television created for the titillation of couch-bound audiences.  They were memories and experiences they would carry with them to their graves.  Many had done just that.  Their friends left behind to mourn their passing, while they celebrated the downfall of Darvacion oppression. 

The Service of Remembrance was held in the amphitheater at the close of Phoenix City’s crown, overlooking the stretch of the canyon plains toward the mountains in the distance; still cloaked in dawn’s pre-light.  Padre Smith had officiated reading aloud one name for every candle and attendee placed on the steps; a symbol of gratitude, hope, and remembrance that burned straight and true in the breathless air.

Julia had watched from the back row as Mark took his turn.  It had felt wrong to occupy a front row seat when she hadn’t served.  Nor had she lost a friend, a lover, or a comrade to a battle that, until now, had been nothing more than the imaginings of a gifted screenwriter.  But Phoenix City was her home and its military commander her love.  It was important to her to be there. 

As the sun rose with shards of pure white and summer yellow to flood the plains before them, Padre Smith led with a prayer; each poignant line intoned by his audience.  They rose as one to observe a minute’s silence, and saluted as one for the departure of the colors.

Like the other residents of Phoenix City, Mark and Julia opted to find a quiet spot and just be.  She spread the picnic rug from her backpack in a corner of manicured park and they lazed in the dappled shade of a pink-leafed tree.  It reminded Julia of their time together on Onemana beach and she lifted her head to press a kiss over his heart.  Mark smiled, fingers playing in her hair as he read aloud from her favorite book; the languid rhythm of his voice lulling her into a doze. 

At the going down of the sun, Phoenix City threw off her mourning shrouds and put on her dancing shoes.  Her lost comrades would always be remembered, but it was time to celebrate Dragonus’ hard-won freedom.

The Mess hall tables had been pushed to the sides and the white and silver architecture strobed in random patterns of pink, orange, and silver.  Two rounds in and the girls were singing and dancing together in the center of the crowded, blue-lit dance floor.  Julia was buzzing nicely when Stephen, Hayden, and Mark walked in; her temperature soaring higher as she spotted them in the doorway.  Mark looked incredible in civilian clothes, his hair a wild chaos no styling product would ever tame. 

She imagined what it would’ve been like to meet him in a bar or club.  How the bright lights and intimate shadows flirted with the contours of his handsome face, and the long lean lines of his body.  His white open-collared shirt set off his tan and his black jeans rode his thighs and ass like a second skin. 

Julia had stopped dancing; was calling him with a crooked finger and a hungry look in her eyes.  He moved through the crowd with the powerful grace of a hunting panther, his gaze never shifting from hers.  No one would doubt it was her he wanted.

Mark leaned in, lips soft and breath hot against her ear as he grazed a fingertip across the bare skin of her shoulder, traced the thin strap of her little red top. “All this for me?”

She nodded, swallowing hard as she leaned into his solid heat.  Her own hands laying claim over his flanks and narrow hips as he slid a palm over the curve of her ass, callouses snagging on her skirt; its frilled hemline cut to reveal flower vine garters and sheer black stockings.  He smelled fantastic; soap and cologne with an underlying scent that was all his own, and she couldn’t believe this man, this military man, this sex god, wanted her.

“I got your note.”

Julia allowed her gaze to travel over him from head to toe. “I figured.”

“You wanna dance, do you, Beautiful?”

She grinned, the heat in her cheeks disguised by the timely swirl of pink overhead.

The music changed and Mark pulled her into his hard length.  She placed her palm on his bicep as he took her right hand and led her into a cha cha.  Her mind was blown.  He could dance, and she felt beautiful and sexy in his arms.  When the song ended she slid her leg up and hooked it over his thigh.  He held it there and dipped her back, offering a chaste kiss to her lips.  Julia opened her eyes only to be caught like a deer in headlights, Mark’s whiskey gaze alive with flecks of fire and want.  His desire to take her right there on the dance floor surrounded by his men and his colleagues a potent lure.  Images flickered through her mind like scenes from a movie.  Alcohol and adrenalin coursed through her blood making her lightheaded.  Mark’s chest heaved against her from exertion and hunger, his arms rigid as he fought to control himself.

“God, what you do to me.” He murmured, husky and rich and seductive, burying his face in her hair and inhaling her scent.

“We should get you a drink.” Julia eased her leg back down, before taking his hand and weaving their way to the servery.

They waited in line and Mark pulled her back against him, his hands cradling her hips.  She felt the hard line of him against her ass as he ground his hips.

“Focus, Mark.”

“Oh,
I’m
focused, Beautiful.” He moved her hair away from her neck, dipped in to lay a kiss on her nape. “I’m focused on the way you’re wriggling your ass back even though you know you shouldn’t.  I’m focused on how your gorgeous tits feel in my hands, against my tongue.”

Julia shivered, she couldn’t help it.  The way he talked about her, told her what she did to him.  She’d never had a lover like her colonel before; never dreamed – well, okay, so maybe she’d dreamed, fantasied – but never thought to actually find a man like Mark.  She’d pinched herself too many times to count since she’d come to Phoenix.  Still half-convinced it was all a dream or cruel joke on the part of the Universe, or Destiny, Fate, or alien deity, to lessen the boredom of an endless eternity.  Any minute she’d wake up and find the white she saw everywhere was actually the padded walls of her cell.

“Poor baby, such hardships you suffer.” She teased with a roll of her hips, forcing Mark to tighten his hold to stay on his feet. “But can we dance now, and play later?”

He pouted and she laughed. 

“What can I get ya?”

“Beer and a…” Mark quirked a brow, waiting for Julia to say what she wanted.

“An orgasm, please.”

“And an orgasm.” He said without batting an eye.

It wasn’t a drink she usually went for – too creamy – but the look on Mark’s face had been priceless.

“What’s this?” She asked when the barman slid a hollow-stemmed martini glass across the counter.  The contents glowed like they had their own internal energy source; silver glitter suspended in a swirl of fluro-pink and lime green with dry ice wafting from its surface.

“An orgasm.” Mark pulled a face and picked up his comparatively boring bottle of Zefeirian ale. “Not what you were expecting?”

Julia laughed, bringing a second hand up to help balance the vibrant monstrosity as she followed Mark.  “Ah…no.  Milky Way orgasms tend not to be quite so exciting.”

“Guess it depends on who’s providing them.” He slid over to make room for her in the booth.  Lenti, Anora, and Ange were dancing so they were alone for the moment. “I’m happy to stick with the local brew.”

Mark raised his bottle and drank like a man returned from three days in the desert.  Julia focused on the way the muscles in his throat worked as he swallowed.

“You make a good point.” She pushed the cocktail toward the middle of the table.

“Needed that.” He gasped as he thunked the half-empty bottle on the table within easy reach. “Not enjoying your orgasm?”

“I’ll wait and hope for better later.”

She squawked in surprise when Mark lifted her legs across his lap, tickling the back of one knee.

“Why wait when I can…” His hand grazed over the silk of Julia’s stocking; the tips of two fingers slipping beneath the lace of her garter to stroke at a smooth thigh.

“Should you wish to continue, I could depart.” Hayden dropped into the opposite side of the booth; his body art glowing in the dark, only to surge to life whenever a colored light strobed over him.

“No.” Julia tried not to stare as she rescued her leg from Mark’s lap. “No, it’s fine, Hayden.  Thanks.”

“Cease not on my account.” Hayden rumbled a laugh, dimples flaring as he turned to watch the gyrating confusion of sweaty Earthers on the dancefloor.

“S’kay, was just helping Julia with her orgasm.”

Hayden jerked his head back round, a disbelieving look aimed at Julia.  She pointed to the glass in explanation, its contents having dimmed to a muddy unappetizing gray. 

“It’s called an orgasm.”

Hayden continued to stare, his expression unreadable.  Julia felt like she was sitting in the principal’s office.  The urge to fidget strong as hot color infused her from chest to hairline.

“Perhaps Miss Green would enjoy one.” Mark swigged at his beer, smirk hidden behind the neck of the bottle. 

Hayden shifted his gaze from Julia to Mark; stony silence conveying more than mere words could ever have hoped to achieve.

“And on that note, I’ll leave you men to chat.” She patted Mark’s forearm before sliding out of the booth to join her friends on the dancefloor.

Three songs later Julia noticed Hayden was still watching Ange.  She nudged her friend, rolling her eyes toward the table where identical expressions of interest graced both men’s faces.  Ange grinned and put extra sizzle in her moves.  Hayden was suddenly interested in the overhead architecture and Julia couldn’t hold back a laugh; a laugh, which was cut off when Mark got to his feet, downed the last of his beer, and stalked through the crowd to her side.

He crushed Julia to him and her body lit up.  A frisson of pleasure sparked to life by the feel of him behind her and his hands on her hips; guiding her, encouraging her to let loose. 

It was after three in the morning when they finally left the dancing.  Julia shivered in the cool of the corridor and Mark slung his jacket over her shoulders; a date-like gesture that made her smile.

“What?”

“This is our first date.”

“It is.”

“We’ve kind of done things backwards, haven’t we?” She ducked her head, letting her hair fall forward between them.

“Are you sorry?”

“No.” She said, squeezing her arms around his waist from behind.

He turned in her embrace and lifted her chin until their eyes met. “Neither am I.”

His lips coaxed hers to open and she was assaulted by the heat of his mouth as he kissed her.  Mark pulled out of kiss long before Julia wanted him to and walked them more quickly from the relocator to their quarters.

The moment the doors hissed shut, he was pushing her backward.  His hands on her upper arms and his mouth on the arch of her neck as her back came up against one of the pillars.

“It’s later, Beautiful.” Mark growled, holding her still with his body as he unzipped his jeans.

She lifted her leg over his hip and he gripped her thigh, eyes locked with hers.  The night’s slow burning heat ignited white hot when he yanked aside the flimsy scrap of lace and buried himself inside her; their cries filling the silent darkness around them.

~*~

They lay on top of the bed, clothing rumpled and askew in the blue light of second moonrise falling through the picture windows.

“I don’t think I can remember having a better date.” Julia murmured with the lure of sleep thick in her voice, fingers scribing slow patterns across his chest through his unbuttoned shirt.

“High praise, indeed.”  He mumbled somewhere near her ear. 

His scent was intoxicating; his mouth, his touch, his heat…

How did one ever get out of bed, when you had a lover like Mark?  As eager for your body as you were for his?  Julia wondered within the confines of her own mind.  She marveled at the ease with which one encounter would blend into the next.  Their bodies responding to even the lightest whisper touch from the other.

“Mark…” Julia murmured with passion and confusion in her voice. “I…”

“I know.” He answered, his own voice cracking with an emotion she couldn’t name. “Me too.”

Mark held her as he joined them once again; the pain of overuse insignificant to the pain of being apart.  Tears ran down her cheeks as she pulled him against her; needing him closer still.  He looked into her eyes and kissed away her tears; his heart speaking to hers in that moment, the abyss before climax.