ROMULUS (The Innerworld Affairs Series, Book 1) (31 page)

"A long time ago," Aster replied. "I shouldn't have any problem getting us around the area though."

"Good. We'll be contacting a scientist named Doctor Katherine Houston. Her specialty is tracking the asteroid belt and we've been told she's very trustworthy.

"A lot is depending on the reports we have received from our emissary stationed at the Rand Corporation in Santa Monica. We've been assured that Doctor Houston always works in her lab at the observatory on Saturday.

"I don't expect it to happen, but if we get separated, you will contact that emissary. He's been notified that two people will be coming out."

"Wait a minute. You have an agent working at the Rand Corporation? That's a think tank. Why doesn't he just say he thought up this new formula for fuel and give it to Doctor Houston himself?"

"Because our emissary is a night janitor there. A lowly position, but a trusted one, with keys to every door and access afterhours. No one would believe he became a genius overnight."

"How would I contact this person?"

"This man has provided us with information of untold value for many years and we must avoid jeopardizing his position in any way. It would take years to establish another emissary in such a sensitive area. We are only to contact him in an extreme emergency. Your portable vidcoms must be left in Innerworld. If necessary, call this number on a public phone. When someone answers, don't speak. Punch this code into the phone instead. That will advise our contact that there is an emergency and you need to meet.

"Before we leave tomorrow, a homing device will be implanted in our ears. I will be able to find you if we are separated and the emissary will be able to locate either one of us using the device."

"Ouch. Do I have to?"

"You'll never know it's there. Also," Rom said, reaching into his pocket, "we each wear one of these rings. The emissary wears one too. That's how you would identify him."

Aster picked up the smaller gold ring and tried it on her third finger. There were markings and raised bumps of gold on both sides of the band. A large fire opal winked at her from the center setting. When the light hit the stone, she could make out a geometric design deep in the center of the gem.

"That's the insignia for Innerworld," Rom explained. "Be careful with the stone and nodes. The opal can be turned in either direction or opened like a door, but each movement has a purpose which may generate a message or action. These nodes on the sides gives access to a microcomputer and the transmigrator. Don't worry about it. You have enough to remember without learning how to operate the ring."

"Wow! I get my very own secret decoder ring. How very cloak and dagger. I'm sorry. This isn't funny. I must be getting hysterical. How do we get there? I refuse to go through what I did to come here."

Rom laughed. "It will take less than a minute and you'll feel a bit like you're on a roller-coaster ride. One second we'll be here then we'll be there. That's all there is to it."

"You mean our bodies dematerialize here and rematerialize in another location."

Rom was impressed with her comprehension. "Basically, that's correct. I could get more technical if you'd like."

"No, thank you. You are talking to someone who can barely stand to get on an airplane, so I think the less I know, the better. Just guarantee me I won't end up with my feet on backward or anything like that."

"Guaranteed." Rom chucked her under her chin. "Are you really afraid to fly?" He was going to have a time convincing her to go to Norona with him as it was.

"I'm better than I used to be. Just hold onto my hand."

Rom pulled her onto his lap with a wicked laugh. "I intend to be holding on to a lot more than that." He nibbled her ear as his hand crept up her thigh.

Aster felt the heat rising and quickly got off his lap before her evening's plans were ruined. "Is there anything else we need to go over?"

Rom was totally confused. Her body was hot when he held her. He knew that she must need him now. He hoped she was not still thinking about Victor's abuse. But, if necessary, he would seduce her all over again. He walked up behind her and slid his arms around her waist.

"Whatever it is can wait until later. How about that whirlpool now?" His husky voice breathed into her ear. "Will you share it with me?"

Although dizzy from wanting him so badly, she was determined to give him his whole surprise or nothing. "No, I can't. I... have something to do. Would you like me to get it ready for you?" she asked nervously as she pulled away.

"Never mind. I'll just take a shower." He sounded so disappointed Aster almost gave in as he turned away and slowly climbed the stairs.

As soon as she heard the water turn on, she ran to the bedroom, tearing her clothes off along the way. She moved at breakneck speed to get ready before he got out of the shower.

With tousled wet hair and a towel wrapped around his waist, Rom stepped out from behind the bathroom screen. He was so devilishly appealing that it took Aster a moment to remember the lines she had carefully rehearsed.

"Stop!" she commanded.

The order was unnecessary. Rom froze at the shocking sight of the Amazon waiting for him at the foot of their bed. She had tossed her hair so that it was in wild disarray around her beautiful, but stern, face. She stood akimbo, over six feet tall in her spike-heeled shoes and dressed in a revealing red lace bustier. Black fishnet stockings attached to a black lace garter belt completed the outfit.

Holding a riding crop, Aster slinked toward him and inserted the end of the quirt into the top of the towel, easily flipping his only protection into a corner of the room. She slowly circled his nude form as if inspecting her property, finally giving his rump a light taste of her whip.

"Acceptable. Get on the bed, on your back. Now!"

Rom had gotten over his initial surprise and was struggling to hold back a full-fledged horse laugh. He quickly did as she bade. Whatever she had in mind was fine with him.

Coming around to one side of the bed, she dropped her prop and brought his one arm up, swiftly tying a red velvet cord around his wrist. The other end was secured to the bed frame. She moved to his ankles then his other wrist until each of his limbs was prettily bound to a corner of the bed. He was no longer sure this was funny.

He watched her kneel at one of his feet and sighed when she began massaging the arches. The relaxing moment ended when her tongue came into play, tracing each of his toes with special attention to the sensitive flesh between. As she got to his smallest appendage she drew it between her lips and sucked gently. When each toe of that foot had been properly loved, she repeated the treatment on his other foot.

Crawling onto the bed between his legs, she let her stomach caress his burning flesh as her mouth closed over one of his nipples. Aster's tongue played with him as he had done so often with her. When she felt the small pebble harden, she moved to the other.

Rom moaned and pulled at the cords keeping him in place. His desire was too great to hold back much longer.

"Oh, no, you don't. You're my love slave tonight and you can only be rewarded if you're a very obedient boy."

Aster backed off the bed and stood straight before him. She untied the bustier and let the material fall to the floor. Her hands cupped her breasts and lifted them to him. "My breasts ache for you, my shallar. Can't you see how much they want you to touch them?" Her fingertips rolled her aroused nipples then slid down her abdomen to lightly brush the dark curls between her legs. "My body has missed you terribly. But then, you know I have an emptiness only you can fill."

Her words were like warm honey pouring over his body. His limbs felt numb. All his blood rushed to the center of his being, forming the eye of a storm within him.

Leaving the garter belt and stockings on, she came back to him and enveloped his shaft between her full breasts. Using her hands to press herself tightly around him, she manipulated his flesh. Her lush embrace ripped away the last of his self-control. A tormented groan escaped and he came against his will. As he gasped for breath, she sat back on her feet. Staring into his eyes, she leaned over and nibbled his chest and stomach.

Within minutes, he was ready for her again and she untied his restraints. She lay down beside him, wordlessly urging him on top of her. Slick with desire, Aster's body easily absorbed his without further guidance. Her hands trickled down his back and massaged his buttocks as he began his rhythmic probing.

Bringing her hands back to her own waist, palms up, she eased them between their bodies. Rom lifted his head and looked at her curiously just before her fingertips applied pressure to the two nerve bundles above his groin. His head catapulted forward into the pillow and he involuntarily plunged deeper inside her.

He was totally unprepared for the explosion that rocked him with his second release. When he regained a semblance of his strength, he rolled onto his back, bringing her with him. Aster propped her head on her fist and gazed at him with a Cheshire Cat grin. He drew her lips to his in a long, sensual kiss.

"Don't ever do that again," Rom whispered breathlessly, "at least not for another week."

The spell broke and they both gave in to a fit of laughter as she described how she had done her research.

"Oh, I almost forgot. That wasn't the whole surprise."

Rom looked horrified. "Aster, please, I don't think I'd survive any more right now!"

"No, silly. I don't mean that kind of surprise. Wait a minute." She got off the bed and brought up a long package wrapped in shiny red paper. She placed it on his lap as she sat up. "This is to thank you for loving me no matter how inappropriate. Go ahead, open it." She could barely contain her own anticipation.

He couldn't imagine what it could be but his curiosity didn't make him remove the wrapping any less carefully. When the splendorous sword was revealed, he was speechless for several seconds. Touching the gleaming steel, he murmured, "It's the Black Knight's sword. How did you get it?"

"Remember I told you I had met Falcon? Well, I went to the Arena to look for a souvenir for you. Falcon works there and he gave me this. He said the Black Knight admired you very much and would want you to have it. He told me you put that nick in the blade when you defeated the knight. Do you like it?"

"Oh, Shalla. It's the most wonderful gift I ever received—next to you. Thank you." He started to pull her to him when he had another thought. "I can't believe I didn't realize it before. He has the same build, the same catlike walk, even the same gravelly voice. Of course! Falcon
is
the Black Knight."

Chapter 18

Nervous energy made up for lack of sleep as Aster and Rom headed for Medical the next morning. A nice-looking man in a white uniform introduced himself as Doctor Gemina. He instructed them to lie down on two separate examining tables and relax. Aster mentally laughed at the suggestion that she would be capable of relaxing.

The doctor worked a set of controls and studied the viewer at Aster's head. A foot-wide chrome arch hovering over her head crept down and back up the length of her body. When the arch stopped where it had begun, the overhead light beam came on, radiating warmly down on her. She automatically closed her eyes but soon realized the intensity was much gentler than she had previously experienced.

When their exams were completed, the doctor reported, "You are both in excellent condition. The beam has projected a temporary sanitizing shield around you to protect you from any harmful bacteria you may encounter on your journey."

Aster started to sit up when Doctor Gemina placed his hand over her wrist. "You can't escape quite yet. Aster. I need another few minutes." His hand stayed on her for a moment as he gazed into her eyes with masculine interest. She lay back down wondering why, with all this sophisticated equipment, would he take her pulse the old-fashioned way?

"Ahem!" Rom loudly cleared his throat.

Aster turned her face to him and saw that he was propped up on one elbow, scowling fiercely at the handsome doctor. Gemina removed his hand and a hint of pink appeared on the man's fair cheekbones.

"Yes, uh, as I said, uh, a few more minutes, for the homing device." The doctor was flustered at his momentary lapse in front of the chief administrator. As he pulled open the underbed drawer of implements, he caught the fearful grimace that distorted her features.