Skyport Virgo 1 - Refuge (16 page)

Pike had full confidence in his ability to serve with distinction in his new post, but it was impossible to completely squash that niggling doubt. There were new responsibilities and duties. No matter how hard he'd prepared for this moment, it wouldn't be nearly enough. He had to trust in his ability to adapt and overcome.

Laleh's breathing changed. Certain she'd drift off again, Pike continued his slow petting. Although she'd been working out of Ambassador Leroy's office every day for the past two weeks, today was Laleh's first official day at her new position. He'd sensed her anxiety last night and couldn't blame her. Going from the rather insulated world of academia into the often high-stress realm of diplomacy wasn't going to be simple. She'd likely face a few bumps and make a
faux pas
or two along the way.

A quirked smile curved his mouth as he considered her propensity to speak rather frankly. In the diplomatic world, a poorly chosen word could tip the delicate balances. He found her bluntness rather endearing. There was no bullshit to wade through when it came to Laleh. But others? He could see how they might take offense. He wondered how long it would take her to learn to temper her statements. Or if she even could.

Laleh stirred, her hand drifting across his belly. His eyes closed at her feather soft touch on his skin. She always seemed to know just how to touch him. Her lips danced across his chest, her tongue flicking his nipple. In a single fluid motion, Laleh slid on top of him, her knees settling on either side of his thighs. Her teeth grazed his left pec, her nails brushing over his shoulders.

Pike shuddered as she kissed her way down his body. Her tongue zigzagged down his abdomen, following the trail of hair leading straight down to his stiffening cock.

Palms flattened against the sheet, Pike gulped and gave in to the excitement of a little early morning head. She'd only put her mouth on him once before, just a few days earlier.

She'd been eager but a little hesitant. He'd stayed perfectly still, quelling the desire to pump his hips or guide her movements with his hands on her face, for fear of spooking her. She'd gotten him close to coming before sliding onto his cock and riding him to her own orgasm.

Later, when he'd questioned her, she'd admitted she feared he would find her skill lacking. He'd done his best to explain to her he could care less about her inexperience.

Her enthusiasm more than made up for a little fumbling here or there. He never wanted her to feel inadequate or uncomfortable with him.

Laleh disappeared under the covers. She pulled away from his body just long enough to toss back the comforter and top sheet before moving back between his legs. Hands on his thighs, she kissed and teased all around his cock, her mouth coming dangerously close to closing around his crown but never quite touching him. She finally grasped his rigid length and lightly stroked. Pike could feel her hot breath against his skin as she moved closer. He held his breath in anticipation.

When her wet tongue laved his sac, Pike stiffened and groaned. Her ringed fingers fondled his shaft. She sucked his balls between her lips, her tongue languidly sliding over the sensitive patch of skin. Pike thought he might die in that moment of absolute ecstasy.

She released him from her mouth and worked her tongue along the seam and up toward his cock.

With one long swipe, Laleh licked the length of his dick. Her tongue fluttered against his frenulum. Pike's jaw tightened as her mouth engulfed the head of his cock. The gentle suction of her hot, wet mouth drove him mad. Ever so slowly, Laleh took more of him into her mouth. Her slick lips slid down his cock, her velvety tongue pressed to the underside of his shaft. His breath caught in his throat as he felt her jaw relax. His penis found its home in the back of her throat.

He didn't dare move. He knew one bump of his cock to her sensitive throat could end it all.

Just as slowly, Laleh moved back up his shaft. Saliva slicking her strokes, she bobbed on his cock. Her hand curled around his stem and worked in tandem with her mouth. Sucking and licking, she alternated the depth of her bobbing movements. Head back, Pike stared at the ceiling and reveled in the sensation of his wife's amazingly talented mouth. The noisy squelch of their naughty activity filled the darkness. He became so hard he ached for release.

When Laleh hummed in apparent pleasure, Pike gasped and clutched the sheet. The vibrations rippling through his cock made his balls draw up tightly. His hips pumped inadvertently. Laleh took it in stride and moaned as if to encourage his participation. His fingers tangled in her hair as he gently clasped her head and slowly thrust into her welcoming mouth.

As if sensing he was close, Laleh's teasing tongue and lips concentrated on the head of his cock. White hot desire roiled in his lower belly. A few more strokes and he'd be done for. Although it took every ounce of his self-control, Pike stilled his pumping hips.

He didn't want to force Laleh to do anything she wasn't ready to do just yet.

"Baby, I'm about to come." Pike's voice was thick with sleep and desire.

"I want to taste your cum."

Her boldly spoken words nearly had him spurting right then and there. When her lips settled around his cock, Pike let loose of his control. He thrust into the molten wetness of her mouth. Calves flexing, breaths short, Pike chased his climax.

"Laleh!" Growling her name, he spilled his seed into her receiving mouth. He could feel her lips tightening around him, her tongue fluttering over his head as she swallowed every last drop of his cum. He jerked again and again as she continued stimulating him, drawing out his release until he begged her to stop.

He wiped a shaky hand down his face. "Fuck, Laleh! That was incredible."

"You're welcome."

In her cheeky reply, Pike could almost hear the mischievous smirk she now likely wore. He reached for her. "Come here."

Laleh crawled into his arms. He captured her lips in a deep kiss. His flavor clung to her tongue. Pike rolled his wife onto her back and nibbled his way down her body. He nuzzled her pussy, inhaling the scent of her arousal. "One good turn deserves another…"

* * * *

Laleh slumped into her desk chair and sighed with exhaustion. She'd been on her feet all day without a break. First she'd rushed to the observation deck to watch the docking of the
Spica
at Skyport Virgo. Finally seeing the floating space city had knocked the breath from her lungs. It was simply too colossal to comprehend. As a central hub to a fleet of fifteen docked starships, Virgo supported tens of thousands of Spacefleet personnel, Federation employees, and civilians. Her stomach had dropped at the realization she'd have to learn a whole new series of schematics.

Luckily, her fears had been proven unfounded. The second she stepped off the
Spica
and into the bustling world of the skyport, Laleh had spotted interactive wall maps and even a handful of Virgo employees whose sole purpose was to provide directions.

Finally, a place designed with the less navigationally blessed in mind!

The skyport was so vast Laleh had barely reached the diplomatic wing when she'd been summoned to the lushly landscaped and sumptuously decorated central atria for the handover ceremony. She made it to her seat in the front row just seconds before Pike marched onto the stage.

Who would have guessed a ceremonial handover of command between Pike and Admiral Bolanle would have been so involved and boring! Standing in the crowd, Laleh had easily read her husband's face. Others might have been fooled, thinking his demeanor professional and serious, but Laleh knew better. He was bored to tears and likely found the whole ceremony a waste of time.

As soon as the ceremony ended, Laleh had been shuffled over to a luncheon celebrating Admiral Bonlanle's retirement and Pike's promotion. Even though she sat at Pike's side, they hardly exchanged a handful of words. It seemed everyone at their table had a list of questions they were desperate to ask. Laleh's head still reeled from the crush of new faces. She hoped she'd have time to browse through Virgo's directory to acquaint herself with the names of people she'd likely cross paths with again.

The second lunch ended, Pike rushed off to take proper command. Ambassador Leroy had whisked Laleh back to the consulate and introduced her to the other ambassadors and staff. A total of nineteen ambassadors representing various planets and planetary systems were stationed at Virgo. They each had support staffs ranging from just a handful to a dozen members. Getting to know everyone would take weeks.

Since Ambassador Leroy occupied the senior position in the consulate, Laleh answered directly to him. Not having to adjust to a new superior lessened some of her anxiety. Judging by the dozens of messages blinking on the widescreen atop her desk, the ambassador had been talking her up to his colleagues. Already she had requests for consults. Her blood pressure skyrocketed just thinking about the backlog she already had to work through—and she'd been on the job less than a day!

Laleh cast a surveying glance around her office. It was a nice size, twice that of the personal office in their quarters. It was centrally located in the consulate wing too. Since the opening of Virgo a few months earlier, the office had been used for storage. It was obvious some of the diplomatic staff had tried to clear out the room and convert it to office space. A few stray boxes remained behind. Mismatched furniture had been hastily placed: a desk by the panoramic window, a pair of high-backed chairs for guests, and a bookshelf.

Laleh made a face as she tried to find a comfortable spot in her desk chair. It was terribly uncomfortable. Tomorrow she'd go begging around the department for a new one.

A timid knock gained her attention. She snapped her gaze to the open doorway. An ensign in the yellow uniform of the technical sector waited expectantly. "Yes?"

"I've brought your transmitter, Mrs. Grayson." He crossed the office and set the device on her desk.

Laleh nearly laughed. Her missing transmitter had becoming something of a joke between Pike and herself. "Oh. Thanks."

"On behalf of the repair department, I wanted to apologize for the poor service we rendered you. The transmitter fell behind a desk. We only found it earlier today when we had to make room for a new workstation. Again, I'm so sorry for the inconvenience."

Laleh dismissively waved her hand. "Don't worry about it. I had most of my email routed to the hub in our quarters." She decided not to say anything about the three weeks of video messages she'd now have to wade through.

The ensign disappeared and Laleh switched on her transmitter. The familiar greeting tune filled her with relief. When the screen lit up, she winced. Thirty-nine video messages and more than four hundred emails. Moving her finger up and down in front of the screen, Laleh scanned the video messages for anything urgent. Her gaze skipped over the entries but jumped back to one specific caller ID.

Jai.

Heart in her throat, Laleh dropped her transmitter. Mouth dry and legs shaking, she bolted from her chair and rushed to the door. She quickly shut and locked it before racing back to her chair. Fingers trembling, she opened the message. Her brother's snarling voice filtered through the speakers.

"You conniving little slut!" Jai's angry face filled the small screen. Fury twisted his features, making him look even more intimidating than usual. There was so much of their father in him. And it terrified her. "You're just a lying, thieving slag like your whore of a mother. You don't have me fooled for one minute. I won't allow you to embarrass this family again." He lowered his voiced and moved closer to the camera. "Don't think for one minute your starman can protect you from me."

The feed cut out suddenly. Nausea swirled in Laleh's belly. She clutched at her throat and gulped for air.
Oh god. Oh god. Oh god.

Laleh knew Jai wouldn't leave well enough alone. Restoring the family honor demanded blood—her blood. In the civilized world, the idea of slaughtering a woman for some transgression—whether real or imagined—was simply unthinkable, barbaric. On Hezma-12, it was the law. A family's besmirched honor cast them as pariahs.

Laleh could only imagine the humiliation her father and Jai had suffered because of their escape. Bringing her back to marry and satisfy a contract would have made things right in their eyes. Now that she'd gone and married Pike, she'd made that impossible.

General Feeshan would never accept her. He'd probably demanded a hefty sum to recoup his loss of honor as the spurned bridegroom.

And she'd had sex with Pike, lots and lots of sex. In the eyes of Hezman society, Laleh was little better than a whore. Her marriage to an outsider, a starman, would never be recognized. Within the Hezman world, she'd simply been engaging in premarital sex, a crime punishable by death. If Jai ever managed to drag her back…

A message box popped up on her widescreen monitor. She jumped when Ambassador Leroy appeared and addressed her. "Laleh, would you mind coming down to my office? I need some assistance with a translation."

She quickly regained her composure. "I'll be right there."

The box closed, and she exhaled a shuddery breath. There was nothing to be done about Jai right now. She pushed aside her fear, boxed it away, and left her office.

Chapter Twelve

Exhausted and desperate for some peace, Pike traversed the seemingly endless corridors and elevators between his office in the skyport and their rooms aboard the
Spica
. He couldn't wait until the admiral's quarters on Virgo were cleared out and ready for occupation. His daily commute would be much shorter then.

Of course, Laleh had been less than excited about the idea of packing up and moving so soon, but the promise of nearly triple their current space and a chance to really decorate had appeased her somewhat. He made a mental note to look into finding some movers. Surely there were some ensigns aboard the
Spica
hungry for a little extra spending money and a chance to ingratiate themselves with the admiral.

Pike wondered if the day could have been any more of a clusterfuck. The public handover ceremony had dragged on for what felt like hours. It was a pointless exercise and a complete waste of time. Instead of getting straight to the business at hand, Pike had been forced to smile and schmooze.