Tamara's Future (10 page)

the floor.

She continued shaking her head and she did what she should have done three years

ago. She asked for help without thinking about the consequences. “Please, Gage, please don’t let him get me.”

Gage carried Tamara to the sofa. “Tell me about it,” he whispered. His anger

drained in the face of Tamara’s distress but his resolve remained firm. Obviously this wasn’t something she’d initiated or wanted. So who was Simon? She had to tell him.

Tamara buried her head against Gage’s shoulder. He reached down and used a

finger to tip her chin up. “My ship has just been attacked. When the attack failed we received that message. Tell me what you know.”

Tamara sniffed and swallowed back her fear. Gage could protect her from Simon,

couldn’t he? She had to trust that he could, otherwise she was doomed.

She took a deep breath and said, “After I escaped from Fells, I bummed around for

a few years. Then I was on a ship boarded by Simon—he’s a space pirate, one of the

worst. You let your victims go. Simon delighted in torturing his and then he’d kill them all. He never left a witness to his crimes.”

“You’re here.”

“I pretended. That time was some of my best acting. He boarded our ship. I

recognized him and knew he’d kill me if I didn’t do something.” She shrugged. “Sex

has always been valid currency and, as you know, I’d learned to zone out, go numb

while I was being used. I approached him and seduced him. I buried myself so deeply that I still wonder how I did some of the things he required. He liked me because I could look like a young teen even though I was in my early twenties at the time. He was vicious and cruel and the first chance I got, I took off.”

“Before you met me? And you never told me about Fells or Simon? Is there anyone

else you’ve neglected to mention?”

She shook her head.

“Why didn’t you tell me when we were first together?”

She struggled to sit up but Gage tightened his arms and kept her close. “Answer

me. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because men tend to blame women for everything that is done to them. I…”

“You what?”

“Damn you! You seemed nice. You seemed decent, even if you are a pirate. I

wanted a fresh start. I wanted to be with a man who saw me as an equal, not just as a good fuck or a toy to play with. I wanted to bury my past.”

“Well it didn’t stay buried Tamara. It’s been resurrected with a vengeance. Not only was my ship attacked, it was attacked by someone who knew our route and by ships that had been confiscated by Space Command. I recognized them. They once belonged

to the pirate Captain James. And a message was sent to you. You must know more than you think you do.”

“I haven’t heard from Simon since I escaped. I don’t know how he knows I’m here

or how he knows my real name.”

“Prove to me that I can trust you.”

“How can I do that?”

“Talk to me. Tell me everything, even if you don’t think it’s important or you don’t think it has relevance. Talk to me.”

Tamara took a deep breath and blew it out. “I saw the holovas on the cruiser. I

thought at the time that it was the type Simon likes to steal. That’s probably why he’s after you. But how did he know you have it? How does he know I’m here? He could know I’m with the art since he was always good at figuring out that kind of stuff. He had a mole at Space Command who fed him information. But how could a mole at

Space Command know you have both the holovas and me? How could the mole know

your route? Gage, it doesn’t make any sense.”

Gage frowned at Tamara’s information. It validated his suspicions. It was beginning to come together for him and the picture was not pretty. The mole at Space Command was probably Fells. Fells could have found Gage’s route. Fells could have found out that Gage was the robber. Fells could have given Simon access to the ships. But Tamara didn’t know that Gage was an undercover cop so of course it wouldn’t make sense to her.

Was now the time to tell her that he was a cop and his original intent had been to

lure out the pirate who was killing everyone he robbed? According to Tamara the

pirate’s name was Bloody Simon. He’d been seeking Simon all this time and apparently Simon was seeking Tamara. So Gage had the holovas and Tamara. No wonder the ships had come after him. They had wanted to disable his ship. To board it. If he hadn’t been a professionally trained commander with a military crew, they probably would have been able to disable without destroying his ship. He was positive none of the crew

would have survived the encounter though.

Tamara felt as if she was sinking beneath the weight of Gage’s silence. She didn’t

realize his mind was far away. She thought he was upset by her revelations so she did the first thing she could think of. Something she’d never voluntarily done before. She leaned over and kissed him.

It was a light, feathery motion that barely grazed his hard lips. Her cunt clenched.

Her mouth opened a little as she realized she wasn’t using sex just to distract him. His actions the past few days seemed to have broken through barriers she’d spent years building. She wanted Gage and she wanted him to trust her. He could trust her. She’d never betray him again. His relentless campaign had worked. She felt free to express herself and she wanted to be with him.

She trailed a hand along his face. Their lips were so close that their breath mingled.

Gage threaded his fingers through her hair and held her head while his lips descended

for a hard kiss. He took it deeper as his tongue plunged into her mouth. Tamara was so lost in the feel of his hard body that when he abruptly broke off the kiss and stood she could only stare at him.

“How do I know you’re not just acting again? You’ve admitted that you’ve done it

in the past. Are you using me to protect you from Simon? How do I know you’re not

just playing me?”

Tamara wanted to look away. Gage’s intense blue eyes felt like lasers going to her

heart. “There is no way I can prove my loyalty. There is no way I can prove I’m not playing you.” Tamara swallowed hard. She hadn’t realized just how much she depended on her looks even as she raged against the men who’d used her. She needed

Gage’s protection. She was using him but she was willing to give too. His sensuous

campaign was winning her over even if her latest move had been precipitated by

Simon’s message.

Gage ran his hand through his hair, leaving the blond locks ruffled and

disorganized. “I wish I could trust you,” Gage said, staring intently into her eyes. “I want to trust you.”

Fakzi silently padded into the room.

She is trustworthy. You are both confused but you both like each other. You should be with
her.

Have you formed a mindpath with her, so you know that for a fact?

Do not need one. Her thoughts are easy.

Gage snorted.

Listen harder,
Fakzi told Gage.

Before Gage could respond to Fakzi, the comm bell interrupted.

Gage walked over and flicked it on.

David’s face appeared. “I’ve found something,” he said.

Gage nodded. “I’ll be right there.” He turned and walked over to Tamara. He gave

her a quick, hard kiss and then said, “We’ll continue this conversation later.”

She nodded and watched him walk out the door.

Gage strode through the quiet corridors to the briefing room. He felt restless and

uncomfortable. Why had she almost surrendered? He wanted to believe that his shock

tactics were working but he still didn’t know quite how to resolve the fact that she was a criminal although he had a few ideas. And how would she react when she found out he was a cop? He had few answers. He only knew that she belonged with him and he

wouldn’t let her go.

Gage walked into the briefing room.

“I dug deeper,” David said.

“And?”

“And I think you may be right. There are some interesting inconsistencies and too

many coincidences. I think Fells is dirty.” David paused for a moment then he

continued, “You want to offer her a deal, don’t you? She helps us and all her past is forgotten? Is that where you’re going?”

“Would it be so bad?”

“You don’t think straight around her.”

“You mean I didn’t think straight without her. Let’s revisit this conversation just before I meet with command. I still have a few more days with her.”

David shook his head. “I really like the lassie but I think you should carefully

consider all the ramifications of what you’re proposing. Do you really think her

testimony is enough to put the bastard behind bars?”

“No, I don’t think her testimony is enough. She’s a criminal. I believe her but who’s going to believe her, except us? I wonder…” Gage frowned.

“Oh, laddie, what are you thinking of doing?”

Gage smiled. “I’m thinking of a way for all of us to get what we want.” He

proceeded to explain his plan to David.

“Risky.”

“My plans are always risky. Are you with me?”

“Aye, laddie. I like the lass. She should have a chance to be free, especially if it means we can lock that bastard away. There’s nothing lower than a crooked cop. How high do you think the corruption goes? Do you trust Michael Mark or do you think he’s in on it too?”

Gage shook his head. “I’ve worked for Michael for nearly ten years. I don’t believe he’s crooked. We have to trust him. If we can’t trust him then the whole command structure is corrupt. There’s only one way to find out. Let’s get the repairs finished.

We’re going to Space Command.” Gage he turned back to his comm and sent a message

to his boss.

*

Gage entered his bedroom. Tamara was fast asleep on the bed. Her short hair and

relaxed pose made her look so young. But he’d experienced her passion and knew she

was a woman. He pulled off his uniform and strode naked into the shower cubicle.

Within a short time, he was clean and ready to get sweaty. He hesitated. Tamara had come a long way but she wasn’t his yet and he still had doubts. He sighed. He didn’t know if he’d ever be able to trust her completely, despite Fakzi’s claim.

Gage shook his head and moved to the bed. He lay down next to Tamara. He used a

finger to stroke her cheek. His touch was soft, barely caressing her silken skin. He moved closer. Circling his arms around her, he pulled her close and waited for her to wake.

*

Tamara woke to find herself snuggled against Gage. She could feel his cock at her

back. He was rock hard and for the first time she wondered what it would feel like

when—not if—he sank his cock deeply into her cunt. His arms were hard, his chest

warm. She wiggled her butt a little, pressing even closer.

“Don’t tease darling or I might not be able to restrain myself,” he murmured, his

lips barely grazing her hair.

Gage rolled her onto her back. He placed a hand on either side of her face. He bent and kissed her forehead then he trailed kisses down the side of her face. She captured his mouth when he got close to her lips. He teased and kept the kisses light. Tamara sighed and lifted her head for more. Gage accepted her invitation and deepened the kiss. His tongue touched hers and their tongues danced. Tamara moaned as Gage broke off the kiss too soon. Her head dropped back to the pillow. Gage trailed kisses down her throat, using his tongue at one point, sending shivers down her spine. He continued his journey down her body, paying special attention to her nipples.

“Don’t stop,” she said as he finished with her breasts and continued on his journey.

“I have no intention of stopping. I want you hungry for me, as hungry as you’ve

made me all these years.”

Tamara hesitated but she had to ask. “Will it hurt much?”

Gage stilled. “Will what hurt much?”

“The sex.”

“Oh, darling, it doesn’t have to hurt at all.”

Tamara’s heart pounded. Her cunt ached. It clenched with need and she realized

that nothing but Gage’s cock would satisfy her craving. He’d been right, she did want him. She realized that Gage wasn’t like other men. He’d never force her and he’d never let her go. If she did manage to escape, he’d track her down. She only had three days left on their bet—the bet she was going to lose. The thought should have upset her but she was tired of being afraid. Tired of not feeling anything. Gage was teaching her to feel and the feelings were joyous and erotic. It was time to trust Gage to keep her safe and so she pushed herself past her fear to ask, “Will you show me?”

“What are you asking, darling? I want you to be very clear. I don’t ever want you to feel like I pressured you and you had no choice but to accept me. Or that you felt you had to use your sex to buy your safety. So what are you asking, darling?”

She wouldn’t back out now. He’d shown her ecstasy. He claimed there was more.

She wanted to know if he was telling the truth. “Please make love to me,” she said. No matter how she tried, she could only whisper. Tamara’s heart clenched. Would he reject her?

Gage rolled on top of her. His cock throbbed against her belly and she realized that she
wanted
to feel him deep inside, filling her with his hot length. Gage’s head descended for another searing kiss. His knees spread her legs and his cock pressed against her entrance.

Tamara moved her hips, inviting him into her depths.

He pulled back a little. “Not so fast, darling. I’ve waited too long for this moment to rush it now.”

“I do want you, Gage. I’ve always wanted you even though I denied us both,” she

whispered.

“It’s about time you admit that, darling.” He held her chin while he leaned down

and gave her a soft kiss. She tried to deepen it but he pulled back. “Slowly, darling.”