CHAPTER FOURTEEN

“Wake up in the morning
See your sunrise—loves—to go down.
“Lousy lovers… pick their prey…
But they never cry out loud.”

- Stevie Nicks

The night had nearly passed.

Jerrell, even as he awoke at the prompting of his internal clock, began to immediately ponder the progress of his short campaign… and was well pleased, on both counts.

He'd known, with an assurance born from years of extracting material, favors, information—and on occasions like this one, more intangible rewards—from those who were at first unwilling, that the process was, with some, a science, and with others, an art.

With the extraordinary woman now curled into a pacified slumber beside him, it had been a very carefully considered combination of both: He'd known that she'd become involved, once his sources informed him that the hitherto unseen animal woman who'd very recently begun servicing a highly select clientele was, in fact, a former Starfleet officer.

At first, he'd been extremely disturbed, thinking that it might be Parihn herself, forcibly returned to her old life. He'd made a number of roundabout inquiries, and learned she was healthy and whole on Earth. A few others had gotten him more of the story… and he'd easily induced the rest.

It hadn't really been difficult to surmise what had happened. After all, Jerrell knew he was in a unique position. He understood the habits of Starfleet Intelligence, and knew Parihn better than most, through Xorc and his own impressions, even though they'd spent only a few days together almost nine years ago. He envisioned her furiously going to Starfleet once she'd learned that her protégé had been taken, and demanding some sort of rescue attempt.

It's obvious how far that got her—though I have to admit I'm thankful for the opportunity to at last make her mine permanently.

Of course, SI, still smarting from the compromise in their Orion operations—such as they were—Aedra's capture represented, had no doubt assured her that “everything possible is being done… when we have the proper elements in place, we'll act.”

In other words, “Wait a few weeks, months, or perhaps a year, while we stop the hemorrhaging in our own organization… and then, if feasible, we'll worry about this operative.”

He glanced at the sleeping woman with a companionable sympathy, and thought, From the first, you'd known you were on your own.

Yet, somehow, he had been sure that, within a week or two, she would arrive at Way Station 242, in need of a favor—a big one. And so, he'd planned accordingly, sending Xorc on an errand that would keep the protective Kaylar occupied a sufficient time for Jerrell to put his plan—his successful plan, he amended with profound satisfaction—into action.

Even he'd been stunned when she'd made her appearance only four days later.

You are resourceful, aren't you?

He'd been determined that she wouldn't leave; even if Parihn had initially thought she wanted to do so, Jerrell had known he would change her perspective.

And, despite her brilliant mind, the way to any animal woman's heart is through her body. I wasn't about to make the same mistake twice.

Jerrell had known she'd initially resent the agreement that had deposited her into his bed, and had been prepared to weather that.

Sometimes even the most intelligent females don't know what they really want. If only she'd been less unyielding, I wouldn't have had to break her resistance down this way. As a matter of fact, if I'd just taken her that first time nine years ago, all this wouldn't have been necessary.

Parihn was headstrong and spirited, but he knew he had her reins in hand now.

A series of excellent rides will do that to any well-bred steed.

The day they'd spent together had been extraordinary… and the night had spoken for itself. The potential he'd sensed in her so long ago had been fulfilled. Parihn had once been indescribably beautiful. She was still quite attractive, even with her facial features altered—Well, to be honest, marred—by the accident four years ago.

I'll have to see about having her proper looks restored eventually.

In addition, she was capable, and a survivor…

…but she'd finally learned both the value of compromise and the logic of surrender to the inevitable.

And he'd known, from the moment he'd seen her again, that this had been inevitable.

Business is going to suffer… we're going to be in bed far too often.

Then, again, money isn't everything.

Ever more determined to divine her thoughts, Jerrell had spent gradually increasing effort over the last day in attempting to maneuver past Parihn's surprisingly impressive mental defenses, and had finally achieved a small, but tantalizing measure of success. The brief looks inside the parlor of her mind had revealed two important facts.

First, he'd learned that his attentions had really not displeased her nearly so much as she'd claimed; in Jerrell's experience, all women, without exception—even one at first so resolutely claiming otherwise as Parihn—savored being seduced, reminded of their desirability… and he was, all pretension aside, a master of seduction.

Once again, he'd been proven correct.

And, far more importantly…

…despite her supposed disinterest, she'd quite enjoyed the sex—had, in a way, needed it, as far as he was concerned. To think that a woman like her hadn't been taken for years… it was an inconceivable, incalculable waste.

He'd begun recouping for that already: Parihn had, not surprisingly, succumbed to his skills—or my innate… talent, he chuckled inwardly—just after he'd first entered her… smiling, sighing, making little approving noises… telling him throughout, if not with words, then subtle but eloquent body language, that she was extremely happy he was performing this service.

Talk about loosening her up. My little animal woman was beginning to move that perfectly snug little shavan of hers quite cooperatively near the end there. She must have almost forgotten how good it feels.

Well, these are your reminders, Parihn—the first of many. A treasure like you requires… deserves regular loving.

Hmm… almost dawn.

He examined her lovely form again, his eyes drawn to those shapely calves… that delicately tapered back…

…and he felt a sudden flood of lust.

She's practically drained me dry tonight, and still her mere presence has me hard again… amazing.

As her skin had darkened during the course of the evening, he had begun to feel the more bio-chemical and psionic aspects of her allure; gradually, it had enveloped him in velvet enchantment, inspiring him, at times, to an urgency, a trembling desire, he'd never before felt. Attaining Parihn as his own had proven to be the single most gratifying sexual experience of his life—on a myriad of levels.

It had taken every iota of his will to not just hurl himself into her that first time… but his patience had yielded results—even as she had yielded to him. The second time, an hour later, he had taken Parihn hastily, greedily, mounting and driving into her with more force than he’d at first intended… but she'd been pleased with that, as well.

The woman was positively inspiring. In the middle of the night, Jerrell had roused, still enwrapped in her inconceivable magnetism. With relish, he'd woken and directed Parihn onto her knees, then presented her with his awakening member—this time indicating with a gently insistent hand on her head that he wanted a more esoteric demonstration of her talents.

And when she had obediently taken him into her mouth and throat, engulfing his entire rigid length with an offhand air he found both impressive and incredibly erotic, it had been only instants before he'd known the stories about this aspect of her proficiency didn't do her justice in the least.

Parihn was a veritable witch... and he'd been mesmerized at the rewarding sight of her at work, eyes closed, engrossed completely in the task of giving him pleasure.

Her tongue, never at rest, had traced long sigils of sensation, applying a teasingly variable pressure as she'd laved him, sliding, flicking… her fingernails had lightly, expertly stimulated his testicles, in a manner that had, rather than diverting his attention, multiplied the feeling to an incredible degree… her lips had closed into what almost resembled a kiss each time she'd drawn back, then opened to shape themselves around him on her return.

In the face of what he knew couldn't have been more than a minute or two of her adept ministration, Jerrell had felt himself stiffen, swell… and finally let loose with a surging climax… and this, to his astonishment, after having done so twice already earlier. The experience had been so exquisitely intense that, seconds after the spasms had subsided, his already wilting stem had slid free with an audible “pop”… and he’d staggered back, collapsed onto the bed and quickly slipped into a satisfied stupor.

That, however, was then.

Now, he wanted to be inside this woman again… this time, to put the finishing touch on his project—to take, as it were, permanent possession.

Though it's hardly necessary to solidify what's already been accomplished—more of a reinforcement.

Jerrell moved next to Parihn, caressing the curve of her hip, and then sliding his hand along the smooth contour of her buttocks. As he'd done before, he dipped a finger into her sex, gauging readiness for him, and again found it slippery and receptive—in some part, he knew, because of his own pair of contributions thereto. This time, though, after a thoughtful moment, he experimentally added a second digit, seeking for her tenderest places.

For long moments, he entertained himself with this, watching Parihn squirm and shift—away from him, at first. He continued the venture, however, carefully probing… until a soft, almost grudging moan told him he'd found a location of which she definitely approved. He concentrated his efforts there, kneading gently, moving with her… easily anticipating and thwarting what was now a mere half-hearted attempt to avoid his touch.

Finally, Jerrell’s determination paid dividends: She abandoned her struggle, and in what he guessed was an unconscious movement, adjusted slightly to grant him better access, gently pressing herself back onto his hand until it was slick with their mingled juices. He allowed her motion to guide him… just so… and…

…abruptly, Parihn drew a shuddering breath. She stiffened, arching her back, her bottom wriggling helplessly. He felt her inner muscles clutch at him, a rush of liquid warmth...

...then, at last, she exhaled heavily, and relaxed back onto the bed.

Now that's my girl, he thought.

He moved into position; his erection grazed her…

…and, to his slight surprise, she sighed congenially, and immediately rolled over, offering herself in a most inviting fashion.

As he took her again, Jerrell couldn't help but think back to the progression of his new lover's enthusiasm over these last hours. The first time, he’d had to aggressively entice her into bed even in the face of their agreement; and her response, though apparent even in the beginning to one with his powers of perception, had been gradual and mostly subdued. The second, she’d still been adorably coy, even a bit reluctant, but had surrendered more quickly to his coaxing, and accepted him with greater enthusiasm. Later, when she'd performed fellatio on him, her eyes, as they'd momentarily locked with his, had held a flash of fire, of carnality, that had excited him even more.

By later today, he knew, her remaining reticence would be a memory, and from then on she, too, would be initiating, joyfully giving and receiving pleasure… fulfilling the truest purpose of her existence: Participation in the act of love—with him, and him alone.

Already, barely a few minutes’ effort had her ready and cooperative.

More than cooperative, he noted in delight, remembering her moments-ago reaction to his plundering fingers, even as, now, she rolled her hips subtly, stroking him even as he worked her. Dizzily, he had a last series of thoughts before her manipulations stole his attention, his breath, and his senses.

Well… ohhhh!… maybe a bit of a whore… but that's the nature of the beast…

…and I’m sure we'll both live happily with that.

Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fifteen