Chapter Three

Sienna regarded him for a moment. Had she really expected him to say no? Or had she assumed she’d back out, and not even ask? Her fingers curled, as if remembering the feel of his hard length. So tempting. She could laugh and send him away, pretend that she’d been toying with him, nothing more. But she was already slick with need. Her nipples were hard, her body ready. The sight of him standing there, hands behind his back, trying to behave and not overstep the boundaries was rather enticing. She didn’t need foreplay.

She could unbutton his pants and he’d have no choice. And then she’d be just as bad as the rest of them, using cons for their own amusement, both in the Rounds and in bed.

“I’m going to give you the chance to speak freely, Alex. If you want to leave, say so. I won’t command you to stay and I won’t hold anything against you or make any kind of report.” She needed to know that he was here because he wanted to be here and not just because he thought he’d get into trouble if he didn’t go along with it. Whatever it was.

“I appreciate that, but I want to be here.” He held her gaze, completely steady.

What man, or con, was going to turn down sex with no commitments? She certainly wasn’t going to. She flicked open the button on his fly, then dragged down the zipper. He swallowed, but otherwise didn’t move. He kept his dark gaze on her. If she hadn’t been wet before, she was now.

She shoved his pants down over his hips, then traced the ridge of his cock, straining against his briefs. The black fabric was damp where the tip pressed against it. He was ready to go, but she teased a little longer, running her fingers over the head and enjoying the way his breathing quickened.

He probably didn’t realize how good he looked restrained. All that muscle. She slid her hand over his singlet. Naked, he’d be damn fine. She brushed her fingers across the dusting of hair that was visible on his chest.

The ache in her core increased. She was pretty sure she’d never been so aroused just from touching someone and not being touched. It was better this way. There was no reminder of what had happened last time. The memory of being choked pushed through her mind. Before Zane, she’d enjoyed sex. Liked it too much. A whore. His words echoed in her mind.

She pulled her hand away. Perhaps he was right. Why else would she be standing in the med station feeling up a prisoner?

“I shouldn’t be doing this.”

“You shouldn’t be stopping.” His voice was rough. “I want you.”

“You’d fuck any woman right now.”

He shook his head. “No I wouldn’t. Would you fuck any man?”

No, she wouldn’t. She’d had offers and declined them all, partly out of fear. Zane had taken something she’d once enjoyed and made her afraid of getting close to anyone. But Alex was different. She felt safe with him because she could control him. “I chose you.”

She stepped away so she didn’t have to look at him, and pressed the button locking both doors of the med station—the one to the prison and the one to the Army quarters. The lights dimmed and the doors became opaque. If anyone needed care, she’d be alerted.

“Why?” His gaze followed her.

“Why not?” She wasn’t going to tell him how attractive she found him. She glanced from him to the chair. The counter or the wall were the only other options, and since she intended to keep his cuffs on the whole time, neither of them would work. “In the chair, no funny moves.”

“You aren’t going to release the cuffs?”

“Only long enough for you to put your hands on the chair.”

“I don’t get to touch you?”

“No.” She was in control. She had to be—this was the first time she’d been with anyone since Zane. She needed to prove that she wasn’t vulnerable.

Something that could have been hurt or annoyance flickered across his face before he masked it. For a moment she almost felt guilty for restraining him, but she couldn’t trust him. She barely knew him. He crossed to the chair in four steps and dropped heavily onto it, his pants open, cock jutting against his briefs. Her stomach gave a little twirl of excitement. This felt so different to anything she’d ever done before.

She touched the controller on her wrist. “Hands on the chair like before.”

“This isn’t going to work.”

“Sure it is.” She hoped it was. “You’re going to scoot your hips forward.”

“I’d rather put you against the wall.”

She smiled as the image formed in her mind. It sounded rather glorious. “Anything else you’d rather do?”

His gaze lowered. “Get on my knees and eat a peach.”

Her knickers were definitely damp now. No man had ever said something like that to her and looked as though he meant it. She was pretty sure he’d do it if she asked. Her knees went a little soft at the idea of Alex on his knees, licking her clit.

“Are you that hungry?”

“You have no idea.” His tongue traced his lower lip. His beard would tickle … she was sure she’d like it. But where there was tongue there were also teeth, and she wasn’t sure she trusted him that much. She looked at him and saw the raw hunger in his eyes. Not every man was as cold as a shark. Alex burned with life that was barely restrained by a couple of metal cuffs.

“Arms. Chair.”

He smiled. “Peach.”

“Would you let someone you’d just met put their mouth on something so sensitive?”

He thought about it for a few seconds. “If I was in your boots, no.”

“Show me you can obey and maybe next time …” She lifted her eyebrows in what she hoped was a suggestive manner. The idea of a next time was already very appealing. But only if he could prove himself trustworthy—and that included not talking about her to anyone. She’d know within twenty-four hours if he had.

“Arms. Chair, Corporal,” he said.

That stung. She’d thought they were past numbers and rank. She released his cuffs and he immediately placed his arms on the chair, then she re-magnetized them.

Without being asked, he shifted forward so she’d have room to straddle him. “Ready when you are.” He gave her a cold smile that was betrayed by the heat in his eyes.

That heat sent shivers through her body. She untied her boots and took them off. Then she opened her pants and wiggled her hips as she tugged them down, well aware he was watching. His gaze was hot enough to burn, and she began enjoying the control she had. He wanted her, and he wanted her enough that he’d do what she asked. She’d never had that kind of power before.

With her pants on the floor she stood in front of him, ran her hands up his thighs and grabbed his yellow pants. As she tugged, he lifted his hips. She bit the inside of her lip to keep from smiling. This time as she smoothed her hands over his thighs, dark hair tickled her palms. She cupped his balls and rubbed her hand over his cock. Then, before she could think too hard about what she was about to do, she dragged his briefs down, revealing his shaft.

Oh. Nice.

Her core tightened in anticipation. He’d felt like a good size, but seeing was believing.

“Like what you see?” He moved just enough to make his cock twitch.

“Very much.” She smoothed her fingers over the dark, slick crown, then pulled his briefs down the rest of the way. Shimmying out of her knickers took precious seconds that she didn’t want to waste. Her shirt covered almost everything, but that didn’t stop Alex from drawing in a sharp breath.

The tang of sex was already in the air and as she moved closer, straddling his legs, she was sure his shaft thickened. She almost expected him to grab her hips and guide her down, but he couldn’t, he had to wait for her. Her pulse hammered, hard enough that he must be able to hear it. As she rubbed against him his arms jerked. The cuffs held.

Sienna leaned forward and placed her hands on his shoulders. His beard tickled her cheek. “Tell me what you want.” Her voice was breathy, as if she was already on the edge of coming. Being in control was a new kind of freedom.

“To be buried in you.”

She rolled her hips, enjoying the feel of his shaft between her labia. “I want to come first.”

He gave a low laugh. “You are trying to kill me.”

“Are you enjoying dying?”

“I’d be enjoying it more if my hands were free.”

“Not going to happen, so stop asking.” She slammed the memories of being helpless, being the victim, aside. Never again. She was taking back what Zane had stolen, and it started with Alex.

She grasped his cock, hard and hot, and angled it so she could slide onto him. A tremor ran through her as he pressed against her core. He seemed to have stopped breathing.

“Please,” he said, sounding as if it cost him everything to ask her to sink all the way down his length.

With a sigh of pleasure she gave in, slowly easing down, his cock filling and stretching her. Heat traced through her nerves. It wasn’t going to take much to make her come. He moved, sliding further down the chair then lifting his hips as if to buck her off.

She gripped his shoulders harder and ground her hips down. “Do that again,” she gasped.

He obeyed without question this time and she slammed against him. His breath on her neck was warm as she rode him hard and he rose to meet her. The wave was building too fast, but she couldn’t stop it. It had burned in her blood since she’d first seen him. Her core tightened around him and she moaned as she came hard.

“Oh, fuck, yes.” He jerked beneath her, his cock moving inside her as he came, which triggered another roll of pleasure through her body.

It was then she realized she was panting as though she’d been running, and her nails were digging into his shoulders. She drew back, but he was still inside her and she didn’t want to lose that just yet. That, and she wasn’t sure her legs would work. However, the longer she remained there the more awkward and personal this would become.

He was watching her, but the hunger was gone, replaced by a small smile that curved his lips. “I can follow orders.”

“But you don’t like it.” She slid back and immediately craved the feel of his body again.

“Do you?”

She put on her knickers. “I joined the Army straight out of school. I knew what I was getting into.”

“So did I,” he said quietly. “But I didn’t expect it to be like this.”

“What?” She must have misheard.

“I did it deliberately.”

She did up her pants and shoved her feet into her boots. “Did what?”

“Stole the water. It was the only way I could get off Earth.”

Sienna stared at him, half undressed and cuffed to the chair—what a sight. Wait, what was he saying? That couldn’t be right. “You committed a crime deliberately?”

“I was two years too old for the military, but I’d heard they were going to be cherry picking prisoners for the mission.”

“You’re fucking crazy. You want to be here?” She’d love to be back on Earth. She didn’t want to be here. Another thing she could thank Zane for.

“Not here, there. Five years seemed like a good trade.”

She shook her head. “Why are you telling me?”

“Because I’m not a no-hope con. I was thinking big. I wanted something better than dying of chem-lung from too much exposure to unfiltered air.”

“I read your file, Alex. I know you’re not a career criminal.” She pulled up his briefs and pants. “Cuffs come off, get dressed and go.”

“Yes, Corporal.” All emotion was gone from his voice again. She didn’t want that. She liked to see him smiling, liked the way the corners of his eyes crinkled.

She took a few steps back and unlocked the door. “When we are alone together use my name. I like hearing it.” She released the cuffs and he stood, straightening his clothing in a few short moves.

He stopped at the door. “See you on deck, Sienna.” Then he was gone.

“What happened to your face?” Warrant Officer Lopez asked, before Alex had even stepped into the room. He didn’t need this in his first geology class. Through the door he could see mostly Army camo. He was one of only three prisoners who’d been asked to join. Beneath his feet were carpet tiles. He was out of the prison D zone and into C, where the Army lived … where Sienna lived. She had been a constant in his thoughts.

“I fell, Sir.” The lie came easily, even though he’d only said it a couple of times. It was easier than admitting to fighting in the Rounds. He didn’t want the people here to think he was that kind of con.

“Would you like to try that again, 1789?”

No. He’d had hardly any sleep—he’d thought sex would’ve given him some pleasant dreams, but no. Instead, he’d been up half the night reliving it, resenting the damn cuffs and the fact that he hadn’t been able to touch her. Kiss her. They hadn’t kissed at all. She’d actually used him for sex, and while part of him wanted to be horrified, he was embarrassed to admit he’d enjoyed it. Cuffs or no cuffs, he’d do it again if she asked … ordered. There was more to her than what she showed. Her reaction to his admission that he’d deliberately got arrested to be here had been off. All Army personnel were volunteers.

“I collected an elbow in the Rounds, Sir.”

“Why not just say that?”

What, was he ten, and being told off for being late to school? People had turned to look out the door and see what the hold-up was.

Lopez noticed the direction of his gaze. “We’ll go in when you answer.”

Alex lowered his voice. “I didn’t want to admit to fighting, Sir.”

“Like it, do you?” Lopez gave a nod as if he understood exactly what kind of man Alex was.

Alex looked him in the eye. “I was doing as I was ordered, Sir.”

The officer’s expression blanked. “Told to fight?”

“Yes.”

“Go in.” Lopez inclined his head and Alex walked into the classroom. The two other prisoners looked away, not wanting to be caught up in whatever trouble he was in, but the Army personnel casually assessed him. Even with his wrists cuffed together, they still thought he was a threat—or maybe they just wondered why he was here.

To one side was a woman dressed in white. Fuck. A con in white was bad news. They were the high-security types. He knew that they were here in small numbers, and only because they had something to offer. Her hands and feet were locked to the table. She looked harmless, and also familiar.

“First up we have three lemon drops joining us. All have construction experience: 1789 worked on the towers, 1168 dams, 2314 bridges. We also have the pleasure of having 3006 with us. Her specialty is blowing things up.”

Ah, that was why she looked familiar. She’d been on the news, labeled a terrorist, but Alex couldn’t remember her name. 3006 had blown up several dams to allow rivers to flow to small towns and farms. People in the cities didn’t appreciate losing what they claimed was their water that they needed for their farms and industry. As usual, those with money had triumphed.

3006 smiled as people looked at her. She mouthed one word: Boom.

Alex looked away. He’d heard she was creepy.

With introductions over, the instructor, a civvie geologist, started showing slides that Research Base Unity had sent back to Earth over its ten years of operation.

Seeing the differences in the structure hit home. Solitaire wasn’t Earth by a different name and with different plants. It was entirely different in its make-up. An alien planet. No, they were the aliens. To survive, they would have to learn the rules.

Something Sienna had said stuck in his head. As he glanced around the room he realized everyone here was following orders. Some just followed more than others. He couldn’t keep resenting it, or he’d come to resent this opportunity. While he hadn’t officially joined the Army, he’d signed up the moment he’d stolen water rations. He’d volunteered to reduce his sentence by going to Solitaire—which had been his plan all along. So now he was here, he had to suck it up. His life wasn’t his to control.

That would be easier to accept if he was more than a number. The only time he’d felt like he was a person was with Sienna, and even she was giving him orders.

After several days of classes, Alex’s head was full of rocks and densities. While the modules that formed the belly of the ship would be their first homes, any additional buildings would have to be constructed. They would have to quarry rocks, learn how to cement them together—assuming they could make cement as he knew it. Minerals were in different quantities on Solitaire. What if they couldn’t pull it off?

He had to stop thinking like an Earthling. Humans had discovered and adapted for thousands of years. They’d work out how to live on Solitaire … or die. That was the incentive.

He was being led back to D zone by a couple of bugs, along with the other two men in yellow. Every time he’d been in C zone he’d been surprised to see other cons— until he’d seen the exchange of tokens, and realized most of the prisoners were female. The trade in sex and tokens wasn’t even being hidden.

Alex was about to look away, but his gaze caught on a woman in Army uniform. He drew in a breath. Sienna. She was talking to a couple of other people, but her head turned as if she was casually watching what was going on. She gave no indication that she’d recognized him. However, just when he thought it was too late and that she was going to ignore him she broke away from the group and sauntered over as though she owned the deck.

“You want to leave 1789 with me?”

The sergeant gave her a look. “You can’t find anything better to entertain yourself with?”

She gave him a smile. “Unfortunately there’s no frat on the ship. Besides, it works for them.” She nodded in the direction of a couple of guys talking to a female con. “Thought I’d give it a go.”

“Whatever.” The sergeant looked vaguely disgusted. “1789, you heard the Corporal. She wants a fuck.” He gave Alex a push in Sienna’s direction.

The sergeant muttered something about whores in uniform. Sienna didn’t react, and while Alex wanted to turn around and knock the guy down, he didn’t. He just followed her like he was expected to. No one else said anything, but he was sure they noticed. He felt his cheeks burn. Did everyone know everything that was going on?

She opened a door and held it so he could walk in first. It was about half again as big as his room, but there were only two beds in it and the bathroom was entirely hidden behind a non-structural wall. After what he’d been living in, it seemed like luxury. Grey-blue carpet tiles, clothing hung up, a few photos pinned to the wall and a pile of books on the desk. Medical books. He recognized the small handbook to life on Solitaire. Then his gaze landed on the piece of fruit in the middle of one bed.

A peach.

His mouth went dry.

What did she have planned?

The door clicked. He turned around to face her.

“My roommate comes back in an hour. We have an agreement. No using each other’s bed and no touching of anything. Clear?” She pulled off her shirt so she was just in her tan singlet and camo pants and boots. She had more curves than he’d thought. More muscle, too. He could guess where she spent her free time.

He nodded.

“Good.” She smiled and he glimpsed the desire that she’d kept locked down in public.

“Does that always happen out there?”

“There are always a few women earning extra tokens. I assume most of them want to be there.”

“I wasn’t asked.” Maybe they weren’t either.

“Say the word and I’ll send you back to D zone.”

He was silent.

She walked over and picked up the peach. “I remembered how hungry you were last time.” There was a wicked glint in her eyes, and the tilt of her lips betrayed her amusement. “Would you like it?”

He was pretty sure they weren’t just talking about the fruit. If they were, he’d just gotten his first peach-driven hard-on. It didn’t feel entirely wrong. “Yes.”

“Knees.”

He’d never appreciated carpet tiles this much before. The metal deck would have been cold and hard on his knees. He lifted his cuffed hands and she placed the peach in his palms. Cool and fuzzy, just this side of soft. How long had she been saving it? He rubbed his thumb over the surface. He hadn’t had a peach in years—not fresh, anyway, only canned. The only fresh fruit they got in D zone were apples and oranges, and even they had to be bought.

He looked at Sienna. “Would you like some?”

“No, it’s for you. I want to see you enjoy it.” She pulled the chair over and sat in front of him.

Alex nodded. For a moment all he could do was look at the peach. Would it taste as good as one that had been grown on Earth, and ripened in the sun?

He became aware that Sienna was watching him intently, as if she actually cared how he ate a peach. He brought it to his lips and inhaled, enjoying the scent before tasting the fuzzy skin with the tip of his tongue. Then he gently bit into the flesh. Juice dripped onto his palm and he licked it off, not wanting to waste a drop.

Sweet and soft and juicy. Even consumed while on his knees and in cuffs, it was absolute luxury. He wanted to savor it, in case he never got another one. With his next bite he glanced up at Sienna. She wasn’t leaning back anymore, and her lips were parted.

He slowly licked the juice from his hand, acutely aware that she was watching. He took a smaller bite, the skin tearing softly—God, it almost melted in his mouth. She would melt in his mouth. He’d make damn sure not to waste any of her juice. His dick got harder and he felt the tension low in his belly. He was never going to be able to eat a peach again without thinking of Sienna.

He put the last little bit in his mouth and sucked the flesh off the stone. When he was sure there was nothing left he pulled the stone out of his mouth and put it in his pocket. It was more valuable than any privilege token.

Her cheeks were pink. “Good?”

“Yes.”

“Still hungry?’

He swallowed, savoring the taste of the fruit still on his tongue. His fingers were sticky and he was harder than the rocks on Solitaire. “I’m always hungry for you.”

She raised one eyebrow, but didn’t say anything, just unlaced her boots, one at a time, then took them off. His heart started beating double-time as she stood and undid her pants. She slid them down her legs and placed them on the chair. Her knickers followed. This time her uniform wasn’t blocking his view.

Her mound was covered in dark brown curls … would she be as succulent as the real peach? She moved closer, close enough that if he lifted his hands he’d be able to touch her. He wanted to, but he held back. This was the game. He had to wait until she gave him permission. Damned if he wasn’t enjoying it more this time.

“How hungry?” she whispered.

Like I’ve never eaten. “Starving.”

She nodded and he lifted his hands, his knuckles grazing her inner thighs. Her legs trembled in response. He ran one finger over her curls and was pleased to find them damp. She was as aroused as he was. He slid his hands between her thighs to cup her butt and drew her half a step closer, careful not to let his cuffs bite into her skin.

As he had with the peach, he inhaled her scent first. The tang of desire. Then he kissed her inner thigh, savoring the taste of her skin and the tremor that ran through her legs. She placed one hand on his shoulder, the other on his head, her fingers tunneling through his hair. For a moment he thought there might be more than sex happening here, but he squashed the thought fast. He was in no position to hope for anything more than the privilege of being here, instead of jerking himself off.

He nuzzled the lips of her sex and she rolled her hips a fraction closer, offering him more. So he dipped his tongue between her folds and let the taste of her juices fill his mouth. Her fingers tightened and pressed into his shoulder. He almost hoped she’d leave the faint crescent marks of her nails again. Something that would last longer than their previous encounter.

She gave a little moan as his tongue laved her clit. The sound sent a jolt of pure lust to the tip of his cock. He gripped her a little tighter and thrust his tongue into her. He wanted to hear her moaning, make her come so he could taste more of her, get drunk on her lust. He closed his eyes, needing only to feel her and hear her. She was whimpering, and rocking her hips as his tongue circled her clit softly. Her fingers were pressed hard against his scalp, but she didn’t force his head. She was just holding on. Her body tensed as she came, but he didn’t stop, he kept his mouth to her clit until she rode out the climax, while biting back on his own. For a moment afterward neither of them moved, then he slowly lowered his hands, releasing her.

His balls were tight and aching and his dick was throbbing with every beat of his heart. He’d almost come in his pants. If she touched him now, that would be it. He drew in several deep breaths and tried to tamp down the desire that burned through him. He was sure he sounded as shaky as he felt. No woman had ever brought him to his knees like this.

And he wasn’t ready to get up.

“Lie down.” Her voice was rough. He liked that he’d done that to her.

He glanced at the floor, not quite sure how to manage her request.

“Do you need a hand?” She was touching his shoulder again.

He looked up, his gaze taking in the flush of her skin and the darkness of her eyes. “No.” If she wasn’t going to un-cuff him, he wasn’t going to ask for help.

It wasn’t graceful, but he dropped to his side and rolled onto his back. Carpet tiles weren’t that much softer than metal—they just gave the illusion of something better.

Sienna undid his pants, her hand lingering over his cock. He had to hold his breath for a moment to regain the control he’d fought so hard for.

“You’re very good at eating peaches.”

“Thank you.” He couldn’t help the smile that appeared in response to her compliment.

He lifted his hips as she tugged down his pants and briefs in one move, wishing she’d taken them all the way off. He wanted to be naked, skin to skin with her. Her fingers caressed the length of his cock, slid over the head, spreading the fluid leaking from the tip. “You enjoyed it.”

“I like peaches.”

She nodded. “I can tell.”

He wanted her to slide on and ride him hard. He wouldn’t last long, but he didn’t care right now. She stripped off her singlet and then the plain black bra she wore underneath, so she was naked. Her breasts would be perfect handfuls—if he could, if she let him. He had to close his eyes, but he felt her move over him.

“Open your eyes.”

“I need a moment.” He hated admitting that weakness. “You turn me inside out.”

She laughed softly, her fingers gliding over his stomach, beneath his clothes. Touching him without causing him to lose what little remaining control he had.

When he opened his eyes she was leaning over, watching him intently. Her honey-colored hair was like a halo under the artificial lighting, her eyes blue like the sky of home. An angel sent to torture him with beauty he couldn’t touch and a lust he couldn’t quench. He lifted his hands so his thumb brushed the hard peak of her nipple. She didn’t pull away, so he did it again, this time rolling it between his fingers.

She lowered her hips to his, pausing as if she enjoyed the feel of him, hard and pressed against her sex. The taste of her was still on his tongue, soft and warm and salty. He knew how she’d feel around him, sheathing him tight. Then she was sinking onto him, taking him deep in that first stroke.

The groan was all his. There were worse ways to die. Watching Sienna move, the way her tits bounced and her lips parted was not one of them. He lowered his gaze to where their bodies joined so he could see the way his cock slid into her, skin glistening. Her breathing quickened with each thrust. The knots in his balls increased. He wanted to be able to grab her hips and pull her down hard, run his fingers over every inch of her skin, kiss her lips and steal her breath.

But that was all out of reach. Desire and frustration warred within him. If he was free, it could be better. But he should be happy with what he was getting, what she was giving, instead of wishing for more.

He reached out and touched her clit with two fingers—that much he could do, even if the move wasn’t elegant—and lifted his gaze. He was so close to coming, he was fighting it with every heartbeat, but he wanted to see her come first. Her fluid coated his fingers, making every touch slippery. He gave in, his climax tearing through him and leaving him breathless. She ground against him dragging every last sensation from him. Her eyes closed, then she gasped, clenching around him. She rolled her hips a couple more times, ripples running through her and into him, before stilling.

Every nerve was still reeling, sparking like a broken circuit, unable to switch off, even when she moved off him and disappeared behind the wall. A door closed. Her bathroom had a door. Fuck me, it’s five-star in here.

He closed his eyes for a moment and let his heart and breathing slow. That was better than going to the gym. The floor started to bite into his shoulder blade, but he didn’t want to move just yet. He wanted to hold on to the simple pleasure of being well fucked for just a fraction longer, so he could pretend that real life wasn’t waiting for him to slot back in.

The bathroom door opened and her feet padded across the floor. He opened his eyes as she stood near him and looked down.

“Did you want to clean up?”

He hadn’t moved, not even to straighten his clothing or pull up his pants. He should’ve at least made himself presentable. “Yeah.”

She offered her hand but he managed to get up, grab his pants before they fell down, and get to the bathroom. He had some pride. He shut the door and leaned against it. His hands were shaking just a little. They were also sticky, and he needed to wash his face. He had an entire bathroom to himself. It was only a few feet square, but he was alone. In a bathroom. It had been a while. He drew in a breath and tried to enjoy the sensation without worrying that she was waiting.

Then his cuffs demagnetized.

Had she realized? He waited for them to snap together, or to the nearest metal surface—whatever was closest. Nothing happened. Then he realized she’d deliberately freed him so he could wash. A small smile formed. As much as he’d love to have a shower, he didn’t. He didn’t want to use up her ration, and he was already known as a water thief.

He straightened his clothing and settled for washing his face, and beard, with one short burst of high-pressured water. It was more air than water, but he was used to the water-conserving spray. As he wiped his face he looked in the mirror. He recognized the man, but not the expression. He looked happy. It took a moment for him to realize that he was. This was the best he’d felt in months. Even before committing the theft, he’d been worried about his plan failing, then all through sentencing and processing he’d been concerned about getting on the ship. The idea that it could have all been for nothing, that he might have to serve his sentence on Earth, had kept him awake for many nights. He’d relaxed a little once the ship had left the atmosphere. Now he was actually smiling, like he’d just had the best day of his life.

He patted his pocket, checking that the peach stone was still in there, then opened the door.

Sienna was dressed and the chair was back in place, as if nothing had happened. He wanted to ask what was going on, but he didn’t want to damage it, whatever it was. Perhaps it would just take time to win her over, and then she’d undo his cuffs.

Just what did he think was going to happen between them? He glanced down at his bright yellow clothes and then up her smart uniform.

“Hands, please.”

Alex placed his hands in front of him. The cuffs tugged and locked together. This was it, he was going back to D zone. He wasn’t ready to leave, but the longer he stayed here the worse it would be. The cons would notice his absence. Two of them had seen him get called aside. He was going to cop it, but it would be worth it.

“Thank you for the peach.”

“You’re welcome,” she said with a grin. She walked to the door, stopped, and turned.

He was only one step behind her. He could grasp her uniform with his fingers if he wanted. She turned and leaned in, placing her mouth to his. Her tongue flicked over his lower lip, daring him to respond. He did, his tongue meeting hers in a kiss that he felt to his toes. For a moment he was sure he was in freefall, before she pulled away and his feet hit the deck.

“I just wanted to see what you tasted like.” Then she opened the door and escorted him back to reality.