Whispers from the underworld claimed chocolate only came from the Foreworlds, its origins still tied to the fairy-taled Earth. Craze didn’t believe that, but he knew chocolate was rare and held dear, dearer than air and water on many worlds. Channeled through clandestine sources, the one bar on the table cost more than his entire startup fund. No matter what Gattar’s intentions, Craze wanted to be involved in this trade.
“We partners,” he said, moving to rub at the Jix’s back, a show of solidarity.
“Then the deal is on,” Gravel Voice said. “Yo know where we want to meet. Three hours before sunup.”
Gattar nodded. “Agreed. See you then, friend.”
Gravel Voice held out a small rod. The bar of chocolate floated up off of the sticky tabletop, attracted to the rod, clinging to it. The mystery man slid both objects into his pocket and glided toward the exit with his entourage.
The foil had to be magnetized to do that. Interesting. “Who is they?” Craze asked, sinking back down into his seat.
“Opportunity,” Gattar said. “One we have to play perfectly. You need a lot of schooling might quick if we to pull this off.”
Craze wasn’t sure what they would be pulling off, but gave his consent. “OK. Let’s get started.”
“Not here.” She stood up, draining the pitcher, setting it down, and wiping her mouth before she took her first step toward the door. Despite its inferior quality, Craze dumped the bottle of malt in his bag and followed.
His eyelids fluttered against the glare of daylight outside and he stumbled, bumping into Gattar. “Sorry.” He donned a sheepish grin, wanting to grind home he was the rube she thought. He couldn’t miss out on this deal.
The Jix considered him in silence, standing still. Craze didn’t know what other factors she weighed other than she needed someone like him, someone fresh and strong with an intimidating build.
Gattar stepped into Craze’s space, grabbing onto the front of his coveralls, tugging the material away from his skin. She peered down, running a hand down his abdomen. “You know what wealth they offer. I can tell you know.”
It was the potential fortune more than the Jix tempting Craze. He didn’t try to hide it, didn’t pull away. “Chocolate,” he whispered against her cheek. “Did you get to taste it?”
“No,” she admitted.
“I hear it’s silky.” A good thing to bring up while she touched him.
Those neon green irises grew as large as his hand and
pierced through his calculations, stirring up pangs of guilt. He didn’t know why, didn’t know what there was to feel guilty about. A trait of her kind? Craze made note of the possibility.
“You can quit trying so hard,” Gattar said, “I already decided to take you on.”
Shit. It was what he wanted, then again he didn’t. He feared what getting involved with her might mean, but he wanted this deal involving chocolate and would risk lying with something not entirely female to get it.
“Good.” He backed her up against a grimy wall, tugging on that single zipper, aiming to find out before he lost all nerve.
Her chest heaved and she gasped. Her mouth was a little perfect O
, enjoying his eagerness before she pushed him off, glancing at the busy avenue a block away at the end of the alley.
She wet her lips, but it was more a nervous twitch than sensual. “Fo’wo’s be damned, no. Look we can’t be seen together any longer out here. It’ll ruin things.”
He understood the paranoia with chocolate involved. No unnecessary risks. Craze was glad of the reprieve yet put on his best dejected pout, pocketing his hands. “Sure. If that’s what you want.”
Sauntering between broken bottles and crates, sashaying his hips, he headed for the main street. Gattar stopped him, tugging him back into the shadows, thrusting a tab into his meaty palm.
“Be there in four hours. Plenty of time to get you ready.” She let her hand run down the inside of his shirt again and pulled him in for a kiss, inhaling his tongue and his malt-scented breath. He was stuck with her sour taste from the swill, but the Jix knew how to use that mouth, which made up for it some.
As quick as the passion started, Gattar ended it. She took off, slinking and trotting, disappearing once she hit the end of
the alley and maneuvered into the avenue.
