Brendon downed half his glass of aliaberry wine in one swallow and then slammed the glass back on the table.
What an absolute crap night. His mouth tightened and he glanced around the restaurant for Emmett. Where the hell was his friend?
Gods, he should’ve gone with his first instinct and just returned to his bedding chamber and jerked off.
Even now his cock throbbed with the second denial from Nika. Or was it Rebecca? Who the hell knew at this rate? What he did know was that the little minx had his emotions twisted up into the worst damn knot. And his cock suffered a much harsher fate.
He should not want anything to do with her after what she’d pulled on him. Twice now! And yet he couldn’t get her out of his mind. Couldn’t forget the image of the blue-green eyes narrowed in passion. Or anger. No matter how she looked at him, it twisted him all up inside.
Damn. A woman had never affected him like this. Where had he gone so wrong this time? He lifted his glass of wine again and took a smaller sip this time.
“Brendon, my friend,” a voice boomed out. “How are you this fine evening?”
He lowered his glass, peering over the rim in dismay as Emmett approached the table positively beaming. What the hell? The man never beamed.
“How am I? I’m complete shit. And I’ll not thank you for asking.” Brendon narrowed his eyes. “Where have you been? And why do you look as though you’ve won the galactic lottery?”
“Hmm, perhaps I have, in a way.” Emmett sat down at the table and poured himself a glass of wine from the pitcher. “I have been…about.”
“About what?”
Emmett threw his head back and laughed. After a moment he calmed and said quietly, “Indulging in a bit of feminine pleasure, honestly.”
“You fucking jest!” Brendon roared.
“No. Not at all.”
And by the expanding grin on his friend’s face, Brendon knew Emmett spoke the truth. How was it that the man who’d proclaimed to not need a woman could have one on a whim, whereas he, who’d never had trouble getting laid, could not even gain a paltry hand job from his newest interest.
“Gods, I do not believe this,” he muttered and drained the rest of his wine. “I’m going to need another glass. Who is she?”
“She is none of your business,” Emmett fired back and took a sip of wine. “A gentleman never kisses and tells.”
Brendon scowled.
If he had been less of a gentleman, he could have been fucking Nika’s sweet little pussy right now. He’d known he could have had her. Could have kissed her until her knees weakened again, and then taken her against the wall. Because he knew with every fiber of his being that she would have let him.
And yet he hadn’t taken that step. Had instead walked away with a raging hard-on and a temper that could start a war.
Yes. Being a gentleman was quite overrated.
“Say, Brendon. Have you ever seen that man over there?” Emmett asked suddenly.
Brendon turned to look at the table Emmett gestured to and his gaze narrowed. He vaguely recognized one man. The one who stared back at them, his gaze alternating between black and a glowing red.
“Not sure,” he murmured. “But possibly trouble.”
Emmett scowled and turned his back to the group. “No doubt trouble.”
“Something I should know about?”
Emmett seemed to hesitate and then shook his head. “Nothing I couldn’t handle. He’s a bounty hunter and a blood drinker, I know that much.”
Brendon reared back in surprise, equally intrigued to see a legitimate blood drinker and to know that he was a bounty hunter. Likely one hunting for the bounty Captain Teflick had warned him about.
“Let me know if you need help handling it. I’m certainly a bit bloodthirsty myself tonight.”
“And why is that? What has your hide so chapped, my friend?” Emmett gave him a considering look. “Perhaps that woman?”
“Which woman?” he asked sharply.
“The one who had you all twisted last night as well.”
“She’s a witch,” Brendon muttered. “I should simply tumble with the next woman who approaches me and expend my lust elsewhere.”
Emmett arched a brow. “So why don’t you?”
Brendon’s gaze drifted around the room and landed on a female who sat with her friends. She watched him intently and, once she realized she had his attention, her mouth curved into an enticing smile as she trailed a hand over her cleavage.
“Why don’t I, indeed,” Brendon murmured and pushed his chair back. “Excuse me.”
As he made his approach the woman rose to her feet and met him halfway.
“Hello,” she said, her voice accented with a foreign lilt. “I’m Kelsie.”
“Brendon.” He reached out to touch a strand of her platinum hair. Too dry. So unlike Nika’s soft blond—Gods, forget her! “How would you like to take a walk with me, Kelsie?”
She giggled and nodded, looking at him from beneath heavily painted lashes. “Oh, I would love that.”
“Splendid.” He slid an arm around her waist and she snuggled up right under him.
His nostrils protested her cloying perfume and he turned his head to the left a bit to drag in clean air.
They left the restaurant and he ground his teeth together, resisting the urge to just tell her never mind.
You’ve got a cock begging for someone warm, wet, and willing. And you’ve found her. You’ve fucked plenty of women. It should not be this difficult.
He slid his hand down her waist, squeezing her fleshy ass and she let out a whiny groan. Whiny. Gods.
She slipped her other arm around his waist and turned her head to kiss his neck.
“Mmm, you smell so good, Brandon.”
“Brendon,” he corrected her as her lips brushed the slow pulse in his neck.
Gods, instead of her increasing his arousal, he was quite shocked to realize his cock was actually shriveling.
The door to the lodge opened as they went to step outside. He looked up and his gaze collided with Nika’s stunned expression.
Her cheeks flushed red as she took them both in and for a moment he thought he saw a flicker of anger and hurt in them. And then it was gone, and her gaze was nothing but derisive judgment.
How dare she have the nerve to judge him after what she’d done this afternoon? Lifting an eyebrow, he brushed his lips across Kelsie’s forehead.
And then they passed one another. Brendon and the girl—what was her name?—arrived out into the cool night air, and Nika was back inside the lodge.
He paused, hating himself for turning around, but unable to stop himself. Nika hadn’t even looked back at him though, just strode straight up the stairs, her fists clenched at her sides.
“So where did you want to…walk?” The blonde asked and then let out another sharp giggle.
Gods, was she intoxicated?
“I don’t,” he answered briskly, before he realized the words were out. But once they were it just felt so damn right. “I’ve changed my mind.”
She blinked in dismay. “You have?”
“I have. And I apologize.”
“Oh.” She gave a slow nod and then turned back toward the lodge door. “Well, then, more wine for me. Good evening to you, Brett.”
Brendon watched her go without any remorse. Fuck. Nika had screwed him up but good. If he couldn’t even bring himself to tumble with a perfectly willing—albeit drunken—woman, he must really be in trouble.
No. Apparently he wouldn’t be able to move on to another woman until he had Nika. And Gods knew whether that would ever happen.
Frustration gnawed at his gut and he kicked a rock across the grounds.
Ridiculous. Utterly ridiculous. Muttering with disgust he pondered what the hell he was going to do with his night—since he obviously wouldn’t be getting laid.
*
She was a fool! Nika sealed her door closed and ground her teeth together. And to think she’d actually thought to come back here tonight and apologize to him.
The bastard! Obviously Brendon was not a man used to hearing the word ‘no’. He had not even waited a few hours to find another willing woman. And the woman on his arm had seemed all too eager to spread her legs.
Admit it, Nika, you were never anything to him but a convenient object to fuck. Just like you were to your owners on Zortou.
Her stomach twisted with disappointment and self-disgust. She should have known better. Known she could never trust a man.
She needed to complete her mission and get the hell off this planet. Brendon was bad news, nothing but a distraction that she couldn’t afford.
Nika fell to her knees beside the bed and tugged the hidden case out from beneath. Yes. Tonight she would make an attempt to gain the specimen samples.
She knew exactly how she would gain access to the compound, but the lab would be a harder nut to crack, especially seeing as how she’d barely managed to retain anything when Brendon had been working.
What she did recall was the high fence with spiked wire surrounding the lab. She’d observed it carefully, formulating the plan that would get her in.
Certainly it would not be easy, but it could be done.
It was what was inside that would be the challenge. But she loved a good challenge. She had proved herself on Tresden and damn it she would prove herself here as well.
Tonight she would see just how well trained she was indeed. Her blood pounded with the thought. She would not fail. Could not.
Pulling out her binding tape, she removed her dress and began the painful process of binding her breasts. It was needed. By the time she was through there wouldn’t be a person on this planet who would mistake her for a female.
* * * *
Nika moved swiftly, reaching around the soldier and slamming the damp cloth over his mouth. He reached up to grab her wrist, but before he could get a good grip, he slumped and hit the floor with a thud.
With gloved hands, Nika squatted down and pressed her face close to his, checking for signs that he breathed evenly. Yes.
Lifting one of her pant leg, she pulled free a preloaded syringe from the fastening at her thigh. Removing the cap with her teeth, she rolled the soldier over and plunged the needle into his buttock.
Depressing the plunger, she injected him with the solution that would keep him unconscious for the next five hours.
She patted her hands down his body, until she discovered the rectangular key fastened around the belt of his uniform. Plucking it free, she rose to her feet again and drew in a steadying breath.
That had been almost too easy.
Glancing around the lab, she moved forward with light footsteps. Her attire was loose enough to allow quick, silent movements. Every part of her was covered save for her eyes. And even those had been carefully masked with eye shields that disguised the color of her iris.
She approached the window to the lab itself and swallowed hard. It appeared empty. Fortunately no scientists were at work during the night hours.
Now this part would be a bit tricky. The key to the inner lab was made to fit in a specific lock. But the lock location was hidden. She’d known that and had hoped to discover the hiding place this afternoon while touring the lab.
But then Brendon had touched her, and she’d become a big mess of confusing emotions and hormones. Gods, she was ridiculous.
The thought of him and the woman in the lodge sent a wave of disappointment through her, so sharp it had her throat tightening.
This is not the time, Nika. Get in and get out. If you do this right you could be off the planet within hours.
Lifting her head she ran her gloved hand across the wall of the lab. Looking for something. Unevenness in the panel. A hidden chamber. Anything.
Her finger brushed over a slight ridge, so small she almost missed it. Crouching down, she eyed the panel, pressing on each corner. When she hit the bottom left side the panel hissed inward, spinning around to display the keyhole.
Her pulse quickened and she licked her lips. By the gods, she’d done it. Gripping the key she’d lifted from the guard, she pressed it into the hole.
A series of beeps sounded in the lab, almost jarring in the quiet. And then another whine of noise came, signaling the door to the lab was opening.
She froze, realizing something was off. If the second whine of noise was the lab opening, what had the first beeps been from?
“Yates, where are you?” Footsteps sounded. “It’s damn quiet in here.”
No! Gods, what was he doing here?
Nika rushed to her feet just as Brendon rounded the corner. She only had a moment as his eyes narrowed and he reached for his weapon.
She charged him with a growl and launched into a side kick, knocking his weapon down before he could activate his electro-mace.
“Son of a bitch,” he cursed and crouched down into fighting position. “What did you do to that soldier back there?”
She didn’t reply, dared not use her voice in any manner except the guttural roars she made while on the attack.
Brendon lurched forward swinging his fist hard at her head. She ducked and planted her foot in his ribs, sending him stumbling backward.
“Nice move, boy,” Brendon taunted, gripping his side. “Did you learn that from your nursery instructor?”
He made fun of her size. Anger sparked in her gut, even as she tried to remind herself it was a good thing that he believed her to be a man.
She wished she could talk with him. Taunt him that he must have the stamina of a teenager to have finished so quickly with that girl to be here now.
But if she gave herself away, then she’d have to kill the asshole. And though the idea certainly held a small amount of appeal, she had no intention of taking a life unless it was absolutely necessary.
“What’s the matter, kid?” Brendon goaded, circling her. “Can’t produce enough spunk of your own, so you have to steal someone else’s?”
Oh gods, he had no idea how close he was. Her lips quirked beneath the mask.
Brendon swung at her head again, and when she went to block it he kicked her leg out from under her.
She fell to the ground, rolling to the right when he made an attempt to straddle her and pin her to the ground. From a distance she could pass as a skinny man, but hands on was stretching it.
“If you killed that soldier in the hallway, I will kill you.” His words were perfectly calm as he advanced upon her again. “To hell with the orders to bring you in alive.”
Bring her in alive? Had they been anticipating this mission? A shiver of unease ran down her spine. How come her instructor had not warned her of the possibility? Had Rachel known?
“You’re worried now, aren’t you, boy?” Brendon gave a soft laugh and lunged at her. “You should be.”
She stepped to the right, spinning into a kick that connected with his back.
He didn’t stumble this time, didn’t even make a sound of pain. Instead he was ready, bouncing back from the kick and landing one of his own against her ribs.
“Oomph.” She stumbled back and grasped her side.
Pain ricocheted through her body, but she ignored it, adrenaline forcing her to remain in fight mode.
“Surrender,” Brendon said softly and she saw the regret in his eyes. “I have no wish to hurt you, kid.”
Nika could not say the same. She ground her teeth together. Gods, she wished she could grab another syringe and plunge it into him. Knock him out and good. But that would mean baring her leg for him to see. And he would not mistake her for a man after that.
She needed to get out of the lab. Get back to the lodge and recoup. Try for another night. Likely several nights, for she would need to discover a new plan of attack now that they were aware of her presence.
“Surrender. This is your last warning.”
She shook her head slowly, knowing she had to fight dirty if she was going to escape.
He came at her again and she slammed her elbow into his face. When he roared in surprise, covering his eyes, she took the moment to jam her foot into his chest and send him flying back against the edge of the doorway.
His head connected with an unhealthy thud and he slumped to the ground.
Her stomach clenched and she swallowed with difficulty. She wanted to go to him, ensure he was not injured too severely. But she didn’t have time to feel sympathy for him!
She looked at the lab, wondering if she could get inside and take the samples quickly. But before she could grab another syringe Brendon stirred on the floor, groaning as he made a move to rise.
Her unease faded. Gods, but the man was thick in the skull.
Nika spun away, fleeing the building and any chance of success.
* * * *
“I have failed you, Rachel.” Nika closed her eyes, her fingers clenching around the communication mobile. “Have failed Tresden.”
“You have not failed me, dearest Donika. You have simply encountered your first trial,” Rachel said sagely. “We knew this mission would be full of them.”
“I know. I just had hoped…”
“To have success on your very first attempt? It’s not always done, Donika. You put too much pressure upon yourself.” Rachel paused. “But I must say it worries me a bit that they have been expecting our presence.”
“They have no idea who we are,” Nika assured her. “I am certain.”
“Very good. Perhaps, though…we should use all means possible to make this happen. To penetrate this lab.” Rachel’s voice turned thoughtful. “Would it be possible to acquaint yourself with someone who works there? Gain their trust?”
Nika stilled, felt a wave of cold and then hot rushed over her as she thought of Brendon.
“I…there is someone I’ve met. He’s a guard for the lab.” She swallowed hard, wanting to lie but unable to. “He’s quite taken with me.”
“Donika, this is wonderful. It could be the exact means we need,” Rachel said urgently. “You must encourage this soldier’s advances. Do whatever it takes to earn his trust.”
Whatever it takes. Nika’s stomach churned and she sat down on the edge of her bed. “Are you…asking me to sleep with him, ma’am?”
“This is the mission you have trained for, Donika,” Rachel said softly. “Often the means by which we succeed goes beyond fighting. In the past the chosen one has used seduction as a viable weapon. In fact, one of the injections you should have received before leaving was a form of birth control.” She paused. “And surely with your history this seduction should not be a problem.”
Nika flinched as if the other woman had slapped her, surprised that she would be so insensitive as to fling such an awful reminder in her face.
They wanted her to bed Brendon. Rachel thought that since she’d been forced to act as a whore on her own planet, she would have no trouble doing the same here on Belton.
“Are you still there, Donika?”
“I am here.” She forced the response out calmly.
“Are you unable to complete your mission?”
“No, ma’am. I will complete this mission.” She barely hesitated and then added, “I will do whatever needs to be done to ensure the continuation of our kind on Tresden.”
Rachel didn’t respond for a moment, and Nika wondered if perhaps she was entertaining a woman again.
“I know you will, Donika,” Rachel finally said. “If I hadn’t believed in you to complete this mission, I wouldn’t have sponsored you. It is best you do not contact me again unless absolutely necessary. There is too much risk.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Be well, Donika.”
Nika held the communication mobile in her hand long after her sponsor had disconnected the call.
Gods. Would she have chosen this mission if she’d known seduction might be a part of it? Perhaps not.
But to sleep with Brendon… The idea sent both a rush of arousal and a wave of unease through her body at the same time.
She stood from the bed and rubbed her ribs, wincing at how tender they still were. Thankfully, she guessed them to be just bruised and not cracked.
Walking to the closet in the small room she searched for another dress. Tonight she would begin a new part of the mission. One she could never have imagined. And one that might risk so much more than her safety.