Chapter Two

 

“Touch my ass again, Vulcan, and I’ll rip your hand off.”

Cole stopped, slowly backing up to look at the viewing screen to see who the irritated feminine voice belonged to. The elevator monitor was left on at all times for mining security purposes. It was the only way in and out of the main complex of offices, unless someone was skilled enough to scale the fifty story smooth stone walls in the planet’s below zero temperatures.

He lived one story down from the top of the tower. As Vice President, the entire floor was his. A circular lobby had a security guard who also acted as a secretary during the day. Fione was one tough lady, standing nearly five inches above his six foot frame and twice as large. She’d left about an hour before.

Frowning, he looked at the screen. The exotic creature all in sexy purple instantly caught his attention. Had he ordered company for the night? He couldn’t remember and he knew better than to try and hack into Fione’s security coded files again to get his calendar. Last time hadn’t been pretty. He’d deleted his entire schedule for a month. It had been utter chaos around the office and each day it was a tossup as to who he was to meet with. So, everyone was let up, ran through Fione’s security check and then either tossed out or allowed in depending on her estimation.

Cole bit his lip, as he glanced down at the electronic file in his hand. It wasn’t like him to book a woman when he had so much work to do. Then again, the project was new and he could’ve made the appointment with Lord Maximus of Galaxy Playmate before the mining contract was signed.

He was a busy man and Maximus always took care of him as far as choosing the women were concerned. It wasn’t like he had time to read over dancer profiles. At best, he would take time to glance over random photos until he saw something that caught his eye. Since Galaxy Playmates were the sexiest women known to humanoids, it wasn’t hard to find one that turned him on sexually. Mentally was another matter, but he didn’t hire the dancers to stimulate his brain. He had enough thinking to do at work.

Cole knew he should send the woman away, but as he stared at her large dark eyes and firm, tone body, he felt his cock stir in interest. Maybe he could take just a small break and let the lady do her job. She had come a long way just to see him and who knew when the exotic beauty would have another break in her schedule to come back for him. Either way, because of Siren Mining Colony’s remote location, Maximus would charge him for the visit. As VP he could well afford it.

Her skin was like light Lithorian chocolate and he bet it tasted just as sweet. The makeup was a little overdone, but he could well see past that. She had dark red lips, so full and pouty he couldn’t help but notice them. The vixen parted her lips, licking them slowly as she appeared to study her reflection in the mirror. Cole’s gut tightened and he clenched the electronic clipboard in his fingers. His heartbeat kicked up a few knots and he suddenly felt overheated. Lips like hers were only made to do one thing when it came to sex and his cock was more than willing to let her.

Please let her be willing, he thought. Some of the women were, some weren’t. He never pressured them, content to relieve himself when watching if he had to.

The man with her, obviously a bodyguard, kept staring at the dancer’s nice, round ass. Cole grimaced. The bodyguard would definitely be staying out of his room while she performed. By the look of annoyance she shot the man and her earlier comment, he could tell she didn’t like the man she called Vulc.

“Get your eyes off my ass as well,” she demanded.

“Topaz,” he groaned. “How do you expect me to do my job when my dick is hard enough to poke holes in metal? Come on, starlight, how about a quick suck. I promise it won’t take long. We can stop the elevator right here.”

Cole slammed his clipboard down on the desk and leaned forward in irritation, wishing he could reach through the screen and punch the man.

That’s my playmate!

He took a deep, calming breath. Strange. That was a little possessive of him and he wasn’t sure where the urge came from, but he was paying for the woman’s time and if she was going to be sucking anything it would be his now-stone-hard cock.

“Okay, one, the name is Xena, not Topaz unless it’s in front of the client. Two, I hardly need you to guard anything of mine. But, if you have to fight, beat the attacker over the head with your hard dick. At least it’ll be good for something.”

Cole smiled, even as a bittersweet feeling washed over him. Did the woman just not like Vulc? Or was she one of those dancers who were all business and no play?

“Now, shut up, we’re almost there,” she ordered, lifting her chin almost regally.

Cole hurriedly ran his hand through his short hair, smoothing it before grabbing his clipboard. Trying to act nonchalant, he ran back toward his office to wait for the elevator to open before walking across the lobby.

 

* * * *

Xena’s stomach tensed as they neared the top of the complex. Vulcan’s continual come-ons since they left the shuttle didn’t really help her nerves, nor did the fact that his eyes stayed firmly glued on her ass. Yeah, like she was really going to change her mind and suck him off after saying no fifty-thousand times.

Galactic asshole.

She fluffed the curls over her back, giving a quick, practice bat of her long silver lashes. The outfit did compliment her figure and Xena hated to admit it, but a small part of her liked the idea of being the seductress. She tried to lock that part of her away. Normally, she was the aggressor, beating information out of suspects. This time, she’d have to use something other than her fists to get what she wanted. HIA had several unofficial positions regarding the use of sex, but basically, how an agent got her information was the agent’s business. No agent she knew had ever used sex as a tool, but it didn’t mean it couldn’t ‘unofficially’ be done.

Please don’t let him be too gross.

The door opened. It was too late to back out now. The small reception area had a dim, blue cast to it. The walls were tiled with small grey and red stones, which created the Siren Mining Colony logo. A screen floated over the desk and she saw the backward view of the elevator on it. She had suspected there might be security cameras around. That’s why she didn’t say anything incriminating about her assignment.

Taking a step forward in her high heel boots, she paused as if she owned the place. Movement in the corner caught her eye and she stiffened. For a long second, she was too stunned to react. A man was coming out of what looked to be an office if the furniture behind him was any indication. Absorbing details in a short time was all part of the training and she automatically sized him up. His light brown hair was neatly trimmed, with longer locks pushed back on the top. He wore a dark-blue, kimono-style robe that closed in the front with a belt and matching knit pants. The material was shiny and lightweight. It molded to his trim waist and thick upper body and his feet were left bare. The relaxed clothing wasn’t surprising. The office executives lived by their offices. She guessed his private area would be on the opposite end of the lobby.

“I’m sorry,” the man said, his rich, deep voice sending chills over her, “but the offices are closed.”

He looked up from what he was doing and stopped in his tracks. Xena was struck by the stark blue of his eyes. She shivered, mentally forcing herself into action. Lifting a hand to her shoulder, she tilted her head to the side and bent her knee ever so slightly so that her thighs parted. Lowering her tone into a sultry murmur, she said, “This is the office of Cole Vaux, isn’t it?”

The man smiled, revealing a small dimple. “I’m Cole Vaux.”

“Then are you saying you changed your mind and don’t want me,” she deliberately paused, lowering her gaze, “to dance for you?”

Cole crossed the lobby, coming toward her and she couldn’t move. Her heart beat a crazed rhythm in her chest. Slowly, he looked her over, as if considering her offer. It was all she could do not to cover her breasts as he examined every inch of his costume. He walked around her, not touching, but definitely caressing her with his eyes.

Damn the agency! They said it was going to be easy to get in. What if he turned her away? Or she wasn’t his type? Would they blame her for the failed mission? “The glitter seems to be a bit much,” he said at last.

“Mmm, well, that’s because the lighting isn’t right in here. It’s all part of the show.” Xena managed a playful smile, slowly warming up to the role she had to play.

“Who’s the escort?” he asked.

“Don’t mind him,” Xena quipped. “He’s just a fashion accessory.”

“Vulcan,” Vulcan said, his tone filled with self-importance. “I’m Miss Topaz’s bodyguard.”

“We really don’t need him here, do we?” Cole asked, his gaze challenging. “You do trust me, don’t you?”

Xena pretended to consider his words, but really she’d already planned on kicking Vulcan out. She wouldn’t be able to do her job with the thug ogling her like a sex toy.

“Vulcan,” she said.

“Yes, Miss Topaz?”

“Why don’t you go keep the shuttle company? Make sure it doesn’t fly off,” Xena said.

“But--” Vulcan began to protest in obvious irritation.

“You heard your mistress,” Cole said. “I’ve been checked out and cleared by Maximus. If you have a problem with the arrangement, take it up with your boss.”

Vulcan didn’t answer, but he did turn to leave. As the elevator door shut behind her, she stepped further into the lobby, trying to get a peek at his clipboard. There were some numbers on it, but nothing she could decipher any meaning into. She looked at the desk, but there was nothing on it worth remembering.

Turning, she again posed, putting a hand her waist as she looked at the man before her. “Well, now that you’ve got me alone, Mr. Vaux, what are you going to do with me?