Page 34 of Tempting Jupiter
Chapter Fifteen
TheCavern,KaronaStation
EarthAlliance Beta Sector
2210.150
Jupiter stepped out of the ship and into the space station’s cavernous docking bay. The main arena could have fit inside, were it not for the enormous machinery everywhere. Feeona had made the arrangements to get them and the ship safely into what she called an off-the-logs entrance. He wanted to stop and study the place, but Feeona was striding with purpose.
Sen waited at his side. “I believe she expects us to follow.”
They did follow but at a slower pace. Cautious. Wary. A shared glance with Sen set them both into motion. Splitting up, they each took a wider path. They would not be ambushed. They would not walk blindly into a trap. Feeona glanced over her shoulder but seemed unconcerned when they moved away.
There was no need to keep her in sight, her enticing scent left a clear trail through the sleeping giants that must be spaceships. They covered the floor in every direction. A week back he’d never seen such a thing, now he’d ridden aboard two of them. He crouched low to slip beneath the belly of one of the monsters. Scorch marks marred the surface, but no heat came from the slumbering machine. He’d learned much and freedom had more to teach him, more to be experienced. But he mourned the separation from the other Dogs of the pack. He needed to find a way to get them all back together and free.
He heard her voice before he could see her.
“I need a tuck away, Peety.”
“You know the upcharge.” The second voice was male, but weak. “I can’t keep a prime spot occupied indefinitely without something to show for it.” There was complaint in his tone, but no sign of strength to stand his ground.
Jupiter rounded the machinery blocking his view and melted into the shadow of a structure overhead. Feeona stood close to Peety. The thin human, with a burn scar that melted one side of his face, leaned away from her as if he feared being too close.
Feeona smiled. The angle of her stance allowed Jupiter to enjoy it. Those soft, plump lips had been around his cock. Not to tease him. To give him relief. She’d healed him and saved Sen. Saved them all. And so far, asked for nothing in return.
She put her hand on the man’s shoulder. “How about this? You can have the damned thing on the condition that you keep it out of sight for the next week and that you scrap the ship’s computer and salvage the rest as parts.”
The man’s eyes glimmered with a hint of interest. “She’s a running ship.”
Feeona scoffed.
“Oh, don’t be hard on the old girl,” the man said. “She got you here.”
Feeona brought her hand back to her side as she lifted one shoulder. “That’s the deal. Take it or leave it. The value of parting it out for one week’s storage.”
She stood confident, feet apart, ready for anything. The man shifted from one foot to the other. “Lemme check one thing.” He shuffled his way behind a counter Jupiter hadn’t even noticed. There was a frame or structure of some sort around it. All of that had blended with the surrounding metal crafts. A jumble of color and metallic surfaces created an effective camouflage.
A blue glow lit the man’s face as he stared down into a screen.
Feeona never flinched or looked uncertain. She waited calmly, though he knew she was worried. Jupiter could see it in the way she clenched one hand behind her back, the stiffness in her spine. He’d learned a lot about her in the few days since they’d met.
The man looked up, studying Fee as if weighing her. His lips bunched then shifted side to side. “All right. I might regret it, but I’ll go for it.”
Fee stepped forward and reached a hand across the counter between them. “You know you’re getting a great deal here.”
The man took the offered hand and shook it up and down. “And it won’t even take up the storage time. I have a team available to chop her later this sleep cycle. Won’t be able to find two pieces left together by morning.” He grinned as if he’d won a prize.
“Perfect,” said Feeona. “Then you won’t mind waiving my current storage balance.”
“Ah, Mattie, a man needs to make a living.”
Jupiter couldn’t see her face now and she didn’t answer. The moment stretched out until the man’s shoulders slumped and he offered a disgruntled “agreed.”
Fee leaned against the counter and angled her body across it. “I need your discretion on this. You haven’t seen me or a ship like this one.”
“Ah, hell, you know I’d never rat on you.” A nervous laugh escaped the man’s narrow lips.
“Thanks, Peety. Next time I’m back this way I’ll bring some of those red berries you like.”
