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  Her thighs fell open, giving him room to settle between them. Her legs wrapped just above his waist and she squirmed against him while he nibbled and licked her breasts.

  Cream gathered in her pussy, and she clenched her inner muscles, needing to fill the ache inside her.

  Brendon seemed to know exactly what she craved, for he released her breast from his mouth and slid farther down her body.

  He kneeled between her thighs, drawing her legs over his shoulders and cupping her ass.

  His mouth dipped and his tongue swept into her slit, sliding from the edge of her channel to her throbbing clit.

  “Brendon,” she cried out, gripping the quilt on the bed.

  He plunged his tongue inside her, sliding deep and tasting all of her.

  Her body jerked against him, but he held her firm.

  Again his tongue swept over her, but moved lower this time. Lower still, pausing to tease the smaller hole between her ass cheeks.

  Heat burned her face, and she closed her eyes. Gods, how wicked. How wonderful.

  He probed the hole with his tongue, sinking inside, before sliding back out and moving to flick her clit again. Her body clenched and she bit her lip as pleasure spiraled higher inside her.

  His tongue circled the bud, faster and harder. And then, when she knew she was about to topple over the edge of pleasure, he bit her clit just enough to break her.

  With her body still trembling and lights spinning in her head, he lowered her ass back to the bed but kept her legs held in the air.

  His cock pressed against the folds of her pussy and he slid steadily into her, opening her as her body continued to clench through the orgasm.

  “Gods, Nika.” He gasped, closing her legs and pressing her ankles together.

  The position sent him deeper and spread another wave of pleasure through her.

  He pumped in and out of her steadily, his sac slapping against her ass. Moving deeper with each smooth stroke, his hips rotated, hitting all the extra-sweet spots inside her channel.

  Her body rocked softly on the bed with each thrust he made inside her.

  “Nika,” he whispered her name, his gaze searching hers. The intensity there sent a warmth through her that had little to do with her arousal.

  “Brendon,” she answered.

  Just his name seemed to be all he needed. He stroked harder—faster. Deeper.—his grip on her ankles tightening.

  Each slide of his cock against her swollen walls sent stabs of ecstasy through her. Built again into that almost frenzied state, where she was so entirely close to igniting again.

  She closed her eyes and gripped the quilt, hanging on for dear life. When he let out a roar and swiveled his hips just so, he hit that sweet spot inside her again and she went flying.

  “Oh, gods!” She clenched around him, lifting her hips and gasping as she came again.

  Brendon was right with her, letting out a ragged cry as he pressed deep, emptying himself warm and slick inside her.

  Nika drew in a ragged breath, her heart slamming wildly against her rib cage. When Brendon pressed a soft kiss against her ankle, she almost melted.

  And then he lowered her legs to the bed and slid from her body. The warmth of his seed still within her was a heavy and intimate reminder of the intensity of their lovemaking.

  Lovemaking. She closed her eyes again as he came to lie beside her. Such romantic terminology she’d thought to never use…

  Brendon slid his arms around her, pulling her against him.

  “Thank you,” he whispered and pressed a kiss against her forehead. “Gods, what you do to me. I’ve never felt this way about another woman, Nika. How fortunate I am that you came into my life, love.”

  The warmth and peace inside her shriveled as reality took hold. Fortunate? He’d hardly think so come morning.

  Tonight, she would betray him.

  Chapter 14

  Nika’s stomach twisted and bile rose in her throat. She had no choice. This was her mission. The one she’d signed up for. And by the gods, she would complete it. She had to.

  The silence in the room hit her suddenly. He was waiting for a response.

  She pushed away from him slightly and forced a calm expression onto her face when she lifted her head to look up at him.

  “No, Brendon. I am the one who is fortunate to have found you.” And at least that much wasn’t a lie.

  Beyond the information he’d given her about the lab, he’d also shown her what it meant to be touched by someone on a deep level, both physically and emotionally.

  But it was time. Time to move forward with her mission and the night ahead of her. First things first, she would need to ensure Brendon slept through the night.

  Nika slid out of his grasp completely and swung her legs off the bed. “I am thirsty. Perhaps some wine?”

  His lips quirked. “Do you have some?”

  “No, but it would be no trouble to run downstairs and ask Molly if she could spare a bit.”

  “You’re not dressed, perhaps I should go instead.”

  “Neither are you, and it will take me but a moment.” To prove her point, she slipped her dress over her head and down her body, then wrinkled her nose. “Whereas you have all sorts of fastenings and ties.”

  “Ah. I suppose you are right. Well, hurry back, love. I will be lonely without you.”

  He teased her, she knew, but still her stomach did that little flipping bit.

  “I know you shall.” She winked and kept a light smile on her face as she slipped into the bathing chamber.

  Quickly, she opened her small travel case and pulled out a container that should have held soap. Opening the round case, she plucked the small bag of herbs. With just a pinch, she’d be able to ensure Brendon slept heavily the rest of the evening, giving her the opportunity to slip out and do what needed to be done.

  Hurrying down the stairs, she could feel her heart pound heavier in her chest. Gods. What she was about to do.

  Molly spotted her and a smile widened across her face. “Good evening, Rebecca.”

  “Good evening. Molly, might I be able to convince you to part with two glasses of wine?” She bit her lip and twisted her hands in front of her, trying to appear embarrassed. “Brendon and I are…umm…”

  “Say no more! How romantic. Give me just a moment.” Molly let out a soft giggle and disappeared to the restaurant kitchen.

  Nika’s chest tightened with brief unhappiness. This could possibly be the last time she saw the other woman. That is, if all went well tonight, and it would.

  “Here you are.” The other woman breezed back into the lobby, a glass clutched in each hand. “And no charge; these are on me.”

  Nika took one from her and then on impulse leaned forward to embrace Molly.

  “Oh dear, it’s nothing, really,” Molly murmured but hugged her back.

  “Thank you.” Nika pulled away, knowing she was thanking her for so much more than just the wine.

  Drawing in a slow breath, she knew she had to leave and keep it light, or Molly might get suspicious.

  “I will see you tomorrow, likely,” she lied and took the other glass of wine from her.

  “Sounds lovely. We can have lunch unless you have plans with your cousin? Or have to work?”

  Nika kept her expression neutral, hoping there was no guilt or disappointment in her eyes.

  “Lunch would be lovely.”

  “Rebecca.”

  Molly stopped her when she would have turned to walk back up the stairs.

  “Is everything all right?”

  Nika froze at her question.

  “Of course. Why would it not be?”

  “No reason. I just…” Molly hesitated and stepped forward, glancing around them. “Brendon was asking questions about you.”

  Her pulse quickened and she wavered on her feet, as she suddenly grew quite lightheaded. “What kind of questions?”

  “I know he would not be pleased with me mentioning this to yo
u.” Molly bit her lip and shook her head. “But he wanted to know why you were on the planet. Whether you’d given me a name other than Rebecca.”

  The room swam, and Nika’s fingers nearly crushed the glass. Brendon suspected something. Oh gods. She’d thought she’d covered her tracks well, but apparently not.

  “Rebecca? Gods, there is something you’re hiding, isn’t there? Are you in some kind of trouble?”

  “No. No, Molly, I promise.” The lie tasted bitter on her lips this time. “I’m just startled to find the man I’ve become so close to has suspicions about me.”

  And he held those suspicions rightfully so. But Molly did not know that.

  “I’m sure he’s just being prudent. Please, Rebecca, let me know if there is ever anything I can do. I’m always here.”

  “Thank you.” Nika nodded, swallowing the sudden lump in her throat. “I should go now.”

  “I didn’t mean to cause any trouble,” Molly said softly. “I should have kept my mouth closed.”

  And thank gods she hadn’t. Because now Nika had adequate warning. She gave a slight nod and turned and walked back up the stairs. Funny, but Brendon hadn’t made love to her like a suspicious man. Quite the opposite, actually.

  In the stairway, she paused and pulled the flavorless herbs from the pocket in her dress. She emptied a small amount of the finely ground powder into the glass in her left hand and swirled it around.

  Guilt twisted her insides again, but she brushed it aside. It was time to finish this. Now. It was not as if it would kill him, just simply make him sleep for a bit.

  She entered the room again and found him reclined on his back, arms folded above his head and eyes closed. Panic fluttered in her belly that he might’ve gone back to sleep.

  “I missed you.” His soft words, spoken without opening his eyes, relieved her.

  Not wanting to appear too eager for him to drink the wine, she set it on the table next to the bed.

  “I missed you, too. Your wine, if you’d like.”

  He propped himself up with one elbow and gave her a slow smile. His gaze ran over her body.

  “Why don’t you take that dress off again, love? Crawl back into bed with me.”

  Desire mixed with impatience inside her, causing a frustrating combination. She didn’t have time for this, no matter what her body might want. And yet, she couldn’t let on that she was in a rush.

  She slipped the dress off once more and took a sip of wine, hoping he’d mimic her.

  He didn’t disappoint. Leaning over to the table, he grabbed his glass of wine and took a small sip. Something flickered in his gaze before he raised the glass toward his nose and sniffed.

  Every muscle in her body went rigid. Could he smell it? It should have been odorless. Gods.

  “Is it not to your liking?” she murmured and sat on the edge of the bed, taking another sip or her wine.

  “This is aliaberry wine?”

  “It is. Though a late-in-the season bottle.” She paused, hoping he bought her lie. “Perhaps that is the reason it tastes a bit more bitter?”

  “Not bitter. Sweeter.”

  She drew in a slow breath. Gods, she needed to get him to drink it. To stop him from analyzing the taste.

  Reaching out, she took the glass from him and sniffed it. Then, knowing it was a risk, she tilted the cup just enough to wet her lips and give the appearance of having drunk it.

  She forced a dry swallow and lifted a brow. “Tastes all right to me.”

  “Hmm.” His gaze narrowed on her mouth, but there was heat in his eyes now. “Perhaps it will taste more decadent upon your lips.”

  He lowered his head and his tongue lapped up the trace of wine that resided on her mouth.

  Tingles of pleasure spread through her as her pulse quickened with excitement.

  He’d just given her the perfect solution to get him to drink the wine. If sex was the way his mind went, then so be it.

  *

  Brendon gave a murmur of approval and went to part her mouth with his own, to seek the sweetness of her mouth instead of the wine. Gods, when it came to touching Nika he was insatiable. Could not get enough of her.

  But she pushed him back and he gave a growl of protest, until he saw the sparkle of mischief in her eyes.

  “Perhaps it will taste more decadent on other areas of my body as well,” she murmured and reached for his hand that held the glass.

  Her words already sent a vision of sensuality through his mind and his lips curled upward. He allowed her to guide his hand that held the wine back to her body.

  She tilted the glass so the red fluid spilled over the edge onto her breasts.

  He shifted his gaze downward, watched the wine dribble down the slope of her breast and trail over one hard nipple.

  His cock hardened as the sight and he inhaled swiftly, before leaning down to swipe his tongue over the tip to catch the drop of wine.

  Nika let out a groan of pleasure and her body arched against him.

  With his own desire mounting rapidly, he licked his way up her breast, clearing it of the sticky wine.

  “More,” he rasped and pushed her onto her back on the bed so she was supine.

  He grabbed the glass of wine and tilted it again, watching the stream of red drizzle over her breasts and down her belly.

  Then he was on her again, his mouth caressing each swell and dip he’d anointed. He tasted the combination of sweet wine and her flesh, still salty with perspiration from their earlier lovemaking.

  His mouth moved lower, dipping into the crater of her navel that held the wine like a chalice. Nika’s stomach quivered beneath him and she let out a soft sigh.

  He took the wine again and brought the glass just above the swell of her mound. Tilting it, he dribbled a rivulet over her and watched it trickle into the folds of her pussy.

  After quickly setting the glass on the table, he moved back between her legs. He lapped up the wine from her smooth mound, following the trail down the apex of her thighs. He licked each inner thigh and carefully bathed her as he avoided her sweetest spot. He knew it drove her crazy as her hips lifted toward his mouth and her sighs turned to frantic moans.

  Finally, he could deny either of them anymore. Cupping her ass cheeks, he lifted her toward his mouth and sank his tongue into her creamy slit.

  The tart taste of desire mixed with the sweetness of the wine. The result was such a potent elixir he could barely lift his head from between her thighs. So eager he was to taste all of her, drink her until she was dry. And then if that happened, he’d touch her until she was damp again, pour more wine in her.

  “Brendon,” she cried, her hands sliding into his hair to cradle his head to her.

  His mind spun, heady with the erotic taste and soft warmth of pussy surrounding his tongue. Gods, this woman made him mindless. Made him a prisoner to bringing her pleasure. Which in turn gave him so much.

  He shifted his mouth to her clit, wanting to bring her to climax. Thinking maybe if she came, he’d be a little clearer in the head as well.

  But the longer he stayed buried with his mouth between her legs, the deeper into this thick fog he seemed to go. She was his addiction. The taste of her. The sound of her cries.

  Nika’s fingers gripped his hair, tugging, silently asking him to lick faster. He complied, licking and suckling the swollen bud of flesh.

  “Oh gods. Gods!”

  Her bottom clenched in his hands and then she let out a long frantic cry. Her release brought more warm cream to his tongue and he devoured it, pressing a finger inside her to feel the muscles spasm.

  She finally went limp beneath him and he lifted his head.

  The spinning didn’t stop. Gods. He pressed a hand to his forehead and frowned. What was wrong with him?

  “Nika?” he mumbled and struggled to sit up.

  “Brendon?” Her husky tone sharpened and she scooted out from under him. “Are you all right?”

  He blinked, his eyelids feeling heav
y. The muscles in his body grew lax.

  She caught his chin, lifting his head up so he had to look at her. Her gaze scanned his, almost with calculation. Then his vision blurred and he fell back against the pillow.

  “Have some more wine,” she said quickly and reached for the glass.

  “N-no more wine.” The words were thick on his tongue and he made a feeble attempt to swipe her hand away as she tipped it against his lips.

  It sloshed against his mouth and down his chin.

  The wine. Gods. There was something in the wine.

  “Nika?” he whispered her name, trying to hold her gaze, knowing that she would see the realization in his.

  Guilt flashed in her eyes, so quickly he wasn’t sure it was real. Because then it was sympathy as she smoothed a hand over his forehead.

  “I’m sorry, Brendon. I have worn you out. Honestly, I am a bit tired, too.” She snuggled down beside him, laying her head against his chest. “Let’s just sleep for the night. We’ll wake up in the morning and feel just fine.”

  He needed to stay awake…needed to…

  His eyes closed. What the hell had he done?

  Chapter 15

  She’d actually done it.

  Nika’s chest grew so tight she could barely breathe. Tears burned behind her eyes but she blinked them back as she slid away from Brendon’s limp body.

  She stared down at him for a moment, watched the steady rise and fall of his chest. His lids now closed over the suspicion that had been in his gaze.

  He would never forgive her when he finally awoke. Would she ever forgive herself?

  She hardened her resolve and looked away. It didn’t matter. Nothing mattered anymore except for completing this mission and getting the hell off this planet.

  She stood from the bed and immediately set to her task, pulling the case from beneath the bed and clearing out the bureau.

  Once the two cases were packed she glanced around the room and sighed. Brendon still slept deeply. Her gaze swept to the table near the bed and to the half-empty glass of wine.

  Unease settled in her gut. He had not drunk the entire contents. Gods knew how long he would be out. Certainly for enough time to complete her mission, but it left little time for dallying.