The Pleasure Bot (Planet Desire Book 4) Read online

  “No.” Declan was never this monosyllabic. He must really be enjoying this movie.

  Priscilla sighed and decided she’d try really hard to understand his fascination.

  The man climbed on top of the woman, who was holding her thighs so tightly to her body, she looked like a contortionist. His cock glided inside her, the camera so close Priscilla could see that his ugly shaft glistened with the woman’s fluids. He didn’t have to make any tentative, preparatory thrusts. She must have one really loose c—

  “Bored, love?” Declan whispered in her ear.

  “N—no,” she lied, not wanting to spoil his enjoyment of his first movie. But why couldn’t he have chosen an old classic like Die Hard or Guardians of the Galaxy?

  “He’s been boring a hole in her for six minutes,” Declan murmured. “He must have been using something to keep from coming.” He was still immersed with the action on the screen, but his head canted to the side and a slight smile curved his lips.

  Priscilla’s gaze went back to the couple. Sure enough, the man was still poised above her, his cock thrusting away.

  “Do you think the cameraman ever got sprayed? He’d have to be on top of them both to get that angle.”

  Priscilla giggled, relieved Declan wasn’t so engrossed with the other couple’s marathon sexual encounter that he didn’t see how ridiculous it was. “Imagine how she feels,” she whispered. “If she can take a full breath, that is. I bet they had to edit the film to give her a break, or she would have passed out.”

  “You don’t think you’d enjoy getting it like that?” He nuzzled her ear, then stroked the lobe with his tongue.

  Priscilla tilted her head to give him better access. “Mmm. Are you wanting to conduct a little field research? I’ve lots of experience.”

  He bit her lobe. “Not too much, I hope.”

  She pouted her lips. “Come here, baby,” she said in a high, little voice. “I’m all hot and horny.”

  Declan growled and pushed her down on the cushions. He shoved the throw to the side and pressed her thighs high until her knees squashed her breasts. Then he lowered his head and laved her pussy, groaning loudly.

  The sound vibrated on her, and she moaned, breathless. “They had to do twenty takes,” she shouted. “I’m coming!”

  *

  “I see you enjoyed the movie,” Agnes said, her voice amused.

  Declan growled his displeasure at the interruption.

  “It was the best,” Priscilla murmured dreamily, pumping her hips upward one last time. Declan’s cock slipped from inside her, and she groaned.

  He squeezed her breast and sat up. Then he lent a hand to help Priscilla untangle herself from the cushions.

  She took her first deep gulp of air. “That’s so much better. I think I forgot how to breathe.”

  Declan’s smile was lazy and arrogant.

  “I hate to break this up, love birds, but Declan here needs to get ready to go.”

  Priscilla’s gaze swung to Declan, but his face turned, his expression shuttering.

  Her heart lurched in her chest, and then began hammering madly. This was it? It was really over? “But we still have another day,” she said, hating that her voice betrayed her dismay.

  “Sorry, Priss. He’s being recalled.”

  Declan rose from the sofa, his shoulders and back stiff. “I’ll be needing my clothes, Agnes,” he said without a trace of emotion.

  “They’re in Priss’s closet, to the left.”

  Priscilla watched and listened with a growing dread. He’s really leaving.

  “If you’ll excuse me for a minute, Priss,” he said politely, then he walked to the bedroom without looking back.

  When the door closed behind him, Priscilla rounded on Agnes. “There has to be some sort of mistake,” she said, feeling like her whole world was coming apart. “Get Playthings on the comm. Now!”

  “It won’t do any good, hon,” Agnes said softly. “He has to go back now.”

  “But we have another day left,” Priscilla wailed.

  “I’m sorry.” She paused a moment, then, “But hey, think about it this way, you did have one and a half whole days with him.”

  “It’s not nearly long enough.” Priscilla felt her chin wobble and knew she was about to cry. “Can’t you tell them I want to extend my rental?”

  “No can do.”

  Priscilla’s mind raced. There had to be a way… “What if I don’t return him at all? I could say he was lost.”

  “Priss, Declan won’t stay.”

  The tears finally overfilled her eyes and streaked down her cheeks. “See if I ever buy another toy from them. Their return policy sucks!” She crumpled sideways on the sofa and sobbed.

  Agnes cut the circuit, satisfied things were progressing well on this end. She opened a link to the bedroom and found Declan angrily stuffing his feet into his boots.

  “Hey there, cowboy.”

  “Do you ever knock?” he growled.

  “Not my style. Did you get a chance to call your posse?” she asked, knowing full well he had—after all, she’d listened to the entire conversation.

  “Yeah. They said we have a short window to retrieve The Maiden before she’s lost to a salvager. Reiver said someone bribed the lot manager to look the other way. Was that you?”

  “Of course,” she answered cheerfully.

  He stood, and his eyebrows drew together in a fierce frown. “You couldn’t have arranged this for tomorrow?”

  “The situation presented itself. I wouldn’t have had another chance.”

  His hands stilled on the buttons of his breeches. “I thought the charges were dropped. Why are they keeping the ship?”

  “They found the evidence.” Agnes gave the news a moment to sink in. “Didn’t Reiver mention it? You guys are wanted again, so keep your heads down.”

  “Bloody hell!” His hands curled into fists, and then his shoulders drooped. “It’s just as well, I suppose.”

  “What is?”

  “My leaving early,” he said, his voice gruff. “It’ll be easier on Priss. Things were getting—” He shook his head and grabbed for the duster on the bed.

  “Yes?” she asked, forcing him to answer. She needed to know how he really felt, before she put the next part of the plan into action.

  Declan cursed and shrugged into his duster. “Too comfortable,” he said, his voice thick. “I kind of liked spending time with her. She’s a nice lady.”

  “Well, then I guess you’re right.” She kept her voice light, hoping to instigate a little more emotion. “There’s no use risking breaking her heart.”

  He snorted. “As if she’d fall for someone like me.”

  “Do you think you’re not lovable?”

  “I’m no prince,” he said, his tone flat.

  No, you’re one mule-headed man! “You’re right about that,” Agnes said wryly. “But did you ever consider that maybe she doesn’t want a prince?”

  He snorted again. “Right, she dreams of pirates. But she hasn’t a clue what she’d be giving up.”

  “Won’t you let her make that choice?”

  “No.” Declan’s hands fisted, and he took a deep breath. “She deserves better than me.”

  Yup, things were going right according to plan. “Well, I guess this is goodbye, then.”

  “Agnes?”

  “Yes, smuggler.”

  “Thanks.”

  Declan let himself out of the bedroom and walked to the sofa. Priscilla was huddled on one end, the throw wrapped around her. Her gray eyes were red-rimmed, her nose moist and pink. She’d been crying. He felt like kicking his own ass.

  Though it damn near killed him, he knelt beside the sofa and opened his arms.

  She fell against his chest and hugged him hard. “You don’t have to go. I’ll figure out something. Stay.”

  His hand smoothed over her head, ruffling her curls. He breathed in the scent of her, warm spice and sex, and then reluctantly pulled away. “L
ove, I have to go. My crew’s waiting on me. We haven’t much time to make a getaway.”

  “Your crew. Right.” She sniffed and attempted a watery smile. “Have a good journey.”

  He chucked her under the chin. “You have a good life. You deserve every happiness. Find some guy and settle down. He’ll count himself a very lucky man.” His throat closed, and he rose. If he didn’t get out of here quick, he’d be a sorry mess.

  “Aren’t you going to kiss me goodbye?” she said, her chin wobbling.

  His body clenched. “You’re killing me here, Priss.”

  She stood and wrapped her arms around his waist.

  He lifted her and kissed her with every bit of love he had inside him, then set her back on her feet. She swayed toward him, but he steadied her with his hands. “Gotta go,” he said, nearly choking on the words. Then he turned on his heels and walked out of the house.

  The sun was shining, but he didn’t feel its warmth. He turned up the collar of his duster and headed to the front gate. Reiver and the boys would be waiting for him there.

  *

  “Aaa—gnes!”

  “Yes, hon?”

  “Am I crazy? I’m in love with a robot.” Part of her felt a melting happiness, while the other lamented his loss. She was in love.

  “Sure you’re not just in love with the idea of it? You’ve only known each other a day and a half.”

  “No. It’s him. I love him. I love the way he smells, the dark look in his eyes when he thinks he’s dominating me, and I love his kisses.” She let out a deep sigh. “I even love him when he makes me so mad I could spit.”

  She sat on the sofa and picked up the cushion, still damp from their combined come, and held it to her face. For as long as she lived, she’d never wash the scent away. It smelled like love. “He makes me crazy, Agnes. One minute I want to throttle him and the next I’m crawling all over him.”

  “Sounds like love, all right.”

  Priscilla’s face crumpled. “I hate feeling this way.”

  “What way’s that, sweetie?”

  “Like someone’s dying.” She blinked away the moisture that threatened to spill down her face again. “He’s going back to the factory, and they’ll reformat him. All his memories, everything that made him Declan, will be gone. It’s not right.”

  “But he’s just a robot. He was made to order for your pleasure. It’s not like he’s human.”

  “You’re wrong, Agnes. He has human DNA inside his CPU.”

  “Tell you what, hon. I’ll work with Tonio to make sure you’re on the top of the waiting list. You’ll get the first bot they offer for sale. This time you can get one more to your taste—and hung like a horse!”

  Priscilla hiccoughed and a thin wail escaped her lips. “How can you be so cheerful? My heart’s breaking. I don’t want a horse—I want Declan.”

  She cried so long her eyes grew scratchy, and her nose filled. Not like she did when she watched Bambi. Not the same tears at all. If she was feeling this way, what was Declan feeling? Was he as lost?

  Priscilla sat up on the edge of the sofa. “What makes us humans so special? He’s sentient, like me and you, Agnes. And he cares—I know he does. He couldn’t have been as loving if he didn’t.” A feeling grew in her, so strong she couldn’t deny it.

  “Do you think he loves you?”

  “I have to believe he does. I couldn’t feel this much. Do you understand?” She waved a hand. “So he was created, not born. The amount of genetic material in a body isn’t the measure of what makes a man.”

  “That’s deep. So, whatcha going to do about it? You love him. You think he loves you, but he’s on his way out.”

  Her shoulders slumped. “What can I do? If I rescue him, we’ll be wanted, on the run for the rest of our lives. He’s too valuable for Playthings to simply write him off. I wouldn’t ever be able to come back here. We’d have to travel off-world.”

  “Is that so bad?”

  Priscilla looked around her living room. The things she’d acquired over her lifetime were just that—things. She’d trade it all for a life with Declan. “But what about my parents? They’d never understand my turning to a life of crime.”

  “They’re pretty worldly. They’ve seen a lot. I bet they’d understand if you told them everything.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest, needing a hug. Even one she gave herself. “They do love me. They’d forgive me for embarrassing them, eventually. Maybe, they could even help us.” For the first time in the past hour, she felt a glimmer of hope. “Agnes?”

  “Yo, boss?”

  “What does one pack when they’re going on the lam?”

  *

  “You haven’t said a word, since we picked you up.” Reiver executed a left turn onto the main thoroughfare; the next exit would take them to the docks.

  “I’m just tired,” Declan said, staring out the window watching the dusty brown landscape rush past. He’d never noticed how dingy the air was in South Texas. Not a healthy place for Priss to raise a family.

  “Not curious how we found the cargo Customs lifted from our hold?” Reiver asked.

  “Sure.” Declan decided to try to get back into the swing of things and not look back. He could make himself crazy with regrets. He sighed and turned to his First Mate.

  Reiver hadn’t been changed a jot by his adventure. The bloody sod was smiling.

  “It’s quite a story. Your friend Agnes told us where the warehouse was—just so happens it belongs to McEwen.”

  Declan grunted. He didn’t give a damn about that bastard McEwen or any stinking cargo. He’d just left his heart behind him in La Barria Prima with a certain little redhead who thought she was a lioness. Oh, she roared like one, even purred sometimes, but underneath she was as soft and vulnerable as a kitten.

  “—and little green Arkanthans were guarding the crates.”

  “Huh?” Declan only caught the last of what Reiver said. Then he heard the men seated behind them snickering.

  He leveled a glare over his shoulder. “Unless you want to swab the upper deck, you’d better shut your yaps.” He rounded on Reiver, “What’s this you said about Arkanthans?”

  Reiver didn’t reply. His gaze was on the rearview mirror. By the worried look in his eyes, Declan could tell he didn’t like what he saw.

  He glanced over his shoulder, down the center aisle of their stolen hovervan. “We’ve got a tail. Lose it!” Declan said, feeling the welcome rush of adrenaline pump through his veins. If they wanted a fight…

  “Captain, do Customs agents drive pink hovercars?” Nate asked.

  “I think it’s more of a mauve,” Danny said.

  Declan turned back again, just in time to see the car pass them at a high rate of speed—just long enough to catch a glimpse of a small white face above the steering wheel and a cap of red curls. “That little idiot! Is she trying to get herself killed?”

  Priscilla pulled her car into the lane in front of them, and her rear lights flashed red.

  “Hit the brakes,” he bellowed.

  The cars had barely skidded to a halt when he flung the door upward.

  “I take it you know this person?” Reiver asked, laughter in his voice.

  Declan stuck his head back inside. “Not one bloody word out of you.” When smothered laughter rang in the back of the van, he cast them all a hot glare.

  As he stomped to Priscilla’s car, he heard Reiver say, “Guess we know what has him so grumpy.”

  Declan reached the car, just as she lifted her door. “Oh, thank God, I found you in time!” She hurled herself into his arms, and Declan took a step back to absorb the impact. “I thought I might be too late.” She hugged him hard around the middle, but never stopped her nervous babble. “First, I couldn’t find the right suitcase, then I didn’t know what to pack.” She pushed herself away from his chest, and her hands cupped his face. “I thought I might never see you again.”

  For a moment, Declan’s heart was fierce
ly glad to see her. But then he realized what she’d just said. He pushed her away. “You’re not coming with me,” he shouted.

  “No, I’m not.” She smiled, not caring his frown would make most men run for cover. “You’re coming with me. We’re escaping. Agnes has it all arranged. I even have a ship. She’s not the latest model of cruiser or very elegant, but she’s sturdy. You’ll love her!”

  “You bought a ship?”

  “No, silly! We’re stealing one.”

  “We’re stealing a ship?” he parroted, dumbfounded by her audacity.

  She looked beyond his shoulder, and her eyes widened. “Oh my God! There’s a whole vanload of Pleasure Bots!”

  Chapter Ten

  ‡

  “Pleasure Bots?” Reiver’s voice echoed his own thoughts.

  The two men shared a confused glance. What the hell was she talking about?

  “Oops!” Priscilla bit her lip. “We need to hurry. Our ship’s on its way to salvage.”

  Declan didn’t like the way Reiver was eyeing her up and down, or the little besotted smile that curved his lips. “Just get back in your car, Priss,” he said. “You know I have to leave. You’re staying.”

  “But Declan, you can’t go back to your ship. They’ll be waiting for you there.”

  “Who?”

  “Them?” She shrugged, her glance dropping to his chest. “Ask Agnes.”

  “Probably Customs,” Reiver said. “Ballocks!”

  Declan glared at him. “Reiver!”

  “Sorry, Captain. Darn!” Reiver finally pried his gaze from Priscilla. “Captain, if she’s right, they can’t be far behind us. Let’s get her into the van. We’ll figure it out on the way.”

  Declan sighed and grabbed her arm. “We’ll have to leave the car for now. We’ll arrange a taxi later.” He started toward the van.

  “My things!” Priscilla jerked back her arm and headed to her car.

  Declan cursed under his breath. “Get her in the van, Reiver.”

  Priscilla frowned. “But—”

  Reiver lowered his shoulder, butted her gently in the belly, and lifted her.

  Priscilla shrieked, grabbing for the back of his duster. She raised her head and shouted, “Don’t forget Agnes and my suitcase. Oh, and the cushion!” She rose further and smiled down at Reiver as he strode to the van. “My name’s Priscilla, by the way.”