Strokes, Vol. 3 Read online

  She wore no makeup. Her bluntly cut hair was held up with a single band at the back of her head—a pretty brown with strands of blonde and red setting it afire. Her eyes, when she’d stared up at him, were a soft green, like springtime blades of grass. Something he’d seen in domed parks back home. Vivid and fresh, those eyes. And so unaware.

  The perfect product of the company’s long assimilation program. Despite her slight stature, she’d survived the grueling testing and come to this place. But why? As pretty as she was, she needn’t struggle for her survival. She’d have made some company scion a fine mistress. Or a gladiator a concubine. He’d have taken her on, for a full month’s use, just to see whether he could make that blush she’d betrayed deepen.

  His loins stirred, and he sighed, knowing he was concentrating on the puzzle she presented because it was better than sinking into a black hole of despair over the fact he was here. That this would be his life until he died.

  In another time and place, he might have enjoyed the adventure, travelling months to reach this desolate planet, testing his mettle against the elements for his own satisfaction against whatever obstacles arose from living on another world. However, he’d left behind a mess. One he was fated never to repair. Everyone he knew and cared for left behind forever. Lost.

  “Your room’s in here,” the woman said, her soft gaze lingering on him. She likely wondered if he was a half-wit, he’d stood there so long, staring at nothing. “Drop your bag beside the bed. You can put away your things later. We have work to do.”

  Colm said nothing, but stepped past her, making sure to brush an arm against her, just to see how she reacted.

  Her quick, indrawn breath and startled gaze told him a lot. She was every bit as aware of him as he was of her. Satisfaction warmed him. Here was something he could work with. Perhaps he could convince her to toss away the chip. And soon. The memory of the sharp pains it invoked, seeming to tap every single nerve with fire and pressure and agonizing cramping, were enough to nauseate him.

  A prisoner now, and for the rest of his life, he determined in that moment that he wouldn’t be seen as one by at least one person on this wretched planet.

  He dropped his bag beside the narrow cot. As stark as any prison cell, at least the room had a window, although the hardware surrounding it told him there would be no escape. Not that he had anywhere to go if he did manage to slip away.

  However, just the thought of walking freely in the out of doors, of swimming in the stream he’d seen that perfectly divided fields of wheat from oats, were enough to keep him thinking about breaking out.

  “We work until the sun sets,” she said, her voice oddly gruff. The sweet note it had held when she’d spoken with the commander was gone. But then, from the way the other man had eyed her up and down and given her unsolicited advice, perhaps they knew each other.

  The thought bothered him more than he wanted to admit. He was already feeling possessive of his new jailer.

  “Tell me what needs to be done,” he said, dropping his voice to infer he was ready to do more than labor in the wheat fields. “I’m here to help.”

  Her cheeks pinkened, and she turned away, bending to pick up a pack on the floor then striding toward the door. “Let’s just make sure water’s making it to the plantings. We’ll walk the fields.”

  AND WALK THEY did. Colm was amazed at the size of the tract she’d been handed. On Earth, land this rich, this verdant, was so rare only the very wealthiest could afford it. And yet here, as far as he could see, stretched gold and green fields filled with fragile bio-gold.

  He and his new mistress carried all-service tools slung over their shoulders, which changed with a click from a shovel head to a pick, depending on the need. At mid-day, she unearthed crusty protein wafers and bottles of fresh water from the bottom of her pack.

  He grimaced at the stale taste, but did have to admit the food satisfied his growling belly. Then back to work they went, with the woman walking between neat rows to inspect plants for wilt or disease, although every grain brought to Mars had been specially engineered to suit the soil and climate.

  “That’s odd,” she whispered, bending closer to one wheat stalk. She tipped it with her finger and drew away with a small insect.

  Peering over her shoulder, he noted the frown bisecting her brow. “A ladybug?”

  “This insect’s not scheduled for release. It shouldn’t be here.”

  Colm shrugged. “Perhaps it stowed away with the seeds when they were shipped.”

  Still staring at the tiny round bug, she shook her head. “Makes me wonder what else might have. I’ll have to report the sighting.” She tucked the insect into her pants pocket.

  “Do you really think the company can control every element of this world?”

  “They have to try,” she said softly. “There’s a fine balance here, between all elements of the environment.”

  “Is there no room in these plans for surprises? For a natural progression?”

  Her head canted as she studied his face. “You’re an odd man, Colm. Everyone knows the dangers imminent when things and people are given free will.”

  Colm breathed deeply, pulling his gaze from her curious one. He knew she wondered about him, where his loyalties lay.

  Phobos rose large on the horizon. She glanced toward it, shielding her eyes as the sun peeked around the edges of the asteroid. “That’s the last orbit for the day. We should head back before night falls.”

  Colm’s body tightened. His own indoctrination had included training to please his new master. Farmers must be kept happy after all. He wondered if she would avail herself of his training tonight or would opt to get to know him better first.

  He tamped down his excitement, but already blood surged southward, thickening his cock. A chance to lie with her, to lose himself in lust, was too tempting a thought. Could he tempt her to forget her natural reticence? “I’m trained, you know. I could give you a massage. Draw your bath…”

  Her head swung his way, green eyes narrowed. “Let’s get this straight. I don’t need a servant or a sex worker. I need a partner. You aren’t obligated to pleasure me. So long as you pull your own weight, I’ll be satisfied.”

  He suppressed a grin at her terse tone. “And what if I have needs, ma’am?”

  Her jaw clenched. “You have a hand. Use it.”

  She stomped away, but he couldn’t help smiling. He’d noted her heightened color. He’d shocked her. Now she was thinking about the coming night and all the delightful possibilities.

  MARY EYED COLM from beneath the sweep of her thick eyelashes as he bent over the bowl of stew she’d heated for their dinner. Ever since he’d offered to pleasure her, she hadn’t been able to get certain lusty images out of her head. It had been ages since she’d taken a sexual partner.

  And what if I have needs, ma’am? She wished she could look at him as though he was just another machine she’d been provided for convenience, because dammit she had needs, too. Yet, even though she understood the necessity of physical release, somehow the thought of using a prisoner in that way felt sordid.

  He really didn’t have any choice in the matter. And even though he’d offered, he might have done so because of his conditioning, not because of any true attraction he might feel. How could she know for sure? Certainly, they were destined to mate and they both had an obligation to reproduce. However, deep inside, she hoped they’d find some affection first. Some spark of attraction to make the act feel less like another of her daily mandated chores.

  Sitting across from him, she freely admitted more than a spark existed on her side. Although his features were rugged, he was a handsome man. With a square jaw and sharp, blunt blade of a nose, his face was strong and masculine. His cheekbones were as sharp as arrowheads. When he spoke, white even teeth flashed between firm lips. Already, her nipples tightened as she imagined those lips tugging at their tips.

  His size alone fed a feminine hunger to feel his weight pressing o
n her. Thick dark hair caused her fingers to curl against the need to comb through it. His watchful gaze inspired images of him rising up to look between their naked bodies as they came together.

  He’d be attentive to her pleasure. His training ensured that, but would he really want her?

  Mary pushed aside the foolish thought. His wants should be secondary to their mission. They were ordained to mate, to produce progeny and populate this planet, just as they were ordained to nurture the fields.

  “Would you like to join me on the porch?” she asked. “The fireworks should begin soon.”

  “Fireworks?” A dark brow arched, seeming to mock her flight of fancy.

  “Okay, so missiles, actually. Seeding the clouds. This will be the first time I’ve seen the seeding since leaving the dome. Would you like to watch?”

  In answer, he gathered their dishes without being asked and took them to the sink. Then they both headed to the open door and the dark porch outside. She sat atop the steps, making room for him to join her, then trained her gaze on the sky. “It’s supposed to look like Fourth of July,” she whispered. She angled her head to glance his way. “Where was your home, Colm?”

  She was entitled to his answer, but wanted more. Not wanting to pry, she glanced away in case her question caused him pain, but also giving him the signal he could share if he wanted or not.

  “Arizona,” came his gruff reply. “You?”

  She smiled. “Iowa. My great-great grandparents were farmers. It’s partly why I decided to apply for the land grant.”

  “Were there other reasons?”

  She grimaced. “I wasn’t the best student. No aptitude for math or science. And since I didn’t want to be consigned to factory work, I volunteered for this.”

  “Did you leave anyone behind?”

  She shook her head. “My parents died several years ago. There wasn’t anyone.” Although she wasn’t sure she wanted to know, she asked, “Did you leave someone behind?”

  Colm drew a deep breath. Sorrow deepened the grooves beside his mouth. “My father. He was in enforcement. And my little brother. Also a cop.” His mouth tightened, and then he shot her a pointed glance. “You haven’t asked me the important question yet.”

  “Okay.” She swallowed hard. “What crime did you commit?”

  His smile was bittersweet, a thin twisting of his firm lips. “My crime was daring to question.”

  Shock rattled through her. “You were a rebel?”

  “Imagine that,” he said, his tone filled with bitter sarcasm. “They sent one of me here.”

  She shook her head. “Were you one of those doing the bombings?”

  He gave a swift shake of his head. “No. I chose civil disobedience. I never wanted to harm anyone.”

  His glance fell away and she noted the tightness of his jaw. “But you did?”

  His glance fell to his hands, which gripped his knees. “I broke into a comm facility. I was the one with the skills to get us inside. We intended to divert the feed and post our own transmissions. Free radio. Tell the truth about what the governments were up to.”

  “Up to?” She snorted. Seemed everyone had had a conspiracy theory or two.

  His gaze swung her way, his eyes cold as a Martian glacier. “You don’t get it. Whole regions of the Earth were dying. Our only hope was population reduction and plantation projects. Plans were already in motion, plans every single government in the seven Sectors supported.”

  She shook her head. “A grand conspiracy?”

  His eyes narrowed. “How about extermination? World extermination.”

  Mary studied his face. Colm believed what he said. How the hell had he gotten past the psych evals? “That’s ridiculous. They’re already practicing population control.”

  “It wasn’t working fast enough.”

  “How do you know?’

  “I was military, ma’am,” he bit out. “Part of the group responsible for security around the S-17 summits. I heard everything. That’s why I’m here, and not in some hellhole prison camp on Earth. They didn’t want word getting out before they began. While I slept in stasis aboard the prison ship traveling here, it happened. It’s done.”

  Cold, like ice water spilling down her spine, shivered through her. “But news feeds…there’s been no mention. Something that big—”

  “The feeds are fiction,” he ground out. “To keep you happy. To keep you working and productive. The next waves of colonists are already in transit, just as dumb and oblivious. It might be years before you all learn the truth.”

  Mary grew still. Everything he said made sense. “Extermination…” She raised her glance to the sky, searching for the small speck of unblinking light that was the Earth. “I don’t know why that’s so shocking. It’s what the doomsayers have been talking about for years. The end of the world.”

  “No. New life. That’s the name of the initiative. Their comforting spin for those who were allowed to live.”

  Mary sat silent for a long moment, then dragged in a deep breath. “Do I want to know how they did it?”

  “I bailed before that part was discussed. But it had to be fast, targeted.”

  Flares lit the sky above them, then explosions sounded as the missiles blew apart, delivering their payload. “The fireworks,” she whispered, trying not to imagine how the governments had cleansed the Earth.

  Moving slowly, Colm placed his arm around her back.

  Mary sat, stiff, unyielding, then leaned close to his side, accepting his comfort. Maybe his crime had been misinformation. Maybe he was a con man. However, deep inside, she knew he’d spoken the truth.

  “So, your father and brother?”

  “Dead. They weren’t deemed important enough to save.”

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

  His chin scratched the top of her head as he folded her closer. “As awful as it is, I won’t let bitterness touch you,” he said, his voice filled with gravel. “My promise. What you have here, what you might share with me, is something…hopeful. I get that.”

  She tilted back her head. “This isn’t an easy life, Colm. And for most of the time, we’ll be alone out here. I’d like for us to be friends.”

  One corner of his mouth curled up, and his gaze narrowed. “Could that be friends who sleep together?”

  Relieved he seemed ready to change the painful subject, she arched a brow. “Are you afraid of sleeping on that little cot?” she teased, surprised she knew how.

  “Terrified.” A hand cupped the back of her head, and she relaxed, giving him the weight of it, surrendering as bright starbursts of light filled the sky beyond him and he kissed her.

  *

  THEY UNDRESSED IN silence. Mary was glad he didn’t feel the need to talk. Her mouth was dry, her tongue thick. She thought she’d probably only manage a croak if she tried to enter into any bedroom talk.

  However, the moment he shoved down his trousers, her mouth moistened.

  His cock sprang free, tilting toward the ceiling, and all she could think was how relieved she was that there was proof of that elusive spark she’d hoped for.

  He climbed onto her larger bed and lay on his side, a curled hand supporting his head, and patted the mattress. A faint smile curved his lips as his gaze swept her trim body. She noted his pause when his gaze touched on her breasts, then again when it dipped to the apex of her thighs.

  His cock jerked. His legs shifted, opening as he bent one to make room for his burgeoning erection and hardening balls.

  Without hesitating, she lay down beside him, rolling to her side to face him.

  He cupped her chin and rubbed his thumb across her bottom lip. “Are you sure you want to settle for friends?” he asked softly.

  “I hope for more. I do. But for now…”

  His thumb rasped her lips again. “Yes?”

  She rubbed her cheek against his large palm. “For now, I’d settle for sex. Straight up, sweaty sex.”

  His smile stretched. “Yes, ma�
�am.”

  Their second kiss wasn’t the sweet, chaste thing they’d shared on the porch. The moment his lips touched hers, his hand smoothed down to cup her bottom and pull her closer. His cock dug into her bare belly, and her body reacted, her sex swelling, excitement seeping from inside her as her hips flexed to bring their bodies closer still.

  His mouth pressed against hers. His tongue darted out to push against closed lips until she opened, then swept inside to tangle with her own. She sighed into his mouth, and he rumbled back.

  With a quick breathless movement, he rolled atop her body, nudging with his knees to open her. When the long, thick ridge glided between her folds, she bent her knees and cupped her hips, forming a cradle for him to rock against. Her arms encircled his strong back, and she sought handholds, squeezing his shoulders, running her fingers down the deep indention of his spine, raking her nails across his buttocks to encourage him.

  When he finally rose, braced on both arms, his mouth was tight, tilted on one corner. “I could slow down…”

  “I want you inside me. Don’t make me wait.” She narrowed her eyes and touched the chip—but raised her eyebrows to let him know she only teased.

  The growl he gave made her giggle, but she forced her mouth into a frown until he shifted, raising his hips then dipping to spear her sex with the blunt round tip of his cock. Her vagina contracted, holding him there. He stretched her opening, circling gently, screwing into her until her pussy relaxed.

  Her breaths deepened; endorphins released. Her lids drifted down as the pleasure prickled her skin and liquid flowed to ease his entry.

  Colm dropped to his elbows. His body blanketed hers, warming her inside and out. His movements were small, subtle pulses, enough to keep them both excited, but not so much they rocketed toward orgasm.

  “You’re stronger than you look,” he murmured. His sleepy gaze said how much her sexy inner clasps pleased him.

  She gave him another squeeze, then undulated her hips. “I’m not delicate, if that’s what you’re afraid of.”