Fusion (Crimson Romance) by Candace Sams Page B

filled with appetizers that more than made a decent meal.
    There was no shortage of fruit, cheeses, wine, and other beverages. What must the actual main courses be like aboard the Venus? How many were starving for want of one piece of molding bread, never mind the crispy crackers and snack rolls? With all this, Aigean needn’t have ordered them a full meal.
    But where the food would sate hunger and the luxury would repair parts of her tired body, nothing but his touch would stop the burning he’d started. And touching, simply caressing and kissing, wouldn’t be good enough. She was aware of his mutual desire. It had been evident in his unwavering gaze.
    She couldn’t guess what he really thought about her, other than he believed her to be physically attractive. In this situation, any woman would probably have driven him insane with desire. As for her feelings on the matter, Soldar Nar was the embodiment of every hero she’d ever wanted. And if they were going to die, she’d have him and not give a damn who watched or whether those voyeurs were entertained or not. If these were her last days, and they got caught getting information back to Allied Command, then she was going into the hereafter with the taste of him on her lips and the feel of him deep within her body.

Chapter 4
    It only took Soldar a few moments to find the luxurious shower space and quickly unclothe. He stood within a vault-like compartment two sizes larger than the entire sleeping area on any transport ship.
    Within the black marble stall, water sluiced over his tired, dirty body from every conceivable direction. It was hot and there were even colored lights emanating from the same water jets that directed the spray. Scented soap provided an aromatic experience that was both pleasing and soothing. He hadn’t such a luxurious experience in years.
    Once more, he tasted the bitterness of guilt. How could he stand there soaping himself and relishing the feel hot, fresh water and the smell of cleanliness? His comrades were fighting and dying.
    He quickly put a bar of hand-milled, herbal soap back in its holder and was determined to end the shower and the remorse it caused. He’d only stay long enough to wash off the rest of the suds and return to the main area or their quarters. But thoughts of the woman in the other room kept taking precedence. He was glad she’d run down that dead-end canyon, toward him. He was thankful to have her company while conversely wishing her safely back in that cave. But the truth was simple: there simply
wasn’t
any safe place any longer. His world and hers would be attacked eventually. Whatever remained of their cultures would be destroyed by the Condorians. And realizing that, he let his guard down and simply gave way to emotions a leader shouldn’t harbor. Not in these circumstances. He should keep his mind on business, and his penis in check until it was time to use it.
    Even as he tried to keep their mission before anything else, his body was still aching for her touch.
    His left hand slid down his wet body while his right began to finger his nipples. The need to release couldn’t be contained. He imagined himself making slow love to Lyra, on some planet away from war, strife, or any conflict.
    He spread his legs and began to stroke his thick rod. It and its accompanying
flange
were fully erect and when he gazed down he saw the telltale red glow of his testicles. He’d been in need for a long time. Lyra’s presence just augmented that desire by a hundredfold.
    For just a few moments, he’d give in to desire. Get it out of his system and he’d be able to return to the room more equipped to think.
    His hips began to automatically thrust forward as he stroked his shaft from the very base out to the tip. Occasionally, he’d tweak the flange on top as it vibrated in response to his stroking. His bullock-like testicles swung forward from their dropped position between his lower thighs. Their subtle glow grew brighter