Specimen(88)

They want to change me back.

“If Mills has all the specimens except me,” I say, “and you change me back, you have nothing.”

“Do we have you?” Merle asks.

“I’m here, aren’t I?”

“That’s not the same as fighting on our side.”

“I’ll do whatever it takes to protect Riley,” I say. “The fact is, I have nowhere else to take her where she’ll be safe. She can’t return to Mills territory. Even if they think I took her as a hostage, they’ll eventually figure out she had a hand in it.”

“We need to get the implant’s transmission blocked and move to a new location.”

“They can’t mobilize against us in such a short period of time,” Merle says. He nods at me before he stands and looks at Donald Cross. “We have a lot more to talk about, but all of that can wait until tomorrow. It’s getting late, and I gather the two of you have had a rough few days. I want to make arrangements for you to be comfortable tonight.”

We all stand, and I fix my gaze on Riley as her shoulders rise and fall with a deep breath before speaking.

“I guess we’re now a part of the Carson Alliance.”





Chapter 22


Riley and I are escorted to a nearly hotel. Two of the soldiers are stationed outside the door for our safety. It’s bullshit, but I understand the need for caution. The soldiers aren’t the same men as earlier, and they’re polite enough.

Fresh clothing has been delivered to the room. After we get cleaned up, we dress in fluffy white bathrobes and are treated to a room service dinner. The plates are loaded with steak, flatbread, and green beans. Riley stares at the meal with wide eyes. She doesn’t seem to know what to do with it.

“Just eat it,” I say with a smile.

“I’ve never even seen a meal like this,” she says. “I’ve lived my whole life on synthetics, but this is all real.”

“I had some when I was with them before. It’s a little hard to get used to, but we had real food all the time when I was younger.”

Riley takes a few bites and washes it all down with a large glass of water.

“My jaw is going to get tired.”

“I’ve got better ways to do that.” I raise an eyebrow at her. “And we’re alone here—no one watching.”

I remember how she was the first time we were truly alone, and the thought makes my dick throb. It feels like I haven’t been alone with her in forever though it has only been a few hours.

“As far as we know,” she replies as she looks around at the corners of the room. “Any cameras?”

I check, too, but I don’t find any kind of monitoring device.

“I think the coast is clear. You better eat all that food—you’re going to need the energy.”

“I believe I’d rather be filled with something else.” She leans back in her chair and looks at me with an innocent smile.

“Would you now?” I can feel my pulse in my dick.

“I think I’d like some dessert.” She touches her fingertips to her parted lips.

“Are you teasing me?” I look at her darkly.

“Perhaps.” She raises her hands above her head to stretch and then runs her hands over the front of the bathrobe, opening it enough to expose part of her chest. She loosens the tie around her waist and runs her hands over her breasts, keeping her gaze on me the whole time.

“You’re playing a dangerous game,” I say, but she doesn’t heed my warning.

She stands, runs her hands down over her hips, further opening the robe. She’s only wearing pink panties underneath, and she slides her fingers just under the edge.

“Do you know how hard you’re making me?”

“I have to make sure you’re ready,” she says sweetly.

“I’m always ready.”

“I suppose it’s easier to be a man.” She moves her hand a little farther inside her panties. “Women take a little more time for these things.”

I grin at her.

“You’re so fucking wet. I bet you’ve been thinking about it the whole time we’ve been here, just waiting for the right moment, haven’t you?”

“Like you haven’t.”

“Oh, I have. All I have to do is be close enough to smell it on you. You want my dick so bad, you can’t stand it.”

“So what are you waiting for?” She raises an eyebrow, and I spring at her.

Shoving her backward, I pin her to the wall, right next to the couch. I crush my lips to hers, forcing my tongue inside as I grab the robe and tear it off of her. I reach down and push her hand out of my way, feeling her slick skin and growling into her mouth.