She felt it, like a small spot of warmth lying against the bone. “Yes. Weird.”
Ash laughed again and moved his hand away. Her skin cooled at the absence of his touch. “You’ll get used to it. Just open it and speak. The frequency will alert us, and we can open our chip to speak back. We don’t have to be in the same room. Like we said earlier, it’s effective up to twelve klicks. To turn it off, just close the door. We can’t hear your thoughts if you’ve shut the path.”
She did, and they sent thoughts her way so she’d know what it felt like.
Ash stood and tossed the pillow back on the chair nearby. “Your record is no longer public; we’ve pulled it. Tomorrow morning we’ll start calling you Sela. You’ll have to totally take on your cover identity. The name is similar on purpose. Even though you look a little different, if someone thinks they know you and hears a similar name, it should satisfy.”
Sera nodded, a bit overwhelmed. It wasn’t as if people would recognize her, even if she had been the target of Family gossip when she’d left Ash. She was a thing to them. Amusing to speak of, but none had bothered to look that closely. It satisfied her that such behavior actually served her for a change. “I should be going to sleep now. If we’re leaving at first light, I’ll need the rest.”
“The wake-up call will sound in your rooms. We’ll see you in the morning.” Brandt kissed the top of her head, totally casually. “You did a great job tonight, Sera. Good night.”
She got up and grabbed her shoes, swaying to the doorway before turning back. “Good night, both of you.”
Once in her room with the door closed, she looked at herself in the mirror after she’d removed her clothing. There wasn’t a huge difference from earlier that day, but the hair and the makeup did mark some sort of step. She pondered just what it could mean if she let herself fall into her role completely.
Chapter 6
The alarm came even earlier than Sera’s normal time. She rolled out of bed and showered quickly. Once they left the house that morning, she’d be Sela Carter, concubine in the service of Brandt Pela.
She tried very hard to keep it in perspective. It was an assignment. It was important to the future of the Federation that they find out who the traitor was and neutralize him.
Looking into the mirror, she laughed a moment. Okay, so there’d be lots of sexual contact with Brandt. It wasn’t like she had to lie just then that she’d find it distasteful. And how often did she get to play the part of a glamorous sex kitten, anyway? After the night before, she knew the sex between them would be powerful.
If she hadn’t been so attracted to him, if he hadn’t possessed such a compelling sexual lure, Sera was pretty sure she’d have felt a bit like a whore. They may have been able to make it look more sexual than it was, faking the actual sex, but if the Nondalese suspected them of hiding anything, no one would trust them enough to reveal anything of use. It was a job, including the sex. But it felt a lot less cold and perfunctory, because she truly wanted Brandt. In a way, just between herself and her reflection, it gave her an excuse to let go and leap, do something she’d never have done without the pretext of the assignment. She didn’t know what would happen when the assignment was over, but for the time being, she planned to just go with it and be Sela.
Brandt’s Family colors were purple and a deep gold. They’d be seen at the portal that day, and so to cement her role right from the start, she put on a regal, deep purple-colored dress. It crisscrossed just beneath her breasts and hugged her body. Sleek, gold heels completed the outfit. Her hair she wore high on her head, letting it cascade down in a river of curls.
Tucking her current identification into the wall safe in her quarters, she put her new cards and credentials in her bag before heading downstairs.
Brandt had been up an hour already, making sure plans were in place for the mission. Ash had been on the comm, making sure the transport was ready for clearance. He’d been sure to relay their plans to Nondal the day before, arranging for a suite of rooms.
Brandt still bore the marks from the cat-o’-nine-tails Ash had used on him after Sera had gone to bed. They’d both been amped up and needed to work out their excess energy. Ash was good at that.
Both men turned as they heard the sound of Sera’s heels sounding down the stairs. Last night she was Sera, trying on a bit of a role for fun. But the woman in the skintight dress and the highest of heels, her hair a mess of curls on the top of her head falling down her back and shoulders—she was Sela Carter. His concubine.
“Good morning, darling.”
Even her voice had changed. She spoke in a sensual, throaty purr that stirred his blood. And his cock.
He stalked to her and pulled her tight against him. One arm encircled her waist, and his free hand took her chin and angled her head just so before delivering a devastating kiss.
Her eyes widened a moment and then slid slowly shut as she melted into his body with a soft sigh.
At that sigh, his tongue swept into her mouth. Sampled her taste. Slid along her tongue and teasing, seducing. She was warm and minty from her toothpaste.
Shock slammed through Sera, chased away by the heat of desire as Brandt’s arm held her tight about the waist. The hand at her chin caressed her jawline and moved to hold the back of her neck.
His tongue in her mouth was sure and skillful, and when she suckled it, his groan vibrated up her spine. Her nipples stabbed into the front of her dress, and she swayed, both under the spell of the kiss but also unable to stop taking more sensation from him.
Her bottom lip caught in his teeth briefly just before he broke the kiss.
“Good morning, Sela. How are you today?” His voice was hoarse, and his pulse pounded against the palm she’d laid against his chest. “Shall we eat a light breakfast here and then make our way to the portal?”
“I find myself suddenly very hungry.” Her mouth lifted on one side in a sly smile, and he chuckled.
Letting her go, he held out his arm, and she took it. Only then, as they moved to walk into the dining room, did Sera notice Ash standing there.
“Good morning, Ash.” Her voice wasn’t quite Sela with him just yet. She’d need to work on that.
“Good morning, Sela. You look beautiful today.” He bowed as they walked past and into the room. He didn’t seem angry—more thoughtful than anything else. It should have filled her with relief. Instead, it made her wary.
During breakfast they went over their plans. The house was the last place they’d be able to freely communicate verbally. Even on the transport they’d have to be careful what they said and use the chip for anything sensitive. They could be sure no cameras were loaded, but a nearby transport could use modified parabolic equipment to eavesdrop. There was a staff on board as well, and while they were fairly sure most of them were absolutely trustworthy, the Families sent their own people on trips through the portals from one universe to another quite often as observers. Their transport had been chosen, and two representatives of Ash’s family would be on board. They weren’t people Ash knew personally and so couldn’t trust without a doubt.
“Are you ready then?” Brandt stood and addressed them both.
Ash wiped his mouth and stood as well. “As I’ll ever be.”
Brandt pulled out her chair, and she took his hand. “Wait.” He reached into an inner pocket, retrieving a velvet pouch. “You’ll look more convincing wearing these.”
He pulled out a platinum necklace bearing a stylized B in diamonds. Concubines of very important men often wore such identifying jewelry, a status marker for both parties. Reaching around, he fastened it about her neck. Diamond baubles for her ears and a bracelet followed, and he slid a pink diamond ring on her left hand.
He stepped back and looked to Ash, who nodded. “And one more thing.” Upending the pouch into his palm, a ring with a dangling row of diamonds slid out.
Heart pounding, she took a deep breath and reached down to slide the bodice of her dress out of the way, exposing her breast. And the ring she still wore in it. A ring Ash gave her when she’d first gotten it pierced.
She heard his sharp intake of breath, and suddenly he was there, next to Brandt. “You’re still wearing it.” She didn’t fail to hear the raw emotion in his voice.
Glib words tried to find their way from her lips, but they faltered when she looked into his eyes. He was satisfied, yes. But there was more. He was moved by the sight of his ring still marking her. She knew that.
All she could do was nod. If she’d tried to speak, her voice may well have cracked.
“I think this one is better, Ash. I understand your feelings on this, but Sela would wear something far more flashy.”
Sera nodded, agreeing with Brandt.
“You’re right. But I’ll take it off. I put it on to start with.”
And before Sera could disagree, Ash’s hands were on her, fingertips sliding over her nipple to unlatch the ring and pull it loose. She watched his hand on her flesh, and the sense memory of the last time he’d touched her naked breast slammed into her, wrenching out a strangled gasp.
His gaze moved from her breast to lock with hers. The cool metal of Brandt’s ring slid into her nipple, and the weight of the diamonds provided a new sensation.