His head was at her thighs, his mouth nuzzling the skirt up, his tongue wriggling between her legs... wet, hot... burrowing. She wrapped her fingers in his hair, holding him close. When that snaking tongue found her clit, her knees gave out completely. He caught her as she sank to the couch, caught her in his strong arms.

The ceiling rose above her -- he'd laid her down on her back. Before she knew it her skirt was up to her waist, his head pillowed on her thigh. He nuzzled against her sex, open-mouthed, while his warm hands stroked her legs from calf to thigh and back again.

Every light brush of his lips tortured her clit... the barest of caresses. She pushed against him, trying to get closer to that teasing mouth, but he moved back just enough to keep his kisses light. Gray shook his head, resisting. "Not until you beg."

Damn him. He knew exactly how to make her ache, how to make her clutch his head and try to force him against her. How to make her whimper. Oh, god, how to make her moan. She ground her teeth, but his tongue kept stroking her, kept forcing noises from her throat.

Suddenly his mouth left her; when she reached for him to pull his head back, her hands found only air. She opened her eyes and saw him rise above her, his pants down to his thighs, his cock red, thick and hard.

He came down on her, full length, bracing his weight on his forearms and cupping her head in his hands. His face looked rigid, hungry, as needy as she felt. She wrapped her arms around his back, encouraging him. His hips spread her thighs, and he slowly, slowly pushed in, slowly filled her, until she nearly begged him for it. Her body clenched around his cock.

He stayed motionless, deep inside her, his head thrown back, his teeth gritted. Then he kissed her again, a kiss filled with his tongue, a kiss scented with her sex.

She broke the kiss to breathe. Closing her eyes against the desperation, she pressed her pelvis up, struggling to move against him.

He moved then, setting a slow, steady rhythm. Deep thrusts that had him reaching to her womb, leaving her empty with longing when he withdrew, teasing her clit with the hard brush of his pelvis.

Nothing, nothing should feel this good. Every thrust had her throbbing. The heat of his body, the solid press of his chest, the slick skin of his back under her hands. His hips, hard and urgent, plunged between her thighs. And he looked... she opened her eyes and found his gaze already on her face. Oh, he looked fierce, his face flushed, his glittering eyes a reflection of her own burning desire.

"You unman me," he whispered in Prendarian.

Was that really what he'd said? Even on the brink of climax, she had to understand. "What?"

He looked confused and shook his head. "You... you steal my control," he said in English.

No, he had all the control. His face dropped to her shoulder, and he pressed kisses against her neck, tickling her skin with heated puffs of breath. His thrusts quickened, driving her higher... faster. His shirt, so soft over that firm chest, stroked her nipples.

She reveled in sensation, let herself simply feel him, let herself climb slowly toward the peak. For once she didn't have to strive and struggle. Gray would take her over the edge. She knew it.

His lips found her ear. "Come for me," he whispered. "Give me your release."

The hot words were all she needed. She choked back a moan, her throat tight, and clutched him closer as she strained up against him, strained to get his cock even deeper. His rhythm forced her higher, forced her breath to catch. Yes, yes! God, yes. She cried out softly as her body snapped, shaking with the force of a heady, draining orgasm. Waves of pleasure rolled through her and slowly receded, leaving her trembling underneath his heat.

And still he moved, wringing the last drop of passion from her. Then she felt him tense, felt him go still and press deep, deep inside. His last forceful thrust pushed her hips up the couch. He jerked with wrenching spasms, small groans caught in his throat, until at last his gasping weight settled down on her.

She wrapped a leg over his, unwilling to have him leave her too soon. She wanted to revel in the feeling of his damp, lean body: his hips between her legs, his silky, fine hair under her stroking fingers. He felt incredibly good, just resting on top of her.

Frighteningly good.

As if they were lovers in truth.

His breath gradually slowed, but he didn't move away. No, he stayed inside her for long moments, silent and still. Was he going to fall asleep again?

His head stirred, lifted, and she looked up into heavy-lidded golden eyes.

Eyes that looked ready to tease her for being so damned loud. She stiffened.

"You see?" he murmured, planting a gentle kiss on her forehead. "I told you we had enough time."

Chapter Six.

The hovercraft turned a corner too fast, and a bag fell over onto Gray's feet.Daria glanced at him and pulled it back. "Sorry."She seemed nervous. Did she think he was annoyed? Gray gave her hand a little squeeze of reassurance. "I'm pleased you found a few items worthy of purchase."

She squeezed back, then moved his hand to her smooth, warm thigh. "If I'd bought any more, we'd need two cabs."

He could think of nothing better than having her clutter up his quarters with her clothes. Particularly clothes like the sheer skirt she was wearing. "Two cabs and several people to help carry your bags."

"And I only dragged you into three stores."

"Only three stores?" He looked at the bags on the floor, on the seat. There were eight at least. "I would swear we went to twenty stores."

She smiled. "You have only yourself to blame. I warned you that most men find shopping with a woman nightmarish."

He grinned and stroked her thigh. Had it only been thirty minutes since he'd lain between these beautiful legs? "Fear not. Shopping with you gave me great pleasure, Daria."

She blushed, but said nothing -- just glanced at the driver, as though worried lest he realize they had pleasured each other.

Were all Earthers so... private about sex? Or was it simply Daria's shyness that made her this way? She'd even covered the passion marks on her neck with a light pink scarf, despite the warm weather.

The hovercraft stopped before he could tease her further. He paid the driver and grabbed as many bags as he could, then stepped out. The cab had taken them to the main entrance to the space dock.

"Sarjah."

Gray turned toward the voice.

Ah, Hento had found him. Gray put down the bags and reached out to shake his Primary's hand.

Hento looked surprised by the gesture.

"Still not used to Earth greetings?" Gray asked.

Hento merely gave him a long-suffering look, perfected over his many years in Gray's service. The man carefully kept his eyes off of Daria, but Gray knew he must be curious about her.

And Hento was one Prendarian that she was sure to admire. Compassionate and innately kind, Hento treated everyone with the utmost respect. Gray draped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. "Daria, this is Hento. My Primary."

Hento offered his hand this time. "Greetings."

Daria shook his hand. "I'm Gray's assistant."

Hento didn't even raise an eyebrow, but he must have been surprised. Gray had at least twenty assistants, all hand-picked by Hento. No doubt his curious Primary would ask about Daria in private. But for now he merely picked up the bags -- all of them -- and waited for Gray to move.

Gray knew better than to argue with him over lending assistance. Hento would never let him do much for himself. So he took Daria's hand and led her out of the sun, into the sheltered darkness of the space dock.

He looked over his shoulder at Hento. "Have you been waiting a long time for me?"

"No, Sarjah. Although I did leave a message for you last night."

A message Gray had ignored. Daria had kept him busy last night. Far too busy to discuss politics. "I knew you would find me today."

"As you will." Hento would never dare to censure him directly. "We must speak before the meeting, Sarjah."

Gray nodded. "We'll speak in my quarters."

While Daria bathed. His thoughts would be with her, imagining her washing alone. Remembering the shower they'd shared last night. Despite his earlier words to her, he'd planned to shower with her again. Perhaps later... after the meeting.

The meeting. Would she see him differently when she realized the power he commanded? She'd been annoyed when he'd given her the credits, but afterwards she'd treated him no differently than before.

He'd be careful not to offend her pride again. He little needed her assistance during the meeting, but she would never know that. He'd make certain she felt necessary. Seeing the meetings, seeing Prendarians and Earthers working together, would be good for her. Perhaps she'd be more open-minded.

At last they reached the ship. The loading ramp was guarded by three uniformed men. When they saw Gray they stood tall and dropped their gazes, as respectful as if he was the Premier Leader herself. As if he was more than a normal, mortal man.

Daria gave him a quizzical look as they passed the guards. She must have noticed their unusual obsequiousness.

She'd accepted his wealth... perhaps she could accept his relationship to the Premier Leader as well. In time, she would learn of it from someone. Best to tell her himself.

Perhaps after the meeting.

The ship was silent and still, no one in the corridors. The crew must be sleeping after their wild night. When they reached Gray's quarters, Hento opened the door, then stepped back to allow Gray to pass.

But Daria went through the door first.

Gray smiled at her unconscious breach of Prendarian etiquette. His unflappable Primary gasped.

"We're on Earth," Gray said to him quietly. He left Hento shaking his head and followed Daria into his quarters.

She reached for the bags as soon as Hento came in. "Here, let me take those."

Hento obediently set the bags down, and Daria gathered three of them up and carried them into the next room. Hento raised an eyebrow at Gray, then took the rest of the bags and followed her into the sleeping chamber.

"Oh!"

Her shocked cry drew Gray to the doorway.

Daria had a hand over her chest. "You startled me," she said to Hento. "Just put those down anywhere. I... I need to shower."

Hento put the bags on the bed, then stood tall, head bowed politely. Waiting for her dismissal, no doubt. But Daria just stared at him, clearly at a loss.

Gray could imagine them standing here all day, neither knowing what to say.

He laughed at the thought, and they both looked at him as if he was deranged. "We'll leave the sleeping chamber to you, Daria. Just come into the main room when you're ready."

She smiled a little. "Thank you."

Perhaps it was the smile on her face, or the sight of her legs, or simply the fact that she'd be showering alone... so close to him while he was discussing politics with Hento. Whatever the reason, he couldn't leave without touching her. He crossed the room, took her in his arms, and kissed her.

She resisted, pushing against his chest, turning her head away. "Gray!" she whispered. "Hento --"

"Has left the room by now." He turned her so she could see, then bent his head to hers again.

After a long, leisurely kiss, he released her lips, but kept his arms around her.

She looked annoyed. "Why don't you just put a sign on me?"

He frowned back. "What do you mean?"

Her hands pushed at his biceps, but he didn't release her. "Are you going to tell everyone that we're sleeping together?"

Sleeping together. No matter how often he heard it, how often he used it, the phrase would never make sense. Sleeping was far too passive a word for the pleasures they shared.

He almost shrugged, but restrained himself. A casual dismissal would probably anger her further. "Why should I hide this fact? We are sleeping together."

"But everyone will think you're paying me to sleep with you. I'm supposed to be your assistant. No one will take me seriously if they think I'm just a --"

Prostitute. The word might as well have been said.

He stroked her back lightly. "A Prendarian would never think that I pay you for pleasure.

In truth --"

He stopped an instant before revealing too much. Before revealing that every Prendarian in the galaxy would grant her more respect for sharing his quarters. Telling her this would sound like conceit.

Her chin tilted with endearing belligerence. "You might as well finish that sentence."

What could he say to reassure her? "In truth, Daria, you are too sensitive about this matter." She stiffened, but he didn't let her pull away. "You are one of my assistants, and we share a bed. No one will find such a thing worthy of comment."

She bit her lip. "Earthers will."

No doubt hundreds of Earth men had paid her for sex. Why did she care if others believed he was among their number? But the thought was too harsh to say aloud. If she wished to be seen as merely his assistant, he would grant her that favor.

"As you will," he said at last. "Only Hento will know that we sleep together." Although many others would assume that they did. He need not share this fact with her.

She relaxed in his arms then, and her tiny smile seemed like a great gift. "Thank you."

He kissed her forehead gently. "I must speak with Hento now. Enjoy your lonely shower."

He left her digging through her bags and went into the next room, sliding the door closed to leave her in privacy.

Hento was sitting at the table, hands folded in his lap. His face wore his most carefully bland expression.

He sat across from Hento and waited. Questions were sure to follow that meditative look.

"You have acquired another assistant, Sarjah?"