Sensual Captivity 1: Seducer
© Aubrey Ross, December 2007
All Rights Reserved

Her only response was an annoyed look. The rent-a-cop hadn’t been her idea. Director Sanchez refused to allow her off the space station unless she agreed to private security. She understood the precaution but balked at the director’s highhanded means.

RENA, Andrea’s brainchild, had completely disrupted her well-ordered life. The synthetic DNA backbone maintained, and in some cases restored, the integrity of DNA during intentional transcription. The medical community had just begun to explore the potential of the revolutionary process. Military factions were half a step behind. Bidding wars and thinly veiled threats were now an everyday obstacle. Little wonder she’d become reclusive.

“I wanted to check on a few things before I took off.”

“That is so pathetic.” Janelle turned back to her console and entered a series of quick commands. Andrea’s display went blank. “I’m here to hold down the fort. Go! Have a good time.”

She started to object when the door slid open and a dark-haired man stepped into the lab. Tall and broad shouldered, his stiff posture and sharp-eyed stare identified him as military even without the uniform. His hair had been sectioned off and formed into thin dreadlocks that reached the middle of his back. The thick mass was secured at the nape of his neck, accenting the ruthless angles of his features. He appeared humanoid, yet not quite human. His skin tone was a bit too golden, the tilt of his eyes too pronounced.

“This is a high security level.” She sounded as assertive as her evening attire allowed. “How did you get down here?”

“Commander Mal Ton Adoha.” He spoke with a pronounced accent, adding to his exotic appeal. “I’m your escort for the evening.” His shoulders remained squared, arms at his sides as his teal gaze boldly assessed her figure.

She would have been insulted by his stare, but in all honesty, her dress begged for the attention. Her breasts curved well into view and one side of the gown was slit to mid-thigh. The dark brown material shimmered with green and gold iridescence, perfectly matching the multi-colored hazel of her eyes.

“To arrive at the gala on schedule, we must leave in the next few minutes.”

She acknowledged the statement with a stiff nod and turned to Janelle. “Com me if there are any unusual developments.”

The corners of Janelle’s mouth quirked suspiciously as she looked from Andrea to Mal Ton and back. “Gottcha covered.” She dropped her voice to barely a whisper and added, “Remember my suggestion about the coat closet? That one is perfect for the job.” She turned back to her desk before Andrea could react to the comment.

With measured steps, Andrea crossed the lab. Mal Ton’s gaze focused on her face and awareness arced between them like sizzling currents of electricity. This could prove interesting. Director Sanchez had streamed Mal Ton’s dossier to her workstation when he’d first insisted on private security for the evening, but the profile hadn’t included an image. Now she had a devastating face to put with his impressive credentials.

She paused near the door and motioned to the security scanner, needing to alleviate her final paranoia. “Would you mind?”

“Of course not.” He pressed his palm against the smooth surface and the scanner confirmed his identity.

“You said commander. What do you command?” She switched to Standard, the language established for the facilitation of interplanetary trade. He was making a valiant effort to speak Earthish, but she preferred to avoid miscommunication.

They turned to the right as they left the lab, her high heels providing a rhythmic accompaniment for their conversation. The extra three inches only brought her head even with his shoulder. Damn the man was tall.

“Habit. I keep forgetting I’m retired.”

She glanced up at him, her brow furrowed. He was a man in his prime. How could he be retired? “How long have you been on Earth?”

He chuckled. “I immigrated from an obscure planet you’ve probably never heard of and to my knowledge no human has ever visited. I could say the name, but it doesn’t translate well into Standard.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude.” She scanned open the lift and stepped inside. “Scientists are curious by nature.”

His only reply was an enigmatic smile.