Yolanda Sfetsos: Alex Wales: Promise

She wasn’t stupid, knowing a lot of people were aware of her on-again-off-again thing with Ulric never bothered her. Yet, she suddenly didn’t like the idea of every scumbag in the galaxy judging her because of it. Did they laugh behind her back or just assume she was an easy lay who’d eventually weaken and let them in, too? It sounded disgusting to even think about it, but sex and love could make or break a person’s entire life. Reputations were made and ruined after one-night stands with the wrong people or if the performance didn’t live up to the expectations.

What the hell was she thinking? Sackor would say just about anything to try and snare her into his web. It’s never going to happen.

Alex took a deep breath. “It’s not meant to be a secret.”

“Of course not. Fucking the owner of a space station can only work for your rep. It doesn’t mean you have to stay exclusive to him, does it? I’m more than equipped to deal with satisfying a humanoid female.” Sackor licked his lips and slowly extended his spiked tongue to insinuate exactly what he was offering, if she chose to accept the challenge.

The gesture had the reverse effect on her. Alex cringed at the thought of his putrid tongue anywhere near her body. “I’m a one-guy-at-a-time kinda girl,” she lied.

She had to stop this exclusive arrangement she’d set up for herself with Ulric, especially now that she knew he was getting confused. If something came up on-or off-this space station, Alex would take advantage of the situation. She couldn’t continue to mull over his offer and risk eventually taking him up on it.

A distraction’s what I need.

“You’re lying. I know all about your other lovers.”

“I don’t have other lovers,” she snapped back.

“I’m growing tired of your resistance, Alex Wales.” Those black eyes peered into hers. “One of these days, you’re going to have no other choice but to accept at least one encounter with me.”

She doubted that day would ever come but chose to keep her mouth shut by biting down on her tongue. Just because she didn’t want to have sex with Sackor didn’t mean she had to jeopardize their working arrangement. “Who knows? Stranger things have happened.” She offered him a wink.

A smile teased the edges of those very thin, hard lips as his eyes shone. “Yes, they have…but for now, I’m going to have to be happy with keeping this strictly business.” He patted her left hand with his.

It took all of her willpower to keep from dragging her hand away from his grasp. The feel of his harsh insect skin made her want to vomit.

“The cargo’s ready to load and needs to be delivered within 24 hours.” Sackor held her hand steady under his. “As soon as it’s signed for, the credits will be automatically deposited into your personal account.”

“I know the procedure.” Alex pushed the tall stool back and stood up. His skin against hers made her itch all over. Insects had this effect on her, no matter how big or small they were.

He didn’t budge when she made a move to pull her hand away.

“Alex, I may even be able to add a little extra to the usual fee, if you meet me back here in 48 hours to fulfill your promise of intimacy.” The excitement made his shell glossy with moisture.

She glared at him for a moment. How dare he?I might be a little impulsive with sex and get involved with men a little too quickly, but I’ve never accepted payment in exchange. She wasn’t about to start now.

“Sure, whatever.” Alex managed to pull her hand out from under his, but not without cutting the skin between her thumb and index finger on the spiked edges. Damn! It stung like hell.

Sackor looked down at his fingers, noticed a few drops of her blood, and lapped them up with his long tongue. “Delicious. I can’t wait to taste your other liquids.”

Alex didn’t even acknowledge the disgusting comment. She hadn’t realized a sexual encounter with this thing could sound even worse, but it did. She would no doubt have nightmares about the insane imagery, but for now, she had a new job to focus on. With some luck, she wouldn’t need to sleep again for several days and could forget this encounter.

She lifted her left wrist and set the countdown on her digital timepiece. Every planet and space station in this galaxy still used the 24-hour system of telling time. No matter what race, the humans were able to entice everyone into using it. Wasn’t bad, either-especially for someone who had deadlines for every single delivery she accepted.

“You don’t have to worry. I’ll meet the delivery time,” she said.

His eyes were shiny and creepy. “I’ve no doubt you will.”

As Alex stepped away from Sackor, she veered to the other side of the room, ignoring the burning pain from her hand.

She stopped in front of the booth where Michaela still seemed out of it. Then again, on closer inspection, the idiot might actually be enjoying this. The brute now had her on his lap-her back pressed against the wall and her legs dangled over the edge of the seat. He had an arm around her waist, and his other hand keyed in numbers into the handheld device sitting on the table.

The sleazy pimp sat across from them, leaning forward as he stared hungrily at the digits he’d soon receive as payment for something he didn’t own. He was also the first one to notice Alex standing there. He lifted his greasy head, taking his time to start at her legs, before pausing on her chest for a few seconds too long. When his beady eyes finally reached her face, he said, “What the hell do you want, bitch? Are you looking for a job?”

“Charming,” she spat. “The only thing I’m here to do is take the girl back where she belongs.”

The pimp had the nerve to laugh. “I don’t think so. She belongs to me-”

“No, she belongs to me , now. I just completed the transaction,” the brute said with a laugh. “So, like he said. What the hell do you want?”

Alex crossed her arms. Her fingers itched to grab her blaster. Soon.

The pimp slid out of the booth. “I’m outta here. If you’ve got a problem, you gotta deal with Robbo now. This has nothing to do with me.”

Alex kept her ground, refusing to budge. Even when the sleazy bastard went out of his way to rub up against her as he tried to make his escape, she didn’t give him enough room to leave just yet. Then, she leaned over, her hands pressed against the table. “Okay, then, Robbo . I’m taking the girl with me.”

He turned his head toward her, but Alex couldn’t see if he was looking directly at her or not. The brute’s eyes were covered by rectangular glasses, wrapped around his face and screwed to both sides of his head. She assumed he was either a cyborg or an enhanced human. Either way, her blaster would take him out. She didn’t even have to aim to kill. Just put him out of commission long enough to get the hell out of this dump.

She wrapped her fingers around the blaster on her thigh before he had a chance to respond. Alex blasted Robbo between the eyes. His heavy frame slumped back against the wall. The shell of his glasses ripped off his face, dangling from one end of his head to reveal a mess of wires spilling from eyeless sockets.

Michaela screamed and jumped off Robbo’s lap.

“Oh, shit!” The pimp stared at Alex with fear in his eyes, before swiping the handheld the cyborg had been using, and running off into the stunned crowd, shouting, “You can keep her!”

Alex was glad to see him go as she holstered her blaster and caught the girl by the wrist when she made a move to run. “I don’t think so. You’re coming with me.” If she let Michaela get away now, someone else would snap her up, and she’d once again find herself in a similar situation. I’m not going to let that happen. Not today.