“A Horn Punch,” she replied, distracted.
Malik nodded before trying it.
Putting away her tablet, Jenna raised her own glass to her lips and took a large gulp. The drink was unusual, both fruity and sharp, and left a tingle upon her tongue. “This is good.”
“It is … I’ve never had anything like it,” he replied.
Jenna leaned back in the seat, drumming her fingers on the table. Twelve hours suddenly seemed like forever. She understood that the cyborg would need to make preparations before they departed, but she wished they were leaving now.
“Relax,” Malik drawled as her finger tapping increased in tempo. “There isn’t anything more we can do for the moment. Once we finish our drinks, we’ll head back to the room and get some sleep before our departure.”
Jenna heaved a sigh and stilled her finger drumming. He was right: there wasn’t any point in getting agitated. There was nothing to do but wait.
She glanced right then at where Malik lounged. They were sitting close, their thighs almost brushing. She was suddenly aware of the heat of him next to her, and the faint hint of spice from the cologne he’d used after shaving earlier.
Blinking, she tried to focus. “So, don’t you think I made the right choice … hiring a cyborg?”
He met her eye before his mouth curved into a half-smile. “He’ll probably work out. Vic is an ex-marine … he knows what he’s doing in a fight.”
“Let’s hope so.” Raising the glass to her lips, Jenna took yet another gulp.
A few yards away, a female human perched astride the lap of a patron. She was grinding her naked breasts in his face as music, a deep bass, thudded through the smoky common room.
Jenna watched them, idly wondering what it would be like to put on such a public display.
“Wow,” Malik murmured. Jenna glanced back at her bodyguard to see that he’d drained half his glass and was now peering down at it. “This stuff has a kick … what do they put in it?”
“I have no idea … the server said it was a house specialty,” Jenna admitted, before raising her glass again. “But I like it.” She let out another long sigh then, sinking into the upholstery. A warm languor spread over her, and before she knew what she was doing, she blurted out, “How old were you when you lost your virginity, Malik?”
Her bodyguard cast her a surprised look, while Jenna favored him with a blithe smile and took another sip of Horn Punch. She was aware she’d just asked something inappropriate, but she wasn’t embarrassed. Just curious.
After a moment, he replied, “Sixteen.”
“Was it at a pleasure house?”
“It was, actually.” Malik leaned back, one hand stretched out on the table between them. Jenna found herself admiring its strength. What would it be like to have his hands on her? “One of the girls my mother worked with offered me her services … as a present when I was accepted into the Melor Guard.”
Jenna imagined Malik Mir-Draven at sixteen; certainly, he wouldn’t have been as intimidating back then.
Strangely enough, right now his presence didn’t put her on edge as it usually did. She felt as if she could have talked to him about anything—that she could tell him her darkest secrets and he wouldn’t mind.
“My first time was when I was eighteen,” she admitted, taking another sip of her drink. Her glass was almost empty—maybe she should order another one. “He was a Mir-Lelith delegate, and it was my first trip away from Idral.”
Malik raised an eyebrow. “What was the experience like?”
Gods, it was as if they were old friends, catching up. An odd sense of liberation flowed over Jenna. She was used to keeping her thoughts and feelings tightly locked away in a cage; being able to set them free was exhilarating.
“A little disappointing if I’m honest.” She paused, remembering the fumbling, embarrassing episode. Truthfully, all her sexual experiences had been disappointing—while those in her marriage had left her feeling bitter and used. Usually, thinking of Tian in that way brought up unpleasant memories—more than once he’d called her a cold bitch and accused her of lying there like a corpse while he took her—yet right now, she couldn’t bring herself to care. “It was over fast … he had a good time, at least … well, I think he did. I’ve never seen anyone get dressed so quickly afterward though.”
Her bodyguard snorted. “He sounds like an idiot.”
Jenna let out another deep sigh. “You’re right … he was.”
Her bodyguard laughed. The sound was low, yet with a sensual note to it that made her breathing grow shallow. She became conscious then of how alert she was. Despite the long day, every sense was sharp—and her awareness of the man seated next to her in the booth was growing more acute with each passing moment.
She also noted a tightening in her lower belly and a spreading warmth. The sensation was strange and pleasurable while at the same time alarming. It made her want to wriggle in her seat.
However, when she did shift, to ease herself, the warmth deepened, and a gentle pulsing began, an ache that had her arching her back.
