“Say, what is this thing?” he asked out of the blue, cocking his thumb at the furry creature on wheels.
She stared at him for so long, he was afraid she wouldn’t answer. Finally, she let out a sigh. “That’s my latest prototype in the artificially intelligent robotic companion. Its official title isLearning Automated Device Expansion. I call him Ladee. He’s a sort of butler-cum-lab assistant mixed with equal parts best friend and devil’s advocate. Mostly, he’s a pain in my ass.”
And a finer looking ass, I’ve never seen. Zelup let out a laugh. “So he’s a robot. But whatishe? His shape, I mean.”
“He’s based on the Territhian fox.”
Matching the fox head on her logo. She’s the Fox-Friend, all right.
“I believe it’s better to create robots in non-humanoid forms. It keeps one from getting confused.”
Her gaze was far away, but her tone was lighter than before. He hoped it meant that she was relaxing her guard around him. Zelup doubted it. She was smart, way smarter than he was, and to get the upper hand with her would be a challenge he wasn’t sure he was up to.
And yet, she’d been susceptible to his seduction last night, and he wasn’t without his other powers of persuasion. He felt sick to his stomach at the thought of pushing his power on her, forcing her to accept him. Still, it might come to that. But before he’d use his Vartik powers, he would try old-fashioned sex appeal.
“I can have five million credits wired to your account within the hour.” His tone was neutral. It was a wild gambit, but there wasn’t time to finesse things.
He saw her swallow heavily. She blinked several times, then stood rapidly. “Five million, huh? And what would you expect in return?”
Zelup came out of his crouch slowly. “A partnership. We can figure out the details later.”
Her look was disbelieving. “You admitted to being a hired goon for the Hills. How could I trust you?”
He shrugged in response, giving her a seductive half-smile. “You trusted me last night. Your body trusted me to take it to the heights of pleasure.”
A blush stained her delicate features. “Shush!” she yelped, holding a finger up to his mouth and flashing a meaningful glance in the fox’s direction. “Last night has no bearing on today.”
“I disagree,” he said, grabbing her wrist and pulling her into his arms. “Last night, you ran away before I could have my fill. The way I see it, we have unfinished business.”
“The way I see it, you’re mixing up business and pleasure.”
His smile was savage. “With you, I can’t help myself.” His mouth descended on hers, searing her with a fiery kiss. It was like an instant addiction. He couldn’t get enough of her taste, her unique flavor.
She was stiff for a moment, surprised by his sudden attack, but after a beat, her lips softened, and she opened to him, making him groan into her mouth. His tongue pressed between her pillow lips to find hers and wrangle with it.
Suddenly, she pulled away, her eyes filled with anger. “Knock it off!” she shouted, punching him in the shoulder.
Giving her a cheeky smile, he rubbed at his shoulder in mock pain. “No need to get violent, sweetheart. Let’s make up and be friends.”
The doctor shook her head in exasperation. “I wonder if you’d still have that smirk on your face if I called the interstellar cops to pick your ass up for trespassing and general menacing of a helpless female.”
“Helpless?” He laughed. “Honey, you’re far from helpless.” When she rolled her eyes, he couldn’t help but adding, “You won’t call the cops.”
“Why not? What reason have you got rattling around in that thick head of yours?”
“Five million reasons. That’s what I’ve got. Not a bad haul for a girl who runs out of air in less than a day.”
Her face tightened, her expression brittle. She stared past him for a moment and he began to worry. Then her tinted gaze found his. “You’re right.”
“Pardon?” he asked, surprised.
“Wire those five million Territhian credits into my account immediately, and I’ll consider your proposal.” Her aloof tone grated.
“You’ll consider it?”
“Yes,” she said with a shrug. “It’s only five million credits. A fitting deposit on your investment.” She cocked her head at Ladee and the robot rolled up to him, extending a little black hand that held a card.
The card had a series of numbers and a name,Sol Saving and Loan. The doctor’s bank account information. Zelup chuckled. Her self-assurance was enticing. The little doll was turning into a fitting adversary, and their negotiations were having an unexpected effect on him.
His cock was hard as a rock.
“You’ve got a deal,” he said, turning to head toward the door. “I’ll complete the transaction from my ship.” Zelup pulled the breathing apparatus back over his face. “And you can fill me in on your research when I get back.”
Dr. Illya waved a hand at him, shooing him out the door. “Let’s see the money first, Jeffrey Peter Sloane.”
The door slammed behind him.
