Chapter 6 #2
A lump lodged in her throat. Some of that was exactly what she’d thought, and why the hell did it now make her feel ashamed? He was helping her. She wouldn’t actually be here if it wasn’t for him. Sure, he was hoping to pocket a hefty finder’s fee, but he’d gone above and beyond.
She lifted her hand, wanting to touch him, but he was already turning away.
“Let’s get this done,” he said.
Her hand dropped to her side. He was right. Get the job done. That was what they needed to do. She followed him into the tent.
The smell hit her first. It was exotic, fragrant, sensual. Helpless against the lure of it, Nissa took several deep breaths. Goddess, what was it? Another two breaths and warmth washed through her, loosening her tight muscles.
The tent was packed with items. There was barely enough room to inch by displays.
Tables were loaded with colorful, polished stones, jewelry, and other trinkets.
Shelves along the walls were loaded with all kinds of things she couldn’t identify.
She followed Justyn, but stopped to eye one shelf full of necklaces.
They were made of large, shiny pearls in lots of different colors.
Dark, smoky gray, luminous pink, and pearlescent cream.
Some were all the same size, others graduated.
She reached out a hand. She wasn’t one to wear jewelry, but…
“They aren’t for around your neck.” Justyn’s voice was amused.
Nissa’s hand froze, she blinked. “What are they—” she broke off, staring at the other shelves.
Her eyes widened. The neighboring shelf was covered in dildos of all shapes, sizes, and lengths. Some were made of smooth wood, others shiny metal. One was clear and filled with wires.
On the next shelf was a small dome device with a phallus-shaped attachment on top. Cords ran from it to what looked like a control box.
“It’s a Sybian,” Justyn provided helpfully. “A device designed to help a woman achieve?—”
“Thanks, Phoenix. I don’t need a blow-by-blow description.” She wasn’t a prude. She had her own vibrator tucked in her bedside drawer in her cabin. She knew many crewmen had something for the long, lonely voyages. Especially ship’s captains who couldn’t indulge in relationships with subordinates.
“We need to find Solomon?” She pushed ahead to move past Justyn and found herself face-to-face with a row of life-sized pleasure syndroids.
Most were female, but there were a couple of larger male models at the end of the line. They were all powered down, staring blankly ahead. Made of a mix of steel and plas, they weren’t anywhere near as lifelike as other syndroids she’d seen in the galaxy. But they were all anatomically correct.
She stared at the larger male at the end and couldn’t stop herself from glancing down. Well, she’d never seen a male with any…appendages quite that large, but it was the right shape.
Justyn’s low chuckle sounded in her ear. “Come on, Captain Smooth.” He threw an arm over her shoulder and tugged her deeper into the large tent.
He seemed to have shrugged off his mood easily enough.
Instead of focusing on all the curiosities in the tent, she focused on Justyn.
Was he able to keep such a cheerful outlook because he honestly found enjoyment in everything life had to offer?
Or was it that he didn’t care enough? She just wasn’t sure.
There were quite a few people in the store, wandering, viewing the offerings.
“Maybe I should get you a gift from here as well,” Justyn said. “Maybe a string of those pearl?—”
She elbowed him in the ribs. His oof was music to her ears.
“We have quite a range. I’m sure we have something to tempt you.”
The low melodious voice had them both turning. Nissa barely swallowed her gasp.
This could only be Lady Curiosity.
Half her face was flawless, creamy skin, the other smooth, polished metal.
The metal cut along the diagonal, leaving her lips plump and rosy and her nose half-metal, half-flesh.
One green eye watched them from her human side while an ocular device sat on the metal side, glowing with a faint blue light.
Dark, curling hair was pulled up in a complicated style with tendrils falling down to frame her extraordinary face.
Her torso was entirely metal and not covered with any clothing.
She had perfectly shaped breasts of metal and one mechanical arm while the other arm was the same creamy skin as the left side of her face.
Her bottom half was covered in a fall of red and black striped skirts.
Nissa wondered what was original and what wasn’t beneath the fabric.
“You sure have an…interesting place here.” Justyn shot the woman a smile.
Her red lips tipped upward. “Thank you.” She eyed him up and down, then gave Nissa the same treatment. “What are you looking for today?”
“We’re just browsing,” Nissa said.
Lady Curiosity tilted her head. “Really? Sure you aren’t searching for what you really want?”
Nissa stilled. Had she guessed why they were there?
“We’ll keep looking around.” Justyn tugged Nissa closer. “I’ll see if I can talk my girl here into something a little sexy.” He waggled his eyebrows.
She wanted to smack him.
Lady Curiosity tapped a long red fingernail against her lips. “I don’t think you’ll want the pearls for her. She needs wooing.”
Wooing? What the hell? “No, really that’s okay?—”
The woman spun. “Come, follow me.”
Justyn shrugged and reluctantly they followed the swish of Lady Curiosity’s skirts.
“Here.” The woman waved an arm above a small, circular table cluttered with tiny vials and bottles. “Take a look at my sensual oils. Find a scent that appeals.” She eyed Nissa again.
Nissa had the uncomfortable feeling the woman’s eyes—mechanical or not—could see straight through her.
“I think this one—” Her long-nailed hands plucked out a tiny bottle made of amber glass that had a long, slender neck. “My own special blend of senawood and geisha blossom.” With a final nod, she walked away, headed for the next group of shoppers.
When Justyn picked up the bottle, Nissa gripped his arm. “What are you doing?”
“I just want to smell it.”
She scowled at him and turned to scan the tent, looking for any sign of Solomon.
“Huh, the woman was spot-on. This reminds me of you.” He sniffed the tiny bottle again. “Strong, sensual, with a hint of vulnerability underneath.”
Nissa stared at him for a moment, a fluttering in her throat. “Can you please get your mind back on the mission?”
“Aye, aye, Captain.” He put the stopper back on the bottle.
She turned away again. Her gaze skated over Lady Curiosity and the group of young men clustered around her, peppering her with questions. A movement in the shadows at the back of the tent caught her attention.
She couldn’t see who was hiding back there, but it was definitely a man. Tall and lean, wearing an outfit similar to Justyn’s but with an outlandish red waistcoat. He shifted, like he was waiting impatiently for something…or someone.
As the man moved, Nissa caught the glint of gold hair in the light from a nearby gas lamp. The description matched Solomon, but she wasn’t quite sure.
Until he turned a little and she saw the cylindrical titanium document holder slung over his shoulder.
Excitement gripped her. “Justyn, at the back, in the shadows.”
Justyn casually turned and while pretending to pluck something from her shoulder, he looked in the direction.
A grin broke out on his face, but this time there was nothing casual or charming about it. It was sharp and predatory. “Solomon.”