Stephanie Vaughan

Excerpt 2: "Off World 2"

"So this is where you work."

Alex's normally slinky smooth gait had a hitch in it as he moved
toward the bank of computers along one wall. A long-fingered hand
touched briefly on one of the pair of costly machines; a major
expense of the business's start-up, but vital. Their fledgling security
and transportation business was utterly dependent on up-to-date
intel from a variety of sources.

"No, that's where Cal works. He's the hack boy genius, I'm just the
grease monkey. Only my baby's out of town right now."

"Your baby?"

"The Vigilant. They're off on a run right now."

"Right, right. I knew that." Alex sat down in what was normally Cal's
chair. Cal was the newest member of their crew and - not
coincidentally -- the CO's lover.

D'abu rummaged through the cooler for drinks. "Ale, water and…
eesh, bái jiu. That must be Xuwicha's. Sorry, not much to choose
from. Alex?"

Up and prowling the room again, Alex looked up, distracted. "Huh?"

"Water or ale's about it. You thirsty?"

"Water'd be great. Thanks."

Alex reached and D'abu tried not very successfully to hand off the
container without touching, even just that minor physical contact
sending a jolt of electricity up his arm. Unperturbed, Alex took the
water and twisted the cap loose. Taking a sip, a small trickle
escaped down Alex's chin and he swiped at it with the fingers of one
hand.

"I'm such a class act. You can take the boy out of the brothel,
but…"

"You are. And I mean that compared to regular folk, too, not just me
and my ex-mil grunt friends."

"Thanks." Looking embarrassed, Alex darted his gaze around the
room, bouncing off the office equipment, over to the computers.
From there it banked off the cooler and landed on the tacky orange
couch where it lingered a brief moment before leaping like a scalded
cat back up to meet D'abu's.

Oh, really?

Something told Sandy he wasn't alone in entertaining an illicit idea
or two about the uses that particular piece of furniture could be put
to. Stashing that thought for later consideration, D'abu moved
away, hoisting himself up onto the open desk space between
computers.

"So. You want a pretend boyfriend to keep this Nick guy off your
back. Is that it?" Folding his arms across his chest and slumping
comfortably against the bulkhead, D'abu narrowed his gaze. "Just
how far are you prepared to go to make this little charade stick?"

© 2007, Stephanie Vaughan, Torquere Press

All Rights Reserved

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