Stephanie Vaughan

Excerpt: "Off World: Negotiation"

Conversation would have to wait until they were back on board the
Vigilant, but there was plenty of non-verbal communication going
on. Sarhaan allowed himself a small smile as they suited up for the
short walk back to the ship and Caleb's eyes positively sparkled with
excitement.

Feelings of victory would be premature, but Sarhaan had to own up
to acertain feeling of accomplishment. He'd never made his living
with his mouth before. Relying on his speed and strength, his
weapon and his body had been his tools and it took a bit of mental
adjusting to think that this was how things were going to be from
here on out.

Caleb pulled the helmet of his borrowed suit over his head, obscuring
the shiny mop of blond hair that always drew looks, his ease at
handling the equipment belying his civilian status. Flashing Sarhaan
a grin, Caleb flipped the smoked blast shield down and suddenly it
could have been any one of Sarhaan's teammates standing next to
him - albeit one of the shorter ones.

The trip took maybe twenty minutes and when they were finally
back on board, Caleb quickly tugged the helmet back off. "Wasn't
that amazing? What are the odds? This has got to be good for us,
don't you think? Seeing Daniel, I mean. And those offices - holy shit.
Did you see the marble console? These guys have to be making
serious bank to be able to
afford that stuff."

"I saw it." Storing his own helmet away, Sarhaan smoothed his
short, chin-hugging beard with his thumb and forefinger while he
eyed Caleb.

"That's it? You saw it? Well, what did you think? With that much
money, they can totally afford us. And I can work the angle with
Daniel to get us the best deal. Aren't you even a little bit excited?"

Caleb's voice was beginning to take on the tone Sarhaan had come
to know. Wickedly smart, funny, passionate - patience was not
something that came naturally to Caleb and Sarhaan had learned
the sound of Caleb's frustration rising.

"I'm cautiously optimistic. I think we've got a good chance of not
walking away empty-handed. Caleb, let me ask you something."

Completely out of the black boarding armor that doubled as a
surface suit, Caleb was back to his business attire. The russet
collarless shirt did wonderful things for Caleb's brown eyes and the
chocolate brown suit flattered his trim body.

"Here, give me that." Taking the last piece of Sarhaan's black armor,
Caleb stashed it in its locker and turned back, a questioning look on
his beautiful, open face. "Yeah?"

"This Wasson guy ... you ever fuck him?"

© 2009, Stephanie Vaughan, Torquere Press

All Rights Reserved

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