He saw nothing at first, his eyes still adjusting to the change in lighting, but when they had, he nearly gasped in astonishment.He saw nothing at first, his eyes still adjusting to the change in lighting, but when they had, he nearly gasped in astonishment. The rich voice came again, from nowhere, "I told you I was good at cheating." The ship was opulent, and everywhere he looked, he saw beautiful things to delight his eye. Tapestries hung from the bulkheads, flame lamps stood from the floor, lighting the deeply colored room with a somber and quieting glow. He moved forward, feeling as if he were walking in liquid topaz light, looking for the source of the voice. Nervous, he said nothing. "I'm over here," the voice said, from directly behind him. Julian jumped and spun around -- and gasped yet again. She walked toward him, and he felt his chest rise and fall in little pants. He swal- lowed again. "Are you nervous?" she asked him, raising her sharp, dark face in a challenge. She took a step toward him, the click made by the heels of her boots audible against the polished hardwood floors of her vessel. She wore only them and a pair of dark fingerless gloves that reached to above her elbows. In one hand he could just see two velvety blue cords dangling down to reach the floor. Any reply he made would be a lie. He tried to shake his head and muster some bravado and failed, settling only for licking his lips yet again. He had only guessed at her physique earlier on in the infirmary; now he was able to see what had previously been only hinted at. She was tall, nearly as tall as him, and muscles stood outlined under her smooth flesh as she moved. He was unable to take his eyes off of her, but could only gaze. Her breasts were firm, and as she breathed their perfect rosy nipples appeared to point at him, over and over. Her stomach was hard-looking, with the muscular outlines that spoke of peak physical condition. Under this were a set of very female hips, and he could just see in the dark lighting the outlines of her vulva, inviting and mystifying. |