How did it happen so fast? Nicola stared at the wall, unfocused again, fingers nervously tapping the desk. The doctor had said it would take a few months before she felt any real changes. What was it, six weeks? Was this what the shots had done to her? Was it all balled up inside, just waiting to be let out? This overpowering hormonal urge to find someone and fuck...
No. She didn't think like that. Where had that come from? She'd been jittery and hypersensitive to smells, sounds, all day. And grinding her teeth. Staring too long at the young dark-haired colonel who had presented to the regional defense meeting today. Staring at the young buck's ass. Not long enough that anyone noticed, but it was just not... normal. That was an unbelievably male thing to do.
Nicola shut down the com screens she wasn't really looking at anyway. She couldn't focus. Her brain was screaming, pumping endorphins. She dug her fingernails into the edge of the desk, trying to reason it out. Because wanting it like this, now, when she had things to do, was just not normal.
She kicked back from the desk, rising to pace. She was 34 now. Women didn't really peak sexually till later in life. She'd been on suppression since having Jack. Sensible precaution, since her ovaries were suddenly working again. Prior to that, she hadn't cared. But she'd never craved sex like this before. Never wanted to get laid just so she could just think straight. Was this what is was like for teenage boys? That stupid, single-minded drive to mate? Not that she could really imagine any of them held a candle to her unbelievably sexy bedmate. That big, dark, hot piece of flesh that prowled her room like an ancient war god after the spoils of battle. Wet from the shower, smelling clean and... Ack! She did not need to... Yes, she did.
19:30. She knew where he'd be. The officer's gym closed at 18:00. He'd be there alone, like always. Kicking the shit out of the VR Sims Program. Beta testing the night ops program. Kij had passed along the word earlier in the week. Nicola knew how much he loved one-uping the Company manufacturers. Kij liked that Helion got a fat discount for beta running the new upgrades. It gave Riddick something besides cadets to work his aggression out on. Something to work those lovely, deadly Kali-like forms on, knives flashing in that death-dance he elevated to performance art. Calling him a dancer, libel to get those vicious blades turned on the speaker, even if the martial ballet did perfectly mimic a steamy, torrid artistic display. And thinking about her lover all sweaty and pumped, blood singing in the moment-to-moment primal fray, made her well... pretty damn hot.
Lover. Lover. Lover. Her lover. Why hadn't she thought about watching him before, she wondered as she locked up her papers and keyed the door. For some reason it had never seemed as damn interesting as it did right now.
Less than ten minutes later she was slipping quietly into the observation/control room outside the VR suite. Riddick, was, as she expected, working the night-ops sim. Damn high kill count, beating his previous run-through, which meant he was testing the adaptability of the program. And by the sneer curving those exquisite lips, the indifference in his mirrored gaze, he was not impressed. Still, the lazy feline grace of his conservative movements, the claw-like flash of slashing steel, was thrilling to watch.
Only someone who knew the expertise, the commitment and study it took to make such deadly poses fluid and natural could appreciate the minimalistic artistry of his performance. His martial skill was brutally efficient, balancing mostly natural movement while maximizing the muscular power and force behind each strike. Add to that the prowess with which he used his knives, natural extension of fingers and muscles, death never looked so deceptively beautiful.
Violent seduction, her mind supplied. This was the hidden depth of the passion she'd see in his eyes sometimes, the yang to the sexual yin of their coupling. The same emotional nerves she struck in him with the fierce, primal aggression of nails, teeth and domination games in the bedroom. The animal nature on unrestrained display, why words like conquest, surrender and (the little) death were used in both war and seduction. The embodiment of all that poetic, dark sensuality was lazing 15 feet in front of her. She hit the master override and was through the door.
The lights were low, emergency setting for termination of near-dark conditions. It was, after all, a simulator, a very high tech toy. Riddick had sensed, heard, felt someone watching him, but mostly ignored the presence. He was armed, primed. If someone wanted a real fight, let them come. He hadn't expected Nicola, but whatever. Her slow, measured approach, the naked lust in her gaze, was only confirmed as he tasted her scent.
"You're in heat."
"And you're incorrigible, indecorous and... infuriating." She huffed, circling him slowly. She hated that slow, lazy smile. Victory before the challenge had even been called. He shrugged and sheathed his blade at the back of his belt, watching her. Her hands fisted, teeth clenched. Obviously he didn't feel the need to stay on guard. His mistake.
"You're stalking like a lion. Kinda sexy." His hand slid over his thigh, adjusting his interest. Blatant, confident, it thrilled and rankled her. She closed the gap between them.
"Lion? How appropriate. Though more the lioness,"she let the 's's hiss as she pushed a palm to his chest, backing him toward the wall. "It is the female that does all the hunting, takes care of the cubs, while the big lazy lion just lolls about, amusing himself while his mate works." She got a bit of growl, amusement, out of him, as his back hit the cold stone. She ran fingers down his chest. "Just what is it the male is good for, anyway?"
"Keeping other big, lazy lions away?" Nicola couldn't help but laugh. Always with the deadpan. She grabbed the waistband of his pants, pulling his hips forward as she eyed him through her lashes.
"Mmm. I was looking for a more...serviceable answer, but you do so seldom give me what I want, don't you?" She stuck her lip out in a mock pout, hands busy with his zipper.
"You and your goddamn double-talk." His eyes were focused on her hands now, the gruffness of his tone bellied his lust. "Mouthy little politician playing word games when you know exactly what you wan...Ahh! FUCK YES!" He shut up as she hit her knees, using her mouth for a purpose he obviously much more approved of.
She was pleased with how quickly he stiffened to her touch. Not something she usually had to worry about, since he was invariably the aggressor and occupied with waking her more languid female libido. These were old skills, something she hadn't considered until now, not that she hadn't had his cock in her her mouth before. Just that, like everything else, he never asked for anything. So to his own detriment that had included blowjobs. And judging by the deep throaty groans, the reflexive thrust of his hips, she wasn't too rusty.
"Oh shit, fuck, hell... You dirty little slut..." Hmm, guess that meant he liked it. It wasn't just tongue and mouth, she worked two handed. Working the base of his shaft in tandem with her sucking, teasing his balls with the other. Riddick could thank some boyfriend somewhere for having the where-with-all to compliment her on that, since,the ex had said, most women ignored them as part of the sexual package. It took time to determine how much and what kind of extra stimulus a man liked in the scrotal area, but then again, so many straight men never really had the foresight or interest in pursuing issue of technique, they were just happy to have any damn attention.
More expletives and his hands in her hair, she obviously had his full attention. Good. He didn't notice when she switched to a one-handed touch, but adding the vacuity inhale was kind of absorbing to the recipient. She moved her left hand to his ass, and while he was busy coloring her ears with new and unusual slam-speak, she palmed his favorite blade. Ok... maybe second favorite.
He was still dazed, breathing hard, eyes barely open as she rose slowly back to her feet. She passed the knife behind her back, transferring it to her right hand, the left going back to lazily stroke his suddenly neglected cock. She kissed him softly as she raised the blade to his neck. His gaze was still half-lidded as those liquid cat-eyes met hers.
"Oh, my little politician, can't let my guard down for nothing,huh?" She just smiled, teasing his lower lip with her own. "Thought you said blades and balls weren't your style." Nicola snorted, letting dark hair fall over her face.
"And you can be witty when it suits you. Just the lioness illustrating who's in charge right now." Riddick chuckled.
"Mmm. You know anyone else pulled shit like that and they'd be dead right now." Nicola was caught between a giggle and a frown, and her lazy caress at his waist paused. He rumbled."Fuck, baby I didn't say to stop..." Then she did laugh, but pressed the edge of the blade to the skin of his throat.
"My game tonight, predator. Mine. And I want you naked on your back right now." Those dark, beautiful eyes glittered as he pressed his face forward enough to bleed a little. His voice was a seductive, low croon.
"All you had to do was ask." His lips brushed hers, impervious to the cut of the blade, before he leaned back and slid by her. Nicola was breathing hard as she watched him undress with exaggerated slowness. Like his last declaration hadn't pushed enough carnal buttons to drive her peaking hormones past endurance. She should have known his control with his body in this arena was as deft as when he used it as a weapon.
If she hadn't been nearly vibrating with lust, past caring, she couldn't have managed the bitterly teasing turnabout as he obediently stretched out on the matted floor. If he could play striptease, she could do the same. She stood over him a moment, straddling him, then leaned over and stabbed the knife down directly next to his ear. "I don't think I need that to keep you there, " she murmured as she dropped her blouse over his self-satisfied expression. She stuck her tongue out at his knowing chuckle, as he tossed aside the shirt in time to see her skirt pool over his chest as she stepped away again.
She shut her eyes against the blush of fully disrobing to his scrutiny. He didn't care she wasn't perfect, she knew that, but it was easier to take when he was ripping her clothes off in close contact without pausing. His hands, body were always inches away in the shower, in the bed, she didn't feel exposed then. Even his penetrating gaze, the hitch in his breath, wasn't much to combat her own critical nature of her stretch marks from Jack, the less than perfect breasts from feeding, her still less than ideal weight, her dark hip scar. That he still wanted her, and every indication she needed was visible from his eyes and barely restrained posture, was a thing of wonder. And she got to have this insanely attractive, infuriatingly difficult, goddamn stimulating man.
"Gods you're beautiful," he murmured as she lowered her body over his. He hissed and grabbed her legs as she drove down on him. Her lips twitched and she cocked her head.
"I thought that was a dirty word for you." She thrummed her fingernails on his chest. He caught her hands.
"After what you just did, honey, I think you earned it." He flexed into a sit-up, kissing her hard. She thrilled in the conviction of his statement, as well as his touch. She leaned into his neck, licking the blood that had beaded along the shallow cut. "You are in hunting mode tonight, baby." He let go of her hands and lay back, even as she kissed him, copper tang still in her mouth.
"I've only come for what's mine," she murmured, starting to move on him finally. She shut her eyes, concentrating then at the task at hand, for herself, not him. She was in charge, and she came first. It was inevitable, anyway. She let her hands roam over his skin, focusing on the smells, sounds of his body. Riddick seemed content to let her have the first round, waiting till she hit that first peak before pouncing again.
He waited till she relaxed against him, still panting. he put his arms around her. "I should envy how easy it is for you to get off." Nicola grunted, bit his chest half-heartedly. He rumbled and snaked a hand in her sweaty hair. "But... your second orgasm is always my favorite." He rolled her on her back, right hand stroking the length of her body. She moaned, pliant in his arms. He took the opportunity to flip her to her stomach under him and bit the back of her neck when she voiced surprise. "Know why it's my favorite?" His breath was hot in her ear, as he shoved a knee between her legs and lifted her hips, pushing her to her knees."You always mew like a cat during..." He positioned himself behind her. "And you make this little purring noise after. I fucking love that." He thrust into her, hard. "You wanna play the lioness, Nicola," his voice was deep, thick, "I'm damn well gonna take you like one."
She wanted to respond, but that declaration, his brutal rhythm, fired something so primal she was past words. All she could do was moan, brace herself against the deep burning of his invasion. This was that intense, bruising hurt; pushing past pleasure into that dark mindless rutting animal place. She dug nails into the mat, bracing against his thrusts. Part of her couldn't believe she was here, naked on all fours, fucking in a semi-public place, victim of her own body's need. Then she couldn't bother to think anymore, those growling cries he loved so much starting in the back of her throat. And Riddick, the ass, snarled back with something like smug laughter and smacked her ass. He was still nowhere near done! Still, she couldn't stop the reflexive buck as he drove her past caring again. "Gods, I hate you," she managed to choke out finally when her breathing slowed.
"No you don't." He pushed her back down,against the cool mat, ran his tongue, teeth over her back. "You hate that I know this part of you. Know it fucking better than you do, and can keep control." She whimpered, disbelieving, even as his mouth manged to find spots along her shoulders that weren't yet beyond pleasure. She arched her back against his face, catching herself making that muted purr he mentioned. He lifted himself off her, flipping her over again and kissed her hard. "That's what I wanted, kitten." His eyes glowed softly in the light, the ardor, admiration plain. His fingers stroked along the inside of her thighs lazily. "You're fucking beautiful when you're defiant, but I like it best, right now, when you're mine." He held her gaze with that piercing shine, even as he gently sheathed himself in her again. She opened her mouth, but his lips were on hers before she could utter another sound.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, relaxing languidly, shutting her eyes. Let him be the conqueror, have his prize, it was his turn. So she was surprised when her submissive posture, acquiescing sigh was met with a growl. "Nicola, don't go fuck-doll on me. You can yield without ghosting." She stared at him, trying to make sense of what she saw. It wasn't anger, abandonment, but... he wanted her full attention. The animal wanted his mate. Her lips quirked as she moved her hands, flexed fingernails against his back. He lifted her hip, made a pleased sound, started moving again.
Such a strange display of ego, she mused, biting down on the fingers he stuck in her mouth. He truly craved her audience, something deeper than just physical reaction. He could tell if she was drifting... that was pretty deep, past the primal id of copulating. He wanted to be alpha, but she was still his queen, he didn't just want her body. One of those insights that tipped this mad encounter back into the realm of lovemaking, not just the fucking she'd intended. Another reason he held her heart.
He was breathing hard, tensing finally. She moved under him, trying to increase the friction, push him past his limit. She was so blissed out, it was more a focus on him now. She wrapped her legs around him, moved her fingers over his sweaty chest. "Come for me, baby," she whispered. "Take it home."
"Not. Without. You." She would have laughed, but he shoved slightly sideways in her, grating a spot that made her shriek. And she was back in the game. "Told you I know you." Oh, that fucking smile.
"Bastard! Hellish incubus demon! Gutterpunking, dirty..."
"You know I prefer it if you call me Richard." She was writhing again, hating how quickly that feeling at her core rose again. She wanted to push him away now, raging against his mastery. He could flip her emotionally like a card and she despised the weakness. She bit down on the spot she'd cut him, scratching angry lines across his pecs. He arched against her violence, growling, pleased. She could almost taste the gathered tsunami about to crest, the power and emotion in his blood and sweat. She had a split second to brace against the primal energy she felt rising with his orgasm, seeing the flare of the handprint in her mind this time.
She welcomed the electric burn, wrapped in his embrace. It was easier to ride the waves if you knew they were coming. It was either familiarity or tolerance that seemed to lessen the rage, or maybe the joy was just stronger. Maybe it was his blood in her mouth, or Riddick's own recognition and control of the power. But she didn't drown this time, didn't pass out. Perhaps that she'd already changed, or just her absolute acceptance of everything he was. She still felt scorched, raw, but his arms were soothing reassurance.
"I'm sorry, baby." He kissed her forehead. He sounded pretty burnt himself.
"Don't be. It's who, what, you are." She held him fiercely.
"Only with you, Nicola. Only with you."
Pretty much a forgone conclusion that she was pregnant again. But she didn't bother with the doctors till after she missed her second period. She kept her own council about the metaphysics of the conception. Not something that could be duplicated in a lab anyway.
Riddick had resumed that strange gentleness around her again, that venerated affection that told her he knew exactly what had happened. It was a private solicitude, something that was apparent immediately only to Jack. That she had one iota less of her father's attention was cause for acting out. Nicola had to sit them both down on the bed and try to explain the dynamics were changing.
"Jacqueline, mommy is going to have a baby in a while. " She knew better than to leave herself open to an argument with "How would you feel about a new brother or sister?" Jack just regarded her, reflexively snuggling against her father.
"It's gonna be a boy. I wish it wasn't. Boys are stupid."
Nicola wrestled with that, trying hard not to panic or yelp. She was so much her father's daughter, straight up with the voodoo. Riddick jabbed his daughter's arm, mock indignant.
"Hey, I'm a boy. You think I'm stupid?" The little girl huffed.
"That's different. You're my DAD. You aren't gonna pull my hair and break things and be loud all the time." Nicola giggled.
"Well, you'll just have to help teach him to play nice when he gets older. But that will be a while yet. Darling, you know we don't love you any less, we just have to adjust... change things a bit to get ready. Your father just needs to be around me more... to help me."
"But you're not all fat yet. Keelie's mom was all huge when she had her sister." Nicola blushed and Riddick snorted. She tried to take it in stride.
"No honey, the baby is still really small. It won't be until next year some time." Jack brightened.
"I'll be six by then, won't I? That baby better not mess up my birthday party." Nicola had to laugh then.
"No, I don't think you'll have to worry about that. But mommy may need Meddia to help more around that time."
"Daddy can help." Nicola shoved her face in the pillow to keep from giggling. She didn't know who was more put out by her reaction, daughter or father. Riddick looked like he'd swallowed something nasty, Jack looked somewhere between serious and bewildered. But Nicola could NOT imagine Richard B. Riddick, Big Evil, terror of the known universe, holding court and directing a room full of sugared up little girls.
"Honey we'll talk about it when it gets closer to your birthday." She soothed, patting her daughter's head. "I think it's time for bed now."
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Author's note: Still not sure how I feel about this chapter. Comments would be nice. I seem to have hit a wall, so I could use some encouragement.