Chapter 15

tabula rasa [ˈˌtäb(y)o͝olə ˈräzə]

NOUN

-an absence of preconceived ideas or predetermined goals; a clean slate.

-the human mind, especially at birth, viewed as having no innate ideas.

He'd deliberately set his and River's cryo cuffs to stop the drugs immediately when the set course had been completed. Ziza's would go for another hour or so, mostly because there was no way he'd pass up a chance to make River scream his name.

She came out of cryo so beautifully, mewls and moans and finally his name on her lips, her body around his, gushing as he made her come over and over. Water to hydrate and he flipped the boat back to standard fuel, set the course for Persephone and went back to his lover.

He doubted he'd ever get tired of seeing the white of her skin against the dark sheets of his bed. Those eyes staring up at him, hot with need and the feel of those strong legs wrapping around his waist. The only thing that could make it better would be her hair, loose and falling around her. And knowing she wouldn't eventually want to leave his bed.

That would make life much better. And while he was wishing why not go for king of all Londinium so he could wear a shiny hat.

He went to Badger's alone. He and River agreed that they didn't want Ziza exposed to Badger, but neither did they want to leave the girl alone on The Cutter. Ziza would probably be fine but she'd just lost her mother and being alone wouldn't be good for her. Hell, even he knew that much. But, irritating (morally reprehensible, uncouth, asinine) as Badger was, he did have a way of finding jobs. Illegal salvage seemed to be something of a specialty, so much so that Riddick wondered if the Dyton native's men actually caused some of the ships to break down out in the Black.

This wreck of a boat was rumored to have some smuggling compartments with rich plunder as well as gen-seed and a small cache of protein bars. Imprinted but if they could get the goods without getting caught Badger would take them.

The little man was openly disappointed that River hadn't come with him, asking if she'd wised up and left his boat. The growl he got in reply had Badger dropping the subject and wishing them luck before Riddick left.

He debated stopping for food supplies but if he came back with anything even close to expiring River would lecture him until his ears bled. (Funny how he found that cute and amusing rather than the annoyance it would be, were it any other woman doing the same thing.) So better to wait until she was with him.

She and Ziza were in River's room when he got back, door shut so presumably they were changing. "So why don't you and Riddick sleep in the same room all the time if you're having sex?" And this was why he envied kids sometimes. They could just come out and ask without worrying about how someone would take the question.

River's voice, he could listen to her for hours talking about anything but now he really wanted to hear her answer, "It's…complicated." She paused, "I told you I was raised on Osiris… my family is…well to do."

"What's that have to do with anything," Ziza wanted to know.

"Society, customs, rules of behavior are very…different from planet to planet. That's one reason some planets won't let a ship dock unless there's a Companion aboard. They keep misunderstandings from happening," His lover's voice had that tone he'd learned meant she was trying to simplify something she found difficult to explain. "On Osiris, in the tiers of society in which my family moves, certain things are simply not done."

"Like what?" He heard the mattress creak, someone must have decided to sit down. "You don't eat like anyone I've ever seen. And Riddick's the only one who moves even sort of like you do… graceful, you know?"

"Part of that is how we were schooled," River seemed glad to have something solid to talk about. "He and I were trained similarly."

"Uh huh," Ziza could be like a dog with a bone when she wanted to know something. He'd learned that much the hard way. "So what stuff 'isn't done'?"

"Well…for instance, my hair is always braided or in a chignon, a bun," His lover (and damn he liked how that sounded in his head) sounded as if she was starting with something easy. "Because for a young lady, or woman who's unmarried to wear her hair loose is considered…unbecoming. Unladylike. But also, it implies that she's a woman of loose morals. Pòxié."

"So you can have sex with Riddick but you can't wear your hair down?" Ziza's tone of voice made clear what she thought of that bit of ridiculousness.

"Technically speaking, I probably shouldn't be having sex with Riddick," River half laughed. "The only men I should have sex with unless I intend to marry them, are Companions. Very rarely a young lady may take a lover, someone who is her social equal, so there isn't any coercion on either part. It is considered terribly inappropriate, almost taboo, to take a lover who isn't a social equal. Unless marriage is being proposed. Or some other form of a commitment is made."

"Why?" The Imam's daughter was living up to her father's description of very bright and insatiably curious. "Shouldn't people be able to marry who they want if they're in love?"

"They should, and they can," His (not his damnit) Core lady had a smile in her voice, he could hear it. "And that is the only reason one can marry above or below one's social tier. Even then, there are evaluations, required education, agreements to be reached so that no one is being forced into anything. It's also to be certain it will be a good marriage. That one person won't resent the other for some reason. To marry up, you must be willing to educate yourself to reflect well upon your spouse. And to marry down, you must meet your potential spouse's family, get along with them, prove that you accept them as they are, that you find value in their skills and accomplishments."

"So…if your brother wanted to marry…a housemaid…what would they have to do?" Ziza wanted to know.

"Well, Simon would need to meet her family. He would have to have their approval. He would likely need to do some work alongside them to prove he didn't think himself superior because of their work versus his," River explained. "He would also have to be evaluated, questioned about his feelings, about his love for her, or him, depending on his propensities. Part of what the Companions Guild does is help to evaluate potential matches. Love is wonderful but without a meeting of minds it won't last. Unhappy marriages make for unhappy children and unsettled lives."

"And the maid, or manservant, would have to do things to prove that he or she would better themselves so your brother wouldn't be ashamed of them?" Right to the heart of it, that was Ziza.

"And also so that he or she would feel comfortable in the social circles in which he moved and not made to feel as if he or she were inferior," That made sense in a weird sort of way.

"And those sorts of rules are why you won't sleep in the same bed as Riddick?" Back to her original question. Nobody could accuse Ziza of being scatterbrained.

"Riddick and I aren't from the same planet," It almost sounded as if River was trying to convince herself. "Osiris has some very rigid customs. Very strict taboos. For instance, my brother is in love with the mechanic who works on Serenity. Their romance began when he was serving as the ship's medic. It wasn't against the rules of her society but it was…very close to violating his. On Serenity they were pretty much equals. But his behavior was…shaped by being brought up on Osiris. He didn't know how to conduct himself in a less restricted environment. But he loved everything about her. She was open and kind and optimistic."

"Yeah…" He might have chuckled at the sound of Ziza's voice if he wasn't so interested in what River was saying. The kid sounded like River was laying a trap.

"Simon isn't," She sounded as if she was shaking her head as she talked about her older sibling. "He loves…very deeply, but he didn't know if she loved him the same way. She thought he was very handsome you see. And she liked how well-mannered he was."

"And he didn't have anybody he could get to ask her all the stuff like he would on Osiris?" Now Ziza sounded as if she got it.

"Exactly," River's voice was relieved. "So, he promised to write to her, and send waves and he took me home. He has good reasons, or believes he does. He wants Kaylee to get to know him from a distance. To see if she'll still love him. He's hoping she will. He misses her very badly. But without anyone to speak for her, to speak for him, he's left to his own devices."

"How does anyone ever get married?" The kid sounded appalled. "There are so many rules."

"Parents arrange marriages sometimes, conditional upon the children liking each other and meeting the conditions and evaluations," River laughed quietly. "Others…well it isn't easy but if you truly love someone, you work at it."

"Father used to say that marriage is work, and if you value something you work at it," Ziza had a thoughtful tone to her voice. "So you can't share a bedroom with Riddick because it's against the rules?"

"It's something I should only do under specific circumstances," River's laughter had died almost stillborn at the question. "If you're truly interested I can find some of the books I grew up with, the customs and the origins of them. Osiris is actually one of the more liberal societies. No one is restricted from marrying based upon gender or caste system. If Kaylee lived on Osiris and Simon had met her there, he'd have been free to pay court to her. If she accepted his suit they could marry, providing they put the work in, went through the evaluations and education required. No one would say he married down, or that she was a gold digger. My father was several social tiers below my mother but the two of them love each other very much. Even if my father can be an idiot sometimes."

Riddick shook his head, smiling slightly. Nice to have his theory about Regan Tam proved out. Better to knock on the door though and interrupt before Ziza drove River insane. "Hey you two almost ready? We got the job, so we'll need to get that shopping done and leave by tomorrow morning."

"Just about ready," River called, a smile in her voice.

"Wait, does that mean I need to put my hair back?" Ziza wanted to know. Riddick leaned against the wall as the women moved around the room.

"You're not even sixteen yet," His lover sounded as if she was shaking her head. "So no. You don't need to worry about it until then, at least. And only if you want to follow the traditions of my home planet."

The door opened then and his ladies (optimistic but sometimes he couldn't help it) came out of the room. River had some of her nicer clothing on. Nothing that would lead to getting mugged but he'd bet that anyone who knew clothing would recognize the fabrics as finer than the typical Eavesdown visitor. She'd lent Ziza a pair of her leggings it looked like and a shirt that fell almost to the girl's knees. A vest tied tightly in the back kept it from looking like a tent on the younger girl, made the bottom of the shirt look almost like a skirt.

"We'll need to see about getting you a weapon harness and gunbelt," Riddick told her. "Maybe River'll teach you how to use a sword."

"A sword," Ziza looked from him to River. "You mean you can use that sword you carry? And the axe?"

"An' the knives, an' guns an' anything else she carries," Riddick chuckled. "Only an idiot carries a weapon they can't use. An' neither of us are idiots."

"Why?" The kid asked decent questions. He'd always liked that about her. "Wouldn't having a gun look intimidating?"

"Yes it would; right up until someone saw the way you walk, hold it, wear it and realized that it's just for show," River told her as she pulled the door of the room shut behind her. "Then it's more likely than not you'll end up with that gun taken and used against you."

"Oh," She nodded. "I guess that makes sense."

"Which is why you don't go anywhere without one of us," Riddick told her. "There are all sorts of…" He paused trying to think of words pointed enough to make an impression but not freak the hell out of her.

"Unsavory people out there," River finished for him. "People who see a pretty girl and immediately think of how much they can get for her."

"Oh," Ziza nodded and then proved that he shouldn't have bothered trying to sugarcoat the truth. "Like what happened to Jack when she went to find you." It wasn't a question and when he just looked at her she shrugged, "I heard Father talking to the men who came to tell him she'd been arrested."

"Yeah, pretty much just like that," Riddick sighed. "That's part of why when you wanted to come with us I said yes. I didn't want you to get so desperate you'd do something dumb like that."

"And it is also why we're all going shopping together," River reminded them. She'd slung her satchel across her body, her portable cortex inside it. "I think we'd better take the mule though."

"Figured as much," Riddick nodded. "Let's get going."

River sighed as she slipped out of Riddick's bed and covered him with the quilts. He'd kept his word to Ziza and added sound proofing to her room and to the room River used as well, just in case he'd said. A good thing too, considering how long he'd spent making her scream and beg tonight.

Shopping with Ziza had been interesting, though at least the people in the stores were helpful. She'd purposely made certain they went to the shops farther out from the main portion of the docks. It might take a bit longer but the service was better. So Ziza had a couple of dresses that fit her correctly, and at least six pairs of pants, shirts and teeshirts as well as undergarments. All of them with adjustable tapes and buckles so as she grew taller and gained muscle or (as Riddick said bluntly) breasts, she wouldn't completely outgrow her clothing. The pants were longer than her legs, the sleeves too long for her arms and without the adjusting ties too baggy.

Ziza hadn't complained, mostly, River suspected, because the clothes were new, and for someone who'd been living in on a planet in the process of rebuilding its infrastructure anything new was a luxury. Riddick had a problem with it though.

"She's going to look even younger than she is," He'd muttered. "Nothing fits her. Nothing."

"She's going to grow, even faster now that she's getting regular, balanced, meals," River retorted. "We stick to the budget. In four months, those clothes will be nearly worn out, she'll be taller and more developed, and we'll be doing this all over again. She's nearly fourteen."

"Wǒ cào," Riddick sighed. "Maybe a doctor while we're at this? I don't know how much her mother taught her about…" He visibly searched for a word and finally settled on, "biology. Or female reproduction."

"That's why you're going to go back to the ship and get the sound proofing delivered and installed, along with the practice mats and free weights I ordered," She'd arched an eyebrow when he opened his mouth to object. "With the things we've purchased. I've made an appointment for Ziza and I with a Companion."

"Are you crazy?" He'd nearly growled. "She's not even fourteen."

"Not a male," She'd glared at him with an unspoken 'you chǔn lǘ' and forbore rolling her eyes. "A female. Someone who will help me explain to her anything she needs to know." He'd relaxed slightly when he heard that. "A woman with experience who can teach her about her body and how hormones will influence her."

"That's not something you feel qualified to do?" Riddick had inquired dryly.

She'd been tempted to roll her eyes at the beginning of the conversation, now she gave in to the urge, "Rick. I can answer any question she has about the scientific aspect of biology." River used the word dryly, "But I draw the line at teaching her how to masturbate."

Oh, the look on his face had been priceless, disturbed and worried and a little gleam in his eyes that told her his brain had gone to seeing her, his lover, touch herself for him. "Uh, yeah…that's…" He shook his head. "I don't know what the Chrislam stance is on that."

"A Companion will," She told him pointedly.

He'd nodded but insisted that Ziza have a couple of dresses that actually fit. Even if the leggings that went under them would stretch, and the pretty little elasticized shoes would stretch with her feet. "A girl needs something that lets her feel like a girl. Something she feels good in. I don't care if I have to buy her a new one every other month."

"You do realize that is a very realistic possibility?" River had asked dryly. And he'd hugged Ziza, kissed the top of her head the way Mal had kissed Kaylee, and told them that he'd risk it.

The conversation with the Companion, a very beautiful and warm woman by the name of Jia Li, had been awkward at first until River had explained that Ziza was from Helion Prime and her father had been a Chrislam Imam. Ziza hadn't know how to behave with a woman her father's teaching would label a prostitute. Jia Li hadn't understood the problem until River had explained Ziza's origins.

Thankfully after that things had gone more smoothly. Ziza had been embarrassed but educated. She'd been given lessons in anatomy and how her body would likely develop as it grew. Frank questions regarding her development and cycles and her experiences with the opposite gender thus far had mortified her but she'd answered them.

At one point she'd looked at River, "Why are you doing this? Why do I have to talk about these things and answer all these questions?"

River sighed, "In part because I have no idea how to educate you. Your upbringing is so different from my own. My mother was always very open with me. When I was younger than you, before puberty, my mother accompanied me like this. And…" She'd smiled a bit wickedly at the girl. "If you'll remember, our…Captain is quite open… If you ask him a question he's very likely to respond bluntly. Wouldn't it be better to have some knowledge?"

Ziza had sighed and nodded. "At least I won't have to hear it?"

"That's what the soundproofing is for," River had assured her.

Considering how abrupt her introduction to the Alliance system had been Ziza had actually taken the chaos and shock mostly in stride. She'd hugged Jia Li before they left and thanked her. The Companion had smiled and given her a card so that Ziza could wave her with questions if she needed to. And she'd given River several suggestions for reading material for Ziza, novels among them, so the girl could continue to educate herself and learn what she found enjoyable.

River had nodded and promptly used her cortex to order an encyclopedia for the girl. She'd also explained that their work took them all over the 'verse and asked if they could visit again when Ziza was a bit older. Perhaps Ziza would prefer River not accompany her.

Funny, at that point Ziza had blushed and pointed out that she was nearly fourteen and perhaps she had questions that she wanted privacy to ask?

River had smiled and nodded. Unlike Riddick, Ziza was easy to Read and her crush on Riddick quite obvious in her thoughts. If she wanted to ask questions regarding male anatomy and other things she found embarrassing to talk about in front of River, Jia Li would be able to deal with them. The last portion of the afternoon River had enjoyed a novel while Jia Li and Ziza talked alone.

When Riddick had come in the mule to pick them up Ziza hadn't been able to look him in the eye. River had smiled at him and mouthed that she'd explain later. Thankfully, he hadn't pushed and River had been able to tell him about the appointment after dinner that night.

He opened his eyes after she left the room. How she could be so tender (at least that was how it felt) with him and leave? She never failed to pick up the clothing they'd shed, pull the quilts and sheets over him, stroke and pet his skin, kiss him and wish him sweet dreams. But she always left him.

He got that it wasn't 'done', for her to live with him, share his room, stay in his bed an entire night. That didn't mean he enjoyed her leaving him. He was damn tempted to simply follow her and bring her back to his bed. But the last thing he wanted was to upset her. Or make her uncomfortable.

Riddick rolled on his back and sighed, rubbing his hands over his face. Did she leave his bed because of her traditions? Because it wasn't how she was raised? He'd noticed as independent and strong as she was, River did follow her family and society's customs whenever it was practical. Her manners, her way of speaking, (until she'd relaxed for the sake of fitting in on the Rim) even the way she dressed, she looked, spoke and acted like a lady.

That was part of her appeal, that contrast, so deadly and so elegant at the same time. And the biggest part of why he wanted her so badly came from that. The sheer passion of her, the life, that spark in her eye. Beautiful. Nothing to do with her looks even.

Not that he disliked her looks. They had been the first thing to catch his eye. The lithe length of her, the dips and swells and pure beauty of her. He liked a good-looking woman just as much (twice as much really) as the next guy. But when she'd started talking weapons, he'd gotten really interested. Of course, he'd been set on teasing and flirting with her and she'd totally shut him down like she had no interest…despite that little flare he'd caught when she'd looked him over on their first meeting.

Maybe if she hadn't done that, if she'd responded, flirted back, or plain old jumped him his interest might have faded? Somehow he doubted it. She was still who she was, even if she had been hiding it back then.

Round and round in circles like a dog chasing its tail. He was going to have to nut up or shut up. Figure out some way to ask her to stay that didn't make him feel like he was putting his balls in her satchel to carry around.

The only thing he didn't like about doing jobs for Badger was going back to Persephone to bring him the goods. Funnily enough, Ziza hadn't had any problem with what she quickly figured out was an illegal salvage operation. When he'd given her a sideways look the girl had laughed. "Riddick, you're an escaped convict, your existence is illegal. Father said you'd been sent to jail for murder."

"So you don't care so long as we don't get caught," Riddick had grinned.

"No, as long as it's not really hurting anyone else," She'd shrugged.

"Bank jobs?" River had tilted her head thoughtfully and when Ziza hadn't understood, explained about stealing the payroll from a security company.

"See, the company can't admit they got robbed, makes 'em look weak," Riddick elaborated. "So they send out another payroll for their men. Nobody who needs the pay goes without. Only ones who suffer are the big corporations and they can afford it."

"Aren't they more dangerous?" Ziza had wanted to know.

"Sometimes," River had given her a truthful answer. "But with proper preparation and skill, danger can be minimized."

"Minimized," The girl had repeated skeptically.

"The Black is dangerous," His lover had shrugged. "Life is dangerous. Going to school can be dangerous." Her voice shaded towards grim and she shrugged again. "Carpe diem."

"Carpe…what?" Ziza had blinked in confusion.

"Carpe diem," Riddick had told her. "Latin. It means seize the day." The look on her face when she realized he understood Latin had been more than slightly hilarious.

Four more months sailing, with Ziza on the ship and they were back to check out a job after another trip out to Helion Prime to pick up supplies and bring some in. Since it was starting to be a regular run they'd agreed cryo was the way to go when they went out there. This time it was cotton to Aberdeen and they'd taken the scenic route.

Persephone, Eavesdown, he still hated the docks. He doubted that would ever change. Ziza was studying on the ship while he and River went down to see Badger. Talking about supplies, fuel, work on the ship, he liked it, spending time with her, even just work stuff.

And then she saw the ship. An Arrowhead Courier, newly painted, the hull markings fresh and clear, Sparrowhawk. "That's the type of ship I'd get if I could," She told him as they drove back to the boat.

"I'd miss you," He felt like biting his tongue when she turned to stare at him but it was the truth. He wouldn't lie. Not to her. Not to himself. He'd miss her when she left. Her scent flared with surprise, sweet in his nose and something else, hot and tempting. Unfortunately, he had to keep from running over the idiots that wouldn't stay out of the road and he couldn't look at her to see her expression.

"Oh…" He'd barely heard her over the noise of the docks.

Then they were back at the ship, back home, and the day got a whole lot worse.

He'd miss her. River had to work harder than usual to keep her manner serene and proper. She'd pointed out a random boat in a manageable size and said that was what she wanted. And Riddick had responded immediately. He'd miss her. For a moment his emotions had surged, pain, anger…longing… and his thoughts were clear to her. He'd miss her if she left and it had been the absolute truth.

She'd barely been able to keep from shrieking in delight and kissing him. Thank Buddha they'd been in the mule.

And then, even better, Simon had waved her. When she waved him back he came on immediately and had the best news. His waves with Kaylee and letters had the effect he'd hoped for. Kaylee missed him. She'd tried dating someone else but hadn't been able to forget about him and had given up dating since.

He'd been able to explain to her about courting on Osiris and how he hadn't known how to be the right person for her and know she was right for him until they'd had some time apart. He'd asked if she would give him a second chance to court her.

Apparently, Kaylee had been doubtful about Osiris traditions and hadn't had any compunctions in saying so. It had taken some more letters and waves and Kaylee waving Inara but eventually she'd understood what Simon meant and why it was so important to him. Because it would mean a strong healthy marriage.

After months of long-distance courtship and evaluations and Simon making a boob of himself at least once (which he'd admitted wryly), he and Kaylee were ready for the next step in their relationship. He hoped The Cutter would take him out the Rim where Serenity was working.

Riddick's face had almost gone Operative blank as he'd listened to the conversation. She could barely get a hint of emotion from him he'd exerted such iron control of himself. "Simon, how long do you think it would take for you to get set and packed," He asked quietly.

"I've been packing for weeks, going through my belongings and purging anything that won't work on Serenity," Simon answered. "I can be ready in three days. Less if you need to be somewhere."

"Three days'll work fine," Riddick shook his head. "If your folks don't mind us docking on their pad."

"I've already asked," Her gē ge replied promptly. "Mother can't wait to see you both."

Riddick had actually smiled at that, "Tell her we'll see you in a day or so. We're on Persephone, need to finish fueling up and changing out the water and septic systems."

"Ah," Simon nodded. "I remember the process. Even participated in it a few times. I'll let Mother know. Yī lùshùn fēng."

"Zàijiàn," River grinned at him and cut the wave. She'd turned to Riddick with a happy smile. "Mother will want to spoil Ziza."

"Guess we'll have to let her," He gave her a half smile. "Came in halfway through the conversation, he know where your old boat is docking?"

"He does," River nodded happily. "In a week or so they'll be on New Kasmir, in Kalidisa."

"Should be able to make it," Riddick nodded. "Soon as we get done here we'll head for Osiris."

"Mother will be happy to see us," She nearly bounced out of her seat and almost forgot herself so much as to kiss him.

At dinner Riddick had been quiet, listening to Ziza ask questions about Osiris and its customs, what her home had been like growing up, all sorts of things. He didn't seem angry or upset, watching the two of them with a half-smile on his face and helping Ziza clean up while River made the arrangements for their laundry to be returned to the boat first thing in the morning.

When Ziza's door was safely shut though… Those big hands came to rest on her hips and the full length of his body pressed to her back. Riddick's mouth found the column of her neck and began to nuzzle and kiss the sensitive skin there. "I think you've had a long day," When would she grow accustomed to that voice? Whiskey, chocolate, coffee and caramel, a feast for her ears, and a near tangible caress to her skin whenever he spoke. "Come to bed woman."

Despite the gentle tone, it was unquestionably a command, and her heart began to pound in anticipation as he turned her. "Come to bed," He pressed his body to hers again, trapping her against the counter. A big hand slid up her spine from her hip and cupped the back of her neck beneath the knot of hair, squeezing lightly.

"Yes," River replied faintly, unable to think of anything but the thick length of his diǎo pressed against her groin.

That, apparently, was all he needed to hear, picking her up and carrying her to his room. Once there, her clothing was ruthlessly removed, her hair pulled out of its chignon to fall in its braid down her back, and she was stretched out on the bed. He tore his own clothing off and knelt over her body, one hand bracketed her wrists, stretched over her head and held them there. "Beautiful," That seductive voice crooned in her ear as he held her against his body. "Maybe I ought to figure a way to tie you down?"

That had sent a chill through her that had nothing to do with desire, "Please…Riddick…" She shook her head and his face changed as he inhaled sharply.

"They restrained you there," He realized. She loved his intelligence, that he knew, without her saying, what they'd done and immediately discarded the half-formed idea. His lips trailed over her jaw, and his thumb stroked gently over her wrist, "This feel okay?"

"Feels good," She moaned as his other hand gently palmed one breast and his mouth brushed over hers. "Please…"

"What…you need it bad already?" He teased, smiling against her lips between kisses. "But I wanted to tease you…make you come on my fingers and mouth over and over before I feel you come around my prick."

Oh, he would too, he'd done it before, and there'd be nothing she could do about it. "Please…Riddick…I need you…please…fuck me…" Ohh…sweet Buddha…his mouth moving down her neck to her breasts while he held her, pinned to the bed. Long slow pulls of those talented lips on her tight aching nipples.

"River," Riddick lifted his head from her breast for a moment, his breath warm on her skin. "If you need to be fucked so bad, I'll get one of the toys for that luscious pì gu of yours. But your slit is going to be tight and gushing and aching for my diǎo for a while." He moved to her other breast and began to suck, renewing the echoing throb between her thighs.

"Riddick…" She moaned his name as his hand teased her swollen yīn dì, fingertips barely touching the sensitive flesh.

"I want you mindless," Another pull of his mouth. "I want you begging," A tease of his fingertips. "I want to see you come, over and over, and then lick up all of your slick from your thighs and pussy." He paused over her breast and looked at her, hot silver eyes meeting hers. "I want you to never forget how it feels when I finally push my cock into you." His hand flexed around her wrist, holding them easily, his thumb stroked over her pulse point again, "And you're going to let me River. Because in this bed, you're mine. In this bed, I am in charge." His mouth pressed to the tender skin between her breasts, "Unless you want that to change? Do you not like it when I take charge of your pleasure River? Do you want that to stop?"

"Noo…" She writhed under him, no other word for it, for the desperation he made her feel, the sheer need for his touch and his body in hers. "Please… no…I don't… please…don't stop…don't ever stop."

He growled against her breast, sucking her nipple deep into his mouth as if starved her before he, released it and stared at her, "All right." His fingers stroked her clit, feather-soft and gentle. "Are you going to be good for me River?" Oh that wicked smile, she could feel her heart triple its beat at the sight of it. "Let me play with you?"

"I'll be good…" She could barely whisper. "I'll be good while you play with me… please…"

"I'm going to take your word," He moved to her other breast, sucking harder. "But if you're not well behaved…this is gonna take twice as long." She whimpered and he smiled again, "I'm a patient man River, and I've got all night to make you scream my name."

"So beautiful," Riddick murmured against her skin as she came under him again. "So passionate and pretty," He rolled his hips to hers again and watched as pleasure chased over her face. "Gorgeous, deadly woman," He groaned as his orgasm rolled through his body, every muscle in its hot grip, filling her finally.

Her nails had bit half-moons into his shoulders and long scratches up his spine as she'd clawed him in her desperation for a climax. He might just have the imprint of her heels on his ass and mentally commended himself for making sure her boots had been removed.

"Riddick," She mewled his name and he moved to lift himself off of her body only to have her arms tighten around him for a moment before she let go.

"You want another round," He nuzzled her gently, pressing his mouth to the large love bite he'd sucked into her neck. "Love feeling you around me…love you wrapped around me."

"Hmm…" Her lips pressed to his skin. "Love…you on top of me…" She barely sounded conscious, "Wish…wish I…hmm… stay…"

Well he sure wasn't going to tell her she had to go. But fucking her while she was passing out pushed his boundaries a little too far. Seducing her into waking up, hell yes. And…yeah, she'd passed out. He smiled and began to gently take care of her exhausted body. Fun as it was to do this when she was awake, he loved that she trusted him enough to sleep while he got them both cleaned up. And those sweet words, 'don't ever stop'. Damn he'd liked hearing them.

Sheets, quilts, wrap her in his arms and press his lips to her hair, "Beautiful." He closed his eyes and hoped she'd still be with him in the morning.

It was a miracle but she was still in his arms when he woke up. He got the rare pleasure of seducing her awake when they hadn't been in cryo. And there was nothing better than waking her up with an orgasm and teasing her with another until she was begging to be fucked and fucked hard.

Down on her hands and knees, ramming into her, he didn't dare pull her spine up to press against his chest. If he did that, took her from behind, felt her submit to him, his mark aligned with her heart, and her neck and shoulder so close to his mouth…

He'd dreamed of it. The Wrath taking them both, putting that mark on her spine, and sinking his teeth into the nape of her neck, making her his completely. Dreamt it and didn't dare echo that position in life anymore. He was a lot of things but that much of a gǒu niáng yǎng de he was not. It was just short of putting a brand on her and damned if he'd treat her like that. Binding a woman without her permission… might as well turn into a merc.

She was coming again, begging for him and he groaned, giving in to the need, muscling his way deep inside her. Felt her womb give way to his prick and damn near milk him in a burst of fire that left him panting. "Oh wǒ cào…River…" He dropped down to his hands and knees, bracketing her with his body and kissed her shoulder. "You all right?"

She was shivering and trying to catch her breath but still managed to give him a look like he'd gone insane. "Riddick, you know I love that…" She reminded him of her delight in that position.

He helped her lie down again and smoothed a strand of hair back from her face, petting her skin gently, "Just like to make sure now and then s'all."

A sweet kiss and she cupped his jaw in her hand, "You're a very good man Richard B Riddick."

"You're fākuáng," He kissed her. "You want a shower? Get a chance to wash your hair while I get a course charted for Osiris? I don't think Ziza's up yet."

"I'd better," She sighed and kissed him again. "Yǒu láo."

He watched her get up and pull on her clothing and began to do the same. "Hey," He caught her arm and kissed her once more, hot and sweet, stinging through his body before he smiled. "Just had to do that again." She grinned up at him before composing her features into her normal polite face, albeit with dancing eyes and slipping out his door.

Riddick continued to pull on his clothes and cast a speculative look at River's door as he passed. She'd done that more than once. Whenever she spent the night in his bed actually. Rare enough that he hadn't noticed before this but thinking back, it was every time. Thanked him. As if she considered it a privilege or something. As if it wasn't something he wanted more than he wanted to sleep without nightmares.

He set the course so they would be able to leave once everything was disconnected from the docks and went back to make the bed, find clean clothing and heard the buzzer on the cargo bay doors go off. Right, laundry. River had arranged for it to be delivered this morning.

A quick trip down to the cargo bay, bundles of laundry set by each closed bedroom door, his own put away and River was coming out of the shower. She'd braided her hair already which was a shame but at least he understood why. Time for his shower and then getting Ziza up before they left so she could have one.

Author's Note: Apologies, I was late with the last chapter and this one is a little early because I have to go and get vaccinated tomorrow.

So with Ziza asking all these questions we're finding out a little more about River's culture and some of the reasoning behind her behavior. Three more chapters and an epilogue to go. Hope you're still enjoying this.

Chinese Translations:

Pòxié (broken shoes / worn-out footwear / loose woman / slut)

Wǒ cào (holy fuck / lit. 'I fuck')

chǔn lǘ (silly ass)

gē ge (big brother)

Yī lùshùn fēng (Good journey or bon voyage/ to have a pleasant journey (idiom))

Zàijiàn (goodbye / see you again later)

diǎo (cock)

pì gu (butt)

yīn dì (clitoris)

gǒu niáng yǎng de (son of a bitch (lit. "raised by a dog mother"))

fākuáng (crazy)

Yǒu láo ((polite) thank you for your trouble - used when asking a favor or after having received one)