****This chapter took me a little longer than I had hoped. I didn't like the way it was
going but I think I've got it all worked out. Oh and sorry about the teasing, there's
just a few things that have to happen in the story before Skye and Riddick can go
any further. Hope you enjoy.
The days counted down to their meeting time almost a little too fast for Skye's liking. They were approaching Alpha 9 and Skye watched as the planet came into view.
"Where are we landing?" Kyle asked.
"Anywhere we want," Eric answered as he piloted. "They don't have the normal regulations for landing that most planets have. In fact they don't have much in the way of regulations for anything."
"Sounds dangerous," Raven said.
"It is. That's why you three are staying here," Riddick answered for Eric.
"We have to wait here?" Alex's quiet voice penetrated Skye's ears. She turned to him realizing that she had never really heard him talk before.
"Don't worry Alex, Raven can pilot and if you guys run into trouble, she can get you outta here." Eric looked back at him as he spoke. They all fell silent as Eric landed them.
"We all have communicators if you need to get in touch. Make sure it's an emergency and don't leave the ship. This prick thinks it's just the three of us," Eric said pointing to himself then Skye and Riddick. "If he thinks it's not just us, he might back off." Eric handed Skye and Riddick palm sized comm units that they put in their pockets. "Let's get this show on the road."
Riddick and Skye followed Eric down the ramp into the darkness. The sound of the ramps hydraulics sliced through the silence of the planet. The thump indicated the ramp was closed and they stood looking out in the distance.
"Come on," Eric said, moving ahead of them and into the city. The streets were dirty and foul as they made their way to Starks. Riddick had given Skye a rundown on the condition of the planet and she wasn't surprised by the dilapidated buildings, garbage over-running the streets, and the disgusting people that stared at her from the darkness of the alleyways.
The feeling of being watched was overwhelming. The eyes Skye could count, because she could see them, were nothing compared to the eyes she couldn't see. Watching the group. Hiding in dark corners or behind darkened panes of glass. Her senses allowed her to actually feel their gazes on her. She moved between the two men and crowded closer to Riddick.
"We're almost there," he whispered to her and put an arm around her shoulders.
"I can feel them," she whispered back, pressing herself into his side.
"I can see them." He felt her shiver at his words and held her tighter. Normally, Skye wouldn't be bothered by people watching her. She got used to the sensation a long time ago but now something inside her head screamed at her to run. Something wasn't right but she couldn't figure out what it was.
Eric moved closer to Skye. He didn't have the senses that she or Riddick did but he didn't need them to know they were being watched. The air was too still and the night seemed a little too quiet. Skye glanced up at Riddick; he had his goggles on his forehead and was scanning the area with his silver eyes.
"Right now, Starks doesn't sound too bad, does it?" Eric said, just above a whisper. Riddick looked over at him, snorting his approval, when he noticed Skye was looking at him. He gave her a reassuring smile before turning away.
Skye breathed a sigh of relief when they reached their destination. The sleaziest place in the universe and Skye could not wait to get inside. She preferred to be able to see the people that were watching her.
"Okay, remember. Act like we belong here," Eric said taking Skye's hand. She felt Riddick's hands go to her shoulders, keeping close to her. They needed to protect her while they were there so they needed to act like they were with her. Taking a deep breath and bouncing on her feet a little, Skye put devious smile.
"Let's do it," she said, looking over her shoulder at Riddick, noticing that his goggles were still on his forehead. More intimidating that way, she figured.
They were blasted by loud thumping bass and a curtain of smoke as they entered the building. Funny, they couldn't hear this on the outside. Eric led the way through the crowd keeping a good hold on Skye's hand. Heads turned as they passed, checking out the fresh meat and Riddick snarled at a few who got too close. He noticed that the few women that were actually in the club were nothing compared to Skye. She was beautiful from the get go but these other women were nothing but trash. He pulled her closer, protectively. In spite of the smoke in the room, he could smell no fear on her. Maybe a little apprehension but not fear.
Eric pulled them to the back of the club so they could sit comfortably and still watch the entire room.
"I've got to make contact with this guy so you two sit tight, I'll be right back." Eric could handle himself and he felt better leaving Skye in Riddick's care than his own.
Riddick took a seat and pulled Skye onto his lap before she could take one of her own. She looked a little surprised but pleased as she made herself comfortable. She let her forehead rest against the side of his head and closed her eyes. The bass from the music wasn't as loud as it was up front but she could still feel it thumping on her insides. Riddick watched the people, absently running his hand over her thigh, from knee to hip and back down again. Skye allowed the friction his warm hands were creating, pull her down to safety.
Riddick felt Skye's thigh tense up but not from his touch. He turned his head so he could talk in her ear.
"What's wrong?" He almost had to shout.
"Someone's watching us," she said.
"I know I can see him." Skye pulled away so she could look into his eyes. His look was calm when he turned his attention on her. "Just pretend you're enjoying my company." There was a sparkle in his shined eyes and Skye couldn't tell if it was from the lighting or something else. She nodded her understanding and dove in.
Riddick was nearly knocked off his seat when he felt Skye's lips on his neck. A sensation he knew all too well. This was the second time she caught him by surprise. Her soft lips kissed slowly down his neck to his collarbone and then she shifted her position. His skin was on fire again and he gripped her thigh when she moved on his lap. She turned her head so she could kiss her way up the center of his neck to his chin and he closed his eyes, getting lost in the feeling. Butterflies were now swarming through her body as she tasted his skin. It seemed so familiar but how could that be?
Riddick opened his eyes when he no longer felt her lips against his skin, and was amazed by how close they were. Nose to nose. He could feel her breath on his lips as it became heavier. She gently placed a hand on his cheek and let her lips brush over his ever so lightly before moving to his jaw. He let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding finally feeling how constrictive his pants were becoming.
Skye could not believe what she was doing. This is what she's wanted to do since she saw him. His skin tasted sweet and she could feel he needed a shave but the roughness on her lips sent tingles through her body. Her nipples hardened in response and she pressed into him, her light kisses becoming more like nipping and licking. She felt a low growl against her lips as she sucked on his neck, and a slow wet heat began to spread between her legs.
Riddick was straining so hard to keep the animal caged that he began to shake. He wanted to touch her so bad but he didn't want to freak her out. His pants tightened even more when Skye slid her hand down his chest and rested on his thigh. She was so close to touching his acing member that he almost grabbed her hand and just put it on it but instead, he let his hand travel up her thigh until it reached her hip. As slow as he could handle, he dipped his hand between her thighs and let his thumb brush against her. She inhaled sharply and pulled back. He was expecting anger but what he saw in her eyes was something he's never seen before in a woman. Not the lustful gazes he was used to seeing, but something more. Total trust, a need that couldn't be put into words, a want that was burning from her eyes.
They stared deep into each other's eyes, not moving at all, the pull from their gazes being too powerful. All of the music and sounds in the background faded away into silence. There was nobody there but them. The activity continued around them but they were oblivious to it. Then, reality came slamming back into them. If the energy between them hadn't broke when it did, Riddick wouldn't have spotted Eric coming back to them. That wasn't the problem, though. The stranger was also heading in their direction.
"Skye, we have company," he said loudly. Judging by the direction he was looking, Skye knew who the company was. She flipped her long hair over her shoulder to get a better look only to see that Eric was almost to her. Thinking fast, she jumped to her feet and put her arms around a very surprised Eric.
"Just go along with me," she said through a smile, without moving her lips. He nodded his understanding and she kissed him hard. She didn't feel nervous with him because he was just a friend. There was something more with Riddick and that made it hard to just kiss him on the lips and she couldn't figure out why. That should make it easier but it didn't.
Riddick watched the scene curiously until she kissed Eric. A sharp pang of jealousy stabbed through his gut but he pushed it aside when he realized what she was doing. Only what she had to.
The stranger that was approaching stopped dead in his tracks. That kiss and what she was doing to Riddick earlier clearly said, 'Back Off!' Skye reached her hand out behind her and wiggled her fingers, telling him to take her hand, so he did and she pulled him up to her. He put his hands on her hips and waited patiently. Eric finally broke off the kiss so he could speak.
"I've made contact," he said but stopped, shaking his head. He pulled Skye to the other side of the room where it was even quieter, Riddick right behind her. Once away from the crowd, he pulled Skye onto his lap as he sat down, just as Riddick had done earlier. Riddick sat next to him and suddenly felt Skye's hand on his shoulder. She had her arm around Eric but she went past that so she could touch him.
"Okay, he have to hang around until sometime tomorrow morning, or so he says," Eric said.
"Wait, he have to wait in here?" Skye swept her free hand over the room.
"No, I got us a room upstairs. He said he'd buzz us when he was ready."
"Great," Riddick said, standing up. "Let's get the hell outta here." He turned to leave and Skye jumped up.
"Agreed." She leapt onto his back, not even breaking his stride. Wrapping her arms tightly around him, she brought her lips very close to his ear. "Hope you don't mind that I'm hitching a ride." Her lips gently brushed his ear as her warm breath tickled his senses.
"Nope," was all he could get out. Eric moved to the front to lead the way, which made Riddick a little nervous. Skye's back was exposed to whoever wanted to cop a feel, so he made for the door, fast.
"Home sweet home," Eric said, tossing the key on the counter by the door.
"One bed, huh?" Skye moved through the room, checking things out.
"Do you think a place like this would have a room with two beds in it?" She just shrugged her shoulders at his question. "I figured we were all adult enough to share." He took a side of the bed and made himself comfortable. "Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to get some sleep."
Skye took the other side, adjusting the pillow before lying back. She wouldn't sleep but there wasn't much else to do. Riddick had taken up residency in a chair at the small table.
"You're not going to leave me alone in this bed with him, are you?" She pointed towards Eric but decided to give him a little poke. He groaned at her assault and rolled over. Riddick thought about it for a moment. They could all use some down time, whether they slept or not, so he figured he'd join her.
Skye watched him as he moved to the bed, mesmerized by his body. His white shirt clung nicely to his muscles as he moved and before she knew it, he was standing next to her.
"Are you gonna move over or do you want me to lay on you?" His question brought a smile to her face. Her body was screaming for contact but she made room for him anyway. They lay there in silence like a couple of nervous kids on their first date. His deep voice broke the silence of the room.
"Tell me something," he started. Skye rolled onto her side so she could face him. "If you can tell where people are, then why didn't you know I was right around the corner, back on the ship your first day there." She smiled, figuring he would ask her that sooner or later.
"I did know you were there," her voice was low and husky. Riddick shot her a surprised look that quickly changed to a satisfied smile.
"Interesting," he purred. Skye looked over her shoulder to see Eric was completely out.
"I guess he was tired," she said trying to change the subject. Riddick lifted his head to see for himself.
"I guess. Aren't you?" He propped himself onto his elbow, resting his head in his hand, watching her in the dim light.
"I feel too wired." She looked back at him, coming face to face with the sexiest man she's ever seen.
"Why?" He was curious as to why she was wired. Was it from the atmosphere of the club or the little one they created between them?
"Well," she said, rolling onto her back. "You want the truth?"
"Yea, I would never lie to you," he said, keeping his voice down so he wouldn't wake up Eric.
"Oh man." She stretched her body, trying to delay her answer while unconsciously giving Riddick a nice show. His gaze wandered over her, caressing her body with his eyes, resisting the urge to caress her with his hands. "I'm wired because of what I did down there. I've never done that before and…" she trailed off.
"And what?" he encouraged.
"It was a rush."
"Yea, you really did a number on Eric," Riddick said, testing her, wanting to draw out her answers without looking too obvious. Her eyebrows went up as she looked at him.
"I meant what I did with you." He felt a sort of relief, knowing that he wasn't the only one enjoying what she did.
"Really," he said teasingly, causing a blush to form on her cheeks.
"It felt good but you know what's weird?" Riddick raised a questioning eyebrow. "I had the strongest feeling of déjà vu." A sense of guilt washed over Riddick as he rolled onto his back, avoiding her eyes. "What?" She noticed a change in him and moved closer. "Tell me." She lightly slapped his chest.
"Remember that dream you had?" Riddick said, still not looking at her. Skye nearly shrieked.
"Did Raven tell you about my dream?" Skye sat up in bed, putting her face in her hands, feeling so embarrassed. "Oh, if she did, she's not gonna like me anymore after I get through with her."
"Whoa, she didn't tell me anything," Riddick sat up, making her turn to him. "because it wasn't a dream." There, it was out.
Skye watched the glimmer in his eyes as she realized what he was saying to her. It was real just as it had felt. She flopped back onto the bed keeping her hands over her face.
"Oh my God." Her voice was muffled from her hands. "I'm so sorry." Riddick leaned back down to her and tried to pry her hands off her face.
"Don't be sorry." Skye took a peak at him from under the hand he didn't move.
"It's just I've never been in this kind of environment so I don't know how I'll react. I've never shared a room with anyone or been this close to people before." Riddick ran his hand over her arm, grabbing her wrist and moved her hand away from her face. "I'll probably be all over you by morning because I don't know how I sleep with someone else in bed with me." She was rambling now and Riddick had to stifle a laugh.
"I'll make a deal with you."
"What kind of deal?" she asked curiously
"Whether you stay in one place all night or you're all over me by morning, I won't mind and you don't have to be embarrassed. Deal?" She watched him for a minute before answering, wishing she could know what he was thinking. The shine in his eyes prevented her from seeing what was inside. Eyes are the windows to the soul and he had his very well guarded.
"Deal," she finally said. It didn't relax her because she wasn't nervous. More like excited.
"Why don't you guys just do it and get it over with," Eric said even though he was supposed to be asleep. Skye's mouth dropped open and Riddick finally let out a laugh.
"We thought you were asleep," Skye said, trying to hold back her own laughter.
"Yea, well my feigned sleep can sometimes be deceiving to those who don't know me." Riddick leaned over Skye and punched Eric in the shoulder. "Ow!" he screamed out, grabbing his shoulder. "Geez Skye, I didn't know you could hit that hard."
"It wasn't me, it was Riddick," she said; now laughing.
"Oh well then, that's okay." He became quiet and still.
"Wait, why is it okay that it was him that hit you?" She pulled on his arm to roll him over.
"Do you think I would argue with him on why he hit me? Just look at him. I wouldn't stand a chance." Skye looked to Riddick, and noticed he was still leaning over her. She draped an arm around his shoulder and smiled.
"You're right, you wouldn't stand a chance," she said, pulling Riddick down to her, wrapping her other arm around him in a hug.
"Ha, ha. You missy, on the other hand, I can take." Eric reached for her and caught her in the side and tickled her with all he had. Skye screamed in laughter and held Riddick tighter. He enjoyed the way she writhed against his body so he let Eric continue his attack. Tears were streaming down her face and she was laughing so hard she couldn't breathe. Skye unwrapped herself from Riddick and tried to push Eric away but her laughter had left her weak.
"Stop, stop. I can't breath," she managed to gasp out in between laughing. Riddick rolled onto his back taking Skye with him. Eric didn't make a move to go after her but he was still laughing.
"You're lucky he's protecting you," Eric said pointing to Riddick. Skye rested her cheek on Riddick's chest and tucked her hands under his shoulders.
"Yup, so I think I'll be keeping him close." She moved her body up the length of his so she could rest on his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her and looked over at Eric and raised his eyebrows at him. Eric got off the bed and moved closer to the door.
"I could leave if you want." He paused to look at them. Skye was seriously considering it and she knew Riddick was because he tilted his head in thought, and was about to speak but Skye beat him to it.
"Wait," she said pushing herself up onto her hands. Her lower half pressed into Riddick's but he didn't move. "There's someone outside." Eric hesitated for only a second before looking through the peephole. Riddick started to roll her off him but she grabbed him when she got to her side and shook her head no. He stayed still, holding her. Eric pulled open the door and the man on the other side froze in mid knock.
Skye and Riddick looked towards the door and she recognized the man from the vid screen from a week ago. The man was saying something but she couldn't hear him so she rested her head on the pillow. Riddick did the same and they watched each other as the men talked. Skye ran her fingers gently over his cheek and scooted herself closer to him. She got up a little nerve and let her lips lightly run over his. They never really kissed, just allowed their lips to run over each other's. Building up a sensation that would eventually lead to feelings neither had ever experienced.
"I can tell Eric to get lost if you want," Riddick spoke into her mouth. She smiled against his lips.
"Okay," she said breathlessly, pulling him into a full-blown kiss. Their kiss was frantic because they knew Eric would interrupt them at any second. Hands roamed over their bodies getting a feel for anything they could in the little time they had. Skye let her hand travel down his chest to rest on the waist of his pant, letting her fingertips slide underneath to feel heated skin and soft hair.
Riddick couldn't believe how fast this was moving but he went along anyway. He ran his hand up her side and right under her shirt, cupping her breast over her bra. The instant his hand touched her she broke off the kiss. At first he thought he went too far but she was only looking over his shoulder at Eric. He leaned in and kissed her neck, tongue running down the length. She tasted as sweet as her lips did and not only was his body responding to her but hers was responding to his. He could smell her arousal and he could feel rather than hear the moan that escaped her throat. Her grip on his pants tightened when he found a sensitive spot on her neck.
"Shit," she said through gritted teeth. He knew he hit the mark but then he heard the door shut and Skye pulled away from him.
"We have to meet him downstairs in ten minutes," Eric said taking a seat at the table. He smiled when he noticed Skye's flushed condition. She had sat up and was straightening her hair and clothes before climbing over Riddick and heading to the bathroom. Riddick was wearing his usual unexpressive look, on his face.
"Sorry to have interrupted you two but the sooner we get off this planet, the better," Eric said. Riddick just glanced at him, not responding.
Skye looked at her reflection in the mirror and almost didn't recognize it. She looked different somehow but she couldn't tell what it was. Riddick was having a major effect on her mentally and physically. Her body was feeling things she's never felt before and she felt off in the head. Like his presence alone was distracting her. She couldn't feel that man, their contact, until he was right at the door. This would not be good if she couldn't do her job effectively. She couldn't let this go any further, at least until they were through with this mission.
Ten minutes later they met their contact down in the club. The music was off and only a few people were left behind, some of them too drunk to get off the floor. The man was at a corner table and the three approached him walking side by side.
"Okay, let's make this quick. Give us what you got," Eric said, taking a seat. Riddick and Skye followed suit and sat down.
"You have my money?" he asked looking cautiously at Riddick. Eric tossed him a credit chip.
"There, you have your money, now hand over the info." He slipped an envelope to Eric and he opened it to read what it was.
"They don't have a name for it yet but you shouldn't have trouble finding it. It's highly guarded."
"We'll be fine," Eric said glancing over at Skye.
"The virus is very dangerous. If you don't destroy it properly it'll spread faster than a hookers legs." No one laughed at his attempt at a joke. "You need to heat it well over 200 degrees to destroy it. I also brought you the vials for you to store the samples." Riddick and Skye looked at Eric at the same time.
"What samples?" Skye asked.
"I'll tell you later," Eric replied. Skye had a bad feeling about this. It felt like cold hands were wrapping around her neck. Eric wasn't telling them something important and this man was definitely not telling them the whole story. Skye didn't know anything about this virus but what he was telling them didn't ring true. She let her instincts take over. Reaching across the table, she grabbed the guy by the front of the shirt and pulled him up from his chair. Eric jumped back, surprised by Skye's reaction.
"What aren't you telling us?" she screamed in his face. The man looked panicked and he visibly started to shake. Apparently, Riddick wasn't the one he should have been afraid of. He looked at him desperately. Riddick leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest and gave him a smirk. He was feeling the same thing Skye was. Something wasn't right but she seemed okay with handling the situation.
Skye gave him a good shake before yelling at him again.
"Talk!" He put his hands up in defeat.
"Okay, okay." She let him go after she pushed him back into his chair. "Heating the virus will only make it spread. It could even become airborne. You'll need to freeze it to kill it." Eric took a deep breath and grabbed the guy, pulling the credit chip out of his pocket.
"Don't lie to us and I might give this back to you," he said, menacingly.
"What about if it melts?" Skye asked.
"The virus will already be dead so it won't matter." He looked at Eric. "Anything else?" There sure were a lot of questions Riddick had but they were mostly for Eric. The man gathered his things and looked at Eric again. He tossed him the chip.
"Get the hell outta here," he said pointing to the exit. The guy made a mad dash for the door. Eric got up and headed in the same direction. Skye and Riddick followed, waiting until they were outside before they started bombarding him with questions.
"Okay, tell us what's goin' on. Why was he talking about samples?" Riddick spoke first. Eric walked a few feet before responding.
"If we want to get paid we have to bring back a sample to prove we got the job done." They walked in silence, the darkness still surrounding them. Skye didn't like the idea of transporting that virus. Anything could happen.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Riddick asked.
"It was kind of a last minute thing and if we do it right there shouldn't be any problems." Skye looked nervously at Riddick and he returned the same look.
"Just keep us informed of everything, regardless if it's last minute," Riddick said, still watching Skye.
"I will. It was a bad call. Sorry." No one spoke the last bit to the ship. It was waiting for them just as they hoped. Nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary on the outside. Inside was different.
When they got inside Eric punched the button to close the ramp and then put in the code to lock it. Skye walked to the living area but stopped when she saw Kyle lying on the couch with an ice pack on his face.
"What the hell happened?" She rushed over to his side. Riddick came in behind her to see what was going on. She pulled the ice pack off his face and saw what was wrong.
"Nice shiner," Riddick said, laughing loudly. It must have been an inside joke because she didn't get what was so funny.
"How did this happen?" she asked.
"Raven did it."
"Why would she hit you?"
"I was teasing her and it went a little too far so she ended it. I'm fine though. Don't worry." He got up and headed to his room. Skye looked at the smile on Riddick's face.
"I'm still not understanding why it's so funny." She put her hands on her hips.
"You don't want to know," he said leaving the room.
"You're right, I probably don't," she said, watching him leave, making sure to check out his ass.
"Stop lookin' at my ass," he said, once he was out of view. Skye turned away fast. 'How the hell did he know?' she thought.
**** I again want to thank all my readers: ariel, Patlyn23, Starlight, brina, Netanya Grimberg, Black-Angel, and everyone else out there who's reading. You all keep me inspired. Thanks =) R&R.