Chapter 4
Come Swim in the River of Denial
"So, Hebina, I was thinking that during the graduation race we could pull the wool over that annoying Team Jet's eyes by appealing to their pathetic empathy? What do you say, sis?" Daijako, the tallest and slimmest of the space pirates chimed as her and her two loyal teammates gathered outside near a cluster of crimson roses. The beauty could almost rival Hebina in terms of looks what with her lustrous emerald waves and vermillion smile. Moreover, she was mostly all legs and had found the need to give many leering men the evil eye when they slobbered all over her lithe limbs clad in tiny white shorts. She wore a pink and purple, long sleeve blouse with the same swirly markings that Kohebiko and Hebina both had on their clothes. The uniform design of their outfits certainly emphasized the strong unity of the trio.
Kohebiko, the smallest and admittedly, most rotund of the girls was blonde, her hair tied neatly into a bun with a pink ribbon. The strawberry pink shade was apparent too in her long sleeved dress that ended in a pleated hem, drawn tight with a gold ribbon. She was literally the little kid in the group, ever bubbly and was now, with eyes shining, agreeing profusely with Daijako's plan. "That sounds like an awesome plan, Daijako! What do you think, sis?" Both girls had big, anticipatory grins on their faces, awaiting their leader's reply. However, when a full five minutes of silence passed, their expressions degenerated to questioning frowns.
"Uh, Hebina?" Daijako stared at the princess of space pirates, who was normally so controlled and intimidating, practically swooning near the rose bush. Gentle humming could be heard; emerging from Hebina's violet lips as she lackadaisically plucked a rose, twirling it in her fingers. The romantic scent of the blossom sent shivers through her body. It instantly evoked memories of Jack giving her the ride of her life in the cramped closet. Forget the coffee and donut she had for breakfast, he was what refreshed and energized her for the day. She never could have imagined Jack would be such a naughty little bat with the way he had demandingly shoved her forward till her ass rammed against his cock. Her humming graduated into a soft, sensual purr as she rubbed the rose petals intimately against her cheeks, nose and lips. With an air of serene unconsciousness, she caught one of the silky petals with her teeth and tugged it off, holding it out the corner of her mouth with a comically cheeky smile.
"Hebina!" Both of the space pirates screamed in unison, succeeding immensely in dragging their obviously high on narcotics leader out of her apparent acid trip. Hebina found the petal lodged tight in he throat and began coughing up her lung trying to remove it. "What!" She yelled back in furious response to being frightened out of her wits. Daijako had her arms crossed and Kohebiko stood with arms akimbo. Their twin expressions of suspicious curiosity prompted Hebina to erect stonewalls around her behavior.
"I just suggested a plan for the upcoming graduation race. We might as well start plotting as quickly as possible. And here you are, practically ravishing that flower," Daijako's slim finger pointed at the rose whose petals were now hang loosely. Hebina noted the petal she had been nibbling on was now on her lap. If she could blush any redder, she would. Pulling herself together, she donned her usual austere, confident and independent pose, hands on hips, back straight and severe pout. The incriminating blossom hadn't left her hands though and the heat coursing through her hadn't fully cooled down.
"I apologize, sisters. I…woke up in a very good mood today is all," It was an impossibly lame excuse and the way her teammates exchanged glances after hearing it signaled to Hebina that the issue was far from resolved. Drat. Daijako's lips pulled thin into a disbelieving frown. "You were never a morning person, Hebina. What's gotten you into this very good mood?" To put off answering that loaded question, Hebina started to pluck the crimson petals off of the very unfortunate rose, watching, preoccupied, as they drifted down to the grass down below. The petals were almost like how her emotions now felt. Before, they had been so neatly arranged, bathed in romantic perfume. Now, they were scattered and lost to the hard ground where they could easily be trampled on if she were not careful.
"Fiona had a lot of trouble with her hair today, that's what. Little rugrat was in the bathroom all morning, complaining and cursing about it. She's got quite the vocabulary for a naïve little twit," It was smoothly delivered and definitely believable. Her teammates knew that there was nothing that truly lightened Hebina's mood in the dreary morning that another person's misery, even if it was something extremely superficial. Still, Daijako didn't buy it. She smacked her lips, as she looked Hebina over. For once, the space pirate felt totally self-conscious, as though a microscope was examining her.
"If it were that, you'd be gloating about it to us long ago and laughing evilly about. Now however, you've got the dreamiest expression on your face and twiddling a rose in your hands," Hebina's magenta eyes fell downwards and confirmed Daijako's accusations. Even though she had completely decapitated the poor plant, she was still idly fondling it as though it was the most precious gem in the world. Drat it. Drat it all. Kohebiko leaned far too close for anyone's comfort and peered directly into Hebina's pupils. The latter resisted the urge to swallow. She showed no fear to anyone, much less her loyal crew who never questioned her but were right now very suspicious of her lack of honesty. Daijako and Kohebiko were the only two people she would never deceive; their faithfulness throughout their days of piracy had deserved unfailing honesty. However, she could never reveal her secret tryst to them. They'll think I've gone mad. Jack's never was my type and if I just told them, I've been sleeping with him; they'll never respect my good judgment ever again and probably start questioning my sanity! Best keep mum about it. It's not really lying, it's just omission.
"Ohhh," Kohebiko drawled out with all the pride of a little girl who finally learnt a very dirty secret about her closest friends. Hebina finally did swallow. Oh no! Despite her childishness, Kohebiko is ever so perceptive! Keep calm, Hebina! Keep very calm! This is not being calm! "You're in love!" The overweight, cutesy pirate shoved a triumphant finger in Hebina's quickly flushing face. Daijako released a loud, almost grating laugh after that declaration. "Is that it? That's why our lady is behaving so strangely? You know, sis, you could have just told us. We would never judge you."
If you girls knew who the guy was, you would. Wait, Kohebiko said "in love"? I'm so definitely, certainly, absolutely, with no doubts and completely NOT in love with Jack! Okay, so I look a little drugged and dazed, like I just discovered a gem more precious than a diamond. But that's just the dopamine and endorphins from sex! Nothing more! "And I know just who it is!" The tiny, corpulent pirate's outburst brought Hebina's fear all to the forefront. Please don't say Jack. Dradd, Antares, Taiga or even Kraken! Just NOT JACK!
"It's Ryu, isn't it? I knew you liked him the moment you saw how powerful he was," I actually forgot about the invincible Ryu and his amazing machine! Wow, has Jack affected me that much? Before he and I started fooling around, I've been preoccupied daily with being on Ryu's team. Now though…all I can think about is Jack. This isn't a good sign. Hebina heaved a sigh of relief that her teammates had guessed incorrectly yet reasonably. It was no secret that the space pirate was infatuated, well initially anyways, with the tall, muscular and scarred Ryu, a devastatingly powerful racer who showed not even an ounce of mercy. It was this sadistic, menacing streak of his that had attracted Hebina but lately, she'd began to realize that one didn't have to look bad to be bad. Moreover, Ryu didn't and never gave her even a speckle of attention. He was either too busy mocking Dradd, a longtime foe or creepily cornering Shiro, the blonde famed lone wolf of Gurao. Hebina was not a woman to give attention and never receive it. She valued herself far more than that.
"Yes," She faltered slightly but still kept a cool edge to her voice as always. "He is after all the famed invincible racer of Gurao. You girls know how I just love a man with power." What you girls don't know is that I'm starting to love guys who have power but don't look like they do at first. Goodness, Jack may be on the slender side but he's built like a brick house. All those tight muscles, strong and forceful. Mmm, wonder what he's up to now. Daijako and Kohebiko, obviously thinking Hebina was salivating over the handsome, treacherous racer, Ryu, were now very pacified and shot her twin smirks. "Well, sis, we could always help set you up."
"That won't be necessary!" She nearly shouted, startling them both and causing them to eye in her confusion. Hebina cleared her throat and assumed a commanding, ice queen air. "I mean I don't want Ryu to think I'm easy. I want him to want me. You girls will just have to let me handle it myself. " That certainly answered the unasked questions and, Hebina thanked her stars, both the girls turned their attention back to race now that their leader was fully conscious and forced back to reality.
Good, the girls think the guy is Ryu. Thinking back, it really should have been Ryu that caught my attention, not Jack. Then again, Ryu treats me like I'm cold fish and Jack considers me a precious jewel. He looks at me with respect, almost worship during sex. Hebina's heart started giving stubborn flutters. I must say, it's nice having a man actually treat me as more than a hot body and a pretty face. Of course, this can't possibly be love. Jack's made it pretty clear my reputation disdains him. He's in for the sex and my companionship. There is no relationship here, just a simple understanding between friends. Yes, that is all.
"What are you thinking, hmm? You seem rather preoccupied," Jack purred against her ear, which was in the shape of a drooping point. He punctuated this by licking a trail around the earlobe. Hebina shuddered beneath him. They had snuck away after some trial laps on the racetrack; Coach Dile was adamant that they had practice races before their free time. Their current location for some more criminally good fun was his room. Hebina envied its size and his canopied large bed. Her envy graduated to satisfaction when Jack applied his mouth on her in very inventive ways as she enjoyed the sheets of said bed. Being naked save for her boots, which Jack insisted she kept on as they provided, as much fetishistic appeal as his gloves, with him around was such a wonderful distraction. She desperately needed it. Though she was certain Daijako and Kohebiko would not question her feelings anymore, it did sting her to know that she had deceived her most loyal crew.
She let out a small moan of pleasure as Jack's lips traveled from her neck, down the slight curve of her back, pausing deliberately above her buttocks. On her knees, facing away from him, this was such a naughty position. It aroused her just at the thought of him taking her in such a manner. His gloved hands snaked in front of her and fondled lightly with her nipples. A sweet moan left her violet lips.
"Nothing," She answered with as much lightheartedness as she could muster. It wasn't an easy feat given the sensations he was stirring within her. The moment the word slipped out of her lips, he pulled away and she turned, bereft and confused. He stared deeply into her eyes. It was a most probing stare, one a trained investigator would give when he wanted to scrutinize after catching a lie. It wasn't a total lie. Hebina just didn't want to discuss anything when they were enjoying themselves.
"Come on. We're being very intimate and you did say we could talk," He reminded lightly. Thinking about your future plans, Hebina? Are you planning to cheat during the Graduation races? The space pirate turned with an obstinate huff before turning over on her back and lying down like a veritable goddess. Her hands were folded under her neck as she laid stretched out, breasts full and far too distracting. "Yes, we can talk. But I never said I'd tell you everything that's on my mind. It's not important, Jack. Please, just drop it." Jack didn't want to drop it. Certainly the sex was good. Why, the sex was incredible but damn it, he wasn't in it just for that. He needed information. He opened his mouth ready to protest but that his eyes followed Hebina's fingers. She had dipped them low, down, between her silken thighs to explore her honeyed cavern. Instantly any words he was about to spew died on his lips as all saliva evaporated from his mouth. Her magenta eyes met his in an intense, electrifying gaze. Damn her. Fine, I'll play your game, Hebina. But I will find out what you're planning.
With that in mind, he clambered towards and, to her greatest relief, decided to finish what he had started.
Jack was aching. He wasn't aching from frustration but from the delicious aftermaths of sex. He could barely keep a smile off his face as his armor pressed and highlighted bruises and bite marks left on his shoulders. His crotch felt warm against the spandex of his suit. He hadn't been this sore in ages. He couldn't lie; it was a wonderful sensation. However, he had to keep his head. As much as he would love to dwell on the high of his intimacies with Hebina, he had to contact base. Before he could though, his communicator was already beeping from a call. It was Tobe. Jack smiled.
Tobe was Jack's close friend ever since he joined the force. Tobe was a talking housefly that manned a large planet-cum-junkyard where any spare part could find to fix any ship. He was also a master mechanic and handyman, repairing even the most out of date and out of shape ships to be as good as new. He could be quite infuriating though since he always liked a chance to tease Jack.
"Hey, Tobe, it's safe to say I'm finally in Hebina's circle," He proudly announced though to be honest he had no idea how to explain how far in the circle he was. Tobe made an approving grunt on the other side. "Wonderful, Jack," He crowed in his rather crass Russian accent. "So tell me how did you finally get the lovely lady to stop running away?" Oh boy, how am I to tell him?
"Uh, yeah…well…I was just my usual charming self," Jack chuckled nervously, instinctively scratching the back of his head, as was a habit for him when he got hot under the collar. Tobe snorted. "You being charming is like me being attractive. Come on. Tell me really. Hebina was a tough nut to crack from the start. How'd you do it? I'm your friend, Jack since the beginning. Let an old friend in on it." Jack let out a heaving sigh. Tobe really was one of his closest friends and he always updated him on his investigations. Besides, just how horrible could his reaction be? "I…started sleeping with Hebina."
"YOU STARTED SLEEPING WITH WHO!" Jack very nearly dropped the communicator to the floor at Tobe's loud, obviously shocked exclamation. He was suddenly extremely happy that Tobe lived alone on that junkyard. He was sure anyone within a fifty-mile radius of the housefly could go deaf from such an outburst. Before his own, more sensitive ears could stop ringing, Tobe launched into the most lecturing tirade.
"Jack! What are you doing! When I said get closer with the enemy, it didn't mean you should start jumping into her panties!" He bellowed, making Jack visibly wince. Well, this was going very well. He didn't expect Tobe to be applauding this unorthodox method of investigating but the damn housefly didn't need to bust his balls about it. Inhaling deeply to prepare his rebuttal, Jack quickly and concisely explained the "arrangement" Hebina and him made, the events that led to it and the profits that would be yielded from such an event. Tobe did not say anything for a few tense minutes before sighing deeply.
"Jack, look, you're a good boy. A good friend. A great member on the force," Jack raised an eyebrow at such a nice and yet rather loaded statement. "I don't want to see you get hurt. Yes, you may think this will work and it's all fun and games…but wait till your heart gets into it." Jack scoffed loudly. What a ludicrous notion! As if he would actually harbor deeper feelings for Hebina. She was just prey and he was the predator. It didn't matter that her laugh sent shivers down his spine, that her smile made him blush to the tips of his ears and that the best part of sex was really watching her sleep after because she just looked so angelic. Fuck. He stifled a groan. No. He was definitely not in love. Besides, no one fell in love after having sex. That was illogical and irrational. Sure you felt like a million bucks but you weren't going to suddenly want to get married and all that.
"Jack, it's been a while, I know, for you since you last had a nice lass in your bed but think of the consequences, boy," Tobe's voice rang with the deepest, sincerest concern. "She's a right beauty and from the description you gave me, is pretty sharp and feisty. It isn't difficult falling for such a woman. So you best keep your head and make sure you know what exactly you're getting into." Jack let out a grunt as a feeble reply. He really appreciated his friend's worry but it was just too far-fetched. He wasn't going to fall in love with Hebina.
Even though she made him feel so important and confident unlike everything else in his solitary life. She brought him to life with just a kiss, a smirk or even the glint in her eyes. It was difficult to hide his anticipation at their latest encounter. This is ridiculous. We've only slept with each other a few times. It's just our hormones and, well, sex droughts. Then why? Why was it so tempting and exciting when he thought back about seeing her again?
Jack couldn't help but feel a tinge of fear ripple through him as he realized that, even though she may not be in the mood, it would be really, really great to see her again. Perhaps Tobe's crazy notions could have some truth to them after all. Maybe he was getting into deep.
Ugh, this is stupid. I need to focus. This isn't about love. This is about getting information and learning more about Hebina. It has nothing, nothing, NOTHING to do with how I feel. Because I feel nothing. Nothing!
Hebina wondered why all of a sudden Jack was the one that was preoccupied when they snuck off to make out in a secluded corner of the school.