t
morning would block his normal reaction to her. To his considerable
relief, he discovered it didn't; if anything, it made her more
desirable. The remembered taste of her milk sent a surge of thrilling
warmth through him, focusing in his loins.

Cortin grinned at her second's fast arousal, holding out her arms as
she felt half-familiar, half-strange sensations in her belly. "It's
nice to have a dependable second--especially one who's properly
respectful."

Odeon glanced down, smiling at her familiar banter. "Yes, ma'am. The
Academy did stress respect for one's superior officers, and the
importance of a proper stance of attention."

* * * * *

They lay for awhile when it ended, catching their breath, then Odeon
withdrew, caressing her affectionately. "You seemed to enjoy that--and
it's the best I've ever had."

"Enjoy?" Cortin looked at him, trying to sort out her feelings.
"That's . . . I don't know. Too weak a word." She smiled at him, a
bit tentatively. "Mike . . . it was like climaxing, the whole
time--and when you did, it was . . ." She hesitated, searching for
words, then gave it up as hopeless. Even a poet would have trouble
describing what she'd felt! "I can't describe it, except that it was
like being filled with liquid fire--and I'm still tingling from it."

"So what's the verdict for tonight? Rest or recreation?"

"Recreation, definitely. After supper, though."

"Bradford and Illyanov have been making it pretty clear they'd like in,
if you're willing."

'Willing' seemed like a pretty weak word too, Cortin thought. It
didn't seem her drive was any stronger than it had been, so maybe it
was the length of time she'd had to abstain, but the idea of as wide a
variety as she could get--and as much--was overwhelmingly attractive.
"I assume you told them I would be?"

"Not exactly, though I did say you'd enjoyed men from outside your team
in the past. Sweet Mother, I couldn't even be sure you'd want me,
after what the Brothers did to you!" Until he'd been told this
morning that she would, and he'd only become positive when she'd
claimed him . . .

"There's a major difference between an enemy assault and a friendly
tussle," Cortin said drily. "I was a little nervous at first, I can't
deny that, but it didn't last long. I didn't notice you having me held
down, or using broken bottles, or gun barrels along with threats to
blow my head off from the inside."