Stark Pleasure; the Space Magnate's Mistress (The LodeStar Series) Read Online Free PDF Page A

his tongue in her mouth, tangling with her own. A soft moan of shock and excitement emerged from her throat. But who cared when he was sucking gently on her tongue, enticing it into his own mouth as if she were the most delicious woman he’d kissed in eons.  
    His hand tightened on hers, and she curled her fingers about his in response.
    When he let her go, lifting his head, she dragged her eyes open. She pulled her wet lower lip between her teeth and let it go, tasting him on her lips. Oh, glory, if he could do that with just his mouth and one hand holding hers, what effect would he wreak with his whole body? And judging from the predacious light in his gray eyes, he’d been just as affected.  
    “We’ll have dinner,” he told her. “Then perhaps you’ll kiss me again, hmm?”
    “Perhaps.” Her cheeks heated as he smiled at her again. He knew exactly how much that kiss had affected her. And that she wanted more.
     
    ***
     
    Jasmine was hushed, elegant and dimly lit. A Pangaean female in a leaf-green cheongsam led them to a table in a quiet alcove, bowing politely as she gestured them to sit. Kiri was relieved to see that she didn’t look twice at Kiri’s clothing. Of course with lighting like this, her black smock could’ve been crafted of the finest lii leaves.
    Stark seated Kiri in the plush, semi-circular booth and slid in after her. She was both alarmed and delighted by his nearness. He smelled so good, as if the essence of some dark, wild forest lingered on his skin. Some kind of cologne, she supposed, but she wasn’t sure the scent would be half so inviting on any other man.
    Whatever, it certainly wasn’t a scent the men she knew could afford. In fact, none of them could afford to even set foot in this place. They frequented the crowded eateries with rock music thumping, surrounded by rowdy beings like Mauritians and Tygers arguing, fighting and laughing.  
    The denizens of her apartment complex were the same, or they were older, beaten down by life and reduced to living in the slums.  
    To distract herself from the memory that she might be on the verge of losing even such doubtful shelter, she looked around at the tasteful arrangements of tall plants screening them partially from other diners.  
    A party of Serpentians filled the nearest booth. Their skin and hair, ranging from golden to gold-green, gleamed even in the low light. They were laughing together, their table crowned with a carafe of steaming fire whiskey and glasses.
    The gentle babble of Pangaean came from behind her somewhere. The place smelled clean, no mildew, no stale grease and body odor. Just the tantalizing smells of good food.
    “This place must be popular with travelers,” she said. An inane remark, but conversation was good.  
    She focused on Stark, a mistake, because as soon as she looked at him, she found herself reliving their kiss. She couldn’t believe he’d locked lips right in front of his employees. Public kissing was usually for dark, noisy clubs when everyone was drinking or drugging.
    “Yes. Will you let me order for you?” he asked, as another Pangaean approached their table, this one in the male version of the cheongsam, with pants.
    “All right. But nothing slippery.” She’d seen the things beings from other worlds consumed, and she wasn’t eating anything that looked as if it should be wriggling in a swamp somewhere. She’d rather eat vegeprotein—at least it was safe.
    The creases at the corners of his mouth deepened. “I’ll remember that.”
    He consulted with the waiter, and in a few moments they were served drinks in round goblets with small blossoms floating near the rim. “Pear brandy blossoms,” Stark said, handing her one of the glasses.  
    He lifted his glass to her. Kiri followed suit, sipping cautiously. The same brandy he’d given her earlier, mixed with some kind of fruit juice, perhaps the pears from which it had been distilled. Faintly sweet, the drink left the taste of