Rystani Warrior 02 - The Dare by Susan Kearney Read Free Book Online

If he’d known for certain that the alien beam, not the knock on his head and the fall, had caused his sudden cravings and inexplicable fantasy about Dora, he’d have spoken up—embarrassing subject or not—but if the effect was short-term, in time, he could ascertain that for himself. While the suit hid his condition, he remained uncomfortable, and he fully intended to see Xentos at the first opportunity.
    ZICAL LEFT HIS portable computer unit and Dora behind, stepped off the street into a private retreat, and prayed that Dora’s spy-in-the-sky satellite sensors hadn’t picked him out from the hundreds of other pedestrians on foot who were out for a good time. Of all the cities on Mystique, this was the oldest and the capital—a busy spaceport, a business center where anything could be bought, for a price. Mystique’s wealth had filtered down from the planet’s owners to create a wealthy middle class. Storefronts with luxury items, restaurants with gourmet foods, and entertainment centers were plentiful amid towering apartments, wide boulevards planted with flowering shrubs, colorful butterflies and exotic birds that emitted a pleasant thrilling hum.
    The first time Zical had sought out a holographic simulation, the establishment’s owner had assured Zical that the holosims at the hotel didn’t tie into planetary systems—not so much to ensure the customers’ privacy as to keep out the authorities and overly inquisitive spouses, family, and friends. So if his luck held, Dora would have no idea where he was.
    “Good evening, sir.” A gorgeous holosim greeted Zical from behind the front desk. “What’s your pleasure?” She gestured to a monitor.
    Zical ignored the machine and removed a credit chit from his suit. He’d make his choices upstairs. Since charges began when he unlocked a door to his private room and ended when he exited, most customers apparently wanted their companion preferences decided beforehand to maximize the time in their room. He’d gladly spend the extra credits in return for privacy. As impatient as he was for release, once he reached his room, Zical still put thought into what kind of holosim suited him. Tall—his chin height. Slender but curvy. Big breasts. Funny, he’d always chosen women of medium-sized proportions until Dora had put the suggestion of large breasts into in his head. Cinnamon hair. Amethyst eyes. He moved on to the personality traits.
    Eager?
    Of course—a man would have to be a savage Endekian to enjoy forcing a woman.
    Self-confident?
    Absolutely. Zical didn’t want anyone who reminded him of Summar—his child bride, one so terrified of sex that after she’d conceived when they consummated the marriage, they’d never had marital relations again.
    Adventurous?
    Hmm. Not today. He was too on edge to bother being inventive. He simply needed to take care of business.
    Talkative?
    He marked one notch above the minimum. He didn’t require conversation. But dead silence seemed so … unnatural.
    Aggressive?
    Another time. With his nerves raw, he fully needed to be the one in command.
    Clothing?
    None. What was the point? He was here to satisfy his lust.
    Skill level?
    Expert. No hesitation there. He preferred a partner who knew exactly what she was doing. Teaching wasn’t for him, and he moved on swiftly choosing music, something with a beat.
    Scent?
    Orangeflower.
    Wall color?
    Golden. No. He needed no reminder of the golden cone of light that had caused his arousing condition. Scarlet. Yes. To match his passion.
    Lighting?
    Bright starlight with an ebbing moon across a black velvet sky.
    He chose humidity and temperature. Although furniture was totally unnecessary, since the null-grav in his suit could float him, he liked the ambiance of a large bed. Finally, he punched in his final decision and let the sophisticated machine do its work. If he’d preferred, he could save his choices in the system for his next visit. But each time he came here he vowed it would