Starlight Gleaming Ch. 20

"The goal? To give you pleasure, Janetta. To show you how much I love you. Show you how much I want you and want to be inside you."

"My comment about Calia was a combination of jealousy and idle fantasy. I know you love me." She started slowly rocking on my hips. "I love you, too, Ranji Kandikan. Just as your hard cock fills my pussy, you fill a void in my heart. As much as I test you and our boundaries, I need you, too. Now while my pussy would probably enjoy getting so much action, I'd enjoy some of your personal attention more. When you were passing out massages to Ixma, Cholan, and Calia, I didn't get one. Come to think of it, Zinja didn't either -- but that's between you and her. It's also been a while since you washed my hair and then brushed it for me. I love your cock, but I would love some of your personal attention even more."

"All right. Fucking like rabbits is out. Message about massages received."

She tilted, easing onto her side. "Come on, onto your side then. Sometimes I enjoy it when you pound into me until I see stars. But I was enjoying what we were doing before. A man and a woman -- equals -- sharing our bodies with each other. Not rushing to a screaming climax, but taking our time, enjoying the connection and drawing it all out until it takes us both unawares."

"I love you, my fierce, beautiful warrior."

"I love you, too. I've always known in my heart that I was the equal of any man. There are many reasons why I love you, Ranji Kandikan. One of them is that you know I'm your equal and you embrace it. I don't feel like I have to compete with you. There's no way I can fully explain how powerful and amazing that is for me."

We shifted until we were comfortable, then began slow stroking together. She feathered her fingers through my hair as I pushed into her snug depths, sighing at the pleasure. When she closed her eyes, my hands softly brushed the hair from her face. Traced her ear lobe. Stared at each other, gave light kisses, or closed our eyes and focused on the sensations of our joined bodies.

So we enjoyed ourselves, savoring the physical connection. She took every stroke I gave her, and she enveloped me, yielding her center to my need. Amid the sighs and butterfly touches, Janetta looked at me with love spilling out from her large, black eyes. Seeing that from her was pure joy.

When she needed extra stimulation to keep her sheath lubricated, I moved to finger her clit, but she batted my hand away and used her own fingers. "I got this," she husked.

I lost track of time, and I think she did, too. Our focus was on each other, savoring each moment while I worked to avoid falling off the precipice of release. Three times as we moved I heard her shuddering gasp. Then the flood of her liquid heat bathing my shaft. It was as much her physical desire to envelope and take me deep into her body as it was my own desire to thrust and spread her sheath around my hard cock. It was as much about giving pleasure as it was about receiving it. Several times the only words murmured by either of us were, "I love you."

Eventually, our passions took over and our pace slowly increased. As I hilted harder and harder within her folds, she rocked her hips, panting louder as she ground her clit against my groin.

"Oh, Janetta! I can't hold back any longer." The connection between us had long since become a noisy, wet embrace.

"Yes! Put it deep and fill me up!" Her hands gripped my arms, her hips urgently working over me.

Grabbing her butt cheeks with both hands, I pulled her onto me, arching and thrusting into her. Once her wet nether lips kissed my balls, I groaned and held her tight against me while spraying into her core.

"Ranji!"

Janetta ground her clit against me. Sucking air, she let out a low moan as she bucked harder. Then she held me tight, and I felt her pussy clamping and releasing around me as more liquid heat suddenly flooded her tunnel.

Our two sexes throbbing in time with racing heartbeats, the pleasure of release pervading while we panted together, floating on waves of ecstasy.

As the waves of bliss faded, I leaned close, kissing her slow and gentle. She answered with a satisfied sigh. When our lips parted, we touched foreheads, loath to end the physical connection, our heartbeats still beating steadily. Despite my wish to remain within the heated core of her body, soon my cock shrank and was squeezed out.

Laying on my back, I tugged her close and she laid her head on my chest.

"I should be mad at you," she said with a slightly irritated sigh. "I'm going to leak all over. I hate sleeping on a wet spot."

To the surprise of both of us, Zinja worked herself between Janetta's legs, lapping away.

"Zinja? A washcloth would... ohhh..."

Cholan wasn't idle either. She moved down and inhaled my fading erection within her mouth, using her tongue to swirl around it, sucking and licking me clean. She was done rather quickly, giving my tip a kiss and a swirl around the base of my shaft before moving up. With a sigh, she settled in the crook of my right arm.

I kissed the top of Cholan's head, and she looked up, grinning at me.

"You didn't have to do that," I told her.

"I know I didn't. I love you and I enjoyed doing that for you. Besides, it was quick enough not to make my face ache."

A few minutes later, Zinja finished up. Janetta lifted up for a towel to be placed underneath.

Janetta said, "Thank you, Zinja. That wasn't necessary but it was very nice of you."

"Like Cholan told his lordship. I did it because I love you."

My warrior opened her free arm in invitation, and Zinja sighed in contentment as she snuggled against her officer.

Closing my eyes, I drifted off.

I'm not sure how long I was out, but as I woke I heard muted weeping. Checking, I discovered Cholan crying into her pillow.

"Come here," I said quietly, putting my hand on her shoulder.

She rolled over, curling into me. Drawing her close, I ran my hand over her back. "I love you, Cholan. You're safe."

"They're gone," she sniffled.

"And we're here for you. This is your family now."

Janetta's quiet voice asked, "You okay, Cholan?"

"Sorry, Captain. Was dreaming about my family... and I woke up crying. Didn't mean to wake you." Her arms went around me.

"He gives good hugs," Janetta told her. "Focus on your breathing. Deep, slow breaths. You're safe in your man's arms. Focus on that."

Zinja got up for some tissues and walking around the bed, handed them to the grateful Cholan. The Oexecan woman gave her shoulder a squeeze, then returned to her side of the bed.

Eyes wiped and nose blown, my island girl settled against me. Holding her in my arms, I gave her a kiss to her forehead, then a light one to her lips. Her breathing eased and soon deepened as her grip relaxed.

I followed her back into sleep.

* * * * *

Part 17 -- Repaying Another Debt

* * * * *

When my alarm went off, Cholan was snoring gently against me. I soon realized I heard the faint sound of the shower running.

As gently as possible, I extricated myself.

Cholan murmured, "Ranji?"

"It's okay. I have to get ready for work," I assured her. "Go back to sleep."

"Okay." Drawing my pillow against her chest, she moved to the spot I vacated. Inhaling deep, she sighed, snuggled into the blankets and closed her eyes.

Once in the bathroom, I closed the door and went around the backside. Leaning my head in past the curtain, I said, "To poke or not to poke, that is the question."

Janetta jumped. Whirling on me and eyes flashing, she snapped out, "Damn you, Kandikan, for sneaking up on me! You scared me!"

"I'm still trying to decide whether I will join you and have my way with you."

Rolling her eyes, she sighed. "I don't think so. I'm a little tender down there, Kandikan. You worked inside me for almost a full hour, and it's been a long time since we've gone that long. I'm going to need time to recover."

I raised my eyebrows. "I don't think exercise works that way. I support the theory that I should lube up, climb in there with you and give you a little gentle stretching. You'll build up your core muscles faster that way. We could even establish a regular regimen. All in the interest of helping you building your womanly stamina, you understand."

"My pussy doesn't need your so-called exercise program. Go away, Kandikan." She pushed my head out past the curtain. "Ixma and Cholan are still healing, but you can still poke Zinja or Calia. Pick one of them to bother this afternoon after we do our family exercise."

"How about a kiss from the most beautiful woman in the world?"

"You are so demanding!" She stuck her face out and I took my time kissing her.

"Did you at least have a good time last night?" I asked her.

Janetta surprised me by looking a little shy. "Yeah, it was really good."

Ducking back in to rinse off, I went to the sink and worked on shaving.

As I finished up, she stepped out. Grabbing a towel, she dried herself off, then walked over to me. Reaching up, she tugged me down for a kiss.

"Watch yourself today, Ranji." She gave my butt a brief squeeze.

"You, too, Janetta. Safe flight and safe return."

After I finished shaving, I returned to the bedroom proper. Dressing in clean gym clothes, I put the shoulder holster on. Hip holster went into the gym bag with the folded uniform. "Goodbye my loves," I whispered.

Downstairs, I met up with my guard detail, Sergeant Vaniksl and Corporal Laylandi.

Based on prior arrangements, Jay and I met up at the Shooting Range and spent two hours on target practice. Half my time I worked with my pistols, going through three boxes of ammunition. The other half, I pulled out the Tlokan LRS-12 and worked on some distance shots, focusing on accuracy. Jay split his time between his pistol and an assault rifle.

After breaking down and cleaning of our weapons, we headed over to the gym for an hour of exercise. Pen would normally join us, but he was still on restricted duty. I didn't expect to see him until eight hundred hours, and then only for half a shift.

Jay and I had fun on the mats, working on katas followed by a good half hour of strength building exercises. Once we were clean and dressed, he headed home and I went in to the office.

I touched bases with Pen's Second, and since there were no major issues, I headed to my office. Checking email, I worked until Hanami showed up at zero-eight hundred. An hour discussing my schedule, setting new meetings, and going over some reports due.

As soon as Hanami stepped out, Ja-See came in. She informed me she was reaching out to Ground Security to determine if it would work better to fold Dispatch into one shared unit. Further, it appeared they also had the same idea about adding more street cameras to help monitor high traffic and critical security areas. There was discussion of comparing notes so duplicate cameras didn't end up on some streets while other areas were neglected.

I shrugged. I liked having my own discrete command, but it made sense to share these resources, and to work closely with my Ground Security counterpart. "When you finish your assessment, I'll have you accompany me on the next joint Security meeting and you can present us with your findings. A joint command is an interesting suggestion, and I'm curious as to what you come up with."

"Thank you, Commander." Pleased, she headed off.

I buried myself in paperwork for another three hours. Reviewing project proposals, performance reviews, signing off on budget expenses -- some of which came from my personal account -- as well as the work schedules for my senior staff. More routine boring stuff; it seemed important at the time, or at least was required by the Office of the War Ministry. The award nominations were there from Doyya, and I signed them, adding them to the one for Akama. I also wrote those condolence letters for Derkmando and Simko. Hanami printed them up on fancy stationary and I signed them.

Somewhere in that time Pen had snuck into his office. I realized he was here when his message appeared in my email inbox, and a quick location check of the file header showed it was from his office. I shot a reply asking him if he wanted to have lunch together at the Commissary Diner.

He replied immediately, agreeing.

I stepped outside, inviting Hanami to join us. She accepted and started the call to make a reservation but I raised my hand. At her raised eyebrows, I said, "Make it for eight people."

While she made the call, I poked my head around the corner. Sergeant Chita was deeply engrossed on some report. "Chita! Half an hour we're going to lunch. Bring your admin. My treat."

A slow smile crept onto her face as she answered without looking my way. "Okay, Commander. I'll be ready."

Half an hour later, it was lunch time, and we piled into cruisers and headed over. It was a nice lunch. Pen had brought Jodana Puttim'so, his admin, as well. Jodana had once been part of the 945; on her return she had opted to do office work for Pen rather than return as a field trooper. He was happy with her work. Her prior field experience was useful; sometimes she asked questions that helped tweak the focus on some of the projects being implemented.

Cholan's sister Tanti was also there for lunch, and when I first saw her, I had to look again to make sure it was the same woman I'd met a month ago. This animated and happy woman was not the subdued, lost woman I'd first seen not so long ago. Tanti grinned and chatted with Jodana, then complimented Suhanee on her purple hair, commenting that I must be an enlightened officer to work for.

Chita studiously ignored them.

If I was asked, I would have to say Tanti was deeply in love with Penimits Fortri. Based on the looks he gave her in return, I would say he was just as smitten.

"Breena isn't here?" I asked Tanti.

A brief look of concern flashed. "Siénte has a fever. She stayed home to monitor her. Both her boys were playing with their gifts when we left. They wanted me to be sure and tell their Uncle Ranji thank you again."

"Happy to do it," I replied with a smile.

It was a very nice day. The temp was about seventy degrees and the sun shone brightly with nary a cloud in the sky. I seriously wanted to walk from the diner back to work.

Mack and Akama both looked askance. Akama winced as Mack said, "Please don't, Commander. It's only been five days. At least give us a week where someone hasn't tried to kill you or one of your staff before you make us grey-haired with worry while making yourself a target."

Pen, feeling cheeky, grinned and said, "Yeah! Big Meanie."

Holding up my hands, I accepted defeat. "Alright, Mack." I looked at Pen. "Big meanie?"

"It's a character on a kid's show the boys watch," Tanti explained, not meeting my eyes. Her cheeks pinked a little.

"I probably don't want to know any more about this Big Meanie, do I?"

"Probably not," Tanti admitted.

Pen winked at me, then grimaced as another diner squeezing by bumped into him.

"I saw that, Pen. If you are still that fragile, work from home. Tanti, I'm counting on you to take care of him. If he's been lifting anything, he's in trouble, including boys. His bones need to have time to knit properly. I saw that, too. By the gods, Pen! You've been doing that, haven't you. Lieutenant, you get those ribs looked at, to make sure you didn't undo all the time in the tanks."

Contrite, he nodded. "Yes, sir."

"Look, once you're well, I want to arrange time once a month so that you and I can take Sachi and Aarpo out to lunch. Think it over. In the meantime, we'll make sure Jodana gets back to the office okay. Jodana, if your boss is still hurting tomorrow, make an appointment for him to go back to the clinic and you make his bodyguards know their marching orders."

"I will, Commander." She pursed her lips as she looked at her boss.

"I've had worse," Pen muttered.

"I know you have. Your ability to suffer pain is not in question, my friend," I explained. "It's your ability to function effectively as an officer and a security trooper. I need you healed."

Grudgingly, he nodded.

After Pen and Tanti departed, I realized we had seven people and one cruiser. Rather than call for a second vehicle, Chita said she would walk. Suhanee and Jodana promptly volunteered to walk with her.

"Sergeant Chita, aren't you supposed to have a guard?" I asked pointedly.

"Yes, sir. But since I rode over with you, I let them go to lunch. Jodana came with the lieutenant."

"If there's no room, I can take the bus," Jodana offered.

Chita shook her head. "No, that's no good. It's another hour for you to wait."

"Hey, I know! I'll volunteer to sit on the Commander's lap," Suhanee said, grinning and wiggling her hips.

I blinked as several other women also volunteered. I even think Mack started to offer but thought better of it.

"Stop!" Chita said. "If anyone sits on the Commander's lap, it's gonna be me."

"Why you?" Suhanee demanded.

"I'm curious myself," Akama said.

"Suhanee, have you even met Captain Tlacotli?" Chita demanded, hands going to her hips. "She's the Mistress of House Kandikan. She's a hardcore warrior. That's her man. You want to explain to her why you volunteered to sit on her man's lap? She knows me and is least likely to remove my heart."

"You're joking!" exclaimed Suhanee.

My own admin looked at me quizzically. She and Jodana had also volunteered. I seriously didn't think heart removal would even be considered. However, Janetta was fully aware that Chita had no interest in men.

"Uh, no, she's probably not," Mack affirmed.

Akama simply pursed her lips.

"Look, nobody's after me," Jodana said. "I can walk it in fifteen-twenty minutes. It's good exercise."

"No!" Chita and I both said.

"All right. How about I ride in the trunk?" Jodana countered.

"Ride in the trunk? What are you, fourteen?" Chita looked incredulous. "You can't open the trunk from the inside. Maybe it's a good thing you are no longer in the field."

Flushing, Jodana said, "I'm just trying to help, Sergeant!"

"Chita will sit on my lap," I said. "Subject closed."

At my signal, Akama left to bring the cruiser up to the door. I headed to the cashier and the others followed.

As I paid for all the meals, I saw an advertisement for salon gift cards. If didn't miss my guess, the last time Janetta and the others had been treated to something special like that was at Calia's behest when Janetta, Zinja, and Cholan were still in the hospital. With a smile, I did some quick calculations. Five deluxe specials, and forty styling gift cards that included both manicures and pedicures.

While the gift cards were printed up, I moved over to the Customer Service desk. I made arrangements for the five deluxe specials to happen on the upcoming weekend in four days, starting at ten hundred hours. Janetta and the others would have a full body massage, steam, and soak, a catered lunch, and then have their hair washed, styled and cut to their choice, along with manicures and pedicures.

Chita smiled at me. "They are going to love that, Commander."

"I should hope so," I said. The cashier came over, handing me the rest of the cards. "These two are for you, Chita. One for you and one for Captain Lovyanchiti."

"Sir?" She looked at the cards I handed her.

I had already moved on. "Jodana, one for you. Suhanee. Hanami. Just a small token of appreciation. The 602 depends on you, so this is a personal thank you from me. Mack, take these seven. One's for you, Akama, Cooma, Laylandi, Haytam, Yelts, and Vaniksl."

"Yelts and Vaniksl are guys," Mack protested.

"Oh, so you noticed, did you? Mack, it says he can get a haircut and shave instead of hair styling. You can use them now or save them." I plucked out another seven, and handed the rest to Chita. "Give these out to those who've worked the hardest or are in need of something going right in their life. And since the Commissary has this deal going, make sure that everyone else at the two houses gets one, too. Including the women running the daycare."