Women of Steel 2: Martini on the Rocks

  A pause.

  “What’s the matter, baby? You look confused.”

  “If what you say is the truth, why didn’t she ever defend herself against my accusations?”

  “Good question. Why don’t you ask her yourself? She’s lurking right around the corner.”

  “Mother, have you been eavesdropping?”

  Darvic’s big hands grasped her shoulder and shook. “Shame on you, Thalassic…”

  “Thalassic…? Lassi… can you hear me?”

  With a groggy sigh for her disrupted dream, Thalassic rolled over on her side and pried one eye open. “Wha -- Whassa matter… something wrong with Marti?”

  “No, dear, Martini is fine. There’s someone here from headquarters with an urgent communiqué.”

  Sleep fell away as smoothly as the blankets she threw back as she swung her feet out of the bed. “I’ll wash. Please lay out my uniform.”

  “You’ll take a shower -- and no argument. A wash won’t wake you up like a good session under pounding hot water.” With a quick kiss and a warm pat on the ass, Darvic eased past her, laid her clean undies on the sink and flicked on the showerhead. “I’ll have a little something ready for you to munch on when you get out.”

  Thalassic opened her mouth to tell him there was no time, but thought better of it. It wouldn’t do to argue with him. He always got his way.

  Jaw popping in a huge yawn, the general obediently stepped into the shower. Bending her head under the pulsating fall of water, she let out a little groan at the wonderful feel of the steamy water cascading down her shoulders and back. Leave it to Darvic to know just what was best for her.

  Five minutes later, Thalassic shut off the water and groped outside the curtain for a towel. A calloused hand caught hers. Warm lips placed a fleeting kiss on the back of her wrist. Darvic flipped her hand over and slapped a thick terrycloth bath sheet across her palm.

  She swiped at her face before toweling her hair. Stepping out of the shower, she stood before the mirror and couldn’t help the smile blossoming over her face as she thought of her consort. Darvic had everything where she needed it, when she needed it -- a true sign of his love and devotion. Still smiling, she finished drying, brushed her teeth and combed her hair.

  Her smile was gone when she met the courier from headquarters.

  All cool business and brisk efficiency, Brigadier General Thalassic Harmon returned the salute of the officer then held her hand out for the sealed, encoded, high-security pouch. “Have you been offered a warm drink, Lieutenant?”

  “Sir, yes, sir!”

  Thalassic refrained from smiling, protective of the young woman’s need to impress. “At ease, soldier. This shouldn’t take long.” She didn’t look up as she tapped in her code to release the seal on the envelope. “I’ll have a…”

  Her words petered out as she read the stark two lines of the communiqué.

  Lead Scarth vessel initiated verbal contact at 0200 hours, 23-03-2305.

  Voice identification of General Daiquiri Harmon verified at 100%.

  The Women of Steel saga continues in

  Women of Steel 3: Frozen Daiquiri

  Captured during the first incursion of the Scarth, General Daiquiri and her officers are transported to the Scarth home world where they are to be processed and prepared for breeding. Determined never to give up or give in, Daiq Harmon rallies her fellow captives and launches a revolt. Reprisal is swift and brutal. As the leader, Daiquiri is made an example. Given to the Scarth invasion commander as his sexual slave, she will fight her hardest and most intensive battles in his bed sands.

  Camille Anthony

  A California native, Camille Anthony now lives in the beautifully wild Low Country of South Carolina. A fertile imagination and a love of both Romance and Science Fiction fuel her writing. Her favorite stories are those of strong, honorable people -- whatever the race or planet of origin -- who are driven by love and lust to find and do that one special someone.

  Camille likes her heroines feisty, her heroes dominant and her passion red hot! She loves to hear from her readers. You can e-mail her at CamilleAnthony@CamilleAnthony.com. Your comments and suggestions are appreciated.