Hybrid: Dox
Ruth D. Kerce

All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2010 Ruth D. Kerce

ISBN: 978-1-60521-498-6
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Editor: Chrissie Henderson
Cover Artist: Bryan Keller

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Hybrid: Dox

Ruth D. Kerce

In this relationship, he’s the fox. Literally.

Dox -- part fox, part dog, part sexy man -- is a Hybrid, a shapeshifter, a quasi-human. And an engineer in the International Pod Program. Dox does what feels good, in bed and out, with no excuses or apologies.

Dr. Gabriella Matson, his mission boss, is a communications specialist and all woman. She loves Dox’s sexual wildness, for he serves all her erotic needs.

When space debris threatens their pod, they must work together to survive. They’ve formed a strong bond and know that only their love and trust will save them.

Chapter One

Dox thrust into Gabriella’s pussy from behind. “Ah, yeah!” He groaned at the incredibly tight fit. His cock felt close to bursting.

They stood in the sexual entertainment sector of a galactic space station. His arm slid around her waist, holding her firmly as men and women lined up to taste her tits and pussy. “You ready?” he whispered in her ear as he fucked her slowly.

“Oh, yes. Please!”

Their embrace was transmitted to the station’s ceiling-high viewing screens. People stopped to watch, and a murmur started within the crowd. The first person in line was a woman. A gorgeous woman, built for sex. Dox knew that once he watched her lick Gabriella’s plump nipples and then slide down her body to lap at her clitoris, he’d come like crazy.

The female stepped forward, and Gabriella mewled. She obviously knew what was about to happen. Everything around them vibrated, and a sound echoed.

Dox cursed and pulled the holo-helmet off his head. The shrill screech made his stomach clench. A primary engine alarm. It had felt like something crashed into them. He jumped off the bed and raced out of his sleeping chamber.

* * *

At the sound of the alarm, Dr. Matson came running. She’d been in the control room when the space junk entered their sector and flew past. She peered into the cramped maintenance hole. “Dox! We’ve been hit by debris! The engines are overheating! The pod’s going to blow!” She saw his muscled arm among the machinery, but nothing more of him. He’d wedged himself between the fueling regenerators.

“Get to the escape module!” he shouted back at her. Urgency and determination laced his voice, followed by a few choice muffled words.

“Not without you!” The two of them had come up in this pod, and the two of them were going down.

Dox’s arm disappeared, and she saw a bit of bronze fluff appear close to the gray, tiled floor. He’d shapeshifted into his Hybrid form -- part dog, part fox. In his smaller shape, he’d be able to move more easily between the tightly-packed equipment, but his dexterity would be severely limited until he shifted back.

“You can’t fix it!”

The pod’s alarm blared. “Evacuate. All personnel evacuate. Explosion is imminent.” The computerized female voice repeated the message in a loud, continuous monotone.

She heard a pop and sparks flew from a control panel beside her head. “Oh!” She jerked back, raising her arm to protect her face. Before all power failed, she rushed over to a second panel and activated the escape module, which once online operated off an independent power source. “Get out of there, Dox! That’s an order!”

Now was not the time for heroics. Damn Hybrids thought they were invincible. The Hybrid Project -- a scientific experiment involving accelerated evolution to create a new species of quasi-humans -- had turned out to be one of mankind’s greatest successes. And her greatest frustration since joining the International Pod Program.

The second generation Hybrids were exceptionally arrogant, in her opinion. At least the males. Female scientists in the program had to be excessively strong-willed to handle a male Hybrid match.

The alarm shut off and the unexpected silence threw her off balance. She looked up at the information panels. “Now what?” she whispered. The screens flickered, and she held her breath, expecting the worst.

“Explosion averted,” the computerized voice announced. “Engines are stable.”

As the readings returned to normal, she released a stress-filled sigh. “Thank goodness.” Her relief was so great that she had to work hard to keep her legs from buckling. She’d thought for sure they were dead. She took the escape module offline, not wanting to waste its power in case they needed it later. “Dox?”

Suddenly, he stood in front of her. All six feet of muscled man. His brown hair, with streaks of bronze, looked ruffled and sexy. A smile graced his face, showing his dimples and straight white teeth to perfection. “I knew I could do it.” His light brown eyes flashed at her. “That was close.”

Her relief turned to frustration. She pointed a finger at him. “You disobeyed a direct order.”

“Yeah. And?”

His response struck her speechless. But only for a heartbeat. Then she felt her temper boil. “Damn it, Dox!”

He chuckled and grabbed her around the waist. “Lighten up, Gabriella.” He twirled her around until she finally relaxed and smiled. “Everything worked out.”

“Okay, okay.” She patted his chest. “Put me down.” When he lowered her to the ground, sliding her down his muscular body, she felt his cock press against her stomach. Her smile faded. “Geez.”

“I can’t help it. We barely escaped a disaster. I’m wired.” He smacked her ass. “Let’s fuck off some energy.”

Sex was not a requirement in a Hybrid match, though a nice bonus if matched with someone not only emotionally compatible, but physically compatible as well. “Is that all you ever think about?”

“It’s pretty much always in my top three, yeah.” He nuzzled her neck.

Her resistance waned as sensation after sensation rippled down her body. “Unfair. You know that makes me tingle all over.”

“Yeah, I know,” he whispered.

She tried to think of anything but sex, which was hard to do when Dox decided to get physical. Hybrids had very strong sexual drives and needs, and came in many forms. All originated from human genes combined with a hybrid mammal species of some sort. Dox’s genetics consisted of human DNA combined with a cross between a domesticated dog and a feral fox. He retained a lot of wildness, even when in human form, and had proven hard to control at times. Still, she wouldn’t trade him for anyone else.

The official company explanation for Hybrids in space flashed through her mind. She’d heard it a thousand times, with little variation. A pod only held two to four people, depending on the model. Matching up humans who could withstand such conditions as well as each other in space had become a major problem. The solution? Each scientist was now accompanied by a carefully selected Hybrid match. The fact that a Hybrid could shift into animal form had proven to be calming for both species. As such, longer missions were possible.

“D-90-114, come in,” a voice crackled over the speakers.

Gabriella pulled away from her irrepressible pod partner. “Sorry. Duty calls.” She entered the control room and flipped a switch on the communication panel. “This is Dr. Matson.”

“A pod sweeper has cleared the particles from your area. Are you stable? Your data transmission beacon is damaged. We were reading an engine overheat, but presently we’re showing nothing.”

“We were hit by a piece of space debris, but we’re stable now. Additional repairs will be taken care of in flight. We should have the glitches ironed out and everything back online soon. Our receiver plates are still operational, so we’ll be able to continue our monitoring of space chatter.”

“Understood.”

Dox reached over and flipped off the switch. “Those repairs can wait. They’re not time essential. My problem is.” He grabbed her hand and tugged her into their sleeping chamber. “My cock’s about to explode.”

“Dox…”

He ripped open his pants and his penis sprang out -- long, thick and deep red. “Get on all fours.” His brown eyes darkened as he switched to serious, alpha-male mode.

Gabriella planted her hands on her hips. Though she was in full control of this mission -- monitoring space chatter for alien contact -- when it came to sex, Dox always took the lead. Dominant. Demanding. He knew how to satisfy a woman, so she had no problems submitting herself to his desires. Usually. “After the repairs.” They had their duties. And she took her responsibilities seriously.

“Now.” He aggressively stroked his cock. “You know I won’t be able to get anything productive done until I come. And a hand-job, even if I’m connected to the holo, isn’t going to be sufficient. I need real pussy.”

Frustration warred with need. Dox looked huge -- not that she hadn’t seen his cock before. After months together in space, they’d fucked every way possible. And some ways many would say were impossible. The sight of him, hard and ready, had always elicited a response in her. Now was no different. Maybe those repairs could wait for just a short while.

“All right.” She shucked her pristine white jumpsuit, along with everything underneath, and crawled up on the bed, feeling anything but pristine right now. Dox made her crave things she’d never even fantasized about with her previous lovers. Sexual excitement sent heat to every pore in her body. “Make it fast.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Dox smacked her bare ass.

She yelped and glanced over her shoulder. “You like doing that a little too much.”

“Damn right. And you love it when I do.” He followed her onto the mattress and curled his fingers around her hips. He dipped one hand between her legs. “Soaking wet. I knew you wanted it.”

“Don’t be an ass.”

“Who, me?” He plunged his cock into her pussy from behind.

“Ah!” What Dox lacked in social graces, he more than made up for in other ways. She felt every contour of his massive cock, and he knew how to use that thing like no other. Dox actually did have a soft side, which she had been lucky enough to see once or twice. Sharing any tender feelings seemed hard for him, though. She often wondered why. As he plunged into her fast and hard, she felt his cock changing, shifting. When she realized what he was doing, her heart leapt, then pounded furiously. “Dox --”

“You said to make it fast. This always gets you off like a rocket. Don’t try to deny it.”

He knew her too well, even though he’d only shapeshifted his cock while inside her a few times. She’d never admit to him the intensity of feeling it aroused in her, but she couldn’t hide her body’s reaction. “Ah!” Almost before he finished his partial shift, she screamed and came. The muscles of her pussy clenched his engorged cock. “Ah-ah! Yes!” She pushed back against him, driving him deeper.

“Oh, fuck!” He groaned and came hard, pumping into her. “Yeah, squeeze my cock. Ah!”

After several moments of pure pleasure, they both collapsed on the mattress. Gabriella stayed on her stomach, out of breath and unable to move. Dox didn’t miss a beat. He kissed her gently on the temple, then rolled off the bed. “Don’t get comfortable. We have work to do.”

“Work. Funny,” she mumbled into the bedding. Now he was all business. Other men slept like the dead after sex. Dox bounced off the walls. “Start without me.”

Chapter Two

Dox worked to fix the broken beacon. Ground control used the beacon to track and record all information that flowed through their databases. Though of utmost importance to the surface, that was the least of his worries up here at the moment. Something else was bothering him.

They’d been damn lucky today that he’d been able to stabilize the engines after they took a particle hit. An explosion would have split the pod wide open, and he still wasn’t comfortable that they were out of danger. Something felt off to him. He just couldn’t place the problem.

His thoughts drifted to Gabriella, and he smiled. She was the scientist in charge of this mission, a communications specialist, and no pushover. She could have left him up here when the trouble started, and her superiors probably would have supported the decision. She was the valuable one, and pod scientists had bailed before on their Hybrids. He’d read the reports.

He and Gabriella had developed a lot of trust between them in the last few months, though. He would put his life in her hands without hesitation, which said a lot. He didn’t trust many people.

Sexually, they were a perfect match. She seemed to crave him with an almost insatiable lust at times, when duty didn’t get in the way. He certainly craved her, all the time. Even in his holo-fantasies.

Her body was perfect -- long black hair, full breasts, wide hips, a very spankable ass, and the most delicious pussy he’d ever eaten. He often wondered if she might have some latent, Hybrid DNA in her system, for her physical tastes surprised him. As well as her tolerance. Not many human females could handle him. He was aggressive, said what he thought, and did what felt good in bed and out, with no excuses or apologies.

Gabriella had always stood her ground with him. He admired that about her and so much more.

A shimmy brought him out of his thoughts. “What the hell?” He moved to the information panels on the wall and studied the screens. All readings looked normal. He flipped an intercom switch. “Gabriella, did you feel that?”

After a moment, she answered. “Feel what?”

“I thought --” He shook his head. “Forget it.” He examined the readings again. Had he imagined the movement? If there were a problem, certainly the computer would register it. He strode into the control room and slid into his seat. After checking the system manually to satisfy himself that everything was indeed working properly, he placed the repaired beacon back online. It immediately connected to ground control and began transmitting data. He felt a light touch and started. “Shit.”

“Sorry.” Gabriella’s voice washed over him, and she squeezed his shoulders. “Good job with the beacon. That was fast.”

Rarely could anyone sneak up on him. Gabriella walked as if on air. He swore she was part cat or maybe butterfly. He smiled at the thought. Briefly, he covered one of her hands with his, then he returned to the keypad in front of him. “All I had to do was fix the alignment and replace some circuits. Anything new on tracking?”

“Some odd pulses popped up around one of Jupiter’s moons. I sent them to Kepler for analysis.”

Dr. Kepler headed up the alien communication section of the International Pod Program and was stationed on a base ship orbiting Mars at the moment. “You actually got a hit?”

“I don’t know what I got. Some sort of grid spike. It happened right before the debris struck us, apparently. Thank goodness the computer recorded it and no data was lost. It was something I haven’t seen since we began the mission.”

He glanced up at her. “For the first possible hit since we’ve been up here, you don’t sound overly excited about it.”

“After years of disappointment in this field, I’ve learned not to place too much importance on unusual readings. Besides, I’m thinking it’s too close. It probably came from one of our own spacecrafts, outputting unusual energy bursts. If it looks like an authentic hit, Kepler will let me know, and we’ll be assigned to follow up, I’m sure.”

She slid into the seat beside him, and they worked on updating the databases together. After a while, Gabriella left and brought back food. They ate in front of their screens as they continued to work.

Dox enjoyed working in companionable silence with Gabriella. She had proven to be a good boss. She never acted threatened by him, nor felt the need to bitch at him to exert her authority. Not that she didn’t have a temper. She just knew how and when to pick her battles.

He wasn’t nearly as controlled. Okay, so that was a gross understatement, if he were to admit the truth. More often than not, people said he acted and thought like some ancient barbarian. Maybe he did. But emotionally, that was a lot safer for him. And he didn’t intend to change. For anyone. He looked over at Gabriella, squirming as a multitude of unfamiliar feelings rushed over him.

“What is it?” she asked, not turning her head from the screen in front of her.

Her question took him by surprise. “Hmm? What?”

She finished her entry before looking at him. “I can always tell when you’re contemplating theory or trying to figure out something that’s bothering you.”

A small laugh escaped him. “Contemplating theory? I like that. It makes me sound smart.”

“You are smart.”

He smiled. She had a habit of giving him a lot more credit than he deserved. He couldn’t afford to feel too much for her in return, though. She was on the fast track to the top in the pod program. He was just one engineer among thousands. Their career paths would take them miles, maybe planets, apart once this mission ended. “All I’m trying to figure out is how to get you to come over here and suck my cock.”

“Liar.” She swiveled her chair toward him and slid off the seat to her knees. “But that does sound like fun.” She crawled across the floor to him and pushed his legs apart.

He unbuttoned his pants. “I love it when you’re all soft and submissive.”

She reached in wrapped her fingers around him, pulling out his penis. “Only during sex… and only for you.”

His heart clenched in his chest. Damn it! He didn’t like what was going on inside him. All these strange emotions made him feel vulnerable. He cleared his suddenly scratchy throat. “Just suck it.” He tangled his fingers in her hair. “And I want you to swallow when I come. Every fucking drop.”

“My pleasure.” Gabriella swirled her tongue around the head of his cock. When his fingers tightened, she lapped at the underside where the head met the shaft, drawing a low groan from him. She glanced up and smiled. “How about I get a really good taste?” She closed her lips over the tip and began to suck.

“Hell, you make me crazy.” He massaged her scalp. “Take the whole head in your mouth.” She slid down further, engulfing the head and even part of his thick shaft. She sucked softly. Lovingly almost.

He couldn’t handle that. Too much emotion was involved. He needed raw, rough sex. Physical gratification so great that nothing else mattered. “Suck it hard!” A growl escaped his throat, and his voice turned gravelly. His grip on her head tightened, and he repeatedly thrust his hips forward, fucking her mouth. “I want my come in your mouth and down your throat. Now!”

She sucked harder and lightly fingered his balls. “Oh, yeah. That’s better.” He felt the orgasm building inside him. “Faster. Oh! Ah! Yes!” His muscles tensed, his balls tightened, and in an instant, he came. “Ah-ah!” He held Gabriella’s head as blinding pleasure exploded inside him. “Swallow every bit of it!”

She took everything he gave her without protest. Even after he finally loosened his hold on her, she continued sucking lightly.

His body twitched. “Damn, Gabriella… You’re too fucking good.” He absently stroked her hair, trying hard not to feel anything beyond physical satisfaction. But deep down, he knew it was a losing battle.

Gradually, Gabriella pulled back, allowing his cock to slip from her mouth. “How about we move someplace more comfortable?”

Chapter Three

The taste of Dox’s come remained in Gabriella’s mouth as they undressed on opposite sides of the bed. She dimmed the lights and illuminated the rim around the side portal that displayed the vastness of space. The room turned quite romantic-looking, which pleased her greatly.

Dox seemed in an odd mood tonight. She’d ask what was bothering him, but she knew he wouldn’t say anything. He rarely discussed his feelings, other than sexual ones.

When she held out her hand, he rounded the bed and pulled her into his arms. He kissed her on the lips and plundered her mouth with his tongue until they were both breathless. He pulled back and looked down at her. When their gazes locked, he curled his fingers tightly around her wrists. He wasn’t in the mood for anything soft and slow tonight. She recognized the signs.

Dox’s animal side often emerged during sex. A primal need that couldn’t be bred out, she supposed. He always gauged her reaction when he felt this way, to make certain she was okay with it. “Do what you need to,” she said in a low voice. Rough sex was also how he avoided emotions he didn’t want to deal with. He’d told her that once, surprising her with the confession. She didn’t mind most of the time, for he had never hurt her, and she knew he never would.

His pupils dilated. With a look of pure lust, he picked her up and tossed her on the bed. “Your ass is mine.”

She let out a small squeal as she bounced on the mattress. Dox pulled some ties out of a drawer beside the bed. Without waiting for a response, he flipped her over on her stomach and tied her wrists to one of the steel posts at the head of the bed.

Gabriella’s heart pounded and her breathing hastened. She knew what he intended to do to her. She laid her head on the pillow and waited. Dox stood somewhere behind her, so she couldn’t see him, but she felt his heated stare.

Suddenly, his hand smacked down on her ass. She bit her bottom lip, not allowing the gasp she’d almost uttered to escape her mouth. Once she made any sound of distress, he would always stop. It was his way of ensuring that he didn’t go too far.

Dox smacked her a second time. A little harder. “You like being spanked. Don’t you?”

“Y-yes.”

He hesitated a moment. “Good.” He began slapping her ass repeatedly. Harder and faster, until she couldn’t hold back a moan and a whimper. He made a small grumbling sound, but immediately stopped.

Her pussy was wet and ready for him. Even so, she wanted more. And she knew he did too. “Don’t stop.” Her voice came out sounding husky with emotions, even to her own ears.

“Your ass is already red.”

“I don’t care. Don’t stop. Make it hurt.”

“Damn, Gabriella. You’re too fucking sexy for your own good.” He spanked her long and hard until she squealed. Even then, he simply hesitated, then slapped her ass one last time.

“Oh!”

“So fucking sexy.” He leaned over and gently kissed each cheek, brushing his tongue along her skin.

His tongue felt soothing, for her ass burned and tingled. She could hear his rapid breathing. It matched her own. Physical discomfort turned to intense sexual need inside her. “Fuck me. Please!”

“My very intention.” He eased her thighs apart and knelt between her legs. With a gentle touch, he rested his hands on her ass and spread her cheeks.

Gabriella felt his tongue as he dragged it along her crack. She jerked at the warm, moist sensation. “Dox…” He pushed his tongue into her asshole and began licking wildly. “Oh!” She’d expected his cock. She twisted and squirmed. That’s when she felt the partial shift. His tongue lengthened and widened. “O-oh!”

Dox slipped one hand beneath her and rubbed her clit roughly with the pad of his finger. She pulled at the ties holding her captive. “Ah, ah, ah…” Before she expected it, the orgasm shot through her body. “Dox!” she screamed at the intensity. “Yes!” The waves of ecstasy seemed to go on forever. He stayed with her, fucking her thoroughly until she’d spent all her energy and collapsed. Only then did she feel his tongue shift back and pull out of her.

Softly, he caressed her hips and butt. And then, he was gone. She turned her head and saw him enter their small, personal hygiene area. He sure knew how to give an orgasm. And he had the best-looking ass too. “Tight,” she whispered. She closed her eyes, completely drained.

The touch of a cool cloth made her jerk. “Oh…” She must have drifted off to sleep for a minute because she hadn’t heard Dox return. He silently cleaned her body and untied her. With a contented sigh, she rolled onto her back. Without a word, he disappeared into the hygiene area again for a bit, before strolling back into the room, a smile on his face. He stretched out next to her and reached over to touch her hand.

She turned her head to look at him. “What’s wrong?” She had expected him to come back, spread her legs and fuck her pussy like crazy.

“Nothing. Just letting you recover.”

She squeezed his hand, not certain if she believed him. But she wasn’t going to push. Silently, they lay there a while, looking out the portal. She enjoyed lying next to him.

“What are your plans after this mission?” he finally asked in a soft voice.

She shrugged. “I hadn’t much thought of it. A layoff, then another mission, I suppose. We can apply together. If you want.” She held her breath until he answered.

“Yeah, I’d like that.” He rolled onto his side and drew lazy circles along her stomach with his finger. “We’re good together, aren’t we?”

“Definitely.”

He nuzzled her neck, just the way she liked. She grazed his hip and butt cheek with her fingernails. “You want to come now?”

“Hell, yes.” Dox groaned and covered her body with his.

She wrapped her legs around him, as he slowly pushed his cock into her pussy. “Mmm.” She massaged the muscles in his back and arched up to meet his thrusts.

He fucked her slowly and deeply until she began undulating faster beneath him. “Fuck! You know what that does to me. And how I respond.”

“I know. Do it.”

His gaze locked with hers. “You crave my feral side a little too much. It makes me crazed.” He began thrusting into her with abandon.

“Yes! More! Show me!”

For leverage, he wrapped his fingers around the steel post at the head of the bed and thrust his hips wildly. “Like this?” He plunged his cock almost savagely into her pussy.

“Oh! Yes!”

“Fuck, Gabriella. You’re incredible!”

Gabriella screamed in pleasure. She’d never enjoyed hard, rough sex until he came along. Now, she craved it. She felt something special happening between them. Something life-altering. A fluttering teased her stomach, and the nerves throughout her body came alive.

Dox stiffened and climaxed. “Fuck! Ah!”

His groan of pleasure filled her ears and coaxed her body. “I’m coming again!” Multiple orgasms rolled through her. She sobbed and clung to Dox, and they both rode the waves of pleasure together until the ecstasy finally ebbed.

Gabriella felt tears slide down the side of her cheek. She quickly wiped them away, hoping Dox hadn’t noticed. He moved off her, saying nothing, and turned so he could cradle her in his arms. They drifted into a deep sleep, each left to solitary thoughts and dreams.

* * *

An alarm, along with the movement of the bed, jolted Dox awake. He immediately felt the pod shaking, and knew it was not his imagination.

“What the hell is that?” Gabriella asked as she jumped from the bed and pulled on her clothes.

“Feels like an external tear. That debris must have done more damage than we realized.” He dressed quickly and rushed into the control room behind her. The communication panel was buzzing. Lights flashed on all their screens.

“Dr. Matson,” Gabriella answered after flipping on the channel to their Earth base.

“This is control,” a man responded. “We’re registering a tear on the port side of your external H3 covering.”

“No shit,” Dox muttered. He had already called up the datamap on the computer.

“Get out of there,” ground control ordered. “The structure’s been compromised. The pod is sure to come apart.”

Dox punched a button. His stomach clenched. He looked over at Gabriella. “The escape module is showing no power.”

“Impossible.” She checked the readings. “It was in the green earlier. I know it was.”

“Control,” Dox spoke into the speaker. “Our escape module is inoperable. I’ll try to establish a temporary stabilization. But we’re going to need a transport to get us out of here.”

“Understood,” the ground controller responded. “We’ll see who is closest to you with rescue capabilities.”

He glanced over at Gabriella, and for the first time, he saw genuine fear on her face. “We’ll make it.”

She nodded and punched the alarm button, plunging them into silence. “The computer didn’t instruct us to evacuate. Are you sure we can’t repair in flight?”

“If the module’s power source is down, the computer won’t trigger the evacuation messages. It just transmits a distress signal.”

“What caused the module to shut down?”

“I don’t know. It might have taken a hit too. I’d have to run a full diagnostic via one of our peripheral ports to know specifics. It would take seventy-two hours just to get the results.” Dox changed a few control settings, hoping that would help.

The shaking of the pod slowly calmed to a slight vibration. Good. He exhaled a heavy breath. They still had a major problem, but at least he’d bought them some time. He tried to study the damage reports to see if there was anything more he could do, but the information panels kept flickering off on him. “Damn crappy equipment!”

“How long before rescue?” Gabriella asked ground control, staring at the speaker as if she could see the man on the other end.

“We’ve found a transport, and it’s headed your way, but it will be at least fourteen hours.”

She looked over at him. “Will we hold together that long?”

Dox shook his head. “I don’t know.” When he felt her hand on his arm, he looked up from the control panel. He covered her hand with his. “I don’t know,” he repeated in a soft voice. He wouldn’t lie to her. “I’ve done all I can.”

He stepped back from the computer. No further stabilization was possible. They were in fate’s hands now. When Gabriella stepped closer to him, he took her into his arms and held her tightly.

Chapter Four

Gabriella looked up at the ceiling in the darkened room. She and Dox had retired to their sleeping chamber a couple of hours ago, but she couldn’t sleep. The vibration of the pod had worsened again, and she wondered whether she’d ever get back to Earth, or if she was going to die out here in the coldness of space.

Dox reached over and touched her hand. He lightly stroked her skin. She turned her head toward him. “You’re awake,” she whispered, suddenly feeling not so alone.

He shifted onto his side to face her. “Someone will be here for us tomorrow.”

“Do you really believe we’re going to make it out okay?”

“Yeah, I do.”

She smiled slightly. He hadn’t even hesitated with his answer. “I don’t know if I believe you, but I’m glad you said so.”

He leaned over and lightly kissed her lips. When he licked at her mouth, she opened, and he slipped his tongue inside. She kissed him deeply, wanting nothing more than to forget about their situation right now. She curled her fingers into Dox’s chest hair and tugged.

With a groan, he rolled over onto her, and she spread her legs, welcoming him into her body. He slid his cock into her moist pussy, and he pushed in to the hilt. She broke their kiss and wrapped her arms and legs around him. If this were the end of her life, she couldn’t think of a better way to go.

Dox fucked her gently, taking his time, as if savoring the moments. While he moved his hips, slowly thrusting his cock into her pussy, he looked into her eyes. “You know I love you, right?”

She swallowed hard and her heart clenched. He’d actually said it. The deepest of feelings overcame her, and she couldn’t find her voice. She moved her body with his, matching his sexual rhythm. Once she got her emotions under control enough to speak, she said, “I love you too, Dox. More than I ever thought possible.”

With their gazes locked, their bodies tensed, they both came at the same time. They voiced their pleasure in a cadence of moans and sighs. Gabriella trembled. Her climax felt more tender and soul shattering than any she’d ever experienced.

She would never forget this night. With the man she loved. Tangled in each other’s arms, they relaxed and fell asleep.

* * *

Hours later, Dox stood beside the bed, staring down at Gabriella. He loved her. Somehow she’d broken through the hard shell he’d always kept in place around himself and his emotions. He’d even told her how he felt, which was something he never thought he’d tell a woman.

He’d resigned himself long ago to a life without emotional ties. He hadn’t wanted to experience the pain of loss if things fell apart. Now, in what could be his last hours, he saw that as the biggest mistake in his life and recognized all he’d missed.

He heard a small beep and turned to walk into the control room. Outside the main portal he saw a ship approaching. The rescue ship. He flipped on the communication’s channel. “This is Pod D-90-114 contacting approaching ship.”

“Transport T-96, here. Am I speaking to the commander?”

“I’m the engineer in charge of operations. What is our rescue status?”

“We’ve done an assessment. Your pod is too unstable for a ship-to-ship docking. We will also be unable to connect a transfer tube. Do you have spacesuits?”

“Yes.” With the possibility of the pod coming apart and sending debris into orbit, he had dreaded this moment.

“Prepare to take a stroll over to our outer hatch.”

“Copy.”

“Are they here?” a soft voice asked from behind him.

Dox turned. “We’ll need to spacewalk over.”

She nodded. “How’s the debris?”

“None detected right now. But we’ll need to be careful. Even a miniscule piece can pierce our suits. And this pod could break apart at any moment.”

“Understood.”

Gabriella followed him into the back where the suits and jet packs were stored. They geared-up, checking each other’s equipment for flaws. Before putting on their head gear, Dox softly kissed Gabriella. “See you in a bit.” He prayed his words were true. After engaging his oxygen and making sure hers was also working, he opened the outer hatch and peered into space.

He saw the hatch on the rescue ship open. This was it. He gave Gabriella a thumbs-up and nodded. She gave him a small smile in return and stepped out of the pod. She engaged her jet pack and started the slow journey across.

Dox had intended to wait until she was safely aboard the transport before he started out, but the shaking of the pod was getting too severe. If he were going to die, it would be in space, trying to escape, not trapped in this tin can.

Once Gabriella got halfway, he stepped out and closed the pod’s hatch, using the external controls. “Please hold together until we’re clear,” he said to the pod, knowing their fate if it didn’t.

He turned to follow Gabriella, however, he realized he wasn’t getting any closer. He punched the power on his jet pack. It seemed to be engaging, but the pressure was too low. He was drifting away from both ships. “Damn it.” This could not be happening. At that moment, something zipped by his head. “Shit.”

A voice filled his helmet. “This is transport. The pod is breaking apart. Hurry.”

He’d checked his pack, and so had Gabriella. The gauges had read normal. What more could go wrong? His heart pounded against his ribs. He studied his wrist controller, trying to figure out a quick fix. A bump caused his head to snap up.

Gabriella was at his side. “Need a haul?” Her soft voice filled his helmet.

He’d never been so happy -- and terrified -- to see anyone in his life. “Get to the transport! I’m useless. I’ll slow you down, and there’s no time. This area is going to be filled with debris in a few minutes.”

A voice sounded in both their helmets. “We need to switch to a new orbit. If you’re not aboard in ten minutes, we’re going to have to leave you.”

“Go!”

“I’m not going without you.” Gabriella grabbed his arm and engaged her pack.

With the added weight, it seemed an eternity before they reached the hatch, but they made it with two minutes to spare.

Inside the transport, Dox pulled off his helmet. “You shouldn’t have done that! You could have gotten yourself killed.”

“Well, I didn’t, and we’re safe.” When he started to say more, she interrupted him. “I don’t want to hear any macho shit about it. I outrank you, and I made a command decision.”

He stared at her a moment, not sure how to respond. Then a small smile tugged at his lips. He couldn’t help it. He so loved her spunk. “A command decision, huh?”

Chapter Five

Gabriella’s heart still hadn’t slowed. She and Dox had been given private quarters together aboard the transport, and they were preparing for bed, but she couldn’t get the image of Dox drifting away into space out of her head. She gave herself a mental shake and tried to concentrate on something less terrifying than losing the man she loved. “We’ve been re-assigned to Kepler’s research ship.”

Dox stopped in mid-reach. He turned to look at her as he set his clothes on a chair. “Really? Did you request that?”

“No. Our grid spike turned out to be something.” She slid into bed. The sheets felt soft and cool against her naked flesh. “We’ll find out the details after we get there.”

“They want both of us?” He walked over and lay down next to her.

“Ships always need good engineers.” Truthfully, when she’d been called aside to talk to Dr. Kepler on the transport’s communication channel, she’d told him that she wouldn’t come without Dox. Kepler had hesitated, but ultimately agreed. She knew Dox would be an asset to Kepler’s program, even if nobody else did.

“Kepler’s base ship is good-sized,” Dox replied. “It’ll be a nice change.”

Gabriella rolled toward the man beside her. She had to know for certain before she made any more decisions. Her heart pounded in expectation of their possible future. “Did you mean what you said back on the pod?”

He caressed her arm. “What did I say?”

If he tried to hedge or change the subject now, she’d be devastated. “I love you.”

“Yeah, I meant it,” he answered without hesitation. “Did you mean it?”

Her heart expanded as emotions crashed through her. “Yes, I meant it too.” Her future suddenly looked brighter than she had ever imagined. She’d been assigned to a dream job with her dream man. “We should get some sleep.” She kissed Dox lightly.

“I’m really not sleepy.” His hand glided down her side, then back up to cup one breast. He rubbed his thumb across her nipple. “Are you sleepy?”

“Um, not so much actually. Not anymore.”

Dox rolled her onto her back and licked at the hard bud. When he sucked it into his mouth, she sighed in contentment. She tangled her fingers in his hair. After a little encouragement from her moans, he began licking and biting the nipple, drawing a gasp from her. “Oh, that feels great. How about giving my pussy the same treatment?”

She spread her legs, and he slid down between her thighs. He sucked on her clit and then lapped at it. His tongue moved incredibly fast, and she came almost immediately. “Dox!” He gave her a moment’s reprieve, then began licking her again, concentrating on the sensitized clit. “Uh-oh…” Her back arched. He shoved two fingers inside her pussy and finger-fucked her hard. “Oh, yes! Make me come again.”

As her body began to explode, he latched onto her clitoris with his teeth, sending her into another realm of ecstasy. Pain and pleasure melded and became one. She screeched in awe of the passion between them, then finally collapsed, breathing heavily.

Dox kissed the inside of each of her thighs. “I love it when I make you scream.”

“Me too.”

“Everyone on board probably heard you.”

“I don’t care.” She was too in love. “Do you?”

“Hell, no. I think it’s sexy.”

Somehow she wasn’t surprised. She held out her arms to him. “Fuck me hard then. Let’s give them something to really listen to.”

“You want another go, already?”

“You’ve got me crazy for you. What can I say?”

He shifted his body and covered her. With a sexy smile, he pushed his cock into her pussy as deeply as he could. He fucked her slowly at first, then gradually moved faster until he was plunging into her hard. “Come on! Scream!”

Gabriella’s whole body felt alive with need. “Ah, yes! Harder!” Only Dox could make her this crazy with lust and passion. He fucked her wildly, fully shifting his cock inside her. “Ah-oh!” She loved the erotic feel of his Hybrid cock. Her body jerked with another climax, and she cried out, knowing everyone could hear her pleasure.

At the same time, he climaxed. “Gabriella! Yeah!” He pressed deep, spilling his come inside her.

After he was spent, Dox pulled out of her. As their eyelids grew heavy, he shifted the rest of his body into his Hybrid form. He curled up beside her, pressing his back into her stomach.

Gabriella stroked his silky fur. They were so perfect together. Perfect enough to last a lifetime.

Ruth D. Kerce

Ruth D. Kerce loves to write and has been writing since she won a fiction contest in school for best story in the class -- a romance, of course. She’s published erotic and non-erotic romances, but now strictly concentrates on the spicy stories.

Her first erotic romance was published in 2004. She writes in a variety of sub-genres of erotic romance -- contemporary, suspense, light BDSM, futuristic/sci-fi, paranormal, and more. Her books are available in both electronic and print formats.

Ruth loves fan mail, and you can reach her at RDKerce@aol.com or visit her on the web at either www.ruthkerce.com or www.myspace.com/ruthkerce or www.facebook.com/ruthdkerce.

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