Stealing Coal Read online

  His hold on her tightened. “Answer me.”

  “The captain’s quarters are straight ahead. I converted the other three rooms for the droids to use to recharge.”

  Coal stopped when he carried her into her room and seemed to study the space. The silence between them became so absolute that she heard every breath he took. He moved suddenly and Jill cried out when he bent without warning, released her, and she found herself flung onto her back on top of her bedding. She stared up at the cyborg, who looked huge and terrifying.

  “You’re my prisoner now. Don’t move while I find something to restrain you. If you fight I will harm you.” His eyelids narrowed dangerously. “Do you understand me?”

  She could only nod. Without weapons she stood no chance of winning a fight between them.

  “Good.” He took a deep breath. “I’ve never been on this side of things but as someone who has spent a lot of time being a captive, I give you my word, I won’t abuse you.” To her shock the cyborg suddenly laughed, his dark eyes seeming to twinkle. “I admit I enjoy being the one in control for the first time.”

  Chapter Four

  Jill struggled against the leggings that held her wrists to the headboard but they had no give in them. Frustration and fear were two emotions she had grown accustomed to in the past few hours since Coal had tied her and left her alone in the room.

  The doors opened and the cyborg entered her quarters. He had located a pair of pants that were a little small judging by the snug way they stretched across his hips and thighs, the material enhancing his muscular his legs. His chest remained bare. He paused at the end of her bed. He’d shaved his head, the stubble that had begun to show was now just a memory.

  “The freighter isn’t following us and I doubt it will be able to travel for a very long time.”

  “Good.” The last thing she needed would be another run-in with them. “What are you going to do with me and my droids?”

  He cocked his head slightly, watching her for a long moment. “I’ve set a course to take us to the last location where I know my people’s ships were. I don’t want to risk communications. We are closer to Earth than I wish and the probability is high that they might overhear my transmission.”

  Cyborgs had ships, which meant there were more of them. She digested that information. “What are you going to do with us if you find your friends?”

  “I’ll release you and your shuttle.”

  Relief swept through her. “Thank you.” She wanted to believe him but part of her remained leery. “Do you promise?”

  “I’ll tell you what you told me. You’re my prisoner, I am in control, and I have no reason to give you false hope. I could do anything to you that I wish but I don’t want to harm you.”

  “I didn’t say it that coldly.”

  An eyebrow arched. “I am not you.”

  “How are my droids?”

  “Fine.” He paused, his features relaxing. “You have a lot of spare parts stored in your cargo hold. Why didn’t you fix them? Most of the supplies are there if you’d only inventoried what you possessed.”

  “I don’t know how. I had to teach myself to pilot and I did replace their damaged eye sensors. I just couldn’t find matching ones. They aren’t blind. I’m kind of proud of that.”

  “I wouldn’t be. You did a bad job. The color is adjustable. They have fully functioning vision now, matching colored lenses, and no more short circuits.”

  She relaxed. “You really fixed them?”

  “I enjoy working while I think.”

  “Thank you.” She meant it, knowing he hadn’t had to do it.

  He shrugged. “It needed to be done. Your entire shuttle is in bad shape. It will take us days to reach our destination and in the meantime I have made a list of repairs to tackle.”

  “Really?” A rush of appreciation filled her. “Thank you. That’s so nice.”

  His posture straightened even more. “You saved my life and didn’t mistreat me. I checked your computer logs and you were headed for Hixton Station just the way you stated. I also talked with the droids while I worked on them. You had no reason to deceive them and they were certain you meant to release me upon arrival. They state that you are honest and do not tell them lies. I decided, after reviewing the facts, that you need to be rewarded. You admitted to losing a financial opportunity by removing me from the freighter. While I don’t have money to pay you, I do have expertise.” He paused. “I’ve decided to repair your ship, your droids, and you.”

  She felt gratitude right up until that last word. “Me? I’m not hurt.”

  “You’re afraid of males and believe sex is one-sided. That’s a flaw on your part. Your male harmed you.”

  “My ex-male and I’m fine. I don’t want to hear a lecture on it again. I also don’t want to date anyone in the future. It’s not a defect if it’s not a problem.”

  “I am not going to talk to you.” He reached for the front of his pants. “I am going to show you pleasure.”

  Jill gaped at him, her mind trying to make sense of his words while dread rolled through her. Coal tore open his pants to reveal―

  Her gaze jerked upward and she locked her full attention on his face, refusing to glance down at the dusky, hairless skin he’d revealed under his navel. “You’re not wearing underwear.”

  “I was fortunate to find pants that barely fit. The males who discarded the clothing I found were much smaller than I.” He bent, stepping out of the pants. “Do not fear me.”

  “Stop,” Jill ordered. “I’m not flawed or damaged. Put the pants back on.” Her gaze nearly strayed downward to his groin area when he straightened, knowing he stood there naked, but she kept her gaze locked with his by sheer force alone, ignoring her curiosity. “I don’t want fixed.”

  “I reviewed your medical history. You told the truth when you stated Arm is a medic model as well as a defensive android and he has detailed scans on you.” Coal put a knee on the mattress, the bed dipping from his weight near Jill’s feet. “I calculated your cycles and now is a safe time for you to have intercourse.”

  “What?” She gasped.

  “You’re not ovulating.” Coal paused, frowning at her. “I don’t wish to impregnate you. I am a unique cyborg by having active, healthy sperm. It’s why female cyborgs forced me into being a breeder while they kept me in captivity.”

  “I don’t want you to touch me. I don’t want to have sex with you. Just stay back, Coal.”

  He watched her silently for long moments before he spoke. “I don’t see fear. You appear angry.”

  “You’re threatening to force sex on me, the thing you feared I’d do to you. I am angry. I didn’t hurt you and molesting me would just be wrong.”

  “I won’t harm you.”

  Jill snorted. “Sure. Right. Put your pants on. I don’t want this.”

  “You honestly believe intercourse is painful.”

  “It is.” Fear inched up her spine but she tried to mask her emotions and not show it. Her ex-husband had gotten more turned on when he knew he’d terrified her. “Please don’t touch me, Coal. I saved your life.”

  “We’ll start with the basics.” He hesitated. “Don’t fight me.”

  Jill jerked up her legs to her chest and kicked out with both feet together, aiming for Coal’s wide chest. Her boots never made contact. Large, strong hands grabbed her ankles instead and took the force, slowing her momentum until he held her legs immobile inches from his body. His frown deepened.

  “I ordered you not to fight me.”

  “Go fuck yourself if you want to get laid.”

  His eyes narrowed as he stared down at her. “This isn’t about my pleasure, it’s about yours.”

  “Then put your pants back on. That would make me real happy.”

  He sighed, blowing out a deep breath. “Relax.”

  “Leave me alone.”

  “You’re making things more difficult.”

  “I saved your life. I didn’t have to st