Free Captive by Trista Ann Michaels Page A

snorted. “You can't be serious.”

    Sidious chuckled, and she felt the vibrations against her breasts, making them tingle.
    “God,” she groaned in exasperation. “You're killing me. Everything you do just…”
    “Now you know how I feel,” he murmured.
    He twisted his hips in an enticing little circle against her clit that made her draw in a sharp breath of air.
    “And your little feisty attitude just makes it worse…makes me want you all the more.”
    “Then from now on I'll be nothing but sweetness and light.”
    “The hell you will,” he said, his lips lifting into a devilish grin. “I won't allow it.”

    * * * * *
    The next morning, Sidious's thoughts were still on Mikayla as he walked into Rigora's office. He didn't think he'd gotten more than two hours sleep last night, if that. He couldn't keep his hands off her, and the way she responded to him only made him all the more hungry for her the next time. He couldn't get enough, and that was not a good thing.
    Forcing his thoughts away from the feisty human he'd left sleeping in his bed, he faced Rigora. He hated being in this man's presence, but he couldn't avoid it. Carlone had called on his communicator and said Rigora wanted to see him.
    He stopped in front of the prime minister's desk and placed his hands behind his back. “You wanted to see me?”
    “How is the invasion going, Captain?” Rigora asked. His eyes remained on the paperwork in front of him.
    “Everything is on schedule.”
    “How long do you expect this to take? I need to start appointing the monarchies for this planet so that they can be in place as soon as the invasion is over.” Sidious swallowed the disgust he felt for the man and went on to tell him, “The population is larger than any we ' ve encountered. We're not only fighting the military, but the millions of civilians as well.”
    Cold, ice blue eyes stared up at him and frowned. “Are you saying that you think we might lose?” he asked as though he couldn't believe such a notion.
    “No, I am saying that it may take us longer than expected.” Rigora sighed and nodded his head. “It will take as long as it will take, but I want you to do everything you can to speed this up. I'm counting on you to get this done quickly.”
    “Yes, sir.” He bowed slightly and then turned to leave the room.

    Once in the hallway, he hit the wall in disgust. Instead of going to his office, he decided he needed to let off some steam. He headed to the training facility, where he could take his anger out on the punching bag, envisioning Rigora ' s head.
    * * * * *
    After an hour of searching the ship, Stefan finally found his brother. Standing back, he watched him beat the hell out of the punching bag hanging in front of him. He looked so tired and had aged so much. They really needed to end this soon.
    Ten years undercover as a spy was really beginning to take its toll on Sidious. It was taking its toll on all of them.
    “So,” Stefan said. “I understand from Agnus that you have finally met your match in a female.”
    Stopping his assault on the bag, Sidious turned and stared at him.
    Stefan was just as tall as Sidious, with the same white hair and gray eyes, but was less beefy in musculature. He didn ' t spend nearly as much time in the gym as Sidious.
    Stefan knew that lately his brother had been in the gym quite a bit trying to find an outlet for some of the anger and aggravation he felt.
    “Agnus talks too much,” Sidious replied before turning his attention back to the bag.
    Stefan grinned. “That he does, although he means well. Word has already spread to Tilarus. Mother has picked a summer date for the nuptials.” Sidious narrowed his darkening eyes. “You are a vigic , do you know that?”
    “Of course.” He shrugged. “Isn ' t that what older brothers are for? Since when do you have such an interest in Agnus's barmaids, anyway?” Sidious raised an eyebrow. “Since when do you think it is any of your