Favored by Felix Read online

  Casey forced something resembling a smile and fled into the privacy of the unit. While she waited for the cycle to complete, her mind jingled with random thoughts.

  The Mitchells were friendly, affectionate, wanted to spend time with her.

  No one, apart from Eva, had ever attempted to seek out her company. There were too many difficulties because of rank, because of her position, because of the general.

  The cycle finished and she went back to the main bedroom, realizing she’d forgotten to gather her underwear.

  “Wow, you have a gorgeous figure,” Scarlett said.

  Casey froze, aware of her nakedness and her body in a way that wasn’t familiar. She hurriedly held her dress in front of her.

  “Sorry. There I go embarrassing you again. You’re so slim, while I have these stupid curves.”

  Another argument given by the general. She lacked the strength of a man, would never bulk up or be a top soldier because she was physically weak. The change would muscle her up, give her the necessary might.

  “Thank you.”

  Scarlett grinned. “You need to show me where you shop. When I heard you were military, I worried a little. I didn’t think you’d make a good match for Felix, but now I see you’re perfect.” She must have caught something in Casey’s expression because her grin widened. “Don’t mind me. My brothers tell me I talk too much. They say if I left my computers and technology alone more often and found real people to talk to, I wouldn’t feel the need to run off my mouth. I say pooh to them.”

  Affection—pure and simple—colored the complaint.

  “Hurry up and get dressed. I’m starving, and I can smell Ma’s cinnamon buns. They’re my favorite, even though they go straight to my ass and hips. Luckily, I have a fast metabolism.”

  Casey donned her underwear, a pair of skimpy panties and a matching bra her aunt had purchased for her as a gift. She sniffed and couldn’t smell a thing. “I can’t smell anything.”

  “No, you wouldn’t. My brothers and I have exceptional scent detection.” Scarlett grinned—wide and bright. “It’s a family trait.”

  Casey slid the dress over her head and pulled the stretchy material into place. It hugged her body and made her feel ultra-feminine—the reason she’d chosen the fabric and made this particular design.

  “Gorgeous,” Scarlett said. “Shoes?”

  Casey found a comfortable pair of shoes and set the design button on the side to the color gold. As she slipped her feet into the shoes, they turned a shade that complemented her dress.

  Scarlett’s eyes widened. “Get out of town!”

  “Pardon?”

  “Your shoes. Where did you get them? Do they turn any color you want? Are they expensive? I want some.”

  “My aunt designs them, and I can change them to any color within their chosen color palette,” Casey said. “She has a shop on Dalcon.”

  “I’ll start saving,” Scarlett muttered, almost to herself. “Let’s go. Ma has put the coffee on.”

  Casey followed Scarlett from Felix’s rooms, out into the bright solar shine.

  “Ah, good timing,” Anna Mitchell said as they entered her suite. “I’ve just pulled the cinnamon buns from the hot cube.”

  “I know,” Scarlett said. “Ma, you have to check out Casey’s shoes. Her aunt designed them. They have this little button. Show Ma, Casey. Change them.”

  “Don’t order her around, Scarlett,” Anna said. “Good morning, dear. Did you sleep well? You’re looking more rested. What a beautiful dress. It suits your coloring to perfection.”

  “You never told me where you purchased it,” Scarlett said.

  “I made it,” Casey said, the bombardment of conversation almost too much for her to handle. Eva wasn’t like this.

  Anna and Scarlett both stared at her, exchanged a look, then studied her again.

  “You made it?” Scarlett asked. “What about your other clothes?”

  “I made them too. Mostly I wear my uniform, so I don’t get to wear them very often.”

  “Oh my god, Ma. She made them and her aunt designed the shoes. Show her, Casey. Will they go bronze or silver?”

  Casey changed the dial and her shoes shifted to bronze and silver stripes.

  Scarlett clapped her hands together. “How much are they?”

  “Does your aunt live on Dalcon, dear?”

  Casey nodded and took a seat at a table when Anna gestured for her to do so.

  “Has she ever considered moving?” Anna asked while busying herself with pouring cups of coffee.

  “She says she stays on Dalcon because that’s where I’m based.” A tight sensation wrapped around her chest, making Casey focus on breathing, strain for air.

  Scarlett and Anna exchanged a glance and seemed to silently communicate, because Anna gave a brief nod.

  “That’s nice, dear,” Anna said. “Have one of my cinnamon buns while they’re hot.”

  “Before Felix and the twins arrive. They’ll be able to smell them,” Scarlett said and slid one on her plate.

  “Scarlett and I are considering opening a boutique here at the resort—a new service for our guests. We thought we’d sell clothes, shoes and perhaps jewelry. What do you think?”

  They were asking her? Why?

  Both women waited patiently and the silence lengthened. Casey bit into her cinnamon bun to cover her confusion.

  “I don’t suppose we could talk your aunt into visiting?” Anna asked finally. “We could send her a com right now and invite her. Have you seen her recently?”

  Casey shook her head. She seemed to be doing a lot of that with the Mitchells. She swallowed the cinnamon bun. It was delicious. Light and buttery and tasting of fragrant spices. “No, I haven’t seen her in person since my last leave.”

  “That’s settled then. We’ll invite her for a visit and see if we can entice her to set up a shop here at the resort.” She whipped out her com-circle. “What is her frequency, dear?”

  Casey told her, bemused by the woman’s take-charge manner. In her own way, she’d make a good match for the general, except Casey got the sense that if she objected, the woman would back off.

  The door burst open and Felix and the twins spilled in, followed by another man—the pretty one she’d seen the day before—who appeared enough like the others to make Casey suspect this was another sibling.

  The men grabbed cups and plates and joined them around the table. Felix slid in beside her and gave her a quick kiss that sent warmth flooding through her and brought more wonder. This family was like nothing she’d ever experienced before. The brother she hadn’t met started a heated discussion with one of the twins—she thought it was Joe. Anna had one ear covered and had her com-circle pressed to the other. She was busy talking.

  Scarlett was in a hushed conversation with the other twin. The situation should have brought discomfort, embarrassment at witnessing such intimate and unruly behavior. The general liked to enjoy his meals in silence. Not that her proper mother would ever make loud conversation—not like the Mitchells.

  “Is it always like this?”

  “Sometimes worse,” Felix said. “My oldest brother isn’t here, and sometimes our cousins or friends drop around to visit. You look beautiful.” He skimmed his fingers over her collarbone and she felt his touch clear to her toes. Places in between began to hum.

  “She’s coming,” Anna said. “Leo, will you take the shuttle to Dalcon to pick up Elsa Torrens? Casey’s aunt.”

  “Is that a good idea, Ma?” Leo asked with a swift glance at Felix. “And you couldn’t have decided this yesterday so I didn’t need to make another trip?”

  “It’s a brilliant idea,” Anna said, unperturbed by her son’s disapproval. “Family is important.”

  “It’s the roots that hold us together,” the siblings chanted as one.

  “It’s good to know you listen to me when I’m working on our genealogy,” she said serenely, and smiled in Casey’s direction. “We have some old
family diaries, written by an ancestor centuries ago. They’re fascinating.”

  “So fascinating, she named us after our long-ago ancestors,” Felix told Casey.

  A pang of longing struck at the heart of Casey. They were lucky to have each other, to have the knowledge of their past and be able to take comfort from their ancestors. So blessed. They had no idea. Maybe that was why she and Eva got on so well together. They understood loneliness.

  “Now, Casey. I don’t suppose you have a sketchbook of your designs here? If your dress is any indication of your talent, then we want to sell your designs at our store,” Anna said in her managing way.

  “I saw a sketchpad when I moved your stuff. Can I go and get it?” Scarlett piped up.

  Casey shivered, and Felix looked at her in concern.

  “Ma, Casey needs to rest.”

  “No. I mean, yes. It’s okay to get my sketchpad.”

  Scarlett leapt to her feet and disappeared before anyone said another word. She sure moved fast.

  “Your parents must be very proud of you,” Anna said. “I’m surprised you went into the military when you have such an obvious aptitude for design. Have another cinnamon bun, dear. If you don’t take one now, my boys will demolish them all before you get a chance.”

  Casey stared at her, was aware she’d stiffened and that Felix was frowning at her in concern. But her mind wouldn’t go past Anna’s words.

  Her parents must be proud of her. Military instead of design.

  Only Aunt Elsa had ever suggested she follow her talent—her heart—instead of doing what was expected of her by the general.

  “One more solar day before I’m scheduled to return to duty,” she said to Felix.

  “Stay longer,” Scarlett urged, returning to the table. “I can sew a little. Design something for me.”

  More of that warmth whooshed through Casey, heating her body and spirit.

  “Me, me, me,” one of the twins scolded. “That’s all you ever think about.”

  “Not true,” Scarlett retorted. “I’ve spent the last few months researching—” She broke off with a quick glance at Casey. “Never mind,” she said hurriedly. “My point is, it’s about time you guys let me do something for myself.”

  “Scarlett is right,” Anna said. “I think it will help.”

  The conversation confused Casey, and she gave up listening to apply herself to eating her second cinnamon bun. Delicious. She licked her fingers to make sure she got all the sugar and spices sticking to them.

  “Keep that up and I’m dragging you to my suite and tying you to my bed.”

  Casey froze, felt her eyes widen and heat steal into her face. She grabbed her coffee and took a sip of the strong beverage. Maybe the liquid would supply the jolt she required to restore her balance.

  Felix chuckled, and his siblings grinned and fell quiet, making her and Felix the center of attention.

  “Casey and I are going for a walk,” he announced. “We’ll be checking the perimeter, if anyone needs us.”

  “Your aunt will arrive later this afternoon. I’ll send for you when she arrives. We’ll have afternoon tea here in my suite, just us girls. Son, you must—”

  “I know, Ma,” Felix said. “Don’t worry. I have everything under control.”

  Felix hustled her out the door, his arm slung around her shoulders. She’d noticed he liked to touch her, and she’d come to enjoy his casual affection. If she ever—

  No. There would be no family for her, no children because the transformation would leave her sterile. Most gender-changers couldn’t sire offspring, and she’d end up the same way. Some of the happiness that had bloomed in her since waking seeped away.

  “I thought we’d walk the perimeter and double-check the compound fences,” Felix said, guiding her to the right and along a gravel path. Crimson flowers covered pale-blue bushes, the flowers cheerful and bright. When they turned, green and gold plants with apricot-colored flowers bordered the path. In the distance, she heard the rush of the waves, caught the briny scent of the jade sea.

  “And the other reason I suggested you come with me…” He swirled her around a corner and into the shadows cast by a copse of tall trees. “I wanted to kiss you good morning. A proper kiss.”

  He suited actions to words, pressing her against the rough amber bark of a tree trunk and trapping her there. His mouth hit hers, crushing them together with heat and urgency. He made a rough sound deep in his chest and stroked his tongue across the seam of her lips. She opened to him, and he immediately took advantage, the kiss becoming ravenous. Determined.

  And she loved every moment.

  She gripped his shoulders and hung on, participating in the dueling of tongues, stoking the passion between them.

  “Fuck,” he muttered when he lifted his head. His eyes gleamed, the pupils glowing in a strange manner. They…

  They had elongated.

  “I have to take you.” He slid his hand down her hip and stole under the short skirt of her dress. “Panties?”

  The surprise in his voice brought a choked laugh. “I couldn’t visit your mother and not wear panties. That’s all kinds of wrong. Scarlett would have known, for one.”

  “We’ll take care of that.” He grasped one side of them, gave a jerk and her panties came away in his hand. “I’ll buy you more—if I must.”

  “Please,” she said, not sure what else to say since everything with Felix seemed out of her normal realm.

  As he spoke, he worked the opening of his trews and pulled out his cock. His hand went between her legs. “You’re not wet enough, sweetheart. Not for what I have in mind.”

  Before she could comment, he sank to his knees in front of her. He gripped her hips, silently encouraged her to widen her stance and gave her a firm lick. A sensual jolt struck, along with amazement at the rasp of his tongue. Talented tongue, she thought, half dazed at the suddenness of the event. Felix wanted her enough that he’d risk others seeing them, catching them unawares. Her stomach roiled but it was in a good way, with excitement and acute anticipation as he licked and sucked her flesh.

  An ache sprang up in her pussy and a tremor swept the length of her body. She grasped his shoulders for balance because her legs seemed to lose their strength and wobbled in a non-military manner.

  He lifted his mouth away from her heated flesh, and she let out a groan of disappointment. He laughed, the sound pleased and joyful, and grinned up at her in a rakish way that trapped her breath in her lungs. Her juices shone around his mouth, and as she watched, he licked his lips, his wicked smile widening.

  “You taste delicious.”

  He stood and closed the distance between them, backing her against the tree trunk again. His steely cock told her where his mind was headed, and she liked the direction of his thoughts. Memories to hoard, at least until—

  No, she refused to think of the future.

  The present—that was where she should dwell.

  A sharp tap on her chin jerked her securely to the now.

  “Where do you go? I’ve noticed before. You zone out. You don’t have to suffer my touch,” Felix snapped. “Not if I bother you so much you need to send your mind elsewhere.”

  “No.” She couldn’t let him think such a thing. “No, it’s not that. I have…a problem,” she said in a rush. “My mind keeps circling it, no matter how much I wish it away.”

  “Tell me.”

  “I can’t.” She closed her eyes, her heart singed by the caring in his expression. “I—I can’t.”

  “Okay, sweetheart.” He brushed his fingers across her cheek. “I’ll just have to fuck you so good and hard your mind turns to mush, and then we’ll walk around the compound and work on tiring you out until you’re exhausted so you’ll sleep tonight.”

  “I’m departing soon.”

  His hands tensed on her body. “I don’t want you to leave.”

  “I have to report for…d-duty. It’s my job.”

  “But you don’t like your j
ob. It makes you unhappy.”

  Casey felt her mouth drop open. How…she’d never said anything, done anything to indicate otherwise. Most people didn’t see through her perfect military posture and behavior to the woman beneath. “It’s my duty.”

  “We’ll see,” he said and kissed her hard, demanding a response from her. His hands crawled beneath her dress to cup her bare bottom. Then he was lifting her, filling her with his hardness, curling her legs around his hips and pressing her against the tree.

  She clung to him, let him do all the work because he did it so well. He made her soar, the pleasure growing from a spark and swelling with each decisive thrust of his cock. The pulse at her throat beat a wild tattoo and her heart raced as he bent to increase his assault on her senses with a hot and demanding kiss.

  Sensations spiraled down, took flight, and then she was soaring, internal muscles clamping around his cock. She gasped, cried out while clinging to his masculine contours. He groaned against her mouth, pistoned his hips to shove deep and stopped moving, the hard ridge of his cock filling her to capacity.

  Pleasure was still coursing through her body when he lifted her off him and set her on her feet. He crushed her to his body in a fierce hug.

  “That’s a much better way to start the day.” He rearranged himself and refastened his trousers.

  She stood there, chest rising and falling rapidly, still quivering internally. Wow. Incredible. She was never aware of her body in this way. Her flesh tingled and her breasts throbbed with heaviness while her backside still ached from the spanking the other day.

  “Hey,” he said in a quiet voice. He tugged down her dress and smoothed the bodice back in place. “Turn around. You’ll have bits of bark clinging to your dress.”

  She turned as instructed, shivered again when he ran his hand down her back and over her buttocks.

  “We’ll stop by the restrooms so you can do a quick cleanup.”

  She gave a startled nod, not used to men referring to feminine issues. Another reason the general had put forward as argument for his plan. Male equals no messy problems. A win-win situation for all concerned.

  Felix took her hand and threaded their fingers together before leading her toward the beach and the restroom and changing sheds.