CodenameAutumn Read Online Free Page A

their fingers and pinned her hands to the bed as he
pushed his cock deep inside her. His hair created a curtain around them, then
pooled on their hands, the silky strands caressing her fingers.
    The image was certainly tempting, but how did she make it
happen?

Chapter Three
     
    Silencing Brant’s attaché with a scathing glare, Ra’jen
threw open the office door and strode inside. “If you ever countermand my
orders again I will—”
    “You’ll what?” Ulrick Brant minimized the holographic image
suspended above his desk. “My position is equal to yours, and the Gathosians
need us both, so stop snarling at me.”
    “That doesn’t excuse your flagrant disregard for my
policies.” Like all Valtorians, Brant was a study in contrasts. His hair was
rich amber, while his eyes were so dark it was impossible to distinguish
between the pupils and irises. He appeared suave and sophisticated in his
custom business suit, yet danger rippled beneath the professional façade. When
provoked, Valtorians became savage and ruthless.
    “You weren’t expected back until Monday.” Brant accentuated
the point with a casual shrug, and Ra’jen balled his hands into fists.
    “Again, that’s no excuse. My men know ambassadors are not
allowed on base. The rules apply whether I’m there to supervise or not.”
    “Our men work damn hard and deserved a reward.”
    The way Brant stressed the word “our” caused Ra’jen’s hands
to clench even tighter. “I do not disagree with the concept. I am frustrated by
the execution.”
    “Belietta already had a large party booked at the embassy.”
    “Then you should have waited for her next available
opening.”
    “It’s ridiculous for you to be this angry about such a small
detail.”
    Brant’s lackadaisical attitude often clashed with Ra’jen’s
regimented concept of life, but Brant was right about one thing. This argument
was pointless. “If the fuck-fest was no big deal, why didn’t you hold it in one
of your conference rooms?”
    “Did they trash the place and smash the furniture? Why are
you so pissed off?”
    “I expect my orders to be followed. When the men are on
base, they are under my authority. What they do when they are under your
command is between them and you.”
    “I get it.” He folded his hands on his desktop, looking
anything but contrite. “Sorry I stepped on your toes. It won’t happen again.”
    Knowing that was as close as they were likely to come to
consensus, Ra’jen nodded and left Brant’s office. The Gathosian power structure
was ineffective and frustrating, but they didn’t ask his input on how to
organize the Protectorate. The civilian division was supposed to balance the
aggression of the military division, and the military division was designed to
curtail the bureaucracy of the civilians. More often than not, having two equal
departments simply created internal conflict and distracted from the ultimate
goals.
    The night was cool and cloudy. He walked across the
greenbelt separating the civilian section of the complex from the military,
savoring the brisk breeze on his face. Autumn was waiting for him. Was she
still asleep in his bed, or was she pawing through his possessions? She hadn’t
been imprinted, so she wouldn’t be able to activate the access terminal.
    Security to General Noirte. The com-implant embedded
behind his right ear vibrated subtly and then his brain translated the silent
signal, recreating the voice inside his mind.
    Noirte here, go ahead.
    We detected a transmission emanating from your quarters.
The content might interest you.
    Each time he left his quarters continual surveillance was
triggered. Who had the lovely little ambassador contacted? Patch it through .
    Copy.
    Autumn’s conversation with the women at the embassy played
inside his mind. He was annoyed at first, then angered by their cavalier
attitude. Unless he’d completely misjudged her, Autumn lacked the deceitful
nature of a true seductress. They’d set