Page 21 of Galaxy Games Four-Book Box Set (Galaxy Games)

21

Fact or Fiction?

T itan

I knew better than this. It was the last thing she told me, and I didn’t need to hear it in the first place. I knew we’d never get our rifle if I got hard. An erection means we’ll have to give the audience the show they’re paying lots of credits for, and we’ll lose our bid for the weapon.

I just couldn’t help myself. What is it about the little human that has made me lose my mind? I’ve only fucked females in the past, never made love, and certainly never worshipped at their feet before. But I want to worship at hers. She’s such a strong female. How could I not admire her?

It’s more than admiration. I’d be lying if I distilled it down to that. And to be honest with myself, it’s more even than desire.

The drones have moved in for closeups, and they’re going to catch my big mistake even though I’m hunched over. I pull my hand from her heel, move it to my lap, and tighten a grip on my cock. When a moment of that does nothing to quell my desire, I thump it hard with my finger, then flick it again and again until it’s not erect anymore and is lying soft against my thigh.

Then I attack her other foot with my mouth until I hear her moan with pleasure.

“Ahem,” Jahzara Zedd uses that irritating gesture to interrupt us. “While you two have been spending far too much time on feet, the viewing audience has written in some questions. This one is for Titan, ‘You sure look like you have feelings for the Earther. Tell her how you feel’.”

“Are we still playing Fact of Fiction?” I ask, wondering if I can get away with speaking my feelings in front of the entire galaxy and then rescind them as a lie.

“Yes.”

I’m already at Blaze’s feet, so I spear her with my most sincere gaze and say, “I’ve only been with women who were paid to service me as a prize after a gladiatorial match. One doesn’t develop feelings for them any more than you develop feelings for the wench who serves dinner.

“I find you an interesting combination of strength and vulnerability. You’ve surprised me at every turn with your intellect and courage. If circumstances were different, I would want to spend more time with you.”

I hope the drone cameras are sending grainy feeds back to the studio. Perhaps the network was too stingy to put their best equipment on a drone someone could easily shoot out of the sky. I don’t want the viewers to see what I see, being only a foot from Blaze.

The frequency of her swallowing has increased. Her pupils are bigger, and her cheeks have pinkened. She’s tried to turn her facial muscles to stone, so she doesn’t give herself away, but she’s doing a miserable job of it. She knows I’m telling the truth, and she likes what I’ve said. My chest expands with pride as I realize I just gave her something no one else could. The gift of my heart.

“Fiction,” she says. She changes her posture and tosses her head as if we’re just playing a game. “I have to admit, Titan, you had me fooled there for a moment.” To add to her lie and pull herself out of the intimacy of the moment, she looks straight into the camera and says, “You have to admit that was good, folks. If he survives, someone should make him a vid star instead of a gladiator. This male can act.” She laughs, letting all the galaxy see her pretty white teeth.

“You got me,” I tell her with a shrug. “I thought I was fooling you.”

“Come on, Titan. We all know our little partnership has a short shelf life.”

Blaze

“Since we’re still waiting for our prizes,” I say pointedly, “do the viewers have any other probing questions?” I lasciviously emphasize the word probing, pandering to the lowest common denominator.

“Why yes, Slayer. Here’s one for you,” Zedd says, an evil smirk quirking her lips. “‘If Titan is the contestant to finally take you down, what are some words you’d want him to hear before you die?’

“Ooh, what a great question from Asternak from the Plutonic archipelagos,” Zedd coos coyly. “Do tell us, Slayer. Usually, we can only wonder what a person is thinking when they receive the ultimate betrayal.” The bitch has the balls to lean forward, her elbow on her announcer’s desk as if the words about to come out of my mouth are going to be fascinating. Well, she’s right. They are.

I take my time partially to formulate the perfect answer and partially to stall, hoping the drones arrive before I’m asked another intimate question I don’t want to share with the galaxy.

I settle myself on one hip as I pat the bed next to me, then wait for Xzavic to join me. His posture mimics mine so we can look—really look—into each other’s eyes.

Before our gazes lock, I catch out of the corner of my eye that I have over 50,000 credits. I don’t know why I bother. The network has effectively neutered us. No matter how many credits we earn, they’re useless.

Looking back at him, I say, “If you have to kill me, Titan , I’d know you were forced to. There are so many things I would tell you right now if half the planet wasn’t watching, but I’ll let you read between the lines.

“I’ll just say…” I pause as I try to separate my own thoughts and emotions from the overriding fear roiling through me. “I’ll just say that this experience has been an awakening. I’ve found that deep feelings can arise in the most unlikely places. I wish the rules were different, but since reality is what it is, I’d tell you I understand. I hope the winner is either you or me since it all must come Down. To. One.”