by Anna Hackett
“Always with the orders.”
He slid in another inch and she gasped.
“I want it all,” she murmured. “I want to watch you come inside me.”
He pulled back, dragging himself out of her, then with one hard thrust, buried his cock inside her. She cried out, her body clenching on him. Dare gritted his teeth. Raw, primal sensations skated down his spine.
“Fuck me, Dare. Please.”
Something inside him snapped. The need on her face, the tight heat of her body. He thrust in and out of her, driven by the need to possess. He gripped her thighs, pushing her knees back toward her chest, baring what was his.
She made a choked sound, her eyes glittering.
“Tell me?” he demanded. “Tell me what you need.”
“I need you. I need more.”
He quickened his pace and the strength of his thrusts. He’d never been this rough, this forceful. But she took everything he had, demanded more. “Give it to me.”
“What?” she panted.
“Everything.”
Her eyes widened, even as he kept moving inside her. “No one’s ever wanted everything from me before. No one’s ever valued it.”
Dare let out a growl. “I do. It’s mine.” He thrust harder.
“Stars, you fill me up.” Her nails scored his back.
He slid a hand between their thrusting bodies, finding her clit with his thumb. When he saw a brief skitter of panic, he was surprised. Then he remembered on Sulla, how uncertain she’d been about letting go.
“I’ll take care of you,” he promised. He pressed down, circling her swollen nub.
He realized that this wasn’t about being out of control. This was a give-and-take, about giving control to each other.
“Come on my cock, Dakota. Let me feel you clamp down on me.”
“Dare.”
“Come, and then I’ll empty myself inside you.”
He kept her pinned beneath him as her back arched and she started to come. He slammed home again, and when she reared up and bit his shoulder, it pushed him over the edge. His release roared over him as her cries echoed in his ears.
Then he collapsed beside her, flat on his back. He pulled Dakota close, tucking her into his side.
Dare felt good. There was no clawing need, no demands, no memories.
He felt her shivering, little spasms running through her body. Damn, he’d taken her roughly on the floor. He scooped her up and strode into the bathroom.
It took him a second to get the shower on at the scalding temperature he liked. Then he pushed her under the mist.
“Holy stars, that’s hot.” She adjusted the controls, pushing her wet hair out of her face.
Dare moved in behind her. With the two of them in there, the stall wasn’t so spacious. The water was barely lukewarm, and he flicked the controls back to a warmer setting. She poked her tongue out at him. He filled his hand with liquid soap and started soaping up her body.
She made a humming sound and leaned back against him, clearly enjoying his ministrations.
“Losing control wasn’t so bad, was it?” he asked.
“I could ask you the same question,” she said.
He slipped his hand between her legs, massaging her swollen folds, watching as she sank her teeth into her bottom lip.
“I thought you’d be bossier,” she said on a gasp.
He raised a brow. “Disappointed?”
She spun and pressed her hands against his chest. “No. I think they heard my screams back at Galaxy’s Edge.”
But her words ignited something in Dare. He slid a hand into her hair, tugging her head back roughly, knowing she’d feel the bite of it on her scalp. “You want me to be bossier? To take charge?”
He saw something spark in her eyes.
He slid his other hand down, massaging the curves of her ass. “It’s not about being the boss. It’s about you giving me what I want. What’s mine.”
He pulled his palm back, then slapped her buttock.
She gasped, her body jerking. Heat flooded her cheeks.
“I’ll only do what you want,” he said, caressing where he’d hit. “Give you what you need.”
She licked her lips. “Show me.”
He pushed her down onto her knees, the shower mist collecting in small rivulets, running over them. “My cock in your mouth. Now.”
She looked up at him and he’d never seen a prettier sight. “Remember what I said on Sulla?”
He remembered. When she sucked his cock into her mouth, her hand circling the base, he knew exactly who was holding the control right now.
***
Dakota woke up to fingers making lazy swirls on her belly. She cracked open an eye and saw Dare leaning on his side beside her. He was staring intently at her skin, like he’d never seen anything more beautiful in his life.
Her heart clenched.
Oh, no. She couldn’t risk making a fool of herself over this man. Amazing sex and the fact he was helping her aside, she knew better.
“Hello,” she said.
Silver eyes gleamed. “Hello.”
Stars, the man was so damned beautiful. Not in a pretty-boy way, but in a dark, dangerous male way that appealed to every part of her.
She wanted to touch him, run her palms over his strong back, inhale the scent of him off his skin. Her throat tightened. Hell, she was getting in too deep, she should back off a bit—
His hand closed over hers. “Your fingers are cold.”
Her gaze met his again. “Dare.”
“Just stop thinking so hard.”
“I never stop thinking.”
His lips turned upward. “Yes, I’ve already worked that out. Always calculating the angles, the escape routes, and how quickly you think someone is going to turn on you.”
She ran her tongue over her teeth. “Experience is one hell of a teacher.”
He made a humming sound and reached over to the bedside table. He opened a drawer, and brought out a piece of silky, black fabric.
She tensed.
“I know what you need, Dakota.” He slipped the blindfold over her eyes.
Her gut cramped. “I don’t want—”
“Shh. Trust me.”
She let herself be turned and laid down across his lap. She reared up but he held her down. His hand smoothed her bottom.
“You have the prettiest ass, Dakota.”
The first slap of his palm made her jump. He’d spanked her just the one time in the shower, but this…it felt different.
“Dare, what the hell? Let me up.”
He slapped her again, leaving her ass stinging. But as his hand moved over her skin, she felt a tantalizing tingle. With her sight blocked, it seemed to enhance the sensations.
“You liked it when I spanked you in the shower, didn’t you?”
“No.”
He slapped her ass again. Harder. Dakota bit back a moan. She felt a stinging pain, heat…pleasure.
“You aren’t in control here,” he murmured. “Your safety is mine. Your pleasure is mine.”
He hit her again and she cried out, writhing against him. His palm brushed her skin, smoothing the sting.
“You like that, don’t you?”
“No, I don’t.” But her voice was breathy and unconvincing.
His hand traveled down between her legs, and Dakota couldn’t quite believe when she parted her thighs, giving him more room.
“My pretty little liar.” His fingers teased her. “You’re wet, Dakota. Dripping.”
She moaned, and he speared his fingers inside her, stretching her. Then he started spanking her again. Sharp little stinging slaps, followed by him sliding his fingers deep in her warmth and teasing her clit.
The skin of her ass was burning and tingling now, a sweet sensation that amplified the desire coursing through her. She was panting, pushing her ass back against him and writhing on him. He slapped her again, then slid those fingers deep inside. She didn’t know how many fi
ngers he was fucking her with, but when he scissored them inside her, she felt so full.
“So beautiful,” he murmured near her ear. “Come now, Dakota.”
She shook her head, not wanting it to be over.
“What if I want you to come? Will you come for me?”
She made a choked sound, caught on the edge of release. His voice in the darkness was so smooth, so deep, so commanding.
“Your pleasure belongs to me, Dakota. Come now, baby.”
She cried out, sensation a deluge that pushed her over the edge. He shoved his fingers deep, and her orgasm was a blissful tide running through her.
Faint aftershocks were still rocking her when he pushed her down onto the bed on her hands and knees.
“Get that ass up, Dakota.” He nudged her thighs apart.
She felt the head of his hard cock brush against her. “Do it, Dare. Please!”
One hard, merciless thrust and he was inside her. She moaned at the domination. She’d never let any man this close, never let anyone compel her surrender. She’d never, never thought she’d enjoy it.
He thrust into her, deep, hard and absolute. His hand sank into her hair, and with each stroke, she felt him touch the sensitive skin of her ass.
It didn’t take long, and she was at the edge again, trembling there. “Yes, Dare. Oh!” Everything inside her tightened, and then shattered apart.
Dare gripped her hips and slammed home one last time. He groaned as he poured himself inside her.
Dakota collapsed forward on the bed. Her heart was still racing, small tremors still rocking her body. Dare covered her, pressing kisses to her shoulder blades. He slipped the blindfold off her.
“I’m going to feed you next,” he murmured.
“Can’t talk yet.”
His laugh was deep and low. Another lazy kiss on her shoulder. “Dakota Jones with nothing to say. A miracle.”
She swatted a hand at him, but it was half-hearted and he grabbed it, bringing it to his lips. She turned a little, looking at his face as he peppered her knuckles with kisses.
She heard those inner warning bells again. How was she supposed to protect herself against Dare, when he was already inside her defenses?
He raised a brow. “You have that look again.”
“What look?”
“The thinking-too-hard look.” He pushed her hand back to the bed and this time, pressed his lips to her back, going lower, peppering kisses along her spine.
“Guess you want some punishment again.”
Her heart leaped into her throat, her hands twisting in the sheets as he slid lower. Yes, she wanted it. She wanted him. She wanted everything.
***
Dakota sat in Dare’s office, idly spinning his desk chair around. She had the star map projected up, several Syncs scattered across the desk—all filled with information—and Dare’s comp screen was filled as well.
She was seriously impressed with the data the Phoenixes had collected on their travels. They might just have the best information on all the planets and convoy routes in this part of uncharted space.
What she couldn’t find was any reference to a planet at the location they were currently traveling to.
She’d been sure she’d find something. Some mention of a world.
She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the desk. It made her sensitive ass tingle a little. Instantly, she was deluged with memories of the day she’d spent with Dare. The things they’d done.
She’d never, ever done some of those things with a man before.
The door swooshed open, and like she’d summoned him, Dare walked in. He strode straight over, his big hands sliding into her hair, and he kissed her.
Stars. Her mind went blank and she kissed him back. When he released her, she blinked, taking a few seconds to get her brain firing.
It was so strange that she’d been so used to not being touched, and yet, being touched by him felt so easy. Once again she heard those warning bells.
“How’s it going?” he asked.
“It’s going crap. I can’t find any reference to this planet we’re traveling to. It might not even be habitable.”
“Well, if this Captain Fisher purposely crashed on it, you’d think it would be.”
She hated not having any information. Sure, she didn’t mind taking some risks, but she hated going into a job blind. That got you killed.
When Dare wordlessly stepped out of the office, she frowned. He was back a second later, pushing something in from the hall. It was another chair.
“I got you your own chair,” he said. “So you’d get out of mine.”
She sat there, frozen. The chair was bright red, and smaller than his. It would be a better fit for her.
Dare studied her. “Why do you look like I just smacked you over the head?”
She shook her head. She wasn’t going to tell him that no one had ever given her a gift before. “I like the color.” She sat down in it, testing it.
“I knew it would suit you. It’s the same color as your toenails.”
He’d noticed her toenails? “Thank you.”
“Show me your thanks.”
She stood, going up on her toes and pressed an almost-sweet kiss to his lips. “Thank you for the chair.”
He sank into his chair, lounging like some king on his throne. “So, no info on this planet.”
“No.” She sat and blew out a frustrated breath. “And I’m damn sick of reading through all these boring-ass records.”
Dare shrugged. “Information would be good, but we’ll still go in. We’ll be there soon.”
She scowled. “Yeah. You’ve been out on the bridge?”
He nodded. “I’ve had Ry scanning for any nearby ships. I want to keep an eye out for Korrdo.”
Her stomach went hard. “You shot him. Surely he couldn’t have survived.”
Dare’s eyes glinted. “I bet his men had a medscope on them. Something tells me he isn’t going to give up very easily.”
That was the truth, but she still hoped the bastard was dead. “He wants the treasure more than anything. So, any sign of him?”
“No. And we both know he wants more than the treasure.”
Her gaze flew to Dare’s. “Yeah, he’s a little…obsessive.”
“Did you sleep with him?”
His words shouldn’t cut her so deeply. “None of your business.”
Dare shot to his feet, so fast she gasped. He pressed his hands to the arms of her chair, leaning over her. “I know I don’t have control over what you did before we met…fuck. Did. You. Sleep. With. Korrdo?”
“Fuck you, Dare.”
“You did that already. A few times.”
She tried to slide under his arm, but he hauled her up against his chest. “Answer me.”
“It was before I met you. What gives you the right—?”
“Because I was the man who had his cock lodged in you just a few hours ago. So deep we couldn’t be separated.”
She sucked in a breath.
“The man who spanked that pretty ass of yours until it was pink and made you come harder than you ever have before. The man who is so crazy possessive, the thought of you with that cretin drives me crazy.”
They stared at each other.
“I know you’d do anything for the treasure, Dakota—”
She jerked away from him. “Even whore myself, right?”
“Dakota—”
“The truth is, I never slept with Korrdo. Never wanted to.” She wrapped her arms around herself, staring out the window. “But I let him think I would. I’m a good liar, remember?”
Dare’s arms came around her, but she stayed stiff.
“I’m sorry.” He sighed against her ear. “Down on Sulla, I’d held you, touched you, gotten close to the beauty you keep hidden under your prickly exterior. And then he acted like you were his, and he put you in danger. I want to keep you safe, it’s the way I’m built, and it makes me a little crazy.”
&n
bsp; The fight drained out of her and she turned, eyeing him. “That was pretty honest for a man who I’m guessing doesn’t apologize or explain himself that much.”
“I am sorry.” He ran a finger along her cheek. “And I can make it up to you.”
“Oh?”
“Eos sent through some images of the Atocha Treasure.”
Dakota gasped. “You’re forgiven. Gimme.”
Dare shook his head and grabbed a Sync off the desk. “You are so easy.”
“Only with you.”
He held out the Sync, and she studied the images. She felt Dare’s gaze on her as she took in the pictures of silver coins, gold artifacts and amazing green emeralds.
“Incredible.” She stroked the screen.
“This treasure means more to you than just e-creds. What will you do with it once you have it?”
“Whatever I want.”
He frowned. “That’s not very exact.”
“I’ve never had anything before—no family, no home, no things. I just want to know that I don’t have to scrape and fight for every little thing. That no one can come and take everything away from me.” Silence fell in the office. She couldn’t make herself meet his eyes. She’d never told anyone anything like this before.
“You can’t risk-proof life, Dakota.”
“I can try. I grew up never knowing if I’d survive one day to the next.”
“Mase is a crap world for adults, let alone children.”
Her head snapped up, something hot burning in her belly. “You know where I’m from?”
“Of course. You tried to steal from me, so I ran all the searches on you that I could.”
He reached out, but she knocked his hand away. She hated knowing that he knew about the hellhole she’d come from.
“We aren’t where we come from, Dakota. We are what we make of ourselves. I’d prefer to hear the information from you now.”
“Mase is the hellhole of all hellholes. Criminals, gangs, traffickers…you name the depravity, it’s there. What else is there to say? The people who conceived me were probably some sort of junkies. They left me on a doorstep, but those people already had mouths to feed. I raised myself.” Stars, the office felt as tiny as a box. “So with my treasure, maybe I’ll buy a house on some fancy mega-city planet. With all the high-tech gadgets I can find.” She wheeled back to face him. “Or maybe I’ll buy some land somewhere, a farm. With trees, and grass, and animals.” She stared at the walls and the window showing space beyond. “Or maybe a ship.”
