by Aubrey Ross
His lips came down over hers and she wrapped her arms around his back. Finally! She clung to him, flattening her breasts against his chest. All he wore was a pair of black shorts, but she wanted those gone as well. She tugged them down over his tight rear end and he obliged her with a throaty chuckle.
“I will not let you rush me,” he warned. “We will take our time and savor this.”
They kissed and caressed each other. The freedom thrilled Felicia. She ran her hands over his back and squeezed his hard behind. He pressed his cock against her belly, letting her feel what she did to him. And through it all their mouths meshed and melded, their tongues gently dueling.
He finally broke away, panting hard as he fought for control. “Sit down on the edge of the bed. I haven’t forgotten what I promised you.”
“That you would lick my pussy until I scream?”
“Exactly.” She reached for his cock, but he caught her wrist. “Not tonight. We focus entirely on clearing this hurdle.”
She nodded and sat, uncertainty creeping through her arousal. She wanted this, wanted nothing to distract her from the pleasure of sharing these things with Aiden.
“Don’t lie back. Brace your arms behind you and stay upright.” He was avoiding the position that had upset her before. She smiled, pleased by his creativity. He knelt on the floor and pushed her legs apart, making room for him between her thighs. Tracing her slit with his fingertips, he gently teased her folds. “You’re already wet. How long have you been thinking about this?”
“Ever since you awakened me.” He delved a little deeper, moving up to circle her clit. “That drives me crazy.”
“It’s supposed to.”
She tried to relax into his caress and let the sensations sweep through her, but the tension was still new. She wasn’t sure how to respond.
He bent toward her pussy, gaze squarely fixed on his destination. “I’ve dreamed about your taste and the feel of your pussy around my tongue.”
His gruff words sent a thrill through her body and caused her clit to twitch. He held her open while his tongue laved the swollen nub, soft strokes that took her breath away. He pushed his middle finger into her core, pairing his swirling caresses with a steady fucking.
She was building quickly toward orgasm. The past eroded with each tender lick. Holding herself up with one hand, she tangled the other in his dark hair. His finger moved faster and his mouth became more persistent. She watched the subtle rocking of his head between her thighs and felt the slick glide of his finger in her passage.
Higher and higher she climbed. Needing the staggering burst of sensation yet unsure how to achieve it. He tilted his head, closing his lips around her clit as his finger moved even faster. The soft pull of his lips seemed connected to the tension. She wiggled beneath his mouth and instinctively squeezed his finger.
He sucked her clit with increasing pressure until she came in deep spasms. Her inner walls contracted around his finger and pleasure radiated through her entire body.
Before the last wave passed, he withdrew his finger and raised her pussy to his mouth. He thrust into her with his tongue, prolonging the fluttering spasms. She gasped and shuddered as his mouth devoured her core. He lifted her hips off the bed, pressing his lips flush against her folds while his tongue slid in and out.
Her orgasm went on and on until her head spun and lights glistened in her peripheral vision. His mouth gentled, licking her slowly until he looked up at her and smiled. “I was waiting for you to scream.”
She laughed and shivered with a powerful aftershock. “I’d need breath to scream and you didn’t leave me any.”
He stood, drawing her up with him. “Well, the night is young. Let’s see if this works better.” He turned and sat where she had been and patted his thigh. “Straddle my lap.”
Could it be done like that? The temple harlots were often taken on their hands and knees, mounted like mares as their customers thrust into them from behind.
“Do you have a better idea?”
Emboldened by the pleasure still tingling through her body, she shook her head and said, “Not this time.”
He laughed and helped her climb onto him, arranging her knees to each side of his hips. He took his cock in hand and whispered, “Lift up so I can find your entrance then I’ll let you do the rest.”
He was giving her control, allowing her to determine how much and how soon. She lifted her body off his lap and felt his cock head at her entrance. He was hers to do with as she wished, hers to savor and adore. She braced her hands against his shoulders and slowly lowered her body onto his cock.
Her body stretched around him, but there was no pain. She took a bit more of him, pleased by her own daring. “You are really hard.”
“I’ve been hard more than not since I first saw you.” He groaned as her channel accepted even more of him. “How does that feel?”
“Tight but good, so very good.”
He framed her face with his hands and kissed her. The taste of her pleasure lingered on his tongue, new and exciting. She pushed down, settling over his lap as her hands stroked his chest. He was inside her, completely inside her, and it felt wonderful!
One of his hands left her face, reaching down to cup her breast. She tightened herself around him and they moaned in unison. Her inner muscles opened wide around him, his shaft long and thick within her core. She wanted to stay like this forever, but the need to move was urging her on.
She raised her hips then lowered them, sliding her body up and down on his hardened length. His hands moved to her hips, but his mouth maintained the intoxicating kiss. The intimacy was doubled. His tongue moved in her mouth as she moved on his cock.
“Faster,” he urged against her kiss-dampened lips.
Clutching tightly to his shoulders she found the rhythm. One hand stayed to steady her hips while the other insinuated itself between their bodies. The first strum of his finger against her clit made her gasp and shiver.
Reality coalesced in that moment. The sensations made sense, the empty ache, the rhythmic tightening, and the intimate connection all led to this exchange. She sucked his tongue into her mouth and staked her claim on his body. Come with me, she urged in his mind. I want to do this together.
He thrust up into her and frantically rubbed her clit. Together, he agreed.
Pleasure burst within her and flowed into him. They shuddered and clung as waves of sensation crashed over them. Their mouths mated and their bodies pulsed in perfect unison.
Long moments later, she pulled back and smiled into his eyes. “I would say we cleared the final obstacle.”
“No regrets?”
She laughed. “Do you jest? My only regret is that I waited so long to ask for your assistance.”
He nipped her chin then soothed the sting with a tender kiss. “My good intentions are well and truly obliterated. Let your corruption begin!” His hands cupped her breasts, carefully pinching her nipples.
Her cry of feigned outrage dissolved into a throaty moan as he bent her back so he could reach her breasts with his mouth. “I have so many things I want to try, so many positions and variations.”
He released her nipple long enough to assure, “I am entirely at your disposal.”
Chapter Eleven
They arrived on Fedoros thirty-one hours ahead of schedule. It would take several days to offload the refugees, but Laetif saw no reason to remain on board. She’d been anxious to see the new villa in person. Virtual tours just weren’t the same.
She’d carefully avoided Caleb after their disquieting conversation in the lift. It had been easy to disregard his predictions for the first few days. Quade was an attentive lover and she genuinely liked spending time with him. Still, nothing they did together compared with the combustible intensity of Caleb’s touch.
The villa set on a hillside overlooking Ludus Xyellus. She had visited the original facility several times, but the stark, prisonlike environment held no appeal to her. The new arrange
ment gave her a bird’s eye view of the training field while protecting her from the harsh reality of the barracks.
“Does the villa meet with your approval?” Quade asked from somewhere behind her.
Beyond the ludus, New Pompeii spread in all its opulent glory. The buildings followed the natural undulation of the land, creating a sort of informal order. Streets were narrow and curved, wending their way between rows of shops and connected houses.
“It’s smaller than I expected, but I can’t fault its beauty. The murals are extraordinary.” She turned and smiled, her gaze sweeping Quade’s tall form. The red-and-gold uniform he’d worn on the ship had been replace by the trappings of a Roman legionnaire. Chain mail covered his broad shoulders and deep chest, and a muscular expanse of thigh was barred by the short tunic. He had a crested helmet tucked under his arm, but he’d exchanged his pulse pistol for a gladius. “Can you actually use that thing?” She nodded toward the sword.
He walked to the rail beside her and peered down into the training yard. “Not as well as they can, but I’m working on it.”
“You make a convincing legionnaire. Not many Fedorans have the legs to pull it off.”
A low, rumbling chuckle broke free from his throat. “Did you just compliment me on my legs?”
“I suppose I did.” She turned back to the field as well, fascinated by the savagery evident in every move the gladiators made. They were captured animals, controlled yet never tamed.
“You look lovely,” Quade told her without shifting his gaze from the mock battle raging below. “The garments of this era suit you.”
She liked the fluid tunics and flowing togas, but married women were expected to wear a stola whenever they ventured out in public. Layers, regardless of how loose, quickly grew heavy and hot. “Has my luggage been delivered from the ship?”
“I don’t believe so. Shall I check on it?”
Stepping away from the railing, she wandered back into the shade of the villa. In keeping with the noninterference clause, there was no air conditioning in the villa. Everyone who entered New Pompeii had to be willing to immerse themselves completely in the fantasy. “I’ll give it another hour or so. They are extremely busy offloading the refugees.”
Quade remained near the balcony door, silent and watchful. They had fallen into a comfortable routine on the ship. She knew he reported her actions to Mikko, but at present she had nothing to hide.
Mikko had railed like a madman when he’d been released from the brig, accusing Quade of betrayal. Quade adamantly denied the accusation, which left Mikko in somewhat of a quandary. There was no way any of his other men could insinuate themselves into her Laetif’s life as well as Quade. And without continual surveillance, Mikko needed a person to spy on her.
After four hours of verbal abuse, Quade returned to her cabin, infuriated but unharmed.
Despite his obvious resentment, Quade never badmouthed Mikko or complained about his assignment. It was an odd sort of truce. They both knew Mikko was manipulating them, yet neither really minded the outcome.
“Captain Thrax asked me to give you this.” Quade held out a sealed envelope.
Her heart missed a beat as she closed the distance between them and took the message from his hand. Caleb hadn’t let her go without a parting shot. Why did the realization thrill her?
She tore open the envelope and pulled out the single sheet. The message was simple. I’ll be at the spaceport until I secure a new cargo. I want to see you again. No clever challenge or provocative insult, just a straightforward statement of fact.
“Is he expecting a response?” Quade’s tone was tight while his features revealed nothing.
She wasn’t fooled by his nonchalance. Quade was dying to know what Caleb had said. “I have no idea what he expects, but I’m not going to reply.”
“Why not?”
The question surprised her. Shouldn’t he be glad she had no interest in speaking with another man? Annoyed by his calm, she handed him the message and went to pour herself a glass of wine.
“Do you want to see him again?” The muscle above his jaw flexed and his nostrils flared. He was not nearly as composed as he pretended. Turmoil crept into his gaze.
“I’m not sure what I want.” She held up the wineglass and asked, “Do you want some?”
“Please.” She filled a second glass and brought it to him.
Their relationship was hard to define. He was far more than her bodyguard, yet she wasn’t sure he felt any true affection for her. If Mikko hadn’t dispatched Quade, she knew their paths never would have crossed. Still, their personalities meshed well and—
“I think you should go.”
Shock tore though her, followed by a confusing combination of hurt and excitement. “Why would you push me into the arms of another man? Is Mikko finished tormenting me?”
He ignored her barb and set his glass aside. “I’m not stupid, Laetif.” He took her glass from her and set it beside his then pulled her into his arms. “I know you’re restless. And I’m pretty sure I know what you need. The problem is, I can’t give it to you.”
“You think Caleb can?”
“Hasn’t he already?” He wrapped a lock of her hair around his finger, his gaze avoiding her eyes. “I have no right to ask anything of you. I know damn well I’m an employee.”
“What if you weren’t?” Uncertainty mounted within her. “Are you even attracted to me?” She hated the weakness she revealed with the question. What ifs were a waste of energy.
“I am at your side because it’s my job. I am in your bed because you fascinate me. I have never met a woman more complex and desirable.” She twisted away, intending to put some distance between them, but he wrapped his arms around her and pressed against her back. “We’re both trapped by circumstance. We’re captives of life and we must find what happiness we can within that captivity.”
His warmth surrounded her, soothing and comforting her. He was strong and gentle, intelligent and funny. So why was she still restless?
“There’s darkness in you,” he whispered, his warm breath stirring her hair. “I understand it. I battle a similar darkness every day.”
Crossing her arms over his, she relaxed into the embrace and rested her head against his shoulder. “You’re able to control your darkness. Can’t you teach me how you do it?”
“Sometimes these urges need to be controlled, utterly suppressed. I know if I give in to them, even for a moment, I’ll be consumed by them. That’s not what is happening with you. The hurt and frustration fester inside you until you have to find an outlet for your rage.”
“You understand me, and I trust you. Why can’t you help me vent my anger?”
“Dominating you would feed the beast inside me. I cannot risk losing control.”
Nonplused by the possibilities, she closed her eyes and shook her head. “I don’t want to need one man, much less two. I’ve spent so long convincing myself I need no one, that I’m the one responsible for my happiness.”
“Ultimately you are.” He turned her around and she opened her eyes, knowing she’d find warmth and compassion in his eyes. His eyes were always filled with tenderness when he looked at her. “Needing someone else doesn’t make you weak as long as you choose the right person. Self-reliance is admirable, but it’s also lonely. We are designed to give and receive love, to share ourselves with others.”
She licked her lips and allowed her mind to entertain the concept. Needing others didn’t equal weakness? She wanted to believe it, but experience made her wary. “You honestly think an occasional visit with Caleb will allow me to be satisfied with you?”
“I think we should find out.” He brushed his knuckles against her cheek and smiled. “Better an occasional visit with a starship captain who will never remain in one place for long than to have you find someone else.”
“What if I decide Caleb is who I want?” Her pride demanded she pose the question. Quade was accepting this all just a little too easily.
“And turn your back on all this?” He indicated the lavish room surrounding them. “You can’t live without luxury and we both know it.”
Lowering her gaze, she whispered, “Will you come with me?”
“I must escort you. That’s my job.” He raised her chin and looked into her eyes. “Or do you want me to participate?”
“I’m not sure. I think it might be easier for me if you were there too.”
“I’m not opposed to watching you with him, but I don’t want to fuck him.”
Her fertile imagination was happy to provide her with a variety of possibilities. She saw herself between them, one in front and one behind. Then she pictured Quade in a chair, calmly watching as Caleb fucked her. But the image that sent lust blasting through her body was the two men together, touching, kissing—and fighting for domination. Their muscles bunched and flexed as they wrestled and twisted, each position more provocative than the last.
She shivered and resisted the urge to press her hand over her mound. “I think we should ask Caleb what he suggests. He seems to have a better grasp on these things than either of us.”
Quade’s only response was a curt nod, so she took him by the hand and led him into her bedroom. Mikko’s apartment was on the other side of the villa, separated from hers by an enclosed courtyard with a multilevel fountain and graceful statues. A large bed dominated the room, the diaphanous hangings fluttering in the breeze. She walked to the far wall and pressed her hand against the scanner panel, which was masked by the intricate mural. A door slid open, allowing her access to the combooth.
“The noninterference clause forbids us from exposing any of the inhabitants to sophisticated technology. Anything that didn’t exist in the original Pompeii must be kept secured and out of sight.”
“That makes sense.” He followed her into the combooth and the door slid closed behind them.
“Will you be living in New Pompeii full-time, or have you kept your homes beyond the barrier?”
