by Ivy Barrett
A second male followed close behind and Nikki sucked in a breath. Tarlon Orellian. He’d been shadowing her for the past three days, ever since he sniffed everyone in the room and decided he liked her scent best. She shivered, trying to convince herself the attention bothered her. But it was hard to object to being the focal point of a handsome, virile male. Tarlon was different than the other defenders. He smiled and teased, not taking himself as seriously as the others.
Tarlon hung back, which was unusual. Tarlon was anything but shy. So who was this other guy? He looked slightly older than Tarlon and his uniform was more highly decorated, likely because he was one of the bigwigs. Both Tarlon and the new guy had customized their appearance, so they were likely rich as well as powerful. According to the talkative guard, it cost big bucks for those sorts of procedures. Tarlon had chosen a darker, richer blue that set off his pale skin, black lips, and flashing eyes.
The new guy walked straight to her and held out his hand. “You will come with me.”
If he was expecting her to flutter her lashes and lower her gaze, he’d be very disappointed. “Why? And where are we going?”
His gaze narrowed and his lips pressed into a disapproving line. “Because I told you to and you will find out when we get there.”
Ok. Arrogant much? She slowly stood, feeling vulnerable with him towering over her. It didn’t help. Her head barely came to his shoulder. “You don’t need to be so fucking rude. It was a reasonable question.”
She heard an odd, almost strangled sound come from Tarlon half a second before the asshole in front of her shoved his shoulder into her belly and lifted her off the floor. She kicked and twisted, not caring if he dropped her on her head. She would not be ordered around like some servant!
The jerk’s large hand smacked down on her butt. The blow was cushioned by the sturdy material of her ugly dress so the slight discomfort only pissed her off. “Put me down, you Neanderthal jackass!” She heard giggles and hushed conversations, reminding her that this was taking place in front of an audience.
He ignored her. Instead, he turned on the ball of his foot and carried her from the lounge. She continued to wiggle and rear up, unable to kick because his muscular arm now banded her legs, anchoring them against his broad chest. Damn, the male was big, and solid muscle.
“You warned me that she was feisty,” the jackass said, apparently to Tarlon. “This female is in serious need of taming.”
“And you’re just the Neanderthal to do it, brother mine.”
Brother? These two were brothers? Seriously? They were nothing alike. Tarlon had a sense of humor, while this guy… His free hand sneaked under her dress and cupped her bare behind. His thumb pushed between her cheeks and pressed against her anus. She froze, eyes wide, chest heaving. Is that a threat, or a promise? The twisted thought sent shame curling through her. A promise of what?
“That’s right, love, settle down.” His hand squeezed gently, that wicked thumb rubbing her in the most humiliating way. “Your master is in control now. There’s no reason to struggle.” His tone was suddenly dark and silk—
Did he say ‘master’? “You’re not my master, asshole.”
He smacked her butt hard enough to make her yelp. “These soft round cheeks will soon redden and glow beneath my hand. Who else but your master would dare discipline you?”
Surely he didn’t mean—of course he did. Trepidation eroded her anger, leaving her weak and dizzy. This arrogant jerk was one of her genetic matches. She lifted her head and looked at Tarlon through the fall of her long hair. Did that mean he was too? If they were brothers it was likely.
She let her head hang again and tried not to throw up, though it would serve him right for treating her like a disobedient child. You were acting like one, her inner voice chastised. She flipped it a mental middle finger and went back to sulking.
He carried her across a grassy area, then she saw asphalt, then grass again. Not being able to see where they were going was making her even more nauseous.
“If I promise to behave, will you please set me down? I’m about to puke all over you.”
To her astonishment the jackass chuckled and allowed her to slide down his body until her feet touched the ground. He hadn’t moved his arm, however, and it ended up around her shoulders. “This does not mean I will forgo your punishment.”
She made a face and tried to twist out of his light embrace.
“Continue to be disrespectful and you will lose the dress.”
Incensed, but afraid he meant every word, she looked at Tarlon for assistance. He just smiled and said nothing.
“The appropriate response is ‘yes, Sir’ or ‘yes, Master.’”
She started to remind him that she wasn’t anyone’s slave, but thought she better pick her battles. Doubtlessly there would be many of them. “Yes, Sir.” She added the title begrudgingly.
“The tone needs work, but it’s a beginning.”
Like hell it was. Her sudden cooperation was strategic. Battles of will were best fought in private.
The jackass finally moved his arm and started walking, clearly expecting her to follow. She looked around. They were at the edge of the massive field the Protectorate used to land small ships. Most of the spacecraft were shuttles. A few were stingers—compact, super-fast ships used for ambush attacks. One of their guards had been more than happy to answer questions, so she’d taken advantage of his willingness to share and tried to learn as much as she could about the enemy. She had no idea who the Protectorate fought these days. No one had seen a Skarilian in months. Many thought they were gone for good. And yet, the Ventori remained on Earth or nearby, ready to drive the Skarilians off again when and if they returned. But then, Ventor was now a burned-out ruin, so it wasn’t like the defenders had anywhere else to go.
She started to ask the jackass his name, then decided she didn’t care. How had Tarlon retained his cheery outlook with such an overbearing jerk for a brother?
The shuttle he led her to was slightly larger than the others, and much more luxurious, she discovered as she climbed aboard. There were three rows of forward-facing seats and a smaller section in the back where the seats faced each other. She moved to a center-facing seat and sat, wondering what came next.
She didn’t have long to wait. The two Ventori Defenders sat in the cockpit, which was separated from the other seats by a half wall. The engines powered on and Nikki’s safety restraints engaged. The automatic straps scared the crap out of her the first time she’d encountered them, but this was the third Ventori ship she’d been on so the novelty had just about worn off.
They ran through the pre-flight checks, speaking in rapid Ventori. She caught familiar words and phrases, but they spoke so quickly she wasn’t able to translate everything. She’d learned basic Ventori when she’d been accepted as a carnal companion. She hadn’t wanted the males she’d agreed to pleasure to be able to tell secrets in front of her.
They took off a few minutes later and she glared at the back of the jackass’s head. Master, my ass. Then she shivered. That was probably exactly what he had in mind.
A few minutes passed in tense silence as the males verified their course and locked in the destination. Then they both disengaged their safety straps and stood. She frantically tried to unfasten her restraints, not willing to be trapped once they reached her. Finally, she triggered the release and the straps retracted. She shot to her feet just as the two males reached the back of the shuttle.
The jerk stopped right in front of her. “Undress. I find that garment offensive.”
She just stared up at him in silent defiance. The dress was hideous. The guards had brought a stack of clean dresses each morning and she always chose the least attractive one, hoping to minimize her appeal. Still, she had no intention of making this easy for him.
“I give my directives once. Disobedience will be punished.”
She didn’t speak, didn’t move a muscle.
Without further warning he
ripped the dress from neckline to hem and tugged it down her arms. She stared straight ahead, arms at her sides. Her body was far from perfect, but she didn’t give a damn what he thought of her.
He stared at her silently for a moment, his gaze moving boldly over her naked form. “You’re right, Tar. She’s stunning.”
Stunning? Her? The compliment shocked her. She was at least twenty pounds overweight and seldom bothered with makeup. Ever since her best friend and her best friend’s husband had died right in front of Nikki, she’d had a hard time caring about anything.
Jackass cupped her chin and tilted her face up. “Look at me.”
She ignored him until he pinched her nipple hard. She cried out and lifted her gaze as aftershocks of sensation pulsed through her breast.
“I don’t make idle threats and I will be obeyed. The sooner you cease this defiance, the better off you’ll be.”
He sat down in the seat she’d just vacated and pulled her down across his thighs. Shit! She’d heard these perverts liked to spank their females. She’d just never believed something so ridiculous could be true.
His open hand came down across her butt with a resounding slap and she went wild, kicking and screaming, twisting and digging her nails into his thigh. He swung his leg over hers, easily controlling her lower body. Then he grabbed both her wrists and restrained them in one long-fingered hand. That left his other hand free to continue her spanking.
The next slap was even harder than the first and she screamed at the top of her lungs. It was fury, not pain making her scream, but he didn’t know that.
“Stop it!” He brought his hand up so his fingers caught the underside of her cheek. The sting was intense and she gasped rather than screaming. “I will not start your punishment until you settle down.”
Start her punishment? What the hell was this?
She panted furiously, blowing her hair out of her eyes. Was he serious about this shit? Did grown men actually discipline mature females? “You’re going to punish me for asking a question and expecting a civil answer?” Her tone sounded almost shrill. She really did need to calm down.
“I answered your question and you have been nothing but defiant and disrespectful to me. Not to mention all the profanity. All of these behaviors are unacceptable. Do you understand me?”
Her butt was already throbbing and he’d only hit her a couple of times. “I understand.” She ground the words out as she clenched her teeth.
“The proper response is ‘yes, Sir’ or ‘yes—”
“Yes, Sir!” Just hearing him say ‘master’ would have threatened her control. She was a contract employee, not a slave.
“Now, these expectations were not explained to you, so your first punishment will be light. But know this, Nichole. I will not tolerate your defiance or disrespect.”
Before she could reply, he began her real spanking. His hard, steady swats warmed her backside and sent conflicting emotions twisting through her mind. She was furious, and yet she felt ashamed of herself for being so childish. She was a mature woman, yet she’d pitched a fit she wouldn’t have tolerated from a two-year-old.
Six. Good lord, how many spanks were in a ‘light’ punishment?
His hand moved back and forth delivering firm swats to each ass cheek. Tears stung her eyes, but she frantically blinked them back. She would not give the jerk the pleasure of seeing her cry. His hand fell four more times and then paused, or did she dare hope, stopped?
“Are you as wet as you smell, hellcat?”
She tensed against his legs. Her pussy ached, but wet? Had this ridiculous discipline aroused her? Her emotions were so screwed up right now, she honestly couldn’t tell.
Another set of hands pushed her legs apart and she jerked her head around to find Tarlon kneeling behind her. What the fuck?
“Oh, yeah,” he said, his gaze focused on her bright red butt and apparently wet pussy. He traced her slit with his fingertip. “She’s practically dripping.”
“Good.” The jackass released her legs and pulled her torso up. She landed on her knees between his legs and he tilted her head back until their gazes locked. “Life will be better for you if you find pleasure in the pain.”
She wouldn’t go that far, not even close. She’d been stripped naked and wrestled into place. Likely that’s what had aroused her, not the shameful spanking. She’d always liked sex a little on the rough side. She came twice as hard when her lover held her down and pounded into her than when he was patient and careful. Still, she kept her thoughts to herself.
His gaze searched hers for a long time. The strange silvery squiggles shimmered and his tongue swept across his black lips. “I want to kiss you badly, but I know you’ll bite me if I do.”
Was she supposed to respond to that? It hadn’t really been a question so she just met his penetrating stare.
“Well, I’m willing to risk it.” Tarlon pulled her to him and pressed his mouth to hers. One of his hands cupped the side of her face and his other arm wrapped around her waist. She waited for the demanding thrust of his tongue, but he caressed her lips instead, teasing and seducing rather than taking.
She raised her hands to his back and parted her lips, offering what he’d refused to take by force. Slowly, he pushed past her lips and traced the outer curve of her teeth as if to ensure that she really wasn’t going to bite him. She liked Tarlon, found him amusing and warm. Too bad his brother wasn’t more like him.
His tongue stroked over hers and his taste filled her mouth as hers was doubtlessly filling his. He groaned, pulling her tighter against his body.
“Enough!” the jackass brayed. “She’s only kissing you to anger me.”
Tarlon laughed as he pulled away. “Seems like it’s working.”
Not wanting to annoy the jackass, she asked Tarlon, “Does your brother have a name?”
The jackass grabbed a fistful of her hair and pulled her head back. “My name is Sintar, but you will call me Master.” And then his mouth crushed down on top of hers.
Chapter Two
Sintar no longer cared if the hellcat bit him or not. He was so hard, so desperate to be inside her that he couldn’t think straight. He’d read the chancellor’s reports, knew these females could bring on rut, but he hadn’t expected it to happen in a few short minutes. His cock was hard as stone and a red haze was already creeping across his vision.
He sank his tongue into her warm mouth, hoping her taste would soothe him. It didn’t. It made him wilder, even more desperate. With a growl, he tore his mouth away and pushed her over onto the floor. She stared up at him with wide frightened eyes, clearly expecting him to take her whether she wanted him or not.
“Sintar, no!” Tarlon sounded so far away but the sharpness in his tone penetrated the lust-filled haze. He couldn’t fuck her now, not while she was still angry and afraid.
The smell of her fear reached him next, driving back the frenzy even more. He took a deep breath, shaking all over. He’d never been this close to losing control, not in any situation. She was a potential mate, for Gods’ sake. He could not ravish her!
But could he make her understand? Her skin was flushed, golden brown hair wild about her face, and her expressive brown eyes were pools of uncertainty. “I need to fuck you desperately. If I don’t, I could turn feral.” He panted, searching for words that would ease her fears. Even without this madness he was not eloquent. Charming females was Tarlon’s specialty. “I know that’s not what you want, so I will only lick your pussy. Do you consent?”
She looked at Tarlon, clearly confused and still fearful.
“He’s not exaggerating, love.” Tarlon brushed the hair back from her face and smiled gently, flashing those damn dimples. “Let him do this while he still has enough control to give you the choice.”
She nervously licked her lips and then shifted her worried gaze back to Sintar. “I consent.”
With a relieved sigh, he moved between her legs, pushing her thighs wide as he lowered his mouth to
her slit. He was beyond finesse, beyond pretense. He needed her wetness and he needed it now. Thrusting his tongue deep into her core, he covered her clit with his thumb and quickly brought her to orgasm. Her silky passage rippled as a fresh rush of fluid lubricated her walls. Her taste became richer, stronger. So good. She tasted better than anything he’d ever imagined. Again and again, he speared into her with his tongue, his thumb working her toward another climax.
It was taking too long; he wasn’t getting enough of her. With a frustrated growl, he wrapped his arms around her hips and rolled, bringing her up as he slipped under. She straddled his face now, her lovely body arching above him. He reached up and squeezed her breasts while he eagerly tongue-fucked her.
She moaned deep in her throat and started rocking, rubbing her folds against his lips as he drilled into her wet core. Tarlon appeared beside her, turning her head so he could kiss her mouth. And then they were fucking her together, filling her mouth and pussy with the same steady rhythm. She came again and again, until her juices streamed into his waiting mouth, finally driving back the frenzy.
Recovering enough to concentrate on what he was doing, he explored her soft flesh with his lips and tongue, savoring each gasp and wiggle.
Scan her, Tarlon. Is her mind as engaged as her body? Sintar wasn’t telepathic, but Tarlon would hear such an urgent thought.
No. She hasn’t given me permission.
His fucking principles could be so frustrating. At least allow yourself to sense her emotions. I need to know that she’s not afraid.
After a short pause, Tarlon responded, she is no longer afraid, just confused and overwhelmed.
She isn’t enjoying this?
His brother’s laughter drifted into his mind. Her juices are all over your face. Do you really have to ask?
