“Aren’t you curious?” he asked, keeping his tone measured.
The sudden change seemed to take her aback a moment, but she retorted, “About an alien clothes butler? We have those on Earth.” She started to walk around him, but he caught her arm.
“I’ve no idea what a butler is, but this piece of equipment is unique. In all my travels, I’ve never seen another like it. I’m surprised you haven’t asked before now.”
She glared at him, apparently not willing to sacrifice her fury at that moment, even for curiosity’s sake. But as the seconds passed, the inquisitive scientist in her won out. “Fine. What is it?”
“Allow me to demonstrate,” he offered, trying to rein in his own eagerness. He stepped up beside her. “This must go, however.” His fingers curled around her robe and slipped it free. “And this lovely piece, as well.” The wide straps at her shoulders slid down easily, as did her dress with the flick of his wrists.
“Kerr!” she protested as he took her shoulders and steered her into place in front of the contraption. His hands slid down her arms, his fingers curling firmly around her wrists as he pressed his body against her back, easing her even closer.
“Helper, position three.”
The weird wooden rack came to life at his order. Startled, she tried to step back, but his long body didn’t give an inch. As she watched in stunned surprise, two bars pressed up against her chest, one above and below her breasts, then they tightened, closing together like a vise until her breasts plumped out lewdly. While this was going on up top, two wider slats slid between her thighs and moved outward at an angle until her feet left the ground, not stopping until her legs splayed wide.
Too shocked to speak, she gaped down at herself in silent disbelief.
“These newer models have auto-bands to restrain the limbs, but I prefer something cushioned against your skin and will use my own.” As he spoke, he wrapped soft, well-padded cuffs around her wrists, then stooped to bind her ankles. Once done, he stood, leaving her completely immobilized.
“How—” she began, then cleared her throat. “How is this crazy bondage device supposed to be a help to me?”
He laughed, rounding the device until they were face to face. His hands came up to caress her swollen breasts, firmly tweaking her distended nipples as he leaned in close, his mouth hovering above hers. “I’m the mate it’s intended to help, sprite. Not you.”
* * *
Eva gaped at him, too stunned to speak after finding out the seemingly innocuous clothing organizer she’d been using to hang her robe on for over a week, was actually a piece of alien bondage equipment. She hadn’t regained use of her verbal skills when Kerr moved in and kissed her, his mouth plunging inside as one hand moved from her breast to her parted lips below. His fingers found her wetness, stroked over her clit for a moment, before sliding inward and dipping inside her easily accessible channel.
“See how it helps me position you exactly how I want you for the maximum pleasure? Or…” He stepped back and issued a command. “Position eight.”
Again, she moved without conscious volition as the contraption morphed, a padded board coming up to support her at the hips as her upper half tilted forward, forcing her to bend at the waist as if over a bench. He moved behind her and smoothed his hand over her upthrust ass cheeks.
“It is also very helpful for administering punishment. Think of it as a multi-function tool.” He chuckled, purely amused but also sounding like he was up to no good.
“Kerr, wait,” she said, immediately worried. “I think I get it.”
“Do you? Shall we see?”
Then he smacked her bottom, two smarting, searing swats in a row in the same spot on each side. He paused to rub.
“What is the rule in public gatherings?”
“Speak only when spoken to first. And be polite.”
“Very good.” He delivered four more spanks on each stinging cheek. “Did you follow those simple rules?”
“Not so simple, Kerr,” she panted. “When you’re witnessing abuse.”
“That was explained, but you chose not to hear it. She was not being mistreated and if you or she hadn’t made a fuss, the collar would have never come into play.” He lapsed into silence, delivering a thorough round of blistering hot swats all over her upturned backside.
When he halted, he rubbed, soothing the burn with a gentle hand for several long moments before he intoned, “Position four.”
With this command, she inverted, suddenly turning upside down, her body perpendicular to the floor. The tips of her long hair brushed the floor beneath her, both legs pointing up toward the ceiling. His body moved against her, his clothing brushing along the tender skin of her backside, although with her world turned topsy-turvy she wasn’t sure what part touched which.
“Look, Eva.”
As she did, she saw herself reflected in the mirror on the wall, the same one she’d dressed in front of, having no real clue to the assembly’s true purpose. She couldn’t count the number of times she’d stepped around the contraption and wondered at its odd placement. Now, it was all too clear.
“Imagine all the wonderfully erotic things I could do to you in this position.” As he spoke, she looked up, flushing as she met his gaze, his face visible between the vee of her legs, right above her bare pussy. His breath brushed across her, the warmth a stark contrast to the coolness of her wet skin. His fingers followed a moment later, brushing lightly over her lips as they stroked forward, the two middle digits slipping into her slit on the return glide.
“Wouldn’t our time be better spent exploring the full range of the mate’s helper, or our big comfortable bed? Or what about the couches in the lounge, or the wide dining table? And the pool, I know you enjoyed the pool.”
Again, he walked around her, then squatted down, peering at her inverted face. His fingers wound into her hair.
“I really don’t enjoy fighting with you, Eva, and the spankings will subside when you learn our ways and comply. I know it’s all new and the adjustment difficult, but this is your home now. You have to make the choice to accept our ways or be prepared to be at odds with me — and make each other miserable until you do.”
He kissed her, an upside down one, which she found highly erotic, the sensual exploration of his tongue making her dizzy, or perhaps it was due to the fact that she hung by her feet and all the blood had rushed to her head. Either way, she felt the anger dissipate beneath his persuasion as she gave in to his kiss.
He pulled away suddenly and stood. Her splayed pussy was now directly in front of his mouth, her own aligned with the large bulge in the front of his snug black uniform pants. He unzipped, and his impressive length sprang free. He guided himself to her lips.
“Now, I think you get it. Suck me, while I return the favor. The mutual oral pleasure should go far in cooling our anger, if not our ardor.”
She’d been thinking of tasting him. It wasn’t something she actively pursued or enjoyed in the past — but this was Kerr. Past preferences and quirks went by the wayside with him, as he stirred the adventurous sexual side of her. She opened her lips, licking the smooth head at the same moment his hot tongue moved over her clit.
She moaned, the sound muffled as she took him deeper, his motions in time with her own as he licked between the folds of her pussy. His fingers came into play next, free where she was not, gliding into her while she had only her mouth to use. And she did so avidly, rocking her head as she sucked and swirled and licked the slightly salty, wonderfully tasty part of him that had given her so much pleasure.
His control much more impressive than her own, as promised, he returned the favor, and before long she cried out, succumbing repeatedly to the skill of his mouth and fingers. After he’d made her climax twice, he growled, “position three.” Once again, she was upright, her bottom poised high and at the perfect height for his cock. He slid into her soaked channel from behind in one, hard, breathtaking thrust.
“Kerr,” she
called helplessly as he slammed into her, driving into her relentlessly, his hands coming around to cup her swollen, swaying breasts. His thumbs flicked over her nipples as his head came forward, his mouth latching onto the side of her neck, the area so sensitive it was as if he suckled on her clit. Currents of ecstasy rippled through her the next moment and she convulsed in a third shattering orgasm. While her muscles clamped down on his penetrating length, he followed her, soaring into his own powerful release.
Chapter 12
In the days that followed the “Eryn incident,” as she referred to it, Eva turned quiet, locked in her head with concerns over the volatile guard’s well-being, despite Kerr’s assurances that Ram could absolutely be trusted. She also dwelt upon what the future held for her, checking the mirror every day for some slight sign of change; a glimmer of gold in her eyes, her light roots turning dark, or a hint of a tan. She also scanned her body for a new mark, no matter how small, especially on her neck. There was nothing. Her continued search ludicrous because according to Kerr, only fated mates developed a mark. And while she and Kerr had a sexual connection, beyond that, they were at odds, often. Too much to establish a bond of any kind, much less one strong enough to create a freckle, let alone such an intricate design. Yet, day after day, she continued to search, finding nothing more than the same old Eva.
How much time did she have before he admitted it wasn’t going to happen? Then what? Would she be discarded and put back into the mate matching data bank? And, after failing to bond with the Princep, who would want her? How would she live, where? She could get a job, but who would be her protector, since one seemed to be required on this weird-retro planet. Could she still live in the capital, perhaps taking a guest room downstairs? However, the thought of seeing him with another woman made the heaviness in her stomach twist into knots, the uncertainty and worry making her sick.
Returning to the Odyssey would be so much easier. In time, and with distance, her heart might even heal. That ship, however, had long since sailed.
Filled with a sense of disquiet, she turned to the comfort of Kerr’s arms time and again. It was a double-edged sword though, because each day that passed, her feelings for him grew stronger. It would make their inevitable parting even more painful. With her emotions turbulent in the extreme, she sought refuge in the rooftop garden.
Days passed with her no closer to transforming and at odds with what to do about it all. She caught Kerr watching her with worried eyes at times, though he didn’t broach the subject. One afternoon, while in the hothouse repotting some root-bound plants into larger containers, she paused, scratching her nose with the back of her soil-covered hand. A shrill feminine squeal startled her so that she knocked over a full pot of peat. Ignoring the mess, she looked up, grinning wildly when she saw Lana rushing toward her. In her excitement to see her friend, she started forward, rudely disregarding Trask trailing a few steps behind wearing an indulgent smile.
Eva didn’t care. Except for the disastrous dinner, which allowed no time for them to talk, she hadn’t seen Lana in over a week.
Her friend caught her in a sideways hug while she gushed a mile a minute about the gorgeous gardens. Her mood instantly more buoyant, Eva looked to Trask to thank him for the visit, but halted when she saw Kerr alongside the general, amusement flickering in his eyes as he took in the scene.
“You were in need of cheering up, sprite,” Kerr said, pulling her out of Lana’s embrace and nudged her chin up for a kiss. Though he didn’t dive in with lips and tongue right away. His eyes glinted with humor as they scanned her upturned face, catching it between his hands as he wiped her cheek and nose with his thumbs. “You had dirt smudges.” He then planted a potent kiss on her mouth. “Enjoy your visit. We’ll be back before it’s time for supper.”
Once the men left, the two friends stared at each other in silent commiseration. Eva held it together for no more than ten seconds, then she crumpled, tears pouring down her cheeks.
“Oh, honey,” Lana crooned as she encircled her shoulders, rocking her gently in a soothing, motherly embrace.
“I keep hearing Eryn’s words, repeating in my head. Then guilt swamps me, making me sick to my stomach. While we’re here in the lap of luxury, what is happening back on earth? The Odyssey? They’re at least eight men down, which is a loss of seven scientists. We were the best of the bunch. That’s got to be a hit too.”
“What would you have us do, Eva? I don’t see a way out.”
Grim faced, she agreed with her assessment. “And Eryn. Have you seen her since that night?”
“No. Trask says Ram has taken her into isolation.”
“Like solitary confinement?” Eva pushed out of her arms.
“She’s not in prison. He says it’s like we were on the ship. Just her and Ram, no one else, in hopes that the transformation will finally take hold.”
Eva shifted uneasily. “Eryn and I are the only ones who haven’t changed.”
“I noticed. You’re the biologist. Why do you think that is?”
“I know plant chemistry, not people. Especially not the people of a strange alien race.”
“What does Kerr say?”
“I mentioned it the night of the welcome dinner. He shrugged it off, saying every couple is different and hasn’t mentioned it since. I’ve been afraid to bring it up again, but Lana, I think there’s been a terrible mistake.”
“No… honey.” Despite her denial, her friend’s face clouded with uneasiness.
“What other explanation can there be? We’re unknowns to them and their tests. Maybe Ram is right and Eryn and I are anomalies of some kind.”
“Yet Kerr seems so pleased. He is, isn’t he?”
“Of course, the sex is great and frequent.”
“Is it for you too? Great, I mean.”
She flushed. “This subject has come up more in the past two weeks than in my entire lifetime.”
“They are very sexual creatures.”
“Three times a day is more than very. I’m surprised I can walk.”
“Tell me about it.”
Her eyes met Lana’s and they both shook their heads.
“Going from a three-year dry spell to almost too much of a good thing is a bizarre new reality. What happens when the novelty wears off and he’s stuck with an unbonded mate? I’m so confused, Lana. One moment I want to leave out of duty and overwhelming guilt, not to mention the whole captive thing and scary, alien discipline like vocal restraints.” She grimaced at the thought. “Then he touches me, and I’m like Eryn said — a mindless sheep.”
“Don’t forget subservient to his feet and bowing at his cock.”
Her friend’s tone was so deadpan, Eva looked up. At her waggling brows, she couldn’t keep from laughing, not realizing until then how much she had missed her.
“I think you got that backwards. But yes”—she raised her hand—”slutty Eva is alive and well on Primaria.”
“So is slutty Lana. How can we not be? They’re gorgeous, strong, skilled lovers, and last but not least, big all over.” She fanned herself with her hand.
“I did mention I’m surprised I can walk, right?” She looked away with a sigh. “I’m a mess. Thankfully, I have a place to retreat to when it gets overwhelming. I come up here, dig in the dirt, commune with nature, and drink tea.”
Lana’s brows lifted. “Tea? What kind? I haven’t had a good cup since we left on the mission.”
“Look here.” Eva held up a blue multi-petaled flower.
“Blue daisy tea?” she grimaced.
“Close, but no cigar,” she grinned. “The colors probably threw you off. This is chamomile, though they call it something else that’s too much of a mouthful to say.”
“What else do they have that I would know? The odd colors make them hard to identify.”
“Fresh fruit. Although it takes some getting used to. The strawberries here are peach and their peaches are red like berries. Both are sweeter than any I’ve ever tasted and huge, l
ike everything else around here.” She held out an unusually large strawberry, nearly the size of her palm. “Try one.”
After the first tentative bite, Lana’s eyes lit up. She proceeded to gobble up the rest of the large berry and reached for another.
“I found these, too.” Eva said as she bent to lift a basket off the floor.
“Please say pineapple,” she mumbled, her mouth full,
“Sorry, I haven’t come across any citrus yet, but check this out — white tomatoes, purple carrots and pink lettuce.”
Leaning in, she picked up a tomato and brought it to her face for a sniff. “Mm, why haven’t they been serving this? Meat, bread and potatoes. Weird looking blue potatoes, at that.” She wrinkled her nose. “I’d kill for a salad.”
“You can come over and I’ll make us one anytime. I’m sure they serve what the men like. You have noticed the size of them, right?”
“Yeah.” She held her hands a foot apart. “I’ve noticed.” Then she burst into a fit of giggles while Eva rolled her eyes.
“And we’ve circled back to sex talk again,” she said, groaning. Eva was unable to hide her grin, the infectious nature of Lana’s bubbly personality impossible to resist.
“Oh. My. God!”
Eva started and turned her head, searching for a huge bug or a snake creeping up on her. She saw nothing to be alarmed over.
“Is that what I think it is?”
“What?” She followed the direction of Lana’s gaze to one of the only three green plants in the entire place. She wasn’t surprised that she’d noticed the fan-shaped leaves with notched edges and the long, thin stem which was almost identical to earth’s version of the plant.
“That looks exactly like cannabis.”
“That’s because it is.”
“Get out. How do you know?” Lana glanced at her slyly. “Have you tried it?”
“No, though I’ve been tempted.” Feeling more lighthearted than she had in days, she grinned. “Maybe we should — for scientific purposes, of course.”
“Kerr would have a fit.”
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