Ruled

by J. J. Lore

  She was nearly shaking with emotion, and without much thought, Mal also reached for her, wanting to make contact and, he hoped, calm her somewhat so they could effectively communicate and resolve this misunderstanding. She started when he made contact with her arm, but allowed him to grasp her elbow.

  “A whore is paid to have sex with someone. I’m not that. I’m not that desperate.” Her voice faded to a soft whisper, and her gaze left his to fall to the floor.

  “This wasn’t a payment, this was a gift.” Edem took a step closer and rested his hand on her shoulder. She didn’t shake him off this time, and a thrill of awareness coursed through Mal. Of course he sensed Edem’s curious mood of concern blended with irrepressible arousal, but he was also detecting desperate sadness. Corrine’s state must be formidable for him to sense it through the strength of his bond with Edem. Sudden sympathy for her plight assailed him. She was poor, surviving in a dangerous neighborhood as her adoptive city crumbled around her, and here they came, wealthy, confident, and with complete freedom to go where they liked when they liked. No wonder she felt at a disadvantage and was sensitive to being perceived as a commodity, powerless against their whims.

  “I won’t be bought off by some gaudy trinket,” she whispered and finally raised her gaze to his. Edem held the box, clearly unsure what to do to salvage the situation. Unable to resist the allure of her loosened hair a moment longer, Mal allowed himself to smooth a few of the silky strands back into place. Corrine’s eyelids fluttered, and she sighed.

  “It was a gift. Perhaps a badly timed one.” Mal gave Edem a reproving glance. “But merely a gift with no attached expectations.”

  “Absolutely none. I saw these and thought of you and merely wanted you to have them immediately.” His bondmate tucked the box under his arm and peered at Corrine with concern. “If they displease you, you’ll never see them again.”

  Corrine swallowed, and her shoulders slumped. The tension that had filled her appeared to be abating, and Mal continued his gentle stroked of her arm since the repetitive motions seemed to be calming her. “We have great respect for you.”

  “Yes, but you want to screw me, too, right?” Her voice cracked.

  “Engaging in sexual intercourse does not infer lack of esteem,” Edem spoke up with a frown. “I don’t like the word screw, just as I don’t like whore. Both sound base and degenerate.”

  Mal didn’t like the path this conversation was taking. It was clear to him Corrine had been dwelling on the possibility of engaging in an encounter, and she was finding it difficult to see the appeal. Was it them she was unsure of, or the act itself? He was aware enough of human society to know women and children were taken advantage of, and the thought of it sickened him. On Alpha, they were the most revered and protected, but here they were often abandoned and abused. “Anything that happens between us would be your choice, your decision.”

  “But I’d be stuck on that ship and you could do whatever you wanted!” Her gaze flickered between them. “You’re in charge of everything.”

  Edem cocked his head back and studied her with a slight frown. “Are you saying you’re worried we’d force you?”

  Mal knew his bondmate’s sense of honor was severely insulted. His was, too, but he was trying to get past that to understand Corrine’s point of view. She didn’t know Alphans and had no idea of the moral codes they embraced. In her experience, men probably did take what they wanted on a regular basis. How was she supposed to have faith in them on such short acquaintance?

  Pushing aside his inclination to gather her up and kiss her until she could think of nothing other than her own pleasure, he instead cupped his hand to her soft cheek and met her gaze. Her eyes were glassy with incipient tears, and her lips quivered. “We don’t force ourselves on anyone. We would never do that to you.”

  Hoping with all his heart Edem would stay silent and not spout some egotistical nonsense about how women were eager to bed them because he was the heir to the king or some such bluster, Mal merely watched Corrine, alert to the emotions flitting across her features. Her grey eyes softened with sadness, and she quivered. “But it will hurt.”

  Her quiet admission stunned him, and he sensed Edem stiffen with shock.

  “We don’t—we wouldn’t hurt you. Why would you think…” His bondmate quieted in confused realization. Mal suppressed his anger at whatever beast had mistreated her so. Revenge would be impossible to undertake, so he couldn’t even contemplate it or else it would cloud his reactions. Corrine again dropped her gaze to the floor and hunched her shoulders as if she expected to be hit. He took in her slim arms and slight figure and fought the growl of anger building within him. She was so small, so defenseless—how could any man be so clumsy during such a delightful act?

  “It shouldn’t hurt. It won’t hurt.” Mal knew he had no right to make such an assurance, but he felt compelled to nonetheless. Taking a deep breath, he risked putting an arm around her waist and drawing her to his chest as he’d longed to do since she’d first rushed into the hangar. To his relief, she shuffled his way, curling against him, her breasts and hips pressing against him. Despite the serious nature of their conversation, his staff swelled, urging him to comfort and fulfill her in a much more primal manner than mere words could provide. She twisted her head and looked at Edem as he stepped their way, circling his arm around Mal’s shoulders and stroking Corrine’s hair. His bondmate’s body was tight with tension.

  “It did. And you’re so big, and there’s two of you.” Her whisper was muffled as she pressed her face to his shoulder.

  “Corrine, what would pass between us would be enjoyable for us all. I would gain no pleasure unless both you and Mal did as well.” Edem touched her hair, and she wriggled against Mal’s chest with a wordless whimper. She wasn’t trying to disengage, so Mal concluded their touches were of some comfort to her. “Let us show you.”

  Mal stared at Edem, unsure what he was proposing they do inside this cavernous, deserted space. None would dare interrupt, but this was hardly an environment fit for seduction, especially that of skittish young woman.

  “Did you not enjoy our kisses? I certainly did.” Edem inclined his head and nuzzled her cheek. Heat built between their bodies. “I believe Mal did as well though he refused to discuss it with me.”

  At this, Corrine looked up at him, her lips slightly parted. Releasing his grip on her hip, he brushed his fingertips along the beauty mark at the corner of her mouth. “Did you?”

  Not trusting himself to answer, he nodded, then bent his head to capture her mouth with his. He needed to know how she’d respond. She shook once at the contact, then pressed her mouth to his, her sweet flavor dancing across his tongue.

  ****

  They made her shake. She’d thought it was first with anger, then fear, but as Mal eased his mouth against hers while Edem circled his fingers down her back, she knew she was shaking with lust. How had she gotten here? She’d been so insulted by the gift she’d rushed to them thoughtlessly and had somehow admitted to them she was frightened of sex, but now was barely able to keep on her feet for the heat blooming in her pussy.

  Someone’s hands were pulling at the hem of her shirt, and she drew away from Mal to glance down and discover Edem had insinuated his fingertips underneath the material and was now rubbing along her bare waist. Her skin tingled. Mal reached for her buttons and had the front of her shirt open before she realized what was happening. When the cool air reached her nearly exposed breasts, she automatically reached to bring the edges back together, her breath rushing in and out with a mix of desire and caution.

  “Let us see and touch. Just here,” Edem said softly as he caressed her lower back. Mal stared at her, his eyes darkening as he gave a slight nod. It was stupid to even consider it, but she seemed to be doing lots of stupid things lately. This could be the test. She could say no and hope they would stop. Would they let her control this? She didn’t want to say no yet, though. She sucked in a breath and urged her stif
f fingers to cooperate as she released her grip on the shirt. She was wearing a bra, so she could say no when then tried to remove that final layer and expose her.

  Edem let out a sigh and tugged at her sleeves, her blouse falling from her shoulders. She couldn’t stop her shiver as the cool air trickled across her back and stomach. Mal tightened his grip on her waist, and with a start she realized he had a sizeable erection and it was pressed into her belly. Normally, she’d shy away, but somehow knowing how aroused he was pleased her rather than made her anxious.

  Mal trailed his fingers along her collarbones. “You’re lovely.”

  “So delicate,” Edem chimed in, and she glanced at him, wondering what he thought of her faded, repaired bra. He was a powerful man on his planet and was probably used to women who were perfumed, groomed, and attired in beautiful chiffons and laces. She failed on all counts.

  Sliding his hand along her side, Edem cupped one of her breasts, pushing her flesh slightly up. Her nipple contracted in a painful nub, and she inhaled deeply. He ran his thumb over the sensitized bit of flesh, and the material of her bra bit into her.

  Mal dipped his head her way, long strands of his dark hair trailing along her bare shoulders. He pressed a kiss to the top swell of the breast Edem was holding, and she shook at the sensation of both of them caressing her in synchronicity. She clenched her hands in confusion. She wanted to touch them but wasn’t sure how. She’d always been confused and tense with the few men she’d been with, which had undoubtedly contributed to her discomfort with the act.

  Soft lips nibbled at her neck, and she leaned away from him, not to avoid the touch as she should, but to allow him more room. The ticklish sensations crept over her nerves, and she compulsively reached up to clutch at Edem’s head, her fingers sinking into his surprisingly silky hair. He bit her throat gently in response, and a surprised moan burst from her. Before she could think further, Mal had fastened his mouth over her nipple and pressed his teeth to the sensitized flesh. Her whole body jolted uncontrollably, and she cried out, unable to hold back the sound of surprise and excitement.

  “It would be better without this,” Edem whispered in her ear as he ran his fingers under the shoulder strap of her bra. Mal rumbled against her breast, and she reached her other hand out to trace into his hair, careful to avoid those curving horns. “May I?”

  Closing her eyes, Corrine nodded and allowed her head to loll back against Edem’s hard shoulder. She felt the straps slide off her shoulders and down her arms, and then the cool air wafting across the tender skin of her chest. Big, warm hands tugged the bra down around her waist, then slid up to cup underneath each breast, and she quivered with the sensation. She’d never felt particularly well-endowed, but now everything seemed swollen and warm from her peaked nipples to the flesh rounded beneath them. A warm mouth fastened to one breast, and in a long, slow pull it drew her in a tantalizing suck that had her rising up on her toes. A jolt of heat ignited her pussy, and she clenched her thighs together both enjoying and repressing the sensation. Edem moved behind her, and she staggered, reaching out to Mal’s shoulder to steady herself.

  A second mouth found her other breast, and the shock made her eyes fly open. She looked down to see two black-haired heads aligned on her torso, obsidian horns curved and shining in the lights overhead. She drew away from herself and her over-stimulated body for a moment, picturing the scene. Big men in dark clothes crouching in front of her arching, half-nude, pale body, their wet mouths fastened to her breasts as they suckled. It would make an arresting painting begging the audience to decide if they were worshiping her or making ready to eat her.

  A wave of dizziness overtook her, and she swayed, grasping desperately for Edem’s shoulder as her knees buckled. In an instant, Mal had released her breast and rose, circling one arm around her waist.

  “I have you,” he whispered, nuzzling her hair.

  “What are you doing to me?” A terrible longing filled her as she tried to catch her breath. She wanted to strip off the remainder of her clothes and have them kiss her like this all over her body. Her toes, her knees, her belly, her buttocks, and most certainly her pussy. She’d never wanted intimate contact with anyone as intensely as she wanted it with these two alien men.

  “Enjoying you. Are you pleased?”

  Corrine swallowed thickly and managed a nod. Mal’s lips curled into a quick grin, and he pressed a kiss to her lips. She gave herself over to it and whimpered into his mouth when Edem left her nipple. His big hands cupped under her breasts and supported them as Mal drew back. Edem stood in front of her, watching her face as he rubbed his thumbs across her distended nipples. Little sparks of pleasure careened from her breasts to her pussy and back again.

  “Mal and I would like to continue this with you, in more convivial surroundings and with plenty of time at our disposal. Would you like the same?”

  It was difficult to manage her concentration when his hands were caressing her and Mal was playing with her hair. She had to decide, had to know what to do next. “I … I would.”

  Acceptance of their desire filled her with relief. Tension she didn’t know she’d been carrying rushed away and left her lighter and happier than she’d felt in a long while. Being with them eased her heart. She didn’t worry about what came next, didn’t run through those mental lists of what she had to do at the relief kitchen, didn’t wonder where she’d go once her aunt left Atlanta. A few more hours of that freedom, in addition to all the sensual pleasures she now knew they’d give her, was something she deserved. This might be her only chance to grab a little pleasure, and she’d be a fool to let it escape.

  “Very good.” Edem nodded once, then busied himself with pulling her bra back in place, gently easing her breasts into the frayed cups and arranging the saggy elastic straps over her shoulders. Sudden awareness of her poverty, of her recent uninhibited nakedness assailed her, and she knew a ferocious blush crept up her cheeks in a warm, humiliating wave.

  “You are uncomfortable. What is wrong?” Mal rumbled as he guided her hands into the sleeves of her shirt.

  “I … my clothes are shabby. I’m sorry.”

  Mal scowled and gave a quick shake of his head, his dark hair sliding across his shoulders. “I don’t wish for you to consider it. We aren’t interested in the clothing you wear.”

  Edem let out a laugh. “Far from it.”

  Mal gave his bondmate a look, and Corrine realized they exchanged a lot of unspoken communication. It had served her well when they’d been kissing her, but it was something to consider in their other interactions. “What happens now?”

  “Two of our officers will escort you home, unless you care to return to our suite with us tonight?” Edem made the offer with an easy manner, but she could sense the intent under his cultured tone. Oh yes, he and Mal would be very pleased if she followed right behind them like a begging puppy. She still had a bit of will left, despite her rather wanton display earlier.

  “No, it’s late. I’ll go home.”

  “We’ll send around porters to collect your things in the morning.”

  “Collect my things?” She shook her head slowly, not sure what he meant.

  “Yes, our ship departs in thirty-one hours.” Mal straightened her shirt and buttoned it closed with nimble movements of his thick fingers.

  She’d thought she’d agreed to see them again, perhaps at the hotel, hadn’t realized they were leaving the planet so soon. “You mean all the human dignitaries are leaving in a little over a day?”

  “Yes. It was surprising how efficient things became between all the varied governments when we presented our deadline.”

  “We don’t negotiate,” Mal added with a confident inflection.

  But you negotiated with me, Corrine wanted to point out, but decided to hold her tongue. She’d already agreed to more, done more, than she’d ever anticipated. Mal made a few minute adjustments to her clothing and nodded once. He pressed a small square device attached to his tunic, simi
lar to the one Edem had given her, and spoke into it to summon her escort. The feeling of being swept away returned. The door opened, and two massive Alphan officers loomed in, their eyes unblinkingly focused on Edem. He made a gesture her way, and they flanked her, nearly surrounding her with their bulk.

  “Until the morrow, Corrine.” Edem pulled up her hand and placed another kiss on her knuckles, this time allowing his lips to linger. Mal seconded the gesture, adding a small nip to her skin, which made her jump. They both smiled, and the two escorts acted as if nothing was happening. Without a word, she walked to the door, suddenly anxious to escape the huge room and the intent regard of the bondmates. Walking home would, she hoped, distract her from considering what she’d just consented to do.

  Chapter Five

  “Do they really expect us to turn around and go back? For a pet?” Edem sighed, anxious to get through all the matters requiring his attention as soon as they’d taken off from Earth. All he’d been concerned about was Corrine’s safe arrival on board. Once he’d heard that news from Mal, all the voluminous demands and questions from the other human passengers had become annoying noise.

  “It’s a small dog, and the Brazilian ambassador claims he will not eat without her hand feeding it.” Mal sighed as he scanned a long list of tasks at hand. They were ensconced in their private cabin and had dismissed all attendants except Durant, who was waiting for his final orders for the day.

  “She shouldn’t have boarded the ship without it.” Edem contemplated the need for agreeable terms on mining concessions in Brazil. The country possessed a wealth of dazzling gems he aimed to monopolize.

  “Apparently the animal’s carrying case was left behind or mistaken for something else.” Mal looked away from his display and narrowed his eyes. “You don’t suppose—Durant, proceed immediately to the storage hold and search for the creature. Perhaps it was loaded along with the other baggage.”