“Technology.”
“That doesn’t concern me?”
“Exactly.”
Before she’d blinked, he was gone, leaving the wall open behind him. If he wasn’t moving like a flash, he was stalking like a graceful predator, a prowler that matched his bloodthirsty trait.
From the way her legs were shaking and sweat beaded on her forehead, the drug was still strong in her system. She ignored the nausea. She wouldn’t be sick. Mind over matter. At least her body was hydrated. She sat up and swung her legs over the bed. Feeling dizzy, just as Drako had predicted, she got up slowly. The carpet was soft under her feet, the fibers massaging her soles. For a few seconds she stood still, enjoying the sensation. When she felt more stable, she made her way to the bathroom. Halfway there, her head started spinning. She reached for the wall, pushing one palm on the smooth surface and the other on her stomach. Inhaling deeply, she concentrated hard on not falling over or being sick all over Drako’s magic carpet.
A blur of movement flashed in her peripheral vision, and then Drako was at her side. The speediness of his actions only added to her disorientation, making her feel more light-headed.
“Ilse.” His hands fastened on her hips, burning like branding irons. “Come here.”
He scooped her up in his arms, cradling her against his chest.
Acutely aware of her nakedness, she pushed at his chest. “I’m fine.”
“Keep still,” he chastised. “I told you you’d be unstable.”
He carried her to the bathroom and lowered her onto a bench, which was strangely warm under her naked backside.
“Let me check you out.” He swept his hands over her shoulders and down her arms. “Where does it ache?”
“My head.” She touched her temple where pain was throbbing.
“The drug must’ve dehydrated you,” he mused. “What else?”
“Just a bit of dizziness and nausea.”
“You’re shivering. Are you cold?”
“A little.”
“You have a very susceptible nervous system to have such strong reactions. I’m sorry for the side-effects, but sedating you was the easiest way.”
She couldn’t keep the bitterness from her voice. “For you.”
He ignored the comment. “Wait here.”
“Where else am I going to go?”
He opened his mouth as if to say something, but shut it again. When he left the bathroom, she leaned against the cool wall, closing her eyes. As shivers continued to wrack her body, the wall seemed to adapt to her needs, turning warm. She had under-floor heating in her house, but she’d never experienced wall heating.
Drako’s voice spoke next to her. “You’ll be better in no time.”
She opened her eyes. She hadn’t heard him came back. The man really moved like a panther.
He cupped her neck. “Don’t be afraid. This won’t hurt.”
In his hand, he held a flat device the size of credit card. As he pointed it at her skull, she pulled away.
“What is that? What are you going to do to me?”
His thumb brushed over the nape of her neck. “Relax. I’m going to make you better.”
“Is this how you healed yourself?” She nodded at the device in his hand. “This is what you needed from your pod?”
He nodded. “Now, be quiet. Close your eyes.”
Deep inside, she believed him. She didn’t think he meant to harm her with the device. She tilted her head back, but kept her eyes open. Crouching in front of her, he angled the device at her forehead. A light came on and a red beam ran over her skin. The feeling was pleasantly tingling. In an instant, her headache disappeared. As he ran the beam over the length of her, every ache subsided. The fever vanished. The nausea made way for a healthy appetite. Every muscle relaxed. She felt revitalized, better than she’d felt in years.
“This is incredible,” she whispered. “How does it work?”
“Advanced nanotechnology. Better?”
“Much.”
He put the device aside. “You’re welcome.”
Instead of straightening, he remained crouched, bracing his hands on the bench on either side of her body. The color of his eyes intensified. A darker swirl of gold invaded the yellow until his irises were a deep, bronze color that seemed to come alive with fireworks. She couldn’t look away. His gaze dropped to her lips. The way he stared at her mouth as if he wanted to eat her alive made her relive the memory of their kiss. It had been unlike any kiss she’d shared. The thought alone brought her body to life, her stomach contracting with flutters. She pushed her knees together. He didn’t need to know how intense the reaction was he had on her. It would only put more power in his hands.
He abandoned his scrutiny of her lips to fix it on her breasts. His nostrils flared slightly. The direction in which his gaze shifted told her he knew exactly how turned on she was. She jumped when he gripped her knees and pulled her legs apart.
“What are you doing?”
All his attention honed in on the junction between her legs. He studied her unabashedly, just like he’d done the first day they’d met.
She strained against his hold. “Let go of me.”
“You shave,” he said, tilting his head to examine the landing strip trim.
“It’s called waxing,” she snapped. “Now let go. You’re looking at me as if you’re used to nothing.”
He smirked. “Oh, I’ve seen my share of vaginas, but yours is beautiful. So pink and tight.”
“I prefer not to discuss my vagina’s attributes with you.”
“I prefer to do a lot more than talking about how appealing your pussy is.” He pressed his thumb on her clit. “You’re wet.” His eyes twinkled, easing some of the dark lust of earlier. “Again.”
“It’s a natural reaction. Don’t flatter yourself.”
“I forgot. You’re trained to get like this.”
“Go to hell.”
He adjusted an impossibly huge hard-on, all the while massaging her clit in torturously slow circles. “I am in hell.”
This was a dangerous situation. The more he touched her, the wetter she got. It was impossible not for him to notice the moisture leaking onto the insides of her legs.
“I want my clothes,” she said defiantly.
“What are you willing to trade for them?”
“You’re not seriously going to play this game, are you?”
“I’m always serious, little doll.”
If she could’ve turned into a dragon, she would’ve spat fire. “You’re infuriating. Stop touching me.”
His thumb kept on teasing, working her into a tightly spun ball of desperate desire. Dear God, she was pathetic.
“An orgasm for your bra,” he said without blinking.
“You’re out of your mind.”
“It’s up to you.” He shrugged. “You can cover up your cute tits and the way your nipples turn harder than pearls every time I touch you or have dinner with me naked.”
Eating naked didn’t sit right with her. Not while ogling her like he was, making a visual meal of her body. Surely, she could handle one orgasm. Maybe after two, he’d give her back her panties, too.
“Fine.” She stopped fighting his hold and relaxed her legs, opening them wider. “Make it quick.”
He clicked his tongue. “Rush the first time you’re going to come for me? I don’t think so.”
Her cheeks heated, but she held her tongue.
Straightening, he offered her a hand. “Get up.”
“Why?” She was starting to panic again. “What’s wrong with here?”
“You’re going to watch your reaction in case you’re tempted to lie about it later and tell me you didn’t enjoy it.”
“I probably won’t. This isn’t a romantic situation. Just get it over with so I can have my clothes.”
He didn’t budge. He just stood there with his proffered hand.
Sighing, she put her palm in his and allowed him to pull her to her fe
et. He led her to a wall that opened to reveal a mirror. Out of nowhere, a plank appeared and drifted to them on the air, but she didn’t have time to express her surprise, as the plank shifted neatly under her ass and rose, lifting her feet an inch off the floor. She yelped, grabbing at Drako’s arms for support, but the floating seat was very stable and comfortable. Towering behind her, Drako dragged his hands over her shoulders down to her breasts. She gasped as he gripped her nipples and rolled them between his fingers. They extended further, turning even harder than before. The sensation echoed in her abdomen, sending more moisture to her folds. She caught Drako’s gaze in the mirror as he studied her face.
“Look at you,” he said. “Isn’t that pretty?”
She had to admit there was something erotic about watching the wicked work of his hands. Her breasts appeared heavier. Her cheeks were flushed, and her lips parted. It was hard to deny the ecstasy when it was written all over her face.
“See how beautiful you look when you’re wet?” he breathed in her neck.
He smoothed his hands over her stomach, down to her inner thighs. Dragging up his palms, he watched her intently as his fingers reached the apex of her sex. Lightly, he brushed them over her folds. She shivered. Her chest heaved with labored breaths.
“That’s right, little doll. I want to make you shake with pleasure.”
When he traced a finger over her slit, she closed her eyes and leaned her head back against his chest. A sharp pinch on her clit made her eyes fly open.
“Keep on watching,” he said. “I want you to see what you look like when I make you come. There’ll be no denying how much you enjoy it.”
He was right. There was no denying the sensations that ran through her body as he gently slipped the first digit of a finger inside. Moaning, she bit her lip.
“You can be loud,” he whispered, kissing her ear. “There’s no one here to hear but me.”
Turning his attention back to her face, he eased his finger all the way in. Her inner walls fluttered.
“More?” he said with an evil smile.
She managed nothing more than a whimper.
“That’s my doll.”
He kept on whispering words of praise and encouragement for her reaction as he started moving his finger, inviting louder moans and her body to writhe against his. With one arm clamped around her waist, he held her back to his stomach while adding another finger to the first. The fullness felt like heaven. She wanted to object and beg him not to stop at the same time. Already hot coils of pleasure twisted around her insides. She spread her legs wider, giving him better access.
“Yes, damn it all,” he hissed, his gaze slipping from her face to where he was conducting his sensual assault on her most sensitive parts.
The pad of his thumb pressed down on her clit. She was going to come undone.
“Drako.”
“Yes, Ilse. It’s me taking your pleasure. Only me.”
She cried out again as he picked up his pace, fucking her in all earnest with his fingers. She was helpless to prevent hot, intense pleasure from building inside her. She could stop it as little as she could stop the effect he had on her. Leaning back against him for support, she gave over to the sensations, allowing them to wrack her body. He flattened his hand, slapping the heel of his palm on her clit. Decadent, wet, spanking sounds filled the space. She gripped his hips, sinking her nails into the fabric of his slacks.
“Close?” he purred.
“Ah!” The brutality of the pleasure had her toes curl. “Mm-mm.”
Withdrawing his fingers abruptly, he lifted her to her feet and pushed her upper body down with a hand between her shoulder blades. At the brusque change of positions, she caught her weight with her hands on a plank that had appeared miraculously in front of her. A protesting sound escaped her throat at the loss of his touch, but he filled her quickly and fully by pressing three fingers into her from behind. The stretch added a scorching pressure, making her need climb quicker. He fucked her hard, making her body sway to the hammering rhythm of his hand.
“Drako,” she gasped.
His golden gaze lifted from her pussy to her face. “Show me.”
She did. Her expression contorted in a mask of intense ecstasy as her orgasm detonated, pulling her muscles tight. Her thighs quivered, and her arms shook as spasms rippled through her body. Through it all, Drako kept up his harsh pace until she couldn’t stand it any longer. Unable to do as much as speak coherently, she could only utter a protesting moan, shaking her head meekly. In the far-off corners of her mind, there was embarrassment for her distorted features and the way she chewed her lip to prevent herself from screaming, but she was too consumed with the sensations coursing through her body to give it another thought.
Only after several long seconds did Drako finally stop. Her body went limp. He had to catch her around the waist to prevent her from sliding to the floor. She was breathing hard, but so was he. The frightening length of his hard-on pressed against her backside as he leaned over her, pressing a kiss to her shoulder.
“Perfect,” he whispered, “like I knew you’d be.”
She hung her head in shame, unable to meet his eyes.
“Look at me,” he demanded.
The uncompromising tone made her lift her head. His golden eyes met hers in the mirror.
“You loved that.”
She didn’t answer. She didn’t have to. It had been obvious, but Drako wasn’t content with her silence.
He gripped her hair into a ponytail, giving a soft yank. “Tell me you loved it.”
She gave him a defiant stare. “You know I did.”
“Tell me,” he insisted.
He wasn’t going to give up. He was much too obstinate when he had a point to prove. Anyway, her face had already given it all away. What difference would admitting it with words make?
“I liked it.”
He chuckled. “That’s rather mild. You can do better than that.”
He was such an arrogant bastard. “Fine. I loved it. Happy?”
“How much?”
She wiggled in his grip, trying to duck under his arms, but he only tightened his hold.
“How much, little doll?”
“A lot!” She added angrily, “Wasn’t that obvious?”
“Yes, but I like hearing you say it.”
He released her hair to drag his fingers over her scalp. “How about that shower, now?”
God, yes. She needed to escape their intimacy.
He indicated the shower booth. “Take your time.”
Thankfully, he left her to her privacy, giving her time not only for her grooming, but also to come to terms with what had happened. How easily she’d surrendered to him. He’d won this round, and she had a feeling he was going to win a whole lot more. With a weary sigh, she pushed away from the plank. Her body felt bruised in a good way, an experience she hadn’t had in a long time. Dragging herself to the shower, she took a minute to figure out the controls. She was still trying to come to grips with an overly complicated system when the booth closed around her, encasing her in glass. She pressed on the walls in a fit of terror. The smaller the booth got, the faster her heart beat. She dragged her nails over the glass, looking for a seal or a door. When vapor poured from ventilation holes, obscuring her vision and preventing her from breathing, she lost it.
She hammered her fists on the walls. “Drako!”
She tried to suck in a breath, but there was only humidity. She was going to be smothered to death.
Choking, she banged her palm on the glass. “Drako! Please let me out.”
The vapor became denser, the fog obscuring not only her sight, but also the little reason she was hanging onto.
Keep calm. Don’t panic.
Repeating the mantra didn’t help. Shit, she was going to black out. She focused on her breathing, clinging to reason, but then something inside of her snapped. She fought like an animal in a cage, clawing for freedom.
“Please, please,
” she panted. “No more. Please.”
The vapor stopped, but she was too far gone to calm down. Hot air blew over her body and a sweet perfume filled the space. She just wanted out. Sobbing, she sunk to her knees, her palms pressed on the walls that kept on shrinking.
Drako came charging into the room, his eyes wild when they fixed on her. In a second, the capsule opened, cool air washing over her. She caught her weight on her hands, gulping air into her starved lungs.
“Crute.” In a flash, he was in front of her, picking her up in his arms. “It’s all right, Ilse. You’re all right.” He pressed her face to his broad chest and carried her to the bedroom. Sitting down on the edge, he cradled her in his lap. “Zut. What happened?”
“I-I…” She battled to speak through her violent sobs.
“Shh.” He stroked her hair. “You’re safe. I’ve got you.”
He rocked her gently, his arms firm around her but not too tight. Eventually, his cooing words and soothing paid off, leaving her feeling slightly better and totally embarrassed.
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize.” He kissed the top of her head. “Just tell me what happened.”
“The shower. It closed in on me.”
“Yes?” He frowned at her, as if her words were a mystery to him.
“I couldn’t breathe. I was drowning.”
“Of course you could breathe. You must’ve panicked. Do you suffer from a phobia?”
“I have a bit of claustrophobia.”
“A bit?” He raised an eyebrow, a soft smile curving his lips.
“All right. A lot. I’m terrible with small spaces.”
“I’m sorry, sweetheart.” He nuzzled her temple. “I should’ve asked or at least have explained. It’s an intelligent shower, but if it makes you nervous I’ll construct something more traditional for you, something you’re used to.”
She stared at him in surprise. “You’d do that for me?” Wouldn’t that be difficult and time-consuming? How long was he planning on playing this game?
“The idea isn’t to torture you,” he said, the warmth of his gaze chilling by several degrees. “I don’t derive pleasure from making people suffer like humans do.”
The Krinar Experiment Page 11
