Home in Your Arms

by Sarah Bale

  The man’s mouth dropped open but he didn’t argue. Lexi knew as he left that he would immediately tell others that Carter was alone with two women, which meant her time was even more precious.

  Carter made a circle around her and stopped so that her only way to exit the cave was blocked. He was sizing her up to see how she would respond. She took in a deep breath and held his gaze.

  “Why have you returned? I didn’t think you had a death wish, my lady.”

  “I need your help.”

  A short laugh left his lips. “My help? Now that is humorous. What makes you think I would even want to help you? What would I get out of it?”

  “You’ll help me because you’re tired of the Witches ruling your every movement.”

  His dislike of the Witches was so strong that she could even see how he had thought about killing them. Each thought was more graphic than the next and she knew that pain was indeed his specialty. Over time, it had become a way for him to get rid of tension too.

  “As for what you will get out of it…well…I think we can come to an understanding.”

  She took a step forward and pushed her cape over her shoulders. His green eyes ran up and down her body until she felt her nipples tighten under his stare. His lust was so contagious that she felt herself getting lost in it. And if the bump causing his loincloth to rise like a tent was any indication, she wasn’t the only one being affected.

  “And what kind of understanding did you have in mind?”

  His voice broke the spell she was falling under and she shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts.

  “My body for one night in exchange for your help getting into the Witches’ palace.” He started to speak but she cut him off, “And I don’t mean entrance into the palace because I have been captured, either. I want you to get me in and help me find my friends.”

  He chuckled. “You seem to think your body is worth its weight in gold. What if I don’t think your offer is good enough?”

  He was bluffing and she knew it. He wanted her so much that he was having a hard time keeping his hands off her.

  “Oh I’m worth it. Just ask Colleen.”

  He glanced at the madam before shaking his head.

  “No deal, lady. I’m going to give you a chance to get out of here before I decide to kill you. Please don’t try to come back again. I don’t make the same mistake twice.”

  He moved so she could leave but she didn’t. Instead, she stepped in front of him and took her cape off, letting it fall to the dirt floor of the cave.

  “We aren’t finished here. I know you aren’t going to kill me.”

  “And how do you know this?”

  She ran her hand down his muscular chest until she reached his loincloth. He was already hard but when she cupped him, he grew in her hand.

  “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll stop.” His voice was thick with lust and Lexi shivered in fear.

  “I don’t want to stop. I want to help you just as you want to help me, Carter.”

  He turned so that she was pinned against the stone. Hot breath hit her ear right before he nipped her neck. She pulled him close, catching his mouth for a kiss. His kiss was rushed, as if he were afraid it would end but she wasn’t going anywhere.

  He fisted her hair and pulled, causing her to moan.

  “It’s not you that I want…”

  She met his gaze and then nodded. He let her go and she was glad. Colleen went up to him and rubbed his cheek.

  “How long has it been?”

  He replied, “Twenty years and just as long since someone used my real name.”

  She ran her hand through his hair as he kissed his way down her neck. Carter shoved the dress down, revealing Colleen’s breast. Their building desire was contagious and she closed her eyes, savoring the moment. Carter had wanted Colleen for a long time.

  “Do it,” Colleen urged him.

  He dropped to his knees and caught her nipple between his teeth. Though it had been twenty years for him, he still knew what he was doing and her head fell back in pleasure. He sucked and nibbled while his hands moved under her dress. Lexi watched as Colleen’s hip bucked.

  “Oh yes, Carter,” she breathed out.

  “This dress has to go,” he said right before he ripped it from her body, tossing it aside.

  Lexi could feel Colleen’s excitement. His mouth was setting the other woman’s blood on fire, which was also creating some very graphic mental images. Carter kissed a trail down her body and she moaned when he reached her hip.

  “Carter,” she whispered.

  Hearing his name again unleashed more feelings and Lexi had to lean against the stone wall for support. There were so many emotions coming from him that it made her head swirl. He stood and tore his loincloth off. Lexi admired his body. He was breathtaking, even nude. Even the scars on his skin didn’t take away from his beauty.

  “Wrap your legs around me.”

  Lexi’s gaze snapped from his body as Colleen did as she was told. He slid into her with a sigh. He was still for a moment and Lexi blinked her tears away as several thoughts crossed his mind. He was thinking of the lover he had lost so long ago and of the life he never had.

  “Carter,” Colleen said into his ear. “I want you right now.”

  He began to move, slowly at first. Colleen’s nails scraped down his back and he lost control. He pressed Colleen’s back into the stone, right next to where Lexi stood. Lexi’s heart began to pound as an unknown power began to take over her own body. With each thrust that Colleen and Carter shared, Lexi felt stronger and more alive.

  Colleen’s throaty moan filled the air, as did Carter’s as they reached their climaxes but Lexi barely noticed. She could see inside Carter’s mind but this time she was able to touch his thoughts. He wanted to be saved. Closing her eyes, she used her new power to heal this broken man. But each moment became more intense and her own body was responding as if she were having sex, too.

  “What’s happening?” Carter questioned.

  She opened her eyes to find that his once green eyes were now turning a light shade of blue. Her orgasm was quickly building and she couldn’t stop it from taking over her body. She cried out as her pussy clenched and she shuddered in pleasure.

  Colleen reached out and grabbed her hand.

  “Are you okay, Lexi?”

  Blinking, she replied, “Yes.” To Carter she asked, “What did you feel just a moment ago?”

  “You were in my head, my lady. You…you saved me.”

  “I felt something, too.” Colleen added. “I felt peace. Was that your doing?”

  Lexi nodded. “Yes, I believe so. And I think I can save everyone here.”

  “May I have a turn?” another voice asked.

  Lexi lifted her head and saw the three of them were no longer alone. About thirty men stood inside the cave and she could tell exactly what they all wanted. They wanted to be saved as their leader had. And several of them also wanted Colleen.

  “I won’t ask you to do this,” she whispered to the other woman.

  Colleen grinned. “Oh but I want to. Thirty men with sex drive like this one?” She nodded her head toward Carted. “Sign me up.”

  Lexi turned to Carter. “Have the men prepare a bed for Colleen.”

  Carter leaned forward and said into her ear, “You have helped me, my lady. I’m not sure what you did but I no longer feel the hate inside my soul that I once did. If you help my men then I will do whatever it is you ask of me.”

  She gazed into his blue eyes and nodded. “I will do what I can for them.”

  Carter motioned for one of the men to hand him a blanket and he laid it on the ground for Colleen.

  Taking his hand, she lowered herself to the ground and waited. Excitement and lust buzzed throughout the air and Lexi inhaled, savoring it. Their feelings would fuel her own and she would be able to save them all.

  Lexi’s eyes drifted shut as the first man entered Colleen. His thoughts were of
the wife he had lost because of the Witches. As before, each thrust brought a change within her own body, though she wasn’t even being touched. Fire burned in her soul and she knew this was what Brian had been talking about. She reached out to save this man and he cried out.

  Over and over, she saved each man until she felt herself rising to a euphoric state. Time stood still as she entered their minds. Pains were healed and she knew she needed them in order to become what she was meant to be. Their cries of pleasure echoed off the walls until it sounded like a chant of sorts.

  Carter’s voice reached her as he said, “My lady, we are healed.”

  Her eyes opened and found herself cradled in Carter’s arms. When had she fallen? Colleen still lay on the blanket, her skin glistening with sweat. Lexi inhaled. The scent of sex was so strong inside the cave that it made her moan. Two of the men pushed through the rest carrying two large metal tubs.

  “We will wash you now, my ladies,” he said as he bowed at the waist. She noticed that his eyes we the same color of blue that Carter’s were.

  “Have everyone’s eyes changed?” she whispered.

  Carter nodded. “Yes, my lady. You have saved us, just as we all prayed would happen one day.”

  “Lexi. Please call me Lexi.”

  Carter smiled. “No, my lady. You deserved to be called a name of respect.”

  Colleen added, “They are right, you know. You saved them…and me.”

  The men filled the tubs with hot water and oils. Carter gently set her in the tub and she sighed as the water caressed her skin. Someone began washing her hair, knowing hands massaging her scalp until she felt as if her bones were turning to mush. More oil was added to the water and the ache in her head went away.

  When she was thoroughly bathed, Carter helped her from the tub and dried her off with a soft linen.

  “Since your dresses are no longer an option, I brought some clothing for you to wear. I think this will help you get into the palace too.”

  He held up a pair of black pants and a green tank top, an outfit so similar to the one Ian had on the first day she met him that it took her breath away.

  “As for your hair, I think we can hide it under the helmet.”

  Lexi took the clothes from Carter and dressed. For the first time since she had been in Sinoda, she felt like herself.

  “I want to thank each of you for helping me. I know you are risking your lives and I will do everything in my power to make sure you are freed when this is over.”

  Carter shook his head and said, “No, it is us who should thank you. You have already freed us. Getting even with those evil bitches is just icing on the cake.”

  Colleen said, “I’ll just stay here, if you don’t mind. No need getting myself killed.”

  “Of course.” To the men, Lexi said, “Let’s come up with a plan.”

  The men gathered around her, ready to do whatever it was going to take to rescue Ian and Andrew. With each suggestion, she felt her heart soar. She was going to get the man of her dreams back and then they could live happily ever after.

  Chapter Fourteen

  “Ian. Wake up.”

  Ian’s eyes opened and he found Miki leaning over the bed with a smile on her face.

  “What are you so happy about?” he rasped out.

  Everything was torture now. Even the blood pumping through his veins was turning him on. And as much as he hated to admit it, he was glad Miki was there.

  “I heard your stupid girlfriend was dumb enough to try to seek help at the Wooden Brothel. She hasn’t been seen since leaving with Colleen so I’m sure you can guess what that means.”

  Colleen was the top recruiter for the Wooden Brothel. Her ability to slip innocent people drugs and get them addicted was notorious. If Lexi had fallen into her trap then she would end up being one of the whores at the brothel. She might not even realize what was happening until it was too late.

  “Andrew will save her.”

  He hated that it was his friend who would have to save her but he wasn’t dumb. Anyone depending on him for help was doomed. He was probably going to die on the very bed that he was lying on.

  Miki chuckled. “That’s where you’re wrong, lover. Andrew couldn’t even save himself. He’s here, in the dungeon. I’m not sure what we’re going to do to him yet. It might be fun to keep him around. What do you think?”

  Ian closed his eyes and didn’t respond. A hand grasped his cock and squeezed so hard that he was coming before he knew what was happening. He cried out as the orgasm went on longer than the previous one had.

  “You bastard. When I ask you a question, I expect an answer. Now. What do you think we should so with Andrew? And don’t say let him go because that isn’t going to happen.”

  Ian gasped out, “I don’t know, Miki.”

  She laughed. “You know I can help you out if you ask. Every time you come, it’s going to get worse until your body can’t handle it. If you let me ride you, it will take some of the edge away.”

  Ian was desperate. He nodded. Anything would be better than the unsatisfied feeling left in his body. Miki unbuttoned his pants and his cock sprang out. It was harder than he had ever seen it before and she purred in approval.

  “I wish my sisters could see this. They never did believe me when I told them you had the most beautiful cock I’d ever seen. But I won’t share you with them so there is no need for them to be in here.”

  Miki slid the lacy panties she wore off and draped them across his face. Her familiar scent filled his nostrils as she slid onto his cock. Someone moaned and he didn’t know if it came from her or him.

  She began to move and his hips lifted, wanting to find release. Their bodies moved as one and he hated that they found their pattern so easily. The sex had never been a problem between them, though. It had been her desire for power.

  “Now, now…no thinking while we’re fucking,” she said as she bit his nipple.

  A shock of pleasure spread across his chest and he knew he was about to come. Finally, he would feel relief. His balls tightened and he cried out as he came. Miki clawed his chest as she came too. Ian’s entire body trembled as he emptied his seed into her but instead of feeling better, he felt more wired than ever.

  Miki began moving on top of him again and said, “Did I say having sex would help you? Silly me. I meant to say having sex would make you crave it even more. I guess it’s a good thing I have a very healthy sexual appetite.”

  Ian cursed as he came again. Waves of pleasure coursed through his body and he knew he would never get enough.

  Miki stopped moving and asked, “Do you want me to stop?”

  “No,” he cried out. “I need you.”

  She grinned. “I knew you would see it my way sooner or later.”

  He knew he was lost now but he didn’t care. If this is what his life was going to be then at least it was with the one person who would never deny him. Lexi’s face crossed his mind but he shoved it away. She deserved better than him and the sooner he forgot about her, the better off he would be.

  * * * * *

  The cave had finally emptied out as the other men left to get ready for their shift at the palace. The vibe in the air filled with excitement and Lexi could not stop smiling. It had been a long time since so many of the men had felt hope.

  Carter picked up her cape and pulled something from the pocket.

  “Where did you get this?”

  She glanced at him to see what he was talking about. He held a small weapon in his hand and she realized it was the same gun Sully had given Ian.

  “Where did you find that?”

  “In the pocket of your cape.”

  She thought back to the moment in the Enchanted Fields when Ian had pressed something cold against her back. He must have slipped it inside her cape then.

  “I think Ian put it there.”

  Carter replied, “Then we have been blessed indeed. This is one of the tin master’s weapons. It might be the only thing that c
an take the Witches down. And they have no idea it is so near.”

  “How do you know?”

  “If they suspected it was close, they wouldn’t rest until it was found. The type of metal used in the bullets is so rare that they would be able to sniff it out but they won’t know it’s near until it is too late. This is perfect.”

  Several different images of the Witches getting their heads blown off crossed his mind and he smiled at his thoughts. Lexi didn’t smile but saw it as quick thinking on Ian’s behalf. He had to have known that the weapon would come in handy.

  “There is one thing I was curious about,” she said. “Why did they want Ian so much? What is he to them?”

  Carter’s eyebrow lifted. “Didn’t he tell you?” When she shook her head he went on, “Ian used to date the eldest witch, before she was a witch of course.”

  The news stunned Lexi. Why had Ian never mentioned it? Carter’s thoughts began to drift to rumors he had heard of the Witches and of Ian.

  Lexi shook her head. “No, you’re wrong. Ian would never help them.”

  Carter shrugged. “I won’t argue with you, my lady. All I can say is they captured him when they could have had you. What does that tell you?”

  She tried not to let his words bother her but they did. Capturing her would have made more sense if they thought she was the One. But they had taken Ian instead.

  “Come, my lady. It is time to leave.”

  Turning to Colleen, she said, “Thank you for everything.”

  Colleen, who was smoking a cigarette, replied, “It was my pleasure.”

  Lexi smiled and twisted her hair into a bun before slipping the helmet onto her head. Glancing at the small mirror above the dresser, she was pleased to see that she didn’t look feminine. The less like a woman she looked the better.

  “Remember, don’t make eye contact with anyone while we march to the palace. They’ll know something is up and sound the alarm. When we get inside, follow me.”

  She nodded and took in a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. Carter held out the gun and she slipped it in the back of her pants where it fit against her skin as if made for her.