Abra hissed from beneath the traveling cloak. Hair prickled at Annie’s nape.
Slowly she turned back to face the moors behind her.
Her heart ceased to beat as a hideous beast rose and lumbered toward her.
Annie woke with a start. Her heart thumped and she wanted to scream. Her dream world warred with reality, both blending and confusing her as she struggled to place where she was. Gradually, everything came into focus, and she realized she was staring up at a rose-colored canopy and she was in a rosewood four-poster bed.
Not her own simple bed with the brass headboard.
Part of her dream was real then. She was in Diamond Hall.
Good heavens, she’d also given a man fellatio last night.
Annie clapped her hand over her eyes. Her cheeks burned and a warm flush stole through her at the thought of what she’d done, and what he’d done to her, too. All of her mother’s rantings came rushing to her mind all at once. How sex of any kind outside of marriage was a sin.
Annie was intelligent and mature. She lived in the new millennium. What made a woman feel wonderful and special was a good thing. Not something to be ashamed of.
Gradually, her breathing calmed and she rolled onto her side to look at the fireplace. This time she didn’t know whether to scream in terror or shriek in happiness.
A very large black-and-white-striped tiger lay stretched out on the hearth. Even without her glasses she had no problem seeing that he was watching her with intense midnight-dark eyes.
Curled up in a tight ball, on the tiger’s back, was her calico cat.
Abra was sleeping on top of a tiger.
Annie couldn’t look away from the tiger’s gripping black gaze. A gaze that seemed familiar. On the beast’s upper right shoulder, one of its black stripes had a diamond shape in the midst of it, one similar to Karn’s tattoo. It occurred to her then that she’d seen a tiger in her painting, before the man had appeared.
That must be it. This tiger is Karn’s pet.
She hoped.
Abra blinked her green eyes and stretched her body out along the tiger’s back and yawned. She was so tiny compared to the tiger she’d been sleeping on. Annie had the urge to grab a camera, take a picture, then paint the pair of them.
Abra rolled onto her belly and with her claws sheathed, she began kneading the tiger’s fur. “Making biscuits” as her grandmother had called it.
A purr rose up within Abra, so loud Annie could hear it across the room.
Annie’s heart beat a little faster as she hoped that Abra didn’t let those claws out. Her cat would make a tasty breakfast for an irate tiger.
Abra gave another big yawn, then bounded off the tiger. She strolled toward the bed and jumped up, landing on Annie’s legs. No doubt at all, Abra was ticked about being left behind. Tail twitching, the cat lifted her nose in the air and pretended she didn’t see Annie.
Annie couldn’t help but grin. She sat up in bed and scooped Abra into her arms. “I’m so glad to see you, Abracadabra, you little monster.” Annie closed her eyes and rubbed her face in Abra’s soft fur and smiled when the cat began to purr, obviously forgiving all transgressions.
Well, even if Annie was confused as hell, at least she had her cat.
Something large and hair-covered pushed against Annie’s arm. She froze and opened one eye to find herself face to face with the black-and-white tiger.
CHAPTER SIX
ICE WATER CHILLED ANNIE’S VEINS AS HER GAZE locked with the tiger’s black eyes. Her heart pounded and she squeezed Abra so tightly to her chest that the cat stopped purring and gave a strangled “Mee-owwwrl.”
Both of Annie’s eyes were wide. Still holding Abra tightly, she scooted away from the tiger.
The huge creature started to change. Not only did its features morph, it also rose on its hind legs.
And shifted into a man.
White fur and black stripes changed to skin and long black hair and black clothing transformed into Karn.
Karn was a werewolf. Or make that weretiger.
He continued to stare, but Annie went from flat-out scared to good and riled. She released her hold on Abra and the cat stalked away, jumped down, and disappeared under the bed, obviously sulking at the rough treatment she’d just endured.
Annie crawled off the bed, stood just inches from Karn, and poked her finger at his chest. “You scared the living daylights out of me.” She propped her hands on her hips and glared at the beast of a man.
Karn thought his kitten was so adorable in her fury that he almost smiled. Annie’s eyes sparked with fire and she held her chin high. The way she had jabbed at his chest and shouted reminded him of Abra the previous night—how the cat had unsheathed her claws and how her fur stood on end.
So Karn did the only thing he could.
“Don’t do that again, you half excuse for a redneck cat—” Annie was saying, when he roughly caught her hair at her nape.
Her words stopped as he held her in a tight grip, not hurting her, but keeping her from moving. She audibly caught her breath just before he pounced and captured her lips with his.
For a moment, she remained stiff, uncertain, then melted in his embrace.
Karn gently bit Annie’s lower lip and she moaned. The sensual sound made him rigid with lust. He slipped his tongue into her mouth and savored her sweet taste as he enjoyed the smell of her feminine musk.
Her arousal came quickly and easily in response to his touch, building Karn’s own desires beyond his expectation.
Using his free hand to cup her ass, he pressed her tight along his length. She was warm and pliable in his arms, fitting so well in his embrace. And her kiss, the way she tentatively met his tongue with hers made him want her even more. How she nipped at his lip as he had done to her nearly drove him to throw her on the bed and take her fast and hard.
It took all his restraint, but he managed to pull away.
Annie’s eyes were closed, but then she blinked, looking dazed and flushed. Her lips were swollen from his kiss, her chest rising and falling as though she had just climbed a flight of stairs.
His gaze lingered on her large, beautiful breasts, so easily seen through the sparkling gold fabric of her nightdress. Without even realizing what he was doing, he slid his hand from her hair to her breast and lightly pinched the taut nub. “Perfect,” he murmured as he brought his other hand from her ass up the curve of her waist and cupped her other breast. “My lovely kitten.”
Annie sucked in her breath at the feel of Karn rolling both her nipples between his thumbs and forefingers. A mesmerized expression crossed his face, as if he’d never seen a pair of breasts before.
When he lowered his head and licked one of her nipples through the fine material of her nightie, Annie thought she was going to pass out from the exquisite sensation. Instinctively, she slipped her hands in his dark hair, holding on to him for fear her knees would give out. She grew wetter between her thighs, the ache so intense she wondered if she could come just from this.
Maybe he would take her now, quenching the incredible desire she had for him.
“Like the sweetest berries,” Karn murmured as he turned his attention to her other nipple. He gently sucked on it then nipped it lightly between his teeth. Annie gasped and trembled as he eased one hand down, over her hip and to the juncture of her thighs, caressing her mound through her clothing.
She cried out when he slipped his fingers into her wet slit, delving into her folds. It was amazing and so sensual to feel a man’s hand between her thighs— definitely better than doing it herself.
He paused for a moment as he murmured, “Tell me if you near climax.”
“Karn,” she whispered as he continued fingering her and sucking on her nipple. “I’m so close.”
He stopped.
As in came to a screeching halt.
He left her so on edge and so close she figured she’d come just from one more little suck on her nipple.
But he didn’t
even touch her. Instead he raised his head and withdrew his fingers. While she stared up at him, both dazed and confused, he brought his index finger to her mouth, and said, “Taste your desire for me.”
Annie blinked in sheer surprise and embarrassment, and he slipped his finger through her lips. His dark gaze held hers as he commanded, “Suck.” Her cheeks heated as she obeyed. It was like tasting the forbidden fruit, and that rebellious part of her that had been trying to get out for years now found freedom in the act. Her taste was sweet, rich, and different. Different from the taste of his come, and different from anything she’d tasted before.
But what was so sensual was the way he was looking at her as she sucked his finger, as if he was watching her go down on him.
“I have rules you need to be aware of, Annie.” He withdrew his finger from her mouth and moved it to her nipple as he spoke, taking her once again close to the brink of orgasm with his touch. “We will begin your training this day, and you will learn how to serve my needs.”
Huh? was about all Annie could think, with him fondling her nipples and her pussy on fire. She flicked her tongue along her lower lip. “I don’t understand. I’m here to find my cousins, not—”
“Silence.” The way he said the word made Annie rigid with attention.
“Who do you think you are to tell me what to do?” She moved her hands to her hips and glared at him. “I’m not a servant or someone you can order around.”
His black eyes burned so hot, like cinders. “Another outburst and you will be punished. This is your only warning.”
Annie started to go off on a rant, but snapped her lips shut. The way he’d said she’d be punished—would he go through with it? The only thing she truly knew was that she wasn’t sure what he was capable of doing.
“My rules are simple.” Karn caught a long lock of her hair and twisted it around his fist. “You will obey me without question, and you will refer to me as Sire. You may not achieve climax without my permission, and your goal will always be to please me.”
With every one of his statements, his rules, Annie’s eyes got wider and wider. He was nuts. Crazy even.
“You’re kidding, right?” She tried to take a step back but he had a tight grip on her hair and one of her nipples. “I don’t even know you, and you’re treating me like some kind of slave.”
Karn tugged on the handful of hair he’d wrapped around his fist. “You have earned your first punishment.” He dragged her toward him and kissed her so hard her world spun. When he withdrew from the kiss she felt dizzy and so darn horny she could just about scream.
Wow. Okay. Where were we?
Oh, yeah. The slave thing.
Karn released her hair and moved away as she was attempting to gather her thoughts. The wardrobe doors opened when he made a small gesture. He took out a ruby-red scrap of material and held it up. The thing was so darn sheer she saw completely through it.
“Wear this,” he said as he handed the piece of nothing to her. “Beya will be up soon to serve you breakfast. Afterward she will escort you to the gardens.”
The temptation to throw the silky cloth at him was strong, but the look in his eyes and the hard set to his jaw made her think better of it. Instead, she just glared at his backside as he turned away and let himself out of the room.
“You ass!” she hissed under her breath, hurling the mini dress at the door.
From beneath the bed came Abra’s answering “Meow,” and Annie took that as an emphatic agreement.
Maybe she could find her jeans and T-shirt. She searched the bathing room and her clothing wasn’t there. Water no longer tumbled from the small falls and the pool was dry, like someone had drained a bathtub. Yet the greenery was still there.
She returned to the bedroom and looked everywhere she could for her jeans and T-shirt, but found nothing.
All she could do was wear the scrap of red cloth Karn had given her. See-through cloth.
She yanked the nightie up and over her head and tossed it aside. She hurried to retrieve the little red dress she’d thrown at the door and pulled it on, tugging it down as low as it would go, which was about mid-thigh. She never wore anything that was higher than the top of her knees, and preferably wore broom skirts that reached her shoes. As far as what Karn had given her, the word dress didn’t quite match up with what this piece of material was.
Only a moment passed before the air sparkled and the diminutive woman, Beya, appeared out of thin air. Abra gave a quiet hiss from beneath the bed, as if she was afraid or startled.
Beya held a tray with plates holding a variety of foods. Today she wore a pale blue dress. Her outfit wasn’t in the least bit sheer like Annie’s.
Lucky her.
Annie worked to not scrunch up her face. If Beya had something revealing, it would be like seeing one’s grandmother naked, which wasn’t a pleasant thought.
“Where would you like the tray, Mistress?” Beya gestured to a small square rosewood table. “On the table?”
Annie glanced at the bay window. It looked dark and gloomy through the parted curtains, but it would give her the opportunity to have at least a bit of a look around.
She turned back to Beya. “Is it all right if I eat on the window seat?”
“You can have breakfast wherever you like, Mistress.” Beya seemed to float to the window seat and set the tray on one end of the cushioned surface. “There is also a saucer of milk and a suitable meal for the cat. Liver paté.”
“Thank you.” Annie was surprised and pleased at Beya’s thoughtfulness. Then again, it could have been Karn who had ordered Beya to serve something for Abra. Whatever the case, Annie was touched.
She retrieved her glasses and held them up to the light. The lenses were blotchy and smeared from her palm and the rain when she’d gripped them as she was abducted and taken to the mansion.
“Do you have anything I can clean these with?” Annie asked.
Beya faced Annie after arranging the tray. “Allow me to see them.”
Annie extended the glasses, and Beya took them. She skimmed her palm over the lenses and handed the pair back to Annie. “That should do.”
Annie blinked. The lenses were the cleanest they’d ever been. “Thank you, Beya.” She slipped on the glasses and everything came into sharp focus.
The woman gave a nod. “You are quite welcome, Mistress. I used old magic and they will stay clean.”
Annie’s lips parted in surprise. “Old magic?”
Beya bowed from her shoulders. “I will return when you have finished and then take you to the king.”
Annie frowned. “Is he really a king?”
Beya studied Annie as if she should already know. “He is the King of Diamonds,” Beya said.
Annie’s eyes widened a little. “Does he have a lot of diamonds or something?”
The squat woman gave a rusty laugh. “It is true precious gems are mined in the Kingdom of Diamonds, but that is not why he is named so.” Her blue button eyes sparkled. “High King Jarronn is the King of Hearts, their brother, Darronn, is the King of Spades, and the youngest brother, Ty, is the King of Clubs.”
“How odd.” Annie arranged herself on the delicate flower-printed cushions on the window seat. She sat half-on, half-off the window seat and felt cool air from the chilled panes. Her nipples tightened as the coolness penetrated the material of her outfit. It must be cold outside. She tilted her head. “Kings named after suits in a deck of cards. How did that come about?”
“I will leave that for the king to share with you.” Beya gave another short bow. “I shall return.” She vanished in a puff of sparkles.
Annie shook her head. Bizarre. All of this was so bizarre. She looked at the tray and saw an assortment of pastries, like a continental breakfast, which surprised her since she was apparently in a different world. Shouldn’t they have odd breakfasts here? Like the English had blood pudding. She grimaced at the words “blood pudding.” She was glad for the pastries. Parallels did seem t
o exist between their world and her own.
Not for the first time, she wondered at how easily she was accepting everything that was happening. For some reason, when Karn told her she would see her cousins, it seemed to all make sense. First their strange disappearances and then the note. Annie shook her head. Was she dreaming all of it? A wishful dream.
Whatever the case, she was extraordinarily hungry. First things first. She took the shallow crystal bowl of milk and set it on the floor near her feet before taking a crystal saucer with the liver paté and setting it beside the milk.
Abra darted out from under the bed, her paws silent on the wood floor as she approached. She went straight to the milk and began delicately lapping at it.
Annie looked the tray, picked up what appeared to be a strawberry tart, and bit into it. The strawberry flavor burst over her tongue, sweet with a hint of tartness. It was absolutely delicious, and certainly the best she’d ever had.
A melancholy feeling rested on her shoulders as she turned to stare out at the moors. She looked past a tree near the window, the tree’s bare branches waving from a stiff wind. With her glasses, she could see clearly through the crystal clear panes of glass. Beya probably used her magic to clean them, too.
The slate-gray gloomy sky pressed down on the land. Barren trees bent with the wind. Beyond the moors, she had a magnificent view of the sea at the foot of the black cliffs and a small cove filled with jagged rocks. Like in her painting of the mansion, waves pounded the imposing cliffs in a relentless battle of water versus stone.
It was strange that she had chosen a place near the ocean outside of San Francisco, and here she was looking at whitecaps again, but in another world.
Abra jumped onto the window seat and silently moved past the tray to Annie, who ran her palm over the cat from her head to the tip lf her tail. Annie glanced down and saw that she’d been so lost in her thoughts that Abra had already lapped up all the milk and eaten the paté.
The cat gave a soft meow before she moved away and settled in front of the window, like a statue of an Egyptian cat. Annie wondered what Ancient Egyptians had thought about calico cats. She had once read a brief mention that calicos had been traced throughout history to having originated in Egypt. Had they been considered special, and worshipped? She should read up on it when she returned to San Francisco.
Bound by Desire: King of Diamonds (Wonderland Book 3) Page 6
