Kirill pulled back and frowned. His hand moved to her arms to hold her away from his body. Very serious, he stated, "I am King."
"Didn't take long for the title to go to your head, did it?" she mocked.
Ulyssa took a deep breath, trying to slow her racing heart. She'd been truly terrified. Now, it just seemed silly and she couldn't help but be humiliated. She didn't do well embarrassed, so instead she did the most natural thing--she started an argument.
Besides, if this man thought she'd play housekeeper and bedwarmer slave for three months, he was sorely mistaken. Letting her voice dip into a sultry murmur, she proposed, "Tell ya what, your highness. How about I behave and act submissive in public and you be submissive to me in private. I think it only fair."
Kirill's features hardened. Very sternly, he stated, "A man can't bow to a woman, Lyssa, and still call himself a man."
She trembled at the low timbre of his words. The distance between them was agony. She was hot for him. Her stomach stung with the discomfort of her desire.
"What kind of nonsense is that?" she shot. Placing her hands on her hips, she faced him without thought of her nakedness.
"It's logic," he stated. "A man ruled by a woman is ruled by weakness."
"So women are weak?" She would never admit it, but she'd thought about him all morning, until she was nearly mindless with desire. Suddenly, playing washerwoman didn't sound so horrific. In fact, if it gave her a chance to feel his hard body for herself, it could be downright pleasurable.
"Yes," he answered without flinching. His hand rose to caress her cheek. She didn't move. Softly, he continued, "They're the softer sex. They're to be ruled, protected. It's why their bodies are softer, slighter than a man's. A man who dares to love a woman will have weakness in that love for he'll consider her opinion over his. And, if the enemy wishes to strike him, they will strike his heart to get to him. I'm a man who must lead a kingdom. Do you think I can do so if my people think me weak? I can't afford weakness. I'm the highest Var power on Qurilixen, just below our Gods. So, you see, a King can never be subservient. I can't bow to you--not even in private."
Ulyssa considered his barbarian logic and continued to stare at him. She detected a sadness in him, a loneliness. She saw the strain of his position in his eyes and was sorry for it.
"Kingdoms are only as strong as their rulers," Kirill said. Then, seeming to struggle, he added, "I don't want you making too much of our time together. Nothing can come of it. I'll never be able to commit to you fully."
Ulyssa almost laughed. "Think pretty highly of your skills as a lover, don't you?"
His shoulder lifted in a manly shrug, as if he had only been stating a fact.
"It's good to know the Var King doesn't have self-esteem issues." This time she did giggle. "Don't worry, your most royal highness. I think I'll be able to pry myself from you when the time comes."
"Lyssa," he began in warning to her insolent tone.
"Easy, highness." Ulyssa licked her lips. She kind of liked his Me-Man-Hear-Me-Roar attitude. She'd never put up with it for a lifetime, but it was damned sexy in a lover. Forcing a playful pout to her lips, she asked, "So you can't even play? How sad."
"Play?" Kirill asked, confused.
"Leave work at the door--that sort of thing. You don't see me stressing over my job."
"Ah, but your job isn't ruling half a planet." Kirill gaze moved over her face, taking her in. He looked as if he wanted to say more, but he held back. His eyes shifted with gold, turning from their dark depths as he looked intensely at her.
Ulyssa felt her body stir with more than just desire. She didn't like it. He had said it himself. Nothing could come of this. She didn't want anything to come of this, did she?
Ulyssa swallowed. No, definitely not. She had a job, a ... mission. Well, she'd have a mission once the Agency picked her up of the barbaric rock of a planet she was trapped on--new mission, new adventure. Her eyes dipped to his mouth and back to his eyes.
She sighed. That must be what her problem was. She was bored! That's why she spent too many hours contemplating Kirill! She wasn't preoccupied with him. She was preoccupied with boredom. Just because the unattainable was before her didn't mean she had to fight to obtain it. What did she want with a King anyway?
Relaxing now that she had it all figured out, Ulyssa let her lids fell languidly over her eyes. She gave a small, sexy moan. This was just sex. The barbaric King was just another adventure to be had. Leaning into him, she pursed her lips. "You're very serious, you do know that, right? You should loosen up a little--relax."
"And you're very naked," he answered, letting his gaze fall over her. His fingers glided down over her shivering skin to ring circles around an erect nipple.
"Mm, and very cold." Ulyssa inhaled a shaky breath. With each pass of his finger, shockwaves erupted beneath her skin, traveling down her stomach to make her body even more ready.
"Fire," he stated loudly and the fireplace blazed. His lips parted as he leaned over to flick his tongue over a ripe nipple. "Come with me to the shower and warm up."
Ulyssa gasped.
Kirill's lips captured hers before she could answer. His words were a command and she found she didn't really care. His mouth sawed passionately against her, instantly weakening her knees. She fell forward into his chest, moaning in delight of his touch.
She wasn't sure how he did it, but he was absolutely, hands-down the best kisser she'd ever experienced. There was something to the confidence of his movement, reflecting the grace of his body. It was in the way he tasted, the way he teased and gave. His tongue probed and conquered her mouth until she was left panting and weak. Her arms wrapped around his neck and pulled his body tight to hers. She soaked in his heat as his arms lifted her from the floor. Walking with her slender body dangling along his tightly wrought one, he carried her to the bathroom.
Parting from the kiss, he stated hoarsely, "Shower on."
The shower sprayed warm water. Ulyssa's fingers moved to work the laces on his shirt. Kirill pulled back, dropping his arms to the side at her insistence to let her undress him. His eyes burned into her as he watched her naked body. Deftly, she pulled the shirt off his shoulders, stopping to kiss and touch the length of his chest. He hadn't let her explore the night before and now she itched to feel every hot inch of his smooth flesh, to discover if he tasted as good as he looked.
Ulyssa loved the graceful way his muscles folded beneath his tanned skin when he moved. His dark eyes pierced, watching her, fighting to command her. Ulyssa might play, but she wasn't his to control. A smile twitched on her lips as she realized she wanted what he said was impossible. She wanted to make him her bed slave. She wanted him to bow to her, even if it was only in private.
Turning his own look on him, she stalked around him as if he were her prey. Kirill's dark eyes narrowed and his nostrils flared, as if he could sense her intentions. Ulyssa touched his back, rubbing at his neck, up into the silky locks of his hair. She pressed her chest into his back as her fingers trailed down over his strong arms. His firm backside hit her stomach, taut and sculpted beneath the pants. Exploring him thoroughly, she finally made her way to untie the laces at his hips.
Kirill was panting heavily by the time she worked the first lace loose. His chest moved as he fought for breath. Her hands dipped along the cross-laces to the perfect indentions of his buttocks. Her touch curved around his flat stomach, edging the waistband from his skin, tickling the divot of his navel. She let him feel the cooled tips of her breasts at his warm back, rubbing lightly along his skin.
Then, with a catlike smile curling her features, she pulled back and moved to the shower. When she turned, his sharp gaze was on her. She stood, holding the door open as he stared. The hot water hit her skin, warming her even more, washing the remnants of soap from her flesh.
Kirill's pants were still hooked on his erection where she left them. She waited to see what he'd do. Slowly, he kicked off a boot and then the other, refusi
ng to take his eyes off hers. Ulyssa let the shower door stay open as she moved her head into the stream of water. She let the shower rinse her hair, aroused by the fact that he watched with such interest.
"You're very beautiful," he stated. The tone wasn't warm, just matter-of-fact. He nodded his head in approval. "And bold."
"And you are still dressed," she pointed out with a tilt of her brow. She placed her hands on her hips and gave him an insolent grin.
His hands moved to his waist. With a flick of his fingers, he pushed the waistband off his hips, letting it glide to the floor. "Better?"
Ulyssa felt her smile freeze on her face. She tried to be calm, but the mere size of his towering erection seemed so much more daunting in the light. She felt a momentary wave of panic, but quickly squelched it with a throaty chuckle.
"You fear me?" he asked, stopping in mid-step as he came to her. A look of confusion passed over him. He took a deep breath.
"No," she lied, scrunching her face.
Kirill's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing. He took another step and stopped. "You wish this?"
Ulyssa frowned. Of course she wanted it! She'd made that obvious, hadn't she? Her body trembled and she realized she was a little nervous. The insight took her by surprise. How could she be nervous? She'd been with men before. She'd been with him before. And how in the world was he detecting it?
"Mmmm. If you keep talking, your highness, I'll have to start without you." To prove her point, she took her hand to her stomach and edged it down toward her hips, letting her fingers slide in the water on her skin. She cocked her head to the side and naughtily licked at her mouth.
Kirill didn't hold off any longer. A growl sounded in the back of his throat. He darted forward to pull her into his arms, not even pausing as he pulled the stall door shut behind him. His naked form pressed against hers, forcing her back against the shower wall.
Ulyssa felt him all along her body. The water slid between them, making his muscles glide over her softer form. His thick arousal settled between her hip, hotter than the water. She moaned, stirring and rubbing along his entire frame as he held her trapped. His hands explored her, commanding her flesh as he boldly touched wherever he desired--her breasts, her hips, around to cup her firm backside and pull her forward. He rocked his hips to hers, growling in pleasure as he kissed her.
"Ah," she panted, breaking free to breathe.
Kirill didn't stop. His lips slid over her wet jaw to her throat, devouring her with his mouth. He nipped her skin only to soothe the irritation with his long tongue.
Remembering that she wanted to be in control, Ulyssa pushed him hard. He didn't budge. A strong sound of refusal grumbled out of his lips as he continued to kiss her.
"I want ... I want to..." Ulyssa tried to speak, but his lips were wreaking havoc on her flesh. His palms cupped her breast, lifting it to meet his mouth. He sucked her nipple hard until it was surrounded by heat and velvet. Animalistic sounds of possession came from him, vibrating against her. "Ahhh, Kirill, please. I want to touch you."
Ulyssa realized she begged, but she couldn't help it. His mouth kissed too perfectly. His body felt too good. She trembled in anticipation.
His lips tore from her and he stood to meet her eyes. "And I want to bury myself inside you."
Before she could protest, he slid his hands around to her backside and lifted her off the ground, gliding her back along the stall wall. Kirill was going to get his way first, not that she minded one bit. Ulyssa grabbed at his neck, holding on. Without even flinching, he delved forward, slipping his erect shaft between the lips her moist opening. He let the tip dance just inside the entrance, teasing and testing her.
Her body was wet, more than ready. She wanted him. Her hips bucked in offering and he grinned.
With so much control that it drove her mad, he pushed into her slick passage, filling her body by small, agonizing degrees. He watched her face closely, taking in every one of her reactions. Her eyes rolled in her head. Her lips parted, as she gasped for air. The shower hit their bodies, caressing them like millions of fingers, heightening the pleasure.
Ulyssa nearly swooned as he finally pressed fully into her body. Seating himself to the hilt, he paused. She kicked him with her thigh in protest. Kirill chuckled and shot her a confident grin.
"Is this what you want?" he asked, low and hoarse. His fingers gripped into the cheeks of her backside, spreading them ever so slightly. Holding her up with ease, he began to move. He licked and teased her throat as his hips pulled back only to thrust in shallow strokes.
"Yes!" Ulyssa cried, beyond caring that he had all the control. He felt too good, too right. "Yes! Oh, my, yes! Please, yes, more! Give me more, Kirill."
At her words, he gave her more. He stroked up into her tight passage, hitting harder against her core. Ulyssa screamed in mindless pleasure. Her back hit the shower wall, but she didn't care. She twined her fingers into his long black hair, liking how the wet length blanketed her skin. His grunts joined hers as he thrust, hard and fast and deep inside her.
Ulyssa wrapped her legs around him, urging him on. She could feel the strong muscles of his backside beneath her calves. He rocked himself into her with a violent force, conquering her depths. The tension built inside her hips. She was close, so close.
Slipping her hand between their bodies, she tweaked her center nub with a finger, rubbing it in small circles. Instantly, her body twitched. Ulyssa screamed. Kirill growled in approval. He moved faster, harder, deeper, seating himself until he had no more to give.
Her body convulsed around his hard shaft as the strong force of her orgasm hit her. Tears came to her eyes from the pure intensity of the moment. As her passage clenched down on him, Kirill let loose. He yelled, the sound that of a true savage. He delved one last time and released his seed deep inside her.
They stood frozen in time, her back helpless against the wall. His body stayed buried deep inside her. Slowly, he let her slide down, pulling out at the same time.
Confidently, he said to her, "See, it's not so bad to be controlled by a man."
He moved to kiss her and she jerked back. "What did you say?"
"I said you didn't mind my dominance over you," he stated more clearly. He moved to kiss her lips again, and again she jerked back.
"You don't control me!" Ulyssa pushed him hard. He was caught off guard and his foot slid. She stormed past him, out of the shower. Grabbing a towel, she wrapped it angrily over her body.
His eyes were dark with challenge. "Do you need me to prove to you who controls whom again? I saw your plan, Lyssa, but it can never work. You won't command me."
"You bastard!" she hissed, gripping her towel tighter to her chest. He'd screwed her to teach her a lesson? The very nerve! She looked at his features. He thought he was bending her to his will? He thought she was a simpleminded little female ready to fall over at his feet? Well, she'd show him just how serious she was. Holding up her hand, she said, "I no longer wish it."
Kirill froze in mid-stride, feeling as if she'd kicked him. He looked at the woman before him. He knew she'd reached fulfillment and yet she did not look pleased. In fact, she looked livid. Wisely, he kept his distance.
"You don't mean that," he stated. He looked down his body, forcing her to do the same. His shaft was beginning to lift anew, readying for her. "I can smell that you want me again."
"I don't care what you smell." Her chin lifted and she pried her eyes away from his erection. "I no longer wish this."
"Is this ... how you play?" he asked, thinking it might be a game.
"No, I'm deadly serious, your highness." The title was spat from her lips.
"We had an agreement," Kirill said. He tried to keep his tone level, but it was hard. "You must remain as my mistress for three months."
"Oh, I know what I agreed to," she answered, scornfully. "And I'll behave in public. But in private, you aren't getting another thing until you beg me for it. It's about time you learned a little humili
ty you savage jerk!"
"A King doesn't beg," he roared, losing his cool. He knew he was only repeating his father's words. But that didn't make them any less true. His eyes swirled with dark passions. His tense body shook. "A King cannot beg!"
"Then this mistress no longer pleases," she growled.
Kirill swiped his hand at her and she flinched, recoiling back as if he meant to strike her. His eyes rounded and he was hurt that she would assume such a thing. Giving a single, curt nod, he whispered softly, "It will be as you wish, Lyssa. I won't touch you."
Ulyssa watched him leave her alone in the bathroom. When he was gone, she ran to the door and slammed it shut. Instantly, she fell to the floor--weak. She didn't know what happened, but she felt branded by him and she didn't like it. Somehow, when they came together, the very savage Var King had managed to touch her soul. And the very idea of it terrified her.
Chapter Seven
Ulyssa stayed huddled in the bathroom like a coward for all of five minutes. Then, taking a steady breath, she assured herself she was in control of her emotions. The force of her orgasm had taken her by surprise--that was all. That's why she got all emotional on Kirill. But, the force of his words still stung. No man would ever control her.
Her heart leapt at the challenge he put forth. If he'd have just left well enough alone, they'd have spent the entire three months doing incredibly sinful things all over his home--probably even all over the palace. She was a woman confident in her sexual appetites. But his royal highness wanted to play dominance. Well, no man had ever dominated her before and she'd be damned if he'd be the first. She'd just have to make his life torture until he couldn't stand it any longer.
Walking tall into the living room, gripping her towel regally around her body, she was surprised to find the fireplace had heated the room to a pleasant temperature. She looked at the bedroom and swallowed. Kirill came from within, holding a black dress over his arm. He stopped, his eyes still dark as he looked at her, but they were guarded now.
The Savage King Page 9
