by Aubrey Ross
Following the waves of arousal, Lopeka located her prey, her unknowing nemesis, the daughter of her rival and hated enemy.
Miranda pressed against a tiled shower stall. A dark-haired man knelt before her, his face pressed against her pussy, obviously the source of her pleasure. Lopeka ignored the tingle between her own thighs and carefully expanded the scene. She saw the opulent bathroom, the hotel suite, and finally the glitzy Fantasy Forum.
She chuckled under her breath and let the whip drop to the decorative mat. After pushing to her feet, she crossed the room, and looked out the window. She could see the massive hotel from her bedroom on the fourteenth floor of the Pleasure Palace. It was too ironic to endure.
“You started without me.”
She hadn’t heard Kwinton enter, but she suppressed a gasp and turned around. “You better have good news for me. I’m not feeling particularly forgiving.”
He pulled his hand out of his pocket and held up a vial of serum. “Not only is Nicay dead, but I recovered this from his personal effects.” He tossed the tiny bottle to her with a pleased smile.
She caught the vial in one hand without taking her gaze from his face. “Perhaps you’re not as useless as I’d thought.”
The smile faltered, and his gaze narrowed. “Utilize my skills with more discretion and you’ll have better results.”
Surprise sparked to life within his eyes when she said, “I agree.” She let him relax, lull himself into a false sense of security. “I found Miranda.”
“Miranda is dead.”
“That’s what they wanted us to believe, but Nicay was in no condition to blow up the lab.”
“Miranda had no motivation. She would never incite my wrath without a damned good reason.”
“I suspect her reason had less to do with you than the man I saw licking her pussy. I didn’t get a good look at him, as his face was buried between her legs, but I’m pretty sure he is Ritter’s partner.”
“Ritter has remained two steps behind us for the past three years.”
“Until now.”
“Nicay was found by a security officer on Wirtanen.” Kwinton began to pace, and the tension in his expression increased. “He could have assembled a team before the serum started to degenerate.”
“He could have, but he didn’t. Miranda led Ritter and his partner right to him, and then those nosy Enforcers blew up the lab. You must admit that makes more sense than a half dead thug.”
He stopped his nervous trek and slipped both hands into the pockets of his pants. “None of it really matters. Nicay is dead. We obviously need to relocate. I suggest we do so in a less conspicuous location.”
“I like Halley Prime.” She enjoyed being obstinate.
“It’s simply too dangerous. The council is onto us. It was only a matter of time until they ‑‑”
“Were you castrated while you were at that fucking hospital? What is wrong with you? I intend to take over the council, replace those antiquated relics with mystics under my control.”
“I understand your intentions, mistress. I am curious about your strategy.”
She found herself at her window again, gazing out at the Fantasy Forum. “I need Miranda, and I need her alive. I know that’s more complicated than your usual assignments. Do you think you’re up to the task?”
He licked his lips and tried to sound calm. “Do you have a plan or is that my responsibility as well?”
“As you said before, your strength appears to be implementing plans, not devising them.” When she faced him again, he was looking at her breasts. It pleased her to know pain was not the only thing he desired from her. “You may suck my nipples while I explain, but only if you continue to pay attention.”
“I am listening.” He cupped one breast and suckled the other, his lips firm and warm.
“You have two main obstacles, well, three if you count her lover.”
He released her with a wet pop and looked into her eyes. “What are the other two?”
“Your identity and her location.” She guided his head back to her breast, enjoying the slow, deep pull of his eager mouth.
“I can’t change my identity.” He continued the teasing with his fingers while he made the comment.
Lust surged, ravenous and demanding. The intensity shocked her, and she moaned. She should have waited to start this until after they’d spoken. Moving to the sofa, she bent over the high padded back and spread her legs. “I have need of your cock. Fuck me hard and don’t speak again until after I come.”
A moment passed as he freed his erection. She closed her eyes and let anticipation fuel her need. He raised her skirt and thrust into her waiting pussy without further preliminaries. His hot, hard rod slid easily in her juicy core.
“Harder!” She went up on the balls of her feet and angled her hips, so he dragged the front wall of her passage. “Use my clit.”
His arm curved around her hip, his fingers finding the swollen knot. He pinched as he thrust inward and tugged as he pulled out. They slapped together noisily, her harsh breathing amplified by the ringing in her ears.
Her orgasm sprang suddenly. She sucked in a deep breath and rode the throbbing sensation as he continued his forceful ride. He obviously hadn’t managed to climax with her.
Too bad for him. She shoved him away and flipped down her skirt. He glared at her, his cock wet and horribly engorged. “Keep it hard while I finish my explanation and I’ll reward you.”
He said nothing, but his fist demonstrated his intention.
She walked to the small table in the kitchenette and picked up the package that had arrived the day before. “Have you ever seen one of these?”
His hand continued to move as he peered through the transparent lid at the tiny sliver nestled on the dense packing material. “What is it?”
“An identchip. The kind injected into the hand of every citizen of Halley Prime.”
“I already have one.”
She tried not to let her impatience show. “You need a different one if you’re going to check in to the Fantasy Forum.”
“Why would I do that?” His voice rose half an octave.
“That’s where Miranda is hiding. You check into the suite next to hers, figure out a clever way to get through the wall, and work your magic on her lover. Once the Enforcer is dead, bring Miranda to me. Do you have any questions?”
“It’s a little hard to concentrate right now!”
She kept her rejoinder to herself. “Hold out your right hand.” Without warning, she pulled the stiletto out of the handle of her cane and sliced open the top of his hand, halfway between his thumb and index finger.
“You fucking crazy bitch! That hurts! Do you want me to bleed to death?”
Shivers of excitement skittered down her spine. “You need to dig in the hole and find your identchip. And keep that dick hard. If it goes soft, we’re done for the night.”
Huffing like a runner, he waddled over to the sink and activated the faucet. Blood and water streamed across his hand, and a nonstop string of profanity tumbled from his mouth. His cock wagged in front of him, miraculously erect.
“We have to be certain it’s out,” she said. “If you wash it down the sink, we’ll never know.”
“You sadistic whore.” He slapped his hand against the counter and turned his face away. “Make sure!”
Opening the wound with her fingers, she let his groan vibrate through her, stoking her smoldering fires. She hadn’t been this excited in months. With the pair of tweezers she’d set out earlier, she probed for the tiny transceiver. The tweezers closed on something harder than tissue, and she stealthily set it aside, returning the tweezers to the wound.
“Is it there?” he gasped. “Fuck that hurts.”
She watched him in morbid fascination. His lips trembled and tears escaped the corner of his eyes. Her pussy fluttered, and she lowered her gaze, not surprised to find him stroking himself again.
These sensations were too delicious to squ
ander. She didn’t want the pain to trigger his release, so she slowly withdrew the tweezers. “I’m pretty sure this is it.”
“Pretty sure?” His gaze was bright and glassy, his tone breathless and tight. “Do you need to dig around to be positive?”
“Does it feel that good?” His dilated pupils and the condition of his cock spoke more eloquently than words. “We need to seal the wound and insert the new chip from the other side. It will look suspicious if we create two scars on the top of your right hand.”
“Can’t you just shove the new one into this hole?”
“The risk of infection is too great.” She had no idea if that were true; she just wanted to prolong the experience. Leaving him slumped against the countertop, she took the medkit out of the cupboard and sealed the seeping gash. Her attention kept gravitating to his erection as she waited for the seam to set. “Are you ready for your reward?”
“What did you have in mind?”
“You can fuck me, while I insert the new chip.” She took off her skirt and ran her hands from her breasts to her thighs. Turning to face the counter, she made sure she could reach everything she would need to insert the new chip. “Move in close and give me your hand.” He pressed against her back and placed his hand on the countertop. “Put it in me, now.”
He had to bend his knees to achieve the right angle, but he filled her with his hard, throbbing flesh. Her blade sliced, and he thrust so hard it raised her feet off the floor. She shoved the chip into the wound, and he was lost. Ramming her with manic speed, he took full advantage of her generosity.
Chapter Twelve
Weak and tingly from her recent orgasm, Miranda cuddled against Drake’s chest as he carried her out of the bathroom and crossed to the bed. The things he did with his mouth were unbelievable. She felt content and lazy, tempted to spend the rest of her life nestled in his embrace.
He set her down beside the bed and took a step back. His gaze was passion bright, caressing, but a hint of calculation sliced through the heat.
“What are you thinking?” Sparks of desire awakened her smoldering senses.
“I was toying with the idea of making you wait while I set up another simulation.”
She released a theatrical groan. “You already taught me anticipation. Can’t we move on to something else?”
“You respond without hesitation. You’re reasonably obedient. You find pleasure in giving pleasure. Patience is really the only thing you lack.”
“I won’t come until you do. Make it last as long as you like.”
“Deal.” He picked her up and tossed her to the middle of the bed. She bounced, laughing merrily. “You dare to laugh at me, you saucy wench?” He crawled on top of her and nipped the side of her neck. With a dramatic flourish, he pried her legs apart. Each of his antics only made her laugh harder.
Playfulness was a side of Drake she’d never seen. She gazed into his eyes, thrilled by the complexities. He was intense, at times overbearing; then he’d turn around and be gentle and protective.
Framing his face with her hands, she guided his mouth to hers. They both tasted faintly of each other, which intensified the intimacy. His tongue curled around hers as he slowly pulled away. “I need you in my mind. This just doesn’t feel right without you there.”
She’d wanted to reestablish the link an instant after she’d eased from his mind. His being was so vital, so passionate, she felt his absence like a physical ache. A gentle smile parted his lips as their spirits merged.
“My turn,” he whispered.
His cock entered slowly, allowing them to savor every centimeter of the joining. She wrapped her legs around his waist and clung to him.
For a long time, they remained still, lost in each other’s eyes. She tightened her inner muscles with a mischievous smile. “Maybe I won’t wait. If I disobey, you’ll be forced to punish me.” The clever barb had the desired effect. He pulled back slowly and thrust back in with one powerful lunge. “Oh, yes.” She sighed and squeezed him again.
“I think I’ll get a riding crop. You seem determined to jockey me.”
She caught her lower lip between her teeth. The moderate rocking of his hips kept her good and interested without driving her anywhere near completion. “If I’m the jockey, wouldn’t I get the whip?”
“Bad example, I admit. But I think you’d enjoy a good…” His sentence trailed away, and he came to rest deep inside her. He gritted his teeth and closed his eyes, holding perfectly still. “Damn, that was close,” he whispered then released his pent-up breath.
She unhooked her ankles and moved her feet to the mattress so she could meet his thrusts. “Does the thought of whipping me excite you?”
His gaze narrowed just a bit. “You certainly took well to the belt.”
Resentment tinged his words and he withdrew his emotions, leaving her empty and alone. “I thought we weren’t going to talk about that?”
He pulled out with a ragged sigh and rocked back onto his heels. “He stole two firsts from us.”
“He didn’t steal anything. We agreed to let him join us; we both agreed. Why is this bothering you now?”
He glanced away for a moment; then his being flowed back into her mind. “Can you feel what I feel when I look at you?”
“You know I can.” Emotions were harder to decipher than people realized. She felt his desire because it was unmistakable, but the rest was a jumble. Warm, soothing affection twisted around harsh possessiveness.
“Then you must know I love you.”
“Love is a complex combination of emotions. When a person says they love a book, it’s not the same as the love they feel for their mate.”
“I want you physically. But what I’m feeling now is so much more…convoluted than anything I’ve ever felt before.”
“I feel it too, Drake. Your emotions feed off mine and mine draw strength from yours. We’re in this together. Mystic connections either pull people together or push them apart. As you said, it’s hard to be deceptive when your lover is in your mind.”
“Sharing you with Jericho was exciting. I can’t pretend it didn’t turn me on.” He obviously needed to talk about it, so she listened with her heart. His willingness to make himself vulnerable dispersed her frustration. “If you have feelings for him, I need to know now.”
“I like Jericho. I hope you can learn to enjoy each other’s company, but friendship is all I feel for your brother.” She opened her mind and invited him deeper, revealing the depths of her feelings for him. “Will anyone ever be able to compete with that?”
A hesitant smile was his only response.
She sat as best she could with him kneeling between her legs and pressed a quick kiss to the corners of his mouth. “I need my Master inside me badly. Do you know where I can find him?”
His smile broadened and he supported her back as he lowered her to the mattress. “I’ll never leave you again; never doubt what I’m feeling.”
Curving his hands around the bend of her knees, he spread her legs and pushed back into her waiting warmth. Emotion sizzled across their link, filling her with contentment and warmth. Their gazes locked, communicating affection and tenderness as their bodies rocked.
He caressed her face and held her snugly to his chest as he moved between her thighs. A surge of emotion accompanied each thrust. He filled her body and flowed through her mind, their union absolute.
She stroked his back and squeezed his butt as the intensity mounted. Harder and deeper, he drove them higher. Hot, tingling pressure gathered in her core, pulsing up her spine and shooting down her legs. She gasped and arched, desperate for completion, yet never wanting it to end.
He stiffened against her and throbbed inside her, his powerful release triggering her orgasm. She cried out as pleasure spun through her, blurring reality. The room fell away, and she clung to Drake, awed by the silence.
The darkness inside her was still. She felt no urge to feed, no drive for conquest and power. Tears swam before
her eyes, so she pressed her face against the side of his throat. After a lifetime of inner turmoil, her soul was at peace.
* * * * *
The companel sounded, dragging Drake out of the blissful afterglow. He raised his head and glared at the blinking light. “Computer, identify caller.”
“Mr. Jones is waiting for your response,” the computer informed him.
“Jericho knows better than to interrupt.” Drake crawled off the side of the bed and tossed the covers over Miranda. He grabbed a robe out of the bathroom before activating the companel.
“This better be important.” Drake stood as close to the screen as he could, blocking the rest of the room with his body.
“A man identifying himself as Clive Burrows just checked in to the hotel.”
“And why does this interest me?”
“You’ve had ample time to fuck her. What’s your problem?”
“Sorry. Who is Clive Burrows?”
“According to his identchip, no one of consequence. However, I run a full-body scan on all my guests, and facial recognition indicates that Clive Burrows is Kwinton Rizaria.”
“You have my attention.”
“Ordinarily the anomaly would have been noted, and we would have waited to see if our indecisive guest caused any trouble, but he requested the suite adjacent to yours. When the desk clerk told him the suite wasn’t available, he became belligerent. She called me, and I was intrigued, so I okayed the room assignment. I suspect you’ll soon have company. I’m going to turn on internal surveillance. Tell Miranda to get dressed.”
Drake turned toward the bed and found Miranda darting into the bathroom.
“I heard,” she said as she closed the door.
“I called Ritter,” Jericho said, drawing Drake’s attention back to the screen. “This is too big for my security team. Our focus has always been preventing trouble. Once the bullets start flying, we call in the Enforcers.”
“Wise policy. What did Ritter say?”
“He’s about five minutes out. I’ll fill him in when he arrives, and he can decide what to do after that.”
