A Reluctant Companion

by Kit Tunstall

  Hope fled at Cleo’s awkward attempt to avoid the subject, and she sank onto the nearest bed. Like an automaton, she followed Cleo’s instructions, allowing the other woman to insist she get undressed and taking the softest towel she’d ever felt to wrap around her naked body on the trip from the bedroom to the bathroom.

  A touch of pleasure penetrated the fog of depression as she surveyed a real bathtub. Oh, they had one at the house, but it was never used. Water was too precious a resource to waste by hooking up a tub to their primitive plumbing system. If you wanted a bath, you took a small tin tub Papa had scavenged somewhere years before into the kitchen, filled it with a few gallons of water from the tap, and made do. That was the only bath she’d ever known, but she’d sometimes imagined what it must have been like before The End to turn on a faucet and fill up that big tub in the bathroom before lying in the water for hours.

  This tub made that one look puny. With a small gasp of delight, she forgot about modesty in her eagerness to get in the steaming water. The towel landed on the floor as she walked to the edge, put in her feet, and slipped inside. With her bottom on the floor of the tub, the water rose almost to her ears, and she was able to fully stretch out. “This is amazing.”

  “One of the perks,” said Cleo. “Now, I’m going to go fetch a few things and leave you to soak, Miss Cole. You still have a few hours before Tiernan eats dinner.”

  For the moment, she blocked out everything, managing only a small wave at Cleo as she slipped deeper in the water, slowly letting her head slide underneath the surface. After a moment, she sat back up and spent a few minutes reading the bottles on the lip of the tub. There were three kinds of shampoo, and she selected the one that smelled like honeysuckle and vanilla. It lathered in her hands, unlike the baking soda paste they used at home, followed by a vinegar rinse.

  Shampooing her hair became a sensual experience, and she reveled in working the soap through her long locks. She spent another long moment under the water to rinse out the lather before emerging and leaning back to let her mind wander and her body float. At least there was one good thing to come out of all this mess, even if it was something as inconsequential as a bath.

  It was only when she realized that she was accepting surrender of her virginity in exchange for hygiene that she sat up abruptly, no longer enthralled by the bath. Her eyes darted around the bathroom, landing on a pair of shears on the counter by the sink. The water sloshed and spilled out of the edge when she stood up. As quickly as possible, she dried off with the soft towel before wrapping it around her. On slightly damp feet, she hurried to the sink, snatching up the scissors and pressing them against her thigh just as a knock sounded before Cleo reentered.

  “Oh, good. I thought I heard you get out of the water. So hard to tear yourself away, isn’t it?”

  Madison nodded, not moving until the other woman was right beside her. Then, with a fleetness born of fear and determination, she put her arms around Cleo, pressing the tip of the shears against her throat. “Get me out of here.”

  Cleo trembled for a second before taking a deep breath. She sounded just as calm and friendly as she had only seconds ago. “I can’t do that, honey.”

  She pushed just a bit harder with the scissors, not eager to hurt Cleo, but wanting to be taken seriously. “I say you can. They’ll listen to you. Get me out of this room.”

  Cleo laughed. “Honey, they won’t listen to me when it comes to countermanding Tiernan. If I let you out of this room, fifty soldiers will be waiting to capture you. After that…well, I don’t know what’ll happen.”

  It was her turn to tremble, though she didn’t release her hostage. “What’s Archer done in the past when someone tried to refuse?”

  Shaking her head, Cleo said, “No one has ever said no, Madison. Most girls vie for his attention, and a good portion of them are saddened to be sent home after a night with him.”

  With a sigh, she released Cleo, returning the shears to the counter. “I don’t want to sleep with someone I don’t even know. He could be old and ugly.”

  Cleo grinned, acting as if she hadn’t just been at the business end of the shears. “Honey, Tiernan is anything but. Not only that, he’s also gifted.”

  Madison tilted her head. “What do you mean?”

  A sparkle appeared in Cleo’s eyes. “Gifted, honey.” She held out her hands several inches apart. “Very gifted. Blessed, really.”

  Her cheeks flushed. “You mean his…manhood?”

  The other woman laughed, but not in a mean way. “His cock, honey. It’s the best ride around.”

  Her blush deepened. “Oh.”

  Cleo patted her arm, leaning in close. “Look, you can look at this as some big sacrifice and consider yourself a prisoner.”

  “That’s how I feel.”

  Cleo lifted a shoulder. “Maybe you’ll change your mind. You could try changing your attitude. Put on a positive spin.”

  She arched a skeptical brow. “How?”

  Her new friend grinned. “Consider it a vacation. A one-night escape from real life, spent as Commander Archer’s companion, complete with luxurious surroundings, gourmet food, and the best wine. It comes with the best sex of your life, and if you please him, you’ll have favor with the man who runs the Federation. What could be better?”

  Not expecting Cleo to understand, she said, “I could ask for love and something special. Momma always told me to wait until I had real feelings for a man. She told me not to barter my body for gain, whether it was food, shelter, or trading credits.”

  Cleo’s eyes widened, and a soft sound left her. “Oh, I understand.”

  “What?” asked Madison, feeling defensive.

  “You’ve never…that is, you’re a virgin?” At Madison’s quick nod, she patted her arm. “It might not be the girlish fantasy you dreamed of, but I can’t imagine Tiernan would deliberately hurt you. I don’t think he’s bedded many virgins, but he’ll take care of you. Just tell him about your lack of experience, and he’ll be gentle.”

  “How can you be so sure?”

  Cleo’s smile was small, but reassuring. “I’m his personal companion, honey. I know Tiernan very well.”

  Madison’s eyes widened as she realized she was discussing sleeping with the commander with his current companion. “Oh. I’m so sorry. Please believe me that I don’t want to hurt you. It’s not my choice to be here.”

  Cleo waved a hand. “Really, it’s fine. Tiernan has several personal companions. He alternates between us. We’re a realistic bunch, my girl. You can love Tiernan every way imaginable, but only a fool falls in love with him. ‘Course, he’s smart enough to pick girls who know the score.”

  She shook her head. “How can you stand that? It sounds so shallow.”

  Her friend shrugged. “It is what it is. I couldn’t have the lifestyle I have if I weren’t his personal companion.” For the first time, shadows crept over her face, giving the other woman a hollow look that held traces of fear. “I won’t go back to the life I had before. Call it shallow or materialistic, but I have everything I need or want.”

  “But it costs your body.”

  Cleo shrugged. “It’s not a terrible price to pay, Madison. You just wait until tomorrow morning, after you’ve been his companion for the night. I think you’ll realize being his sometime-lover is one of those perks I mentioned, not a hardship.”

  How she wanted to believe the other girl’s confident words. It would make facing him so much easier and would allow her to grit her teeth and just get through the night. Yet, she couldn’t help doubting her own ability to regard sex so casually. It went against everything she’d ever learned to not have strong feelings and mutual respect between her and the man she let into her body, especially the first time.

  Still, what choice was there? She could go in like a martyr and risk angering Archer, or she could look at it as a new experience. This night could give her the opportunity to sneak a peek at a life she couldn’t ever imagine living. A small
voice reminded her she’d never even dreamed of or asked for such a lifestyle, but she quashed that voice. The logical thing to do was try to enjoy what she could and endure the rest. It would be over by morning, and she could go back to her life as Madison Cole, vintner, rancher, and farmer, not alluring one-night companion to the commander of the Northwest Federation.

  Chapter Two

  Cleo had helped her dress in an emerald green dress that displayed an alarming amount of cleavage. It was a beautiful gown, as was the white silk slip she wore underneath. She hadn’t protested when Cleo gave her sexy lace underwear to put on before the slip and had managed not to ask about a bra, figuring she wouldn’t be wearing any of the clothes long enough to need one.

  Midway through their preparations, a maid in a white uniform brought them a selection of cheeses and a bottle of local white wine. There was also a pot of tea, and Cleo poured her a cup without asking. With a doubtful sniff, she looked up at the other woman. “It smells strange.”

  Cleo nodded. “It’s not the tastiest thing ever, but a little stevia makes it better.” She spooned in a bit of green powder into her cup before drinking it in one long gulp.

  Shaking her head, Madison started to hand back the cup. “I’ll stick with the wine.”

  “Drink it, honey.”

  She regarded Cleo with mistrust. “Is it drugged?”

  Her friend laughed. “No, it’s contraceptive, honey.” She patted Madison’s hand not holding the cup. “You know, to prevent babies?”

  “Oh.” They thought of everything, didn’t they? She was relieved for that, because the last thing she wanted was a permanent reminder of this evening. With a grimace, she chugged the awful stuff, wondering if it would have been improved with the sweet herb the other woman used.

  They resumed preparations as they worked their way through the wine and cheese. She noshed lightly on the cheese, but had two full glasses of the wine to relax her, allowing her to be more pragmatic about the evening ahead.

  Unfortunately, a good bit of her wine buzz had faded by the time Cleo pronounced her ready, after trimming her hair and curling it with some kind of electronic rod Madison had never seen before. It was decadent to plug something so frivolous into the outlet, but Cleo had done so with an ease that suggested she took such toys for granted.

  Cosmetics adorned her face, and she had to resist the urge to wipe at her skin to remove the unaccustomed junk. It felt heavy and unnatural, though it had given her pale cheeks a healthy-looking glow and really darkened her blue eyes.

  Her stomach was a ball of nerves as she followed Cleo from the room and down the hall to another bedroom with double doors. These had intricate designs in the wood and shining knobs that looked like gold. With a discreet knock, she turned to Madison, squeezing her hand. “Just relax and have fun, honey.”

  “You aren’t coming in?”

  Cleo grinned. “The commander isn’t into ménages, Madison.”

  “Huh?”

  With a fluttery wave, she said, “Never mind. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  As the knob started to turn, she reached out blindly for her only anchor in the storm. “Where do I go after he’s done?”

  Cleo whispered, “He’ll expect you to sleep with him, but he’ll be gone long before you wake. Come find me in the morning after you get up.” With that, the other woman was gone on a cloud of floral scent, leaving her to face the lion in his den alone.

  The door opened a second later, and she literally forgot how to breathe for a moment. Tiernan Archer was as close to perfect as any mortal man could be. His chiseled features were even and appealing, and his just-a-hint too full lips saved him from being too flawless. His hair was somewhere between brown and blond, currently a damp mass of tumultuous short curls that softened him somehow.

  Her breath returned with a harsh exhale when he smiled at her, increasing his perfection even further in a way that made her heart flutter and warmth pool in her stomach.

  “Please come in, Madison.”

  His voice was as smooth as her father’s favorite wine blend, with just a hint of roughness. If his voice were a wine, she’d identify it as a chardonnay aged in oak, with a hint of vanilla and spice. Would he have a smooth mouth feel? Suddenly, she couldn’t wait to find out. She crossed the threshold into another room of elegance, this one even more elaborate than the one Cleo was using.

  He held out a hand, and she extended hers. Instead of shaking it, he just held it for a moment, cradled between both of his. She sighed when he brought it to his mouth to press a kiss to the back of her hand.

  “Thank you for accepting my invitation.”

  The smartass retort of repeating the soldier’s words that one didn’t say no to Archer didn’t spring to her tongue. Neither did she point out it had been more of a summons than an invitation. Instead, she managed an idiotic nod.

  “I’m Tiernan Archer.”

  “Madison Cole,” she said in a shaky tone.

  Tucking her arm into his, so her palm rested at the crook of his elbow, he led her across the marble floor to a small table near a doorway. She couldn’t tell what was in the next room, but assumed a bed lurked somewhere in the suite.

  “I know. I hope you don’t mind me asking about you, but I saw you this morning. When you took off your hat and all that glorious hair spilled out, I knew I had to meet you.” He took time to seat her, pushing in her chair for her before he sat in the one across from her. It was such a small table that their legs were only inches apart.

  “I see.”

  “Governor Blaney was happy to assist me in finding out your name.”

  “I’m sure,” she said with a bit more scorn than she’d intended.

  He lifted a brow. “Do you doubt his helpfulness?”

  She could bite her tongue off and happily would to avoid answering his question. Without knowing his relationship with Blaney, she couldn’t afford to say anything that could be construed as unflattering. “Of course not. You’re the commander of the Federation. I doubt there’s anyone in the nine hundred-plus square miles of the Northwest Federation that wouldn’t jump to provide you with assistance.”

  He made an ambiguous sound as he reached for a bottle of wine and poured them both a glass. Out of habit, she sniffed and tasted it before nodding. As she looked up, she caught his glint of amusement.

  “Does it meet your approval, Madison? May I call you Madison?”

  “Of course, Commander Archer, and it’s very good wine.”

  “I prefer my friends call me Tiernan.” His voice dropped another octave, taking on more of a smoky tint. “And I’m sure we’ll be friends.” After a second, his tone returned to the less intimate one he’d been using. “Blaney assures me it’s the best wine available in the province.”

  She gave him a bland smile. “Um hmm.”

  Tiernan grinned, and the boyish expression made her heart race and her hands tighten on the glass. Thank goodness she had better manners than to hold it by the stem, or she might have snapped the fragile crystal.

  “You disagree?”

  Madison shrugged. “I think he’s just never tried our family’s wine. My father has a unique recipe and makes some of the best chardonnay or pinot noir you’ll ever taste.” Lifting her glass slightly in semblance of a salute, she said, “And I’m including the other wineries of the Federation in that challenge, Tiernan.” His name tasted crisp on her tongue, like a Riesling with a hint of pear.

  He lifted his glass in a similar manner. “I love a confident woman.”

  Her confidence fled at his words, and she dropped her gaze. “I know a lot about wine.” She toyed with the stem of her glass after putting it on the table. “It’s been a valuable skill that has sustained my family since trade resumed a few years after The End.”

  He nodded. “And wine is why I’m here.”

  She looked at him again. “How do you mean?”

  Tiernan hesitated for a brief second, as though deciding something. Perhaps her tr
ustworthiness. “Would it shock you to learn Governor Blaney’s shipments have been light of late?”

  Striving for a neutral expression, she said, “How odd.”

  Tiernan managed a small smile. “Isn’t it? He insists there is a rebel group hijacking shipments. Have you heard anything about rebel activity?”

  Madison blinked. “Rebels? In Graceport?”

  He lifted a shoulder. “According to Blaney, it’s all throughout the Yakima-Grace region.”

  “Wow. I’ve never heard anything about rebels, but I guess it’s possible.”

  His smile widened a bit. “Yes, I’ll give the governor the benefit of doubt. I’m lending him a squad of soldiers to escort shipments to Seattle-Archer for a while.” He sipped the wine. “I believe Sergeant Nash is the one who brought you here. He’ll be staying in the area with nine other soldiers to monitor for this so-called rebel activity.”