Engaging Gren

by Marie Harte

  She roughly grabbed Zerona and bound her naked to the grips in the wall, positioning her hands and legs wide apart.

  “She’s all yours, Calia,” he murmured.

  Calia smiled with pleasure. Zerona shook her head, clearly not comfortable at thoughts of having no control over the situation.

  Control. How he prized the feeling.

  “Please, Lead Rorn. This is wrong. I don’t want her. I want you.” Zerona blinked and tears fell. Weakness leaving her body. “My goddess demands I only serve men.”

  He watched eagerly as Calia knelt between Zerona’s spread thighs and showed her how to play the game.

  After much resistance, Zerona started to respond to Calia’s firm lips. Calia opened her mouth wider, sucking on Zerona’s clit. Her hands drifted up and down her captive’s thighs before one finger, then two, disappeared up Zerona’s pussy.

  As he watched the last of Zerona’s innocence being taken from her, her protests fading under moans of pleasure, he masturbated.

  The corruption of another was always so satisfying.

  After Zerona crested, he had a few games of his own to play. He eyed a leather whip sitting on the corner of his nightstand. Oh yes, he had such beautiful things to teach the uninitiated.

  Temis crawling to him, begging for the lash. Taking the hilt between her legs, riding it as he fucked her ass, dominating cruelly while he stole the purity from her exotic beauty…

  He stood, impatient to begin. He strode to Calia and shoved her out of the way. Then he ripped Zerona from her bonds and threw her down on her hands and knees.

  A swift thrust through her cum and the fire in his cock started to ease, the swiftness of his climax fast approaching.

  Zerona’s protests were half-hearted at best, so boring. Feisty Calia, however, captured his interest. She manoeuvred under Zerona, so as not to be left out of the sexual play. The vixen buried her face between Zerona’s thighs. He could hear her sucking and licking, could feel her tongue as it swept over his balls.

  He shivered and pistoned faster, encouraged by Zerona’s breathy moans, her last desperate pleas of denial. When she cried out in ecstasy, he exulted once again at having broken down yet another woman. From now on Zerona belonged to him alone, like all the others.

  As he continued to fuck the replaceable woman in front of him, visions of Temis never left his mind.

  * * * *

  Gren knew it couldn’t last. For the past four days he’d done a remarkable job avoiding Temis. Though he knew they needed to work out their strategy to free the women from the slave auction, they knew enough to rehearse their own parts.

  He sat in the galley imbibing fermented honey ale and made no apologies for doing so. Though he’d purposefully left out a few of his shirts for Temis to replace her ragged clothing, she apparently hadn’t understood the message. The temptress continued to flaunt her body in the slave garb he’d given her.

  She didn’t try to speak with him, just gave him those disconcerting looks that made him want to punch a wall. Or fuck her until she couldn’t walk. She now wore her long white-blonde hair loose, and it shimmered like the golden waterfalls of Eyra. And she just loved batting those silvery purple eyes at him, as if humouring his ‘sour mood’.

  He wanted to wring her neck.

  No. He wanted to stroke her neck, to pin her helplessly to the ground while he ravaged that body until he owned her. He wanted her dripping wet with his seed, all over. In her mouth, her pussy, her ass, all over those mouth-watering tits…

  He growled low in his throat as his cock again stirred to uncomfortable life.

  The dream they’d shared several days ago had managed to sever the tie between them. Since then, he could no longer read her, nor could she read him. A wall of mental silence had been erected, one he had no idea how to scale. For an advanced Thesha like himself, not being able to read a female was unheard of.

  He finished the ale and poured another. With Temis asleep in the ship’s only berthing, he had at least three more hours before they switched watch.

  Sitting by the control panel had become an exercise in boredom, and at the rate he was eating and drinking, he’d likely gain enough weight to rival a Ragga. He stared morosely down at his flat stomach and sighed. Unfortunately, his metabolism refused to let him turn to fat, a Theshan gift and now a curse. He’d hoped if his body grew too sluggish it wouldn’t want Temis with his every breath.

  But no. She’d broken his willpower with a dream he couldn’t shake, the sensation of coming within her, of blending their energies and souls, mesmerised him until he could think of little else.

  Something simply had to give, but he’d be damned if he’d let a virgin bring him to his knees.

  He downed the rest of his drink and stared dejectedly into space. He’d do well to remember why he was here in the first place. Guilt rode him as he realised he’d spent little time worrying about the abductees.

  But then, what good would worrying prove? He could do nothing about their situation until he knew their precise location. The peacemakers couldn’t pinpoint Rorn or the kidnapped women. At least Ceril had contacted him yesterday with good news. Those running the auction knew he had Temis, because an elite invitation had been issued in his name. In a few days, Gren would learn the location of the auction.

  Temis had to be prepared for sale.

  According to Ceril’s source, the other women were hearty and healthy, if unaware of their circumstance. More mernal drugging their systems. The poor women would be lucky to pass the entirety of their captivity in ignorance.

  He clenched his jaw, memories pushing to be let through. Women running, screaming. Men falling upon them, raping and wounding without distinction. Mindless acts of violence, and all under the auspicious tent of the slaver’s ring.

  “Gren?”

  Her voice shook him free from the past, but when he saw her, he almost wished she hadn’t disturbed him. She’d finally taken one of his subtle hints to cover herself and now wore his shirt.

  The garment came to her mid-thigh. The centred buttons gaped at her chest, where a hint of lavender silk peeked through.

  As he stared at her, all thoughts of the slave trade left him, and the blood rushed below his waist. She looked more erotic wearing his clothing than Drorna’s silken scraps, and he had to remind himself to steer clear of her.

  “I think I’ll turn in.” He stood, nodded politely, and sought the berthing quarters. As he lay down in the warm indentation where her body had been, he smelled Temis, a wild yet feminine perfume all her own.

  Feverish, he had a hard time concentrating on anything but sliding inside her. His need to join her bordered on pain. Sitting up, he ripped off his shirt and threw it to the ground, a poor substitute for a cooling wind shower.

  A traitorous thought occurred, a weakness of the mind, no doubt.

  Would bedding her be so very bad?

  Yes, it would. For once he had her, he feared he’d never let her go.

  Chapter Eleven

  Temis stared after Gren with a disgruntled frown. Enough was enough. She’d tolerated his sulky mood for several days now and thought she might explode if they didn’t come to some agreement to restore the peace.

  She’d been on tough assignments before, even with those less than professional, but she’d always managed to make the best of things. With Gren, her best was one step away from punching him in the jaw.

  Fuming, she rechecked the autopilot, the messages, and the security measures encoded into the ship. Satisfied all ran as it should, she left the narrow bridge with a purpose.

  Standing in the doorway of the berthing quarters, she watched the muscles of Gren’s chest ripple as he sought comfort in bed. Helpless to turn away, she could only stare in fascination at the strength he so effortlessly exuded.

  Gren, though at the moment more a headache than a welcome diversion, was a warrior through and through. She recalled the way he’d bested two peacemakers on Mornio, the way he’d fought
almost a dozen armed men on Lady Justice with an instinct that left her stunned in awe.

  His arms were corded with power. The dim light of the hallway shone on the bulging muscles, and she had to force herself to swallow around the lump in her throat.

  He froze at the sound and quickly turned on his side to face her, the golden expanse of his chest a temptation in the extreme. With effort, Temis forced herself to focus on his face, on the stubborn expression that didn’t fool her for a minute.

  Though she could no longer feel Gren the way she had, she knew he still wanted her. She hadn’t missed the massive erection he sported whenever she walked by him. She knew she hadn’t helped by deliberately teasing him wearing the silken outfits. But honestly, something had to change before she went stark raving mad.

  “What are you doing here?” His gravelly tone threatened, not at all welcoming.

  “It’s past time to set things right, Gren. I can’t take much more of your surliness.”

  His eyes glittered, and she looked forward to the battle about to begin. Her blood churned at the thought, and she deliberately set out to provoke him.

  “My surliness?” His brows narrowed as he rose from the bed. “I’ve been more than polite to you, princess. I’m not here for your amusement.” He glared at her and closed the distance between them until they stood nose to nose.

  She could smell his raw power, could see the control he fought so hard to master, and in an instant heat pooled between her thighs.

  “But you aren’t amusing, Gren. I’m tired of watching you sulk when we have a job to do.” She took a step back and dropped the shirt from around her shoulders, gratified at his swift breath. The skimpy lavender set barely covered her nipples and mons. “This is what you need to be used to before we get to the auction. If you can’t handle being around me, then I doubt we’ll be able to pull off a rescue.”

  She stared at him with scorn, elated when she noted the arousal straining his trousers. His chest heaved, and she wanted him more than anything. A fight was just the way to break down his barriers.

  “I can handle you, Temis,” he said through clenched teeth. “I’m just tired of you throwing yourself at me. Enough already.”

  Had he said those words without a desperate growl, had his body not stiffened noticeably when she neared, she might have taken offence. But Temis found the challenge of besting him too tempting.

  Her decision to keep her distance had given her an objective viewpoint from which to reason the future. She was a peacemaker, a woman warrior in a man’s world. And like men, she had needs. It was time to stop ignoring her sensuality, time to exploit every aspect of her nature to the fullest. Only then could she begin to know and understand herself.

  Funny that it had taken Gren at odds with himself to show her the way.

  She stood facing him with her arms akimbo, the position thrusting her barely-clad breasts towards him, a motion he seemed determined to ignore.

  “Enough already?” she repeated. “Enough of what, Gren?” She took a step nearer.

  His nostrils flared and he clenched his fists. “I don’t want you in here, Temis. I’m trying to get some sleep.”

  “Coward.”

  His eyes widened in shock.

  “You do want me, Gren. You want in here.” She cupped her mound, not surprised to find the silk wet between her legs. Taking a chance, she slid her finger beneath the silken triangle and pulled out a glistening finger. She held it out to him, waiting.

  She didn’t wait long.

  Between one breath and the next, he tossed her onto the bed. Then he lay on top of her, his weight familiar, domineering and altogether sexual.

  “You’re playing with fire.” His voice was guttural. His erection bruised her hip. “You don’t know what you’re doing. I’m not one of your civilised lawmakers, Temis. I’m like nothing you’ve ever seen.”

  His eyes flared, an inhuman green inferno that promised she would suffer the burn of his desire.

  “Yeah? Well I’m like nothing you’ve ever had,” she dared, licking her lips in anticipation of his kiss.

  Without another word he ravaged her mouth, his arms tight around her as he pressed into her. His weight was heavy but manageable, and soon forgettable. The pressure of his mouth took away every thought but mating with him.

  His tongue plunged into her mouth, tasting and teasing as he brutally let free his passion. His savage need aroused her own, and she ran her fingers through his hair in an effort to urge him on.

  He groaned and allowed her a breath, sighing at the feel of her hands touching him, all the while he stared at her through slitted eyes.

  “I tried,” he rasped and nipped at her neck. “Now it’s too late.”

  She shook her head, not wanting talk when her body wept, needing relief.

  “I can make you come with a thought,” he whispered in her ear. He plunged his tongue inside, sensitizing her lobe with love bites and the sweet sting of soft lips. “I’m going to fuck you so hard you’ll beg me to never stop.”

  “Never.” Never stop. She gasped, arching into his questing hands as he ran them over her taut breasts. With a hard jerk, he ripped off her miniscule clothing. Then he quickly divested himself of his own and lowered himself against her.

  At the contact, an electric shock passed through her like an orgasm, and she caught her breath as she realised this had only just begun.

  “Yes, sura.” Gren’s voice echoed strangely in the small room, his eyes sparkling. “You’re mine now.”

  His lips scorched a trail from her neck to her breasts, his thick arousal straining, stroking wherever he touched. She wanted him so badly she shook, while he took his time pleasuring her breasts.

  “Please,” she gasped as his mouth closed over one tight peak.

  He sucked and pulled, earning moans and pleas she wasn’t consciously aware of giving. His large, callused hands caressed and petted her, moving steadily down her body from throat to waist.

  His mouth closed over her other breast, the contrast of cool air on her wet and exposed nipple, as opposed to the hot tongue stabbing her with heated strokes, made her crazed with lust.

  Then his hand teased her mound, rubbing and pressing, until she could no longer think, only feel. Even he must have sensed the same desperation, because he thrust against her thigh, humping her leg while he fucked her with his fingers.

  “I need you now.” She yanked his head from her breast, angered and needy and frustrated all at once.

  “Not yet,” he growled, the threat there in his striated gaze. Black threaded through green, making his eyes a spectral wonder she could little dwell upon. Instead her body clamoured for completion, hungry for him in a way that defied all logic.

  He paused and withdrew his fingers until she begged him to finish. When she allowed the mental touch on her mind to enter, he inserted a thick finger once more.

  She bucked and groaned. Another finger followed, stretching her, loving her, as he finger-fucked her with a rough tenderness.

  “You won’t come, sura,” he promised. “Not until I’m deep inside you. It aches, that desire, but I’ll make it so much better.” He kissed her, absorbing her cries as they shared the same breath, the same heartbeat.

  His cock slid over her leg, wet with his own arousal. The steely erection promised ecstasy, if only he’d give her every glorious inch.

  She moaned when he let go of her mouth to return to her sensitive breasts. “Gren, please. Love me.”

  “I do. I will,” he answered and finally settled between her thighs. He spread her knees wider, and she caught her breath. “Watch me while I enter you. Watch the joining and know.”

  She did, wanting everything and more. She stared down and saw him long and thick, impossibly large. And so very, very needed.

  He slowly entered her. Instead of the discomfort she expected, only fullness and an unbelievable rapture stole through her. The further he pressed, the hotter she felt, until her body seized with druggin
g pleasure.

  “Yes, sura, so perfect,” he groaned and sank the rest of the way inside, until he reached her very womb. He gave her no time to think, to reason, and began thrusting, long deep thrusts that shook her with desire.

  She needed him like she needed breath. Lights danced around them. The ship quavered with the power of their coupling, and she met him thrust for thrust, locking her ankles around his waist to take him deeper.

  “Come with me, Temis,” he commanded, his voice thick. “Swallow my seed, sura. Give me the power inside you, your woman’s voice crying for more.”

  “Yes,” she gasped. Anything he wanted, everything he wanted.

  He pounded into her, conquering the one woman made for him. Temis knew without a doubt she’d never felt anything more right in her life.

  “Fuck. Yes, Temis. Blessed yes.” Sparks showered them as Gren cried out her name and came hard inside her, pushing her into an orgasm that changed her very existence.

  Lights danced and colours whorled. Her body shook as she clamped around his shaft, milking him of his cum. The tingling warmth of their joining lit a fire that now burned in her womb.

  The orgasm kept on, a continued conflagration of need and want that opened barriers and closed an impenetrable wall around them.

  “I’m with you now, sura. Forever,” Gren rasped as he slowly withdrew, only to slide forward again. He was still hard, and suddenly she felt all of it, his thoughts and desires, his incredible power.

  Overwhelmed, she struggled to free herself from the onslaught of sensation but could only drown in his feelings. She dimly heard him groan her name and felt him coming again, this time bringing her with him. His fierce orgasm triggered her own, and he stole into her soul, bonding with her until she could no longer tell where she stopped and he began.

  When he finally withdrew, he left her shaken and confused, and too tired to care. Spent, yet sated down to her bones, she reached for him, needing his touch.

  “Shh, go to sleep now, love,” he murmured and curled her into his warmth. The loud beat of his heart calmed her. Instead of demanding answers to more questions, she fell asleep, replete and protected in his strong embrace.