Carnevale and Subterfuge

by Selena Illyria

  “What do you do there? Is it something naughty?” he asked, thankful the conversation had turned away from him. The sense of envy remained.

  “Sometimes, although what we did last night doesn’t compare. I’ve never been in charge before.” Her smile widened as she looked up at him.

  “Do you want to be in charge again?” He had loved surrendering to her, loved the freedom in it. Diego trusted her, which should have scared and surprised him. Instead it only deepened what he felt for her, whatever that was.

  “No, I want you to be in charge. I want you to fuck me, hard.” There was confidence in her tone. Her shyness slipped away and in its place was a beautiful woman who knew what she wanted. He had given her that. His inner male preened. His outer male, on the other hand, was hungry to be inside his woman again. Yes, she was his, would always belong to him, even after this whole thing ended. He would look back on this time fondly.

  “Leather or silk, love?” Heat poured through him in waves.

  She licked her lips. “Silk. And I want to be blindfolded.”

  Diego’s cock twitched and his stomach tightened as the image of her blindfolded surfaced.

  “Yes.” His voice came out ragged and hoarse. It surprised him how immediate his reaction was, and yet he couldn’t hide it, not from her. “I mean, I’ll go get the scarves and blindfold. You just lie back.”

  “But what about my hair?” Anarrae gestured to her damp hair.

  “I don’t care. I just need you.” Diego meant it. “I plan on fucking you all over this apartment before we part. You are going to remember me, and I want you to think of me when you’re all alone in your cabin and needing release, understand?” He stared down at Ana, willing her to say yes. If they couldn’t be together on the ship, then at least they would be thinking of each other.

  “How could I forget you?” she asked. Ana reached up and caressed his feather-covered cheek.

  Diego cursed the mask, wishing he could feel her palm against his skin. Instead, the rest of her body against his would have to do. He moved around his apartment, trying to ignore the woman stretching herself out on his bed. An idea struck him and he grinned.

  “Love, how would you feel about being bound just wrists on your knees? Perhaps a bit of role-play? Hmmm, interested? You could still be blindfolded but you’d have to trust me.” He waited for her answer.

  “I do trust you. Otherwise why would I have stayed? Where do you want me?”

  Deigo turned to look at Ana, now sitting up on his bed. His heart constricted and he couldn’t breathe. Only his brother and mother had ever trusted him so completely, and that had been a long time ago. He was honored. He vowed to try to be worthy of that trust, not matter what.

  “Why are you looking at me like that?” Ana smiled. “Just get the stuff and let’s get started.”

  In that instant, Diego wanted to kiss her senseless and thank her over and over again for the gift she had just given him.

  “You are amazing, you know that?” he asked as he gathered up all of the things he wanted to use with her.

  “Don’t tell me. Show me.” Her tone was husky. The sound wrapped around Diego’s cock and it jumped in response. It pressed against his pants with the need to be unleashed.

  “Oh, I will, love. I will. Just wait a moment.” With silk scarves, blindfold, and edible body dust in his arms he made his way back to her.

  Ana stood in the middle of the room, hugging herself. “What do you want me to do?” She looked so unsure.

  “Take off the towel and go lie on the bed,” Diego ordered, distractedly, as he laid out the items he had chosen. He went into the bathroom and got the body oil. “First, I’m going to give you nice massage to relax you. I must blindfold you first.”

  “OK.”

  He heard the mattress squeak softly. When he exited the room he saw she had followed his instructions. He gripped the oil tightly, trying to keep from jumping and fucking her right then rather than carry out his plan.

  “Roll—” he paused to clear his throat. His voice had become rough. “Roll onto your stomach and relax.”

  Ana did as he said and Diego blew out a breath. When he climbed onto the bed, she lifted her head and waited patiently for him to cover her eyes. Once that was accomplished, Ana resumed her former position and lay, arms over her head, legs spread wide.

  Diego swallowed, unsure of his ability to control himself. She was like a decadent buffet, waiting for him to feast on her using his hands, mouth, lips, tongue, and teeth. He had to clench his jaw to keep himself from deviating from his original plan of working her up slowly.

  Before he started, Diego removed the mask and placed it on the nightstand. There was no fear that she would see him and for once he could let the Dodger persona fall away and be with her as himself. He poured oil onto his palm and rubbed his hands together. With a deep breath, he touched her back, spreading his fingers wide. The lubricant warmed and she let out a soft gasp, which made him smile. Slowly, he moved his hands over the expanse of her back, taking in the differences in their skin tones—his tanned flesh against her milk chocolate. He increased the pressure, running his hands down the sides of her spine. Her skin was so soft, so warm, like silk come alive. Each breath she took moved her back up and down, bone and muscle sliding under the skin—so smooth!

  “Computer, soft golden light,” Diego called out. The room dimmed and a gold glow emanated from the small lights in the wall. He knew Ana couldn’t see it, but he wanted to set the atmosphere. He knew this is what he would have done for her if they were in a relationship, little things like candlelight, intimate dinners, and full body massages. This was not about seduction or the con. This was real to him. He wanted to know about her life; he yearned to know more about the beautiful woman on his bed, trusting him with her body and safety.

  “Tell me about the ship. What do you do on there? Do you have friends?” He cursed himself for asking but the words couldn’t be taken back.

  “I’m just an officer. I give reports, type up reports, gather data…boring stuff really. I do have a few friends.” Ana’s voice was slightly muffled by the bedspread. There was a laziness in her tone that told her he was doing a good job.

  “Do you love it?” He hoped she did. If she said, no, he knew he would try to tear her away from it. He’d kidnap her for real and take her someplace where she would be pampered, cherished, and waited on hand and foot. He had enough money to buy an island on one of those luxury planets out near the rim of the universe, close to the suns of Pollex and the moons of Hecate. She would love it.

  “I do love my job,” Anarrae said.

  “You said people don’t see you.” Diego loathed that. He hated that she went unnoticed. To him she was the rarest gem, the most beautiful. His time with her, though it was not long, showed him a sweet, lonely woman who was pure in her intentions but had wicked desires that lit him from the inside out until he wanted to take her regardless of where they were. No one had ever made him feel like that. His throbbing cock, pressed against the fly of his pants, was proof of her effect on him.

  “Yeah, but they’re so busy. There’s always activity on the ship, even in the dead of night.” Her tone was not neutral, her body tense. He knew she was lying. She was making excuses for their lack of consideration.

  Instead of pressing the point, he let that pass, only to find himself asking the one question he didn’t want to know the answer to. “Is there someone on the ship you fancy?”

  He was on pins and needle waiting for her to answer.

  “No, no one. I did once, but he left. Changed ships.” There was pain in her voice.

  “I’m sorry,” he said. Silently he rejoiced, yet was angered by the pain this nameless person caused.

  “Why are you apologizing? It’s not your fault. He never knew. Besides there are rules in place. Crew can’t fraternize.”

  “Rules were meant to be broken.”

  “Spoken like a con artist.” She was smiling now. He could h
ear the smile in her voice.

  Diego laughed. “Well, first you bend them, then you break them. I am what I am. Can’t help that.”

  “Did you always want to be a con artist?”

  He tensed. It was only fair. He was poking and prodding, asking things he shouldn’t.

  “No,” he said. “I wanted to be strong. That’s it. It didn’t matter if I was an officer in the Universal military or a copper or whatever… I just wanted to be strong.”

  Memories spilled around the edges of his mind and he tried to push them back. He refused to think of his past—not with her here. It was as if thinking about his father would taint things, and he didn’t want that. Thankfully she didn’t push.

  “What do you do when you’re not conning?” Ana asked.

  “I read, sleep, catch up on universe news. Boring really.”

  “Do you have siblings? Or is that too personal?”

  Here was another bittersweet subject. “A brother. He and I don’t really get along. We do and yet we don’t. We have very different views on the world.”

  Diego could just see his brother scowling and he shook his head. His hands moved down to cup the cheeks of her ass, giving them a good squeeze. Her groan was his reward. He gave her a good slap on one mound and she squirmed.

  “You like being spanked. Mmm, I think you’ve been a very naughty girl. Perhaps I’ll have to punish you later.” He leaned down and placed a soft kiss on the nape of her neck before nipping the skin.

  Ana didn’t deny it. She just let out a groan.

  “What other secrets does the beautiful Anarrae have, hmm? Will you tell me?”

  “My secrets are my own, con artist.” Her voice was husky.

  “Just remember I still have to tie you down. Perhaps interrogate you too? I want to know your hidden gems, love. I want to know what makes you laugh, cry, moan, and scream.” Diego meant every word but he didn’t add that he wanted to know what she was afraid of and what made her feel safe—admitting that would push things too far for him. He would feel the need to protect her. Instead of asking, he moved his hands on her. His thumbs slipped between her thighs to rest on either side of her entrance. A glance down showed him she was wet.

  “I’m not going to tell you that.” She squirmed slightly.

  “I think your body betrays you, love. You’re wet for me. Goddess, I love that you’re wet for me.” He groaned, her taste rolled over his tongue and he had to keep from moving back, lying down on his stomach and feasting on her plump, damp labia. He resisted fucking her pussy with just his fingers until she came.

  “Tell me. Let me hear that I make you wet and aroused. Murmur to me how much you need my cock inside of you. Come on, sweet, whisper to me how much you want me.”

  “I don’t think I can take much more of this massage,” Ana groaned.

  “Why?” Diego ran his thumbs up and down on either side of the opening of her sex. She writhed underneath him.

  “Dodger, please stop teasing me. Fuck me,” she begged.

  “Not ready yet. But here’s a taste.” He used his fingers to arouse her. He parted her thick nether lips to expose her clit and massaged it with his thumb. Moisture trickled from her entrance and he swiped it up with his thumbs and continued to tease her, giving her just enough pressure but not what she needed.

  He stuck two fingers into her pussy. Her inner muscles clenched down and he groaned as his cock jumped. Leisurely, he fucked her while strumming her clit.

  “You like this, love? Need more?”

  “Dodger, please. I need you inside of me.”

  “I am inside you. My fingers are, at least.”

  “I need your cock.”

  “Not yet.” He pumped his fingers faster and pinched her clit between his index finger and thumb.

  She gasped. Her legs writhed against the cotton sheets. He bit his bottom lip hard, using the pain to focus on giving her pleasure. With a deep breath, he reclaimed his determination and pushed away the ache of his balls to release her clit and began finger fucking her faster and harder. Her body stilled. Her vaginal muscles rippled around his fingers before clamping down tight. Ana began to shake as she cried out.

  Diego watched, enraptured by the sight before him. Sweat misted her body. Her head thrashed about on the pillow and her mouth was open as she came. As the spasms stopped, her breath came out in pants. Her pussy continued to pulse around his fingers until that too died away.

  Reluctantly, he withdrew the digits from her sopping sex and slipped them into his mouth, moaning over the salty sweet tang that was her.

  Chapter Five

  As her body calmed down and the sweat cooled on her body, Ana sighed. Her pussy clenched when Dodger slipped his fingers from her aching channel. Despite coming, she still wanted him inside of her. There was the relaxed feeling of the afterglow but there was also restlessness. She felt unsatisfied, unfulfilled. The bed moved and she heard him walking around the room.

  “Dodger—” Anarrae started.

  “Yes, love?” he asked. Dodger sounded so distant her heart hurt.

  “I want you to fuck me. No more massages. I’m not satisfied.” She waited for him to get angry. Past lovers had always been offended when she said that she wasn’t happy with their performance.

  “Roll over.”

  That two-word command made her cold. Anger stirred up and pushed away arousal.

  “I’m not going to do a damn thing. You just—”

  He cut her off. “I’m not done yet. I’m not satisfied either, but I’m not just going to fuck you and be done with it. Let me continue my plan, and I promise you you’ll be more than satisfied.”

  The mattress dipped and the bed moved. Ana felt the wet swipe of his tongue on her ass before she felt the pain. It lanced through her and she cried out. He’d actually bit her ass. As the ache faded it was replaced by heat.

  “Now, chop-chop and roll over. Or I’ll do it again.”

  Curious and aroused, she did as he asked.

  “Spread your legs wide. Let me see your gorgeous pussy again.”

  His words heated her body and arousal twisted in the pit of her gut. She spread her legs wide and waited. Leather slid over one ankle and tightened and she drew in a deep breath as her heart thudded against her rib cage. He did the same for her other ankle. The bed bounced and she could smell the musk and sweat of him. She felt his heat over her and she had to fight to keep from lifting her head and licking his skin. She wanted to cover him in nips and kisses just as she had done before.

  Instead, Ana focused on her senses and experience. Everything was amplified. The creak of the leather seemed louder. The feel of the fabric around her wrists and ankles felt softer, smoother, even as the edges of the straps bit into her skin. Dodger seemed hotter, his scent more potent. It was all intoxicating. She found herself struggling against her bonds.

  “Stop struggling and relax. It will be OK. Shhhh, calm down,” Dodger said. He ran a hand over her head.

  Ana’s heart beat erratically but her body remained relaxed on the bed. When he stopped touching her it felt odd, like an incomplete sentence uttered or a connection not made. An ache started in her heart and she realized this is what it would feel like when they had to part, only more extreme. Sadness descended and for a second she wanted to cry.

  “It’s OK. I’m here. Relax and just feel.” His voice calmed her down a bit but not completely.

  She opened her mouth to say something only to have the thought lost when something soft and light began to move over her chest, back and forth, slow and feathery. Ana didn’t know what to say. The sensation continued until it got to the right side of her waist. Laughter bubbled up inside of her as he moved over a ticklish spot. She couldn’t stop it. The sound tumbled out and her body shook.

  “Ah, I found a ticklish spot. Must remember that.” She could hear the smile in his voice.

  The feathery sensation moved away to the other side and continued on to her legs. The feeling was replaced by slick
warmth with a bit of roughness. She knew he was running his tongue over her ankle. He licked slowly up one leg and down the other, ignoring her center, which made the ache between her thighs grow. Her clit pulsed with need. She wanted his mouth there.

  “So soft,” he whispered against her damp skin. “So beautiful. I don’t think I could ever tire of exploring your body.”

  She swallowed. The roughness of his voice made her squirm. “Then don’t.”

  He chuckled, a sound like the most decadent dark chocolate, rich and sinful. Just perfect. “I won’t, love.”

  Anarrae felt the heat of his body moving up her like a slow-moving wave.

  “Goddess, this body is beautiful. I can’t say that enough. I want to worship you, but it would take more time than we have.” Sadness colored his voice but did nothing to dampen the arousal. It only made her want him more.

  “Then come to me,” she urged.

  “Not yet. I’m not worthy yet,” he said. She didn’t understand that comment so she let it go.

  The first touch of his tongue on her stomach made her gasp. It was so unexpected. She had known he had been moving up but had gotten distracted by his words. He licked his way over her abdomen, dipping into her navel before lapping his way up the center of her body between her breasts. Her grip on the straps tightened as the yearning rose to sink her hands in his hair and move him to where she wanted him to be.

  Her breasts felt heavy. She wanted to feel his hands on them, cupping them, massaging them. Her nipples ached. Impatience wore at her nerves as she waited for him to make his move.

  The first touch of his tongue on her nipple was so pleasurable that heat shot through her, tore a gasp from her throat. Her back arched. She hungered for more. “More, I need more. Suck me.”

  Dodger cupped her breasts and squeezed them hard before scraping his teeth over the sensitive tip. Pain and pleasure mingled. When he bit down, she screamed as white-hot heat shot straight to her clit. Her hips bucked and her pussy gushed cream. His tongue laved away the sting. He sucked her nipple hard before biting it again. He worried the tip, licking, sucking and tugging. Bursts of heat shot to her core. An orgasm curled tightly within her. She was so close…just a little bit more.