by Ivy Barrett
If she refused, he’d ignore her until she gave in or soiled herself. “You’re a hateful little man,” she sneered, turning her back.
Mechanically, refusing to give in to the emotions raging within her, Corry undressed. It was no easy task with one hand shackled to the chair, but she unfastened her pants and wiggled out of them, kicking them off to one side. The buttons, which secured the front of her blouse, were harder to manage.
She cursed all the while, and Ashton’s soft chuckle only compounded her anger. Lifting her right arm out of the sleeve, Corry had no choice but to leave the shirt bunched around her left wrist. He’d taken away her boots already, so she was left with only her undergarments. The panties were solid black, nothing fancy, but the cut showcased her slender legs and sleek hips.
The wristcuff released with a soft pop. Corry snatched her hand away and spun to face Ashton. He was enjoying the spectacle all right. His dark gaze moved with insolent thoroughness over her exposed skin. Her undershirt was designed to support and protect her breasts. The modest scoop of the neckline left only a hint of cleavage revealed, but her entire midriff was bare.
“Are you finished gawking?” she asked casually, despite the resentment threatening to consume her.
“Not hardly.”
“Well…” She took a deep breath to steady her voice. “You’ll have to take an intermission.”
She strode past him, back straight, shoulders squared—face flaming red. Only after she’d enclosed herself in the utility room did she allow her façade to slip. She’d never been so embarrassed in her life, or so angry.
Even after she used the facilities, Corry lingered in the cramped lavatory. He was waiting, ready to continue her humiliation. She glanced at her reflection and groaned. Her hair was a tangled mass. Little of the braid remained. She tugged the elastic band off and finger-combed the long strands. Perhaps if she didn’t look quite so rattled, she’d feel stronger.
A deep flush colored her cheeks and emotion swam in her tear-bright eyes. Why couldn’t he be an arrogant bastard all the time? Just when she was ready to slap him, he flashed that devastating smile and caressed her with his night-black gaze. She couldn’t afford to like him. Surrender was out of the question.
She needed to calm down, to think and plan. There had to be something she could do, some way of getting herself out of this mess. One thing was certain. She couldn’t go to Halley Prime. There was nothing directly linking her with the rebel activities, but Korbin, with his characteristic zeal, hadn’t taken the same precautions to guard his identity. The rebel cause was just, and Korbin was willing to risk anything to see that they prevailed.
Ashton tapped on the door, his deep voice easily penetrating the barrier. “You’re stalling. You’ve wasted enough time.”
Corry took several deep breaths and willed her heart into a more natural rhythm. He could only humiliate her if she allowed herself to feel shame. With slow, deliberate motions, she unlocked and opened the door.
“If I’m slowing you down, set me ashore at the nearest spaceport,” she suggested cheerfully.
“And deprive myself of your charming company?”
She ignored his provocation. Her gaze quickly scanned the cabin. The wristcuffs lay on the floor where they’d fallen, but her clothes were nowhere in sight.
“I’d like to get dressed now,” she told him.
“And I’d like you to finish undressing.” He paused for a wicked smile. “But I think we can compromise.”
“This is no compromise. I’m cold.”
“I’ll be happy to warm you.”
Ignoring the sensual purr in his tone, Corry walked to the bank of storage compartments, searching each in turn. Empty! He must have shoved her clothes into the recycler.
Determination burned through her self-consciousness. She stomped to the ship’s stern and lowered one of the pull-down bunks. The bedding was attached at the bottom. Undaunted, she continued her search. The locker in the small private cabin contained a blanket. With a defiant flourish, she shook it out and settled the soft material around her shoulders.
“Feel better?” Ashton lounged in the open doorway, one shoulder rested against the doorframe, his brawny arms folded over his chest. A lock of burnished hair lay across his forehead, and the consuming intensity of his gaze bore into hers.
“I feel like strangling you,” she said bitterly. “There were legitimate reasons for what I did. You’re just being petty.”
He took a menacing step forward. “It’s petty to subject you to the treatment you dealt me?”
“I made you undress to discourage you from escaping. Where the hell am I going to go? We’re in the middle of freaking space!”
“You also left me in that freezing cell without food or light because you didn’t like what I had to say!”
“Korbin would have beaten the shit out of you! You should be thankful—”
Her words died in a frightened squeak as he grabbed her. One hand fisted in her hair while his other arm encircled her waist. “Korbin? Who is Korbin? Stupid question. Who is Korbin Reah to you?”
She glared and her jaw clenched.
“Your lover?” His hand tightened in her hair. “Shit, is he your husband?”
His line of reasoning was so far off base she couldn’t help but laugh. “I thought you were psychic.”
With his dark eyes blazing, he leaned in close and whispered, “I would have preferred the beating.”
“It can still be arranged.” She shoved hard against his chest, but his fingers still tangled in her hair so all she did was cause herself more pain. “I hate you!”
He didn’t react to her outburst. Instead he stared into her eyes and demanded, “How do you know Korbin?”
“Fuck! You!”
With a frustrated growl, he sat on the edge of the bed and dragged her across his lap. The blanket slipped to the floor as she went wild.
She screamed and twisted, knowing what was coming this time. He whipped her panties down around her knees, then pinned her to his legs with his hand pressed between her shoulder blades. She held her breath, waiting for the first swat to fall. Dreading it, yet curious about how it had made her body feel.
The swat never came.
Twisting her head around, she looked up through her hair. He was staring at her ass. “Like the view?” she sneered, sarcasm the only weapon left to her.
His gaze shot to hers. “I’ll like it better when you’re wearing my handprint.” As if to prove his point, he spanked her hard enough to make her cry out.
Heat sank into her flesh, making her squirm against his hard thighs. She gritted her teeth, humiliated, yet oddly awakened. It was happening again, the crawling heat and aching sensation. “This is sick.” She was trying to convince herself as much as shame him.
He spanked her again and again, alternating sides. “How do you know Korbin?” He paused, waiting for an answer she didn’t give.
His hand fell over and over, building intensity and sending sparks of sensation down both her legs. Her clit twitched and her core melted, cream trickling out between her folds. “Stop it.” She reached back with both hands and covered her abused cheeks. Afraid of how quickly he’d aroused her.
“Why? Are you starting to like it?” He worked his hand between her thighs and traced her slit with one long finger. “You’re even wetter than before. If I keep going will you come for me?”
She threw herself off his lap, landing on her knees between his feet. He spread his legs and drew her up until her nose nearly touched his. “Would you like to know how I passed the hours in that cold, dark cell?” She turned her face away, but he continued in her ear. “I ripped your clothes off while you thrashed and screamed. I relished the struggle. Your anger made me want you more.”
Korbin was right. Ashton could mesmerize. He wove a spell around her, muddling her mind until all she could do was feel.
Suddenly, he stood and yanked her up and against his chest. His hand pushed back into
her hair and closed into a careful fist. With her arms trapped between them all she could do was arch away, and that ground the distinct ridge of his erection into her belly. Her ass throbbed and her goddamn panties were still tangled around her knees.
“Stop it.” She turned her head and glared into his eyes as she tried to wedge him away with her arms. He wouldn’t budge, barely let her move. Shouldn’t she be afraid?
His mouth hovered over hers, brushing against her lips with the barest hint of a caress. “I fucked you savagely twice, but soon your resignation wasn’t enough. I wanted your passion to equal mine. I touched you with my hands and my mouth, licked your pussy until your cream covered my face.”
Desire spiraled from her chest to her core, mocking her struggle. She’d spent way too many hours imagining his hands and his mouth igniting sensations in her body.
“And I begged for it, right?” She jumped ahead, hoping to minimize the images triggered by his words. “You were such a phenomenal lover I wept for joy at your touch and was powerless to resist you.”
“No.” He shook his head, brushing his lips against hers. “You wept with shame because you hate me and still I made you come over and over.”
“That amounts to the same thing.”
“Does it?” he jeered. “I say we find out.”
Corry knew he meant to kiss her the moment he put his hands on her, but she wasn’t prepared for the rush of emotion unleashed by the kiss. His mouth took possession of hers, lips urging hers apart, tongue delving between.
She couldn’t breathe. Her head spun as his hand splayed across the back of her scalp, holding her in place. She wanted to resist, to hold perfectly still and show him she was unaffected by his kiss. He was warm and strong, his mouth sure, his tongue demanding. Reluctantly her tongue returned his caress, tasting him.
He tugged her arms away from her chest and molded her against his body. With her breasts crushed against his chest, she could feel the steady thumping of his heart. His large palm slipped lower and cupped her burning ass cheek. Corry groaned into his mouth. He rocked his hips, intentionally rubbing his thick cock against her.
It had been so long. No, it had never been like this.
“Lift your arms,” he ordered in a thick, whispery voice.
Without thought or hesitation, she obeyed. He grabbed the bottom band of her undershirt and tugged it off over her head. Cool air played across her bare skin and she shivered. His hands swept slowly down her arms and came to rest beneath her breasts.
She couldn’t do this. She was betraying the cause by succumbing to his touch. Looking down, she was struck by the contrast between his gold-toned hands and her pale skin. His fingers squeezed her breasts but left her rosy nipples uncovered. They tightened, waiting for his attention.
Why was she allowing this? He was repaying her for her cruelty, mocking her with her body’s eager response, and she allowed it. No, she encouraged him with her cooperation and her sighs. Shame washed over her in a cooling wave. She lowered her arms, crossing them protectively over her breasts.
“You’ve made your point.” She reached down with one hand and awkwardly pulled her panties back into place.
“Was I making a point?” His smile was slow and predatory.
“Leave me alone.”
“I don’t want to. I’d think that was obvious.”
Ashton had never been so aroused in his life. What had started out as a punishment quickly took on a life of its own. The softness of her skin, the sweet taste of her mouth intoxicated him. He wanted more. He wanted to sink into her heat, feel her inner muscles tighten as pleasure shattered her world.
She was frightened by her desire, but there was no denying the signs. Her nipples tightened into pebble-hard tips, a bright flush crept across her ivory skin, and her pupils dilated dramatically. Not to mention how wet she’d grown while he spanked her. She wanted him, wanted to be commanded and disciplined. Wanted to submit.
He should stop. He should lock her in this room until they reached Halley Prime. But his first glimpse of this spirited beauty had aroused his desire and his fascination. Each interaction only reinforced his need to sample her fire.
“Why did you sneak into the cellblock with the blanket?” He caged her against the wall with his arms.
“I overreacted.”
He chuckled. “When you left or when you returned?” Her lips twitched as if she suppressed a smile. “I’ve never been that angry. If you’d been a man, I probably would’ve snapped your neck, but you’re the most confounding woman I’ve ever met.”
“Is that a compliment?”
Using just his fingertips, he raised her chin until she looked into his eyes. “I’ve wanted you since you marched into the holding cell that first day. You were all pride and bluster, and I wanted to kiss you senseless, then bend you over my knees.”
“Do you always get what you want?”
He answered with another lazy smile. Tracing her lips with his index finger, he waited for them to part then slowly pushed into the warm, wet interior of her mouth. She allowed the intrusion, her gaze locked with his. Her tongue swirled around his finger and Ashton guided her arms to her sides. Still wet from her mouth, his fingertip traced her nipple.
Settling his mouth over hers, he coaxed and caressed. He nipped at her lips, soothing each tiny hurt with a stroke of his tongue. He wanted to devour her, consume her, but she deserved to be savored. Her lips parted under his. Accepting the silent invitation, he slid his tongue into her mouth, tasting her, taking her.
She pushed her fingers into his hair, responding with equal fervor. Her tongue slid against his, curled around his, and followed his retreat. She’d never been this bold before, never ventured into his mouth. Heat spiked through his body, spearing his groin, making his cock buck.
He lifted her, wrapping her legs around his waist as he latched on to one tender nipple. Suckling firmly, he felt the beaded tip poke against his tongue. She was so passionate, so wonderfully responsive. Could he make her come just by teasing her nipples? He didn’t have the patience to find out.
He didn’t have the patience for a lot of things right now. He’d meant to bring her to orgasm over and over before he finally took her. But his painful erection mocked his selfless intentions. He needed to be inside her!
Pushing away from the wall, he walked to the bunk and sat her on the edge of the firm pad. He tugged his uniform top off over his head and shed the bottoms just as quickly. Kneeling on the floor, he eased her legs apart and moved between them. Her arms covered her breasts again and uncertainty filled her eyes.
“I won’t hurt you. I’m not angry anymore.”
“I know.”
Her voice trembled and Ashton hesitated. “Everything about you tells me you want me, but I still see fear in your eyes. Are you worried about pregnancy or an STD?”
“No. Injections are mandatory, even for the premier’s son.”
“Then what’s wrong?”
“I shouldn’t want you. It’s weak. It betrays everything I hold dear. I can’t do this.”
Framing her face with his palms, he kissed her, distracted her while he scanned her emotions. Desire pounded through her, the intensity easily matching his. Part of what frightened her was how much she wanted him. The flickers of shame bothered him. He didn’t want her to feel guilty about the attraction flaring between them.
“You’re my hostage,” he whispered against her mouth. “I’m much stronger than you. I’m a ruthless bastard. I take what I want when I want it. Your only rational choice is surrender. It’s the only way you’ll stay alive.”
She opened her eyes and nodded, understanding clear in her gaze. With those words he’d released her inhibitions, freed her from her shame and gave her an excuse to give in to her desire.
“Stand up.” He used a firm, commanding tone.
He didn’t move back as she stood and the silky skin of her belly brushed his face. Hooking his thumbs in the waistband of her panties, he dr
agged them down. She stepped out of the undergarment with one foot and kicked them aside with the other. He nuzzled her belly, teasing her with featherlight kisses while his hands explored the firm contour of her spanking warmed ass. Her flesh was soft and warm, addictive. He stroked and squeezed, memorized the texture of her skin.
“Raise your leg to my shoulder. I want to taste you.”
A shuddering breath escaped her mouth, but she tentatively lifted her foot off the floor. Ashton guided her leg into place and bent slightly, breathing against her damp sex. “When we’re finished, I’m going to shave these curls. You’ll love how my tongue feels sliding across your smooth, sensitive mound. Nothing should distract from such pleasures.”
“Then shave me now.”
He looked up at her, their gazes colliding across the quivering expanse of her naked body. “I can’t wait. Can you?” With his gaze still locked with hers, he flicked her clit with his tongue. She gasped and jerked, grasping his upper arms for support. “Didn’t think so.”
Holding her firmly against his mouth, he circled the swollen nub. Her fingers tightened each time he stroked the sleek hood protecting her exquisitely sensitive nerve endings. Her feminine musk stirred his senses and her soft cries urged him on. He’d imagined this, dreamed of her taste and her trembling need.
He dragged his tongue from back to front, gathering her cream and sucking it into his mouth. She squirmed as he grew bolder, pushing into her core and exploring her tender folds. Her hips rocked. She did everything in her power to bring his tongue back into contact with her clit. Each soft cry fueled his resolve to build the urgency. He wanted her panting and desperate, ready for anything.
She stiffened, her breath caught on a gasp, and he quickly pulled away.
“No!” Her fingers tangled in his hair. “I was almost—”
“You come when I say you come, and I want to be inside you.” Easing her back across the bunk, he pulled her hips to the edge and bent her knees. “Hold your legs open.”
Her wide, luminous eyes stared up at him as he gently parted her folds and pushed two fingers into her pussy. Stars, she was hot! Her inner muscles clenched his fingers, her passage wet and incredibly tight. Why was she so tight? He pushed deeper, spreading his fingers as wide as her stubborn muscles allowed. She moaned and shook.
