by Allison West
James glanced at Aria then opened his mouth, speaking before she had time to say anything further. "I'll do it, but leave Aria out of this arrangement."
"You are a package deal." Victor didn't back down.
Aria knew James intended to protect her, and though she felt flattered, she also owed him this much. It had been her idea to get away from Brayleigh. Yes, it had been arranged so that she might protect him from the bounty on his head, but it had been for her own selfish reasons as well. She despised the palace and wanted to start over with him someplace far from his home.
"It's fine. I'll do it. On one condition."
"I'm not sure you have anything to bargain for, but go ahead." Victor clasped his hands together, waiting for Aria to answer.
"James is with me at all times." The last thing she wanted was to be alone with Victor. He might be a professional, or he could be a total creeper. With James there, she felt safe.
Victor nodded. "I can work with that. It might even make for a more interesting shoot or two," he said, smiling proudly. Why did this make him happy? Did he not have the other patrons in the club downstairs willing to pose for him? Or did he actually see something different about them?
How bad could it be? Aria could handle a few photographs and Victor watching. It wasn't as though she was looking forward to it, but after everything else she had endured, what was one more obstacle?
Chapter 5
Victor wanted to get started right away on his photo shoot. Aria didn't dare ask where they'd be photographed. She didn't imagine it would be outdoors, with the claimers hunting sapphires.
"Come with me," Victor said, leading them down the stairwell, onto the main floor. The music pumped through the room, making it difficult to hear a word Victor said. Aria walked right behind him, pushing her way through the crowd of people. Who were they, and what were they doing here? Was this entertainment or their job? This place seemed like a different reality, a glimpse at the past.
Victor dug out a silver skeleton key and shoved it into a door on the main floor. He turned the handle and stepped inside, walking down the stairs, and the music began to vanish. "Much better," he said, and Aria hated to admit she agreed with him.
James lingered right behind her, and as she reached the last step, he took her hand yet again.
"What is this place?" Aria asked, surprised to find a photography studio inside of a train station. Then, again, she never would have anticipated a club, either.
"This used to be a storage facility for the coffee shop upstairs. After the war, I had the wall torn down between the newsstand and drug stores, on either side."
"You stole property?" Aria asked, watching as he flipped on a few lights. How did he have electricity? At least Hailey had used the solar panels. They were far underground, without a hint of light, although she supposed even in an apocalypse, if you have the valued currency, you can get anything.
"Squatting, technically, and now we own it." Victor looked less than amused by her questions. "I don't have any extra bulbs. I've gone through everything in my supply, but the generator runs on gasoline."
"Isn't fuel in short supply?" James asked.
Giant painted canvases hung from the ceiling. Victor pulled one down, a black damask, all the while smiling. "For some, fuel is an issue. I own the refinery. Though it isn't running any longer, I have more than I could use in my lifetime."
Aria nodded. Fuel would run generators. Victor could ration off small amounts for those he deemed worthy.
"Enough chit chat," Victor said as he adjusted the lights and soft boxes to his liking. She didn't dare ask how he came upon the equipment. He was a criminal, according to Hailey. "Strip down, Aria."
"Excuse me?" James stepped closer to Victor. They were both about the same height. James was bigger, with broader shoulders, and Aria felt certain he'd win, but she didn't want to see things escalate.
She stepped between them, holding them apart. "Enough."
"Did you even see my work?" Victor asked, dejected.
Aria disrobed, stripping out of her t-shirt and cargos first. She folded the articles neatly on the side, out of the way, before unclasping her bra and shimmying out of her panties. She felt exposed.
Victor hardly paid attention to the fact there was a naked woman in the room, which eased her mind and slowed her racing heart. He removed his camera from a metal box, locked tight to keep anyone else out of it.
He snapped a few shots, testing his equipment. The flash repeatedly blinded her, but she tried to deal with it as best she could. She was doing this for James.
"Stand up and spread your legs," Victor said.
She swallowed nervously, doing as told.
"Good. Now bend forward and reach for your ankles," he said, approaching Aria. Her hair fell forward, and he swept it to one side.
Aria was glad Victor stood in front of her. She felt exposed, but at least she knew what was coming.
"Now look up just slightly at the camera, tilt your head a bit and smile," Victor said. He seemed to like giving orders.
She took his direction as best she could. "What are you planning on doing with the pictures?" she asked, already knowing the answer. Aria would be on display like the other women in the building. Everyone would see these photographs. All of the two hundred or so people who frequented the establishment.
"Does it matter?" Victor asked. He snapped several more images as he walked around Aria, getting a different angle. "Good. Now let's grab a chair," he said, dragging one from the side wall.
Aria stood up straight, getting a little more comfortable.
Victor placed the chair in front of her. It looked like an antique, with a black and white damask print on the fabric. He quickly changed the background to a black and blue canvas and shifted the lights. "Put one foot on the edge of the chair, the other on the floor. Spread your legs wide, so we get a glimpse of your pussy."
James didn't look pleased, and before her heel grazed the chair, James was swift to interrupt the photography session. "I'm joining her." He didn't wait for permission as he stalked over and gestured for Aria to step aside.
What did he have in mind? She trusted James implicitly.
"I like improvisation," Victor said, going along with it.
"James?" Her throat felt dry. What was he planning on doing, especially while he still had all his clothes on?
He sat on the chair and pulled Aria down over his knee. Her rear faced the camera. Victor moved at different angles, snapping photos. How humiliating!
James' hand came down hard, spanking her rear. "This is for getting naked for another man."
"This is strictly professional," Victor said. "She's not my type."
James shot him a look. "Shut up," he hissed at the gray-haired man, staying in control.
Victor shoved his face behind the camera, probably red with embarrassment.
He spanked Aria again, and her behind burned from the sting.
"James," she said, pleading with him to let up. This wasn't her fault. She only agreed to it, so that she could help save his life!
"You could have said no." James' hand came down again, forcing her cheeks to clench. "Instead, you showed your pussy to the camera, so every man who comes through that club upstairs will see every curve and fold." He didn't let up, spanking her again.
Victor circled them, taking pictures, snapping away at different angles. He finished a roll of film and grabbed another from his metal case.
Tears threatened her vision. She didn't want that captured on camera, for the world to see, even if it was only a few hundred people.
"I swear, I only did this to help you," Aria said. James had to know she wouldn't do this for just anyone.
He didn't tell Aria she'd hurt him, but she knew that was probably how he felt.
James didn't let up, swatting her behind again. It was raw, the sting unbearable, and she was certain James and Victor could see her glistening pink folds. She hated how turned on it made her when J
ames spanked her. She fought the warmth spreading between her thighs and tried to think of anything, but his rock-hard cock nestled beneath her. No. She wouldn't give James the satisfaction of fucking her on camera.
"Maybe that's how it started, to help me, but I saw the smile. I know you're enjoying it," James said. "A little too much, I can see."
He knew how wet he made her. Could he feel the heat radiating off her body? A sheen of sweat covered her skin. The lights were warm, but James was what set her on fire.
Victor finished putting in more film, and he circled like a prey in heat, ready to pounce.
"Ignore him," James said, spanking her again. "I deserve your attention."
Was there a hint of jealousy in his tone? Aria shifted uncomfortably, feeling her pussy throb. How was it that James could turn her on, even when she didn't want him to?
"I'll do whatever you want," she whispered through heavy-lidded eyes. "Do you want me to suck your cock?" she asked him. She knew he liked it when her breath lingered against his shaft, right before she licked the head and took him into her throat.
James groaned, straining beneath her to keep in control. "You have a potty mouth," he said, spanking Aria again on her sore bottom. His hand lingered, caressing her soft skin, before pinching it.
She yelped in protest.
"Oh, you like it."
Aria knew he did. Did his hand hurt as bad as her rear, or was he worried about the redness that he'd caused?
The silence of the room was momentarily engulfed in music. Footsteps echoed down the stairwell. Someone must have opened the door and shut it on their way downstairs.
"Victor," a female voice said, calling out to him. Aria caught a glimpse of her first, with her dark brown hair and olive green eyes. Her cheeks reddened at the sight of Aria bent over James' knee. "We need you upstairs. One of the patrons is getting rowdy with Penelope."
"Bastards! Can't they keep their hands off the merchandise?" Victor placed the camera on the stool beside him. He shot them a glance. "I'll be back." He stormed up the staircase. The moment the door opened again, Aria heard the music drift into the basement and then vanish. They were alone.
The moment of silence enveloped the room, Aria moved off his knee and worked his shirt free and up over his head, undressing him.
"Aren't you in a rush?" James said. "Who said anything about your spankings being done?"
"I did," Aria said.
His eyes narrowed, and he swatted her one more time, just so he got the final say. He'd probably swat her a few more rounds if they weren't in a rush. Neither of them knew how long Victor would be gone. Aria was grateful for the reprieve. She wasn't sure how much more she could handle from either of them.
Her hands went for his jeans, popping the button free. "Stand up." She smiled up at him, and James pushed himself up and away from the chair.
She dropped down onto her knees, using her teeth to lower the zipper on his jeans. Her fingers guided his pants down his hips, letting them hit the floor with a solid thud. His boxers came next, as she tugged at the dark cotton, working them past his growing cock.
"One day, I'm going to take you over my knee and spank you," she said, staring up at James.
"Aria, the last time you tried that, do you remember what happened?"
Yes. He had humiliated her, by getting the paddle in the Knight Tribe. "Well, maybe I'll drug you." She laughed, joking with him. She'd never do anything to hurt him.
"Then I'd have to give you twice your allotment of spankings, for misbehaving."
Smiling, she rolled her eyes and let her breath caress his thick cock. She didn't touch him, not yet. She was slow, methodical, as she watched his face and judged his reaction before letting her tongue swipe the head.
His fingers tangled in her hair, and she pulled her lips away, just slightly.
James groaned in protest.
"Relax," she said, assuring him that he'd get exactly what he wanted before the night was through. She hoped it wouldn't hurt his health in any way, since the virus coursed through his blood. Too late now, to start asking questions. She dragged her lips across his shaft, kissing every inch, feeling him pulse under her touch. She knew he grew close already, and Aria pulled back, pushing him down onto the chair to sit.
She straddled his hips, waiting to fall down onto his cock. His fingers moved over her back and down to her ass, touching her folds, feeling her wetness. "How long have you been turned on?" James asked in a raspy tone.
Aria smiled and considered telling him since he spanked her. She leaned forward as she nibbled his earlobe and kissed a path down his neck. She slowly lowered herself onto him, feeling him fill her as her insides clenched down onto his shaft.
"Aria," he whispered against her ear, kissing her neck and up to her lips. "I love you."
Aria rested her forehead against his as she momentarily stilled. Her fingers pulled him tighter as her eyes fell shut. She began thrusting, her hips raising and lowering, feeling her insides shuddering from the sensation.
"So good," he purred into her ear. His hands moved over her rear, his touch like fire on the sensitive skin he marked. Did he do that on purpose, mark Aria so he could claim her as his own? She didn't dwell on whether he was possessive or not, letting her body feel the emotions sweeping over her.
His fingers found her nipple, gently pinching it between his fingers before moving down to lick and suck her breasts.
Aria dragged her hands down his back, her nails scraping his skin, leaving a mark as she trembled in his embrace. Heat flooded through her like fire blazing in a forest. She couldn't contain her arousal or the impending orgasm coming to the surface.
James' breathing was labored. Her heart slammed against her chest, the beating so loud, she swore it would burst her eardrums. His chest rose and fell as his hands moved to her rear again, pulling them closer, tighter together.
Music seeped into the room, and Aria knew someone had trailed down the stairs. They were out of time.
James lifted his hips on the chair, pushing harder inside of her, forcing her pussy to clench down and tremble around his cock. His erection pulsated as he let himself go inside of her.
Her eyes lazily opened, and she turned her head to see who the offending observer was. Victor.
The older man snorted under his breath and grabbed his camera, putting the lens cap back on. "We're done for tonight. Tomorrow, I'm going to have to burn that chair and find a new one for the studio."
Laughter bubbled up from her stomach. Aria buried her face in James' shoulder, unwilling to show her face to Victor, at least until tomorrow.
His footsteps retreated, and she eased her head back, relieved to be alone with her sapphire, once again.
James stared at her, his pools of blue darker than usual.
"My heart is still pounding," James said, taking Aria's hand as he rested it against his chest.
He was hot to the touch, warmer than she realized. Was he running a fever? Aria leaned forward, kissing his forehead. "Do you feel okay?" Had she overexerted him?
James nodded, grimacing slightly.
"What is it?" she asked. She hoped she hadn't made him worse. She could never forgive herself if that were the case.
"Just a slight headache."
Aria eased her weight off him and walked toward her clothes, putting them back on. "We need to find a place to sleep for tonight." The idea of staying in the basement didn't seem appealing, and Victor had mentioned room and board.
James stood, swaying on his feet. Aria rushed to his side, her hand coming to grip his forearm, steadying him. "What is it?"
"I just need some sleep."
"Sit back down," Aria said, grabbing his clothes and helping him back into them. The last thing she wanted was for his head to hit the concrete floor if he was unsteady. After he was dressed, she helped him stand, her arm around him. "Come on," she said, escorting him up the stairs. He walked fine, his gait steady once again.
Aria opened the door
from the basement and was blasted by the pulse of music like a heartbeat, alive. It was loud, overwhelmingly so. She stepped into the room and pushed her way through the crowd, moving an inch at a time. Aria glanced over the party goers. They were all emeralds, even if it was just a reaction of the inoculation. At least they were immune, she hoped. Her stomach bubbled with nausea, concerned James could be infecting everyone. If he was, she'd blame herself.
James grabbed her hand, keeping her close as she tried to move away from the live music and band.
Hailey jumped up and down, and her hand shot up straight in the air, waving to Aria. She didn't know how she'd spotted them in the crowd. Hailey skirted her way through the throng of people, grabbing her arm and leading her closer to the music. Aria wanted to tell her no, beg her to stop, but she couldn't hear her. Aria glanced over her shoulder. James was tight on her heels, following her as she trailed Hailey to the back of the club and through a locked door. Again, Hailey had the key. What was her relationship with Victor? He had to trust her if he gave her access within the building.
Hailey flipped on a switch. The lighting was dim but helpful as James shut the door behind them. "Victor has a penthouse suite for his guests across the street. We'll have to take the back stairwell and head upstairs."
"Upstairs?" Aria asked, surprised they were going outside. She thought Hailey had mentioned that there'd been an accident that had blocked the station. Why had she lied to them earlier?
"Yes. I'll drop you off and get you both comfortable for when he returns."
"Returns? Where is he going?" Aria asked. They'd seen him just a few minutes ago.
Hailey continued walking, leading them up the narrow staircase and then through a locked door. Once on the main level, they raced across the street, careful not to be seen. "Victor has some business to attend to. You'll make yourselves at home, on his request."
Her tone, the way she said the last bit, made Aria's stomach tense. She tried not to dwell on it.
She shivered as the sun set, and they darted to the door. Hailey again had a key, forcing it into the lock. She turned the handle, pushing them quickly inside before securing it closed behind her.