She turned to walk back to their table when she saw a woman rushing toward her, holding her long gown up, blonde curls bouncing. It was Illyria Tate.
They met in the middle of the open space and Illyria's arms closed around Kiri in a warm hug scented with expensive perfume. "Kiri. How delightful to see you here—in person, for once."
"Same." Kiri returned the hug. Illyria's father kept her so busy she rarely got out of their warehouse offices. "Love your gown." The blonde wore a black halter completely spangled with tiny beads, the top deeply cut. Jet earrings hung from beneath blonde curls, brushing her plump, pale shoulders.
"Thank you." The other woman dimpled. "It's Maitresse, like yours." She stepped back far enough to eye Kiri's gown. "I'm so jealous of your figure."
Kiri grinned. "Yeah, right. Most of the women here paid huge credit to get breasts like yours, which are real."
Illyria dimpled again. "Well, my date certainly seems to like them." Her gaze sharpened. "Are you here with Stark?"
"I am."
"Oh, good. He'll take care of you. I always make sure to attend these things with a reliable escort. They can get pretty wild. Anyone fun at your table?"
Kiri wrinkled her nose. "No, no. Just some boring business people."
"Why, Ms. te Nawa, I'm hurt," drawled a deep voice behind her. "Especially since we have an acquaintance in common."
Kiri stiffened. Illyria aimed a glare over her shoulder that was so hot Kiri was surprised she couldn't see a laser charge.
"Mr. Moon," Illyria said through her teeth. "The difference is, Kiri is my friend and you are not."
Marc Moon chuckled. "That's all right. Friends are not what I want to be with you, Illyria."
Kiri sidled from between the two, looking from one to the other.
The two were staring at each other as if they'd forgotten Kiri was even there. The air was between them was full of heat, but it wasn't just anger. And Illyria might be petite and round and feminine, but her militant stance said she was a match for the coffee magnate.
Still. "You behave," Kiri said to Marc Moon. "I'll be watching you."
He didn't even look at her. "Now I'm scared."
Kiri opened her mouth to invoke the power of Stark, but Illyria smiled without looking away from Moon. Her white teeth held a flash of ferocity as well. "I'll be fine, Kiri. The day I can't handle an arrogant, conceited fool like this is the day I give up my Maitresse account."
Moon's eyes narrowed. "You won't miss it, baby. I keep an account there, and I'll buy you anything you want."
Illyria let out a hiss of outrage and Kiri winced. If the man was wise, he'd quit before he dug himself in deeper.
"Link you tomorrow," Kiri murmured to her friend and walked away. She was looking forward to hearing who came out on top in this battle of the sexes.
The mayor potentate was speaking, her enhanced voice filling the room. Kiri had to search for Stark in the dark room. She finally spotted him and made her way carefully through the tables. She was almost to her seat when she felt a rush of sensation in her pussy.
She stumbled into her seat, staring accusingly at Stark, who sat relaxed, one of his legs crossed over the other, his arm over the back of her chair. He bent his head to her ear, and she felt his lips curve against her skin. "What's wrong, kitten?"
Kiri sat back very carefully. "They're—growing," she hissed. "This is not good."
He smiled, a rakish flash of white in the lights from the stage. "It's all right, little cat. They simply adjust to your cunt. They won't hurt you."
She whimpered and then pressed her hand to her lips, afraid someone had heard her. But everyone was laughing at a quip from the MP. Stark laid his hand over hers. His other arm encircled her, his hand on her waist.
And then he twisted his fingertips in the chain and tugged gently. Kiri gasped as the balls caressed a magical spot inside her, suffusing her with pleasure.
"Is it good?" he asked gently, as the MP began to speak again.
Since he was tugging again, sending the balls slipping back and forth against the walls of her pussy, Kiri could only lean her forehead against his chin. This was decadence beyond her experience. He was playing her here in the middle of a social event. Anyone who looked at her closely would see that she was aroused and guess that he was doing something to her.
Stark rimmed the shell of her ear with his tongue in the darkness and worked the chain. "Tell me, little cat." His warm breath tickled her ear.
"Yes. And I hate you."
He changed the angle of his tugs, and the chain worked her clitoris. Kiri bit back a moan of need as her pussy clenched on the balls, her need so intense she shook.
"No one can see what I'm doing," he told her, his voice dark velvet in her ear. "They don't know how aroused you are, little cat."
His free hand stroked down her thigh. She clasped his hand in both of hers, holding on for dear life as he continued his slow, secret torture. The chain slid over her swollen clitoris, and the balls teased and tormented, rolling against her G-spot.
"They'll know. All they have to do is look at me."
"Mm. Does that excite you?"
Kiri shook her head. He nipped her ear. "Truth, kitten."
She nodded helplessly. If he continued, she was going to come right here in public, surrounded by his wealthy friends and associates. And she didn't care who watched because it was Stark caressing her.
"Eyes open." He began to tug the chain harder, faster. "Now, kitten."
Across the table, Marc Moon slid into his seat. His date glared at him and turned away with a flounce. He ignored her.
Over Stark's shoulder, Haassea's husband turned his head and looked at her. His eyes narrowed, and he smiled at her. He knew. Somehow he knew. He bent his head and whispered in his wife's ear, and she turned her head sharply, her gaze cutting toward Kiri. The woman sat perfectly still, her head close to her husband's, his hand playing on her bare arm, even leaned against him. But Kiri felt strong emotion emanating from her. Envy? Anger?
Then the balls moved again, and the sensual torment sent Kiri over the edge. She was the woman in Stark's arms, the one he'd fuck later. She turned her face into Stark's throat and came, riding the balls with jerky little movements, pleasure imploding through her.
"That's my wildcat," he approved in her ear.
Around them the crowd broke into thunderous applause.
For one delirious moment Kiri thought they were applauding her, but she forced her eyes open and realized that the MP was bowing, her face wreathed in smiles.
"Now for the dancing," the woman said with a roguish wink. "And have we got a surprise for you. The Seven Hells Riders!"
The applause applauded again, louder this time. Kiri sank back against Stark's arm and clamped her hand over his on the chain, imploring him silently to stop. He lifted her chin with his hand and kissed her.
"Now," he said, "We'll dance."
Kiri groaned, and he chuckled.
He pulled her to her feet. She was glad of his strong arm around her, because she wasn't sure she could have walked alone. The tables were moving back, the center of the floor clearing. A long saxophone note wailed, and the crowd roared as a new stage appeared, holding a group of musicians and their instruments. The musicians were all dressed in red leather, and their instruments appeared to be on fire, holo-flames burning as they played.
Kiri ducked as a gleaming black hoviecycle zoomed over their head, out around the ballroom and back toward the stage. The rider's head was a grinning skull, engulfed in flames.
"Greetings, my lovelies," he said in a deep, smoky voice. "Welcome to hell. Tonight we ride!"
The crowd roared. Stark swung Kiri into his arms, and she sank against his powerful torso, wondering how long she was going to last without coming again. She certainly felt as if the devil himself had claimed her.
Stark was a very good dancer, moving smoothly with the music and leading Kiri among the other dancers. He was also adamant in hi
s diabolical assault. As they danced, he twisted his fingers through the chain at the back of her waist and tugged it at random intervals. Despite her orgasm, Kiri felt need build again.
She clung to him, nearly oblivious to the other dancers swirling around them. Her legs trembling, knees weak, she dug her hand into his back, and shook her head.
Stark kissed her ear. "Ready to come again, kitten?"
Kiri nodded. Anything to get him to stop this sensual torment.
"Hmm. Would you like another partner? I could show him how to tug the chain."
Kiri clutched him, shaking her head. "Logan. You wouldn't—would you?
The bastard chuckled. "Not if you're very obedient."
He danced her backward through the crowd, and around a large clump of ferns, into a dark grotto. Just outside, the music thundered, lights flashed and people passed by. Inside, it was only the two of them.
Stark backed her up against one of the walls. Kiri grasped the faux rock on either side of her hips as he kissed her, his mouth taking hers deeply. In the dark, she could only feel—his mouth hot and masterful on hers, his hands cupping her breasts, pulling at her nipples until she moaned. He shoved his knee between hers, claiming the space between her thighs.
He broke the kiss, his mouth moving to her ear, one hand moving down to cup her mons through the thin silk of the gown. "You are like a golden Tyger pussy in this gown. Every man here wants you, and half the women."
"You won't share me with anyone." She cupped his hard jaw in her hand pleadingly.
Chapter 26
"No, kitten. Tonight, you're mine."
Stark's hand cupped her from without, the balls from within. Kiri gave a sob of sheer surrender. She was tired of fighting to keep her distance. "Yes, Logan, I'm yours."
"Lift your skirts." He opened his mouth on the side of her neck and sucked, bringing every nerve there to life. Her head fell back against the wall, and she arched into his mouth.
"Logan."
He smacked her thigh, a little sting of reminder. She fumbled for her skirts, and worked them up her thighs, until they were gathered up around her hips, and she could feel the air on her hot skin, his pant legs brushing the inside of her thighs. What was he going to do?
To her utter shock, he dropped to one knee between her thighs. She looked down at him. He was a broad-shouldered silhouette against the flashing lights, his sleek head poised level with her mons. He placed his hands over hers, guiding her to pull her skirts higher. His warm hands spread over her thighs, caressing her soft skin. Then he hooked his thumbs in the fragile lace of her panties, and tugged.
Her panties tore away, and she was bare before him, only the fine gold chain hanging over her mons. He followed it with his touch, and she whimpered as she felt her arousal flow over his fingertips.
She was bare before him, in public, only a screen of faux plants separating her from the crowd outside. And he was clearly intent on playing her more, in some new torment he'd devised. She was panting, her whole body flushed with anticipation and dread. All any of the dancers had to do was stop before their grotto and peer inside, and they would see him kneeling before her, see her open to him.
Then he bent his head to her and pressed a warm kiss on her bare thigh, and she understood. Clutching her skirt with one hand, Kiri put one hand on his cheek. In a flash of red light from outside, he looked up at her, a smile as devilish as any given by the lord of the seven hells limning his face.
And then he put his mouth on her and Kiri moaned with shock, with pleasure. He'd done this before, in the privacy of his bedroom. But now he knelt before her nearly in public, his breath hot on her mons, bared except for the neatly trimmed triangle of curls, his mouth opening on her. His deep hum of approval vibrated through her pussy as he inhaled, taking in her scent.
Then he used his tongue on her, licking up through her swollen labia and Kiri moaned louder as the silken caress of his tongue joined the abrasion of the chain on her clitoris. Her fingers speared into his short hair, pulling him closer. Her eyes nearly closed, she gazed at the red and gold lights sweeping the ballroom. The rider was aloft again, crooning a deep love song, his voice searing, mocking, a perfect counterpoint to the pleasure spiraling tighter and tighter inside her.
Stark drove his thumbs into her labia, and pulled her open, spearing his tongue inside her. He tugged the chain again, and she whimpered, arching against him.
His kiss was utterly delicious, like being whipped with velvet. Pleasure built so fast she shook and trembled with it. She would have done anything, dared anything to keep his mouth on her.
And then she did, because at that moment the rider cruised by again, and stopped, hovering just outside, he and his cycle blocking the entrance of the alcove.
"Take what I give you and ride with me," he crooned in his deep, rough voice. His head turned toward Kiri, the glow of his flames illumining her and the man kneeling before her. He was watching Stark pleasure her. No one else could see them, but he could.
Pinned by the singer's fiery gaze, she came so hard she bucked in Stark's hands, jerking against his tongue in a dance of sensual ecstasy.
"Take what I give you and come for me. Oh, yeah!" The rider threw back his head and laughed, and then shot away, leaving Kiri gasping for breath, her body shaking with the aftershocks of pleasure as Logan rose to his feet, a dark bulwark between her and the lights outside.
The song ended on a long chord.
"Oh, my God. Logan, he saw us," Kiri panted.
Stark kissed her. "He saw a beautiful little cat in the throes of pleasure. Now I'm going to fuck you."
Kiri kissed him back, loving her scent and taste on his mouth, mingled with his.
"This is so twisty," she muttered. Then she moaned as he pulled the balls out of her, letting them dangle. They shrank immediately, tiny metal balls flickering against her bare thigh.
"I did warn you I'd expect things of you." Stark moved against her, his cock like a hot brand on her bare belly. "Do you want me inside you, kitten?"
More than her next breath. "Yes, Logan."
He kissed her again. "Then guide me into your cunt, and I'll give us what we both want."
She grasped his hot, silken length, and lifted one leg to wrap it around his ass, opening herself so she could place the broad, smooth head of his cock in her wet opening. He thrust inside tissues sensitized by the balls, lodging himself so deep his pants rubbed against her labia.
Kiri hung on, loving the feel of his much larger, more powerful body in her arms, and how he filled her, stretched her. He slid his hands under the back of her thighs, and lifted her higher into her perch, so that she was completely open to him, impaled on him.
Outside, beyond the screen of ferns and rock, the dancers blurred into a shimmer of light and movement as another song began. Stark began to move, taking her hard and fast, in a driving sexual dance of their own. Kiri's eyes slid closed as the sheer pleasure of having him took over.
"Logan. Don't want anyone—to see us," she managed. "Not like this."
"No. This is just for us, kitten. Just for you and me." He was thrusting into her so hard they were both jolting against the rock, but his arm protected her from the worst of it. "Although if they could see, every one of them would envy me."
No, they would envy her. Because she was with the most exciting man in the entire casino. And right now, he owned every part of her, not just her pussy, but all of her. With a high moan, Kiri convulsed around him. "Logan."
Stark slammed into her one last time, his face pressed into her hair, a deep groan of completion rumbling in his chest. She felt his heat flood her. All she could do was cling to him, shattered.
* * *
Kiri woke to Stark brushing a kiss on her bare shoulder. "Time for you to wake up," he said.
She smiled without opening her eyes. "Go away, Mr. Energy. Some of us need to sleep."
He slid his hand under the covers to caress her bare ass. "Some of us are space slugs."
She rolled onto her back to look up at him. He was flushed from exercise and damp from his shower, a towel wrapped around his hips. "Have you been fighting with your ugly robot friend?" she asked, stretching luxuriously.
He smiled at her. "He does look like the back end of an old craft, doesn't he? Puts up a good fight, though. I'll continue your defense training, if you like."
"Okay," she decided. "If you go easy on me. Everything you've got is bigger than mine."
He lifted his brows. "Very true. And last night you certainly seemed to enjoy that."
Kiri froze, staring up at him. Last night. Oh, God, the banquet, the speeches and then the alcove at the ball. A stranger watching. She put her hands over her face, hiding from him.
"Oh, my God," she mumbled against her palms. "I can't believe I let you talk me into that."
Stark chuckled. "I believe they heard you scream my name over the music." He grasped her ankle under the coverlet in his warm hand. "Perhaps you need a reminder of how much you enjoyed it."
Nowhere to hide, so she'd brazen her way through this. She lowered her hands to bat her lashes at him. "Well, since you woke me ..."
He shook his head, although he did lean down to stroke one hand over her bare breasts. "I've business waiting." But he didn't move away. Instead something in his face changed.
"What?"
"I've made a decision," he said. "You're staying with me. For as long as this works."
"Ah … I am?"
"Yes." He planted his hands on the bed on either side of her and surveyed her with sensual threat. "For now, you're mine. And I have a great deal to teach you."
Kiri gazed up at him. Even though she was lying flat on the bed, she had the sensation she was falling into his gaze.
She was his? She should be arguing with that, but her mind was full of some strange drum beat, like the music last night. Her blood, pounding in her ears. He wanted her with him.
Maybe she really could do it all—be with him, run her business and make a home so that it would be ready when she found Kai.
When she didn't argue, his face relaxed. "And at the end of the week you're coming to Frontiera with me. You'll enjoy that."
Nebula Nights: Love Among The Stars Page 97