Chosen for Their Use (Ventori Masters Book 4)

by Ivy Barrett

Bron squeezed and she closed her eyes, torn between anticipation and dread. “This ass is perfect for fucking, but it’s also ideal for discipline. I can’t wait to watch the marks form and know I put them there.” Dread won out and she tensed. “No.” He squeezed her again. “Don’t flex. Remain loose and accepting. Submit.” He whispered the last word into her ear.

  She relaxed the muscles and concentrated on her breathing as he’d recommended earlier. The slight pressure of his hand disappeared. She heard an odd metallic rattle, then the familiar rasp of a belt being pulled from its loops. Her eyes flew open. Dear God. She was getting the belt.

  She raised her upper body off the ottoman. “I think I—”

  LeAuntiez pushed her back down.

  “I don’t want to do this! I’m sorry, really sorry.”

  They both ignored her objections, but LeAuntiez said, “Don’t fight the pain. That only makes it worse.”

  Bron’s hand smacked each butt cheek a couple of times and she breathed a sigh of relief. He was just scaring her, warning her what would come next if she didn’t—

  She heard a faint swishing, then fire exploded across her ass. She screamed, tugging against LeAuntiez’s hold, desperate to cover her stinging rear end.

  “Be still,” LeAuntiez ordered, his hold unbreakable.

  Bron swung again. Even knowing what to expect, she cried out sharply and twisted her hips. “Please stop. Please! Please!” She’d thought the spanking was painful. It was nothing compared to this.

  “Do you deserve punishment?”

  If she said yes, he’d swing the belt. If she said no, he’d punish her for lying because she’d already admitted she’d been wrong. There was no good answer, no answer that would spare her this pain.

  LeAuntiez squeezed her wrists in warning. “Answer him.”

  “Yes.” The word ended with a sob.

  Again and again the belt made contact with her ass. She writhed and moaned, lost in a maelstrom of pain and emotion. Tears ran unchecked down her face as hard sobs made her entire body quake. Shame resurfaced with a vengeance, bringing Erin’s image with it. What kind of a person let their best friend run headlong into danger? Especially when that friend was as sheltered as Erin had been. Erin had never made her own bed, never prepared a meal. Her family had staff for menial tasks like those.

  Another swing and another harsh sob.

  Kyla felt like the world’s worst friend. She’d known Erin was out of control, yet she fed into the hysteria rather than acting like an adult. “I’m sorry.” Regret propelled the words from her and the next swat was significantly softer. She welcomed the next few swings, absorbing the pain, using it to purge her guilt. The swats slowed and finally stopped. LeAuntiez released her hands and started rubbing her back. “We have to find her. Oh, please, let her be all right.”

  Bron tossed the belt aside and pulled her torso upward. “We’ll find her.” He tilted her head back and looked into her eyes. “The Brokvata never quit and they never fail. LeAuntiez doesn’t allow it.”

  She nodded, blinking away the last of her tears. Her butt throbbed, echoing her heartbeat, but she felt lighter, freed from the encumbering guilt she’d been carrying since yesterday. “How did you know this would help?”

  “Experience.” He pulled her up and into his arms, then kissed her forehead. “But you knew it too. I had decided not to punish you because of last night. You helped me see that was a mistake.”

  She cringed, gently touching her painful skin. “This wasn’t what I pictured when I drew your attention to my misbehavior.”

  “I know, but anything less intense wouldn’t have helped.”

  He was probably right, but her butt hurt too badly to admit it.

  “When’s the last time you ate?” LeAuntiez wanted to know.

  She glanced at him and smiled. “The last time you fed me.”

  “That’s what I figured.” He motioned toward the kitchen. “She needs fuel for tonight. Can’t have her passing out from the pleasure.”

  Pleasure. She sighed. She was so ready for pleasure.

  Bron chuckled and took her hand, leading her into the adjoining room. Rather than sitting at the table, however, he said, “I’ll be right back. Don’t sit down until I return.”

  She nodded as he left the kitchen, suspecting it would be too painful anyway. “Did you and Bron eat?”

  “We were waiting for you.”

  So they could eat with her, or so they could eat her? The naughty thought made her flush. As usual.

  Seeing the heightened color, LeAuntiez ambled toward her. “I love how your blushes go all the way down.” He cupped her breast, then bent and sucked on her nipple. “Are you having wicked thoughts?”

  “Always when I’m around you and Bron.”

  He looked up at her and smiled. “That’s encouraging.” Without changing his expression, he straightened and said, “Open your legs.”

  Without thought or argument she moved her feet farther apart, spreading her thighs for him.

  “More.”

  She obeyed.

  He traced her slit with his fingertip, gaze locked with hers. “You’re already wet. That’s encouraging too.” He pushed one of his fingers up into her core, which was tighter than usual because of the plug.

  She reached back and steadied herself against the table. It felt so damn good to be touched like this, to look into his eyes and see the need she’d inspired in such an amazing male. That stripper bitch might think she was fat, but LeAuntiez clearly liked her body.

  “Bron is pod leader, so he’ll fuck you here.” He slid his finger in and out, illustrating the motion soon to follow. Then he leaned down and brushed his mouth over hers. “Your ass isn’t ready yet, so I get your amazing mouth.” With his finger still fucking her pussy, he kissed her ‘amazing’ mouth.

  Kyla opened for him, returning his kiss as passionately as he delivered it.

  “Started without me, I see. That’s what I get for leaving the room.”

  “Let’s eat after,” LeAuntiez said in between kisses, his hand still pumping between her legs.

  “Fine by me. You’re the one insisting on feeding her. I’d rather eat her.”

  His words were so similar to her earlier thought that it made her laugh.

  “I hope that’s not a reflection on my kissing,” LeAuntiez grumbled playfully.

  “Hardly. I was thinking the same thing earlier. That’s what made me blush.”

  “I see.” LeAuntiez turned her around and guided her hands to the tabletop.

  She looked back, confused by the position. How could she suck his cock like this? He’d have to climb up onto the table.

  “Let’s calm this down a bit.” Bron squeezed some sort of cream onto his hand then gently applied it to her abused rear end. His touch was soft and careful as he tended to the injury he’d caused.

  The cream felt cool, soothing, then it tingled and gradually muted the discomfort. The pain wasn’t gone completely, for which she was glad. She didn’t want it over that easily. Erin was still out there and Kyla wouldn’t forgive herself completely until Erin was safe again.

  And she’d check on Star, make sure she fully recovered before Kyla let anyone heal her bruised-up hands.

  “Better?”

  She nodded, then remembered that Bron preferred verbal responses. “Yes, Sir. Thank you.”

  He pressed both hands over her ass cheeks and gave them a gentle squeeze, likely to see if the cream was working. “You should have thanked me for the correction as soon as it ended. You will do so from now on.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “Now your hands.”

  His stern tone booked no refusal, so she reluctantly held up her bruised knuckles. A thin layer of cream numbed the persistent throb, but the discoloration remained. She’d still have a reminder for a while anyway. “Thank you, Sir.”

  Bron nodded. “Now go upstairs. I don’t want to fuck you for the first time on the kitchen table.”

  “Ho
w about the second or third time? I think it sounds kind of sexy.” She dared a mischievous smile as she stole a glimpse at his handsome face.

  Chapter Five

  Bron watched Kyla’s pink ass cheeks roll as she climbed the stairs in front of him. Before he’d soothed her skin with lanjak extract, the color had been vivid, more red than pink. And between those soft round cheeks winked the small jewel on the handle of the butt plug. As LeAuntiez said, it was adorable. And she’d taken the belt so well, so naturally, he’d found it hard to stop. He was thrilled with how quickly she was adapting to their expectations, but that only meant they had to be extra careful with her. She needed to be pushed, would sense it if they held back, but she was more emotionally fragile than she knew. It was their honor to protect her, even if that meant protecting her from each other.

  He looked back at LeAuntiez, barely believing what he was about to do. I need you to take the lead for a while. If I touch her right now I’ll fuck her fast and hard. She deserves better than that this first time.

  You honestly think I want her any less?

  No, but you’re better at the soft stuff than I am. And she needs tenderness right now.

  LeAuntiez looked surprised by the statement, then he grinned. Are you finally going to admit I have more control than you do?

  “I can feel it when you do that,” Kyla warned. “I can’t hear what you’re saying, but I know when you start telling secrets.”

  “We’re not telling secrets,” Bron objected. “We’re strategizing.”

  “About me?” She looked back at him and smiled. “Do I require a strategy?”

  “Absolutely,” LeAuntiez said. “Convincing you to accept our claim is the most important thing in the universe right now.”

  Emotion clouded her gaze and she quickly turned back around. Did you upset her? What is she feeling?

  Hold that thought.

  They reached the hallway at the top of the stairs and LeAuntiez rushed past him and ran his fingertips down her spine. “There’s a simple way to keep us from telling secrets.”

  She tucked her hair behind her ear and smiled up at him. The warmth in her gaze made Bron’s chest ache. Would she ever look at him that way? She usually looked terrified when she met his gaze.

  “What do you mean?” she asked LeAuntiez, eyes wide and luminous, so damn beautiful.

  “I can expand the link to include you.”

  She stopped walking and faced LeAuntiez, which offered Bron an enticing view of her breasts and the full curve of her well-punished ass. His cock bucked against his pants, so ready to be inside her.

  “Will I be able to sense your emotions or just send and receive thoughts?”

  LeAuntiez cupped the side of her face and moved closer. “Would you like to sense our emotions? We’re both feeling pretty savage right now. It might scare you to death.”

  LeAuntiez was an intensely private person. He didn’t even let Bron sense his emotions. But that would change if they claimed her together. Soul bonds were interactive. There was no avoiding it. He knew what LeAuntiez had suffered, everything he’d seen and done since the Skarilians arrived in his star system. Was Kyla really ready for that sort of darkness?

  Easily guessing his thoughts, LeAuntiez glanced at him. I can keep it to a trickle until she’s ready for more.

  Bron didn’t respond. It was her decision, not his.

  She placed her hands on LeAuntiez’s chest, looking comfortable in his embrace. Bron refused to feel jealous, but he couldn’t stop the envy.

  “I think a link would help,” she began, sounding very thoughtful, very serious, even though she was naked and red-assed from recent discipline. “So much of what you describe has no equivalent on Earth. You’re both so certain that mating with me is the right decision. It’s hard to understand why you don’t have doubts.”

  “It’s instinctual, visceral,” Bron said. “We just know.”

  She looked at him and smiled, but there was still a hint of uncertainty in her eyes. “If I could feel that for myself, it would help make it seem real.” Then she turned back toward LeAuntiez. “But this isn’t the actual soul bond, is it? This is like a trial run?”

  “Exactly. I can dissolve this link if you don’t like what you feel.”

  Bron took several deep breaths. Full disclosure, no hiding anything. She’d feel his lust, his need to control, to administer pain. But she’d also feel how deeply he cared about her, how desperately he wanted to make her happy.

  “I want it, and I’d like it now, before we make love.”

  Make love? It was such a silly euphemism for something so raw and barbaric. At least the way he liked to do it was raw and barbaric.

  “All right, but keep in mind, we’ve both been on our best behavior. We haven’t wanted to scare you.”

  She grinned. “Now I’m intrigued. Are you really that bad?”

  LeAuntiez took her by the hand and led her into the bedroom. “This is easier to do if I lick your pussy.”

  Bron burst out laughing. “Odd. You didn’t suck my cock when you created our link.”

  “Fine.” LeAuntiez glared. “I’m dying for a taste of her.”

  “Not until you both get naked,” she said with a stubborn lift of her chin. “I’ve been naked more than dressed since I met you and I’ve still never seen either of you without clothes.”

  She was being much too bossy, but Bron wanted to fuck her more than he wanted to correct her behavior. There would be plenty time for discipline after he relieved his aching balls.

  She sat on the foot of the bed and crossed her legs, tapping her foot in the air as she waited expectantly.

  “Fine,” he growled and ripped open his uniform top. He tossed the thing aside and tore his undershirt off over his head. Then he tugged off his boots and rid himself of his pants and underwear in one violent tug.

  “So you do have patterns for underwear. You just refuse to print them for us?” She accented the question with a challenging lift of her eyebrows.

  “We have patterns for male underwear. The Protectorate is all male. We have no patterns for any female garments.”

  “That excuse would work if we were in space, sweetheart. There are still stores open on Earth.”

  He was so pleased to hear her call him sweetheart that he just grinned.

  “You two can argue later.” LeAuntiez, who had also undressed, pulled her up off the bed and into his arms. He tried to kiss her, but she wiggled away.

  “I want to look at you,” she protested vehemently.

  With an exasperated sigh, LeAuntiez held his arms out to his sides and turned in a slow circle. Her eyes grew wider and wider as she took in his sculpted body. Like his perfect features, LeAuntiez’s form was without flaw. Celestians were like that, especially the purebloods.

  “I’ve never… Are you even real?” The awe in her voice annoyed Bron even more than her wide-eyed wonder.

  He chuckled and brought her hand to his jutting cock. “You tell me.” And he wrapped her fingers around his thick shaft.

  She stroked him several times then pulled her hand away and turned her attention on Bron.

  Knowing he’d never enjoy a similar reaction, he turned around much faster, hoping to move things along. But her expression gave him pause. She looked shocked, yet he also detected sadness in her eyes. Or was it pity? He tensed as she closed the distance between them and ran her hands over his chest.

  “God, how I’ve wanted to do this. Your uniform is cruel. It outlines all this muscle, but keeps my hands away from you.”

  He growled low in his throat, fighting back the urge to pounce on her and shove his cock deep into her pussy.

  She traced each of his scars, and there were many. Yet she didn’t seem repulsed, more fascinated. “Each one of these must have hurt like hell. I hate thinking of you in pain.”

  Was that the cause of the sadness in her eyes? How remarkable. “Pain is part of life. As is death.”

  “I know, but it still sucks
. Besides, that’s not really the problem.”

  Her thoughts could be so confusing at times. “Then what’s the problem?”

  “I like the scars, and I shouldn’t.” She leaned in close and whispered, “They turn me on, make me want to be ravaged by you.” Then louder, she added, “LeAuntiez looks like an angel of light, but you’re my god of war. So strong. So thrillingly brutal.” She shivered and desire flared within her gaze. This wasn’t flattery. She honestly found his scars arousing.

  He wanted her so badly he was starting to shake, but he refused to rush her. She needed this, needed the freedom to explore. Once he touched her, his instincts would take over and he’d control every move she made.

  Her fingers lingered over his orvatta, the intricate pattern that covered his torso and much of his back. The green darkened, the design becoming slightly raised. This was called a ‘flare’ and it only happened with a true soulmate.

  “Is it sensitive?” she asked, her gaze following the twisting path of her fingers. “You tense whenever I touch it.”

  “It’s almost as sensitive as my cock.”

  “Really?” Wicked intention ignited in her eyes and she leaned in and licked one of the curving lines that ran from the middle of his chest onto his shoulder. Even on her tiptoes, she couldn’t reach the top of his shoulder, so he picked her up so she could play.

  She wrapped her legs around his waist, which pressed her pussy right over his straining cock. Fuck, this had been a stupid impulse.

  LeAuntiez chuckled, clearly enjoying Bron’s misery.

  “I can’t remember what the markings are called. Yours are extremely complex.”

  He stilled, his hands tightening against her hips. “It’s called an orvatta, but how would you know mine is complex? When have you seen another orvatta?”

  She made an impatient face. “Your men find all sorts of reasons to take their shirts off in front of us. Most of them are terrible flirts.”

  “It’s completely improper and I’ll put a stop—”

  She silenced him with a kiss, which earned another laugh from LeAuntiez.

  “Let them have their fun. Trust me, the females don’t mind.”