Tales of the Shareem, Volume 2

by Allyson James

  The world was a fine place.

  *** *** ***

  “Calder.”

  Hours later, Katarina let her tears fall on Calder’s hand, bandaged and coated with healing oils.

  His one unbandaged eye opened, and his lips twitched. “Hey, baby.”

  She exhaled in relief. He wasn’t angry or morose. He smiled like he hadn’t been so happy in his life.

  “You’re going to be fine,” she said in her best doctor manner. “I injected you with my nano-Shareem cure again.” She hesitated. “It might hurt a little.”

  “It’s excruciating,” Calder said.

  Alarmed, Katarina reached to the tubes snaking out of machines above him. Calder caught her arm in surprisingly strong fingers. “No. I want to stay awake. To look at you.”

  Katarina let go of the painkiller line and sank back down.

  “I thought I’d lost you in there,” he said, his voice like gravel.

  “I thought I’d lost you.” She caressed his fingers where they were whole. “They arrested that Lady Demata. For negligence with a firearm.”

  “Yeah?”

  “They let her go though, since she was from Delta-Terra, and no one wants to anger Delta-Terran traders. Besides, the patrollers said the only damage was to a Shareem and his home. She was escorted to her transport, but that’s it.”

  “Figures.”

  “Brianne and Talan are furious. They filed a formal protest.”

  “Sweet of them.”

  “I’m sorry about your lair. It’s pretty much destroyed.”

  The unburned corner of Calder’s mouth twisted. “I don’t give a rat’s ass about my lair. But I want to strangle the woman for hurting you. Let Brianne and Talan do their worst.”

  “She didn’t hurt me. I got only a touch of the blast, and my robes protected me for the most part.”

  Calder’s eye narrowed as he studied her face. He let go of her hand to trace the burn scar that ran from her cheek and down her neck. “You got burned.”

  “A little. From the fire.”

  “Didn’t it heal right? I want it healed.”

  Katarina shrugged. “It doesn’t hurt anymore. Dr. Laas helped.”

  “Then why is the scar still there? Dr. Laas could get rid of that for you.”

  “I wanted to keep it.”

  Calder traced the scar’s path again, his fingers warm. “Why?”

  “Because I want to know a little how you feel. How you felt. Disfigured—though I know this is nowhere near what happened to you.”

  “Sweetheart, you don’t want to know that.”

  “But I do. It makes me feel closer to you.”

  His frown reappeared. “Why the hell would you want to be close to me? I’m a mess. I don’t mean my body. I mean in here.” He tapped his head. “They made me crazy.”

  “Because I love you.” Katarina wasn’t afraid to say the words anymore, whether he wanted to hear them or not. “If you don’t want me to stay with you, if you want me to send you home when you’re better and never see you again, that’s fine. But I’ll always love you.” She touched the scar on her cheek. “And through this, I’ll remember you.”

  “Don’t talk bullshit.”

  “You can shut me out of your life if you want. But too bad, you can’t shut me out of my own thoughts.”

  Calder growled. “I meant it’s bullshit that I’d never want to see you again. I want to see you always. Every day. If I heal, I want you where I can touch you any time I want.”

  She swallowed, her throat tight. “You’ll heal. I promise.”

  “Then you’ll stay with me.” Calder’s hand clamped down on hers again. “Understand? Because I love you, Katarina. I’ve never loved anyone before, but I know I love you. I’m not letting you go. All right?”

  Katarina couldn’t stop her smile, though tears slid from her eyes at the same time. “All right.” She kissed his lips. “I can live with that.”

  “So you’ll stay?”

  “I kind of have to. This is my house.”

  “Good.” Calder let his eye close, his body and the drugs drawing him back into healing sleep. “Because if you want to leave me, I’ll have to spank you.”

  Katarina’s heart sped, her entire body tingling in anticipation. “Spank me anyway,” she said. “I’m looking forward to it.”

  *** *** ***

  “I think you’re ready,” Calder said, a week later.

  Katarina looked up from her computer terminal, where she’d been working on the article she was writing about her nano-protein procedure. Adapted, it could be used to help humans or any other life-forms—either for burn victims or those who needed deep tissue regeneration.

  “Ready?” she repeated.

  Calder leaned down and nibbled her ear. They were still in her house, Calder in no hurry to move back down to his wrecked apartment.

  His skin wasn’t completely healed yet, but it was much better than before. Soon, he’d want to leave, she knew, to return to his own world in Pas City.

  Katarina might go too. She could work at the clinic again. But they’d not spoken of it.

  “Ready,” Calder said. “Remember when you took the plug?”

  Katarina’s fingers froze on the keypad as she thought about the hot tightness of the plug inside her.

  “Yes.” How could she forget?

  “I think you’re ready for more. Maybe a wand.” Another nibble to her ear. “Maybe me.”

  Katarina looked back at him, his face at her eye level. His lips were smooth and whole, his eyes tempting her.

  “Are you sure you feel well enough?” she asked.

  His smile was hot, making his handsome face sinful. “I feel perfectly fine. Rejuvenated. Stronger than ever.” He licked across her mouth. “Maybe you fixed me a little too well.”

  A dark shaking began inside her. “I suppose we should go to the bedroom.”

  Calder’s smile deepened. “You have soft floors, rich girl.”

  “Oh.”

  “I’ve already locked the door.” Something feral flickered in his eyes. “You can’t get out.”

  “Oh,” Katarina said again. He knew exactly how to mix worry and excitement, need with that feeling that he was a predator, and she his prey.

  Calder turned the chair around, slid his hands under her hips, and pulled off her leggings. She wore nothing under them, and only a thin tunic on top, having learned to wear clothes she could remove quickly when Calder was around.

  Thus far, they’d done only simple things, curled up together in her bed. Calder would nestle tightly inside her, or he’d suckle her, and she’d suckle him.

  But easy pleasures, no harsh play. They each wanted the other to heal.

  Tonight, Calder’s gentleness was gone. He grabbed her under her arms and hauled her to the floor, positioning her on hands and knees, her bare buttocks in the air.

  “Beautiful,” he said.

  Katarina felt the tingling she craved now as he spanked her a few times with his hand, then smelled a glorious fragrance of sandalwood as he opened oil and smoothed it across her buttocks.

  More oil then lube, cool on his finger, dipping into her hole, followed by the cooler but more rigid form of the plug.

  He left this in while he pushed the tunic up and kissed her lower back, licking and whispering to her, soothing. Katarina warmed and loosened, relaxing, opening.

  By the time Calder eased the plug out, she wanted him more than ever. Next, he slipped in something a little wider, a little longer than the plug, but nothing as big as himself.

  “A wand,” he told her. “Stay still.”

  The wand vibrated when he hit a switch. Katarina went rigid again, then she let out a noise of happiness as the warmth spread her and eased her.

  After a long time, it was gone, and then Calder’s fingers returned. “I’ll go slow,” he said. “If you hurt or want to stop, you tell me. Don’t be scared.”

  “No.” Katarina wanted him with her whole body
. “Please.”

  “All right, baby. I’ll take care of you.”

  His fingers left her. Katarina drew a long breath, and then Calder’s large cock slid between her buttocks.

  Oh dear gods.

  A plug was one thing. A wand was one thing. Even his fingers had become easy to take.

  This was Calder’s thick, long cock.

  Which slipped inside a little way. Calder’s hands on her back soothed her, heated her. The scent of the oil, which he dribbled to her again, made her inhale in bliss.

  More of him went in. Katarina stilled, feeling the incredible length of him pressing her, wanting her.

  She exhaled again, making herself loosen and relax. All Calder’s lessons from the beginning until now, she realized, had prepared her for this.

  She remembered how, the first day in the lair, he’d touched her, spanked her, shocked her, and excited her. And how he’d taught her, gently, playing at being rough, but never hurting her. He’d been doing that ever since.

  Katarina drew in another sandalwood-scented breath, and Calder eased in all the way.

  They were joined, one. His arms came around her, the hot body of her lover on top of her. Sweet pressure, his strength cradling her.

  “I love you,” she said. “Calder, I love you so much.”

  “I love you, baby,” he whispered.

  Calder eased a little bit out and back in again, a tender thrust. Katarina wriggled, telling him she wanted more.

  She knew he’d do just enough, showing her she could take more than she thought, but never pushing for too much in order to sate himself. Calder would take care of her, just like he said.

  “Oh, gods.”

  Then again, maybe Katarina couldn’t take it. Sensations spiraled through her, making her moan out loud before she realized she’d done it.

  “You’re all right, sweetheart,” Calder said, breath hot. “I’ve got you. I love you.” He reached around between her legs and started massaging her clit.

  “Yes.”

  Things began to blur. Katarina rocked and writhed, and Calder thrust slowly into her, his hand playing on her pussy and clit.

  Katarina came while he held her, her cries ringing, the carpet digging into her knees and her palms. Calder hushed her and kissed her, then his own hips rocked, and he groaned as his seed came into her.

  He withdrew his long length, the friction of his going out making Katarina groan again. Then Calder turned her over and came down on top of her, kissing her, loving her.

  Their hands and mouths went all over each other, then Calder wiped his cock clean and entered her pussy, making love to her. Face to face, breath to breath. Love to love.

  “Stay with me,” Katarina said. “Please, Calder, don’t leave me. Ever.” Gods, she sounded pathetic.

  Something in Calder’s face softened, a new light in his eyes. Hope?

  “You really want me that bad?” He kept the words teasing, but he was watchful. “The Beast never goes back to a lady once he’s done with her.”

  “Fuck that.” Katarina’s voice gained strength. “I love you. I want to be with you. Be my lifemate, Calder.”

  “Yeah?” Calder’s thrusts sped, his eyes darkening with mischief.

  “Yeah.”

  His smile left him, and he gathered her against him. Katarina saw tears glittering on his lashes before he buried his face in the carpet next to her.

  “Son of a . . .” Calder’s voice broke. “Fuck.”

  His peak hit him, and Katarina rose to meet it, snaking her legs around his. For a long moment, they hung together, bodies moving, the joining hot and hard.

  Katarina arched against him, feeling his slick cock moving inside her, giving her what she needed. Him. His love. All of him.

  She took his coming, and Calder fell into her arms, his skin slick with sweat, her own wild climax leaving her shaking.

  “Lifemates,” he said, lifting his head. His breath came fast, body roasting hot.

  “Yes.” Katarina smoothed his hair from his sweating forehead, loving his warm weight on her. “Please.”

  “Yes.” His voice was harsh, his eyes moist. “Always. We’ll be lifemates. Together. For now and for fucking ever. Understand?”

  Katarina nodded, joy flooding her. “Forever. I love you, Calder.”

  “I love you, sweet Katarina.”

  Calder came down to her, pressing her back into the carpet, already hard again, his mouth slanting over hers. He pulled back from the kiss and touched her face, the caress so tender it broke her heart.

  “Thank you,” he said.

  Katarina smiled. She brushed her finger across Calder’s lips, smooth now, the scars almost gone.

  “You’re welcome,” she said, and fell back into his arms.

  *** *** ***

  Six weeks later

  “Behold, the woman who tamed the Beast.”

  Braden slid into his place at Judith’s bar and grinned across the table at Calder and Katarina. Calder held Katarina a little closer, liking the feel of her backside on his lap.

  It had taken a long time for him to completely heal, but his skin was mostly in place and mostly whole. He still had a few burn scars on his face and a couple snaking down his neck and his arms, but he had ceased to cover them up. Let the world see what he’d done to save the woman he loved.

  The day was hot and the few patrons sat languidly, sipping cool drinks. Judith flirted with a human space captain called Mitch who sat at the bar, the man flicking curious glances at the Shareem.

  “The Beast is gone,” Calder said to Braden.

  “That’s what I mean,” Braden said. “Too bad though, eh, Katarina? No monster ravishing you in his lair.”

  Katarina stretched, which pressed her breasts enticingly into Calder’s side. “I don’t know. We manage to have a lot of fun at home.”

  Calder lived with Katarina, despite the shock of her neighbors. He’d let his wrecked place go without qualm, rescuing the very few belongings he treasured. Katarina was his lifemate now, the only treasure he wanted.

  “I’ll bet.” Braden’s look turned wistful. “Tell me a little? I haven’t had fun in a while.” Braden recently had alternated between three-day sex binges then swearing off sex to clear his head. Neither had been completely satisfactory for him.

  Katarina gave Calder an inquiring look, and he answered with a nod. Let Braden eat his heart out.

  “I like the restraints,” she said. “Calder has all kinds of them. I don’t know where he gets them.”

  Braden’s gaze went glassy. “Certain vendors cater to level threes.”

  “Yesterday, he dismissed all the servants and tied me to the railings on my staircase. There I was on the stairs, face up, naked and spread-eagled, unable to move. Anyone could have come in and done whatever they wanted to.”

  Braden made a strangled noise in his throat.

  Calder recalled the game. He’d left the house entirely and returned a half hour later, coming upon her as though he were a visitor who’d found a delectable woman displayed for his use.

  He remembered that he’d meant to wander the city for an hour or so before returning, but the thought of her waiting for him drastically cut the time. He had to have her before he died.

  He’d taken out the level-three toys he’d purchased on his outing and used every single one of them on her. Then, knowing he was about to explode, he’d untied her, turned her onto her hands and knees, and did her himself. They’d both been shouting in intense enjoyment before collapsing together, laughing and exhausted.

  Calder was already hard, and he watched Braden’s skin flush as Katarina continued. “Calder has taught me to take it in the ass. He taught me gently at first, but now I’m learning to like it rough.”

  Calder followed the swallow down Braden’s throat. “Really?” the man croaked.

  “He says I should be ready to take two cocks very soon.”

  Braden clutched the lip of the table. “Aw shit, you’re killing
me.”

  Katarina looked at Calder, her eyes twinkling. His bad, wicked baby—he’d taught her well. He’d dared her to get Braden worked up if they saw him today, and she’d done it in thirty seconds flat.

  “Want to?” he asked her.

  Katarina’s eyes widened. He hadn’t told her that part.

  “I . . .” She looked back at Braden, who was begging for it with his whole body.

  Calder nuzzled her ear. “I think you’re ready for two Shareem. I want you to have that.”

  Braden nearly knocked over the table getting up. “So can we go?” He must not have released today—he looked as though he was ready to drag Katarina across the table and screw her right there. He’d never make it to her house up on the hill.

  Calder took pity on him. “Judith.” He gestured to the door that led to her stairwell. “May we?”

  Judith looked up from her pilot, absorbed enough in him to not ask to join them. Interesting. “Go ahead. Don’t leave it a wreck.”

  “We won’t,” Katarina said. She wouldn’t. Katarina was an incredibly tidy person, even though she had all those servants to clean up after her.

  Braden headed up the stairs without waiting. Calder gave Katarina a deep kiss and led her up after him.

  *** *** ***

  Judith had a room upstairs set up for sex. Calder had never been inside it, but Braden obviously had, because he led them to it immediately and seemed to know his way around.

  Judith had planned well—in addition to a bed, she had a vertical padded rack to which a person could be tethered for either serious or playful bondage. She didn’t stock floggers and manacles and the like, because most Shareem brought their own, each knowing their sex toys as well as musicians knew their instruments.

  As Katarina stood gaping at the setup, Calder ordered her to strip.

  He loved this part, Calder thought as Katarina’s clothes slid from her body. He loved watching her breasts emerge from the confining silk, nipples tightening as his gaze trained on them, loved it when she bent over to slide off her leggings. Her round backside beckoned his cock, and usually he was up against her as soon as the cloth fell to the floor.

  Today he let her finish without touching her, not missing how Braden’s body went rigid at the sight. Jealousy touched him, but Braden had been brought along for Katarina’s pleasure, nothing more. Braden was the sex toy today.