As with Orion, he wove a hand into her hair and tugged her head until she locked eyes with him. She knew she was a hot mess—hair tangled and sweat darkened, her skin dewed with her efforts and that of her men. She could still taste Kellis on her lips. None of that seemed to matter to Thorn. He stared at her with the same intensity as the first time he took her, only this time there was no competition. She could only take what he gave her. His brooding features tightened, and his thrusts intensified.
Kellis drew back beneath her thighs and slammed upwards to meet Thorn on the down stroke. His cock swelled—she felt the pressure as his ejaculate filled her bowels and Thorn swiveled his hips to put a final twist on her G-spot as he pulled one clamp free, then the other, the instantaneous stabs of sensuous pain arrowing to her clit. She flew yet again, and her guttural scream was caught by Thorn’s mouth as he exhaled his breath deep into her lungs. Not a kiss—a claiming.
Chapter Eleven
Watching Adara awaken was fast becoming one of his favorite things. Little grimalkin. Little sex grimalkin. Last night was the most amazing of his life—he knew no other woman could have met their demands. Kellis and Orion were still sleeping as a result of their efforts.
They had swiftly bathed her—Kellis and Thorn between them—a sweet, boneless bundle of curves asleep in the crook of his arm. He held her carefully while Kellis sluiced off the excesses of their passion. He had to prop her up on his knees in the shower to wash her hair and she grumbled yet didn’t awaken. That incredible red mane was now tangled and disheveled and still damp. Orion grimaced at putting her to bed with wet hair, citing immunity when she woke and discovered it. But his brother stripped the bed and remade it so Adara could rest on clean sheets—until they messed them up again.
Orion and Kellis vied for the remaining position beside their beloved. Kellis won with his usual luck and Orion grudgingly stretched out across the foot of the huge bed, threatening his twin with dismemberment if his feet came anywhere near his head. The logistics of four to a bed had never been an issue before, but Thorn was sleeping with their woman each and every night and the twins could work it out between them.
Frowning at the thought of the need for one of them to watch the door, at least until the prophecy was fulfilled, made his teeth grind. Adara had submitted last night. Her time in the cage where she had clearly thought deeply, was the beginning of her surrender—she’d dreamed, after all—but they had yet to capture her heart. Thorn applauded his brothers’ courage, speaking so honestly of love. But even with the added electronic security they’d taken a risk, all three of them sleeping with her. Cenna couldn’t have their back every night. He wondered how to move things along quicker.
The lift of Adara’s full breasts distracted him as she stretched her body, arms lifted above her head. She had yet to experience all that they could provide her in the playroom, but after that dream—they knew what it represented and so had pushed her to take them all. It was rare that the prophets spoke to anyone, let alone an otherworlder, so the significance gave them a message as well. The specter of her life back on her planet still loomed, pulling hard and hurting her. Thorn would give anything to take that pain away and hoped last night had bound her tighter to them and would ease some of that angst when the time came.
Grass green eyes blinked open, and her gaze settled on his face. For a heartbeat it was soft and open before she veiled them.
“Don’t, agapi mou. Don’t retreat. Not after what we shared.”
He felt his brothers stir but ignored them. “Yesterday was necessary. You must trust me when I tell you that. You used your confinement to think, and the resulting dream was a portent.”
After a period of hesitation, during which he watched while a myriad of emotions chased themselves across her face and reflected in her eyes, Adara answered.
“You want a pet. You own me for the remainder of this month, and you want me to submit and obey. To serve you. I thought it through, and I can do that.” Her eyes dropped again and her shoulders hunched as if anticipating a blow. His hope of a minute earlier blew away like sand before the big winds. Stubborn wench.
Taking a big breath, he blew it out. He dragged Adara up by her shoulders and sat her against the headboard, moving to sit at her feet. His brothers flanked him, and her gaze flickered over them with ill-concealed anxiety.
“We do not want a pet. We want you. Not the bitchy, difficult Adara who pouts and sulks when she doesn’t get her own way, but the Adara who has spirit and fire. We want obedience and respect. That doesn’t negate your spirit and fire. But we won’t tolerate childish behavior or disrespect because it undermines our authority and that which will keep you safe.
“I appreciate you’ve had little time to become familiar with us, but your friend Samuel explained some things to you and it’s not like you don’t know about BDSM.” At her tiny start, he nodded. “He offered to give you insight in those two days. We know you took the opportunity and that you educated yourself on the subject—because you have intelligence.”
Kellis joined in. “Orion and I hoped to cushion the impact, my love. We left the difficult issues to Thorn, unfairly, and that won’t happen again. You came here knowing the rules—you signed the contract—yet still you resist. We dictate your life, make many of your choices…because we know what is best for you on this planet! And because this is our lifestyle.”
Orion added, “We appreciate that Ronnie wasn’t a good choice so we dealt with that issue. And despite your antipathy for spankings, you continue to push for them—the first two were to reinforce a very important lesson—the way we do things here. The third one was necessary to address that ridiculous issue you have with your body.”
Thorn hid his amazement at his brothers’ loquacity, contenting himself with a stern look in Adara’s direction.
“May I respond?” There was no sass in her query so he nodded. Orion and Kellis must have as well because she looked to them next and then spoke.
“There was no need to spank me. I listen well and don’t make stupid mistakes if people explain things to me. And you have to appreciate how difficult it was for me to be naked around other women.”
Thorn inclined his head. “You will be spanked if we deem it necessary. It dispenses with unnecessary arguing and complaining. And you no longer find it uncomfortable around Cenna. I would say the case is closed.”
Her green eyes sparked with shards of black fury and her little teeth worried her bottom lip as she very obviously bit back her comments. Breath whistled through her nose and color stained her cheeks. “I’m wasting my time.”
Thorn relented at the hurt in her tone. “We will try to hear you out, Adara, but understand we have little patience when we know what is best.”
“You say you want me. But you don’t know me. So you can’t know what is best for me, outside of protecting me from the risks here on Virile. And I’ll give you your expertise with the sex! You obviously know better than me in that regard. But you don’t know I have been well educated for my future. You don’t realize I have a place in my family business when I leave here, one that will vie with even your work here! It has been my lifelong dream!” Her voice broke, and she whispered the rest, “My only dream.”
Ice filled Thorn’s veins. The true meaning of the last part of Adara’s dream hit him hard. Orion leaned past him. “We have asked you to communicate with us, Adara. Continually. How were we to know when you withheld?”
Kellis said nothing, likely as stricken by the major obstacle now blocking their claiming of Adara. Only Orion’s number bound nature, his practicality, allowed him to respond and hide their response.
“Your difficulty with your payroll system could be dealt with immediately,” she retorted, then ducked her head. “I’m sorry. Being treated like a brainless fuck toy didn’t make me feel like sharing. I doubted you’d grant me any credibility.”
Thorn could give her that—they’d deliberately kept her off balance and forced pleasure on her. B
ut this latest revelation was devastating. Could they offer her enough to persuade her to stay willingly? Because when she learned she had to stay in order to survive—he felt sick to think about it. Were the prophets laughing, wherever they were?
Once again Orion spoke. “I’d be pleased if you would show me your ideas, my sweet.”
Thorn took heart at Adara’s tentative nod. “After breakfast Kellis will show you the sites in the general area. You are to follow each and every one of his directions. Are we clear?”
Eyes again downcast she whispered her assent. He so badly wanted her obedience, but this seemed a parody.
“And you may help me in the afternoon, Adara.” Orion stood without waiting for her reply, clearly no longer able to manage his churning emotions, if they were anything like what Thorn was trying to hide. Kellis immediately followed his twin.
“Are you sore?” He couldn’t believe he’d been distracted from her welfare. Adara tore her eyes from where his brothers had disappeared through the doorway to stare at him.
“A little.” Her blush began at her nipples and flooded up until her face was tinted the same pink.
“Then come and soak in the tub. I want to hear all about your life on your planet.” And find out what other surprises are in store, he thought grimly.
****
Adara floated in his arms for the better part of an hour as he changed out the water in the tub, keeping it at a consistent temperature. He was far behind in his work, but it would have to wait. Orion and Kellis finally showed up to kiss her goodbye, each choosing a temple to press their lips against, although they avoided looking at him. Kellis asked Adara to call when she’d eaten and wanted to explore the yard site. Orion told her he’d see her after lunch. Thorn accepted his role as grand inquisitor—for now. His brothers could elicit additional information when they were alone with her.
As he already knew, her parents had perished in an accident when she was young and she only had her wastrel brother. Samuel was a friend—whatever the Dom felt for Adara she only felt friendship for him. There were really no other important people in her life. She was independent, that independence underscored by her fiery hair, and he’d misjudged badly, not researching their bride more carefully.
The schooling part was explained a little more fully. Their intended had persevered with her education even in the face of censure from a paternalistic society and was poised to run her family’s business. Women didn’t pursue higher education here. The younger ones chose to serve or they married and bore children—some told what to choose by their families who knew them best. None were drudges. They were too valuable for that. Work was shared out among both males and older females. And aside from some mundane tasks most things were automated. Thorn made a mental note to install further automated cleaning systems. Cenna wasn’t spry anymore.
So while fate had smiled on them—bringing them Adara in a game of chance—it had also shit on them. Like teasing a child with candy and taking it away. Adara had every reason to return to her world except for one—she had no love in her life there. Here she had three if only she would open her heart and not think of herself as a fuck toy. That comment had nearly brought her another spanking. He couldn’t understand it. Despite the inability to tell her of the prophecy, they had all made their intentions clear and their interest known. It was Adara who had her eye on the expiry date. Well, if pleasure would bring her to them, so be it.
He got them out of the tub and ready for the day. Because she’d be donning a sandsuit right after breakfast, he allowed her underwear. The excitement and joy as she examined the silky stuff, patterned in little pink roses, coaxed his optimism back into life. They weren’t letting this fascinating creature go.
****
“Those are grimalkins.” Kellis had patiently answered all of her questions and explained in detail. She’d remembered to act totally respectful around him—the farm employees seemed to make continual efforts to find a way to either look at her or be introduced. She smiled nicely and made little nods to the ones in the distance and acted the proper miss when Kellis offered a name of a particular individual. He never stopped touching her—she felt it even through the sandsuit—and wore a sunny expression all the time. She sensed something else behind his cheerful veneer but couldn’t determine what it was.
“I’d love one.” She knew she sounded like a little kid.
“We haven’t had a grimalkin in the house for years, my love. But if you’d like one, if it would make you happy, choose.”
Hesitating, she reviewed his statement. Her stay was over in a few weeks. The cat-like creature shouldn’t become accustomed to the lap of luxury and then be put back outside in the scorching heat and irritating sand again.
“No, that’s okay. But thank you.”
“Adara. Choose a grimalkin—a young one would be best. It can grow up with you.”
“I can’t take it with me, Kellis,” she said gently. “And it’s not fair to bring it in and there be no one to make time for it when I leave. Or have it put outside again.”
The way his face closed down frightened her. She didn’t understand what she’d said. Communicate. “What’s wrong? What did I do? You look so angry.”
Immediately his features softened, and he pulled her into a hug. “I’m frustrated, Adara. You are counting the days until you hope to leave while I…I don’t ever want you to leave. You belong here, with us, to us.”
She sighed. “So you all keep saying. But you know I came because of a contract. I have to go home. I have a life waiting there for me.”
She thought he said, “And one that’s been waiting here forever.” But the wind was blowing again and he’d turned away so she dismissed it. It didn’t pay to think too much and confuse herself—she was here for a while longer and would try her best to be what they expected of her. Telling her they loved her was ridiculous—no one believed in love at first sight. They’d said it because they had climaxed.
A smaller white grimalkin with enormous ears and a black spot on its left back foot pounced on a whirl of sand, pulling a spate of laughter from her. She didn’t think she had laughed since coming to Virile, although she’d certainly cried enough. She reached to pet the creature, and it swatted gently at her fingers.
Jurvis, one of the foremen if she remembered correctly, scooped it up—it hissed and spat at him. “Careful, careful. They hurt with those claws.”
Instinctively reaching for it, Adara extricated the animal from his grasp. It subsided in her hold, curling up against her, and purred with a ridiculous sputter of drool.
“That one will grow very large, Mistress, and in record time. It’s a she, so will be a guardian.” The nut brown fellow stared at her through the same goggles she wore to protect from the ever present dust and blowing grit in the air. His mobile mouth twitched up at the corners. “She’s taken to you already. It’s rare they don’t scratch.”
Maybe she could take the animal back with her…but there were import rules about certain species. She shook her head regretfully and carefully set the critter down. It squatted at her feet and regarded her with interest as she petted it gently before turning away. She’d have to get a cat when she got home. If she worked the number of hours she anticipated to whip the organization back into shape she would be grateful for company when she dragged herself home. There would be no time for friends—or men—in her life then. She ignored the voice in her head jibing that no men could hope to replace the three she’d had here.
Kellis escorted her back to the house, entering through the sun room where she tugged the sandsuit off, now impregnated with grit. The underwear was so beautiful, but she divested herself of it under his decisive look.
“Cenna will wash these things and put them in our room, my love.”
“I’ll do the laundry. Cenna has enough to do.” She couldn’t just eat and sleep and have sex while that nice older lady did the scut work.
“Orion awaits, Adara. And most things are automated
. Thorn has ordered more to make the tasks even lighter. Robotics on both our planets will soon be routine.”
It seemed extravagant to order updated automated technology seeing as Cenna would likely leave soon after she did, but Adara said nothing. If the brothers didn’t want to deal with any housework, she could well understand it. And there would be another submissive installed in this place without a doubt, so she’d appreciate being able to concentrate on the sexual piece—Adara would, if she was that submissive.
But she wasn’t, and it didn’t bother her to think about the next woman the men would install in this house. It. Did. Not. The twins would probably tell her they loved her too.
After freshening up and sharing a meal with Cenna—the men were called away to a breach in the perimeter by some animal that apparently came to eat their animals, and people too—Adara was at loose ends. She offered to clean up, but Cenna sent her on her way. Without the men around, her self-consciousness over being nude with the old nanny had returned, so she went with relief, finding her way to the great room.
The view was the same if the light very different. A strange green hue filtered over the horizon, and she peered through the windows, her skin registering even greater heat transferred through the glass. Great clouds of dust rose in a grotesque parody of dance, weaving in and out of their patterns, melding then separating. They looked lifelike—people shaped. One towered over another, two limbs stretched outwards to encompass the shorter, more slender cloud. That one bent next across the middle and dipped upon imaginary knees, folding across the foot of the larger cloud. Two other tall clouds marched forward, no longer adrift above the ground, quite stilted in their movements but eerily reminiscent of huge males. They joined the other male and surrounded the smaller figure now prostrate on the ground.
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