Not quite sure whether it was her idea or his, they fell to the floor. Her hands entwined with his, she straddled Darias’ hips.
"Let me show you the way we make love where I come from."
"Have you fucked many other men?"
At the dark note of jealousy in his voice, she smiled. “None like you.” She lowered her head and covered his mouth with hers before he could inquire further. Any other man that had gone before in her life no longer mattered. The only man that mattered now was Darias. With a jolt of surprise, she realized Darias was the only man she could ever envision mattering. Somehow, someway, despite his treatment of her and her fury at him, feelings for him had crept up on her. She refused to put a more precise name than that to the emotions.
Her tongue slid along the seam of his lips, asking permission to enter.
Cautiously, he opened his mouth. His tongue tried to tangle with hers.
She evaded it, instead stroking the roof of his mouth with short, heated licks.
His hands tightened around hers, his big hands swallowing hers.
Encouraged, she explored the dark recesses thoroughly until they were both panting, unable to get enough oxygen into their lungs. She broke the kiss to suck on the lobe of his ear. Fine chill bumps chased down the exposed flesh of his chest. She felt his muscles gather, preparing to roll over and take control.
"No, don't,” she said, stopping him with a gentle touch. “Let me. Let me show you what it's supposed to be like. Pleasure.” She placed a light kiss under his jaw, a shiver of her own working its way down her spine at the feel of the beard-roughened skin beneath her lips. “Mind blowing.” She placed another in the hollow of his throat “Breath-stealing.” She dipped her tongue into his navel “Pleasure."
For a moment he didn't move.
She almost sighed aloud, wondering if after the last several weeks, Darias couldn't bring himself to trust her enough to give himself over into her keeping.
Then he shifted, opening his legs.
Tension she hadn't been aware of seeped out of her body. She couldn't help the brilliant smile of relief she flashed in his direction.
"Leave everything to me."
A wry smile tugged at his lips. “Have I done anything else lately?” But there was no heat in the statement, rather a sardonic amusement that seemed directed toward himself.
She ruffled the hair on the inside of his thigh with her palm and all amusement vanished, replaced by desire.
His eyes darkened and he shifted his legs, urging her hand higher.
She moved a fraction of a millimeter and was rewarded by heated words of encouragement. She leaned over him. Her hair slipped off her shoulders and brushed his shaft.
His sudden intake of breath slid down her spine and heated the pit of her stomach. Riana was acutely aware of her own arousal, the wetness and growing ache between her legs. Her hair tangled in the thick thatch at his groin, like strands of fire against the midnight sky.
The differences in their bodies fascinated her. Where she was smooth, he was lightly ruffled with dark hair, where she was soft, he was hard. So hard, she marveled, taking his length in her hands, testing its strength.
"Take me into your mouth,” he rasped, moving restlessly on the deep burgundy carpet.
"Are you sure?” It went against his custom, she knew. She had teased him into demanding her mouth, driving him out of his mind with need until he didn't care whether it was forbidden or not several times, but she wanted more than that now. And, she found she couldn't bear the thought he might regret his actions later.
Sudden doubts about her tactics rose. While she'd wanted him to lose his self-control, she didn't want it at the cost of his pride.
He cupped the back of her head, urging her down. “I'm sure I'll burn up if you don't."
It was all she needed to hear.
She closed her mouth on the tip of his cock, running her tongue beneath the extremely sensitive flared cap.
He arched, his hand clenching in her hair.
She cupped his balls, gently squeezing the hair-roughened sacs.
"Krel, Riana!"
She ran her other hand up and down his length, slowly ... gently. Her mouth followed, never in the same pattern, never with the same pressure. Tiny beads of moisture appeared on the tip of his cock, and Riana licked them off. She turned her head to nip his thigh.
He yelped and lifted her up, over his body, his mouth seeking and finding hers.
Riana took his lower lip in her teeth, and tugged.
His groan vibrated through her.
She slid down his body, conscious that she was leaving a trail of evidence of her desire on him. She scooted back until his heat and hardness prodded at the sensitive opening of her pussy. She stilled, savoring the sensation.
His fingers closed on her hips in an almost painful hold, easing her slowly onto his erection.
Breathing hard, her head pounding with the force of her desire, she grabbed his hands and put them on her breasts, silently urging him to explore.
It wasn't her head pounding, but the door.
Riana collapsed on Darias, uncertain whether to keelhaul someone or laugh to keep from crying. Her forehead against his chest, she muttered, “If it isn't important, I will keelhaul them."
The door handle turned. Goddess, she couldn't remember if she had bolted the door or not. “Wait! Don't come in!” That was all she needed, to have one of the women walk in on her and Darias. He'd never forgive her.
"Riana, I'm sorry to disturb you, but Myrta of the Woodworking Guild needs to speak with you."
"Give me fifteen minutes and I'll meet you in the Great Hall."
"Yes, Supreme Chief."
Riana finally recognized the voice. It was Jayna and she sounded harried, but not upset. Riana could well understand that. Since the destruction of the contracts on the computer and then the disappearance of the hard copies, the select group of woman she had picked to recoup from the loss had been running their asses off. Somehow, they were managing to stem the damage from the rumors of favoritism while piecing together new contracts. Of course, if she could recover the original contracts, a tremendous amount of pressure would be off all of them.
And now one of the shrewdest women in the Guild wanted to talk to her personally. Myrta must have been born with the blood of a merchant in her veins. If the woman hadn't been causing her so many headaches, she would have admired her skill and tenacity in negotiating. She silenced a sigh as visions of spending the afternoon making love to Darias dimmed. Ah, well. The demands of power. A wicked grin curved the corners of her mouth. There was still that fifteen minutes. She got up, motioning Darias to stay as he was and walked to the desk and rummaged in a drawer.
The thing about being a successful trader or Supreme Chief, was the ability to go with the flow and change plans when the original was no longer feasible.
She had been a very good trader.
"Close your eyes."
Subtle tension rippled through that magnificent length of his body, but he did as commanded.
It was a good thing his eyes were closed. Somehow she didn't think it was dignified for the Supreme Commander to be caught drooling over a naked body. Not even if that body sported eight-pack abs and an erection that could bring an entire pleasure planet to its knees.
Said erection quivered, then jerked when she moved closer.
Oh, yeah, she had plans for that later. Long, slow, hard plans.
"Turn over, but keep your eyes closed."
He rolled over, grimaced, lifted and adjusted himself before laying face down again.
Umm. The back view was just as luscious as the front.
She knelt beside him. “You've been a very bad boy."
His shoulders tightened.
"You broke all three rules. Not only were we private and you made no move to disrobe, but you spoke without permission and did not assume the stance.” She trailed a nail down the line of his spine to the dip just above the swell of
his buttocks. “Now, what should I do about your transgressions?” Her tone was light, but with a note of sternness threading through it. She was his Mistress and in this arena she would command his obedience.
To both their satisfactions.
She heard him swallow. “Permission to speak, Mistress?"
"When I ask you a question, you may answer without first asking permission."
"Yes, Mistress. Spanking. I deserve a spanking.” Heat and embarrassment laced the deep, rich voice, roughening it and sending it spiking straight to her clit.
She squeezed her thighs together.
"Hmm.” She cupped one cheek of his ass, the tips of her nails digging into the crease. A silent threat of punishment if he didn't please her. “I think you are right. A spanking to warm your butt and to remind you to remember the rules in the future.” She landed a solid blow with an open hand.
He grunted and the smell of hot, male musk swirled and mingled with the scent of the garden in the warm, heavy air. Not until his ass was a pleasing shade of vermillion did she stop.
His heavy breathing resounded in the room.
Riana lick her lips, struggling to get her own arousal under control. Blood thrummed in her veins, hot, heavy and filled with life. “Spread your legs,” she commanded, her voice deeper than normal.
He swallowed audibly, then slowly moved his legs apart.
"Present yourself"
His breath hitched. “Mistress?"
"Do it, Darias. Do not make me punish you."
His hands shook as he slowly moved them to the cheeks of ass and spread them. His face stayed turned toward the window, his hair hiding his expression. The back of his neck turned bright red, a shade almost deep and hot enough to match his ass.
She traced the flush with a touch meant to both soothe and arouse. Leaning down, she pressed a kiss to the small of his spine, then to the tender spot where buttock and thigh met. Her lips felt the heat from her spanking.
Sitting upright, she poured the oil she'd retrieved from the desk into the palm of one hand. The heady scent filled the air. Tilting her hand over the start of the crease separating the heavy muscle, she let it trickle and run down to his tight ring of muscle.
The muscles of his ass clenched and his fingers dug into the well-spanked cheeks. “That's it,” she praised, her voice husky with desire. “Don't move. You are so beautiful. You shouldn't be embarrassed.” She dipped her fingers in the oil and swirled one around that forbidden hole. “You belong to me. Everything. Here.” She kissed his neck, all the while rimming the tender ring with the tip of her finger. “And here.” She nipped the heated swell of his haunch. “And most definitely here.” She pressed an intimate kiss to that dark, hidden spot, allowing the tip of her tongue to stray out and stroke him.
He jumped.
"Riana!"
"Don't move,” she reminded him. She rested her cheek on the back of one of his hands, and tipped the bottle of oil, pouring a bit more. As she let the lubricant dribble from the bottle, she pressed the tip of her finger inside. The oil followed.
Hot.
So hot.
He tightened around her finger, an instinctive resistance to the intimate invasion.
She used sharp edge of her teeth on his inner thigh, right next to his heavy balls.
He jumped, startled from her bite, and relaxed his muscles.
She slipped the small device she'd retrieved with the oil into his anus.
Immediately, he tightened, but it was too late. The small anal egg was in.
Riana sat up and patted his butt.
"Mistress, may I speak?"
"You may."
"What the Krel is that?"
A chuckle slipped out. “That, is an amordido. Unlike other anal eggs, once inside the body it expands to fit the wearer."
He stiffened.
She patted his butt again. “Don't worry. Not in an uncomfortable way.” She grinned. “But you will definitely feel its presence.” Unable to resist, she tugged on one of several small chains attached to the egg resting in the crack between the cheeks of his ass.
He jolted, a tremor running the full length of his spine.
She gave another, lighter, tug, loving the way his buttocks clenched and released and his shoulders twitched. “These remain outside your body."
"What,” he licked his lips and started again. “What...? I mean, it feels like every nerve in my body is being shocked."
"Does it hurt?” She tugged on a different chain, already knowing the answer.
His body arched. “No,” he moaned. “Feels good."
"Each chain is a different length and at the end of each chain is a small sensor that resonates to a person's bio signature.” She leaned down and nipped the curve of his ass. “Your bio signature. It's designed to tease with varying pulses of energy, never bringing you to culmination, but on the edge of it.'
"You mean it's designed to torture,” he ground out, his hips flexing on the soft, burgundy carpet.
"Exactly.” She smiled against the heavy muscle, then sat up. She gave his luscious ass a swat. “You may turn over and open your eyes."
He turned and settled carefully onto his back, avoiding her gaze by covering his eyes with his arm.
Riana chuckled. She probably should make him quit hiding and face her, but she decided he'd had enough unusual experiences for one afternoon.
Besides, the fifteen minutes were nearly up.
She gathered her clothes and began dressing, unable to sneak a peek at Darias. He was on the floor, one muscular arm still flung across his eyes, his flagrant erection reaching almost to his belly button.
"I have to leave. Stay here as long as you need. I'll leave orders that no one disturbs you."
He didn't speak, but his lips tightened.
Riana knew just how he felt. Moisture slipped down the inside of her thighs and it was all she could do not to squeeze her legs together. Putting the oil back in the desk drawer, she saw the soft leather folded inside. She fingered it. In the back of her mind was the half-formed thought to give it to Darias. She shook her head decisively. No, she wanted the time to enjoy his reaction. And his appreciation.
Hand on the doorknob, she said, “Wait for me in our chamber. I'll be there as soon as I can get away. And Darias?” His chest stilled as he waited for her to continue. “All I want you wearing is your skin."
* * * *
Bryta cornered Riana as she started up the winding staircase several hours later. Her head throbbed. She was in no mood for any more crises. She'd settled a dispute between two women—each insisting they had sole right to the same man—before it came to actual bloodshed. The man in question had been quite smug over the fact that women were fighting over him until he realized both harbored some very significant grudges, then he'd been glad to have Riana decree that neither woman owned him. He'd gone, displaying amazing gratitude, with Jayna, Riana's new Captain of the Guards.
Then there had been bickering over whose House sat closest to the Supreme Chief's chair during the meeting Riana had hastily called in regards to Trinearia's insistence on continuing trade negotiations. After that had come the meeting with Myrta. Riana pinched the bridge of her nose between two fingers. Goddess. That woman was a born trader.
Riana rubbed her temples and waited impatiently for Bryta to catch up. “Whatever it is, can't it wait until morning? It's after two in the morning and I'm tired.” And Darias was waiting in their chamber.
"What in Krel's name did you do to Darias? Punish him outside your chambers?” Bryta sounded scandalized as she stopped directly in front of her.
"Of course not.” With a hard stab of guilt, she remembered the day she forced him to present himself in the office. It took a considerable force of will to subdue the flush that tried to stain her cheeks.
"You did something to him. I saw Darias and Gaith speaking outside your office. It was obvious he was in,” she paused delicately, “some discomfort. Discomfort that wasn't there when he wen
t into your office."
Riana sighed as she realized what had the other woman so agitated. She glanced about and realized they couldn't have any privacy where they were. She sighed and, taking the blonde by the arm, steered her back down the stairs and into the office. Once inside, she shut the door behind them. Motioning to the scroll-backed chair in front of the desk, she made her way to her own chair, casting a longing glance at the spot where she and Darias had started to make love. Seated, she leaned back and eyed her friend. “Bryta, let me ask you something. It's personal,” she warned.
"You may ask what you like. You're my Supreme Chief,” Bryta said, her straight back telling Riana loud and clear that she was not about to be easily mollified.
"I'm not asking as the Supreme Chief, I'm asking as your friend.” Riana rubbed her eyes and wished she was in bed, with Darias. “Do you enjoy sex with Gaith?"
The blonde's face turned fiery red.
"I don't mean to embarrass you,” she hurried to assure her friend. “It's just that I've not noticed any particular,” she hesitated, searching for the right word, “closeness between the men and women here in Nexar."
Bryta cleared her throat and studied her locked fingers. “I enjoy sex the nights after punishing Gaith.” She peeked at Riana from between her lashes.
"Not any other time?” Dismay and sadness for her friend lodged in Riana's throat.
The blonde shook her head. “No. Once or twice, while I was still Gaith's woman, I almost did. But then Gaith would finish and I'd be left more frustrated than before."
Her blush deepened until Riana wondered that it didn't scald the other woman's cheeks.
"What do you mean about closeness?"
"On most worlds sex, or making love, is something to cherish and anticipate. For men and women."
Bryta looked astonished. “You're joking. Women actually look forward to that?"
"That,” Riana confirmed dryly, “is not usually associated with punishment. Until I came here, sex was joyous."
"You've had other lovers?” Awe echoed in her voice.
"That's not the point. My point is the men of Nexar have mucked up a perfectly natural act.” She drummed her fingers on the desk as she considered how to go about righting the situation. The running of the country-state and her battle of wills with Darias had consumed all of her time and her plans to educate the women of Nexar had somehow fallen by the wayside.
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