Surrender
Page 17
If this was Punishment, it was like nothing he'd felt before.
Riana sat back on her heels, then rose to her feet.
Intense disappointment washed over him. He opened his mouth to ask, to plead if necessary, for her not to stop, but tiny eddies of pleasure coursed over his nerve endings, making speech impossible as she took the tie from her hair and wrapped the length of silk about his cock. When she let go, the cool silk slithered to the ground, causing his cock to jerk in reaction.
A prickle of unease cut through the sexual haze when she twined her fingers with his and led him directly to the Punishment Stone. She pushed him backwards until he stood between the polished stone leg supports. A low growl of protest rumbled from his chest.
"Trust me."
Those two tiny words hovered in the air between them. He stared at her for a long minute, searching her eyes, trying to see to her soul. Was she just leading him on, adding a different cachet to the Punishment?
She'd spoken of her rage as a slave, as his slave. Did she want him aroused and willing, nay almost mindless, only to take pleasure in his defeat? Was this the ultimate Punishment?
Her gaze met his unflinchingly, her brilliant green eyes warm with desire. She didn't try to hide her feelings, hide the fact that she wanted him. The fine lawn of her blouse revealed the hardened points of her breasts.
Could he trust her? Had she told the truth about this afternoon?
Still holding her gaze, Darias settled on the Punishment Stone, putting his feet in the stirrups and his arms above his head. The stone, instead of being cool from the night, retained the heat of the day.
Krel help them both if she were lying.
Memories of his first night out here as slave flashed through his mind as he lay there, spread for her view. The utter helplessness, the rage, the bitter taste of surrender. He buried the memories with a tremendous effort of will, but he couldn't escape the feeling of being completely exposed, both physically and mentally. That sense increased when she snapped the padded cuffs around his ankles and wrists.
Darias waited.
A blindingly brilliant smile lit her face. She leaned down and kissed his inner thigh.
"Why the cuffs?” He forced the words out of a dry throat.
"Trust me,” she whispered against his skin.
Before he could find the words to make her explain her actions, she moved to stand between his legs. She ran her hands from his ankles to just where her knuckles would brush the heavy sacs, and back down again. The touch was light, barely ruffling the hair on his legs.
It was driving him insane.
Just when he didn't think he could stand it anymore, she slid her hands up until the edges of her palms were right below his nipples.
He sucked in a breath and forgot to let it out. Earlier, she'd compared his heat to that of the sun. She was wrong. Tonight it was her warmth he craved, her warmth that warded off the chill of the night and set him to burning.
Shadows cloaked her face, veiling her in mystery. He couldn't tell what she was thinking, what she was feeling.
Or if she was even feeling anything.
Why was she just standing there?
The material of her snug breeches rasped against his thighs, making him acutely aware she was still fully dressed.
He stared at her, trying to read her expression in the dim glow provided by the stone bench, but his body blocked most of the light.
She shifted her hands suddenly to cover his nipples, not moving, she just rested her hands there.
Air rushed out of his lungs, the demand for release, building all day, shot to an almost unbearable pitch.
"Please, don't stop.” His plea hovered on the air, shocking him into awareness. Uncertainty again sliced through his excitement as the ugly suspicion that Riana was toying with him, demanding his trust, as some new kind of Punishment crept in and refused to go away. His throat worked but no words came out.
Then she rotated her palms in slow circles. Without warning, she pinched one nipple.
Darias arched against his restraints as she tugged on the hard nub. Sweat broke out on his forehead as he felt the gentle pull all the way to his balls.
She trailed her hand down his chest, then lower.
A deep groan from the center of his being caught in the back of this throat, every muscle in his body tensed in anticipation.
She tangled her fingers in the line of hair that led to his groin.
He sucked in a breath. Though he didn't think it possible, his arousal swelled still further.
A cloud scuttled from in front of the moon, allowing him to see Riana's face in detail. Her gaze locked on his, she lowered her head and engulfed the tip of his shaft with her mouth.
He arched upward as far as his bonds would allow.
Hot. Wet. Teasing. Her tongue swirled around the tiny slit that bisected the tip. He felt a prickling of familiarity as he surged upward, craving the feel of her warm mouth swallowing the entire length of him, while sheer frustration tore through him as he found he couldn't move more than a tiny fraction.
Her hair, the color of flame even in moonlight, cascaded across his thighs, caressing his tense muscles with tantalizing softness.
His eyes slid closed, but that nagging sense of familiarity strengthened, became impossible to ignore.
Her soft hands cupped his balls.
His hands clenched on the hard stone. She rolled the smaller, inner spheres. Darias slammed his head back as he arched his neck. Krel, he was as hard as the smooth stone, but unlike the stone he could pleasure her.
If she'd just let him.
Cold air hit his erection. His eyes snapped opened. He was poised painfully on the edge of fulfillment.
Clouds once again masked Riana's expression in shadow. She stood between his legs, close enough that he could feel the heat from her body, feel the brush of her breeches over his arousal.
But she still didn't say a word.
All at once that odd feeling he'd been having became clear.
Riana was recreating his first punishment, here, in the garden.
Harsh breathing echoed in his ears. Distantly, he realized it was his.
But this time was different. Each action eerily echoed those of Punishment, but each action was also subtly different.
With each touch, with each caress, she let him know that this time she wouldn't leave him unfulfilled. All he had to do was believe in her.
Everything else faded away until all that was left was Darias and Riana. He stared into her eyes. Could he? Did he dare believe that this time was different? Heart thundering in his chest, Darias relinquished the last essence of his control.
He relaxed and gave a small nod.
She slid one finger from the top of his buttocks, to the taut sacs hanging between his legs. His breath hitched as the gentle glide of her fingers traveled back the same way. The heavy muscles of his buttocks clenched on the anal plug as she neared forbidden territory.
He wasn't ready for this. Every fiber of his being rejected the light caress. The plug had kept him aroused and heavy all day. His breeches had only served to highlight the evidence of his need. Every step, every movement making him aware of the intimate invader. Tartarius, just standing still the thing made its presence known.
She pressed her cheek against his belly. “Not tonight,” Riana whispered. She tugged on the plug.
His untried muscles fought the pressure. He arched against the pleasure mixed with not quite pain.
She continued to pull until it was all the way out.
He felt empty once it was gone. Lost. Which was strange since he hated the loss of control it represented.
She unbuckled the bonds restraining his legs. Then, leaned up, over his body and released the cuffs around his wrists. Her slight weight against him was an exercise in exquisite torture.
His hips flexed upward involuntarily.
Face to face, this close her fragrance filled his head. It was more than the perfume
she wore, though Krel knew that was erotic enough, it was the clean, feminine smell that was Riana's alone. To the day he died, he knew he'd be able to recognize Riana by her ultra-feminine scent.
"Haven't we done this before?” he asked, his voice rough and raspy but filled with humor.
She grinned, a pure mischievous curve of her lips. “You finally figured it out, huh? For a Supreme Chief, you're kinda slow on the uptake."
"Supreme Chief no more. Now I'm a slave.” But there was no bitterness to the statement. Oh, he still hated his position, but he'd reluctantly come to the conclusion that Riana was right; he had suffered no more under her hands than she'd suffered under his.
"Ah, that explains it.” She wriggled back down his body. “Maybe I should have given a more explicit demonstration of my intentions.” Her eyes glinted.
The ridges of her teeth raked the entire length of his penis sending cold chills chasing down his spine, yet conversely flooding him with a scorching heat. His heart thundered in his chest as he fought to hold still, to enjoy the slow, erotic torment for as long as possible. Soon, though, the wet heat of her mouth and the knowing caresses of her hands became too much to endure without moving.
The urge to rock in counterpoint to the glide of her mouth, the stroke of her tongue won. Raw, unadulterated pleasure raced through his veins as he began a dance as old as time.
"Krel, yes!” He shaped her head with his hands, holding her still as his hips rhythmically flexed. Hot release poured forth. A hard shudder racked him and he gave a gut-wrenching groan. His hands fell to his sides.
Darias didn't think he could even raise his head. Nothing in his life had prepared him for the bone-deep sense of completion that had left him spent and replete.
He summoned enough energy to speak. “Another demonstration like that and I won't see dawn."
Riana smiled, a look of pure, female satisfaction on her lovely face. “Trust me."
* * * *
Deep gold touched the horizon. Darias pushed a wisp of tangled hair off Riana's face.
The Punishment Stone was damn uncomfortable. Then again its design was never meant for two people.
He drew one finger over her high cheekbones to her full bottom lip.
She sucked in the tip of his finger.
His lower body stirred in response.
Impossible. After last night it should have needed a full month to recover.
Riana straddled his hips and trailed kisses between his pecs down to his navel. She dipped her tongue inside and his body roared to life.
Then again, around Riana he'd been known to be wrong before.
The sun was just creeping above the walls of the keep when he was able to speak again.
"Why the cuffs?” he asked, truly curious.
"You hated the punishment."
He nodded.
"I didn't want you haunted by memories of what I did to you here, what you did to me. I wanted you to remember the pleasure we gave each other."
"Couldn't you have just told me your plan?"
She shook her head, amusement flaring in her eyes. “If I've learned one thing, it's that the men of Nexar are as thick as Anjarian mud. And their leader is the worst. You needed proof.” She waggled her brows. “Besides, I suspected I needed a captive audience when I opened my little bag."
Darias scowled, his pride pricked by the implication he was afraid of anything. “We can get along without any tricks from a bag. Last night proved that.” His curiosity piqued, however, he couldn't resist asking, “What's in the bag? You didn't take anything from it last night."
"Because I got distracted.” Riana hopped down from the stone. She had to steady herself with one hand on his stomach for a moment. “If we can get along without the bag, I guess you don't need to see what I had planned for this morning, hmm?” She scooped up her clothes in one hand and the bag in the other.
"Shame. The feather is my absolute favorite.” The words floated over her shoulder as she strolled up the path leading to the bedchamber. Her lushly curved derriere disappeared from view.
Feather? What could she do with a feather?
Darias exploded off the bench, determined to find out.
* * * *
Riana was just rounding the last curve in the garden path when Darias came racing up behind her. Sending a provocative glance over her shoulder, she took off. In less than three strides, Darias was upon her, sweeping her up in his powerful arms.
Laughing, she wound one arm around his neck and cradled the black bag to her abdomen with the other. “I thought you were worn out."
"I recovered."
"Um, so I see. Does this mean my little bag interests you after all?” Beneath her bottom, she could feel his staff stirring.
"It means you interest me.” Darias buried his head between her neck and shoulder, and nipped sharply before laving the small wound with his tongue.
Something inside Riana melted. To her amazement, the heat from his mouth seemed to have a direct connection to her sex. She grew moist.
Darias sucked, using his teeth and the tip of his tongue to worry the sensitive skin over the pulse thrumming in the side of her neck.
Wriggling in his arms, trusting that he wouldn't drop her, Riana turned until she could nuzzled the spot where arm and chest met, drawing the tender flesh between her teeth.
The arm holding her trembled and hot air gusted just below her ear. Clutching her tighter against his chest, Darias hurried into the bedchamber, tossing her onto the bed.
Riana giggled, giddy with how her plans had been fulfilled beyond what she'd imagined.
"Laugh now, wench, we'll see who is left smiling and who will be too tired for even such a small movement,” Darias growled, one knee on the mattress, his hands splayed on each side of her head.
"Promises, promises,” she taunted, loving this playful side of Darias. For a minute, regret at the time they'd wasted, each trying to conquer the other, washed over her. Riana shoved it away. She couldn't change the past, but she could change the present. She reached for him. Her hip nudged the black sample bag, reminding her of her plans for the items inside. She rolled quickly from between Darias’ caging arms. He straightened, one knee still on the bed.
Facing him, she unlatched the bag.
Instantly, his face tightened.
Something inside her chest clutched and ached. Despite his surrender earlier, it was obvious he still didn't fully trust her.
"Even after last night,” she said quietly unable to keep the hurt out of her voice. “Even after everything we shared, you still can't bring yourself to trust me, can you?"
Her hands shook, and she gripped the smooth moika leather of the bag to still them, waiting for an answer she already knew.
His golden gaze was turbulent.
He opened his mouth, then closed it. A muscle in his jaw worked. His need to give himself over to her, to experience everything she could show him, vying with his inbred modesty and his hard-learnt lessons in obedience and punishment. Slowly, his eyes lowered to her hands as they rested on the sample bag.
"I believe you were going to show me why the feather is your favorite."
His lashes lifted, meeting hers. Darias shifted and settled onto his back on the soft mattress, keeping her mesmerized with nothing more than his molten gold gaze. He lifted his arms over his head, gripping the carved wooden spindles of the headboard and spread his legs, his eyes never wavering from hers.
Her breath stilled, caught in her throat. He'd given her the ultimate gesture of trust a Nexarian male could offer a woman. Tears burned her eyes even as a trembling smile lifted the corners of her mouth.
"I think it only fair that you get the chance to decide for yourself if the feather will be your favorite."
His eyes heated as he understood her unspoken message. That, although he had made himself completely vulnerable to her of his own free will, the decision whether to continue would remain his.
An utterly masculine smile, full
of hunger and sex, curved his lips. “Then, by all means, let us see what is in your bag of tricks."
Feeling incredibly light and happy inside, she turned a decidedly wicked grin on the man splayed so openly for her pleasure. “Are you sure you're strong enough? I mean, after last night, are you sure you're not too ... exhausted?"
He frowned, an affronted expression crossing his face.
She smiled. Teasing Darias when he was serious was fun, but teasing Darias when he was in a playful mood just might be addicting.
"Woman, it would take more than one night of unbridled sex and two black bags to exhaust me!"
Riana giggled. Actually giggled. Pushing the black bag ahead of her, Riana crawled up the bed until she was between his legs. Her breath snagged in her throat. His shaft was full and hard and as she watched, it swelled further.
Perhaps the man wasn't exaggerating. Perhaps, despite her best efforts, last night hadn't tired him out, after all.
Sitting back on her heels, she studied the man sprawled before her.
His eyes glinted from between thick, black lashes as he stared back. Arms above his head, the silky, dark hair under his arms was revealed.
Heat pooled low in Riana's belly. The sight of the dark tufts was unbearably erotic—and utterly vulnerable.
She swallowed, trying to ease her dry throat.
Goddess, the man was gorgeous.
The urge to take taste him, to take his cock between her lips until he was arching and pleading with her to take him deep inside her body, was overwhelming. She licked her lips and tamped down her desire. First play, then they could get down to some serious fucking.
Riana cleared her throat and wrenched her gaze from the temptation before her, focusing on the contents of her bag.
What to choose, what to choose. Ah, yes, the aforementioned feather. She couldn't ignore that. Taking the half a meter long iridescent feather from the bag, she set it to one side.
Darias’ gaze followed her every moment. She suppressed a grin as she tried to picture his reaction to some of the more exotic items residing in her sample case. No, better not. Not yet, at least. Best to start slow. Her brow creased before it cleared. Her hand closed about a short, squat jar. Ah, just the thing.
She hoisted the goldjel like a victor hoisting a banner.