by Ivy Barrett
Roark moved up behind Andrea as she stared out the window in his bedroom. There wasn’t much of a view from here, just a narrow swath of sky and a clutter of rooftops. She needed to think, to catch her breath and organize her feelings. Fear, anger, and desire melded into an unrecognizable muddle. All they wanted was for her to save their people from certain death during the day and submit her body to their most demanding desires at night. Her insides quivered as she thought of all submission might entail.
“I want to go home.” She didn’t care if the request sounded childish. She was emotionally depleted.
Roark wrapped his arms around her waist and tucked her head under his chin. She hadn’t realized how tall he was. Next to Mal Ton anyone looked small. “That’s not going to happen.” She heard compassion in his tone but not regret.
Unable to resist the comfort of his embrace, she turned and wrapped her arms around him. “Why couldn’t I have been a shopkeeper or an architect?” He was warm and understanding. She cuddled against his chest, savoring the heat of his skin and the spicy scent that was uniquely his. For a long time, he just held her, stroking her hair and rubbing her back.
He took her hand and led her to a large, overstuffed chair across the room. She started to move to the sofa facing him but he pulled her down onto his lap. “Tell me about your life on Earth. Why are you so anxious to return?”
It was a fair question, but her answer was so pathetic, she felt annoyance rise up within her. “It’s not that my life was so wonderful, I’d just rather be anywhere but here.”
“Here as a captive or here with me?”
Why did he have to confuse the issue? Roark’s smoldering sensuality was no less attractive than Mal Ton’s overt carnality. She had no choice but to respond to Mal Ton, so what accounted for her desire for Roark? He was kind and gentle. He tempted her with his sexy smile then patiently waited for her to accept the offer.
“If we’d met under different circumstances,” she stressed, “I would have enjoyed spending time with you.”
He chuckled and brushed her hair back from her face, tucking it behind her ear. “If your first meeting with Mal Ton had been what it appeared, you would have let him fuck you on the shuttle. We both sense that you’ve been suppressing your sexuality for a very long time.” Before she could get defensive, he went on. “If we had met at the ball, do you think your reaction to me would have been as powerful?”
He was jealous of Mal Ton. She had no idea why the realization pleased her but she quickly hid a grin. “If I’d met you at the ball, we would have danced and laughed and spent the evening talking. I would have given you my private access code and tortured myself wondering how long it would take you to com me.”
“And when I contacted you, would you have agreed to see me again?”
“I would have been distracted and restless waiting for your transmission. My lab assistant would have noticed the difference and offered some unsavory advice.”
He smiled. “What sort of unsavory advice?”
“She’s the one who encouraged me to find the best-looking man at the ball and fuck his brains out in the cloakroom.” They both laughed at the admission. “Janelle probably would have advised me to enjoy Mal Ton until he became restless then concentrate on my relationship with you.” Pain erupted in his gaze a moment before he turned his face away. What had she said? Wasn’t that how it worked with mates and Seconds? She’d been trying to relate to… “I am such an ass. I didn’t mean to rub salt in your wounds.”
“Baylie left me a long time ago. Those wounds are too close to healed to be affected by salt.” He smiled, but she hadn’t imagined his initial reaction. His fingers splayed against her neck and he traced her lips with his thumb. “You should listen to your assistant’s advice. Mal Ton is the sort of man who generally becomes a Second. I would make a much better mate. So let’s pretend we’ve known each other for weeks. We’ve shared romantic dinners and moonlit walks. I sent you flowers and waited patiently for our first kiss.”
“Not too patiently.” She stared into his eyes and felt her senses begin to hum. “I like a man to make the first move.”
He cupped her chin and slowly lowered his head until their mouths just touched. His lips slid against hers, his tongue brushing between. She parted for him, but he wanted to play. With little nips and gentle suction, he explored, his tongue never venturing beyond the portal of her lips. She grew restless, finally seeking out his tongue with hers.
It was all the encouragement he needed. He shifted his arm, cradling her head in the bend of his elbow as he took the kiss deeper. She combed his hair with her fingers, luxuriating in the softness as the strands caressed her skin. His scent filled her nose, only slightly less intoxicating than his taste. She boldly stroked her tongue over his, wanting more, needing skin on skin.
His arm moved to her shoulders as his other slipped beneath her knees. He lifted her against his chest and crossed to the bed without releasing her mouth. Strong, capable, and complex, Roark was an understated painting. The longer she looked at him, the more amazing he became.
He sat her on the edge of the bed and took off his shirt as he kicked off his boots. He started to say something then determination blazed in his eyes.
“What are you thinking?”
“I was going to ask you to make sure this is what you want, but I need you so badly I decided to convince you instead.”
She caught her bottom lip between her teeth as he pulled her shirt off over her head. Her body had been simmering since she left Earth. Each orgasm only built her hunger for hard, deep penetration. She wanted his body pressing her into the mattress and the abandoned slap of flesh against flesh.
He paused to kiss her again so she went to work on his pants. His chest was lean and toned. She was anxious to see the rest of him. Before she could finish her task, he pushed her over backward and unfastened the tie at the top of her pants. With several firm tugs, he had her naked, except for her slip-on shoes. She rid her feet of the simple coverings and propped herself on her elbows.
“Your turn,” she insisted. “I want to see all of you.”
His gaze bore into hers as he pushed his pants past his hips. He either wore no undergarments or he’d rid himself of both. Long and fully erect, his cock rose from a nest of wiry hair. The head was wide and deeply flushed and his balls had already drawn up close to his body. He stroked his shaft from base to tip and moisture beaded on the very end.
“I need…” He groaned and closed his eyes. “If I fuck you now, I’ll last about three seconds. Let me take the edge off then I’ll make it worth your while.”
He’d selflessly used his mouth to pleasure her then helped Mal Ton give her another incredible orgasm. Watching him come held a certain appeal, but she had a better idea.
Slipping off the bed, she knelt in front of him and covered his hand with hers. “Let me.” She whispered the temptation with an inviting smile.
Her sexual horizons had been expanded more in the short time she’d spent with these two men than in all the years that had gone before. Mal Ton would never allow her to explore, to savor the experience. He’d claim her mouth, take her and fuck her as insistently as he had with his fingers. Roark was different. He was willing to share himself with her and she was anxious to play.
She licked the bead of moisture off the tip of his cock, fascinated by the salty taste and the silky texture. Feminine power surged through her as never before. His fingers slipped into her hair but he remained still as she licked her way down one side and up the other. He tensed and gasped each time she closed her lips around his flared cock head. He must be incredibly sensitive there. Swirling her tongue and wetting her lips, she sucked more of him into her mouth.
“Oh, kitten,” he whispered, “that’s so good.”
Mal Ton had called her kitten too. She was starting to like the pet name. It filled her with mischief and intensified the tension gathering between her legs. Using her hand as well as her mouth, she wo
rked his shaft. His taste grew stronger and she felt him throb against her tongue.
“Tilt your head back—fast!” She tilted her head and he thrust deep. His seed spurted out in rhythmic jets coating her throat. “Swallow, sweetheart. Let me feel your muscles tighten.” She swallowed and he shuddered, so she swallowed again and again. He panted and caressed her face as the haze cleared from his eyes. “You are amazing.”
He pulled out of her mouth with obvious reluctance. “I take it you approve?”
“Approve.” He laughed. “I don’t think anything has ever felt that good.”
She spotted the case he’d brought with him from the playroom as he helped her to her feet. If he disobeyed Mal Ton, Roark would be punished. Were they breaking the rules right now? Mal Ton had told Roark not to kiss her, but that was before. Not wanting to ruin the comfortable mood they’d created, she hesitated to voice her questions.
Roark followed the direction of her gaze and sighed. “Will you feel less intimidated if I show it to you?”
He’d misunderstood the reason for her concern, but it wasn’t a bad idea. She nodded and carefully sat on the edge of the bed. Her butt was still tender from Mal Ton’s spanking. After retrieving the case, Roark sat beside her and opened it across his legs.
“This is the plug. It’s specifically designed for beginners. I’ll use plenty of lube so it won’t feel much different than Mal Ton’s finger.”
She shivered. Mal Ton’s finger had shocked and excited her in a way she wouldn’t have believed possible. The plug was rounded and slender on the top then it flared before narrowing again.
“This part provides the fullness and this notch will keep it inside you until we’re ready for it to come out.”
“Are you going to put it in before or after we…?”
He laughed. “What is your aversion to the word? Fuck. We’re going to fuck. And if you’ll trust me, I’d like to put the butt plug in now. Many women find the additional fullness very arousing.”
She looked at the toy and then managed an unsteady smile. “I trust you.”
“Good, then lie down and scoot back on the bed. Make room for me between your legs.” Lying sideways across the mattress, she moved her legs apart and bent her knees. Each movement sent new tingles across her sore bottom. “Your breasts are wonderful, but this,” he traced her slit from anus to clit, “makes me wild.”
After coating the plug with lube, he set it within reach and moved between her legs. His cock bobbed and swayed. He was already hard again, not as hard as he had been before, but well on his way. She tried to relax, tried not to think about what he intended to do, where he meant to put the odd little toy.
“Andrea.” He waited until she met his gaze. “You said you trusted me.”
“I do.”
“Then why are you white as a sheet? Did Mal Ton’s finger hurt when it was inside you?”
“Not really. It just felt strange.” He grinned, obviously remembering her cries of pleasure. “Fine. It felt better than strange.”
“Would this be easier if I put you in restraints? You wouldn’t have to fight your urge to resist that way.”
She hesitated. Being bound had given her a sense of freedom. “Just my wrists.” He opened a compartment in his headboard and withdrew a set of wrist cuffs. She couldn’t help but laugh. “Is bondage equipment standard issue for Stilox military?”
“This bedroom came with the lab. The officer who occupied it before I was captured furnished it, but most Stilox males are dominant by nature.” He rotated her body so she was aligned with the restraints and raised her arms above her head. After closing the cuffs around her wrists, he adjusted the slack in the cable then settled himself between her legs. “Now where were we?”
He lowered his head between her thighs and parted her folds with his tongue. She sighed and closed her eyes. His mouth moved against her, his lips caressing as much as his tongue. He pushed her legs wider and held her open with his thumbs while he tasted the very heart of her.
“Gods, I could live on your cream,” he murmured against her damp flesh, and she opened her eyes, wanting to see as well as feel him. “I’ll never tire of this.” As if to prove his point, he licked and sucked, nibbled and flicked until an orgasm threatened to overtake her.
“Oh!” she panted, resisting the urge to close her eyes again. “I don’t want to come until you’re inside me.”
“No, come now.” He thrust his tongue deep into her core and nudged her clit with his nose. She lifted her hips off the bed, shuddering with completion.
Centering his tongue over her swollen nub, he encouraged the tingling aftershocks as he reached for the butt plug. She kept her muscles relaxed, trusting him with her pleasure. He parted her tender butt cheeks with one hand and teased her with the toy. It felt cool and smooth against her tightly puckered hole. He pushed in just a bit, opening her, stretching the tight muscular collar.
“Accept it. Push out as I push in.”
He lowered his head again and she could no longer see what he was doing. His tongue swirled over her clit and the pressure increased. She planted her feet against his shoulders and lifted her hips, rotating to give him a better angle. His lips closed around her clit as he drove the plug home. She gasped and closed her hands into fists. He sucked on her clit, pulling on the ultrasensitive nub.
Tension escalated, throbbing through her with renewed demand. The toy felt enormous in her ass, which only accented her empty pussy. “Please, Roark. I need you inside me.”
He looked up, dragging his tongue across her clit before he prompted, “Say it. Tell me exactly what you want.”
“Fuck me, please fuck me now.”
* * *
Desire slammed into Roark. He wanted to fuck her hard and fast and make them both scream. That’s what Mal Ton would have done. But he wasn’t Mal Ton. He couldn’t compete with the commander when it came to brutal passion. His approach had to be different or she would never differentiate between the two. He took a deep breath, determined to set himself apart from Mal Ton in her mind.
Slipping his arms under her knees, he pressed his cock against the entrance to her pussy but went no farther. “Look at me.” Her gaze slowly focused on his eyes. “Say my name.”
“Roark.” She licked her lips, her expression uncertain.
He drove in, groaning as her inner muscles closed around him. Hot, so fucking hot. How was he ever going to go slowly? He would never win her with a few frantic minutes. “Whose cock is inside you?”
“Roark’s,” she cried.
Deeper and deeper he pushed until his balls pressed against her ass. He pulled back just far enough to ease his hand between their bodies. “Come again. I want to feel your pussy welcome my cock.” He circled her clit and she squirmed. Her nipples hardened and her breasts quivered. Still, he refused to move.
“I can’t come like this,” she whispered.
“You will!” He twisted to the side, taking her with him and slapped her on the ass. She cried out, eyes wide and luminous. “Don’t argue with me.” After delivering three more firm spanks, he bent to her nipple and sucked. She whimpered, so he rotated their hips, giving him access to her other ass cheek. By the time he finished her spanking, cream seeped out around his cock and wet his upper thighs. “Kiss me, offer me your mouth.”
He couldn’t really reach her. She had to arch her neck and meet him halfway. Their mouths connected in a flurry of clinging lips and thrusting tongues. He supported her neck with one hand, knowing she couldn’t use her arms. With his other hand, he eased between their bodies and covered her clit with his thumb. He tasted himself on her tongue and groaned. All the while his thumb kept up a soft, circular caress.
Suddenly, she threw back her head and cried out. Her core throbbed around him, contracting so hard she nearly took him with her. Before the last spasm passed, he pulled back and thrust deep. He lowered her to the bed and pushed her knees up and out.
She accepted each forceful lunge w
ith a flutter of her inner muscles, unable to respond in any other way. He filled her again and again, staring into her eyes as he claimed her body. The butt plug stretched her core so tightly around his shaft it was almost unbearable.
His balls tingled, signaling his impending orgasm. He didn’t want it to end. Once Mal Ton returned, he would never have her to himself again. He slowed his pace, hoping to postpone the ending a little while longer.
Her pussy rippled and she trembled beneath him, lost in ecstasy. Her euphoric expression and the rhythmic grip of her body were more than he could resist. Thrusting his full length into her wet heat, he released his seed in shuddering waves. Pleasure rushed through his body and robbed him of every thought but her. There was only Andrea and the wonder of their joining.
Long moments passed as he panted against her heaving breasts. Realizing her awkward position, he lowered her legs and arranged them more naturally around his hips.
“That wasn’t exactly what I had in mind,” he admitted in a shaky whisper.
She chuckled, the tightening of her pussy echoing the sound. “You didn’t want to leave me weak and utterly satisfied?”
“I wanted to seduce you slowly and make love to you gently.” He hadn’t meant to use the phrase, but she just smiled.
“You wanted this to be as different from Mal Ton as you could possibly make it?”
He brushed his lips over hers. “Basically.”
“I’m not sure I can be seduced without a little aggression.” She nipped his lower lip to illustrate. “And no one will ever confuse you with Mal Ton.”
He pulled out and rolled to her side, staring up at the ceiling. That was exactly what worried him most.
* * *
Mal Ton stared out the viewport with unseeing eyes. They were an hour away from Stilox and the mutant’s cryptic warning still echoed through his mind. If Fane dies, Max will take over Protaria, and Stilox will be powerless to stop him.
Fane was a mystery, a name whispered with reverence and awe. All Mal Ton really knew was the mutants who sought refuge on Stilox respected and were loyal to Fane. Mal Ton had never heard of Max but that was about to change.