by L. A. Day
Wrapping a hand in his shoulder-length hair she tugged his face away from her ear, to meet her gaze. “Sweetie, I’ll be more than happy to wiggle on that hot tongue of yours until I feed you the sweetest cream you’ve ever had. You’ll be so addicted, you’ll beg me to part my legs for you again and again.”
“A Cragon wife never makes her husband beg.”
“But I’m not Cragon or your wife.”
Holt sighed. “No you’re not but you will be playing the part.”
She chewed the inside of her lip. “They’ll know I’m not Cragon. They’ll know I’m not your mate.”
“They’ll know I have not converted you yet.”
“Converted me?” She trembled.
“A Cragon male can convert a female during a mating ritual. It involves total submission.”
Her panties dampened at the thought of submitting to Holt’s every desire but she couldn’t admit that to him. “Oh! We…uh, we wouldn’t have to go that far.”
His eyes closed, hiding his emotions from her curious gaze. Cupping the back of her head, he brought her face to rest against his chest. “If I did that, you would belong to me and I to you. Cragons mate for life.” He didn’t tell her that the ritual had already begun because he did not intend to finish it. Against his will, his frissions had emitted faragon, the transition fluid, into her body. It had taken him by surprise since it had never happened to him before. He knew that the process would continue every time he touched her but he wouldn’t complete the final act that would make her his mate. He wouldn’t force the conversion on her, which meant he could never take her anally. If he did, there would be no going back.
Her hands ran over his back and fire trailed in their wake. When she cupped his ass, he felt like howling in frustration. He wanted Rebecca. He wanted her now but he had to give her time to change her mind. She didn’t really know what she was getting into.
“Nice ass, big boy.”
Yanking her arms from around him, he held her at arms length, trying to avoid something they both might regret. “Tomorrow!”
“Hmmm?”she muttered as she looked at him with a dazed expression. The faragon shouldn’t have much effect so soon, but he wondered.
“Tomorrow I’ll come back here and if you haven’t changed your mind—”
She cut his words off. “I won’t.”
“You need to watch the disc on Sexual Healing and you might want to read about the Cragon and our customs before this goes any further.” The international database didn’t have all the facts about the Cragon but they contained enough to scare her.
“Okay! Tomorrow it is.”
“Where’s the pleasure droid?” He glanced toward her bedroom.
“Why?”
“Maybe I want to short out its circuits so you don’t turn to it the minute I leave.”
Rebecca’s eyes narrowed but she didn’t comment.
Turning, Holt started down the hall. “Does it just sit in your bedroom, waiting to please you?” He headed that way.
“Holt,” she called after him.
The first door was a bathroom but the second opened to a feminine boudoir. Holt whistled under his breath. Pastel colors, lace and satin dominated the room. He hadn’t expected her room to have such an old-fashioned, traditional look.
“I didn’t invite you into my bedroom.”
Crossing to the bed, he ran his fingertips over the pale-blue satin. “It’s very pretty.”
“What were you expecting—whips, chains, and simulator devices?”
“I’m not sure what I expected.” That wasn’t a lie. His instincts told him one thing about Rebecca while his observations told him another.
“Where’s the droid?”
“I was joking. I don’t have a droid.” Her cheeks colored. It was the first time he’d seen her blush.
She’d lied to provoke him. He wondered, not for the first time, how much of her outrageous personality was bravado. “No droid?”
“No.” She shook her head and his gaze followed the bounce of her curly red hair. Damn, she looked hot. Biting her lower lip, she watched him through wary eyes and he’d never found her more appealing.
“But you’re not inexperienced?”
“I’ve had lovers, Holt.”
He was surprised how much that confession bothered him. “A current lover?”
“No,” she replied in a breathy whisper.
He released a pent-up breath. “This assignment won’t change anything. When it’s over, I walk away.”
“I’m sure you’ll limp away.” A wicked grin stole across her face.
“Limp?”
“Sure.” She winked. “I’ll have worn you out.”
Holt narrowed his eyes. He often didn’t know how to take Rebecca. Most of the men loved her. They didn’t take her seriously and thought she was fun—one of the guys. He was never sure whether she was kidding or not. “You can give it your best shot.”
“I intend to.”
* * * * *
Hot water streamed over his body but it didn’t ease the torment of his flesh. He had no idea how he would manage to live through the next few days. He shouldn’t have kissed Rebecca. It was a mistake. If he’d had any idea she would trigger his mating hormones, he wouldn’t have.
“Fuck,” he groaned as his hand slid across his abs to encircle his cock. He was hard and aching. His hand loosened as it slid along his ultrasensitive frissions. His body had chosen his mate and there was no reversing it. Unfortunately for him, Rebecca would never willingly submit to the Cragon conversion and he couldn’t force her.
Closing his eyes, he pictured Rebecca’s smiling face, her twinkling eyes. He pumped harder as he visualized licking her full, rosy lips. Her dark eyes softened as her hands reached for him.
He rocked to the balls of his feet as pleasure washed over him. He tugged twice more before leaning heavily against the shower wall. His balls still ached with a need he was unable to satisfy.
Turning off the water, he opened the door and grabbed a towel. He would take this assignment because he had no choice. He would revel in every moment he had with Rebecca for it would have to last him a lifetime. Once the assignment was complete, he would ask for a transfer. He wasn’t a fool. He knew that if he had to work with Rebecca every day, eventually he’d snap and force the conversion on her. Once converted, she’d submit to his every sexual whim but Rebecca wasn’t submissive by nature and she’d hate him for it. Her hatred was not something he could bear.
* * * * *
Rebecca’s foot tapped nervously as she watched the vid screen. She gulped her cold nutrish-shake as the action on the screen heated up. “Jesper’s Galaxy, what have I agreed to?” Could she really go through with this? Sexing it up with Holt wasn’t a problem but doing it in front of an instructor wasn’t really her thing.
She shivered as she remembered the rough texture of his tongue. Lord! She could get used to that tongue laving all her body parts. Looking up info on Cragons and frissions was next on her agenda.
Chapter Two
“Have you made a decision?” The words left his mouth as soon as he entered her high-rise box. Holt hadn’t slept all night and now that he was here, he couldn’t wait any longer. It didn’t help that Rebecca was wearing a low-cut, clingy blouse that showed off the pale perfection of her breasts.
A smile curled her lips. “You cut right to the chase, don’t you?”
He shrugged. “Maverick needs to know about the assignment.”
“Is that all you care about—the assignment?”
Relaxing his stance, he allowed his gaze to travel over her. His blood heated. “No,” he admitted.
“Good.” She held out her hand. “Let’s talk.”
He grasped her fingers and felt a shock of sensation. He’d always avoided touching Rebecca, subconsciously he must have known how he’d react to her. She led him to a seating area and he sat on the couch, pulling her down next to him. She sprawled awkwardly and her short sk
irt rose, revealing tempting glances of her upper thighs. Her legs weren’t long but they were shapely. The scent of female arousal flavored the air. He couldn’t wait to discover if she tasted as sweet as she smelled. “Did you watch the clip on Sexual Healing?”
“Yes. I also looked up your ancestry.”
He swallowed hard. “And?”
“It changes nothing. I still want the assignment.”
Flaring his nostrils, he allowed her scent to overwhelm his senses. “This is more than an assignment.”
Her brown eyes softened. She was different from the Rebecca he was used to in the office. “I know.”
“Do you want me, Rebecca?”
She bit her bottom lip. The confident, assertive Rebecca seemed to be in hiding. “Yes.”
A thought nagged at him. Could her aggressive flirting be a cover for something else? “You know I’ll want submission?”
“Yes.” Her cheeks reddened.
“You can submit to me even in front of an audience?”
She nodded.
His heart jumped in his chest. “You want to submit to me?”
She shrugged. “It should be interesting.”
His mind spun her words around. Was this a sexual game to her? A lark? “I’m going to take you today in every way that I can.” Unfortunately, there was one way he couldn’t take her. Reaching out, he unfastened her blouse. “I’ll find every freckle, every hot spot on your body.”
She nodded.
“You want my hands and tongue all over you? You want my cock inside you?”
She trembled. “Yes.”
His hands shook as he finished undoing her blouse and parted it to reveal her perfection. “Jesper’s Galaxy, you’ll be the end of me.”
“Holt.” Her plea was whisper soft.
“I’m going to make you enjoy submitting to me.”
Rebecca gasped as a big, warm hand closed on her breast. His touch was an assault on her senses. His golden skin contrasted with her pale flesh, stirring her desires on a deeper level. She wanted to see her hands on his naked flesh too. Her gaze traveled up his arm, his body, to his face. His eyes were transfixed on her body and his blue irises had darkened with need. She melted under his stare. Her pussy liquefied until she could smell her own need.
His fingers tweaked her nipple and she jumped. “Do you like that? Do you like my hands on your body?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
He grinned wickedly. “Do you want my mouth?”
“Please.” She fought the urge to beg him to take her now.
His thumbnail strummed slowly over her aroused nipple. “Take me to your bedroom. I want you naked and spread beneath me like a banquet.”
Sliding to her feet, she didn’t bother closing her blouse as she started toward her room. She knew he followed because the heat he exuded trailed close behind her. Pushing open the bedroom door, she stepped inside and waited for him to follow.
“Drop the blouse and turn around.”
She brushed the material off her shoulders and let it flutter to the floor. Turning on trembling legs, she faced him. His eyes glimmered with heat and his hand unconsciously brushed against the thick bulge pressing against the front of his pants.
“Very nice. Now, unfasten the skirt and let it fall.”
Rebecca started toward the bed.
“No. Stay where you are.”
“Okay.” She had to wiggle to get the tight skirt over her hips. “Are you just going to watch?”
“For now.”
Finally, the garment fell to the floor. His stare was like a physical caress and she shifted her weight from one foot to the other in anticipation. “Holt.” Her voice was lower, huskier than she’d ever heard it.
“You’re beautiful.”
She lifted her gaze to meet his intense stare. “Thank you.” Her nervous fingers slid along the edge of her high-cut, lace panty.
“Don’t remove those.” He took a step toward her. “I want to peel those off you.”
She sucked in a shaky breath as he moved closer.
“Are you nervous?” His lips formed one of his rare, sexy-as-sin smiles.
“Should I be?”
“Probably.” He chuckled.
“I…” She tried to make a snappy comeback but her usually sharp tongue failed her as he pulled his shirt over his head. “Damn,” the word slipped past her lips.
She knew he was in great shape. His body-hugging shirts emphasized his muscles but she had no idea his body was cut with flawless precision. Small, brown nipples capped his well-developed pecs and the only trace of hair was the trail down his ripped abs.
“You like?”
She nodded as he reached for the opening on his pants.
“Wait.” She held up a hand to stop him. “Can I see your tattoo?”
He turned and she saw for the first time the beautiful tattoo of which he had spoken. The elaborate scrolling design seemed to enclose the reddish-brown bird. “It’s amazing.”
“Thank you.” He turned to face her as he lowered his pants. “Remember, I’m Cragon.”
She thought she heard a bit of apprehension in his voice but wondered why as he revealed the most astonishing cock she’d ever laid eyes on. She supposed if she hadn’t been expecting the frissions, they might have startled her. His long, thick cock had a flared head with the most apparent frissions. As it rose to full attention, the purplish protrusion on the underside became visible. “Wow.”
He stepped closer. “They won’t hurt you. In fact, it will be just the opposite.”
She reached out, trailing a finger over the rough protrusions. “I’m not afraid.”
He rocked forward into her hand. “Touch me.”
She circled his shaft, marveling at the textures, the strength and heat. “Oh my.” She shifted her legs as her pussy gushed with need. She wanted him. She wanted him buried deep inside her.
“Wait.” He grasped her small, delicate hand. He wanted to do this right. He wanted to please her. He didn’t even have his pants off yet and already he was ready to beg her to go down on him.
“Did I do something wrong?”
“No. I just want to get my pants off and…I think ladies should go first.”
She giggled. “Ah. An old-fashioned guy. I like that.”
“Good. Go get in bed and I’ll be right there.” He watched her sweet ass as she reached the bed and bent over. Slowly, she raised one leg and then the other as she arched her back and crawled forward in a submissive pose that flooded his senses. He kicked his shoes off and his pants hit the floor. He pulled off them and his socks in one move.
She looked over her shoulder and grinned. “That was quick.”
He walked over and slid his hands up her smooth, silky thighs and over her lacy undergarment. “Not too quick, I hope.”
“Hmm.” She stretched under his hands.
“As much as I love this, if we start here, it will be over too quickly.” Wrapping an arm around her, he flipped her over to lie on her back. “I want to kiss every inch of you, starting with your lips.” The taste he’d had of her yesterday had left him hungry for more.
His heart thumped in his chest as he stretched out next to her. He brushed a fiery lock of hair off her cheek and his fingertips trailed over her soft flesh. “You’re beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
A finger under her chin lifted her gaze to meet his. “I want you to know that you’re very desirable. I’m not here just because of our assignment. If things were different…”
“What things?” Her brow furrowed.
He sighed. “My life. Things I can’t change. We can’t have any more than this but you’ll always be special to me.”
Rebecca’s eyes shimmered and she blinked rapidly. Her hand cupped his jaw. “You’re special too.”
He brushed their lips together as she spoke the last word. He had to stop talking…thinking before he got himself in deep trouble. Her lips parted and he deepened the kiss. She tas
ted of the peach nutrish-shake she was so fond of drinking. It was an addictive flavor.
Wrapping her arms around his back, she caressed his taut flesh as she reveled in his kiss, his possession. She wanted him. She’d wanted him since the first time she saw him and if this was all they’d ever have it was better than nothing. His muscles rippled under her touch and she arched up into him.
His hand cupped her breast, rolling the tip between his thumb and finger. A shiver of desire traveled her spine and she moaned into his mouth. “That’s right, baby.”
His lips traveled down her throat and neck to her breast. Shifting his body, he brought the tip of the neglected breast into his mouth and tugged powerfully on the nipple. His frissions rasped the tender flesh and she moaned. Her legs wrapped around his as she writhed in pleasure. “Holt.”
Her plea went unanswered as he paid homage to first one breast then the other. His rough, wicked tongue sent waves of pleasure from breast to clit and back again. Rebecca breathed in a raspy pant as sensations roiled through her body. Vibrations shook her muscles and her stomach quivered.
“Holt, if you don’t stop…” He rocked his thigh against her pussy and she squeezed her legs around it. She couldn’t stop the contractions that ripped through her and she cried out. “Sweet heavens.”
“That’s it.” He rocked against her again as his mouth returned to her breast.
Rebecca shuddered as release washed over her. She was astounded that she’d reached orgasm from such relatively innocent foreplay although she probably shouldn’t be. This was Holt after all, the man she’d fantasized about for the past year.
A smug smile curled his lips as he lifted his head and she felt heat rise in her cheeks. “That was sweet. You’re very responsive.”
“I…”
“You don’t need to be embarrassed.”
“I’m not usually so…” She let her words trail off. What could she say? She was sex starved while waiting for him.
“I’ve never had anyone respond to me quite that way but I loved it.”
Rebecca blinked and looked away. She didn’t want to think about him and his other conquests.