“On my way to Cran.” She wondered if her father knew Trent had a home there. Her tummy twisted in knots knowing she was dealing with two very powerful men here. “When would you like to meet?”
“Your homecoming meal is planned for this evening. We can talk then.” His calm tone reminded her of Trent, a voice of authority, not accustomed to being questioned.
“Homecoming meal?” she blurted out, a cold sweat suddenly spreading over her body. “For me?”
“You are family, and you are coming home. It’s our custom, Dawn,” Zahn said, patiently.
Trent reached out, gripping her leg. “Accept the invitation,” he told her quietly.
“Bring Trent Dar along with you.” Zahn Corl made no qualms about the fact that he knew the two of them were together. “We will see you when the suns set.”
With that he severed the connection, leaving her heart racing in her chest.
“He wants you to come too,” she said, wondering what they would be walking into when they arrived at Zahn Corl’s home.
“Good.” Trent wasn’t surprised that Zahn Corl would want to see him too. More than likely, Corl already knew the specifics of their attack of the Bortan on Poltar. And if the man’s contacts were as solid as Trent guessed, he probably knew he and Dawn had come down to the planet together.
“Tell me about a homecoming meal.” Dawn didn’t want any surprises.
“If a part of the family is gone and returns, a celebratory meal is prepared. They reenter into the family.” He didn’t know what Zahn Corl had in mind for his bastard daughter.
If the man claimed her, then it would be Corl’s obligation to take her in, give her a home. After all, Dawn was a single woman. Grens stood true to century-old tradition. Families remained strong, united, the head of the house having ultimate say over the other family members.
“I’m not part of his family though.” Dawn wrinkled her brow, frowning as she stared at the countryside that passed them, the dark shadows from thick rows of trees giving the area a mysterious quality.
“Yes. You are his blood. The Corl family is powerful, strong. Zahn Corl will more than likely acknowledge you and you will take your place in the family.” Trent would have to research the Corl family line. One thing he would do when they arrived at his house.
“Take my place?” She made a snorting sound. “I was a sex slave. And I won’t be enslaved again.”
“It will do you well to get this slavery notion out of your head. You’re half Gren, half Poltarian. You’re a free woman and shall remain that way.” He glanced over at her.
Long black strands surrounded her beautiful face. Her expression was serious, proud. Her gray eyes contrasted the picture making her even more alluring, the temptress. The way she ran her tongue over her lips, moistening them, making them glisten the way his cum would on her mouth, made him ache to take her in his arms. She was so determined to take this solar system on all by herself, and so convinced she would have a battle on her hands at every corner. It would be hard for her, being the bastard of Zahn Corl, and an ex-sex slave. Gaining respect would be a challenge. Dawn would be able to handle it though. In fact, he pitied the fool who stood in her way.
His muscles hardened again at the thought that Zahn Corl would use her to further his plots. It was a touchy situation, especially if her father brought Dawn into his house. Trent would have to go through Corl just to see her. Somehow, he would see to it that she remained with him. The idea of leaving her at the House of Corl didn’t sit well with him.
“You’re damned straight I’ll remain that way,” she said through her teeth, shooting him a side-glance. “So don’t get any ideas.”
He took his time glancing at her, letting his gaze stroll down her body. Fire rushed through her, his penetrating stare making her want to slide closer, nuzzle into him, feel that hard body against hers.
“I don’t have ideas. I have plans,” he told her, his gaze resting somewhere around her breasts.
Dawn’s breath caught in her throat. She wouldn’t let him see how he unnerved her, sent her body into torturous flames, creating an aching need that throbbed furiously in her cunt.
“Well, I have plans too,” she retorted, although for the life of her she couldn’t get her thoughts organized enough to know what she would do within the next five minutes.
“What are your plans?” he didn’t hesitate in asking.
She had several actually, the primary one meeting with her father. After that she’d dreamed of traveling, helping others who suffered as she had. She would need contacts and that was something she’d hoped to talk to her father about.
But then she’d met Trent. Now she wasn’t sure what would happen. He’d chased her across the solar system, and then asked for her trust. That had boggled her brain trying to figure out what he meant by that. She had too much to sort out in her brain before she shared any of that with him.
She returned his gaze, taking her time checking him out. From his dark gaze, down to his taut stomach, and then lower, staring at his crotch, before slowly letting her lashes flutter before looking him in the eyes, she took him in. This wasn’t a man to play with, and she knew she danced with fire.
Dawn reached for him, running her finger over the hard bulging muscles in his arm. “Maybe I am deciding what to do with you.”
Buildings began to appear around them. Trent slowed, lowering the carrier to the standard distance flown over ground while in a community.
“Sounds like I’m hindering your next course of action.” And he would know what that next plan of action would be.
She leaned toward him slightly, letting her fingers trace a path over his thigh. “That’s not what I meant,” she whispered suggestively.
Trent grabbed her hand, preventing her from getting any closer to his cock. “You’re playing with fire,” he growled, her touch charging him with waves of hard-core lust and need.
He focused on navigating the carrier. Cran hadn’t changed much since he’d left. A few more Jaca trees had sprouted, but that was about it. It took no effort flying over the streets to the House of Dar.
What stole his concentration was the steady pulse in Dawn’s wrist, her gentle bone structure, which contradicted her tough exterior. Born to be a warrior and forced to be a slave, she was a mixture of predator and prey. The moisture on her palm was the only physical indication that leaving the only home she’d known made her nervous.
He’d been away from his home for a while, fighting alongside friends who lived on the planet Benox before joining the military. Being the firstborn son, the homecoming meal would be an occasion. His sister led the House of Dar right now. From what he’d heard, she managed the home well, keeping the Dar name strong.
Holding Dawn’s hand in his, her warm soft skin doing a number to his senses, he fought to keep his thoughts straight, not let her seduce him instead of telling him what she had in mind when coming here. And if those prodding fingers of hers got anywhere near his cock, he would lose his ability to focus on anything other than fucking her again.
“I know what I’m doing,” she purred, straightening her fingers in his grasp, managing to stroke his thigh again before he pulled her hand to his chest.
“And so do I.” He gave her a hard look. “You will tell me why you came here, what your intentions were when you left so suddenly for Greneen.”
Trent slowed and turned down the road toward the House of Dar. The homes that were scattered around the rolling hills owned by the family were similar in structure.
“This is where you live?” she asked, ignoring his demand and looking out his window toward the large house in the distance.
It seemed to ramble on forever, made of pale wood with large windows that indicated there were several floors. It was a prestigious-looking house, fitting to Trent.
“That is the House of Dar. When I allowed my sister to take charge of the house, I moved into one of the dwelling homes.” He offered no further explanation. “What will
you say to your father?”
She looked in front of her when suddenly he stopped the carrier. Letting go of her hand, he released the doors, the cool air flooding her senses when they slid open on either side of her. Ahead of them was a small home, simple. Built of the same material as the larger house, it sat hidden among a cluster of small trees, their branches thick and twisted giving them a gnarled look. Through the trees she saw several other houses similar to this one.
The door to the house slid open and an older Gren appeared. The man nodded solemnly.
“Trent of the House of Dar, welcome home.” He stood without emotion in front of Trent, his gaze not swaying her direction. “Already the homecoming meal is planned for your return to your homeland.”
If she didn’t know better, she would guess he didn’t see her standing next to Trent. The older man’s moist black eyes remained attentive on Trent. His attire was simple—black trousers with the typical shirt and a long cape that covered his aging frame. Streaks of silver ran through his black hair giving him a dignified look, too dignified for a servant—at least a servant like the ones Dawn had known.
Trent responded with a gruff tone. “Let the House of Dar know that the homecoming meal will have to be in two sunsets. I have plans this evening.”
The man nodded and turned toward a path that worked its way through the small trees.
Dawn followed Trent silently toward the house, taking everything in around her. Long narrow windows offered the only intrusion to the simple wooden home. It was a pale green, contrasting the darkness that seemed to surround them—dark trees, dark blue sky, even the dirt beneath her boots resembled the color of Trent’s hair and eyes.
Trent pressed his hand to the pad next to the door. The door slid open without ceremony. It shut just as silently behind them.
For a moment, Dawn’s eyes wouldn’t adjust. She was blinded by darkness. Trent’s arms came around her, pressing her against a cold hard surface behind her that she could only assume was the wall.
“You will not enter the House of Corl without preparation.” His mouth was against her forehead, his lips brushing over her skin. “The homecoming meal is a formal celebration and you will arrive prepared. You will tell me your intentions now.”
Her heart raced in her chest. Trent pressed his body against hers, making it impossible for her to think straight. Slowly her eyes adjusted.
“What do you mean?” She needed a moment to get her thoughts in order.
Trent wasn’t playing fair. He knew his body drove her crazy. Now he was using it against her. The hardness of his shaft, pressed against her hip, told her he was as aroused as she was.
There wasn’t time for games. In a matter of hours he would need to have her at the House of Corl. Within that time he needed to have Dawn properly attired and briefed on how to present herself.
Grabbing her by the arm he pulled her toward his bedroom. “Lights. Midday brightness,” he told the voice-activated computer that ran the house.
Instantly the house filled with light. The rooms cast long shadows, the light dim in comparison to what Dawn would have considered midday light. But she didn’t have time to take in her surroundings, get a good look at the place that Trent called home. He had her wrist, pulling her from the wall and nearly yanking her off her balance as he dragged her through his home.
“What do you mean?” she cried out, almost tripping over her boots trying to keep up with his hurried movements. “I don’t have any intentions.”
It took a minute to realize she was in his bedroom. A large bed filled the room, other furniture lining the wall that she barely had a chance to glance at. He threw her forward, making her trip over her own feet and barely catch her balance before falling on the bed. She managed to stand, turning to face him, outraged suddenly that he would manhandle her this way.
“Don’t you dare throw your weight around with me.” She straightened, her entire body shaking with an energy to fight him if need be. There was no way she could tell him she needed to report to Zahn Corl about the Bortan chips. Trent couldn’t know her father instigated her stealing them. “My business with my father is personal.”
“And now your personal matters affect me.” Trent grabbed her before she could react.
His words hung in the air between them. Dawn simply stared at him for a moment, realizing the extent of what he’d just said. Trent saw her pause, and for a moment could only stare at her. Never before had he laid claim on any woman.
The moment was a brief one however. Dawn gave herself a mental shake, refusing to allow his statement to lower her defenses. Falling in love with this man might jeopardize her mission. And she wouldn’t let go of all she’d obtained because he demanded it.
She tried to strike out but couldn’t move fast enough. He lifted her, tossing her onto his bed. The way she fell, her legs spread and her arms bracing her body, propping her up with her long black hair fanning around her, had him so aroused he could hardly think straight. He could fuck her right now, take her right there on the bed, giving no thought to the anger that so obviously surged from her.
“Let me make this real simple for you.” He stood over her, watching her glare at him, giving her time to calm down and to bring under control the carnal need that rose within him, threatening to consume him. “You need to decide right now who you trust. It’s me or Zahn Corl. Because once you enter that homecoming meal, there will be no turning back.”
Chapter Fourteen
Dawn jumped off the bed, seeing that Trent wasn’t going to stop her, and realizing it might be her only chance to gain the upper hand. She plunged her finger into his chest, wanting to clobber him, but her rational thoughts told her that might not be her best move.
“You listen to me, Trent Dar,” she hissed. “I don’t need a protector, or an owner. You will not control me.”
Trent moved closer so that he was inches from her, tension rippling through his body. He seemed to grow before her eyes, looking down at her, which not many men could do. His expression was hard, his gaze so intense a heat rushed through her, burning her cheeks, settling in her pussy.
“Tell me you wish to leave,” he whispered. “Tell me you don’t need me.”
He didn’t touch her yet stood so close their bodies almost brushed against each other. He didn’t move. All he did was focus on her with those non-blinking black eyes, dark hair bordering his brooding expression.
Stubbornness consumed her. “I’ve never needed anyone.”
Trent wanted to grab her and shake some sense into her bullheaded brain. At the same time he needed to throw her onto the bed, rip her clothes off, and fuck her silly.
She must have sensed his aggression getting the best of him. Looking away, down toward his torso, she blew out a breath. The side of the bed pressed against her legs while he pinned her with his body. She tried turning, attempting to move around him. He grabbed her arm before he could stop himself.
Her gaze was on fire when she glared at him, his hand branding her arm with a fire that she sensed tore through his system. “Accept the fact that there are things you cannot know,” she managed with a hoarse whisper, managing to hold her ground with him.
“I will know everything.” He pulled her to him, wrapping her in his arms before she could try and get away from him. “I will know where you got that ship. You will tell me how you found your father. And I will know every detail about these Bortan chips.”
Her heart thudded loudly in her chest. He was serious. Licking her lips, she fought for answers to appease him. But he’d brought the game to a head. Plain and simple, he demanded answers right now. She wasn’t sure what to do. There was no way she would betray her father. She didn’t wish to betray Trent either, but she had to stand up to him.
“And what if I won’t tell you?” she demanded, fighting a shiver that threatened to race through her. “Will you throw me out?”
“And if I do?” One arm kept her pinned to him, her strength no match against his. He
reached up with his other hand and took a strand of hair, wrapping it in his fingers. The act was compassionate, belying the way he held her in a stronghold. “How will you dress for your homecoming meal? Do you know how to act? I’m sure you want to make a good impression on your new family. Will you know how to do that? And after that ceremony, what will you do then?”
The way he studied her locks of hair in his hand gave her the shivers. His head was lowered, stroking her hair with his thumb. But when he met her eyes, captured her gaze, she saw the warrior, primed for attack, seeing her weaknesses, and narrowing in on them.
She pushed against his chest, and was surprised, and a bit disappointed, when he let her go.
“This isn’t fair,” she sighed, yanking her hair from his hand with a quick gesture and pushing it behind her back. “Answering your questions will mean betraying another. I can’t do that.”
“And what do you know of Zahn Corl?” he asked her. “Has he stood by your side in battle? Has he defended you to his military? Has he fucked you?”
She raised her hand to strike. He grabbed her wrist before she could slap his face.
“Don’t ever imply such a thing. I’m not now, nor have I ever been any man’s whore.” She couldn’t believe he would even suggest such a thing.
“I believe you.” And he did. Her past had him curious. But that was information she would give him at another time. “You need to decide who to trust, Dawn. You need to decide where your loyalties lie.”
“I bought my ship with money from Ryl Plantation,” she snapped out, offering as much of the truth as she could. “And I’ve known Zahn Corl was my father since I was a child. My mother told me in spite of orders from the master not to do so. As for the Bortan chips…” she hesitated for just a second. “I stole them… I went to their home planet, Bort, and I stole them.”
Trent raised an eyebrow. “I would have believed I had your trust until your last comment. You’ve never been to Bort.”
“Oh, haven’t I?” She put her hands on her hips, silently daring him to prove her wrong.
Sex Slaves 03 Waiting for Dawn Page 13