Conquering His Captive

Conquering His Captive Page 6

by Ivy Barrett

  He pulled his arm out of Mal Ton’s light hold. “I’m no danger to you or yours. As you said, our causes align—for the time being.”

  “And if your hunger for Cassie can’t be sated by the end of this temporary alliance? Don’t bother denying it. I’ve seen the way you look at her.” Mal Ton paused, his expression turned thoughtful. “Is there some sort of history there?”

  “It’s none of your business.”

  “I’m not sure I agree, but I’m not in the mood to fight my way through your shields.”

  “As if you could.”

  “I think the score is four to three in my favor.”

  “You’re an asshole.”

  “Undeniable.”

  Fane took a long swig of ale. He was killing time, waiting for Cassie to settle in to their apartment before he… their apartment? Why did that sound so inviting? This wasn’t his outpost, wasn’t even his world, and Cassie was his enemy’s daughter. Regardless of how appealing he found her personally, he couldn’t let himself forget the fundamental differences keeping them apart.

  “I won’t let Cassie become a complication for your cause or mine.” He sounded far more confident than he felt. “I just need some time with her to sort a few things out. I’ll start with how she metabolized a double dose of sedamintine in less than an hour. That was certainly unexpected.”

  “You didn’t use the antidote?” Mal Ton scooted to the edge of his chair, confusion drawing furrows on his brow.

  “I walked into the infirmary and she was standing beside the bed.”

  “She might be resistant to the chemical. It did take two puffs to put her out.”

  “That’s not the only anomaly. There’s something… different about my wife.”

  The title made Mal Ton smile. “I never thought I’d hear those words coming out of your mouth. Is there any chance she’s a mutant?”

  “I don’t think so. We would have sensed it by now.” Fane shifted his weight restlessly. “Something unusual happened when I activated the vision back on Protaria. It created an open connection between me and Cassie. I can’t quite control the link and I can’t terminate the signal, so I’ve been trying to minimize telepathic contact.”

  “Is the link still open?”

  “It’s still there, but as soon as she regained consciousness she erected a shield that rivals either of ours.” He looked at Mal Ton to make sure he understood the enormity of the implications.

  “Does she have access to your mind?”

  “I don’t think so. If she’s tried to communicate with me, I haven’t been aware of it.”

  Suspicion arched Mal Ton’s brow before he asked, “What if she didn’t want you to be aware of her presence in your mind?”

  Her presence had been in his mind continually since he used the vision to locate her. Was it possible she’d been poking around without his knowledge? It seemed unlikely she possessed the skills needed for such an intricate maneuver. Scanning was complicated enough, but extracting information without the person’s knowledge was nearly impossible.

  “I don’t see how. I had no idea Cassie was telepathic, much less highly skilled. It does make me wonder about her father though.”

  “None of our intel indicates Howyn has any paranormal abilities.”

  “I know, but none of our intel revealed Cassie’s abilities either.”

  Mal Ton’s gaze narrowed thoughtfully. “Now you’re making me paranoid.”

  “That wasn’t my intention. I’m just rambling.”

  “Wedding night jitters?”

  “Something like that.” Fane pushed back from the table. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Have fun.”

  * * *

  After a quick shower, Cassie donned the utility clothes Andrea left for her. The simple garments fit well enough and it felt wonderful to be clean again. Unfortunately, the human hadn’t been able to locate suitable undergarments or shoes, so Cassie still felt a bit exposed.

  She moved about the apartment in her stocking-clad feet. She noted a tiny closet, surprisingly comfortable bed, built-in dresser with retractable mirror, and corner workstation. There was a beverage station, but no way to replicate food. Apparently the Stilox rebels took their meals in some central location. Most of the compartments were locked and the computer terminal had been deactivated. Andrea wasn’t sure if Fane wanted her to have the door code or not, so for the time being, Cassie was still a prisoner.

  Her thumb absently stroked the subtle protrusion of her transfer tube. The pressure had lessened as her anxiety mellowed. The automatic precaution prevented accidental injection. Still, it was now a lethal weapon and would remain so until she could return to her lab and reset the nanites.

  There wasn’t much to distract her thoughts from her captor-turned-temporary-husband. This was her opportunity to give him a taste of his own medicine. She’d show him what it felt like to be used, to have his body turned against him. She’d touch and tease then reject him without thought or feeling.

  The only real obstacle was her own lust and his ability to see into her mind. She would have to guard her thoughts as never before. He must believe she wanted him as desperately as he wanted her. Then, at the last moment, she’d turn him away and leave him aching for what he would never have again!

  As if he’d heard her bitter thoughts, the door slid open and Fane strode into the room. Space was swallowed up by the power of his presence. He was not physically massive like Mal Ton. He was tall, his shoulders broad, but his body was lean and graceful.

  “Did you miss me?” he asked with a playful smile. He raised his hand toward her face.

  She stepped back, taking herself out of reach. “I mean to honor my vow, but there are some things I need to understand before we… consummate our agreement.” Let the games begin!

  With an audible sigh, he lowered his hand and said, “I’m listening.”

  She didn’t want to consider Max’s wild accusations, but the possibilities kept nagging in the back of her mind. “Did you recruit Nicho before or after he married me?”

  He said nothing for a long time. A muscle worked above his jaw and a spark of gold flashed within his eye then vanished before she could determine whether or not it had been there at all. Shit! She’d expected a calm denial, not evidence of a guilty conscience.

  “Nicho was a loyal citizen of Protaria.” His tone was gruff and dismissive. “Why would you doubt his allegiance now?”

  For the first time since the disturbing words left Max’s mouth, she wondered if they might be true. Crossing her arms over her chest, she used his discomfort to make her bold. “Cut the bullshit, Fane. I know he was your spy.”

  “Really.” His lips twisted in a wry little smile. “How could you possibly know that, even if it were true? And I’m not saying it was.”

  Doubt swept through her in a numbing wave. Had Nicho worked for Fane? It was too horrible to consider, so she stubbornly held on to the illusion. “Why else would you…? What did you gain by…?” He stalked toward her, crossing the room with three long strides. She managed to hold her ground, but her thoughts scattered.

  “Not tonight.” He let the statement hang in the air between them heavy with insistency and promise. “Tomorrow we’ll review all the reasons you have to hate me. We’ll negotiate the specifics of your release, but tonight is our wedding night.”

  “This isn’t a real marriage.”

  He splayed his fingers against her hairline, his palm lightly skimming her cheek. “It’s real to me.”

  She started to object. He moved with lightning speed. His hands grasped her hips, pushing her back until her bottom pressed against the wall. He took the hem of her top with both hands and worked the garment up and over her head.

  “Fane.” Her muttered protest went unheeded as he scrunched the material around her elbows and across her back, greatly reducing her range of motion. Her hands were trapped at her sides, rendering her

panic weapon useless.

  “Look into my eyes and tell me you don’t want this.”

  Her nipples had already beaded in anticipation of his touch, but her mind remained aloof. She poured energy into her mental shields, determined to keep him out. This was meaningless lust. She could not let him erode her defenses. Carefully concealing her resentment, she licked her lips and looked into his eyes. “I instigated the alliance, remember?”

  “I remember.” His thumb swept back and forth across her lips. He lowered his head and she allowed the kiss, using his eagerness to fuel her determination. I remember every kiss, every caress. I’ve never stopped thinking about you. Desire flowed into her mind along with his thoughts, dizzying, pulsing hunger that curled through her and lodged between her thighs.

  Holy shit! How was she supposed to resist this?

  She dragged her mouth from his with a moan. “How are you doing that?”

  “I’ve sent my thoughts to you before.” His lips moved along her jaw and onto her neck as he spoke.

  “You’re sending a whole hell of a lot more than your thoughts.”

  His hand covered her breast and his mouth opened against the side of her neck, sucking firmly, sending prickly sensations deep into her chest. “Relax. Don’t analyze the feelings, just accept that you’re safe in my arms.”

  He’d rescued her from Max. Even so, she’d never been safe with him. He’d always had an ulterior motive, always wanted more than the pleasure they shared.

  “Stop thinking and be with me.” His hand remained on her breast, but he straightened, looking deep into her eyes. “I’ve learned not to question why things happen. I assess a situation and make the best decision possible given the circumstances. You’re in my life again. That’s all that matters.”

  He didn’t allow her to contradict the concept. His mouth settled over hers and his hands insinuated themselves beneath her bound arms. She could feel the hard wall of his chest and the flat plane of his belly. He knew just how to touch her. He’d always known.

  His lips were gentle now, almost mocking in their patience. He slid his mouth against hers, touching her lips with the tip of his tongue without venturing inside. She felt his longing, his need for her surrender and satisfaction surged. He craved the one thing she would never give him. Surrender required trust and she would never trust him again.

  She touched the tip of her tongue to his as she checked her shields. Despite the sensations he was slipping into her mind, she was relatively certain he didn’t have access to her thoughts or emotions. She arched, rubbing her breasts against his chest. Let him think she was melting beneath the heat of his lust.

  He came alive with sudden urgency, sucking her tongue into his mouth and grasping her bottom with both hands. Lifting her slightly, he aligned their lower bodies, pressing his cock into the softness at the apex of her thighs. She responded with her kiss, her tongue bold in his mouth.

  Without releasing her mouth, he worked the fastenings at the front of her pants. The waistband gave and he pulled her away from the wall, allowing the loose garment to pool around her ankles. How far should she let this go? How much longer could she conceal her true intentions? She started to step out and kick them aside, but he shook his head.

  “Not yet.” His voice was unsteady and he stepped back, his gaze scorching a path from her head to her feet.

  Her arms were tangled in the top and the pants bunched about her ankles. It wasn’t hard to figure out what he was imagining. Why did he want her bound and helpless? A heated shiver raced down her spine. The thought was not nearly as distasteful as it should have been.

  Search my heart. Search my mind. You have nothing to fear from me.

  He wouldn’t hurt her physically. That wasn’t his style. He’d use her body, enslave her with passion then casually walk away.

  After pulling his tunic off over his head, he draped it over the back of a chair. His chest was beyond lean, his flesh sculpted with brutal definition. He looked savage, far more dangerous than he had three years before.

  “My strength has returned, but my body hasn’t fully recovered. Another week or two and I’ll be good as new.” He tugged off his boots and shed the rest of his clothes with indifferent efficiency.

  His hips had always been narrow and the changes in his body weren’t as apparent in his legs. An intricate tattoo still undulated from his ankle to his hip on the right side of his body. It was a magical creature of some sort. She couldn’t remember what it was called. The long, slender body wrapped twice around his leg, the head nestling just below his hipbone. It had two sets of wings. One spread across his thigh, the other nearly circled his calf. She’d spent endless hours tracing the design with her fingers and her tongue. She was glad to see he hadn’t had it removed. It had always fascinated her.

  “I didn’t mean to offend you.” Dragging her gaze away from the elaborate tattoo, she glanced at his cock. The impressive column of flesh was still every bit as appealing. “Even with the changes, you’re the sexist man I’ve ever known.” Why had she admitted it? He didn’t need any more tools in his arsenal.

  “I’m not offended.” He bent to her breasts, anchoring her against him with an arm about her waist. Her shoulders rested against the wall and his pelvis pressed into her belly. “I’m ravenous.”

  She clutched the material of her top as his lips drew firmly on her nipples. It felt so damn good, she was tempted to abandon her plan and sate her hunger. It was just sex. It didn’t mean anything. The past came barreling through the temptation, unwilling to be silenced so easily.

  He nipped her breast and raised his passion-bright gaze to hers. Feel me. Know me.

  Apparently he could sense her distraction, if not her specific thoughts. Lust exploded through her mind, jarring her body. She cried out, shuddering violently. Her body pulsed in great needful spasms, demanding and consuming. She pressed her thighs together and whimpered. It was taking all her concentration just to subdue her own desire. There was no way she could withstand experiencing his need as well.

  With a ragged sigh, he eased back, stabilizing the sensations, muting the intensity. “We will talk, but not tonight.” The heat flared for an instant, singeing her senses before it mellowed to smoldering heat. “We’ve been apart too long.”

  He kissed his way down her body as he sank to his knees. She should stop him. It wasn’t fair to let him… He’d never been concerned about what was fair! She pressed her hands against the wall and savored the coolness against her palms. Let him lick her pussy until she screamed with pleasure. It was no more than he deserved.

  His hands cupped her ass, drawing her forward as he pressed his face into the juncture of her thighs. She waited for the skillful swirl of his tongue, knew how quickly he could obliterate her inhibitions with the stroke of that clever tongue. He didn’t move. Inhaling deeply, he held her scent inside him for endless moments before releasing it in a slow, humid stream.

  She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, restless and anxious. Why was he soothed by her smell? His breath played through her curls, awakening tingles and focusing her attention on her body’s response to his nearness. Other than his hands on her ass, his breath was the only part of him that was touching her. So why did she feel weightless and hot?

  With slow deliberation, his tongue pushed through her feminine curls and unerringly found her clit. She jerked, but he slid right past the sensitive bud and parted her folds. “Fane,” she whispered his name in helpless supplication.

  Not yet. He was far too fond of that phrase.

  His fingers joined his mouth in eroding her sanity. Pushing between her thighs from behind, he traced a path from the center of her body through the valley between her quivering cheeks. The pad of one finger paused to circle her anus and she jerked away. She was far from a novice when it came to pleasures of the flesh, but that was one thing she’d never done.

  Trust me, Cassandra. I will never force anything on you.