Taming a Raven

by Kathleen Lash

  “Actual y she seemed quite upset.”

  “Because of the delay in birthing another raven. They’ve temporarily lost a breeder.” As they turned a corner and walked, he sounded upset again. “Is that what you were to your people? Breeding stock?”

  “As we al are, Sir. We’re given life to reciprocate, populate and bring forth the next generation. My time had come before I’d ever stepped foot off world. I’m sorry for the little major and for the president, but their woe has given me a short reprieve to test myself beyond my ability to suckle new life and serve as a womb.” A glimpse of his face relayed much. “Oh wel , I see by your expression that I’ve done it again. And after you’ve been more than kind.

  Perhaps if you’d reinstal your compliance device you could give me a jolt when you’d care to silence me.” He stopped in front of a door and it opened. They entered and he retained hold of her arm. She’d merely been jesting. Alone in the chamber, he took both her upper arms into his sizeable hands and seemed to wait for her attention. After visual y scanning the chamber, she looked up, questioning him with her expression.

  “Lady, I’m more than capable of telling you when I’d like your silence. I’ve no need of a device to make my point.” She’d insulted him again and her gaze dropped. “May I have your forgiveness for speaking without thought, Sir? Sarcasm is another flaw I deploy at wil . You explained the col ar wasn’t to your liking. I was cruel to joke about it.” Silence.

  Fearing she’d pushed him too far, her gaze slowly crept up until she viewed his eyes. Intense, concentrated attention was focused on her mouth, which sent a wave of heat down her body. His posture, stare, and the way his fingers dug into her flesh slightly, made her breath catch. Neck muscles loosened and her head tilted back a fraction before her breaths deepened and her heart picked up beats.

  She swayed under his scrutiny, waiting for what would happen next. Closer and closer he came by mere inches at a time. She knew he struggled, the inner battle relayed by different expressions crossing his face. His heat, scent and presence overwhelmed her. Having no idea what to expect, her bottom lip trembled as she waited.

  Her hands moved up his arms and when they rested against biceps, she squeezed and felt the mass of muscle. Drawn closer, their bodies almost touching, he closed the last distance and brushed his lips over hers. The warm sensation startled her. Her nipples came to life when they hadn’t been touched. It ended too soon. The smooth caress wasn’t enough so she went up on tiptoe to brush her lips against his. She took care to go slowly and savor the feelings because she liked what she felt.

  The wal met her back after he pushed her aggressively to it, pinning her length as his body crushed hers. Tense and hard against her, he got closer until she couldn’t take air without the feel of him everywhere. Strength drained, which caused fear. The general’s sudden anger should make her wary.

  Instead it made her weak.

  She should speak and say something to staunch what he might do. But the thought came too late as his mouth came upon hers in a hurry of lips and skil , pressing her open. His taste was so different, exquisite and she remained stunned as he plundered. Never had a kiss produced such trembling and anticipation. Tongues danced together as she mimicked him. The sound of his groan penetrated, beckoned in some strange manner and her body answered with excitement and desire.

  The heat of his palms found the naked skin on her sides and bel y. He touched al of it, stroking, holding her tight, before testing muscle with the flex of his fingers. Her legs came apart from him pushing one of his between. Her thighs gripped him tightly in uncertainty.

  The assault changed and his mouth urged her open. Weakness stole strength, rendering her legs of little use in her support. Once she’d been settled upon his thigh, the wetness between her legs spread. She felt movement. She was stroked and the pressure of his muscle so intimately situated felt wickedly delightful. “Mmm.”

  “Do you like that, Reina?”

  “Oh, General, what I feel goes beyond merely liking it.”

  “Gage,” he said, kissing her as his hands went to her backside to bring her forward. She’d been forced then to rub against his thigh and her mind carelessly wondered if he had any idea what such things did. He couldn’t possibly. “When a man’s between your legs and in your mouth, you should use his given name.”

  “Again, please again.”

  “This?” he asked, before sliding her sensitive sex up his thigh a bit.

  Oh yes, and yes! “Yes, and your mouth. Mmm, your taste excites me.” He nibbled her lips, bit gently and teased. “General—your tongue, I wish to have it back.”

  “How do you want it, Reina? Like this?” He traced her lips, sliding a bit inside. Her legs spread and she felt moisture seep as her body prepared for climax. After having him deep, she wanted and needed it quickly.

  “No. Yes, that feels good too but I want you inside, stroking me as you did before.” A moan came from her when he obliged and went deep. His fingers settled into flesh, grasping her roughly. She savored his aggression, loved the feel of his almost too-rough handling. Countless, nameless needs rose up and threatened to burst from her chest. But then he withdrew and her heart ached from the loss.

  Her eyes fil ed with tears as arms and legs trembled. She tried to ask why he’d pul ed back. Al she could manage was a partial sob, conveying loss, hurt and frustration. Never had a woman done such to her! She afforded him the benefit of doubt, believing his gender made him unaware of how acutely he’d savaged her.

  A hand came up to stroke her cheek before its fingertips caressed her scalp. The fingers then twisted slightly, tangling in her hair before applying gentle pressure, which brought her face up as her head went back.

  “Lady, your mouth is open and your breath comes fast and hard. Did I not give you what you wanted?” Barely able to nod, the only place to look was his eyes. “Do you want something more?”

  “Yes, General, more.”

  “You real y don’t want me.”

  “I do, I swear.”

  “You mustn’t because I told you what I expect when I’m this close to a woman. You haven’t said my name. Can I assume you want distance?”

  “No, General—Gage.” His name felt right rol ing from her tongue. “No distance, please.” His eyes closed as his leg thrust slightly forward. It resulted in a firm stroking of the swol en, moist flesh through the leather. “Oh, oh please! More.” He pul ed her higher, spread her slightly more and the toes of her boots barely reached the floor. His arm went across her back securely to balance her, so she couldn’t move a fraction of an inch. With his taste in her mouth, she tumbled toward climax and before it ful y took hold, he stole it by becoming stil . She could do little, trapped as she was, upright and straddling his thigh. She tensed and concentrated on the sensations, wil ing them to resurface.

  But alas, her mind alone couldn’t conjure release. Her swol en sex only needed a bit of attention, another firm stroke or the touch of his fingers before she’d splinter into bliss, relieving the burning ache that throbbed so deeply.

  “Reina, you’re trembling. Is there something wrong?” His words seemed knowing, taunting. Did he toy with her?

  “Your kisses and tongue going into me like that. I’ve never felt—never been entered and it excited me. I’m wet between my legs and my pleasure almost spil ed over. But you took it from me.” The last of what she said came out in a whining tone. She couldn’t help it because she continued to ache.

  Her chest was brought to his and he whispered against her ear. “I saw you in the breeding chamber. A dozen hands roamed your body, half as many mouths kissed you between your legs and sucked your beautiful, thick nipples and mouth. And then you came against the tongue of a woman lover. But yet you tel me your mouth was virgin. How could al those mouths and tongues resist thrusting between your eager lips?” Confused, she asked, “Sir? The woman you spoke of came against me to give me pleasure. Not the other way around.” And that’d been a lifetime
ago, Sir.

  A murmur came from his chest. “When you receive pleasure, I cal it coming. You came for your woman lover and wet her mouth with it.”

  “Oh, I understand now. Yes, General, I came against her tongue and mouth.”

  “Let’s get back to your mouth, Reina. You said you’ve never been entered. Is that true?”

  “It is. I never knew such could bring me so close to pleasure. Your tongue within, your thigh between my legs made me start to come.” He shifted and adjusted her weight differently over his thigh. It took her breath. Everything between her legs felt urgent and swol en. If he’d give freedom to her hips, she could make it happen.

  He said, “So if I fuck your mouth again and hold you tight and rock that wetness back and forth, you’l come al over my thigh?” She’d heard the term, knew its meaning but its use in describing his tongue mating her mouth created a different image. She pressed her breasts to his chest, moved against him and her hands slid up to find his hair. Her fingers tangled in the silk, holding him tight. She’d never wanted to come as badly as she did then. “Would you take my mouth again, please? I love being fil ed there by you.” He moved slightly away and she saw the look of a large predator stalking prey. Let him have me. I wouldn’t struggle.

  “If I slide in, give you what you want, what would you do?”

  Without hesitation she answered. “Suck your tongue. Mmm, I’d take it deep because I feel it everywhere when you fuck my mouth.” The dramatic change in him came immediately after she uttered the words. She had no idea what happened and quickly stopped wondering. He kissed her lips gently, repeatedly, slowly opening her before licking and leaving her wet. He pul ed back slightly and she started to protest. Al that came forth was a foreign sound, a gasp with vocal cords. Even to her ears it aptly relayed how frustrated she’d become and how badly she needed something more.

  He pushed inside then, forced his way and her mind reeled. So good. Yes, Gage, harder! As promised, she instinctively sucked and tugged at the intrusion and her insides loosened in preparation. Hot, throbbing and needy, she wanted the cloth separating them gone, wanted him rutting between her legs. So many years of waiting, yearning to have her sex breached by a male was close. She could barely stand it.

  Gage’s lust ful y awoke. He knew her mouth wasn’t the only thing withheld from those before him. He craved her virgin’s blood and cry of pain when his swol en cock would sink into her heat, tearing through the barrier. He accepted its presence and control ed it by concentrating on the other feeling, the one of warmth and compassion. Nurturing it, making it swel to surround his carnal thoughts, he slipped from her mouth.

  “That’s it, Reina, rock against my thigh. You make such sweet, hungry sounds when you’re excited. I want you very hot and eager when I sink into you again.”

  Frantic movements quickened her breath and hips. She wanted—no, she needed—to come and she’d become quite frantic in her quest. With reddened lips, her body warm and supple, the strong inclination to oblige and sate both their desire overwhelmed him.

  His hands slowed her to set a rhythm that would make her come but delay it for a bit. She groaned and fol owed him as he led her to a different type of release. She was so responsive and easy to hold. He wanted her first climax with him to be special, strong, memorable. He felt the intensity building by the slight flaring of her hips. Her fingers curled into fists in his hair. She’d come hard this time, he’d see to it and make it good for her.

  “Gage!”

  “That’s it, Reina, almost there. When you start to come, open to me and let go. Let me finish you in a special way.” Her waist moved, hips twisted and when he sensed her peak, she turned up trustingly, held his shoulders and let him guide. Such a sweet, wil ing mouth she had, taking al he gave. A hand at the base of her spine shifted her, rocked her hips in time with the thrust of his tongue.

  She came with an utter lack of restraint—groaning, taking his tongue until her pleasure became too much and she grew slack in his arms. Her head fel back, eyes rol ed upward before her lids closed. He watched her shudder against his thigh as her nipples formed peaks beneath the leather covering her breasts. Those nipples would have to be incredibly stiff to create such knots in the thick garment. He wanted her bared to his eyes and mouth. He wanted a taste.

  If such could be brought about by merely fucking her mouth, he could only imagine what sliding into her pussy would entail. On and on she went, her body stiffening again as greater sensations took her. Such a beautiful creature. Sexual yet chaste and deprived of what her body most needed.

  Bringing her to his chest, holding her tightly against him, he heard whimpers of completion as he once again pointedly fucked her mouth. The scent of her arousal along with that of her climax surrounded him. His stomach muscles tightened in response and he fought not to lose control.

  Many long moments swept by as she tasted passion between a man and woman. Endurance in riding out her pleasure impressed him, considering they both remained ful y clothed and standing against a wal . She clung to him in the aftermath, and quietly whispered, “More? Please, General—Gage, wil you give me more?”

  The woman’s greed in her search for sexual release was a charming quality indeed. “But your pretty little mouth is swol en and you’ve just come against my thigh. Are you sure you want more?” The voice wasn’t his. It belonged to the lust riding him. It issued innocent, chiding questions to make her confirm she wanted what would happen next.

  With the scent of her climax and eager body close, the softer feelings vanished and al that remained was desire growing stronger, threatening to take charge. A microsecond separated him from removing her belt, shoving her pants down and turning her into the wal . From there, he’d release his cock, bend low and drive his swol en rod the whole way inside.

  Heat rose from the skin beneath his uniform. A hairsbreadth from acting instinctively and bringing them both to orgasm, he released her before bringing his palms to the wal above her head. His body and mind struggled. He mental y repeated his military oath and halfway through, other thoughts invaded.

  Such a hungry woman. Riding and humping you until she came. She’s like an animal in heat. She wants to be fucked and ridden hard. Give her what she wants, what you both want and release your flesh into her wet, hungry, tight little body.

  He stood straight, took her chin in his fingers and kissed her lightly on the forehead. “Good night, Lady Reina. Sleep wel .” The steps from her cabin to his were few but the journey drained him. As he undressed, he knew what would happen and dreaded it with every beat of his heart. He’d toyed with the lustful hunger by indulging his body. Its ugly presence lingered.

  The tunic came undone and he removed it. After several deep breaths, he unfastened the pants and groaned as his straining and heavy cock fel forward. The chair took his weight as he removed his boots and pants. He sat quietly for a last moment before standing, facing the inevitable and going to his bed.

  Even a Domineer needed sleep. He’d managed to reduce the nightmare hours to no more than three or four an eve but despite years of practice, he stil had to close his eyes. He fought less than five minutes before his body succumbed and he dropped headlong into a dreaded slumber…

  Fiery lengths of soft hair floated over his face and chest as he felt Eden’s slight weight settle over him. The cold stone beneath him seemed inconsequential because of the gift he’d been given. “I’ve missed you so,” he said.

  Fol owing months of imprisonment, she’d been brought to him as reward for compliance and a victory won in battle. His payment for slaying the Theazian in the arena had been a choice—another fight to the death with his second-in-command or a last private visit with his wife before his own torture and death. His opponent’s green blood stil dotted his skin. Eden hadn’t cared. The memory from a decade past remained sweet and tragic.

  Gage, he heard her whispery voice as if it were real.

  “Shh, Eden, it’s al right. I sense your need. Take me.
”

  Seeing her starved and deprived of so much, he wanted nothing more than to hold and reassure her. The chains made it impossible. Hot tears spattered his chest while fingers with scant flesh came to rest upon the wetness. His blood stirred and body responded when he felt wetness seep from between her opened thighs.

  I’ve been so scared.

  “You’re strong.”

  I’m not.

  “This wil end soon.”

  Shh, love. Let’s not speak of such things now. I need you.

  “That’s it, take me. Take what you need.”

  His head came up as he groaned loudly. To have her in any way, one more time, would make even torture seem sweet. After enduring weeks without her, to have her body slipping over his made him believe in an afterlife. The pain of endless experiments and torture faded as she rol ed her hips.

  “Eden!”

  Let go of restraint, love. The chains hold you so give freedom to what you really want. I need your pleasure so intense you’ll never forget this moment.

  He could deny her nothing and as she tightened in climax, he let control slip. Red-hot, wild lust surged forth. Through the haze, his body arched so he could be held deeper than ever before. He saw her head rol as long hair flowed like flaming streamers across her face and against his own. Her back curved, breasts thrust forward as ribs protruded. Perfection, beauty, his wife. Once he’d planted his seed, she leaned forward to place her lips against his.

  The kiss and stroke of her hand stil felt real a decade later. And then he remembered the rest.

  Forgive me.

  “You’ve done nothing to forgive.”

  I have. Forgive me.

  Theazian guards came then, barely al owing her time to pul the filthy dress over her trembling body.

  “Eden.” With so much to say, the words stuck, froze in his throat when he saw the look on her face.